Thursday, December 31, 2015

christmas campaign | WE DID IT! | $54.5K Raised! 109%

WE DID IT!!! We made our $50,000 in record time.  And we even maxed out our $11,000 matching campaign!

We truly cannot thank you enough for all of your support.  We could not be happier about how this campaign went.  But guess what - the year isn't quite over yet!  If you're still looking to take advantage of the tax benefits of 2015, you can donate here and see just how much we can bring in for this campaign, before 2016 rolls in!

Thanks for making our holidays merry and bright!  We  


THE TALLY:
20 + 100 + 200 + 600 + 50 + 2.25 + 150 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 50 + 100 + 300 + 1000 + 20 + 53 + 20.25 + 25 + 1000 + 50 + 2500 + 25 + 40 + 600 + 1500 + 100 + 100 + 31.50 + 12 + 200 + 1000 + 96.50 + 100 + 500+500 + 25 + 193 + 52.75 + 25 + 100 + 1000 + 291.25 + 5000 + 50 + 200 + 100 +  500  + 150 + 31.50 + 115.80 + 10 + 5 + 20 + 20 + 100 + 20 + 200 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 35 + 50 + 50 + 150 + 50 + 30 + 3 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 500 + 2500 + 200 + 200 + 1000 + 20 +100 + 100 + 40 + 500 + 50 + 50 + 75 + 50 + 50 + 150 + 250 + 40 + 300 + 250 + 25 + 100+50 + 1000 + 50 + 250+150 + 50 + 49.25 + 100 + 50 + 30 + 7 + 500 + 200 + 200 + 100 + 500 + 300 + 22 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 600 + 50 + 1000 + 5 + 14 + 10 + 4.8 + 50 + 250 + 500 + 100 + 200 + 407.5+92.25 + 800 + 100 + 1000 + 1000 + 300 + 5000 + 100 + 50 + 48.25 

+ MATCHING GRANT: $11,000 MAXED OUT!  

CAMPAIGN TOTAL  $54,512.85

GOAL ACHIEVED!!! (And exceeded by: $4,512.85)

Contribute to our campaign today by donating online here or by calling our office at 604.731.5483!

Saturday, December 26, 2015

a christmas carol: on the air | a christmas carol, adapted

It's no surprise that our live radio adaptation of Dickens' classic in A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR is not the only take on this old chestnut.  From plays to comics to television and lots of movies, here are the images from a few popular (and not so popular) versions of A Christmas Carol.








Thursday, December 24, 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

a christmas carol: on the air | 10 things you didn't know about a christmas carol

We've got a couple of weeks left of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR. This story is tried and true, but there are a few fun facts that we bet you don't know about it. This article originally appears in The Telegraph.


1. The great historian Thomas Carlyle went straight out and bought himself a turkey after reading Dickens’s tale of the redemption of Scrooge. Novelist William Thackeray, not always an admirer of Dickens, called A Christmas Carol a “national benefit”; one American entrepreneur gave his employees an extra day’s holiday. Publication had been a huge success, selling in excess of 6,000 copies. Dickens had began writing his “little Christmas book”, as he called it, in October 1843 and worked on it feverishly for six weeks, finishing it at the end of November, just in time for Christmas.

2. As he wrote, Dickens wept and laughed and wept again and would often take long night walks through London, covering anywhere between 15 or 20 miles “when all sober folks had gone to bed”. When he completed the book, he “broke out”, as he himself described it, “like a madman”.

3. The story is loosely based on Gabriel Grubb, a character in The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton, which appeared in Dickens’ first published novel, The Pickwick Papers. In the story, a gravedigger determined not to make merry at Christmas, is kidnapped by goblins and convinced to change his ways.

4. Two months after the publication of A Christmas Carol, Parley’s Illuminated Library pirated it. Dickens sued and won his case. The pirates, on the other hand, simply declared themselves bankrupt, leaving Dickens to pay £700 in costs, equal to £56,364 today.

5. Within six weeks of its publication, the book hit the London stage in an adaptation by Edward Stirling, which ran for more than 40 nights before transferring to New York’s Park Theatre. Also in the same city, a musical version was staged which was hampered badly on opening night, when brawling broke out, drowning out the bass drum that ushered Marley’s ghost as he rose through a trapdoor.

