WCT Show Program | Jesus Christ Superstar (2023/24 Season)

CHRIST SUPERSTAR

WESTERN CANADA THEATRE’S PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION OF JESUS

Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER & Lyrics by TIM RICE

In association with Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque

CAST

LAUREN BOWLER

OLIVER CASTILLO

JILLIAN MITSUKO COOPER

MICHAEL COX

WILLIAM LINCOLN

GABRIEL MACDONALD

TRACEY POWER

HAL WESLEY ROGERS

NICO SOLARTE

JACOB WOIKE

Simon, Ensemble

King Herod, Priest, Ensemble Ensemble

Jesus Peter, Ensemble

Caiaphas, Ensemble

Mary Magdalene, Ensemble Annas, Ensemble

Judas

Pilate, Ensemble

UNDERSTUDIES:

LAUREN BOWLER (Annas & Peter), OLIVER CASTILLO (Caiaphas), JILLIAN MITSUKO COOPER (Mary Magdalene & Simon), WILLIAM LINCOLN (Judas), GABRIEL MACDONALD (Pilate), HAL WESLEY ROGERS (Jesus & King Herod), JACOB WOIKE (Priest)

WCT is proud to tell our stories in the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory within the traditional lands of the Secwépemc Nation.

We believe that when people participate in their community, good things can happen.

Proud to support Western Canada Theatre and the 2023/24 season.

As part of our goal to help people feel a sense of belonging in their communities, TD supports arts and culture events, initiatives, and organizations across North America that amplify diverse voices.

td.com/artsandculture

MUSICIANS

CLARE WYATT

RICHARD GRAHAM

KRIS RUSTON

ALEXANDER WARD

NAOMI CLOUTIER

CREATIVE TEAM

JAMES MacDONALD

CLARE WYATT

NICOL SPINOLA

ROBERT SONDERGAARD

STEPHANIE KONG

STEVE MARSH

JESSICA BUCHANAN

SABRINA STACE

TREVOR TEWS

LAUREL ONEIL

VICTORIA SNASHALL

TWITCH TOBIN

Keyboard

Drums

Guitar

Bass

Keyboard

Director

Musical Director

Choreographer

Set & Lighting Designer

Costume Designer

Sound Designer

Assistant Director

Associate Costume Designer

Sound Engineer

Stage Manager

Assistant Stage Manager

Apprentice Stage Manager

Approximately 2 hours, including one 20 minute intermission

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. www.concordtheatricals.com

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

Programme Producer: Western Canada Theatre • wctlive.ca • 250-372-3216

Printer: Wayside Press • waysideco.ca • 250-372-3373

Box Office: Kamloops Live! Box Office • kamloopslive.ca • 250-374-5483

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

PRESENTING PARTNER

GOVERNMENT FUNDERS

TITLE SPONSOR

SEASON SPONSORS

OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR

CHRIST SUPERSTAR SHOW SPONSOR MEDIA SPONSOR

FOUNDATIONS

SPECIAL THANKS

GUEST SERVICES

The wearing of masks is currently optional.

For Assistance and Accessibility:

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CHOOSE MATINEE SPONSOR

Both the Pavilion and Sagebrush Theatres are wheelchair accessible and equipped with wheelchair-seating locations.

Hearing assist listening systems are available at the Sagebrush Theatre Box Office. We’re here to help. If you require assistance, please ask the House Manager or one of the ushers.

In consideration of your fellow audience members’ comfort and enjoyment, we ask the following: Electronic Devices: Please turn off all cellular phones and watch alarms prior to the show. Due to copyright regulations, the use of cameras and other video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.

Late Arrival and Re-admission: If you arrive after a performance has begun or leave the auditorium during the performance, we will make every effort to seat you at an appropriate interval in the program. Please be advised that this may not be the seat you are ticketed for, depending on its location in the theatre.

Scent-free Facilities: Please arrive perfume/cologne-free

Children: WCT productions, unless they are identified as family friendly, are not suitable for children or babes in arms. For more information, please visit the FAQs on wctlive.ca.

STUDY GUIDE

Explore the Jesus Christ Superstar Study Guide for further information and context about the show, useful both to students and general audience.

JESUS

PIZZA PRE-SHOW SPONSOR

Dr. Elspeth M. McDougall Foundation

We’re thrilled to have you here with us for the closing performance of our fantastic 2023/24 Sagebrush Series.

This season has been a joy for all of us here at WCT—from a record number of season subscribers, to the happy families and friends that loved Shrek The Musical, to the multi-generational audiences that flocked to BOOM YZ, Gaslight, and Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.

We’re putting the finishing touches on our upcoming 49th season, set to start in October 2024. If you’ve enjoyed our productions this year, we can guarantee you’ll find more to love next season. And if you’re a current or future subscriber, you’ll get a terrific season of theatre at the lowest cost by subscribing early—stay tuned for our 24/25 Season launch, coming soon!

The live theatre industry across Canada has faced some challenges as we rebuild from the pandemic, and we are truly grateful to the people of Kamloops and the TNRD who support WCT through ticket purchases, charitable donations, corporate sponsorship, attendance at events, and enrollment in Stage One and Next Stage Theatre Schools. Your gifts to WCT make our city a terrific place to live—promoting mental health and wellness in our community, offering invaluable creative and educational opportunities for over 5,000 young people every year, and boosting our local economy. In a time when inflation and other factors increase the cost of business for the theatre, your charitable gifts and patronage help keep our ticket prices accessible, ensuring that WCT can continue to bring high-quality professional theatre to Kamloops with affordable price options for everyone.

