Friday, February 27, 2015

u encounter | greg pennoyer

Ron: It's happening!  After years of work, PT friend Greg Pennoyer is launching a remarkable online exhibition that looks to be pure Soul Food.  And clearly, it's much more than just an online collection of images of "World Masterpieces" - it's a curated, thoroughly thought-through, open-ended experience.  Interestingly, Greg created "God With Us" and "God For Us," the Advent and Lent books which combine carefully chosen paintings and other art with reflections by Christian writers such as Luci Shaw, Richard Rohr, Kathleen Norris, Eugene Peterson, and Richard John Neuhaus. 



Dear Friends:

We are happy to announce the launch of the online exhibition U Encounter.  This extraordinary exhibition explores one of the great questions at the heart of the human journey - “what does it means to be human.”   Through a series of images on the narrative of the life and parables of Jesus of Nazareth, this exhibition considers six themes that unveil for us what we didn’t know we knew about ourselves, about our neightbour, and about our capacity to live together.  The following link will take you directly to the encounter.

We also hope that you will help spread the word about this exhibition.  Please feel free to distribute this link to all and whomever you think will find this a worthy experience.

Warmest regards.

David Goa and Greg Pennoyer

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

the whipping man | preview sold out

Tomorrow is the preview of THE WHIPPING MAN, and we are happy to report that the show has SOLD OUT!  Our apologies to those who were waiting on the pay-what-you-can rush tickets, but the advance sales (at $13.99 a pop for preview night) got snapped up.  If you need a cheaper ticket, you still have matinees, volunteer ushering, and Tickets Tonight day-of rush tickets available.  Email or call our box office at 604.731.5518/tickets@pacifictheatre.org for details.  And don't worry!  There are still plenty of tickets for the rest of the run (but maybe don't wait too long...)



Monday, February 23, 2015

apr 23 | levertov award presented to bruce cockburn | seattle

If you were a Christian and a Canadian in the seventies or eighties, Bruce Cockburn was as important as U2 for Christians in the eighties, nineties and beyond. For the first decade of Pacific Theatre, if people wanted to know what the company was about, I'd say "As Bruce Cockburn is to music, Pacific Theatre wants to be to theatre."  

The man's now being honoured with Image Journal's prestigious Levertov Award - which went to one of our favourite poets, Luci Shaw, the year before last. So with Cockburn, it's not only talk (and a chance to meet the guy), but also a concert. Well worth the trip to Seattle - if I weren't onstage that night in the preview of FREUD'S LAST SESSION, I'd have already booked my ticket.  


Image Journal:

Over the course of four decades, Bruce Cockburn has released more than thirty albums mapping the territory of the human experience. His sound is marked by a blend of folk, blues, jazz, and rock, and his signature vocals range from coarse and gravelly to reedy and longing. In his pursuit of love, both divine and human, he has spun songs of grief, joy, and bewilderment--and even humor. "I'm good at catching rainbows," he sings, "not so good at catching trout."

His honors include thirteen Juno Awards and an induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. He has also been awarded the Order of Canada, one of the highest honors in the nation.

Cockburn's memoir, Rumours of Glory, was released just three months ago. An excerpt from it was featured in issue 82 of Image. Rolling Stone says, "Rumours of Glory offers a call to life, embracing the mysteries of existence and the search for love and beauty, wherever one finds it."

Tickets



"Relationships of the heart require exposure of the soul. You are more vulnerable slipping into bed beside your lover than you are setting up a freelance meth lab in Sinola.

"After a few years of Kitty and me being together, coming apart, and getting back together a few times, I determined that we needed to move the relationship forward somehow. I asked Kitty to marry me, and she said yes. On the penultimate cay of the decade we were married at Saint George's Anglican Church in downtown Ottawa.

"The church setting was mostly an aesthetic choice for me, though more deeply meaningful to Kitty. I took very seriously the idea of making a promise before God, but I didn't care whether we did it in a field or church or somebody's backyard. It was beautiful, but I wasn't attached to the place. I was seeking a deep and mystical bonding with the beautiful woman I loved, which I got, but I also got something else, quite unexpectedly.

"With Father Playfair's guidance we repeated our vows, then exchanged rings. At that moment, when I held Kitty's hand to place her ring, I became aware of a presence standing there with us - invisible to the eye but as solid and obvious as any of the people in the room. I felt bathed in the figure's energy. I shivered, said to myself, "Well, I don't know who or what this is, but we're in a Christian church, so it's got to be Jesus." Who else would it be? He spoke no words, but the presence was real, male, and loving.

