Parent-Teacher Meeting

New Yorker, June 7 2010

Godspell Band Feature: Michael LaRoy

Those of you who have already seen GODSPELL have no doubt been blown away by the wonderful music coming from our custom-built balcony. Here's the first in a series of features on these fantastic musicians: the guitarist in the bedazzled jacket, Michael LaRoy.

Inspired by legends of Canadiana Neil Young and the Tragically Hip, LaRoy is all about the song. Rather than focusing on creating a new sound, he is more concerned with the craft of songwriting itself. Drawing on the influence of acclaimed songwriters such as Ryan Adams and Ron Sexsmith, LaRoy is coming up with songs and melodies that can be dressed up in any fashion.

Coming out of a 3 year hiatus following the end of his previous band Laureate, LaRoy emerges with his debut EP Say Goodnight, to be released in June of 2010.

Recorded with The Left's Carl Davis, LaRoy's sound is reminiscent of Brit rock (think Keane, Travis), while touching ever so slightly on the twang of americana; this small collection of tunes can also fit nicely in with the mainstays of indie pop radio. Over the shimmering guitars and organs, the melodies and hooks are allowed to prevail. However, stripped down for a live performance, a guitar, banjo and double-bass would be just as appropriate to accompany these songs.

Folk, indie, country, rock - a good song is a good song, no matter the genre. At 26 years old, LaRoy is aspiring for great things. In for the long haul, he is only just beginning his journey.

Let the songs come.

Jun 19 | Sheree Plett

They're back at it!

If you missed the last time Sheree Plett played with Eisenhauer, or even if you didn't, then June 19th is a date to mark down & remember!!

As well as having a little baby, Sheree has a new full length CD...

The follow up to SHEREE PLETT'S acclaimed album 'RED CIRCLED HEART' is 'THE ROAD TO MY FAMILY' and is her third full length album. It may cause her patrons and fans to do a musical double take...swampy and spacious, raw and unsolicited, she draws us deep into her roots with her lively stories of nostalgia. Bring your spurs and holsters and be prepared to be wrapped in the warmth of her voice, the sweetness of her presence and the pure, raw musical joy of seeing both Sheree with husband and back up band EISENHAUER.

SHOUT OUT:
'Sheree Plett is far above and beyond the average ’girl with the guitar singer/songwriter' -DNTO, CBC radio 1

‘These two (Plett and husband) sing in folksy harmonies and Plett’s sweetly smoky voice is particularly pleasing’ -Georgia Straight.

THEY ARE:
Sheree Plett- vocals, guitar
Jeremy Eisenhauer- vocals, guitar
Kenton Weins- drums
Chris Lemky- bass


Saturday, June 19, 2010
8:00pm - 11:30pm
Siobhan's place : Alley Pad Studio
1747 East Hastings Street *back lane entrance ONLY*
south side of Hastings, between Commercial Drive & Salsbury, closer to the latter.

DOOR: 8pm
SHOW: 9pm
COVER: $10
BAR: yes!
MERCH: yes!

CHECK OUT:
myspace
eisenhauermusic
facebook

ALLEY PAD STUDIO is a converted factory housing a 1700 square foot studio in the Commercial Drive hood where art, music & friendship prosper! Stay tuned for the monthly home concert series, film nights & more!

Responses to GODSPELL

"We really enjoyed the production. The actresses playing the Joanne Whorley and Goldie Hawn parts really nailed it!!!! Well done. Jesus was very good as well; such a beautiful voice. We are old enough to remember Rowen and Martin's Laugh In, so enjoyed all the odd little things from the show. Thanks again for another amazing season." - facebook

"We went. We saw. We liked." - facebook

"Fantastic production. Really enjoyed and thought the cast was perfect!" - email response

"Godspell was a hoot! Kept me laughing and engaged the whole time, I loved it. Have a great rest of the run!" - facebook

"Blessed is the inventive Sarah Rodgers for she has taken Godspell, an already irreverent musical based on the gospel according to Saint Matthew, and really socks it to us by placing it within an episode of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in." -Mark Robins, Gay Vancouver

"Erin Germaine Mahoney really socks it to us with 'Turn Back, O Man'--an exhortation to 'forswear' our 'wicked ways.' Bratton sweetly renders Christ's desire to 'Save the People,' and the ensemble numbers are big and happy. Katherine Gauthier sparkles throughout as ditzy Hawn." -Jo Ledingham, The Vancouver Courier