Through this season, we’ve all had a lot of fun while continuing to offer life-changing, transformative experiences that are entertaining, thought-provoking, moving, educational, lively, unique, and full of heart.

Finally, we’d like to extend our thanks to the WCT staff, artists, and fleet of volunteers who work very hard to bring our productions to life every season. We are fortunate to work with an incredible team, and we’re lucky to have all of these terrific people in the city of Kamloops. Thanks again for being here, and enjoy the show!

James MacDonald, Artistic Director

Leslie Biles, Executive Director

LIST OF MUSICAL NUMBERS

“Overture”

“Heaven on Their Minds”

“What’s the Buzz”

“Strange Things Mystifying”

“Everything’s Alright”

“This Jesus Must Die”

“Hosanna”

“Simon Zealotes”

“Poor Jerusalem”

“Pilate’s Dream”

“The Temple”

“Everything’s Alright (Reprise)”

“I Don’t Know How to Love Him”

“Damned For All Time / Blood Money”

ACT ONE

Instrumental

Judas

Apostles, Jesus, Mary

Jesus, Mary, Judas, Apostles

Mary, Women, Judas, Jesus, Apostles

Annas, Caiaphas, Apostles, Priest

Caiaphas, Apostles, Priest

Simon, Ensemble

Jesus

Pilate

Ensemble, Jesus

Mary, Jesus

Mary

Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Priest

ACT TWO

“The Last Supper”

“Gethsemae (I Only Want to Say)”

“The Arrest”

“Peter’s Denial”

“Pilate and Christ”

“King Herod’s Song”

“Could We Start Again, Please?”

“Judas’ Death”

“Trial by Pilate / Thirty-Nine Lashes”

“Superstar”

“The Crucifixion”

“John 19:41”

Apostles, Jesus, Judas

Jesus

Judas, Jesus, Peter, Apostles, Annas, Caiphas

Bystanders, Peter, Mary

Pilate, Annas, Jesus, Ensemble

Herod, Ensemble

Mary, Peter, Ensemble

Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Ensemble

Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, Jesus, Ensemble

Judas, Angels

Jesus, Ensemble

Instrumental

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

by James MacDonald

Like many of us, I’ve been living with this wonderful story and music for a long time. My father took my siblings and I to see the movie of Jesus Christ Superstar at the old Grand Theatre in Calgary on the day of its opening there–Good Friday, 1974. As a kid, of course, I was very confused when we went to church two days later on Easter Sunday and they didn’t bring up the part where Judas got chased through the Negev desert by tanks.

I’ve always loved listening to the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack because of its incredible blend of great rock and roll, beautiful folk melodies, and powerful lyrics. What makes this such a compelling stage experience is not just the music, but that we start at the end of Jesus’ life, with dramatic forces pulling at all sides.

At the heart of Jesus’ story are messages of love, forgiveness, acceptance, and peace—yet the story of Superstar also reminds us how these ideas can be pulled apart by those who are threatened by it or seek to use it to their own ends.

The production takes us back to the time before Jesus’ death and martyrdom, and reminds us of the essential messages at the heart of his story. In working on this show I’ve rediscovered an appreciation of the ideals at the heart of this movement, and perhaps a building sadness at those who have distorted a message that at its core is about peace, forgiveness, and hope. Whatever your faith or personal belief, I hope we can all come away from the show with a little more kindness and love in our hearts.

Superstar is a show that in some productions has turned to the epic, with masses of multi-level scaffolding in stadium settings. Personally, I prefer the intimate—a tight ensemble of excellent artists bringing us back to the heart of the story. And in finding a way to stage it that brings you all into the action, as opposed to leaving you behind an invisible “fourth wall”. I hope you enjoy the experience.

Feathers and Fur Trio Éclat

Words and music to welcome spring inspired by our feathered friends and furry companions.

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. From Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969) to Cinderella (2021), his work has been consistently seen on world stages. Before the COVID pandemic hit, Lloyd Webber had shows continually running in the West End for 48 years and on Broadway for 41. When Sunset Boulevard joined School of Rock, CATS, and The Phantom Of the Opera, he equaled Rodgers & Hammerstein’s record of four shows running simultaneously on Broadway. He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. Lloyd Webber owns seven London theatres, including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Over the past three years the latter has been completely restored and renovated at a cost of over £60 million. It is one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by a private theatre owner in recent times. His mantra that every penny of profit made from his theatres is ploughed back into the buildings has meant that considerable work has been undertaken across his theatre portfolio during the pandemic, including the complete remodeling and reseating of the Gillian Lynne. Lloyd Webber is passionate about the importance of musical education and diversity in the arts. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation provides 30 performing arts scholarships every year for talented students with financial need and supports a range of projects such as the Music in Secondary School Trust and commissioning research into diversity in theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber was knighted in 1992 and created an honorary life peer in 1997. To mark his 70th birthday, his bestselling autobiography, Unmasked, was published by Harper Collins in March 2018.

TIM RICE has worked in music, theatre, and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession—musical theatre. Their first collaboration was based on the life of Dr. Thomas Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, The Likes of Us. Their next three works together were much more successful—Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita. Tim has since worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess), and Stuart Brayson (From Here to Eternity). He has also written with Freddie Mercury, Burt Bacharach, and Rick Wakeman among others. Tim founded his own cricket team in 1973, which has now played over 750 matches, and was president of MCC, founded in 1789, in 2002. He crops up here and there in all branches of the media, drawing on his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music. As an EGOT, he is one of only 17 people in the world to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award, was knighted by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1994, and is the proud owner of a boxer dog and two dozen chickens.

