Matthew Sklar
, 2018 2 1 C E 9 TO D 2 V O N
USH SAGEBR
E
THEATR
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THANK YOU TO OUR VALUED SUPPORTERS Presenting Partner
Government Support
Foundations
Season Partners
Printing | Signs + Displays | Responsive Marketing
ELF–The Musical Show Sponsors
Spotlight Sponsor
PWYC Mainstage Matinée Sponsor
Student Club Sponsor
Pre-Show Salon Partners
GENERAL NOTES In consideration of your fellow audience members’ comfort and enjoyment of the show, we ask the following:
Electronic Devices: Please turn off all cellular phones and watch alarms prior to the show. Late Seating Policy: Patrons who arrive after the performance has begun will be seated at an appropriate interval in the program. Scent-free Facilities: Please arrive perfume/cologne-free and do not bring flowers into the lobby or theatre. Children: WCT productions, unless they are identified as Family Friendly, are not suitable for children or babes in arms. Every patron, regardless of age, requires a ticket. For more information, please visit the FAQs on wctlive.ca. Recording Policy: Due to copyright regulations, the use of cameras and other video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited. Services for Patrons: The Sagebrush Theatre now has hearing assist listening systems. Both the Pavilion and Sagebrush theatres are wheelchair accessible and equipped with wheelchair-seating locations. Please see the House Manager for details.
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ELF–THE MUSICAL
Book by THOMAS MEEHAN and BOB MARTIN
Music by MATTHEW SKLAR
TRACEY POWER MEREDITH ZWICKER DREW FACEY ITAI ERDAL DOUG PERRY DAWN BERGSTROM LISA RUSSELL SKYLAR NAKAZAWA MICHELLE CHABASSOL
Lyrics by CHAD BEGUELIN
Director and Choreographer Musical Director Set and Costume Designer Lighting Designer Sound Engineer Assistant Director Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager
FEATURING SCOTT BELLIS SHELDON BERGSTROM AMBER BISSONNETTE DAREN DYHENGCO JASON HARDWICK CAITRIONA MURPHY NADINE RODEN KIRK SMITH BARBARA TOMASIC MANDISA VOLO CHRISTOPHER WEDDELL EMILY WHALEN STEPHANIE WONG
Walter Hobbs, Ensemble Santa Claus Matthews, Ensemble Chadwick, Ensemble Charlie, Ensemble, Dance Captain Emily Hobbs, Ensemble Emma Van Brocklin–Macy’s Manager, Ensemble Buddy Deb, Ensemble Michaela Hobbs Mr. Greenway, Ensemble Charlotte Dennon, Ensemble Jovie, Ensemble
MUSICIANS MONIK NORDINE ALEXANDER WARD JARED WILMAN MEREDITH ZWICKER
Saxophone, Flute Bass, Trombone Drums, Percussion Mrs. Claus, Keyboard
CHILDREN’S CHORUS LUCAS BALTAKIS QUENTIN CLARK SOPHIA DIMOPOULOS MCKENNA GRICE ANNA HAHN KYLE JORDE
OLIVIA LIGHTFOOT MACENZIE MARSICO EVANGELINE MIDDLETON DEIDRICH ORTON LUKAS WOODS
Originally produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with Unique Features. Elf The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
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Happy Holidays to you and your family from BCLC
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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTES Welcome
to Elf–The Musical!
We’re thrilled during this time of year to bring you a show that is so unabashedly sparkle-jolly-twinkle-jingley. What makes a great Christmas story? Well, for me it is a show that celebrates humanity, friendship, family, heart, and serves as a reminder that at this time of year we all have something to give. Marking traditions is an important part of this season, and we are thankful to all of you for making WCT part of your holiday experience—whether this is shared with family and friends, or enjoyed as your own personal ritual (I choose to watch It’s a Wonderful Life by myself every Christmas, so I can blubber away in solitary enjoyment…). There’s a little Buddy the Elf in all of us – cheery, optimistic, naïve, enthusiastic, and generous. And behind the exuberant joy that is Elf, there are wonderful and timely messages: to never lose our childish spirit that allows us to see the world as a happy, joyful place, and to remind us that in a world where cynicism is easy, a little positive attitude goes a long way. As Elf reminds us, if we have something to give to our community this year—whether it is financial or in spirit and deed—that gift, no matter how small, can change the world and make all the difference for someone in need. And as we enjoy the holidays, let us keep in our thoughts everyone who works through the season to keep the world safe and secure. From all of us at WCT, we wish you a safe and happy holidays. Enjoy the show!
