dec 21 matinee | christmas presence | set list

ACT ONE

Wassailing | Spencer Capier

Scrooge & his Nephew | Charles Dickens

Emmanuel | Frederick Buechner

I Wish | Michael Hart

Santa's Little Helper | Davis Sedaris

Christmas Time is Here | Nelson Boschman

Long Way to Go | Carolyn Arends

Polish Carol | Michael Hart

Herod | W.H. Auden

Lulay / Holly and the Ivy | Michael Hart

Seth: A Shepherd | David Kossoff

Do Not Be Afraid / Angels We Have Heard On High | Carolyn Arends

ACT TWO

We Three Kings | Spencer Capier

Three Fools | Mike Mason

Is Bethlehem Too Far Away | Carolyn Arends

Seven Principles of a Successful Christmas | Keillor

Joy To The World | Nelson Boschman, Kenton Wiens, Becca Birkner

Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem | Michael Hart

Snow Angel

My First Christmas | Carolyn Arends

Creche | Nicola Colhoun

O Holy Night | Michael Hart

Emmanuel reprise | Frederick Buechner 

A Christmas Blessing | Carolyn Arends

texts for many readings can be found here

dec 20 | christmas presence | set list

ACT ONE

Christmas Time Is Here | Nelson Boschman, James Danderfer, Kenton Wiens, Becca Birkner

Charlie & Linus | Charles Schultz

Finding Christmas | Zaac Pick

The Xmas Files | Frank Cammuso & Hart Seely

Jingle Bells | Laurell

ron talk

Cave | Jeremy Eisenhauer

Tube Sox 1 | Sufjan Stevens

Maybe This Christmas | Zaac Pick

Tube Sox 2 | Sufjan Stevens

Better Watch Out | Robert Farrar Capon

Mary's Song | Crystal Arnold & Peter La Grand

Dreams: Birth | Ron Reed 

Cloak Room | Jeremy Eisenhauer & Sheree Plett

Wrapped Up In You | Laurell

ACT TWO

Three Ships | Nelson, James & Co

Christmas At Sea | Charles Dickens

Lighthouse | Laurell

A Child's Christmas In Texas | John Henry Faulk

Light At The Stable | Sheree Plett

Shem: A Carpenter | David Kossoff

King Of Kings | Peter La Grand

Joy To The World | Nelson, James & Co

There Is No Santa Claus, Mommy, You Big Fat Liar! | Lucia Frangione

Lights Used To Shine | Sheree Plett

Rudi Krause | One Way

Oh What A Night | Zaac Pick

Luke 2:8-14

Angels We Have Heard | Peter La Grand

Christmas Prayer | Robert Louis Stevenson

Rebecca deBoer joined Ron Reed for "The Xmas Files" 

the texts of several of these readings can be found here 

dec 19 | christmas presence set list

ACT ONE

Christmas Is Coming | Nelson Boschman, Becca Birkner, Kenton Wiens

Charlie & Linus | Charles Schulz

Huron Carol | Garth Bowen

Seth: A Shepherd | David Kossoff

Angels We Have Heard | Peter La Grand

Screed | Ron Reed

Christmas Time Is Here | Nelson Boschman

A Child's Christmas In Texas | John Henry Faulk

Lo How A Rose Ere Blooming | Garth Bowen, Nelson Boschman

Half-Spent | Sheila Rosen

Seven Principles of Christmas | Garrison Keillor

Mary's Song | Crystal Arnold & Peter La Grand

Mary Considers Her Situation / Too Much To Ask | Luci Shaw

Joseph's Suspicion | Rainer Maria Rilke

O Sapientia | Madeleine L'Engle

Go Tell It | Garth Bowen

ACT TWO

I Heard The Bells | Nelson, Becca, Kenton

Southern Magi

Alleluiah | Garth Bowen with Lesley Hagen

The Secret of the Gifts | Paul Flucke

King Of Kings | Peter LaGrand

Joy To The World | Nelson, Becca, Kenton

Three Fools | Mike Mason

White Christmas | Garth Bowen

He Knew How To Keep Christmas Well | Charles Dickens

Allelua, Christ Is Born | Peter La Grand

dec 18 | christmas presence | set list

ACT ONE

O Tannenbaum | Nelson Boschman, James Danderfer, Becca Birkner, Kenton Wiens

Christmas Time's A' Comin' | Kathleen Nisbet

Cotton Patch Nativity | Tom Key

Come on o'er to Bethlehem | Zoe Thiessen

I Wonder As I Wander | Sheree Plett

Snow Angel | Tom Carson

Ghost Of Christmas Past | Jordan Klassen & Jocelyn Price

Journey of the Magi | T.S. Eliot

The Magi's Page | Zoe Thiessen

Santa's Little Helper | David Sedaris

Breaking Up Christmas | Kathleen Nisbet

Annunciation | Frederick Buechner

Do You Hear What I Hear | Jordan Klassen & Jocelyn Price

ACT TWO

Three Ships | Boschman / Danderfer / Birkner / Wiens

Scrooge & His Nephew | Charles Dickens

Lights Used To Shine | Sheree Plett

Tube Sox 1 | Sufjan Stevens

That Was The Worst Christmas Ever | Jordan Klassen & Jocelyn Price

Tube Sox 2 | Sufjan Stevens

Of the Father's Love Begotten | Zoe Thiessen

No Santa Claus | Lucia Frangione

Blue Christmas | Kathleen Nisbet

God In The Doorway | Annie Dillard

O Come Emmanuel | Jordan Klassen & Jocelyn Price

Emmanuel | Frederick Buechner

Light At The Stable | Sheree Plett

He Knew How To Keep Christmas Well | Charles Dickens

"artists of british columbia" book release | rose-marie goodwin

Rose-Marie Goodwin, an artist friend of PT, has just been published in a new book. Here is a sample of her work as well as a message from her! 

