it's a wonderful life radio show | continuing

We've made it through Christmas, but IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW is still on!  Bring your family or coworkers out for an extra treat before the New Year!  We'll be playing this classic tale until Dec 30th.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW
Playing Dec 26-30
Tickets and Info

dec 23 | christmas presence | set list

act one

joy to the world | nelson james brett +

I saw three ships | jordan

the innkeeper | ron

zion | peter

x-mas files | kaitlin + mack

christmas time is here | james + trio

taste of winter | brandon shauna ron

white christmas | jordan

o holy night | ron

on this holy night | anna

god in the doorway | shauna

king of kings | peter

act two

lo how a rose | nelson james brett +

lion witch wardrobe | kaitlin + mack

tube sox, by sufjan stevens | ron

worst christmas ever | jordan

annunciation | ron + shauna

mary's song | peter

mary considers her situation | shauna

wondrous wild | anna

o sapientia | shauna

mary's boy child | jordan

the real santa claus | ron

angels we have heard on high | peter

*

musicians

becca birkner, bass

nelson boschman, piano

james danderfer, clarinet

jordan klassen

peter la grand

brie mcdaniel, vocals

kenton wiens, drums

anna vandas

brett ziegler, keyboards

readers

brandon bate

mack gordon

shauna johannesen

ron reed

kaitlin williams gordon

merry christmas!

Wishing you all a fantastic Christmas!  Our administrative office will be closed from Dec 24-Jan 4, and the box office will be closed on Dec 24 & 25.  See you on the other side, everyone!

christmas presence | photos

One more round of photos from CHRISTMAS PRESENCE before we do our final performance tonight!  After this evening, our stage will be dark for a couple of days until Boxing Day when we come back for 6 consecutive performances of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW to cap off the year.

dec 22 | christmas presence | set list

act one

ding dong merrily on high | spencer capier

emmanuel | ron

alleluia | garth bowen

?

wondrous wild | anna vandas

first coming, de fuentes | ron

golden slumbers | nelson boschman

three fools, by mike mason | ron

a holy night | carolyn arends

white christmas | garth bowen

santaland diaries | ron

have yourself a merry little christmas | nelson boschman

maybe this christmas | anna vandas

mando little pine siskin, john reischman | spencer capier

child's christmas in texas, by john henry faulk | ron

what kind of king | carolyn arends

act two

jazz tune | nelson et al

engineer's christmas | ron

huron carol | garth bowen

o holy night, by bill richardson | ron

on this holy night | anna vandas

my first christmas | carolyn arends

the real santa claus | ron

god rest ye | garth bowen

keen sense of occasion | ron

christmas magic | carolyn arends

in the bleak midwinter | spencer

seth | ron

the first noel | anna vandas

*

nelson boschman | keyboard

ben appenheimer | bass

brandon toews | drums

christ hawley | accordion

it's a wonderful life radio show | behind the sound effects table

One of the joys of a live radio show is watching how the live sound effects come together, right in front of your eyes!  Here are some shots featuring the work of our musician and sound effects man, Joel Stephanson in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW.

dec 21 evening | christmas presence | set list

christmas is coming | nelson boschman + combo 

charlie brown + linus | ron + matthew

maybe this christmas | zaac pick

song of the un-poet | ron matthew brendan

I wish, by stevie wonder | michael hart

?

hope is here | laurel

?