James MacDonald Artistic Director, Western Canada Theatre
UPCOMING SHOWS MEET MY SISTER | MADE IN ITALY BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY MOM’S THE WORD - NEST ½ EMPTY | EMPIRE OF THE SON Western Canada Theatre is an active member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Programme Producer: Western Canada Theatre • wctlive.ca • 250-372-3216 Printer: Wayside Press • www.waysideco.ca • 250-372-3373 Box Office: Kamloops Live! Box Office • kamloopslive.ca • 250-374-5483
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Wherever your travels take you, best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy the show!
L Learn more at kamloopsairport.com
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CHRISTMAS in the G A L L E R Y NOVEMBER 13 to DECEMBER 24
H O M E D E C O R + J E W E L L E R Y + P O T T E R Y + S TAT I O N E R Y M O N TO SAT, 10 AM T O 5 PM W E D + THU R S, 10 A M T O 8 PM DE C E M B E R 24, 10 A M T O 1 PM
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K A M LO O PS A RT GA LLE RY 4 6 5 V I C T O R I A ST R E E T / / 250- 377- 2400
DIRECTOR’S NOTES It is such a tremendous joy to share ELF–The Musical with you. I had no idea when I began working on this show how many people love this movie and watch it every holiday season. I’m sure if you are a fan you are hoping to see some of your favourite film moments on stage—you will—but you’ll also see many new moments as well. The book and music writers have done a wonderful job of adapting the film and giving it a musical life on the stage. The music captures the joy and hilarity of the movie, but also its big, beautiful heart. The holidays are filled with so many varying emotions; it’s a time of year when we seem to feel everything a whole lot more—the highs, and the lows. Live theatre also asks this of us. So, now that this show has brought us all here together, I look forward to experiencing it with you. And however you are feeling this time of year, I hope our Elf with a giant heart does a little bit to fill yours and sends you home with a smile. “Did you hear that‌?â€? xo Tracey Power Director, ELF–The Musical
FUN FACT Christmas Elves were first made popular in the late 19th century in the United States. Santa’s elf helpers were inspired partly by folktales like The Elves and the Shoemaker, 1884.
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ARTISTS’ BIOGRAPHIES SCOTT BELLIS Walter Hobbs, Ensemble At WCT: Educating Rita Elsewhere: Scott Bellis is best known for his 23 seasons as an actor with Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival in his hometown of Vancouver. Since 1987 he has worked in theatre across Western Canada, including for the Arts Club, The Electric Company, Touchstone, and Blackbird Theatre (Vancouver); Persephone (Saskatoon); Canadian Stage (Toronto); Theatre Calgary and Vertigo (Calgary); and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg). His acting work has garnered four Jessie Richardson awards and over twenty nominations. He has directed plays at Langara College/Studio 58, Bard on the Beach, Persephone Theatre, and Carousel Theatre. He recently codirected a remount of The Piano Teacher for the Arts Club and the premiere of a new play, Red Birds, for Western Gold/Solo Collective. As an acting teacher he has taught at Studio 58 and the Banff/Citadel Academy and is currently the lead instructor for the Arts Club’s annual Actors’ Intensive. Scott also serves as Council President of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. DAWN BERGSTROM Assistant Director At WCT: Producer Elsewhere: Dawn is thrilled to be assisting Tracey on this wonderful production. Originally from Saskatchewan, Dawn relocated to Kamloops in January 2018 to take on the position of Producer with Western Canada Theatre. Dawn has appeared in productions such as The Last Resort, Man of La Mancha (Globe Theatre); Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Lend Me A Tenor, Fire, The Sound of Music (Persephone Theatre); Grease, Nunsense, All Shook Up (Stage West); Kiss Me Kate (Talk Is Free Theatre); My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music (Drayton Entertainment); and Footloose (Mayfield Theatre). She has also worked in a variety of roles behind the scenes, including Director, Choreographer, Company Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Head of Wardrobe, Dresser and more. She is very thankful for the opportunity to work with many wonderful friends on this production, including her husband, Sheldon.