COMPANY BIOGRAPHIES

THE CAST

LAUREN BOWLER - Simon / Ensemble / Understudy Annas & Peter

At WCT: Fiddler on the Roof

Elsewhere: Lauren is mighty pleased to return to Kamloops, having loved performing here in WCT’s 2013 production of Fiddler on the Roof. Other theatre credits include: Myth of the Ostrich, Ale Wives, The Tracks (Here For Now Theatre); Rock of Ages (Mayfield Dinner Theatre); The Sound of Music, Out of Order (Drayton Entertainment); Matilda (Citadel/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); One Man Two Guvnors, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, King Charles III, Bittergirl, Jitters, Gypsy, Blood Brothers (Arts Club Theatre Company); Chelsea Hotel (Firehall Arts Centre); Cabaret (RCMT). Upcoming: Steel Magnolias (Drayton Entertainment). Lauren is an avid world traveling, politics-discussing, tea drinking, horror movie aficionado. Thank you for coming to the show!

OLIVER CASTILLO - King Herod / Priest / Ensemble / Understudy Caiphas

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Oliver is an award-winning actor, singer, voice over artist, and puppeteer working in Vancouver, British Columbia. Selected credits include: Elf The Musical, Mamma Mia!, Hand To God—Jessie Award Nomination, Les Misérables (Arts Club Theatre Company); Ghost, Mamma Mia! (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Sweeney Todd—Jessie Award Winner, Cabaret (Raincity Theatre); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Music Man (Gateway Theatre); Beauty and the Beast (Disney Cruise Lines).

Upcoming: 9 to 5 The Musical (Chemainus Theatre). Instagram: @oliverborz

JILLIAN MITSUKO COOPER - Ensemble / Understudy Mary Magdalene & Simon

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Jillian is a Japanese/Jamaican performer born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. She is elated to be working with Western Canada Theatre. Jillian recently graduated from Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance Program. Select credits include: Cinderella: If the Shoe Fits (Theatre Orangeville); The Spongebob Musical (Mansfield Entertainment); The Prom (Drayton Entertainment); Jesus Christ Superstar, In Studio: The Words and Music of Britta Johnson, An Incomplete List (Theatre Sheridan); ‘Til Then (Eclipse Theatre). She is passionate about bringing new stories to life through song and voice and exploring different narratives, especially new Canadian works, and reshaping artistic thinking. Sending a BIG thank you to her mom and dad for their unconditional love and support as well as the team at The Talent House. Instagram: @_jilliancooper

MICHAEL COX - Jesus

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Once (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Kinky Boots, Newsies, Annie, Les Misérables (Drayton Entertainment); Rock of Ages, First Date, Hair (Mayfield Dinner Theatre); Once (Neptune Theatre, Theatre St. John’s); Mamma Mia!, Next to Normal (Citadel Theatre/Theatre Calgary); American Idiot (Winnipeg Studio Theatre); Chasse Galerie (Soulpepper Theatre); Les Misérables, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Rainbow Stage); Mary’s Wedding (Stephenville Theatre Festival). Michael is an actor/singer and aspiring songwriter originally from Kingston who now calls Toronto home. He is a Dora Award winning and Calgary Critics nominated actor. When not performing Michael runs a private vocal studio where he loves helping fine tune and release the voice. All the love to Jules, friends and family, TH, and everyone with a song in their heart. Instagram: @mikecoxjresq

WILLIAM LINCOLN - Peter / Ensemble / Understudy Judas

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Will is a Toronto based actor and musician born and raised in Kingston, Ontario. He is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program. Past theatre credits include: Maggie: A New Musical, The Play That Goes Wrong (The Charlottetown Festival); Hairspray (Theatre Aquarius); Grease (Winter Garden Theatre); Mamma Mia! (YES Theatre); Cinderella: The Panto (Diversified Theatre and Dream Co. Theatre); The Stars of Mars (Canadian Music Theatre Project); Cinderella...If the Shoe Fits (Theatre Orangeville); The Phantom of the Opera, My Bonnie Lass, Chelsea Sunrise (Theatre Sheridan). Gratitude and love to Hillary and my family. Instagram: @lincolngouett

GABRIEL MACDONALD - Caiaphas / Ensemble / Understudy Pilate

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Gabriel, originally from Nelson, B.C., is delighted to be part of WCT’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, where he received the Founders Award for achievement in musical theatre performance. He has since played lead roles in shows such as Les Misérables, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Billy Bishop Goes to War, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. As a vocalist, Gabriel has toured internationally, performed the baritone role in Carmina Burana, and has shared the stage with artists such as David Foster and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra.

TRACEY POWER - Mary Magdalene / Ensemble

At WCT: Actor in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Les Misérables, and UBUNTU (The Cape Town Project). Director/Choreographer for Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, Elf The Musical; Playwright/Choreographer for GLORY; Director/Co-Creator of Hey Viola!

Elsewhere: Tracey works nationally and internationally as an actor, writer, director, and choreographer. Most recently she directed/choreographed Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen for The Firehall Arts Centre, The Prom for Theatre Under the Stars in Vancouver, and Created/Directed Rock the Canyon for the Mayfield Theatre in Edmonton. Up next, she will direct School of Rock for Theatre Under the Stars and the world premiere of Nashville Music City for the Mayfield Theatre. She also works in film and TV and was most recently seen for a hot second in The House of Usher for Netflix. She is the recipient of the Jessie Richardson, Elizabeth Sterling, and Betty Michell Awards. traceypower.ca

HAL WESLEY ROGERS - Annas / Ensemble / Understudy Jesus & King Herod

At WCT: Apollo Performer in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story

Elsewhere: Jack: A Beanstalk Panto (Capitol Theatre); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Dreamgirls (Arts Club Theatre Company); Cabaret (Raincity Theatre); Jersey Boys, Hadestown (Citadel Theatre); Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray (Mayfield Dinner Theatre); Music Man (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Cinderella (Globe Theatre); The Rocky Horror Show (Magnus Theatre). TV credits include: Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker (Netflix). A BFA graduate from SFU, Hal is also a writer/composer and has written with Musical Stage Company and took part in the Citadel Theatre’s 2022 RBC Horizons Emerging Artist Mentorship.