"The church where Kitty and I were married was a human construct built to accommodate and celebrate the possibility of a relationship with God. But I don't think it was about the building. It is the opening, the baring of souls to each other and therefore to the divine, that allows these communications to occur. I will say, though, that we seemed to be in the right place at the right time, doing right by God in his house, and that might have helped."

Portions of the excerpt from "Rumours Of Glory" reprinted in Image Journal No 82, Fall 2014



sideshow | march 10 performance cancelled

We are sorry to report that the March 10 performance of SIDESHOW has been cancelled.  Our friends at Off Key Improv have loved performing on the sets of each production so far, but Drew Facey's gloriously dilapidated set for THE WHIPPING MAN, while perfectly safe for a rehearsed production, does not accommodate musical improvisors making up songs and dances on the spot.  



We have already contacted everyone who has already purchased tickets to this performance - you are welcome to switch to the May 5 performance or request a refund.

Please call the box office at 604-731-5518 or email tickets@pacifictheatre.org if you have any questions.

mar 13,14,19-21 | fiddler on the roof | gallery 7

Our friends at Gallery 7 Theatre present FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Don't miss this beloved, Tony Award-Winning musical!


Fiddler on the Roof
Presented by Gallery 7 Theatre

Living in a tiny village in pre-revolutionary Russia, Tevye etches out a meagre life as a dairy farmer while raising his five daughters in the traditions and values of his Jewish faith. Facing eviction by the anti-Semitic Czarist regime, Tevye's world is further challenged when each of his three eldest daughters select husbands that could threaten the very fabric of his long-held, much-beloved customs. This endearing and highly adored Tony-Award winning musical probes the tension that exists between tradition and the values of a restless, ever-changing world. 

Two weekends only:
March 13 & 14, 19-21 @ 7:30 PM
Discount Matinees: March 14 & 21 @ 2:00 PM

Abbotsford Arts Centre
2329 Crescent Way, Abbotsford 

For more information, click here.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

mar 3 | gospel according to matthew | viff

By far the greatest of the Jesus films


The Gospel According To Matthew
1964, Italy, Pier Paolo Pasolini

VIFF
Tue Mar 3 7:30pm

Friday, February 20, 2015

the whipping man | subscriber appreciation saturday

THE WHIPPING MAN is the second in a series of three plays in our season that happen to deal closely with Judaism and Jewish culture.  In THE WHIPPING MAN, two Jewish slaves find that their emancipation coincides with Passover, bringing new meaning to the celebration.  Because of this, we're going to delve more into Passover with our subscribers.  Consider it a hands-on Passover 101.


The Whipping Man Subscriber Appreciation Saturday
Saturday, Feb 28th at approx 4pm (following the matinee)
RSVP to Shona: shona@pacifictheatre.org

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

the whipping man | special talkbacks

THE WHIPPING MAN deals with American slavery, but we know that slavery is not just a historical issue.  Vancouver is, unfortunately, a hub for human trafficking and the current slave trade that primarily exploits young women.  There are a host of local organizations working to fight this, and we are proud to host special post-show talkbacks with a few of them to help highlight the issues as well as show what you can do to help.


Deborah's Gate - March 4th

Deborah's Gate is a specialized program with the Salvation Army designed to provide support and shelter to women who have been trafficked.

The RCMP - March 5th

The RCMP is Canada's national police force and has a Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre to help combat human trafficking on all levels, including investigation, awareness, prevention,  and intelligence both locally and internationally.

REED - March 18 & 19

REED (Resist Exploitation Embrace Dignity) provides outreach and assistance to women caught in human trafficking as well as influencing social change through education and legal influence.

UPDATE: There was a March 12 REED talkback that has now been cancelled.

Monday, February 16, 2015

the foreigner on tour

You may have heard by now that our production of THE FOREIGNER was picked up by The Arts Club for a local tour!  The tour runs from Feb 18-March 14th with dates across the Lower Mainland.  Check for details on their website.


SURREY - Feb 18 – 28
Surrey Arts Centre
604.501.5566

NORTH VANCOUVER - Mar 2
BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts (at Capilano University)
604.990.7810

COQUITLAM - Mar 3 – 7
Evergreen Cultural Centre
604.927.6555

MISSION - Mar 10
Clarke Theatre
1.877.299.1644

CHILLIWACK - Mar 11
Chilliwack Cultural Centre
604.391.SHOW (7469)

BURNABY - Mar 12 & 13
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
604.205.3000

MAPLE RIDGE - Mar 14
The ACT Arts Centre and Theatre
604.476.2787

Find more info and links to book yourself in on the Arts Club's website.