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Western Canada Theatre continues to deliver VIBRANT professional theatre to our community. The City of Kamloops is a proud sponsor and wishes the company all the best in its 2018-2019 season.
kamloops.ca
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SHELDON BERGSTROM Santa Claus AT WCT: Upcoming: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (coproduction with Thousand Islands Playhouse) Elsewhere: Rob Ford The Musical (McCaig/Regan); Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, The Tempest, Lend Me A Tenor (Persephone Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan); The Volstead Blues, The Last Resort, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Calamity Jane (Souris Valley Theatre); Shrek, It’s A Wonderful Life (RuBarb Productions); The Producers, All Shook Up, Don’t Hug Me, Shady Business (Stage West); Hairspray, The Imaginary Invalid, See How They Run, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline (Mayfield Theatre); A Christmas Carol, Oliver (Citadel Theatre); Seussical (Alberta Theatre Projects); My Fair Lady, Oliver, The Sound of Music (Drayton Entertainment); Kiss Me Kate, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Talk Is Free Theatre); Jungle Book, and Elf – The Musical (Neptune Theatre). Film & Television: The Humanity Bureau, Corner Gas, The Incredible Story Studio, InSecurity, Held Up, The Impossible Elephant, I Downloaded A Ghost, Without Malice, SuperGrid, A.R.C.H.I.E. and A.R.C.H.I.E. 2. AMBER BISSONNETTE Sam Matthews, Ensemble At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Performance Faves: Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, 80’s Solid Gold I and II, The Wedding Singer, Uptown Country Girls, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stage West Calgary); Hair, Hairspray, 9 to 5, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Buddy Holly Story (Mayfield); The Scent of Compulsion, The Euphorians (Teatro la Quindicina); Mack and Mabel (Plain Janes); Featuring Loretta, End of Civilization (Puntuate!), The Leisure Society (Theatre Network); Boy’s Own Jedi Handbook, Evil Dead: The Musical (Hit & Myth/Ground Zero Theatre); and Company (Storybook). Choreo Faves: Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid (Zurich International School); Rent, Spelling Bee (Citadel/Robbins Academy); Gruesome Playground Injuries, Evil Dead: The Musical (Hit & Myth/GZT); Little Red Riding Hood, The Lion King Jr (Storybook); The Toxic Avenger (Broadway West); Putting it Together, Andrews Brothers, Life Could be a Dream (Cornerstone); and Seasons 4 and 5 of Caution: May Contain Nuts (Mosaic Entertainment). Love and thanks to my hubby and two fur babies back home in Calgary. MICHELLE CHABASSOL Apprentice Stage Manager At WCT: Kamloopa, GLORY, A Christmas Carol, and Million Dollar Quartet Elsewhere: Michelle is transitioning her career into stage management and is so excited to be a part of this fabulous team! She would like to thank Lisa and Skylar for pushing and guiding her during this process; and to her husband, Bill, for all the support and encouragement during this crazy time! Merry Christmas to all!
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FA B U L O U S F I F T I E S F U N D R A I S E R
January 19, 2019
Gourmet Dinner, Dancing and Live Entertainment
6:00pm | The Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre Dress to Impress | TICKETS: $125 kamloopslive.ca
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DAREN DYHENGCO Chadwick, Ensemble At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Daren is so excited to make his Western Canada Theatre debut in their production of Elf – The Musical! Daren is a graduate of Capilano University’s Musical Theatre Program. Past credits include The Day before Christmas (Arts Club); Next to Normal, Spring Awakening (Phantom Moon Collective); West Side Story, Hairspray (Theatre Under the Stars); and Darc (Netflix). He would like to thank the never-ending support of his family and friends. Enjoy the show and Merry Christmas! ITAI ERDAL Lighting Designer At WCT: Where the Blood Mixes, Billy Bishop Goes to War, and The Island of Bliss Elsewhere: An award-winning lighting designer, writer and performer, Itai is the artistic director of The Elbow Theatre in Vancouver. He has designed lighting for over 250 shows, for companies such as The Stratford Festival, Vancouver Opera, Vancouver Playhouse, Arts Club, Tarragon, Soulpepper, Factory, Citadel and Royal Manitoba Theatre Company, as