In Our Midst III

I am honoured to be included in the just-published and released "ARTISTS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA" book (pg 21-24). Copies may be purchased in retail bookstores, or directly from us at a reduced price of $15 (plus shipping).

This time of Advent, in the Christmas season, is even more special for me as "Unveiled" was selected to be included in the Advent Reader published by the Canadian Baptists of Canada. Just before the entry for December 14. This is freely available as a download.

Watch in the coming weeks as we release each painting in our new series "In Our Midst" on the website, Facebook and the like (for those who are really interested, please request a link for a premier viewing of the complete series). This includes the Award-winning "In Our Midst I" of the 2013 American Art Awards (4th place "Abstract Expressionism"). This wonderful new painting series is inspired by the beauty of Mackay Creek in our midst in North Vancouver. Since finishing the series, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation announced their Mackay Creek Estuary Restoration Project with Seaspan Shipyards for this area. Exciting.

As a full-time artist, I have enjoyed my studio at 195 Pemberton in North Vancouver, but will shortly be moving to a new space as the building is going through an estate sale. Stay tuned, then come visit!

Watch for these upcoming 2014 solo shows:
1. Kay Meek Centre, West Vancouver starting April 29 2014. Exhibiting and several talks about art and my experiences, reflecting on being an "abstract expressionist".
2. Silk Purse Art Gallery in West Vancouver beginning August 26 2014 of the full new series "In Our Midst".

Merry Christmas and the very best wishes for an enriching New Year!

Rose-Marie Goodwin
rose-marie@rose-marie-paintings.com
www.rose-marie-paintings.com
604.729.4696

january 8 | the hiding place auditions | gallery 7 theatre & performing arts

Our close friends in Abbotsford at Gallery 7 Theatre are holding auditions for The Hiding Place, the powerful story of Corrie ten Boom. 

Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts presents

OPEN AUDITIONS -
The Hiding Place

Wednesday, January 8, 2014
6:30 PM

MEI Auditorium
4081 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford

Gallery 7 Theatre is holding open auditions for all male and female performers ages 16 to 65 for its March production of Corrie ten Boom's powerful story of faith, survival and forgiveness as adapted by Timothy Gregory. Our production will be the Canadian premier of this work. Those interested in working behind the scenes are also invited to attend the audition.

For full details, please see below!

The Story:

Corrie ten Boom's post-war mission to bring healing and forgiveness to victims of the holocaust reaches a crisis when she comes face to face with the man who turned her and her family in to the German police during the war. What follows is an incredible recounting of the ten Boone's work with the Dutch underground to hide Jews in a hidden room above the family's watch repair shop and their subsequent internment in a concentration camp. Wrestling with her own emotional scars, Corrie must come to terms with her need to forgive in this grim yet beautiful story of faith and survival.

Production Run:

March 14 & 15, 20 - 22, 27 - 29, 2014 @ 7:30 PM
Matinees: March 15, 22 & 29 @ 2:00 PM

Rehearsal & Performance Location:

MEI Auditorium
4081 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford

Rehearsal Schedule:

Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM plus Saturday rehearsals on February 22, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and March 8, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

To Register:

Online:
Please click here.

By Phone:
Please call 604-504-5940.

By Email:
info@gallery7theatre.com

christmas presence | responses

"The unpolished nature of Christmas Presence is arguably its greatest strength. Each performer takes his or her turn around a large carpet, respectfully watching – or perhaps strumming or providing backup vocals – while their cast-mates perform. The intimate nature of the show and surrounding audience makes it feel as if you are a guest in one’s living room, enjoying a casual holiday evening with new friends." | Melissa Cornwell, Vancouver Vantage

"By my count, Pacific Theatre produces some of the most provoking, intriguing theatre in the city. This festive show is a reminder of what the company does so well: make you more kindhearted, more contemplative. It’s a fine way to spend this stretch to Christmas." | Zoe Grams, Vancouverscape

"All in all this was a night of discovery, reflection and cozy Christmas fun. A great way to get your Christmas spirit going and feel Christmas Presence." | Alyssa Kostello, GVPTA Blogger

"Bring a community, feel the community spirit. The Christmas Presence, if you will." | Andrew Wade, GVPTA Blogger

christmas presence | artist profile | carolyn arends

Carolyn Arends is a busy lady, so we're thrilled we get her back at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE this year for two performances!  She is a touring singer, songwriter, author, and speaker, and has a huge repertoire of Christmas music to share with us.  We can't wait!