Friday, February 13, 2015

the whipping man | meet the director

If you've been around PT you are likely familiar with THE WHIPPING MAN's director, Anthony F. Ingram.  He has been a regular as an actor almost since the company began (and certainly since the beginning of his career - Anthony got his start as an actor with us).  He performed in (among others) HALO, THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, REFUGE OF LIES, and HOW TO WRITE A NEW BOOK FOR THE BIBLE.  As a director he was behind our Jessie Award-winning production of THE SEAFARER, as well as PLAYLAND and 100 SAINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW.  Here's a little photographic retrospective on some of the past shows he's done here.





When asked what he's most excited about for THE WHIPPING MAN, here's what he had to say:

"It’s a look at a part of history of which many of us are not aware and at social issues that, as recent events in the USA and other places around the world demonstrate, we are still trying to work out. A quick internet search will show how contentious the results of the American Civil War remain. People are having vibrant discussions about whether or not the eradication of slavery was Lincoln’s primary interest in waging war against the Confederate States."

mar 10 + 12 | the aspect of eternity | lucia frangione

PT veteran Lucia Frangione (ESPRESSO, LEAVE OF ABSENCE) will be directing one of two readings of Canadian plays that explore Christian faith and queer sexuality.


The Frank Theatre Company, in association with St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church and Calgary's Third Street Theatre, presents readings of two Canadian plays that explore Christian faith and queer sexuality. Can we reconcile the two? Can we form bridges across difference?

The Book of Esther by Leanna Brodie
Directed by Jovanni Sy
Featuring Leanna Brodie, Chris Lam, Shawn MacDonald, Adele Noronha & Todd Thomson
March 10, 2015 at 7 pm

Oblivion by Jonathan Brower
Directed by Lucia Frangione
Featuring Pippa Johnstone, Kevin Kraussler, Lisa Cooke Ravensbergen and Luc Roderique
March 12, 2015 at 7 pm
Presented in association with Third Street Theatre

ASL interpretation for both shows

There will be a panel discussion after the reading of Oblivion on March 12th.

Admission by donation. Suggested donation: $10 (no one turned away due to lack of funds)

Facebook event page

Thursday, February 12, 2015

feb 13-14 | art spirit community | st mary's church

You're invited to drop in at St. Mary's to enjoy lots of art on display and perhaps pick up a Valentine's Day gift for a loved one. February 13th and 14th only.




Sixty artists will be showing their work: paintings, etchings, drawings, photographs, ceramics, woodwork, quilt making. Most of the artists are from Vancouver, but artists from Ladner, Richmond, Burnaby, and Port Moody will also be showing their work.

Back in 2011 the clergy and representatives of the Anglican Parishes of St. Philips-Dunbar; St. Helen’s-West Point Grey; St. Anselm’s, Holy Trinity – Vancouver; St. Augustine – Marpole St. Faith’s and St. Mary’s – Kerrisdale got together to plan a celebration of the Arts. They wanted to reach out to their communities, bring people together, and demonstrate that the link between spirituality and the arts was alive and well and living in Vancouver.

The result of their discussions was an evening in which Vancouver artist Tito Kerr made an illustrated presentation on his life, his art and his community work in Vancouver. It was a powerful and moving presentation.

The power of the evening continued to resonate with some who heard Tito Kerr, and this led to the current St. Mary's initiative to hold a two-day exhibition of art by artists in the Lower Mainland. The show will be at their premises on West 37th Avenue, between Larch and Balsam Streets. They've been helped tremendously by CARFAC who not only advised on the Invitation to Artists, but also circulated the invitation to their membership.

The art will be on display and on sale on:

Friday, February 13, from noon to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Get more information here.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

feb 11-14 | love letters | mack gordon, kaitlin williams

PT artists Mack Gordon (THE FOREIGNER) and Kaitlin Williams (THE FOREIGNER, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE) join other Vancouver couples in LOVE LETTERS by AR Gurney. But act quickly, they will only be reading for one night (February 11th)!