well as companies in London, New York, L.A., Berlin, Bergen, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Salvador, Brazil. He has won four Jessie Richardson Awards, the Jack King Award, a Dora Mavor Moore Award, Victoria’s Spotlight Choice Award, a Guthrie Award and the Design Award at the Dublin Fringe. He was shortlisted for the 2018 Siminovitch Prize. Itai’s one-man show How to Disappear Completely (The Chop, directed by James Long) has had 26 remounts in 22 cities and continues to tour nationally and internationally. He co-wrote and performed in A Very Narrow Bridge, This Is Not A Conversation and Hyperlink for the Elbow. www.itaierdal.com, www.theelbow.ca DREW FACEY Set and Costume Designer At WCT: The Comedy of Errors, Waiting for the Parade, Educating Rita, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Elsewhere: Drew has been production designing theatre and opera for the past eleven years. Recent highlights include Me & My Girl (Shaw Festival); Silver Arrow (The Citadel); Timon of Athens, Lysistrata (Bard on the Beach); The Marriage of Figaro (Vancouver Opera); Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Globe Theatre); Bonjour, la, Bonjour (Théâtre la Seizième); The Humans, Onegin (Arts Club); and Das Ding (Can Stage). Drew is the recipient of sixteen Jessie Awards for outstanding design and thirtytwo nominations. He is a graduate of Studio 58. www.drewfacey.com
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JASON HARDWICK Charlie, Ensemble, Dance Captain At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Jason is very, very excited to be making his debut here at WCT. Jason is an Edmonton-based actor, improviser, and choreographer. He was last seen on stage at the 2018 Edmonton Fringe in Don’t Frown At The Gown with Guys in Disguise. Some favourite credits include Puck Bunnies (Guys in Disguise), Dennis in All Shook Up (Mayfield), Cinderella: A Pantomime (Capitol Theatre, Fort Edmonton); Hairspray, Chicago, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Mayfield Theatre); Chicago, All Shook Up, Sweet Charity (Stage West Calgary); Mary Poppins (Globe Theatre); Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Ah, Romance!, A New Brain, Drat The Cat, and Little Fish (Plain Jane Theatre Company). CAITRIONA MURPHY Emily Hobbs, Ensemble At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Caitriona Murphy is an actor and musician originally from Toronto. B.C. credits include Les Misérables, Next to Normal, Mary Poppins, In the Heights, Peter and the Starcatcher, Onegin, Billy Elliot, Once, The Piano Teacher (Arts Club Theatre); Closer Than Ever (Gateway Theatre); Between the Sheets (Pi Theatre); Les Misérables, Pride and Prejudice (Chemainus Theatre Festival), The Drowsy Chaperone (Theatre Under the Stars); The Spitfire Grill (Pacific Theatre); The Full Monty, Out of a Dream (Patrick Street Productions); A Streetcar Named Desire, The Miracle Worker (Theatre North West); Some Enchanted Evening (Kay Meek Centre); and Marry Me a Little (Speck Theatre). Ontario credits: Elgin Theatre, CanStage, Young People’s Theatre, Tarragon, Factory, Theatre Passe Muraille, Buddies in BadTimes, the National Arts Centre, The Grand Theatre, and Pea Green Productions. Other: CARAS Award—Humber College Jazz Program; Dora Award, two-time Jessie nominee. As singer and violinist, Caitriona has played venues across Canada. Caitriona is an accredited Music Therapist. caitrionamurphy.ca SKYLAR NAKAZAWA Assistant Stage Manager At WCT: Vimy, The Birds and the Bees, The Comedy of Errors, I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, 2015 Highwire Festival: Children of God; Cure for Death by Lightning, Miss Caledonia, Closer Than Ever; As Assistant Stage Manager: GLORY, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, 39 Steps, Liberation Days, Peter and the Starcatcher, Driving Miss Daisy, Waiting for the Parade, Silent Chap, Les Misérables, Boeing Boeing; As Apprentice Stage Manager: Fiddler on the Roof, The Importance of Being Earnest, Educating Rita, A Christmas Story, Harvest, and Noises Off Elsewhere: Some favourites: UBUNTU (The Cape Town Project) (The Citadel/Prairie Theatre Exchange); The Comedy of Errors (Theatre Aquarius); The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (Project X); Girl in the Goldfish Bowl (Theatre Northwest); Noises Off, A Shayna Maidel (Chemainus Theatre Festival); and Closer Than Ever (Thousand Islands Playhouse). Skylar would like to thank Tracey and Dawn for their support. And special thanks to Dušan and Kitkat. xoxo.