NICO SOLARTE - Judas

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Ché in Evita, Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Ja’Keith in Rock of Ages, Ritchie Valens in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Drayton Entertainment); Willie Lopez in Ghost The Musical (Starvox Entertainment); Bobby Dupree in the Australian premiere of Memphis The Musical (StageArt); Centéno in Cacao: A Venezuelan Lament (Victoria Mata Productions/Aluna Theatre); Angel cover in Rent (Chapel off Chapel); Parade (Lincoln Centre/MCP). Nico is a ColombianCanadian multidisciplinary artist and the founder of Existt SoulCare, an inclusive artist-driven creative wellness collective. Instagram: @nico.sol.arte

JACOB WOIKE - Pilate / Ensemble / Understudy Priest

At WCT: Will in Vimy

Elsewhere: The Legend of Georgia McBride, Les Misérables (Arts Club Theatre Company); Ghost The Musical (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Lead Vocalist (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines); Pure ‘90s (Stage West Theatre); A Little Night Music (Patrick Street Productions). Film credits include: The Dating Game (Vertigo Films; dir. Anna Kendrick). Jacob is thrilled to join the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar! Thank you to Hod, my wonderful family, and my incredible agents at da Costa Talent. For my Grama and Papa, who constantly played Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals on their television for their grandchild who loved to sing.

THE MUSICIANS

RICHARD GRAHAM - Drums

At WCT: Beauty and the Beast, Suessical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Elsewhere: As one of our city’s recognized artists, Richard continues to produce music and perform locally and abroad. Being a diverse musician, rhythm section instruments have been of intrigue and interest. As a band leader and sideman, drums, guitar, and vocal stylings in traditional jazz and R&B are some of his specialties. Over his career, Richard has appeared at Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Roots & Blues Festival, and the KSO, together with Canadian violinist Ashley MacIsaac. Originally from Kamloops, Graham’s first WCT experiences were under artistic director David Ross as a child performer in local and touring variety shows. Later theatre experiences in the drum chair at WCT, including highlights: Beauty and the Beast, Suessical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As a lover of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s work, Richard is thrilled to bring his rhythmical touch to Jesus Christ Superstar. Thank you to director James MacDonald, producer Christine Leroux, and everyone at WCT for their work and dedication.

KRIS RUSTON - Guitar

At WCT: Guitar for Shrek The Musical, Grease, Mamma Mia!, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline; Drums for Million Dollar Quartet, Are We Cool Now?; Bass for Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Elsewhere: Guitar for Rhythms on The Rails (Train Track Productions); Musical Director/guitar/piano for Webley Awaits (BC Living Arts). Kris has been an integral part of the music scene in Kamloops and area for 25 years. A multi-instrumentalist, he holds a Diploma of Music in Jazz Studies from Capilano University in North Vancouver and performs in several ensembles that vary in musical genres. This is his ninth show with Western Canada Theatre.

ALEXANDER WARD - Bass

At WCT: Shrek The Musical, Grease, The Sound of Music, ELF: The Musical, Hey Viola!, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet, Mamma Mia! Elsewhere: Alexander Ward began studying music at an early age here in Kamloops, BC. Theatre credits include: Cinderella (MD); You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Project X); Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Thousand Islands Playhouse). He currently plays for indie outfit Mother Sun who recently released their third studio album and who’s music has been featured in the ninth season of the SHOWTIME original series Shameless. Alexander frequently performs with local jazz groups including the Kris Ruston Trio and his own quartet.

NAOMI CLOUTIER - Keyboard

At WCT: Anne of Green Gables, Oliver!, Fiddler on the Roof

Elsewhere: Naomi studied piano performance with Gloria Saarinen in Calgary and Dr. Robin Wood at UVic. She is known in the Thompson Okanagan as a versatile harp and piano teacher, collaborative pianist, chamber and orchestral musician, and solo performer. After several years playing keyboard (and the triangle, once!) with the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, on a bit of a whim and a dare, she took up the pedal harp, and is now the KSO’s principal harpist and pianist as well as a Certified Music Practitioner who shares the transformative sounds of the harp to support physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. She has also played with the Prince George and Okanagan Symphony Orchestras. Naomi was the rehearsal pianist and pit musician in Central Alberta Theatre’s Kiss Me Kate. She is excited to be part of this year’s WCT’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

THE CREATIVE TEAM

JAMES MacDONALD - Director

At WCT: Shrek The Musical, Grease, Sleight of Mind, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet, GLORY, The Drowning Girls, A Christmas Carol, Vimy

Elsewhere: Julius Caesar (Stratford Festival); The Old Ladies, Black ‘ell (Shaw Festival); Fire, As You Like It, Much Ado about Nothing (Canadian Stage); A Few Good Men, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily (RMTC). James spent 10 years as Associate Artistic Director of The Citadel Theatre, where he directed 18 productions, including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Venus in Fur, Billy Bishop Goes to War, and God of Carnage, and acted in 14 more, including six seasons as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He was also the Program Director of the Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program, and the founding Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Freewill Shakespeare Festival. He is a graduate of the University of Alberta BFA Acting Program.