"The choreography, singing and stage scenography were absolutely outstanding. In particular, I found Rodgers’ intermixing of Laugh-In with the Gospel According to St Matthew extraordinarily seamless. In reinventing Godspell for modern audiences, Rodgers provides her actors with an opportunity to create new storylines and build caricatures of characters that would otherwise be perceived as too solemn." Raul, Hummingbird604

"I particularly enjoyed Kyla Ferrier’s work as Ruth Buzzi’s hair-netted character Gladys, and as Tiny Tim. Ferrier taps into the essence of these figures as well as mastering their external behaviour. Tim Bratton sings well and makes a reasonably humble Jesus. John Voth catches a good portion of Dick Martin’s goofy charm, and “On the Willows”, his melancholy second-act duet with Joel Stephanson’s Dan Martin, is a musical highlight." - Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight

"Godspell seems to be one of those musicals that can be adapted to suit any venue and almost any fashion style, surely a strong testament to its universal appeal. By midway through the second act, I didn’t even notice how incongruous it was to see Dan Rowan and Dick Martin (Joel Stephanson & John Voth) serving wine at the Last Supper dressed in tuxedos." John Jane, Review Vancouver

"That was one of those most entertaining nights I've had in a long time. You made me cheeks hurt from laughing, and my heart ache with your passion and love and openness." - email

"Smiles indeed! The genius stroke of setting Godspell on the Laugh-In stage creates a fresh playground for humour and retrospective that the director and cast draw us onto. Verrry Eeen-ter-es-ting, and a must-see!" facebook

"Great music and a fun setting, yet still brings the real story alive. Well done." facebook

"Jen Williams' face hurts from Godspell at Pacific Theatre! Most wonderful! Jen urges you to take in this wild and wooly "Revised Version" twist on what is a truly groovy early 1970's musical. It's Godspell meets the late 1960-early 1970s TV comedy sketch show "Laugh In"-----Why can't life be like this version, musical all the time? o Joy divine!" facebook

to June 19: Chickens at Gallery 7

Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts proudly presents

Chickens
by Lucia Frangione

June 4 & 5, 10 - 12, 17 - 19, 2010 @ 7:30 PM
Discount Matinees: June 5 & 12, 2010 @ 2:00 PM

MEI Theatre | 4081 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford

tix | 604 852-3701 or 1 800 665-8828

If it's possible for life to imitate art, is it also possible for life to imitate the chicken coop? Facing bankruptcy and the loss of his prairie farm, Pal risks nearly everything, including his family, by focusing on raising a flock of exotic chickens. Meanwhile, in the barnyard, where life in the coop strangely parallels the plight of their human characters, a gaggle of hens and roosters scratch out a living producing eggs and contemplating the big questions of poultry life. Written by one of Canada's up-and-coming major playwrights, this is a hilarious musical-comedy that will have you laughing and pondering all night long.

jun 11 | diane tucker reading

The Writer’s Studio Reading Series

Join us for an evening of early summer fun with the written word with the following authors: Kagan Goh, Aileen Penner, Chris Hellewell, Liz Lemure, Cullene Bryant, Eufemia Fantetti, Sarah Turner, Jocelyn Pitsch, Diane Tucker and GUEST AUTHOR: Fiona Tinwei Lam.

The Writer’s Studio Reading Series is now heading into its 7th year. The series continues to provide a monthly venue for Writer’s Studio students, alumni and Vancouver writers of all ilk and genres to come and read their works to an audience of attentive listeners.

THIS EVENT IS BY DONATION. No one is turned away. What’s not to love?

FICTION POETRY NON FICTION

TWS Reading Series
Friday, June 11th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm
@ Take 5 Café
429 Granville Street
(at West Hastings)

For more information, please contact Eufemia Fantetti at twsread@sfu.ca

Jul 1-24 | Adam Bergquist, TWELFTH NIGHT

Longtime PT company member Adam Bergquist is featured in our mainstage season opener this fall, THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED. But it's not only the hushed world that's busy - Adam's also playing Sebastian in this summer production of TWELFTH NIGHT, with Tariq Leslie (12 ANGRY MEN, PRIVATE EYES) in the director's chair...


TWELFTH NIGHT
July 1-24
Jericho Arts Centre

What You Will Equity Co-op is pleased to present one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies: Twelfth Night. Mistaken identity and gender confusion all figure actively in this Twelfth Night, set in the Victorian Era and an llyria that evokes the British Columbia of the 1890's. Twelfth Night runs July 2 to July 24 at The Jericho Arts Centre.