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MONIK NORDINE Saxophone, Flute At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: As one of BC’s top soprano and alto jazz saxophonists, Monik Nordine has a powerful, lyrical, and impressive command of the saxophone. She has received several prestigious arts awards and performed on the JUNO-nominated album “Cruel Yet Fair” with the Hard Rubber Orchestra. Monik directs The Victoria Jazz Orchestra and has shared the stage with award-winning musicians Hugh Fraser, Guido Basso, Matt Catingub, David Foster, Campbell Ryga, Michael Buble, Rob McConnell, Tommy Banks, Brad Turner and many other high-profile artists. She has toured Canada widely, performing in the Montreal, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, and Medicine Hat jazz festivals, and toured with Canadian greats Pat Coleman and Mike Allen, not to mention Hugh Fraser’s VEJI. She has recorded three albums as a leader: “Not Just To But Over the Moon”, “Departure” and “The Old-New Town”. Monik holds a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance and Composition from McGill University and teaches at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. DOUG PERRY Sound Engineer At WCT: The Birds and the Bees, Don’t Dress For Dinner, Boeing Boeing, A Christmas Carol, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Seussical, Still Desire You, and Beauty and the Beast Elsewhere: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Theatre NorthWest).
TRACEY POWER Director and Choreographer At WCT: GLORY, Les Misérable and UBUNTU (The Cape Town Project). Elsewhere: Tracey has worked across Canada and internationally as an actor, playwright, director and choreographer. Recently she wrote and choreographed the world premiere of the Betty Awardwinning GLORY for WCT and Alberta Theatre Projects. GLORY will begin a national 18-week tour in 2019. She’s the writer of the musical Miss Shakespeare, Garage Alec, Living Shadows, A Story of Mary Pickford, The Great Mountain, and an adaptation of The Jungle Book. She is the director/creator of Chelsea Hotel, The Songs of Leonard Cohen, which has toured across Canada and played over 300 performances. She choreographed Onegin (Arts Club), The Winters Tale (Bard on the Beach), Peter and the Starcatcher (The Citadel), and three seasons of The East Van Panto, and she directed and choreographed Singin’ In The Rain for Chemainus Theatre. As an actor, shows include UBUNTU, Blackbird, and Clybourne Park (Citadel Theatre); La Cage Aux Folles (Playhouse Theatre); The Back Kitchen Release Party and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Arts Club); The One That Got Away (The Electric Company); Urinetown, Miss Shakespeare (Firehall Arts Centre); A Midsummer Nights Dream and Henry V (FreeWill Players). www.traceypower.ca
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Enjoy the Show!
Presenting Partner
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Ron & Rae Fawcett k els ong ro up.c om
NADINE RODEN Emma Van Brocklin–Macy’s Manager, Ensemble At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Nadine is so excited to be making her debut here at Western Canada Theatre. Theatre credits include Sylvia in All Shook Up at Drayton Entertainment and Stage West; Trix in The Drowsy Chaperone at Drayton Entertainment, MTC and Theatre Calgary; and Frankie in Blow Wind High Water at Theatre Calgary. TV and Film credits include Flatliners, Kim’s Convenience, Baroness Von Sketch, Private Eyes, and Titans. Love to my family and friends for their incredible love and support. Proud member of CAEA and ACTRA LISA RUSSELL Stage Manager At WCT: GLORY, The Cure for Death by Lightening, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Liberation Days, Les Misérables, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and The Attic, the Pearls and Three Fine Girls Elsewhere: Selected credits: Fidelio (Pacific Opera Victoria); Hadestown (Citadel Theatre); Root, Hog, or Die, A Soldier’s War, Romeo and Juliet, The Drowning Girls, Shangri-La, O.C.Dean, Pride and Prejudice, Shout Sister, Robin Hood, A Doll’s House (Globe Theatre); Die Fledermaus, Madame Butterfly (Calgary Opera); Grace & Glorie, Over the River and Through the Woods (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Souvenirs, The December Man, Steel Kiss (Green Thumb Theatre); Doubt, A Parable (Theatre Calgary/Manitoba Theatre Centre); Shirley Valentine and Anything Goes (The Grand Theatre). Lisa was the production stage manager for the Summer Arts Festival at the Banff Centre for four summers and worked for seven seasons at the Stratford Festival. Lisa is thrilled to be back among old friends in Kamloops at WCT. KIRK SMITH Buddy At WCT: Fred in A Christmas Carol, Robert in Don’t Dress For Dinner, Clown in The 39 Steps, Robert in Boeing Boeing, Combeferre/Bamatabois in Les Misérables, Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest, Garry/Roger in Noises Off, Ensemble in Wit, Topper/Laurie in A Christmas Carol, Freddy in My Fair Lady, and The Cat in The Hat in Seussical Elsewhere: Some other recent projects include Pride and Prejudice (Persephone Theatre); Jeeves Takes A Bow (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Billy Elliott (Arts Club Theatre); The Rivals (Blackbird Theatre); The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged), James and The Giant Peach, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and The Rocky Horror Show (Project X). Kirk feels very fortunate to get to get into the Christmas Spirit and be around so many friends and family, while playing this iconic part in his home town. This is his 13th production at WCT, and he never gets tired of working and playing with the team here. This community and this company have given him so much, including the opportunity to meet his wife-to-be, with whom he has worked on the Sagebrush stage three times. She makes him happy all the time.