6. In 1853, 10 years after its publication, Charles Dickens gave the first public performance in Birmingham’s town hall. He performed it in front of a rapturous crowd of 2,000, all working people from the town, and it lasted just under three hours. Before this time, no great author had performed their works in public and for profit, which many thought beneath Dickens’ calling as a writer and a gentleman.

7. On performance days Dickens stuck to a rather bizarre routine. He had two tablespoons of rum flavoured with fresh cream for breakfast, a pint of champagne for tea and, half an hour before the start of his performance, would drink a raw egg beaten into a tumbler of sherry. During the five-minute interval, he invariably consumed a quick cup of beef tea, and always retired to bed with a bowl of soup.

8. He always presented himself to his audience in full evening dress, with a bright buttonhole, a purple waistcoat and a glittering watch-chain. His stage equipment consisted of a reading desk, carpet, gas lights and a pair of large screens behind him to help project his voice forward.

9. Without a single prop or bit of costume, Dickens peopled his stage with a throng of characters, it is said, “like an entire theatre company… under one hat”. The arrival of Scrooge always created a sensation; Dickens became an old man with a shrewd, grating voice whose face was drawn into his collar like an ageing turtle. During the Fezziwigs’ party, his fingers would dance along the reading table in a mad array of little hops and pirouettes. It is reported that the audience “fell into a kind of trance, as a universal feeling of joy seemed to invade the whole assembly”.

10. Dickens began with A Christmas Carol, and he ended with it. His last reading of the little book took place in London at St James’s Hall, on March 15, 1870. At the end of the performance, he told his audience: “From these garish lights, I vanish now for evermore, with a heartfelt, grateful, respectful, and affectionate farewell.” There was a stunned silence, broken by a tumult of cheering, hat-waving and the stamping of feet. With tears streaming down his face, Dickens raised his hands to his lips in an affectionate kiss and departed from the platform for ever. He died three months later, aged 58.

THE TELEGRAPH

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

a christmas carol: on the air | holiday performance schedule

Need something to do between now and 2016?  We've got a full week of performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR available to you over Christmas and New Years!  Enjoy a family outing or a night out with friends during this special time of year.



dec 22 | christmas presence | set list

new five cent piece | spencer capier
advent | robert farrar capon
advent song | michael hart
quartet | tim anderson
angels we have heard on high | nelson & all
gloria | zaac pick
southern magi | unknown
on christmas eve | kathleen nisbett
child's christmas in texas | john henry faulk
three generations | michael hart
presents | luci shaw
magic | jon ochsendorf
the real santa claus | mike mason
zion | peter la grand

sing we now of christmas | spencer capier
scrooge and nephew | charles dickens
all hail and welcome | michael hart
are there no prisons? | charles dickens
it came upon a midnight clear | peter la grand
man of duty | tim anderson
mary did you know | michael hart
mary considers her situation | luci shaw
zechariah's song | peter la grand
seth | david kossoff
o what night | zaac pick
a new man | charles dickens
breaking up christmas | kathleen nisbett
emmanuel | frederick buechner
finding christmas | zaac pick

Monday, December 21, 2015

dec 21 | christmas presence | matinee set list

christmas is coming | nelson boschman
charlie brown & linus
breaking up christmas | kathleen nisbett
seven principles of a successful christmas | garrison keillor

some children see him | lyette & allen desnoyers
christmas is really for the children | steve taylor
god rest ye | garth bowen
miles | mike mason
christmas in october | allen desnoyers

on this holy night | anna vandas
?
carry me | laura & ryan koch

*

new five cent piece | spencer capier

25th of december | rory holland
magnificat | lyette & allen desnoyers
butterfingers angel | william gibson
mary's song | laura & ryan koch
mary considers her situation | luci shaw
wondrous wild | anna vandas
o sapientia | madeleine l'engle
mary had a baby | kathleen nisbett

reverie | john howison
huron carol | garth bowen
no safe place | sheila rosen
first noel | anna vandas

dec 20 | christmas presence | evening set list

new five cent piece | spencer capier
every man heart lay down, by lorenz graham
radiance | peter la grand
annunciation, by frederick buechner
magic | jon ochsendorf

christmastime is here | nelson boschman
a keen sense of occasion, by john lekich
finding christmas | zaac pick
a child's christmas in texas, by john henry faulk
on christmas eve | kathleen nisbett

annunciation, by w. david o. taylor
mary's song | peter la grand
christmas drinks party, by william nicholson
o what night | zaac pick