Carolyn plays CHRISTMAS PRESENCE on December 21st (matinee and evening performances)!

christmas campaign | behind the scenes video

A little behind-the-scenes video of the shenanigans that go on at our annual Christmas card photoshoot.


To Donate:
Go to our website now: www.pacifictheatre.org/donate
Call 604.731.5483 (ask for Alison!)
Mail 1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1M8

aslan is on the move | tales from the tour

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE arrived in Kamloops last Monday and has now been at Western Canada Theatre for a week. The show has been going great! It's been playing to sold out school matinees every day along with very full public performances in the evenings. Today the gang had a day off, but stage manager Laura Mclean took the time to share a few thoughts from her time in Kamloops so far:

Narnia is a pretty magical place, and my favourite part of this production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is that in order to bring that magic onto our little stage we use classic theatre magic. A stunning soundscape created by Jeff and Corina and beautiful lighting by Lauchlin. And I feel pretty lucky that every night I get to make that magic happen. 

Laura and Kaitlin posing with the Witch's coat.

There are 257 called cues in this show. That’s not really that many for a large show, but when you consider that this is a pretty small show that runs about 75 min and that there is constant sound playing throughout that entire time, the sound and light cues quickly become a very present and integral part of the show.

I haven’t counted how many times I’ve called the show at this point; suffice it to say it’s been enough for me to memorize all of the cues. So I just sit, watch, and react to the actors and I really feel like I’m the third performer. I’m Maugrim growling, and the White Witch’s whip cracking, I’m Peter drawing his sword and Aslan breathing on the stone statues.

a scene from the show via Laura's perspective.

 The best is when we get to explain how we create all of this magic to the kids. We’ve been doing school shows in the mornings here in Kamloops and afterwards the kids have a chance to ask Mack and Kaitlin questions. More often than not one of the kids asks “How did you get the light to glow out of the Wardrobe at the end?” or “Where did all the sounds come from?” 

Laura peers down from her booth.

And so we explain, I lean out of the booth and wave to them and they all excitedly look up and wave back. And I just love how excited they are by what they’re seen, and how even more excited they are to understand how we can do such cool things in theatre.

It’s nice to be part of something so magical, and to be reminded of just how magical theatre can be. 

The show runs for one more week at Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops. All ticket info can be found here.  

christmas presence | mini-documentary

Ever wonder how everything comes together for CHRISTMAS PRESENCE every night?  Here's a little mini-documentary about the show, created by our own Peter Carlone.


CHRISTMAS PRESENCE plays until Dec. 21 at Pacific Theatre and Dec. 22 at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford.

Tickets and info here.

dec 15 | christmas presence north shore | set list

ACT ONE

Go Tell It On The Mountain | Bart van der Linde 

Emanuel | Frederick Buechner

O What A Wonderful Child | Lois Carter

Death Might Be Your Santa Claus | Rev. J.M. Gates

Hear Now House Of David | Peter La Grand

Keen Sense of Occasion | John Lekich

I'll Be Home For Christmas | Bart van der Linde 

Snow Angel | Tom Carson

Jesu Bambino | Robyn Driedger Klassen

Seth | David Kossoff

Angels We Have Heard | Peter La Grand

ACT TWO

Joyful Joyful | Bart van der Linde

Carol of the Bells | Mark Woodyard

Driving To Midnight Mass In Dublin on Christmas Eve | John F. Deane

Face In The Sky | Frederick Buechner

I Wonder As I Wander | Robyn Driedger Klassen 

Joseph's Suspicion | Rainer Maria Rilke

Mary Considers Her Situation | Luci Shaw

The Irrational Season | Madeleine L'Engle

Mary's Song | Peter La Grand & Crystal Arnold

Annunciation | Frederick Buechner

Come To Us, Emanuel | Peter La Grand

Emanuel | Frederick Buechner

O Holy Night | Robyn Driedger Klassen

the texts for several of these readings can be found here 

Also featured...

Crystal Arnold

Lois Carter | cello

Spencer Capier | violin

Paul Woodyard | piano

Becca Birkner | bass

Brett Ziegler | keyboards

Kenton Wiens | drums

Rick Colhoun | drums

christmas presence | artist profile | jordan klassen

Jordan Klassen is definitely a growing presence in the local music scene.  Last year he placed second in The Peak Performance Project, and he's joining CHRISTMAS PRESENCE for the first time ever, accompanied by singer Jocelyn Price. Check out the music video for his first single "Go To Me" here.


Jordan Klassen and Jocelyn Price will be performing at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE on December 18th only!

dec 14 eve | christmas presence | set list

ACT ONE

Skating | Allen Desnoyers

Advent | Robert Farrar Capon

Little Town | Allen Desnoyers

Face In The Sky | Frederick Buechner

I Wonder As I Wander | Sheree Plett

Engineer |

What Would Jesus Buy | Allen Desnoyers

Thaddeus Bristol | David Sedaris

Snow Angel | Tom Carson

Mary's Song | Peter La Grand

Reverie | John Howison

Light At The Stable | Sheree

Feast Days | Annie Dillard

King Of Kings

ACT TWO

Silent Night | Sheree Plett

Christmas Greeting | George Carlin

Joy To The World | Allen Desnoyers

reading

Come To Us Immanuel | Peter La Grand

Driving To Midnight Mass In Dublin on Christmas Eve | John F. Deane

Ron talk or read something

Bethlehem Light | Allen Desnoyers

God In The Doorway | Dillard

Angels We Have Heard | Peter La Grand

Seth: A Shepherd | David Kossoff

What Child Is This | Sheree Plett

Child's Christmas In Wales | Dylan Thomas

dec 14 aft | christmas presence all-request matinee | set list

That was fun!  Before the show in the lobby we handed out a list of pretty much all the readings in the Big Green File Box Of Christmas, and let the audience pick the set lists. I didn't keep a record of the order of the pieces - after all, it was never written down - but here are the titles that were chosen.