Twelfth Night starts with a stormy night and a shipwreck, followed by cunning capers, concealments and mistaken identities: all resulting in a love tangle to rival no other, and a whole heap of mischief and mayhem in Shakespeare's most captivating comedy. To anyone who has experienced the suddenness of love, Twelfth Night will always resonate.

“Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies, and with good reason,” says Tariq Leslie, director. “It’s a rich delicious jewel, full of love and light, which also pierces with exquisite agony. Twelfth Night explores love in all its touching and absurd extremes; love that is exotic and familiar, and aching with desire.”

Twelfth Night opens Friday, July 2nd at 8 pm, and runs through until Saturday, July 24 (Mondays and Tuesdays dark). There will be two previews: June 30 and July 1, all tickets for these shows are $1. Regular tickets are $20, or $15 for Seniors, Students, Equity and UBCP, and are available though Tickets Tonight: www.ticketstonight.ca, or 604.684-2787, or through Jericho Arts Centre: (604) 224-8007 www.jerichoartscentre.com. Wednesdays are pay-what-you-can, available at the door, cash only. There will be only one matinee: Tuesday, July 6 at 2pm. All performances take place at the Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery St.

Ongoing BC Arts Cuts: Alliance Advocacy Chair Sandra Garossino Responds

In case you thought the worst was over...

Re: Arts Festivals Cut Off From Gambling Funds--Vancouver Sun, May 29, 2010

On Saturday, May 29, the Vancouver Sun published a comprehensive report of major, though unannounced, changes to the administration of gaming funds in British Columbia, which are administered by Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman (Arts festivals cut off from gambling funds / A7).

As a result of its own fiscal choices, the B.C. Liberal government is now forced to siphon funds from large and small social profit (non-profit) groups at the heart of British Columbia communities, large and small.

Government Policy Diverts Gaming Dollars Away from Charities

The purpose of Minister Coleman's changes to gaming eligibility criteria is not to make any positive change. The minister knows, as we know, that only a minute fraction of applicants will meet the new, only partially disclosed, eligibility criteria. The few that do qualify will only be eligible for tiny grants.

The real outcome is the diversion of gaming revenues away from the charitable purposes they were intended to support and into unspecified non-charitable government projects.

Damaging Dominoes

The damage does not end with gaming cuts alone. . . .

Complete article here

June 10-19 | Herr Beckman's People

Remember Anthony F. Ingram's beautiful work as Pastor Jake in REFUGE OF LIES? He's keeping in touch with his Mennonite roots in Touchstone Theatre's production of HERR BECKMAN'S PEOPLE. Dawn Petten, who took our stage in THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT will be performing alongside Anthony.

Dawn Petten and Bill Marchant - Photo by Emily Cooper

Art, war and the politics of culture collide in Sally Stubbs' poetic and moving account of a family's legacy of beauty and brutality. Returning to the city she ran from decades ago, Anna forces her family to answer tough questions about their past. While her mother plays a private concert, history unravels and she is confronted with a moral dilemma of her own.

The World Premiere of Herr Beckmann's People is presented by Flying Start - a partnership of Playwrights Theatre Centre and Touchstone Theatre giving a stage to new professional playwrights.

Sally Stubbs is an award-winning playwright and teacher-director, a performer who loves to clown and an eternal student who is now completing a graduate degree in writing at the University of Victoria. Sally's scripts include Wreckage (Scirocco Drama), Faroland, Centuries, Eyes. Two, She'll To The Wars, Home Movies and Spinning You Home, which she has begun to adapt as a novel for young adults. Herr Beckmann's People has been selected for the 8th International Women's Playwriting Conference in Mumbai, India.

Katrina Dunn directs Anthony F. Ingram, Bill Marchant, Dawn Petten, Donna Carroll White, and Christine Willes. Set design for Herr Beckmann's People is by Christopher David Gauthier, lighting design by Adrian Muir, costume design by Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh, and sound by Jeff McMahan. Dramaturgy of Herr Beckmann's People is by Martin Kinch.

Herr Beckmann's People runs from June 10 - 19 (Tues - Sat 8pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 4pm) at the PTC Studio, 1398 Cartwright Street, Granville Island with Opening Night on Friday, June 11 at 8pm. Tickets are $22 adults and $18 seniors/students from Tickets Tonight at 604-684-2787 or visit www.ticketstonight.ca.