*

o come emmanuel | nelson boschman
are there no prisons? by charles dickens
breaking up christmas | kathleen nisbett

sing we now of christmas | spencer capper
herod, by w.h. auden
mary take your child | jon ochsendorf
man of duty, by tim anderson
it came upon a midnight clear | peter la grand
angel collage, by ron reed
christmas song | zaac pick
god in the doorway, by annie dillard
angels we have heard on high | peter la grand
christmas prayer, by robert louis stevenson

Thursday, December 17, 2015

throwback thursday | christmas presences of years gone by

We have been hosting CHRISTMAS PRESENCE almost every single year since Pacific Theatre began in 1984.  Here's a look back to the first ever poster image.  This year's CHRISTMAS PRESENCE has four remaining performances: Dec 20 & 21 at PT and Dec 19 in Abbotsford.


Wednesday, December 16, 2015

love musically | off key improv

Remember last year's SIDESHOW musical improv group, Off Key Improv?  They have a Christmas show up this week called LOVE MUSICALLY.  It features all the familiar faces from last year's shows plus a few new faces.


Off Key Improv is excited to announce the premiere of Love Musically, a heart-warming musical tribute to the holiday movie Love Actually. Join the Off Key Cast & Band as they delve into the equally romantic, comedic and musical moments of love and life through the Vancouver winter holiday season.

Pre-show there will be mulled wine and winter ale for you to enjoy while you spend time with the cast as they warm up. Then, you are invited to laugh, cry, smile, hum along, and even hold your breath as you watch the performers dive headfirst into a fully improvised tangle of love and relationships, inspired by real audience stories.

Featuring ever-original music, songs and lighting… the only thing you can be certain of is: you’re going to love it. Actually.

Note for parents: adult & sexually suggestive themes a possibility in this show

SHOWTIMES:

Wed, Dec. 16 – 8pm
Thur, Dec. 17 – 8pm
Fri, Dec. 18 – 8pm
Sat, Dec. 19 – 2pm & 8pm
Sun, Dec. 20 – 2pm & 8pm

Tickets on Brown Paper Tickets

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

a christmas carol: on the air | how to insult like scrooge

Scrooge is best-known for being a tight-fisted penny pincher and sharp, clever insults. We asked actor Paul Griggs, playing Scrooge in our production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR, to share his favourite Scroogian snub.  Feel free to memorize a few in case you need to bring down the level of cheer at your next holiday party.


To his nephew Fred:
“Merry Christmas? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.”
“What’s Christmastime to you but a time for paying bills without money?”
“Christmastime for you, is a time for finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer.”
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled in his own pudding!”

To Bob Cratchit:
“What do I care about his ill wife? I want the money he owes me.”
“Christmastime is a poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every twenty-fifth of December.”

To the Gentlewoman:
“If the poor would rather die, they had better do it and decrease the surplus population”
“I don’t make myself merry at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry.”

dec 14 | christmas presence | set list

christmas is coming | nelson boschman

dina donohue | no room
bethlehem light | allen desnoyers
w. david o. taylor | annunciation
lament for advent | corey janz

david sedaris | macy's christmas

god rest ye | garth bowen
annie dillard | god in the doorway
the messiah has come | jeff hawker

christmas in october | allen desnoyers
john henry faulk | a child's christmas in texas
christmas time is here | nelson boschman

*

joy to the world | nelson boschman
richard waller | engineer's santa claus
angels we have heard on high | allen desnoyers

tom carson | snow angel
time and place | corey janz
william nicholson | christmas drinks party (from shadowlands)
huron carol | garth bowen

luci shaw | mary considers her situation
o new commingling | corey janz

david kossoff | seth

magic | jon ochsendorf
dylan thomas | child's christmas in wales
silent night | garth bowen
robert louis stevenson | christmas prayer

*

drums | rick colhoun, kenton wiens
bass | becca birkner

Sunday, December 13, 2015

dec 13 | christmas presence | set list

sing we now of christmas | spencer capier
charles dickens | scrooge & nephew

alleluia | garth bowen

w. david o. taylor | the annunciation: a really weird story
waiting | the tourist company

a child is born | lydia collin
annie dillard | feast days

put the lights on the tree | the tourist company
mike mason | three fools
robert farrar capon | advent
magic | jon ochsendorf

*

bring a torch | lydia collin
garrison keillor | seven principles of a successful christmas
christmas time is here | nelson boschmann

david kossoff | shem
i wonder as i wander | the tourist company

white christmas | garth bowen
john lekich | keen sense of occasion
have yourself a merry little christmas | tourist company

robert louis stevenson | prayer
go tell it on the mountain | garth bowen

**

bass | bekka birkner
drums | rick colhoun
sound | matthew

Friday, December 11, 2015

christmas presence | dec 13 artists

We have a great line up of artists for the first CHRISTMAS PRESENCE performance on December 13th!  Here is a little picture of some of the artists who will be starting us off.