The Face In The Sky | Frederick Buechner
God In The Doorway | Annie Dillard
Secret of the Gifts | Paul Flucke
Frail Humanity | Rory Holland
Seven Principles of a Successful Christmas | Garrison Keillor
Irrational Season | Madeleine L'Engle
No Safe Place | Sheila Rosen
Santa's Little Helper | David Sedaris
Too Much To Ask | Luci Shaw
Christmas Prayer | Robert Louis Stevenson
A Child's Christmas In Wales | Dylan Thomas

The musicians were Allen Desnoyers, Sheree Plett and Peter La Grand - check the evening set list for a list of the tunes they played in the afternoon, more or less.

dec 13 | christmas presence | set list

Allen Desnoyers
Andy Frew
Kelita
Becca Birkner | bass
Rick Colhoun | drums

ACT ONE

Bethelehem Light | Allen Desnoyers

Emmanuel | Frederick Buechner

Have Yourself  A Merry Little Christmas | Kelita

Thaddeus Brisol | David Sedaris

Love Has Come | Andy Frew

Snow Angel | Tom Carson

Heavenly Night | Kelita

The Innkeeper | Frederick Buechner

The King (Oh My Love) | Andy Frew

Creche | Nicola Colhoun

Joy to the World | Allen Desnoyers

ACT TWO

What Would Jesus Buy | Allen Desnoyers

Santa Instrumental

Death Might Be Your Santa Claus | The Rev. J.M. Gates

Let's Make A Baby King | Kelita

Shem | David Kossoff

Silent Night | Kelita

Joseph's Lullabye | Ron Klug

Gifts of the Magi | Allen Desnoyers

Emmanuel Coda | Frederick Buechner

King Of Heaven | Andy Frew

texts of specific readings may be available through this link

christmas presence | artist profile | laurell

Laurell has been a PT regular for the past few years, and so we're excited to have her back at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE this year! Here's one of our favourites - her Christmas single "All Wrapped Up in You". Listen for it on the radio as people start switching over to their Christmas playlists, but in the meantime you might also hear her latest single "Unbreakable" that's been climbing the charts.


Laurell plays CHRISTMAS PRESENCE on December 19th only!

dec 12 | christmas presence | set list

Garth Bowen
Kathleen Nisbet
Robyn Driedger Klassen
Karen Lee Morlang | piano
Jonathan Perkins | bass
Rick Colhoun | drums

ACT ONE

Breaking Up Christmas | Kathleen Nisbett

Cotton Patch Gospel | Tom Key

Joy To The World | all

Engineer's Santa Claus | unknown

Jesu Bambino  | Robyn Driedger Klassen

Christmas Dream | Eugene Petersen

Go Tell It | Garth Bowen

Little Towns of Bethlehem | John Terpstra

Quartet | Tim Anderson

Angels We Have Heard On High | all

ACT TWO

Ebenezer & Fred | Charles Dickens

Hark The Herald Angels Sing | all

A Keen Sense Of Occasion | John Lekich

White Christmas | Garth Bowen

The Three Fools | Mike Mason 

Huron Carol | Robyn Driedger Klassen

Reverie | John Howison

Silent Night | Garth Bowen

Feast Days | Annie Dillard

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear | all

For The Time Being | W.H. Auden

O Holy Night | Robyn Driedger Klassen

texts of specific readings may be available through this link

christmas presence | artist profile | kathleen nisbet

You've seen Kathleen Nisbet on our stage before - she was the live musician in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and has played a few other special events for us. She is a singer in local bluegrass band Viper Central, who will be playing OLD TIME GOSPEL RADIO HOUR later this season, but that doesn't mean you'll have enough of Kathleen! This gal plays the fiddle and sings like none other.  You can watch some videos of Viper Central's performances on their website here. 