GODSPELL costume renderings

Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes at the costume renderings for GODSPELL. All designed by Carmen Alatorre.

Pamela Austin/Kaitlin Williams

Lily Tomlin/Julia Church

Judy Carne/Diana Squires

Jo Ann Worley/Erin Mahoney

Goldie Hawn/Katherine Gauthier

get mad at sin | off off broadway

Not Exactly Preaching to the Choir
Theatre review by Jason Zinoman, New York Times, June 2 2010

A basement theater in Long Island City is an unlikely place to see a miracle. But the Lord — and Off Off Broadway — works in mysterious ways.

At the Chocolate Factory, one of the most vital arts organizations in Queens, Jimmy Swaggart has returned to life. That Southern evangelist is technically still alive, but since he was caught patronizing a prostitute in 1987 and then weeping his way through an abject apology, some believers lost faith in him and many others viewed him as a joke.

In meticulously recreating one of Mr. Swaggart’s early 1970s culture-war sermons (from a vinyl record) in “Get Mad at Sin!” Andrew Dinwiddie reintroduces us to a gifted orator, compelling performer and thunderous moralizer in his prime. It’s a surprisingly generous act of resuscitation.

Strutting back and forth on a pink carpet, kicking up his legs and swooning at his own rhetoric, Mr. Dinwiddie as Mr. Swaggart breaks into a sweat but never loses his cool. He tosses in theatrical pauses and even some slang to attack the evils of homosexuality, premarital sex and acid rock. Mr. Dinwiddie’s powerful voice contains the echo of the great Baptist preachers as well as a breathy rumble that approaches the erotic.

But this is no Reverend Billy-like satire featuring winks at the hipster crowd or political cheap shots. The director, Jeff Larson, lets this fascinating historical document, which diagnoses a culture lurching toward oblivion, speak for itself, absent biography, context or comment. It’s an interesting strategy and emphasizes the stemwinder as a work of theater.

When inveighing against the evils of pop music, Mr. Swaggart (a cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis) seems to be aping Mick Jagger, providing a reminder that great public performances of all kinds often share certain qualities. Mr. Swaggart had incredible timing as well as rhetorical cleverness: as much as he lambasted show business, he knew that a Patsy Cline reference could capture an audience’s attention.

It’s doubtful that any of those listening left the theater and threw out their miniskirts to avoid the sinful repercussions, but the sound of the audience during the performance did tell a story. Early snarky titters gave way to reverent silence. Listen closely and you might have heard a kind of conversion.

“Get Mad at Sin!” continues through Saturday at the Chocolate Factory, 5-49 49th Avenue, Long Island City, Queens; (212) 352-3101; chocolatefactorytheater.org

Sarah Rodgers in The Province

Our beautiful and energetic director Sarah Rodgers was interviewed for The Province. Read the full article by Glen Schaefer here.

Actor-director Sarah Rodgers looked back nearly 40 years for inspiration to an entirely different flower-power hit before restaging Godspell, the comic musical retelling of the life of Jesus.

The play became a hit on Broadway in the early 1970s, with the Gospel story reimagined as a group of players in clown makeup who fall in love with Jesus and his message, telling comic versions of New Testament parables along the way. It was made into a 1973 movie starring Canadian actor Victor Garber as Jesus.

"In essence, the set-up of a bunch of clowns falling in love with Jesus, that is something that has been done to death," says Rodgers, who was looking for a new way to bring the show to life.

A light went on while doing her research, when she saw the cast list for the show's first Canadian production in Toronto. The relative unknowns starring in that early 1970s production included future sketch-comedy giants Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner and Martin Short.

"The script suddenly made sense to me," Rodgers says. "The original script is the most annotated script I've ever seen. It explains every joke: 'In the original production, the actress mimicked Shirley Temple, but any imitation will do.' Groucho Marx shows up, constantly these little comic bits. I realized it reads like a sketch-comedy script."

Then Rodgers remembered the most popular sketch-comedy TV show of that era, which she watched with her parents as a little girl -- Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In.

So when her actors take the Pacific Theatre Stage for Godspell, they'll be playing Laugh-In characters, including the snarky telephone operator originated by Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn's ditzy blond bikini dancer and Arte Johnson's goofy German soldier. And set designer Bryan Pollock has created a version of Laugh-In's flower-bedecked set.

"Our audience is a TV studio audience, there to watch Laugh-In, and the special guests are Jesus and John the Baptist."

The theatre's tight space is turned into an asset for this production, with a four-piece band above the audience on a platform, and cast members delivering lines from the aisles.