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Children’s Chorus
FROM LEFT | TOP: McKenna Grice, Deidrich Orton,
Macenzie Marsico, Kyle Jorde, Sophia Dimopoulos BOTTOM: Lucas Baltakis, Evangeline Middleton, Anna Hahn, Olivia Lightfoot, Lukas Woods, Quentin Clark
FUN FACT The first time St. Nicholas (also known as Santa Claus) was first characterized as “a right jolly old elf ” was in the 1823 poem known as “’Twas the Night before Christmas”. 20
BARBARA TOMASIC Deb, Ensemble At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Barbara is thrilled to be making her WCT debut working with such a terrific cast and under the direction of Tracey Power! She has acted and directed in theatres across Canada, and her favourite roles include Maria in the Sound of Music, Anna in The King and I and Cathy in the Canadian premiere of The Last Five Years. Her most recent directing credits include Grease (Chemainus Theatre); 42nd Street (Studio 58); Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, Crybaby, The Music Man, Wizard of Oz, Crazy for You (Gateway Theatre); and Hannah Moscovitch’s Little One (UBC). Barbara is a graduate of UBC with a MFA in Directing and JIPA with a diploma in theatre performance. MANDISA ANDREA VOLO Michaela At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Mandisa is 12 years old and is in grade 7 at Kamloops School of the Arts. She is very excited to be in Elf – The Musical, and to be able work with this group of talented and amazing people. Mandisa has taken part in WCT’s Acting Stage One Theatre. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support during the whole production. Other than acting, Mandisa has been singing in both the Kamloops Thompson Honour Choir and the Kamloops Thompson Children’s Choir for 5 years. She would especially like to thank her best friend, Isabella, and both of her parents for encouraging her to audition for the show, as well as for their extra support. ALEXANDER WARD Bass At WCT: Million Dollar Quartet, Mamma Mia! Elsewhere: Alexander Ward began his studies of music at an early age performing violin, eventually taking up trombone, bass, and organ. After graduating from Beattie School of the Arts, Alexander has performed with Provincial Honour Band, District Honour Band, Kamloops Big Band, various community groups, and Project X Theatre’s You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Hope you enjoy the show!
FUN FACT Elves were common in early Germanic folklore, as a humanshaped supernatural being. In Nordic myths, they were associated with illness, magic, beauty and seduction. 21
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CHRISTOPHER WEDDELL Mr. Greenway, Ensemble At WCT: A Christmas Carol, Blithe Spirit, Silent Chap, The Importance Of Being Earnest, Noises Off, Keeper Of The Light, Amadeus, and The McLean Boys Elsewhere: Waiting For Godot (Kaspar Theatre, Prague); Arden Of Faversham (Artists Collective Theatre); and Love On The Plastic (Pink Ink). Upcoming: Two Gentleman Of Verona (Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival); Little One (Mad Fox); and Madame Butterfly (Opera Kelowna). Other: A graduate of the Playhouse Acting School, Christopher has played on stages in Europe and Canada. He is a founding member and past Artistic Associate of Bard On The Beach. Christopher has written several plays, including a hit adaptation of Gulliver’s Travels for Kaleidoscope Theatre. In 2017, he received an NCRC award for sound design/ production of The Charles Campbell Story. As founder/owner of Shakescenes, he teaches acting workshops across the country. Weddell has taught at The Canadian College Of Performing Arts since 2000. EMILY WHALEN Charlotte Dennon, Ensemble At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Emily has worked with Project X Theatre, where she played the role of Aimée/ Aramis in The Three Musketeers. She has also performed with TRU Actors Workshop Theatre as Christy in Fresh Horses and Jones in The Gift. Emily is enormously grateful to be working with such phenomenally kind and talented artists, and she would like to thank the cast, crew, and everyone at WCT for making her experience at Elf truly magical! Thank you to Mum and Dad for their love and unwavering support. Special thanks to Carlene and Ellen, your friendship and guidance is a blessing. To all friends, family and others, welcome to Elf! Enjoy the show, and perhaps a Chocolate Monster later on! JARED WILMAN Drums, Percussion At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Drummer and percussionist Jared Wilman was born and raised in Kamloops, was a product of St Ann’s Academy and is a recent graduate from the TRU School of Business. He first began performing in various community and jazz groups in 2012 and has since become a prominent figure on the Kamloops music scene. Jared performs in a number of indie bands, such as At Mission Dolores, Echo Beach, and Elsewhere, as well as Mother Sun, and is part of the local improvisational jazz collective. With countless live shows and a growing list of albums to his name, Jared is excited to join the cast of Elf for his debut WCT performance.