Love Letters
February 11-14
Hosted by Staircase Theatre Society
Sweet and heartbreaking, Love Letters is the story of a 50-year correspondence between Melissa Gardner and her childhood-friend-turned-love-interest, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. Gurney's play, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, has been performed in theatre spaces all over the world, from the New York Public Library to Broadway to Carnegie Hall and back again. A smash hit both off an on Broadway, this limited Valentine's engagement includes appearances by real couples of the Vancouver theatre scene. Andrew and Melissa's story will be told by a different couple every night, including Maghan Gardiner & Todd Thomson, Mack & Katlin Williams and Michael Fera & Tanja Dixon-Warren.

Read more about this heartwarming piece here. 

Click here to purchase tickets.

Monday, February 09, 2015

feb 17 | gallery 7 | open auditions

Our friends at Gallery 7 are looking for male and female performers ages 20-70 for 110 STORIES - a powerful story based around the events of 9/11.




110 Stories by Sarah Tuft
Images of 9/11 are forever etched in our collective memory. These are the stories of people who risked their lives to save those trapped in the burning inferno of the Twin Towers and who desperately tried to rescue the ones buried under the smoldering debris following their collapse. Through their unimaginable testimonies and first-person accounts, a story of hope, compassion and even humour surges from the ashes of New York City's darkest day, culminating in a powerful and cathartic experience that celebrates the human capacity to rise above adversity and tragedy in a unifying effort to save lives.
Click here for more info

Auditions: Tuesday, February 17 @ 6:30 PM
Call Backs: Saturday, February 21 @ 10 AM
Performance dates: May 1 & 2, 7-9 @ 7:30


Auditions will be held at Gallery 7 Theatre - Huntington Station (#100 - 34595 3rd Avenue, Abbotsford)

To book an audition, call 604-504-5940 or email info@gallery7theatre.com

the whipping man | first rehearsal

Today was the first rehearsal of THE WHIPPING MAN!  We were lucky enough to have Drew Facey's amazing set built in (you'll get a reveal on that soon), and so were treated to director Anthony F. Ingram giving us a little introduction to the play from the stage.


(Want to see this, and other, images as they happen?  Follow us on Instagram - @pacifictheatre!)

Thursday, February 05, 2015

the whipping man | meet the cast

We couldn't be more excited about the cast of THE WHIPPING MAN, and we couldn't imagine a better-suited trio of actors to take on this play.  Here's an introduction to each of them.


CARL KENNEDY

Role in The Whipping Man:
John

Last seen on the PT stage:
Lucius Jenkins in JESUS HOPPED THE 'A' TRAIN.

Birthplace:
North Carolina

When he's not acting:
Carl writes poetry and spoken word pieces.

His favourite lines from the show:
John: What do I call you now?
Caleb: Call me?
John: "Master" doesn't quite fit no more.
Caleb: You never called me that.
John: "Sir?" Do I address you as "sir," now?
Caleb: You never called me that, either. I think "Caleb" will be just fine.
John: Will he?


TOM PICKETT

Role in The Whipping Man:
Simon

Last seen on the PT stage:
Playland

When he's not acting:
You might find Tom playing his saxophone.

His favourite line from the show:
"All these things you're telling me to do, by rights now you need to be asking me to do." - Simon


GIOVANNI MOCIBOB

Role in The Whipping Man:
Caleb

Last seen on the PT stage: 
My Name is Asher Lev

When he's not acting: 
Gio might be writing a comedy pilot with his wife or baking some bread.

His favourite lines from the show:
"But bein' free means more than just broken chains, you know, right? It means freedom from anything that breaks your spirit or muddies your mind. Because there's more than just one way a man can be a slave."

To me this strikes at the core of our humanity, being a slave to sin, or weaknesses, our addictions. How quickly we can define and address our external sins, but the inner workings of our hearts are oft left ignored and undefined.

"I see the choices you made. They tell me all I need to know about the man you are, about the free man you gonna be. You don't get to be free, you work to be free."

Freedom isn't something you just have. It is something we all have to work for. Yes we have the privilege to live in a free country but with that comes a duty and responsibility to honour that freedom. To give back, to hold it (the system) and ourselves accountable for the choices we make.

Wednesday, February 04, 2015

volunteer ushers needed!

Did you know that volunteer ushers get to see our plays for free?  We have found ourselves needing to round out our list of volunteer ushers, so if you are interested, please email tickets@pacifictheatre.org with "VOLUNTEER USHER" in the subject line, and include a little information about yourself and any background you have in customer service, ushering, or other related experience.