CLARE WYATT - Music Director & Keyboard

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Select Music Director/conductor credits include: Cinderella (Gateway Theatre); SIX The Musical, Burn the Floor (NCL); Legally Blonde (Align Entertainment); Rent (Renegade); The Longing and the Short of It (Touchstone Theatre); Elbow Room Café (Zee Zee Theatre); Go, Dog. Go! (Carousel Theatre); Dogfight (Awkward Stage); Company (United Players). Teaching includes: RCPA, U of T, One Song Glory (MTC), VFS, Arts Club Theatre Company, MTI, Gateway Academy, UBC, CapU, and Arts Umbrella. Clare also works regularly as an accompanist, vocal coach, arranger, and sound designer. Clare completed her Master of Music in Music Technology and Digital Media at the University of Toronto, during which time she received a SSHRC CGS award.

NICOL SPINOLA - Choreographer

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Nicol Spinola is a multi-award-winning choreographer and artist. Choreography credits include: Cinderella, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Anne of Green Gables (Gateway Theatre); Million Dollar Quartet (Arts Club Theatre Company); Mamma Mia! (Chemainus Theatre Festival); Something Rotten!, Cinderella, Mary Poppins (Theatre Under the Stars); Sweeney Todd, Company, Cabaret, Parade (Raincity Theatre); Seussical (SaskExpress); Shrek, Legally Blonde, Annie (Align Entertainment); 9 to 5 (Capilano University); Into the Woods (Studio 58). Nicol is a threetime Ovation Award winner for Outstanding Choreography and a Jessie Richardson Award Winner for Outstanding Musical. Nicol has been a dance and theatre educator for over 20 years, is the Co-Managing Artistic Director of Raincity Theatre, and the Co-Founding Executive Director of Camp Cue. Love to my family and hb. nicolspinola.com

ROBERT SONDERGAARD - Set & Lighting Designer

At WCT: Lighting Designer fo Grease

Elsewhere: Robert is a Port Moody based designer for theatre, dance, live events, and television. Previous theatre credits include: The Prom, Matilda, We Will Rock You, and Somethings Rotten! (TUTS); Cabaret (Raincity Theatre); Everybody (Studio 58); Shrek The Musical (Align Entertainment); American Idiot, Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar (URP); and Cabaret (RCMT). He has won 3 Ovation Awards for Outstanding Lighting Design (8 nominations) and has been nominated for 2 Jessie Awards. In dance, Robert’s has worked with Radical System Art, Kidd Pivot, Ballet BC, Company 605, Nederlands Dans Theatre, Royal Swedish Ballet, and Luzern Theatre. His work with Crystal Pite on A Picture of You Falling was nominated for a Knights of Illumination Award. In addition to the arts, Robert also works as a production designer for international televised sporting events. Notable credits include: Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2010 Paralympics and 2017 Invictus Games, and 14 Grey Cup Halftime Shows. Robert-Sondergaard.com

STEPHANIE KONG - Costume Designer

At WCT: Costume Designer for Grease and The Wizard of Oz

Elsewhere: Stephanie is a Vancouver based costume designer and holds a BFA in Theatre Design and Production from UBC. Costume Design credits include: As Above (Belfry Theatre); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Arts Club Theatre Company); Something Rotten! (Theatre Under the Stars); How the World Began (Pacific Theatre); Cipher (Vertigo Theatre). Film & TV credits include: DC’S Legends of Tomorrow (Head Cutter), The Magicians (Cutter). Other credits: Ovation and Jessie Award winner for Costume Design, CAFTCAD Award nominee in Excellence in Costume Building. Currently, Stephanie is the Assistant Costume Designer for a new Apple TV+ series. Instagram: @stephanieytkong

STEVE MARSH - Sound Designer

At WCT: Sound Design for Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Elsewhere: Previously Steve designed the sound for Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at WCT. He also designed sound for Bittergirl The Musical and Jersey Boys at Thousand Islands Playhouse. Steve was Head of Sound at the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts in Montreal from 2008 to 2022. He toured Europe with Cirque Barcode in 2022 and 2023. Steve now lives in Toronto.

JESSICA BUCHANAN - Assistant Director

At WCT: Actor in Bird Brain, Francine & Frankie B Make Art, The Highwire Festival. Writer/Actor in Tales from the Cookie Jar, A Broad’s Way Cabaret

Elsewhere: Born and raised in Kamloops, Jessica has been an active member in the Kamloops theatrical community and beyond for many years. After receiving her BA in Theatre, she has been lucky enough to work and play with Project X Theatre, Chimera Theatre, Actor’s Workshop Theatre, Rivertown Players, and is a graduate of The Second City Toronto Conservatory. She is currently the Front of House Assistant Manager at WCT and teaches theatre to kids (and kids at heart) with SD73 and Stage One Theatre School. Up next, Jessica has been accepted into the MFA program at University of Calgary. She is beyond stoked to be a member of the Jesus Christ Superstar team and would like to thank James for this wonderful opportunity and his guidance. As always, a big thank you to friends, family, and those wonderful people who are always willing to play along and offer support. Specifically, Big G and Nova, who are better than sliced bread. Instagram: @buckoutloud

SABRINA STACE - Associate Costume Designer

At WCT: Costume Coordination for Shrek The Musical; Costume Designer for Hurry Hard; Head of Wardrobe 2021–present

Elsewhere: Sabrina Stace (she/her) is a queer emerging costume designer from Moncton, New Brunswick and is the current Head of Wardrobe at WCT. Recent design credits include: Crypthand (Gale Force Theatre, Fall 2022); Where You Are (Theatre Baddeck, Summer 2021); and Tintamarre: MURMUReS (Mount Allison University, Spring 2021). Pre-COVID, she was based in Toronto, touring across Canada and parts of the US as Jörgen Dance’s Wardrobe Supervisor for their 2019/2020 Season. She holds a BA from Mount Allison University (Class of ‘18), certificate from Fanshawe College’s Costume Production Program (Class of ‘19), and was a Wardrobe Practicum at the Banff Centre of the Arts (Summer 2019). Instagram: @stace_sabrina | Website: sabrinastace.wixsite.com/wardrobe