Thursday, December 10, 2015

a christmas carol: on the air | responses


"With countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol since it was first written in 1843, the question this holiday season is, do we need another? The answer, at least for the staged radio play currently playing at Pacific Theatre, remains a qualified yes. For even after nearly 200 years, this story of redemption can still pack an emotional wallop." | Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents

"‘A Christmas Carol On The Air’ was truly wonderful entertainment. Impeccably acted – the music was wonderful, the adverts hilarious, and the sound effects fascinating." - Alan Toft, audience response

"But “seeing” [A Christmas Carol] on the radio - you remember radio, that’s television without the pictures – gives the story a whole new perspective. Dickens, of course, couldn’t have written Christmas Carol with radio in mind, but had been able to, he couldn’t have done a better job. ... Try not to miss this nostalgic trip back to a time when our parents (or if you’re that young, your grandparents) needed nothing but a radio and their imagination for entertainment." | John Jane, Review Vancouver

"Kirsty Provan becomes a fantastically eccentric—spooky, innocent—Christmas Past, and she is slyly roguish as the old woman who pillaged Scrooge’s deathbed. Julia Siedlanowska also impresses—with tender simplicity—as Belle and Tiny Tim, the handicapped son of Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit." | Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight

Monday, December 07, 2015

dec 7-13 | once upon a christmas | kirsty provan, eleanor felton, ryan scramstad, julie casselman, phil miguel

Believe it or not, Kirsty Provan is not only busy acting in A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR this month, but is also producing a play that she wrote!  ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS is a kids show featuring some familiar princesses and super heroes who find the meaning of Christmas.  Perfect for kids!  Plus, it's featuring a whole crew of PT artists: past apprentice Eleanor Felton directs, Ryan Scramstad (THE RAINMAKER) performs, WIT actor Julie Casselman is music directing, and our production manager Phil Miguel is technical directing.


ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS
Dec 7-13 at Studio 1398 (Granville Island)
Dec 7-10 at 6:30pm | Dec 12 at 2pm & 6:30pm | Dec 13 at 10:30am & 2pm
Tickets at onceuponachristmas.brownpapertickets.com

PT audience bonus!  With so many of our favourite artists involved in the show, Kirsty has extended a deal to our community.  Attend tonight (opening) and get two for one tickets!  Book online in advance with promo code BRINGAFRIEND.

a christmas carol: on the air | opening night photos

Friday was opening of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR and we had a wonderful time at the show and reception!  Thanks to all who came out and congratulations to the entire creative team on a spectacular start to our holiday show!  Here's some shots from the opening night reception.











Thursday, December 03, 2015

Tuesday, December 01, 2015

christmas carol: on the air | warm clothing donations

Inspired by apprentice Julia Siedlanowska's production of MATCH GIRL before select performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR, we are accepting donations of warm clothing on behalf of Covenant House throughout the run of the show.


We will be accepting donations of warm clothes for Covenant House at these performances and throughout the run of A Christmas Carol: On the Air.

The greatest needs include underwear, men’s shoes (size 10-13 or larger), and men’s jeans. Also needed: warm scarves, sweaters, rain gear, “teen” style clothing, and toiletries.

For more information on Covenant House and their work, visit their website.

image journal | a reading by gregory wolfe

Image Journal is having a special reading with their editor and founder this weekend in Seattle. The event is free and is all about art and Christian faith!

A READING BY GREGORY WOLFE IN SEATTLE

Saturday, December 5
7:00PM
Elliott Bay Book Company 
1521 10th Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98122

A very special reading by Gregory Wolfe, editor and founder of Seattle-based literary journal Image. He’ll be reading from his brand-new book, The Operation of Grace, which collects a decade's worth of insightful essays exploring the fruitful intersection of art and faith—with a profound openness to divine mystery. (Read more about The Operation of Grace here.) This reading is free and open to the public. Anyone in attendance who buys The Operation of Grace at the reading will receive a free back issue of Image! Click here for more information and here for directions to Elliott Bay Book Co.