Kathleen will be playing tonight's singalong night of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, as well as on December 18th.

dec 11 | christmas presence | set list

Paul Woodyard
Kelita
Andy Frew
Mark Woodyard
Zoe Thiessen
Jonathan Perkins | bass
Brett Ziegler | piano
Rick Colhoun | drums

ACT ONE

I'll Be Home For Christmas | Paul Woodyard
Pretty Well Picked Over | Mike Royko
Let's Make A Baby King | Kelita

Annunciation | Frederick Buechner
The King (Oh My Love) | Andy Frew

Herod | W.H. Auden
O Come O Come Emmanuel | Mark Woodyard
Man Of Duty | Tim Anderson
No Safe Place | Sheila Rosen
Heavenly Night | Kelita

Seven Principles of a Successful Christmas | Garrison Keillor
Love Has Come | Andy Frew

Child's Christmas In Texas | John Henry Faulk
Come On O'er To Bethlehem | Zoe Thiessen

ACT TWO

Carol of the Bells | Mark Woodyard
Driving To Midnight Mass in Dublin on Christmas Eve | John F. Deane

Of the Father's Love Begotten | Zoe Thiessen

No Room | Dina Donohue
Journey of the Magi | T.S. Eliot
The Magi's Page | Zoe Thiessen

A Child's Christmas In Wales | Dylan Thomas
Silent Night | Kelita
Christmas Prayer | Robert Louis Stevenson

texts of specific readings may be available through this link

christmas campaign | photo booth part II

Here's what happens when those holiday personas get together in the photo booth.  Don't forget, this is all for the Christmas fundraising campaign!  Click here to donate.

TO DONATE:

Visit us online here or call 604.731.5483.

aslan is on the move | tales from the tour

PT's production of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE  has been on tour for the last few weeks now. The show was in Kelowna this weekend and has now reached its final stop at Western Canada Theatre in Kamloops. Through out the tour the cast and crew will be blogging with stories and pictures from their experiences on the road called "Tales From the Tour". Read on for another entry from actor Kaitlin Williams:

We headed out on the road last Thursday. I was a bit anxious about the drive and the Coquihalla, but the day couldn't have been better and we were treated to the most beautiful sights. With the snow and the trees we actually felt like we were going into Narnia!

Kelowna was a special stop as Mack grew up there and still has lots of family in town. When we arrived on Thursday afternoon the first thing we did was head to Mack's alma mater, Okanagan Mission Secondary School, to speak to the senior drama class. Laura (our stage manager), Mack and I spent about an hour with the students sharing our experiences as young professionals working in theatre. Mack was a bit nervous going back to his old high school but the students treated us very well and it was an enjoyable experience for everyone.

After that we headed off to our venue, the Creekside Theatre, just outside of Kelowna. We had three performances there and were hosted graciously by Horst Jassman who runs the theatre (he bought us pizza!). The audiences were quite receptive and it felt nice to be in a theatre a slightly more manageable size than some of the other theatres we have visited.

Probably our most special show was our Sunday matinee. Lots of our family, including our two nephews, came to see the show. We thought that the 90 minute run time might be too much for the little guys. They not only lasted through the whole show but practiced Uncle Mack's "beaver walk" the rest of the night. It was a treat to have them join us! 

Everyone in Kelowna was welcoming and excited to have us, which felt very good. Horst told us stories of people phoning the box office to let him know how much they enjoyed the show, and the one night we had a smaller house the audience was as receptive as some of our sold out crowds. Thank you to everyone in Kelowna who hosted us - we loved being there!

Up next the gang is in Kamloops at Western Canada Theatre with performances from Dec 11-22nd. If you would like more information about the show, or about tickets, you can find that here. 

christmas presence | artist profile | andy frew

Andy Frew has played CHRISTMAS PRESENCE a time or two in the past, and so it's a pretty sweet deal to have him back.  He's got a lovely EP out called The Rest of It, and he has a free Christmas song available for download!  Just right-click this link and save the file to your computer!

Andy will be playing CHRISTMAS PRESENCE on December 11 & 13th!

christmas presence richmond | photos

Last night we had our first CHRISTMAS PRESENCE of the season, and the first one ever in Richmond!  What a great night, featuring The Tourist Company and Robyn Driedger Klassen.  Here's some shots of the artists getting set up for the show.

christmas presence | artist profile | zoe thiessen

Our next artist profile for CHRISTMAS PRESENCE is Zoe Thiessen. We've hosted a few concerts for this talented young lady and now she finally gets to be in our season with CHRISTMAS PRESENCE! You can preview her album The Lives of Saints and Sinners on her website here, and check out this beautiful cover of U2's All I Want is You.


Zoe performs at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE on December 11 and 18th.

dec 8 | christmas presence richmond | set list

ACT ONE

I'll be home for christmas | bart van der linde

scrooge + nephew

have yourself a merry little christmas | tourist company

the innkeeper | frederick buechner

no room | dina donohume

go tell it on the mountain | bart van der linde

the principles of a successful christmas | garrison keillor

we three kings | bart van der linde

god in the doorway | annie dillard

huron carol | robyn driedger klassen

a child's christmas in texas | john henry faulke

jingle bells | the tourist company

ACT TWO

let it snow | the tourist company

pretty well picked over | mike royko

joyful joyful | bart van der linde

santa's little helper | david sedaris

santa claus is coming to town | the tourist company

every man heart lay down | lorenz graham

I wonder as I wander | robyn driedger klassen

mary + joseph readings | frederick buechner, luci shaw, madeleine l'engle, rainer maria rilke

mary's song | julia ziegler + bart van der linde

seth: a shepherd | david kossoff

o holy night | robyn driedger klassen

god for us: rediscovering the meaning of lent and easter | greg pennoyer, luci shaw

Interested in discovering more about the significance of Lent and Easter? Greg Pennoyer, a long time PT supporter, has a new book that might be just the thing you are looking for! Luci Shaw, another long time friend of PT, is also a contributor in this book. GOD FOR US: REDISCOVERING THE MEANING OF LENT AND EASTER explores the meaning of Lent, its importance in spiritual formation, its significance in preparation for Easter, and the holy season of Easter itself.