Rodgers, whose last directing job was a remount earlier this year of Billy Bishop Goes to War, found she didn't have to rewrite much of the text to fit the show into the Laugh-In context. Just a few names were changed.

"I've been watching the Laugh-In episodes as research. I found six episodes," says Rodgers. "I have been blown away by Goldie Hawn. She looked about 20 then and her comedy, she was so in the moment."

Some improv bits have worked their way into the show during rehearsals, but the director had to rein other scenes in.

"I'm controlling that. We don't want a four-hour Godspell, but in rehearsals we're definitely playing."

GODSPELL

Where: Pacific Theatre, 1420 W. 12th Ave.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays; 2 p.m. matinee Saturdays. Ends July 3.

Tickets: $17 to $34 at 604-731-5518 or pacifictheatre.org

gschaefer@theprovince.com

Video Interview: Benjamin Miller and Chris Nash

GODSPELL cast members Benjamin Miller and Chris Nash chat about why they would see the show for The Next Stage Magazine.

Kaitlin Williams in The Delta Optimist

Another article featuring GODSPELL cast, this time season apprentice Kaitlin Williams. She's been hard at work all year running the box office and front of house, as well as starring in the student matinees of THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE. Now she's taking on the mainstage! Find the original article by Dave Willis here.

This is what theatre apprentice Kaitlin Williams has been looking forward to all year.

The local actress has a role in Pacific Theatre's upcoming production of Godspell, a musical comedy.

"This is sort of the payoff at the end of the year, to be in an actual show. It's what we apprentices look forward to the whole year. I'm loving the fact that I get to be in rehearsal now, work with this wonderful director and be in a great cast with my peers," says Williams, a Delta Secondary grad who studied theatre at the University of Victoria.

Director Sarah Rodgers is setting the play, which is based on the story of the gospel, in an episode of Laugh-In, a sketch comedy TV show that aired in the '60s and '70s on NBC.

"It fits really well with Godspell and the improvisation and fun that's in the original script," says Williams.

She plays Pam Austin, "a fun and a bit of a ditzy blonde kind of character" from the TV show.

"I grew up watching Laugh-In and what's exciting about Godspell is that the same humour, delight and fun from that 1970s variety show era is in this play," says Rodgers, who's at the helm for this finale to Pacific Theatre's season.

Godspell runs from May 28 to July 3 (Tuesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday) at Pacific Theatre, 1440 W12th Ave., Vancouver.

Call 604-731-5518 or visit pacifictheatre.org for tickets.

© Copyright (c) Lower Mainland Publishing

Pacific Theatre at the Jessies!

The Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards nominations have been announced! We are thrilled to have been nominated for three awards for our own productions, and to see members of the Pacific Theatre family get nominated for awards in other work. Way to go, guys! We're so proud of you!

PT Productions

Naomi Sider - Costumes - THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

Lauchlin Johnston - Set and Lighting Design - REFUGE OF LIES

Terrence Kelly - Actor in a Lead Role - REFUGE OF LIES

Anthony F. Ingram and Terrence Kelly in REFUGE OF LIES. Photo by Tim Matheson.

PT Family

Some highlights include the lovely Sarah Rodgers, currently directing GODSPELL who was nominated for her direction of BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR as well as her acting in THE PROJECT. Also currently working on GODSPELL is Itai Erdal who was nominated for his lighting design of FAT PIG, the show that Naomi Sider received her second nomination for, this time for her set design.

Anthony F. Ingram, last seen on the PT stage in REFUGE OF LIES was nominated for his role in FROZEN, and Kevin McNulty who acted with Anthony in THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT was nominated for his work in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. Lucia Frangione, one of our favourite playwrights, actresses, and first apprentices ever, got the nod for her new play PARADISE GARDEN.

Kyle Rideout and Donna-Lea Ford in THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (costumes by Naomi Sider). Photo by Tim Matheson.

Remember Mack Gordon from YOU STILL CAN'T? That was his first time on a professional stage and now he's already been nominated for his acting in THE BIG LEAGUE! This season's beautiful production photography has been thanks to Tim Matheson who garnered a nomination for his production design in THE EDWARD CURTIS PROJECT. Finally, long-time PT family member Craig Erickson was nominated for his acting in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? as well as Drew Facey, who has done costumes for us countless times, for his work on COMMENT DEVENIR PARFAIT EN TROIS JOURS. Kevin McAllister is another long-term PT pal, nominated for his set design for BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR.

