2017 SEASON Mark DuMez Artistic Director
Randal Huber, Managing Director Mark DuMez, Artistic Director
Emily Cooper Photography
SEASON SPONSOR
Welcome to our 25th Anniversary Season – a year of curiosity, exploration, and celebration! The legacy of The Chemainus Theatre Festival is one of great people and great stories. In our shared spaces, talented artists gather with enthusiastic audiences to enjoy performances from the popularly acclaimed to the intensely challenging. Every year, your support and patronage emboldens us to continue providing theatre in creative new ways – and in 2017 we aim to ignite your imagination again. We kick off with Jane Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice, an absolute joy of Regency romances. Find out if the illustrious manservant Jeeves saves the scene and the day in Jeeves Takes a Bow. We will gaze into the awesomeness of creative achievements through a tale of the stars and passion for life (near and far) in the exquisite play, Silent Sky. The riotous music of the Canadian blockbuster 2 Pianos 4 Hands is likely to make you giddy – and at Christmas we’ll bring out your wacky side when the Cornwalls return with an all new original Chemainus Theatre Festival adventure. We’re going to hop through the summer with Rock Legends – the eagerly anticipated sequel to Twist and Shout – as well as pay tribute to our own past with popular KidzPlay and Studio programming. And, because our 25th year is a time to pull out all the stops, you’ll encounter new commissions, kids’ camps, favourite returning artists, and more celebrations of fantastic professional theatre on Vancouver Island. Thank you for being part of our artistic community that nourishes and explores the arts and the human spirit! Mark DuMez
Randal Huber
Artistic Director
Managing Director
Emily Cooper Photography
Adapted by
Jocelyn Gauthier and Nathan Kay
By
Jane Austen Janet Munsil
Mrs. Bennet simply must secure suitors of a certain social standing for her five daughters. Despite her clever efforts to tie the knots, her family’s future becomes increasingly entangled in Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s amusing attempts to find true love.
“It’s a fascinating, fresh way to see one of literature’s great romances.” Lindsay Christians, The Capital Times
“skittish, comical, easy on the eye and moving” Daily Mail
Best Selling Classic
FEB 17 - MAR 25
Chemainus Theatre Festival presents A Marquis Entertainment production
Written by
Ted Dykstra & Richard Greenblatt
Bryce Kulak and Max Roll Directed by Richard Greenblatt
Bryce Kulak and Max Roll
PRODUCTION PIANO SPONSORS
Photo: Max Telzerow
Starring
Ted and Richard dream about becoming classical pianists. But they have to deal with pushy parents, bizarre teachers, life-consuming practice, stage fright and agonizing Conservatory examinations. Revel in the incredible results of this hilarious and moving journey by these talented duelling pianists.
“Simple, charming, funny, brilliant. An absolute joy. Great humour and music.” CBC
“Magical! Superb! Laugh-out-loud funny! Poignant! Perfection!” The Globe & Mail
A Comedy about Music
APR 6 - MAY 14
Originally Produced by Drayton Entertainment Conceived and Directed by Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by
Alex Mustakas
Robert Foster
With The Beatles and British Invasion came two decades of rock-n-roll, transforming the music scene forever. Experience this most influential music in a live tribute to the Beach Boys, The Everly Brothers, The Monkees, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Sonny & Cher, and many more incredible artists!
“over-flowing with more great songs than I could count � Phil Main, Classic Rock 94.5
Musical Revue
JUN 2 - AUG 26
Bernard Cuffling and Jesse Martyn Emily Cooper Photography
From the Stories of
P.G. Wodehouse
takes a bow Adapted by
Margaret Raether Bertie Wooster has bitten off more of The Big Apple than he can chew. All attempts to inflict his charming ineptitude on America and break into show biz are foiled by a kooky childhood friend “Binky” and vengeful thug “Knuckles McCann”. Will his illustrious manservant Jeeves save the scene and the day?
“a wonderfully comedic escape” Tom Williams, Chicago Critic British Comedy
SEP 8 - 30
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)
Randi Edmundson
Emily Cooper Photography
Lauren Gunderson By
Henrietta Leavitt sees greatness in the stars - if only others saw the brilliance in her. While many earthly complications stand in her way, her astonishing discoveries of astronomy, family, and love will change everyone’s (outer) worldly perspective.