Here is a message from Greg:

Dear Friends,

I'm happy to announce the arrival of GOD FOR US: REDISCOVERING THE MEANING OF LENT AND EASTER, the sister book to the best-seller, God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas. God With Us was a great success and 6 years later still generates responses to editors regarding the contributions of such exceptional authors as Kathleen Norris, Lucy Shaw and Scott Cairns. We have added Richard Rohr, Ronald Rolheiser, Lauren Winner and James Schaap to this new work and know that it will be meaningful to all.

Warm wishes for a truly blessed Advent season.

Greg

The book is available on Amazon here.

christmas presence | artist profile | allen desnoyers

Allen Desnoyers has been a part of Pacific Theatre since it began - literally.  He was one of the artists who joined Ron Reed to start PT in the first place.  He is also an incredibly gifted musician and composer who joins us for CHRISTMAS PRESENCE whenever he gets a chance.  Here he is performing with Ron at this year's AGM.

Allen Desnoyers will play CHRISTMAS PRESENCE on December 13 & 14th.

christmas presence | artist profile | robyn driedger klassen

Robyn Driedger Klassen is an operatic soprano that we can't wait to add into the mix of CHRISTMAS PRESENCE! She has performed with Vancouver Opera, The Banff Centre, Seattle Opera, and the Britten-Pears Institute in Aldeburgh, England, to name a few, as well as being featured on the cover of The Georgia Straight. Below she is pictured in The Marriage of Figaro, looking pretty fierce. This girl is going to add something special to the CHRISTMAS PRESENCE performances she's involved

Robyn performs December 8 and for the singalong night December 12th!

nov 2013 | numinous book release | timothy clayton

Friend of PT Timothy Clayton has just released a fantasy novel called NUMINOUS! 

What is real? What is truth? What is faith? Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Have you ever wondered these questions for yourself? What if you had an opportunity to Time Travel into deep space and other dimensions to discover answers for yourself... would you do it? What if your journey was fraught with dangerous aliens, demons, angels, dragons, wizards, and perils beyond imagination...would you still go? What if yours and your loved ones' futures depended on it? Seven precotious college students 'mysteriously' come together and are challenged to go on the adventure of a lifetime. What will they discover out there? What will they discover about themselves? Join them.... they (perhaps you)...will never be the same.

NUMINOUS is now available at the book website KOBO here for only $3.99.

dec 4 - 22 | hotel bethlehem | ruby slippers theatre

Our friends over at Ruby Slippers Theatre who recently brought the show Communion to PT have a show called HOTEL BETHLEHEM opening this week! This show dares to entertain the near unthinkable "What if the men who defined history were... idiots?" 

The Nativity Story meets Fawlty Towers. A Ruby Slippers Theatre original, and the funniest Christmas show ever, is back again by popular demand.

By Drew McCreadie | Directed by Diane Brown and boasts 11 of Vancouver's finest actors including veterans John Murphy, Scott Bellis, Alex Diakun and Alvin Sanders- and includes the design talents of set designer David Roberts, sound designer Jordan Watkins, lighting designer Jonathan Ryder and costume designer Drew Facey.

Presented by The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Firehall Arts Centre

December 4–7: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby | Buy tickets online, email at boxoffice@burnaby.ca or call 604-205-3000 for tickets
December 10–22: Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver | Buy tickets online, email firehall@firehallartscentre.ca or call 604.689.0926

june 8 - 15, august 3 - 10| image journal's 25th anniversary and glen workshop | image journal

 Our friends over at Image Journal are celebrating their 25th Anniversary this summer with a very special GLEN WORKSHOP. A combination of a week long workshop, arts festival, and spiritual retreat.

Come join the searchers. East: June 8-15 West: August 3-10

Dear friends: we are thrilled to announce registration is open for the 2014 Glen Workshops, where we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Image with a number of exciting twists on an unbeatable summer event.

Check out our spanking new Glen website to see this year's faculty lineup, including Eugene Peterson, Over the Rhine, Gareth Higgins, Gregory Orr, Suzanne and Gregory Wolfe, Dennis Covington, Marilyn Nelson, Linnea Spransy, Scott Cairns, Susan E. Isaacs and many, many more.

The Glen Workshop combines the best elements of a weeklong workshop, an arts festival, and a spiritual retreat. Find out more. We are offering an early bird discounted price on dorm rooms if you register before January 1! It's quite a savings, so don't wait. And mark those calendars. Yours, The Image Staff

dec 6 - 7 | light source - a painting exhibition of light and colour | rose-marie goodwin

A long time PT patron Rose - Marie Goodwin is collaborating with Brian Buhler in an art exhibition this weekend. Their paintings are meant to encourage the viewer with their use of light and colour. As a draw, they will offer two tickets to "Christmas Presence", to spread the word about Pacific Theatre

Below is a personal invitation from Rose - Marie.

I am very excited this Christmas for the show of Brian Buhler and I celebrating the season with 'LIGHT SOURCE' – a painting exhibition of light and color.