Erin Germaine Mahoney in The Langley Advance

Check out this article featuring the lovely Erin Germaine Mahoney - she was just sublime as Rachel in REFUGE OF LIES, and will be singing and dancing her way through GODSPELL opening this Friday! Find the original article by Roxanne Hooper here.

Raised a navy brat, aspiring actor Erin Mahoney moved around a lot.

While she’s called Langley home for the past three and a half years, Mahoney admits she’s anxious to relocate again soon, this time to the “big city” of Vancouver – to be closer to all the acting opportunities.

The 22-year-old is just one summer course away from completing her bachelor of arts in theatre at TWU, and is currently rehearsing for the upcoming Pacific Theatre production of Godspell that opens next Friday in Vancouver.

While she’s lived in Connecticut, Italy, Georgia, Maine, and Washington State, she said it’s not too important to her where she hangs her hat.

Admittedly, she’s bustled around the world because of her father’s career with the U.S. Navy, and she’s now found a home for herself in the world of theatre.

“Because I moved around so much as a child, I often had to resort to my own entertainment,” Mahoney explained to the Langley Advance. “My imagination was my aid, and I would adorn myself in various costumes and go out into nature and just... play. I suppose that is what being a child is all about. I would create intricate and magical worlds and they would steal me away for hours and hours.”

Mahoney seems to have found a home at Pacific Theatre.

She is currently preparing for a role as Jo Ann Worley, where she will “be singing and clowning around” on stage in Godspell. But she also recently completed a much different role as Rachel in the same production company’s rendition of Refuge of Lies.

“Ron Reed, the artistic director of Pacific Theatre, was one of my professors at Trinity. He saw my work in TWU’s spring production of David Auburn’s Proof (Claire), and before I knew it, he asked me if we could meet together for lunch and talk. He asked me to audition for the role of Rachel, and I did, and the rest is history!”

Mahoney was asked to offer some insight into her initial introduction to theatre.

“I have been playing, story-telling, and imagining myself in created worlds since I can remember, but I discovered the theatre in Grade 6. I’ve been deeply involved in it ever since,” she said.

“My fascination with formal theatre really solidified in high school… I participated in any performance-oriented affairs as a child, whether in song or dance (I did ballet and jazz), etc., but there was never a fully developed theatre program. In high school, however, I auditioned for my school’s performance company where my training really began,” she recounted.

“Then I came to Trinity Western University and learned the importance of the theatre artist. I learned that the theatre is not about the individual but about the community. That it is precious story-telling, shared experience and togetherness that the theatre is supposed to be about.”

Asked what lies ahead – following Godspell – Mahoney simply replied: “the future, I suppose.”

You can follow this young actor, including her thoughts about theatre, life and “other good stuff” online on her blog at: http://dumademoiselle.blogspot.com/.

Or you can catch her in Godspell, which is running at Pacific Theatre, 1420 West 12th Ave., for more than a month.

The show runs May 28 to July 3, Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., as well as matinees on Saturdays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $17-$34, and can be reserved at 604-731-5518, the box office, or online: pacifictheatre.org.

Mahoney is just one of several TWU students participating in this play. She’s joined by fellow Langleyites John Voth, Kyla Ferrier, and Ben Buckingham.

Godspell is a musical conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

Singing! Dancing! Sheep! Goats!

Thou shalt be thrilled, aid artisitc director and TWU theatre professor Ron Reed.

Godspell, born out of a master’s thesis project, became the longest running Off-Broadway musical of all time in a turn of Hollywood-style fortune when it caught the eye of New York producers at its college premiere.

Now this rambunctious and vibrant musical is nestling a comfy home for itself on Pacific Theatre’s intimate stage, ready to fill the space with such beautiful and timeless hits as Day by Day and By Your Side.

Known for her stellar direction of everything from flashy musicals to intimate dramas, Jessie Award-winning director Sarah Rodgers takes the helm of this exciting finale to Pacific Theatre’s season.

“I grew up watching Laugh-In and what’s exciting about Godspell is that the same humour, delight, and fun from that 1970s variety show era is in this play,” Rodgers said.

Read more: http://www.langleyadvance.com/Theatre+Wandering+navy+brat+home+stage/3056457/story.html#ixzz0oy0nxuX9

Thomas Raves Nickel's Genus

Frank Nickel's OTHER theatre company got rave reviews for their piece in the recent BRIDGE MIX show...