“Silent Sky is a startling, entertaining true story of a brilliant, history-making woman.” AtlantaInTown.com
Cosmic Love Story
OCT 13 - NOV 4
Karen Johnson-Diamond, Michael Peng and Scott Augustine Emily Cooper Photography
By
Nicolle Nattrass and Mark DuMez
The Cornwalls are back for another great holiday season! More classic 80’s tunes, cornball antics, and big hair. Will Tommy find true love this year? Come and join their all-inclusive holiday yuletide cheer.
“Pure Christmas family entertainment at its best!”
Comedy with Music
NOV 17 - DEC 31
KIDZPLAY
25th Anniversary Special Through the wardrobe and into a land where imagination and magic conquer all. Follow four curious children from the English Countryside to Narnia – where peculiar talking animals, an evil White Witch, a spectacular rescue mission, and destiny awaits!
Lewis
JUL 15 - AUG 13 For more information on other student and education opportunities, visit chemainustheatre.ca/education/
Illustration: by Dean Griffiths
From the story by C.S.
ON THE STUDIO STAGE
25th Anniversary Special
Lanford Wilson
By
Like any proper Missouri gentleman in 1944, Matt has taken to wooing Sally Talley. Alas, the timid, bookish, and delightfully honest maiden fears her family’s disapproval. Romancing reveals their innermost secrets – and their chance for a future together. The first play ever produced at the Chemainus Theatre Festival
AUG 16 - 26
2017 SPONSORS SEASON SPONSOR
LEAD SPONSORS
CO-SPONSORS
KIDZPLAY CO-SPONSORS
GOVERNMENT & FOUNDATIONS
Please support these businesses that support the arts and the Chemainus Theatre on Vancouver Island SUPPORTING ROLE
ENJOY
Pantone 3125 C
MEDIA SPONSORS
DELECTABLE DINING Enjoy an enticing and satisfying experience with an amazing selection of culinary delights, a new menu inspired by every show, and live music that sets the mood. Our Executive Chef prepares a tastefully diverse menu to compliment every season.
THE CHEMAINUS THEATRE EXPERIENCE The Chemainus Theatre Festival, est. 1993, is one of western Canada’s largest performing arts organizations. As a non-profit charitable Society we offer a continuous season of regionally – and internationally – acclaimed theatre to over 70,000 residents and visitors every year. From the purely dramatic to the musically enriched, our shows feature an entertaining selection of classic and contemporary tales, outstanding musicals, tributes, dramas, and comedies. Dedicated to serving versatile interests of audiences and artists, The Festival has attracted talented guest actors, directors, musicians and designers from across North America – a testament to the highly regarded theatrical productions and facilities. Complete your theatre experience with a delightful meal in the Playbill Dining Room before each show. Live music creates the perfect setting for diners to indulge in the impressive show-themed buffet. The on-site Gallery Gift Shop showcases BC artisans and is a wonderful place for art-lovers and shoppers to browse, and take home, a memorable piece of the west coast.
Vancouver Island’s Theatre Destination
Tickets from $25 Ways to book: • Online at chemainustheatre.ca • By phone, call 250.246.9820 or toll-free 1.800.565.7738 • In person at the Box Office at 9737 Chemainus Road, Chemainus, BC
Save on your seats – and more! 1. Book early for the greatest choice of seats and prices. 2. See multiple shows for less with a Flex Pass, or subscribe to the season and enjoy great savings off regular ticket prices, convenient ticket exchange, and exclusive specials. 3. Attend a Preview show. 4. Bring a group of ten or more adults for a preferred rate. 5. Choose the buffet package for a delicious start to your performance. 6. Go all-in with a getaway package that includes show tickets, dinner reservations, and accommodations (with a tasty breakfast buffet).
Share the season with someone! Gift certificates earn you some applause from anyone who enjoys the theatre. Redeemable for tickets, packages, and at the Gallery Gift Shop. Choose any amount to give and buy online or call the Box Office.
www.chemainustheatre.ca
Pride and Prejudice 2 Pianos 4 Hands ROCK Legends
The Sequel to Twist & Shout
Jeeves Takes a Bow Silent Sky Cornwalls’ all-inclusive cancun christmas THE Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe TallEy’s Folly Chemainus Theatre Festival 9737 Chemainus Road Bag #1000 Chemainus, BC V0R 1K0 250.246.9820 1.800.565.7738 info@chemainustheatre.ca chemainustheatre.ca
James A Glen Design
Live Professional Theatre Playbill Dining Room Gallery Gift Shop
Cover : David Cooper Photography
Charitable Tax Number BN#140012428RR0001