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TRU ACTORS WORKSHOP THEATRE 2018/19 SEASON
Mourning Becomes Electra
20th Annual Directors Festival
Feb 28 - March 9, 2019
April 10-13, 2019
Directed by senior directing students.
TRU, OLD MAIN, STUDENT STREET CURTAIN NIGHTLY @ 7:30PM | TICKETS: 250-377-6100 24
MC124533
by Eugene O'Neill. Directed by Heidi Verwey
STEPHANIE WONG Jovie, Ensemble At WCT: Debut Elsewhere: Stephanie Wong is a Hong Kongborn, Vancouver-based artist. She is thrilled to be working with WCT and this cast and crew on this heart-filled and hilarious show. After graduating from Studio 58, she has spent this last year cultivating her career in both acting and set design. Select acting credits: Land of Trash (Green Thumb Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Gateway Theatre); Cry Baby: The Musical (Awkward Stage Productions); Elbow Room Café: The Musical (Zee Zee Theatre); and Little Red Riding Hood (The East Van Panto). Select design credits: Red Birds (Solo Collective); Blackbird (One Story Productions); and The Aliens (Sticks and Stones). See her next in Electric Company Theatre’s The Full Light of Day, this January in Vancouver. She hopes that this show brings light and laughter this holiday season! MEREDITH ZWICKER Musical Director/ Mrs. Claus, Keyboard At WCT: Upcoming: As Vi Petty in Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (co-production with Thousand Islands Playhouse) Elsewhere: Favourite shows include The River (Magnus); Dean & Jerry: What Might Have Been (Upper Canada Playhouse/Lighthouse); A Christmas Carol (Orillia Opera House); Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Frankenstein, Private Lives (Theatre New Brunswick); Spamalot, Chigago, Noises Off (Stephenville Theatre Festival); Samaria (Das Letzte Kleinod, Germany); The Sound of Music, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gypsy (Neptune), and in TV & Film: Cardinal, Falls Around Her. Meredith holds a BA in Music and Theatre from Dalhousie and an MFA in Acting from York. Many thanks to the cast, band, and whole WCT team for their talents and good humour, and much love to her husband, Caleb.
249 Victoria St, Kamloops
(250)-374-1711 25
WE CAN HELP. Proud supporter of Western Canada Theatre WE CAN HELP.
For&aESTATES full listing• of our lawyers and services, • TRUSTS WILLS ESTATE PLANNING please visit our website mjblaw.com Mair Jensen Blair LLP - Lawyers 700-275 Lansdowne St. Kamloops, BC V2C 6H6 26 Ph: 250.374.3161 Toll-Free: 1.888.374.3161
WESTERN CANADA THEATRE STAFF VENUE SERVICES Shevaun Fortune, Venue Services Director Allison Bregoliss, Volunteer Coordinator Morgan Benedict, Front of House Coordinator Front of House Staff: Brian Charbonneau, Maxwell Gallagher, Krystine Lucas, Phyllis Mader, Christina Poirier, Chanelle Renee
James MacDonald, Artistic Director Evan Klassen, Managing Director ADMINISTRATION Ron Thompson, Financial Manager Catrina Crowe, Marketing & Communications Director Suzan Goguen, Growth & Engagement Director Lucy Gearey, Special Events Manager Stephanie McLean, Events and Development Coordinator Terri Runnalls, Education Coordinator Randy Chow, Accounting Assistant Frankie Knight, Marketing Associate Bryce Herman, Fund Development Consultant PRODUCTION Dawn Bergstrom, Producer Bill Chabassol, Production Manager Nathan Cordeiro, Production Technical Director Brian St-Amand, Sagebrush Technical Director Paul Cuthbert, Sagebrush Assistant Technical Director Liam Befurt, Intern Production Manager/ Technical Director James Befurt, RF Technician Christine Leroux, Child Supervisor Ryan Pinette, Follow Spot Operator Lukas Vanderlip, Sound Special Effects Cindy Wiebe, Head of Wardrobe Rory Lynch, Head of Scenic Carpentry Angela Frye, Head of Properties Ken Wells, Scenic Painter Charlotte Wagner, Wardrobe Susan Dixon, Wardrobe Marian Truscott, Wardrobe Laurie Harder, Carpenter Dani Foisy, Properties, Dresser
FUN FACT In Iceland, they still often alter building projects, rather than damage rocks they believe the elves, or huldufólk (“hidden people”), dwell in.