“I loved Genus Theatre’s Done by Dinner. The concept is elegantly simple: audience members play a game of street hockey and have to get out of the way every time a car goes by. Conflict with a driver provokes a tidy narrative arc. The real joy, though, is that you get to play, holler, and form an instant community.” – Colin Thomas | Georgia Straight Review

Why we do it

Here's another instalment in the "why we do what we do" series: thank you letters from kids who came to see THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE through Big Brothers.

"We really enjoyed the intimate feel of the theatre and the enthusiasm of the actors in their roles. It was great to see how small props effectively changed the actors into all of the different characters in the story."

"It was the first time my little brother had seen live theatre before - and at such a high calibre too! He talked about the play and its story all through our drive back to his home. We really got to enjoy something unique and captivating!"

Doesn't it just warm your heart?

June 1: Godspell Sing-Along!

Great news folks! I am SO excited to tell you that on Tuesday, June 1 we are having an Audience Sing-Along performance of GODSPELL! That's rig - we'll be passing around lyric sheets and you'll be invited to join in on your favourite songs!

Godspell is a favourite of mine (and so many people) because of the beautiful and uplifting music, and I don't know about you but I have a hard time keeping quiet when I'm listening to it. Come to this show and you won't have to worry about it.

Tuesday, June 1st

8pm

For tickets: www.pacifictheatre.org or 604.731.5518

Prepare Ye for a good time!

May 14-15: Side Show

They're back again! PT's own Frank Nickel leads his troupe of bizarre and hilarious comedy improvisers in SIDE SHOW. This year he's wrangled not only the usual suspects from Bust a Gut and Panic Squad, but PT apprentices Kaitlin Williams, Joel Stephanson, Benjamin Miller, and Shalyn McFaul, as well as staffer Alison Chisholm. This is going to be a blast!

Pacific Theatre is proud to present SIDE SHOW, comedy improv with a dash of chaos. Good clean fun for the whole family with our zany friends from around the city. Let the games begin!

May 14-15 at 8pm.
Tickets $17-22
Call 604.731.5518 or visit www.pacifictheatre.org to book

Stick around afterwards to see Joel Stephanson's directorial debut with a collection of David Ives Comedy Shorts for free!

May 12-15: David Ives Comedy Shorts

Apparently apprentice Joel Stephanson doesn't think he's busy enough. Working the box office and front of house, performing in SIDE SHOW, and rehearsing for GODSPELL wasn't enough for him - he's also directing a series of short plays written by the always hilarious David Ives.

**Performances**
May 12, 8pm
May 13, 8pm
May 14, 10:15pm (after improv)
May 15, 10:15pm

ARABIAN NIGHTS
Norm only has ten minutes to buy a souvenir and fall in love. His interpreter may have other ideas.

VARIATIONS ON THE DEATH OF TROTSKY
Eight outrageously hypothetical conversations between the great political theorist, his wife, and his homicidal gardener. Hilarity ensues.

THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
Don runs a school where he teaches the little known - yet somehow universal - language of Unamunda. Dawn is his first student. As their lesson begins, Dawn finds herself giving a dazzling display of English gone loco, and her persistent stutter disappears. Suddenly, she is thrown into a life of linguistic exhiliration - but not without uncovering her teacher's troubling secret.

Directed by JOEL STEPHANSON

Featuring ROBSON BAKER, SYDNEY COCHRANE, KYLA FERRIER, KRISSY JESUDASON, ROB LAMPARD, SHAY MCFAUL & KEVIN SLOAN

Tickets:
$11 in advance, Pay-What-You Can at the door.
To book call 604.731.5518 or visit www.pacifictheatre.org

Howard Siegel in PLAN B

Howard Siegel (who played Simon in REFUGE OF LIES) is onstage now in Sea Theatre's production of PLAN B, a political Canadian farce addressing the complexities of intimacy using the tenuous relationship between Québec and English Canada to explore the topic of betrayal, both personal and political. It's written by Michael Healey, who won the Governor General's Award for THE DRAWER BOY. PLAN B won the 2002 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best New Play.

Godspell | glasses

Publicity Shots for GODSPELL!

The publicity shots for GODSPELL are in! This shoot was so much fun - channeling the free-wheeling spirit of Laugh-In and the loving spirit of GODSPELL to the fullest. All photos by Tim Matheson.

The guys were very serious about their work.

Godspell | dressing room

jonathan, inc | lost:time

I just ordered the brand new record from Jonathan Anderson. I mean, literally, a record!