December 6 and 7, Friday (5-8) and Saturday (1-5). Visual Space Gallery: 2075 Alberta Street (between 4th and 5th Ave), Vancouver (2 blocks east of Cambie).

After spending the last two months in the south of England, France and Spain for a rich and extended time, it is a joy to be back for this much anticipated show. Brian and I will be present Friday and Saturday. We look forward to seeing you and sharing much of our work! In preparation for your Christmas shopping, check out the websites: www.rose-marie-paintings.com www.brianbuhler.com Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year!

christmas campaign | a letter from ron reed

Hey Gang,

This is Pacific Theatre’s 30th anniversary season, and that’s no accident. We got this far with a lot of hard work and commitment from our staff, volunteers, artists, community members, audiences, and, of course, our donors.

I say it often, because it's true – and it's one of the most important truths about our company: without our donors we would never have survived, and flourished. Live theatre is always a risky endeavor, but our vision is clear and your support of first-rate faith-based theatre was and continues to be strong and generous. And now, Pacific Theatre is an essential part of Vancouver’s arts scene.

The goal now is to ensure that Pacific Theatre keeps being an essential part of Vancouver’s arts scene, decades into the future. In 2011 we began building a Strategic Plan to establish the company for the long term, and we're in our second year of making that a reality. Now we need your help.

Change does not come for free. Last year our Christmas Campaign’s fundraising goal was $45,000, to take some financial pressure off the spring and focus on implementing the first year of our strategic plan. And – as in every previous campaign – our donors got us there! This year our goal is just a little bit bigger: we’re looking for $50,000 that enables us to take significant steps towards making our vision for Pacific Theatre’s future a reality.

We know how much you believe in Pacific Theatre’s vision and we know you also want to see us grow into the mature (or at least more mature) company we know we can be. So why not help us get there?

Truly, a gift of any size helps significantly in reaching this goal. Check the tally on the blog! Each year we marvel at how every gift, from $5 to $5,000, adds up to that final total.

Thanks again for helping us reach our 30th Anniversary season! I can’t wait to see what transpires over the next few years, and I hope you’ll be a part of it!

TO DONATE 

Visit us online right now! 

Call 604.731.5483 (ask for Alison!) 

Mail 1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1M8

Cheers,

Ron Reed
Artistic and Executive Director, Pacific Theatre

christmas presence | artist profile | kelita

Another newcomer to CHRISTMAS PRESENCE is Kelita.  Kelita is a singer/songwriter and speaker with a very inspirational story.  Check out her TedX Talk here to get a picture of Kelita's message, and below is a video from a past live performance.  She also has a Christmas CD called Heavenly Night that is available on iTunes (and will certainly be available at her performances as well).


Kelita performs on December 11 and 13th at CHRISTMAS PRESENCE.

aslan is on the move | tales from the tour

As many of you know, PT's production of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is now on the road. This past weekend the gang spent some time at the Clarke Theatre in Mission, and on Thursday they leave for Kelowna and Kamloops. Over the next few weeks the cast and crew will be blogging with stories and pictures from their experiences on the road called "Tales From the Tour". Read on for another entry from tour Technical Director, Lauchlin Johnston:

Tour TD Lauchlin Johnston at the Clarke Theatre

The first thing that struck me about the Clarke Foundation Theatre in Mission is the absolute lack of curves in the design of the interior. In the place of a more conventional theatre interior with gently curving banks of seats and curved balcony facing a rectangular proscenium, the Clarke Theatre features seats arranged in wide V-shaped rows, geometric balcony fronts and a double-proscenium made up of two layers forming a quadrilateral opening. It’s very striking and frames Omanie’s elegantly simple set beautifully.  It seems that the acoustics benefit greatly too from all the flat planes – despite the seven hundred seats Kaitlin and Mack still felt very close.

 As lighting designer on this tour I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to re-imagine the lighting for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in many different spaces and with many different equipment inventories. The lighting cue list remains the same, but the execution of the visual aspect of each cue is different for every venue, much in the same way that our sound cues will sound slightly different when played over the different sound systems we encounter.  It’s the same show everywhere, but there are always new discoveries.

The highlight of our visit to the Clarke Theatre came directly after our student matinee. Our stage manager Laura and I were waiting in the booth for the audience to clear when through the open booth door one boy yelled “You guys did a great job back here! Thank you!” and then ran away.  We had just been talking about how well the student audiences respond to the subtle theatricality of the play, and how on some level some of them must be aware of the intricate layers of text, physicality, sound and light that go into the storytelling – and that right there was proof.

Up next, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE stops at the Creekside Theatre in Kelowna BC, Dec 6-8th. Ticket info and more can be found here, or by phoning their box office at 250-766-9309.  

dec 23 | sweet soul gospel choir | alison chisholm

Our Operations Manager and Producer has been singing with the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir for about five years now, and they have another concert coming up! Here's what she said in her message about the choir: "I think it's something PT audiences would really love. Despite being in the choir for over 5 years now, I am still amazed by the feeling that comes from these shows. It isn't just a tagline. We really will 'activate your soul'. Pacific Theatre is really great at feeding the soul. But the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel takes it for a run."

Please celebrate the Joy of the Season with the VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir.