advent song | michael

o holy night, by bill richardson

christmastime is here, by vince guaraldi | nelson boschman

macy's christmas elf, by david sedaris | matthew

jingle bells | laurel

the real santa claus | ron

o what night | zaac pick

act two

three ships | nelson + combo 

three generations, by hawksley workman | michael hart

screed | ron

wrapped up in you | laurel

presents, by luci shaw | ron

finding christmas | zaac pick

secret of the gifts | ron shona matthew brandon

o come emmanuel | laurel

shem, by david kossoff | ron

gloria | zaac pick

no safe place, by sheila rosen | ron

come thou long expected jesus | michael hart

*

ron reed, matthew simmons, shona struthers, brandon bate | readings

nelson boschman | keyboard

ben appenheimer | bass

brandon toews | drums 

links to several christmas presence readings can be found here

dec 21 matinee | christmas presence | set list

act one

three ships | nelson + combo 

advent, by robert farrar capon | ron reed

advent song | michael hart

dark then light, by rory holland | ron reed

gloria | zaac pick

wise men, by john dowie | ron reed

christmastime is here, by vince guaraldi | nelson boschman

santaland diaries, by david sedaris | matthew simmons

jingle bells | laurel

keen sense of occasion, by john lekich | ron reed

finding christmas | zaac pick

miles, by mike mason | ron reed

wrapped up in you | laurel

act two

I wish, by stevie wonder | michael hart

pretty well picked over, by mike royko | ron reed

three generations, by hawksley workman | michael hart

the blessed virgin compared to the air we breath, g.m. hopkins | richard austin

christmas song, by dave matthews | zaac pick

edict, by ron reed | matthew simmons

o come emmanuel | laurel

annunciation | frederick buechner

too much to ask | madeleine l'engle

joseph's suspicion | rainer maria rilke

mary considers her situation | luci shaw

the irrational season | madeleine l'engle

o what night | zaac pick

a child's christmas in wales, by dylan thomas | ron

*

ron reed, matthew simmons, richard austin | readings

nelson boschman | keyboard

ben appenheimer | bass

brandon toews | drums 

other christmas presence readings are linked here

dec 20 | christmas presence in the valley | set list

act one

o come emmanuel | nelson boschman + combo 

dragged-out tommy rot, by emily carr | ron reed

vacancy | carolyn arends

dark then light, by rory holland | ken hildebrandt

advent song | michael hart

advent | cathy hardy

yes (mary's song) | cathy hardy

three fools, by mike mason | ron reed

long way to go | carolyn arends

o holy night, by bill richardson | ken hildebrandt

o holy night | cathy hardy

christmastime is here, by vince guaraldi | nelson boschman

the real santa claus, by mike mason | mike mason

I wish, by stevie wonder | michael hart

act two

what child is this | nelson boschman + combo 

three generations, by hawksley workman | michael hart

25^th of december, by rory holland | ken hildebrandt

sleigh ride | cathy hardy

keen sense of occasion, by john lekich | ron reed

christmas magic | carolyn arends

miles, by mike mason | ron reed

little drummer girl | cathy hardy

new story, by rory holland | ken hildebrandt

come thou long expected jesus | michael hart

god in the doorway, by annie dillard | ron

do not be afraid | carolyn arends

*

spencer capier | guitar mandolin violin etc

steve klassen | trumpet

peter davyduck | bass

brandon toews | drums

christmas presence in the valley | tonight!

We're heading down to the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium this afternoon to bring CHRISTMAS PRESENCE to Abbotsford!  Online ticket sales for tonight's performance will be available until 3pm, otherwise drop in and get tickets at the door.

christmas presence | artist profile | michael hart

Michael Hart has been a part of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE since almost the beginning, and his performances are always a treat!  He's recorded 8 albums since 1990, including Christmas album Dulcimer Light and Lord of the Mountain, featuring some beautiful renditions of Psalms.  His albums are always in high demand after the show!  There are tickets left for all performances, but your best bet is the 8pm performance on Dec 21st.

dec 20 | christmas presence | mike mason

This weekend we have Mike Mason joining us at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE IN THE VALLEY to read from his new book 21 Candles!  Whether you know it or not, Mike Mason's stories have been a part of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE for years.  We have been reading from the new book already this year, but if you join us in Abbotsford, you'll get to hear from Mr. Mason himself!  

Mike Mason at Christmas Presence
Saturday, Dec 20th in Abbotsford
www.pacifictheatre.org

it's a wonderful life radio show | photos

Some more shots from IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW, playing through December 30th!

dec 16 | christmas presence | set list

act one

huron carol | garth bowen

25^th of december | rory holland

jingle bells | laurel

the real santa claus | mike mason

angels we have heard on high | peter la grand

seth | david kossoff

the lord is my shepherd | jon ochsedorf

seven principles of christmas | garrison keillor

zion | peter la grand

miles | mike mason

wrapped up in you | laurel

act two

thaddeus bristol | david sedaris

when I was a young man | jon ochsendorf

ghost of christmas | mike mason

come to us emmanuel | peter la grand

o come emmanuel | laurel

silent night | garth

mary's song | peter la grand

down bethlehem way | jon ochsendorf

feast days | annie dillard

white christmas | garth bowen

*

peter abando | piano

brett ziegler | keyboards

becca birkner | bass

rick colhoun | drums

kenton wiens | drums

ron reed + mike mason | readings

christmas presence | dec 15th photos

Some shots of the gang rehearsing for last night's performance of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE!  Many shows to come, including one tonight with much of the same crew: Peter La Grand, Jon Ochsendorf, Garth Bowen, Laurell, Peter Abando, Becca Birkner, Rick Colhoun, and Kenton Wiens.

christmas presence | artist profiles | laurell

Our next featured artist in the CHRISTMAS PRESENCE line up is Laurell!  This gal has been working like crazy recently, releasing a whole series of pop and dance hits, but she still breaks out the acoustic guitar with us every year.  Although who knows, this year she might get us all up dancing!  Check out her Christmas single, All Wrapped Up in You, below.

christmas presence | artist profiles | sheree plett and jeremy eisenhauer

Sheree Plett and Jeremy Eisenhauer have been staples of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE for years.  When they moved to Comox last summer, we had high hopes that they would make it back out this season, but were also ready to accept reality that it might not happen.  Well colour us excited, because they are making it just in time for the last performance of the run!