You've heard Jon at PT - Christmas Presence, Presence, that sort of thing. Well, the new disk is really enjoyable, AND you can order it on vinyl!! Of course you can just download the digital if you want, but hey - when's the last time you bought an actual record? I'm listening to the tunes right now on my computer, but come mid-June, there'll be something groovy in my mailbox. . . .

Click here. Or be square.

May 12 - Jun 18 | Heart Hands Head | Lookout Gallery

This just in from the Lookout Gallery at Regent College


We welcome you all to come out May 12 and join us for the opening of Heart, Hands & Head: The Show

This Lookout Gallery show is presented in conjunction with Paul Stevens’s Spring Session course Heart, Hands, and Head: Crafts, Creativity and the Spirited Art of Making Things and with the involvement of a number of the Grünewald Guild, Leavenworth, WA.

Opening reception
Wed May 12, 4:30 – 7:30
5800 University Boulevard., Vancouver BC
604 224.3245

Gallery hours:
Mon–Fri: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Godspell | The Lord Is My Happening

The Lord is my happening.
He's where it's all at.
He tricks me sweetly, He never bugs me.
He says make it when the duds put me all down.

I keep my cool 'cause he straights with me.
Even though my head's torn up in the world of plastic mushroom
and I'm crawling on my face,
everything is cool because he's there digging me.

When everybody is faking and stabbing he's super cool,
and he's with me baby.
He craves my face when it's ugly, man.
He lays abundance on me.
Baby, ain't no way I can get hung up,
He's my life time trick.


WFMU's "Beware of the Blog" has an archive of Pastor John Wydgren's 1967 "Silhouette" radio spots. It's also the source of these 1988 illustrations by D. Worden.

LaBute weighs in on REFUGE, GODSPELL

Godspell | army jacket

Jesus Freak...

1971, Vietnam Vets Against The War...


Country Joe MacDonald at Woodstock...

"SDS" character from Across The Universe...

War protest, 1969...

May 7: The Series - Nelson Boschman Trio and Cut by a Triangle

Remember The Series? Last time we had the wonderful Sheree Plett and Peter La Grand take our stage. This time around we're bringing you a night of local jazz artists.

A night of inspired jazz with the NELSON BOSCHMAN TRIO and CUT BY A TRIANGLE

Friday, May 7
Pacific Theatre
1440 W. 12th at Hemlock, Vancouver
8:30pm
Tickets $12.50
To book call 604.731.5518 or visit www.pacifictheatre.org

Nelson Boschman Trio
The Nelson Boschman Trio has been playing jazz throughout Vancouver and BC’s Lower Mainland since 1997. They met while studying in the Jazz Studies Program at Capilano College in North Vancouver. The group's creative, interactive style appeals to a wide audience. Nelson Boschman (piano) studied with Miles Black and Brad Turner during his time at Capilano. Adam Thomas (bass) has studied and performed all over North America with some of the world's finest musicians. Kenton Wiens (drums) is currently teaching and performing with various groups in the Vancouver region.

Cut by a Triangle
Made up of Tom Wherret on guitar, Josh Cole on electric fuzz bass, and Joe Poole on the drums, Cut By A Triangle is a band dedicated to the ferocity of geometric warfare.

Luci Shaw, Books & Culture podcast

Luci Shaw is interviewed on this week's Books & Culture podcast.

May 9 / Jun 5: Eastside Story Guild

A note from a Soul Foodie...

Greetings:

Some of you have heard of the Eastside Story Guild and their bi-annual productions at Grandview Calvary Baptist Church (1803 E. 1st Ave: First Avenue, one block of east of Commercial). For others this may be complete news.

The productions are best characterized as gospel-pageants with local children, youth and a few adults, using music, dance, props, some recitation and dialogue. I have seen a few of these and have always been deeply moved. The next pageant will be mounted next Sunday, May 9 at 10:30 am and 5 pm. It will also be repeated on Saturday, June 5.

I urge you to consider coming to this production which tells the story of the New Creation in Jesus by focusing on "Mother" Eve and Mother Mary (since it is Mothers' Day). It is a good idea to come early enough to get a good seat.

Hoping to see you there. . . .

Pacific Rim String Quartet May 8

PT's resident string quartet, The Pacific Rim String Quartet, is back! This Friday, May 8 they'll be featuring works by Beethoven, Kodaly, and Brahms. For tickets visit www.pacifictheatre.org or call 604.731.5518.

May 28 - Jul 3 | GODSPELL