Our feature holiday concert will be Sweet Soul Gospel Christmas where we will celebrate by performing spiritual and inspirational songs of the season with a little Motown thrown in to mix things up!

Sweet Soul Gospel Christmas
Monday, December 23rd, 2013 - 7:30 pm
St. Andrew’s Wesley Church
1022 Nelson St. (at Burrard)

Admission by minimum donation:
Adults $15
Seniors & Students $10
Youth 10-15 years $5
Kids under 9 FREE
Tickets Available at the Door (tickets are not sold in advance)
Doors open at 6:45 pm

For additional information email us at info@VOCSoulGospelChoir.com or call 604.876.3363

The VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir was founded by music director, Checo Tohomaso, with the goal of uniting people of different cultures and beliefs to deliver a message of love, joy, peace, hope and healing through their common passion: singing.

We sing six-part harmony and our 130 members include men and women of all ages, ethnicities and religions. Delivering a high-energy, positive vibe, our dynamic choir mixes together the sounds of Soul, Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Hawaiian, Calypso, and Reggae. Our animated delivery results in an audience that can’t resist joining in by toe tapping, foot stomping, jumping, singing, dancing and hand clapping!

christmas presence | artist profile | mark woodyard

Mark Woodyard is a newcomer to the CHRISTMAS PRESENCE roster, and we are really excited to welcome him to the crew.  He's got an album out that you can preview on his Bandcamp page, and below is a pretty cool video he made from live looping sound effects and vocals.


Mark is playing on December 11 and 15th.

christmas presence | the line ups

We've got the CHRISTMAS PRESENCE's line ups confirmed!  Some new folks and some of our usual favourites, this is going to be a good year.  We'll update this if anything changes, but otherwise, here's what to expect.

Dec 8 (Peace Mennonite Church)
-Robyn Driedger Klassen
-The Tourist Company

Dec 11
-Mark Woodyard (Vocals, Guitar)
-Andy Frew (Vocals, Guitar)
-Zoe Thiessen (Vocals, Guitar)
-Kelita (Vocals, Guitar)
-Paul Woodyard (Piano)
-Jonathan Perkins (Bass)
-Rick Colhoun (Drums)

Dec 12 - SINGALONG NIGHT!
-Garth Bowen (Guitar, Violin, Vocals)
-Kathleen Nisbet (Violin, Vocals)
-Robyn Driedger Klassen (Vocals)
-Karen (Piano)
-Jonathan Perkins (Bass)
-Rick Colhoun (Drums)

Dec 13
-Allen Desnoyers (Vocals, Piano, Guitar)
-Andy Frew (Vocals, Guitar)
-Kelita (Vocals, Guitar)
-Becca Birkner (Bass, Vocals)
-Rick Colhoun (Drums)

Dec 14 Matinee + Evening
-Peter La Grand (Vocals, Guitar)
-Allen Desnoyers (Vocals, Guitar, Piano)
-Sheree Plett and Jeremy Eisenhauer (Vocals, Guitars)
-Becca Birkner (Bass, Vocals)
-Rick Colhoun (Drums)

Dec 15 (Sutherland Church)
-Spencer Capier (All Things Stringed)
-Peter LaGrand (Vocals, Guitar)
-Mark Woodyard (Vocals, Guitar)
-Lois Carter (Cello, Piano, Vocals)
-Paul Woodyard (Piano)
-Becca Birkner (Bass)
-Kenton Wiens (Drums)
-Rick Colhoun (Drums)

Dec 18
-Sheree Plett and Jeremy Eisenhauer (Vocals, Guitar)
-Jordan Klassen and Jocelyn Price (Vocals, Guitar)
-Zoe Thiessen (Vocals, Guitars)
-Nelson Boschman (Piano, Vocals)
-James Danderfer (Clarinet)
-Becca Birkner (Bass, Vocals)
-Kenton Wiens (Drums, etc)

Dec 19
-Peter LaGrand (Vocals, Guitar)
-Laurell (Vocals, Guitar)
-Garth Bowen (Guitar, Violin, Vocals)
-Nelson Boschman (Piano, Vocals)
-Becca Birkner (Bass, Vocals)
-Kenton Wiens (Drums, etc)

Dec 20
-Zaac Pick (Vocals)
-Sheree Plett and Jeremy Eisenhauer (Vocals, Guitars)
-Peter LaGrand (Vocals, Guitar)
-Nelson Boschman (Piano, Vocals)
-James Danderfer (Clarinet)
-Becca Birkner (Bass, Vocals)
-Kenton Wiens (Drums, etc)

Dec 21 Matinee + Evening
-Carolyn Arends (Vocals, Guitar)
-Michael Hart (Vocals, Guitar, Dulcimer, etc)
-Spencer Capier (All Things Stringed)
-Nelson Boschman (Piano, Vocals)
-Becca Birkner (Bass, Vocals)
-Kenton Wiens (Drums, etc)

Dec 22 (Valley)
-Sheree Plett and Jeremy Eisenhauer (Vocals, Guitars)
-Zaac Pick (Vocals)
-Nelson Boschman (Piano, Vocals)
-Ben Appenheimer (Bass, Vocals)
-Kenton Wiens (Drums, etc)