dec 15 | christmas presence | set list

act one

scrooge + his nephew | charles dickens
finding christmas | zaac pick
dark, then light | rory holland

the x-mas files | cammuso + seely
do you hear what I hear | corey janz
the real santa claus | mike mason
santa claus is coming to town | the tourist company
macy's christmas elf | david sedaris

from you, with love | andy frew
annunciation | frederick buechner
too much to ask | luci shaw
joseph's dream | rainer maria rilke
mary considers her situation | luci shaw
the irriational season | madeleine l'engle
great commingling | corey janz

o holy night | bill richardson
worst christmas ever | the tourist company

gloria | zaac pick

act two

o tannenbaum
christmas drinks party | william nicholson
angels we have heard | corey janz
the nativity | c.s. lewis
love has come | andy frew
father christmas | c.s. lewis
have yourself a merry little christmas | the tourist company

o what a night | zaac pick
miles | mike mason
the king (o my love) | andy frew
joseph's lullabye | ron klug
I wonder as I wander | the tourist company
christmas prayer | robert louis stevenson

*

rick colhoun | drums
kenton wiens | drums
jonathon perkins | bass

ron reed, kaitlin williams, mack gordon | readings

christmas presence | mini-documentary

Last year we made a 2-minute documentary about CHRISTMAS PRESENCE.  If you haven't experienced our favourite Christmas tradition yet, here's a taste of what you're in for.


CHRISTMAS PRESENCE
Dec 14-16, 21-23 at PT
Dec 20 in the Valley

christmas campaign | more photos

We know you're just dying to see more of our goofy Christmas Campaign pictures!  Here are some solo shots of our "connected" family.  For the back story, you can check out the group photo and poem and the fundraising tally before perusing our solo shots.  Then jump in and donate online or by calling 604-731-5483 and asking for Alison.

it's a wonderful life radio show | responses

"Pacific Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show manages to enhance, rather than compete with the original. It is, in a word, brilliant. ... This show is a showcase for the remarkable range of its actors. Diana Squires is a vocal and physical chameleon who flips between hip-swinging Violet and pencil-pushing Cousin Tilly with the ease of a light switch. Chris Lam, whose singing is both beautiful and humorous, shines strongest in moments where the words are allowed to drip from his lips. His portrayal of Joseph, the wise senior angel, has the measured wisdom associated with a man twice his age. Finally, John Voth, playing George Bailey, astounds as his honey-toned tenor manages to evoke, without impersonating, Jimmy Stewart’s film performance." | Chelsey Stuyt, Vancouver Presents

"The cast is uniformly excellent ... the timing is perfect and the audience remains thoroughly engaged throughout." | Michael Pigeon, Vancouverscape

"The evening was more than I could ever have hoped for. It took me back to a time before I was born – but removed the trappings and busyness of my 21st century life – and helped re-orientate me to what is important in life.
The acting was so accurate, funny, professional…I loved it. Such a joy to be there. Get tickets before the chance is gone (there are even shows the week after Christmas too!) Thank you Pacific Theatre for an amazing experience." | Ann Mak, Audience Response

"Such a smart, sensitive and beautifully produced interpretation of this story." | Julia Lank, Audience Response

"The “radio show” is alive and well in the hands of director Sarah Rogers and adaptation aficionado Peter Church. In fact, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised at how dramatic, vibrant, and animated this medium turns out to be when you “turn your dial” to tune in to Pacific Theatre’s production of the It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show." | Roger Eberle, Review Vancouver

"I didn’t really think before going – we went because we had season tickets. To be honest, I am rather busy this time of year, and would have preferred to stay home…………..
But the evening was more than I could ever have hoped for. It took me back to a time before I was born – but removed the trappings and busyness of my 21st century life – and helped re-orientate me to what is important in life. The acting was so accurate, funny, professional…I loved it. Such a joy to be there. Get tickets before the chance is gone (there are even shows the week after Christmas too!) Thank you Pacific Theatre for an amazing experience." | Ann Mak, Audience Response

"This Radio Show version of the classic hits all the right notes of the original, then adds some charm. The 40′s jingles are fantastic and watching how the sound effects are made just adds to the fun. Adorable Clarence, conflicted George, befuddled uncle Billy – they’re all there, bright and beautiful. This play put a new shine on an old friend. Bravo and Merry Christmas!" - Lorri Romhanyi, Audience Response

christmas presence | artist profile | zaac pick

Zaack Pick was a first-time player at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE last year, and it looks like we've successfully reeled him in for another round!  He spent the summer touring Europe with the Boreal Sons, as well as a handful of Canadian dates with his own work. Now he's ready help get us into the Christmas spirit! Check out his latest video below.

Modern Times by Zaac Pick from Zaac Pick on Vimeo.

christmas presence | north van | photos

Some shots from last Sunday's performance of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE.  Can't wait to do the show in our own space Dec 14-16 & 21-23!

it's a wonderful life radio show | subscriber appreciation saturday

This is one of our favourite subscriber perks: every mainstage show we gather together and get a little inside info from an artist involved in the show.  For IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW the theme is radio dramas and voice acting.  Join playwright, actor, and radio play enthusiast as he discusses everything from microphone technique to voice and accent work to the differences performing live radio over live theatre.