KAMLOOPS LIVE! BOX OFFICE Dawn Brauer, Box Office Supervisor Box Office Attendants: Robin Arundel, Sheldon Bergstrom, Michelle Chabassol, Judy Day, Jane Harestad, Maddy Henry, Christine Leroux, Stephanie Moniuk
BOARD David Ross † Tim Rodgers - President Tom Kerr ‡ Grant Chu - Past President Judge T.W. Shupe § Gordon Miller - Vice Francis Barnett * President D. Michael Dobbin * Lori Bregoliss Peggy Gilmour * Marilyn Crossen Mike Latta * Beverley DeSantis Anne Manson * Wesley Eccleston Maureen Marshall * Sharon Frissell Lanni Shupe * † ‡
Honorary Life Artistic Producer § Honorary Life Chairman Founding Artistic Director * Honorary Life Member
SPECIAL THANKS Chemainus Theatre Festival Hilltop Barber Shop Perry’s Sound Studio Dawn Osadchuk George Pruden Jill Riben Jennie Wiebe TRU Actors Workshop Theatre All our Volunteers!!
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HE’S BACK! SPECIAL LIMITED RUN ENGAGEMENT FEB 6 TO 9, 2019 GET TICKETS AT WCTLIVE.CA
ions t a l u t a Conognr anothecrtion! produ t a e r g Todd Stone, MLA
Peter Milobar, MLA
446 Victoria St., Kamloops (250) 374-2880
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www.PeterMilobarMLA.ca
Kamloops - South Thompson
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Kamloops - North Thompson
BRAVO! Western Canada Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals for their generous financial contributions through sponsorships and/or charitable donations. We are very thankful to everyone who plays their important part in helping us to bring the highest quality of work to the broadest possible audience. Listings based on annual contributions, September 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018. Funders The City of Kamloops Canada Council for the Arts Department of Canadian Heritage Canada Cultural Spaces Fund Government of Canada The Province of BC British Columbia Arts Council Foundations BC Interior Community Foundation RBC Emerging Artists Project Presenting Partner Kelson Group, Ron & Rae Fawcett Season Sponsors CFJC TV Home Hardware Kamloops This Week Stone Hazell & Company Wayside
Show Sponsors 98.3 CIFM B-100 British Columbia Lottery Corporation Schoening & First Memorial Funeral Services ideaLEVER Kami Countertops Kamloops Airport K97.5 New Country 103.1 New Gold Overland Press Paul & Company Radio NL The Riverland Inn & Suites Simply Computing TNRD Watson Engineering Ltd. Mainstage PWYC Sponsor BEST WESTERN PLUS Kamloops Hotel
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On-line Fundraising Auction for WCT’s Youth Education Programs
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SINGING SANTA STOPS BY YOUR OFFICE SINGING SANTA SERENADES YOU AT HOME
Bid on-line to WIN a visit from WCT’s Singing Santa From ELF–The Musical to your door!
GENEROUSLY GIFT SINGING SANTA
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Bids Open SAT DEC 1
Bids Close SAT DEC 8 29
BRAVO! - continued Patrons ($500-$749) Anonymous Ben & Lorene Anders Dr. Jill Calder & Dr. Robert Walter Grant & Nancy Chu Lois Crown Jessie & James Fedorak Allen & Sharon Frissell (In Memory of Evelyn Gollar)
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Is your child a
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THEA OF TRE 2, 3 or 4
BUDDY–THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY
The Pure Snappy Joy of Rock ‘n’ Roll Feb 21 – Mar 2
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MEET MY SISTER
GREAT SAVINGS SUPER FLEXIBILITY Starting at $85 for 2
MOM’S THE WORD– NEST 1/2 EMPTY
A New Comedy about Sibling Revelry Jan 24 – Feb 2
The Comedy of All Mothers Mar 28 – Apr 6
wctlive.ca
EMPIRE OF THE SON
Celebrating the Extraordinary in the Ordinary Apr 25 – May 4
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