TREVOR TEWS - Sound Engineer

At WCT: Debut

Elsewhere: Trevor, from Alberta and a former chef, found his calling in sound. His journey began in studio work, evolving into a key player in live sound. Skilled in sound technology and tour management, he’s been the go-to tech at Guilt & Co for a decade and played a significant role at the Stanley Theatre. His touring experience includes artists like Dallas Smith, Megan Patrick, JoJo Mason, The Matchstick Skeletons, Aerialists, and Antonio Larosa. Trevor also brings expertise in video production and live streaming, complementing his audio skills. His work on musicals such as Kinky Boots, The Sound of Music, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical showcases his diverse talent in sound and visual production.

LAUREL ONEIL - Stage Manager

At WCT: The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music

Elsewhere: BOOM (Theatre Calgary / Thousand Islands Playhouse / OffBroadway); BOOM X (Theatre Calgary / Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); BOOM YZ, The Importance of Being Earnest, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary); Flora and Fawna Have Beaver Fever (Lunchbox); The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, The Extractionist, Murder in the Studio (Vertigo Theatre); A Few Good Men, Buying the Farm, Annie, Fiddler on the Loose (Drayton Entertainment); and 60+ productions at Stage West Calgary, including: Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, Avenue Q, The Producers, Game Show, 39 Steps, Chicago, Spamalot, Young Frankenstein, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Laurel would like to dedicate her work to the loving memory of her mom, who helped her find her love of theatre at young age. She would also like to thank her family, friends, and RP for their unending love and support.

VICTORIA SNASHALL - Assistant Stage Manager

At WCT: Hurry Hard, The Wizard of Oz

Elsewhere: The Birds and The Bees tour, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Redbone Coonhound, Kim’s Convenience, Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, Buffoon (Arts Club Theatre Company); Fado: The Saddest Music in the World, Talking Sex on Sunday, Proud, God and the Indian (Firehall Arts Centre); Sunrise Betties (ITSAZOO); The Wolves (With a Spoon Theatre in association with Pacific Theatre); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Messiah, A Christmas Carol (Pacific Theatre); A Steady Rain, Richard and His Women (Seven Tyrants); The Sea (Slamming Door Collective); Gross Misconduct (SpeakEasy Theatre). Up next: Guys and Dolls with the Arts Club Theatre Company!

TWITCH TOBIN Apprentice Stage Manager

At WCT: Twitch worked for several years as a technician and in other roles at WCT and is excited to be back.

Elsewhere: Hey Viola! (2023 Tour SM, Musical TheatreWorks); Anne of Green Gables (ASM, Gateway Theatre); Our Ghosts (Apprentice SM, Firehall Theatre): Gruff! (ASM, Project X Theatre Company).

BRAVO TO OUR DONORS!

Western Canada Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals for their generous contributions through sponsorships and/or charitable donations. We thank 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, July 01, 2022 to March 01, 2024.

FUNDERS

The City of Kamloops

Canada Council for the Arts Government of Canada

The Province of BC BC Arts Council

FOUNDATIONS

BC Interior Community Foundation

Vancouver Foundation

Dr. Elspeth M. McDougall Foundation

PRESENTING PARTNER

Kelson Group, Ron and Rae Fawcett

TITLE SPONSOR

Sandman Hotel Group

SEASON SPONSORS

Castanet

CFJC TV

Home Hardware

Kamloops This Week

Stone Hazell & Company

TD Bank Group

Wayside

MEDIA SPONSORS

98.3 CIFM

B-100

Radio NL

OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS

Black Salt Catering

Privato Vineyard & Winery

Woodward Cider Co.

Kamloops Insurance

Celista Estate Winery

Cloverdale Paint

SHOW SPONSORS

British Columbia Lottery Corporation

Chinook Scaffold Systems Ltd

Highland Valley Copper / Teck ideaLEVER

KPMG

New Gold

TNRD

Watson Engineering Ltd.

ACCOMMODATION SPONSOR

Scott’s Inn

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CHOOSE MATINEE SPONSOR

Best Western Plus

Kamloops Hotel

PIZZA PRE-SHOW SPONSOR

Domino’s Pizza

DIAMOND COMPANIONS: $10,000+

Anonymous

Michael E. Black and the Late Denise Fortier

Boogie the Bridge Society

Joel Cochrane

Kamloops Concert Society

Rae Nixon

PLATINUM PATRONS:

$5,000 - $9,999

Anonymous

Bill Adams & Katie McCormick

Hugh & Marilyn Fallis

Kamloops Symphony presents…

GORDON GERRARD CONDUCTS MOZART’S REQUIEM

A

SAGEBRUSH THEATRE:

April 27 2024 Saturday • 7:30pm

April 28 2024 Sunday • 2:00pm

KamloopsSymphony.com

GOLD PATRONS:

$3,500 - $4,999

Roland & Anne Neave

James & Barbara Wentworth

SILVER PATRONS:

$2,000 - $3,499

Anonymous

Joanne Baron

Stephen Baron

Eleanor Haner

Alan & Gwen Kerr

Tim Rodgers

Tacey Ruffner

Margot Waithe: In Honour of Commitment to Donate Councillor Pay

COPPER PATRONS:

$750 - $1,999

Dianne Almond

Francis & Helen Barnett

Judy Basso

Leslie Biles & Robert Armstrong

Helen Bonnett

Ed & Patti Bruzzese

Geoff & Kathy Collier

Jessie & James Fedorak

Valerie Fitger

John Helvoigt: In Memory of Helen Helvoigt

Mirella & Bob Holden

Lois K. Hollstedt

Hope Hyslop

Rob & Lila Jennejohn

Margaret Jones

James MacDonald & Tracey Power

Len & Laurie Marchand

June McClure

John McCurrach

Tanya Mihura

Heather Pullan & Tom Frohlinger

Valerie Darlene Rampone

Ginny Ratsoy: In Memory of Henry Vandenberghe and In Memory of Lanni Shupe

Dennis & Sue Reedman

Susie Safford

Shelley Sanders

Ray & Susan Sewell

Terry Shupe

David & Rosemarie Stoltze

Peter ter Weeme

Robert & Jill Walter

PATRONS: $500-$749

Anonymous (2)

Peter & Debra

Allik-Petersenn

Fred Cunningham & Helen Elizabeth Birdsall

Fearon Blair

Grant & Nancy Chu

Lois Crown

Dr. Paul Dagg & Dr. Carol Ward

Sinc & Kathy Dalgleish

Allen & Sharon Frissell

Lyn Holborn

Wendy Krauza

Nancy Leake

Catriona Leger

Donna Marchand

Jonathan McCormick

Robert W. McDiarmid

Vic & Sally Mowbray

Guy & Jeanine Parker

Laura Piva-Babcock

Barbara Prystawa

Lauryn Purych

Terry Simpson: In Memory of Peter Baron

Colleen Stainton

Al & Marijke Stott

Sulkowski Family Foundation

Carlos Tallent

Jolana Tamajka

Sue Turner

INVESTORS: $200-$499

Anonymous (2)

1322023 BC Ltd.

Wendy Bainbridge

Michael Baker

Catharine Ballingall

Sheila Balson: In Memory of

Benjamin Bermiller

Ed & Dianne Barker

Ken & Joyce Beck

Kathleen Biagioni

Christine Bilbey

Vivian Birch-Jones

Maureen Margaret Brady

Margaret Brown

Maureen Brown

Sue Cane

Sharon Carrell

Mavis Chalmers

Brenda & Ken Christian

John Corbishley

Joan Cummings

Norma Dalke

Roxanne Dauncey

Linnea Davies

Joanne Dennstedt

Larry Dixon

Dan & Denise Douglas

Jim & Martina Duncan

Dawn Ebata

Christine Elliott

Don & Debbie Erickson

Robert & Patricia Esdale

Shirlee Ezowski

Reno & Marie Fabbro

Ruth & Michael Fane

Faye Fike

Mary Jane Finch

Ali & Richard Floyd

Sheena & Bill Flynn

Blake & Linda Fox

Louella Garner

Donna Geefs

Yanni Giftakis

Trudy Goold

Jim & Joan Rosemary

Gordon

Peter & Judy Gray

Ivana & Homer Hamm

William & Yvonne Heese

Dian Henderson

Dave Carl Hilton

Greg & Danita Howard

Bob & Jo-Mary Hunter

Heather Inglis

Bill & Sally Jennejohn

Gail Bonnie Jesten

Nena Jocic-Andrejevic

Valerie Kemp

Sharon Kika

Bob & Pat King

Jo-Anne Kobayashi and Don Shaw

Ted & Maryanne Kowalsky

Janet L. Kusler

Lisa Marie Lake

Shanno Lebano

Evan & Wendy Lichlyter

Barbara Lucas: In Memory of Reg Lucas

Terri MacLennan

Lori Marchand

Ivan L. Matthews

Kirsten Juliette McDougall

Marilyn McLean

Wendy D. McLean

Terry & Joan McQuillan

Sharon Moore

Dennis & Maxine Mucha

Adrienne Murphy

Kathleen Nadler

Ellen Nast

Kerry Ness

Bruce & Helen Gordon

Newmarch

Wendy Nielsen

Margaret H. Patten

Carl Pentilchuk

Cindy Piwowar

Tracey Pointer

Barbara Puga

Valentina Putoto

Karl & Debbie Rainer

Laura Randall

Jane Reid: In Memory of Peter Baron

S. Cookie Reimer

Jeanne (Norma) Rodrigue

Terry & Susanne Rogers

Paul Ross

Ron & June Routledge

Lynn Rutherford

Denis & Niki Scallon

Shirley Sze & Peter Schwirtz

Tricia L. Sellmer

Ethel Sheremeta

Don & Sandy Staff

Sean Sutherland

Jennifer Takahashi

Nicole Tougas

Niki & Steve Remesz

Diane Mary Webb

Barb & Mike Webber

Dave & Maryanne Whiting

Sally and Bob Zryd

BENEFACTORS: $100-$199

Anonymous (2)

Marilyn Allison

Bryan Ardiel & Noëlle

Lamoureux

Joan Bernard

Pamela Bradley

Mike and Kristen Brown

Norm & Heidi Bryson

Jon & Irene Buckle

Sue Buzash

Patrick & Jeanne Callahan

Sandra Ceccon

Margaret Chrumka

Bill & Evey Chursky

Luciana Comparelli

Jean Crowe

Jeff Cummings

Donna M. Daines

Beth Dye

David Edamura

Marvyn Fitzpatrick

James H. Fulton

Gillian Gaiser

David W. Gilmour

Annette Glover

Ina & David Gory

Joy Gothard

Elsie Griffiths

Cathy Hall-Patch

Helena Hasler

Janice & Blaine Hawkins

Kathleen Virginia HaywoodFarmer

Ronald Heslip

Kats & June Kitamura

Caroline Jane Laitinen:

In Memory of Peter Baron

Beverly Martin

Dorothy McLellan

Myrna McLeod

Doris McNutt

Lori Melnychuk

Daniel Mills

Beth & Jeff Morgan

Mona & Chris Marlene

Murray

Nu Master Chapter of

Beta Sigma Phi

Daniela O’Fee

Ron & Louise Oyler

Edna Marie Park

Sheila Park

Chris Pincott: In Honour of

Karla Pincott

Bruce & Debbie Reeds

Jeff and Nicole Reynolds

Jay Rilkoff

Joan Roberts

Donna Sharpe

Karen Siggers

Kathy Sinclair

Manju Singh

Diana Skoglund

Colleen Joan Tabata

Dawne Taylor: In Memory of Peter Baron

Laurie Ternier

Glenna Tomlins

Lynne Totten

Judith Treherne

Marilyn Triggs

Cheryl Tuira

Sabrina Weeks

Lois M & R. David Williams

CONTRIBUTORS: $25-$99

Anonymous (5)

Karen Albiston

Esther Anderson

Jean Baron: In Memory Of Peter Baron

- You Are Missed!

Nicole and Tom Befurt

The Benevity Community

Impact Fund

James William Bottoms

Kerrie Roy Brown

Jay Burgomaster

Mike and Gerrianne Clare

Maureen E. Coldicott

Mary-Ellen Colman

Ivor & Loreen Davies

Teryne DeCraene

Ben & Donna Demarni

Lynda Desrocher

Colin Doyle

Carol Dreger

Anne Dunn

Venessa B. Eden

Feldsted Family

Andrea Renee Field

Cara L. Gates

Jenn Gibson

Jacques Goutier & Linda Mathieson

Karen Donna Grey

Hank & Eileen Hackett

Penny Haggarty

Ron & Judy Hatch

Celina Hawkins

Catherine

Sara Kathryn Hilliard

Ken & Marylyne House

Rocky Johnson

Wanda Johnston

Bill And

Roxanne Kennedy

Tom &

Derek Lapierre

Av Loerke

Terry Lowe

Ron & Marilyn MacKenzie

Rhonda & John Maskiewich

Kathy McArthur

Sharlene & Darren McIlwain

Robert & Marian McLaren

Muriel & Kelly Miller

Barrie Ogden

Evelyn Pochay

Bill &

Jack

Carol Todd

WCT STAFF

FINANCE

RON THOMPSON Finance Director

OLGA KILINNIK Accounting Officer

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

CHELSEA ISENOR Marketing & Communications Director

KIRK SMITH Marketing & Multi-Media Manager

ELIZABETH NYGREN Digital Marketing Coordinator

LAURA MICHEL Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator

DEVELOPMENT

SUZAN GOGUEN Development Director

STEPHANIE McLEAN Development Manager

JENNY EDWARDS Development & Administrative Assistant

PRODUCTION

CHRISTINE LEROUX Producer

BILL CHABASSOL Production Director

DANIEL JEWISON Technical Director, WCT

BRITTNEY MARTENS Head of Properties

SABRINA STACE Head of Wardrobe

ASHLEY HIIBNER Production Assistant & Floating Technician

EDUCATION

TERRI RUNNALLS Education & Outreach Director

EMILY BROWN Education & Fund Development Assistant

JAMES MacDONALD Artistic Director

LESLIE BILES Executive Director

VENUE SERVICES

Rentals & Facilities

SKYLAR NAKAZAWA Rentals & Facilities Manager

MORGAN BENEDICT Front of House Manager

JESSICA BUCHANAN Assistant Front of House Manager

House Staff:

LEO BARRAGAN, GREG BROWN, DENISE

CLEVELAND, SOPHIA DIMOPOULOS, STEPHEN FINLAY, AARON FOSTER, DES

GEDDES, COLLEEN GIBNEY-TRELEAVEN, MAGGIE JONES, LINDA KASSIS, JAKOB

KOPYTKO, KELSEY LAUNIER, LUCAS

LOCHRIE, JULIA McKIBBON, MALLORY MOGG, ELIZABETH NYGREN

Head Ushers:

MARY AULIN, BARB DUBOIS-PAYNTER, KAREN

FERGUSON, TRUDY GOOLD, KELLY JEFFERY, GEORGINA KNIGHT, WENDY MATHESON, MELODIE PIKE, GREG SAWATZKY

Kamloops Live! Box Office (KL!BO)

MICHELLE CHABASSOL Ticketing & Patron Services Manager

JANE HARESTAD Box Office & Patron Services Supervisor

Box Office Representatives:

STEPHEN FINLAY, LINDA KASSIS, MEGAN POLACIK, ANNA SPADA, ANN WELLER

Sagebrush Theatre

LIAM BEFURT Technical Director

ADRIAN HARLAND Theatre Technician

JENSEN SCZEBEL Theatre Technician

CHRYSTIE STEWART President

TIM RODGERS Past President

SUNNIE ROTHENBURGER Vice President

DIANA SKOGLUND Secretary

SHELLY SANDERS Treasurer

GERALYN CORMACK

DIETER DUDY

BETH MORGAN

COLLEEN RYAN

GREG SAWATZKY

JOHN SCOTT

ALISON SIDOW

RADHIKA MAIRA TABREZ

David Ross †

Tom Kerr ‡

Judge T.W. Shupe §

Francis Barnett *

Grant Chu *

D. Michael Dobbin *

Sharon Frissell *

Peggy Gilmour *

Mike Latta *

Anne Manson*

Maureen Marshall*

Lanni Shupe*