This Wonderful Life Program

SEA SO N SPO NSO R:

ENGAGE 2021/2022 THEATRE

SEASON

l u f r e d e f i n o L W his

T

TEV

BY S

UR E M

R AY

ENGAGE 2021/2022 THEATRE

SEASON

Featuring...

Storyteller // Michael Holman

SEASON SPONSOR:

Artistic Team Director // Kate Muchmore Woo Stage Manager // Des Hale Set Designer // Andrew Potts Costume Designer // Dani Dejong Lighting Designer // Ken Hildebrandt Sound Designer // Kate Muchmore Woo Props Designer // Courtney Smith Make-Up & Hair Designer // Charlene Crawford Special thanks to videezy.com for allowing us the use of the snow projection video.

2021-2022 Box Office www.gallery7theatre.com 604.504.5940

Gallery 7 Theatre gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

8, December 10 & 11, 17 & 1 2021 @ 7:30 PM 18 Matinees: December 11 & @ 2:00 PM

29 Crescent Way, Abbotsford

Abbotsford Arts Centre, 23

TIME & PLACE TIME: The 1930s and 40’s but mostly during Christmas in the 1940s LOCATION: Bedford Falls

RUNNING TIME Approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.

Refreshments and snacks are available in the lobby. You are welcome to bring concessions back to your seat. Please open pop cans and unwrap snacks prior to the start of the show and please place a lid on coffee cups. Thanks for your help in keeping the theatre venue clean and tidy!

PLEASE turn CELL PHONES and ELECTRONIC DEVICES off before showtime • Please remain seated during the performance • Please save the discussion and talking until intermission • Videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited • Children under 3 unfortunately cannot be admitted into the theatre • Out of respect for your fellow audience members, please refrain from wearing strong fragrances

while at the theatre

Visit us on: facebook.com/ gallery7theatre

twitter.com/ gallery7theatre

instagram.com/ gallery7theatre

youtube.com/ gallery7theatre

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE was originally commissioned and produced by Portland Centre Stag, Portland, Oregon.

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)©2021. The livestream was produced by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing/Playscripts. All rights reserved. By accepting the stream, you agree not to authorize or permit the stream to be copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed.

WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, Audio & Videotapes or Audio & Videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in person and/or a $250,000.00 fine.

Building High Performance Homes in the Fraser Valley Since 1995 604.626.4688 sonbuilthomes.com

Greetings from the Artistic Director

Welcome to our first ever, fully staged Christmas production, This Wonderful Life. I think you’re in for one fantastic, entertaining, and inspirational theatre experience. I hope you enjoy the show!

This play celebrates the power and importance of community, and the impact a single person can have on the lives around us. It celebrates the value of life and the importance of family & friendships, all while examining the priorities we make in our lives. Our community has been through a lot in the past 18 months, exacerbated by recent devastating floods, yet we have seen the themes of this play exemplified by the courage of our first responders, the generosity of both friends and strangers alike, and the resiliency of those directly impacted. I am in awe. And I am both challenged and humbled.

Theatre is meant to entertain and challenge, to bring reprieve and to lift us out of our everyday lives. It is designed to inspire, to invite questions and to initiate change. I hope that in the midst of all that we’re facing as a community, you find some comfort and inspiration in our little creative offering, and that it helps set the stage for a Holiday season of light, hope, joy and love.

Each December, we engage in a donation drive to raise funds for the theatre. As a

non-profit, registered charity, we rely in part on the generosity of our patrons to help cover the ever-increasing costs of producing theatre for the heart, soul and mind. We’re calling this year’s campaign the “Christmas Housewarming Campaign”. Now that we’re back in our venues, we need ongoing support for seemingly mundane things like props, costumes, insurance, internet and the like, much like a new home needs coffee makers, toasters, and other essential stuff, in order to truly thrive. Lingering challenges remain from the pandemic and your support also helps ensure a positive recovery. If you’d like to contribute, please visit www.gallery7theatre. com/donate. Every dollar counts, and all donations above $10 will receive a taxdeductible receipt.

While you’re at it, consider also donating to the Abbotsford Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund. Created in partnership with UFV and Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, funds will support front-line agencies providing essential services to front line families and businesses. To contribute, please visit https://abbotsfordcf.org/grants/ disaster/.

Thank you once again for joining us for this special, highly theatrical and entertaining show. I invite you to return in late January for our next offering, Trying by Canadian playwright, Joanna McClelland Glass. In the meantime, stay well, stay healthy and may you have a wonderful Holiday season.

Curtain up!

Ken Hildebrandt E X E C U T I V E /A R T I S T I C D I R E C T O R

shopsevenoaks.com

GOOD THINGS ARE COMING GOOD THINGS ARE COMING GOOD THINGS ARE COMING Greetings from the President

Hello everybody and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Gallery 7 Theatre, I welcome you to today’s performance of This Wonderful Life.

We would like to thank you for your continued support of Gallery 7 Theatre and we appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate our way through the ongoing Covid situation and the rules and regulations that we have to comply with. Our number one concern is to ensure the safety of our cast and crew as well as our audience.

Regarding the play, as an actor myself, I am quite excited to see the show as I can think of nothing more challenging for an actor than to do a one person show with multiple costume and character changes. I can’t imagine anything that compares to the experience of a live, inperson theatre experience.

Enjoy the show and once again thank you for your support!

Jim Harrison PRESIDENT

Brian and Barry Bate Double B Investments Corp

HAPPY TO SUPPORT LOCAL THEATER AND LOCAL CULTURE

his journey. The economic hardship of the Great Depression and turmoil of war taught those in that time many of the same things we are learning now. Yet, George Bailey’s story is not defined by uncertainty and powerlessness.

Instead, his story is one of sacrifice, friendship, and overwhelming community.

Director’s Notes

We live in a time of uncertainty. The last two years have shown us just how fragile our seemingly secure and well-established lives really are. Covid-19 taught us that nothing should be taken for granted: our families, our friends, our immediate plans, our dreams… they are all subject to forces beyond our control and could be upended at any moment.

And then, in the last few weeks, more blows to the tenuous stability we were returning to. The flooding of our farmlands and severing of land routes in and out of our region have taught us once again that nothing is for certain.

George Bailey’s life did not go the way he expected it to. Tragedies, dreams deferred, and other circumstances beyond his control brought much pain and disappointment along

There is power in community. There is power in sacrificing for our neighbours. There is power in meeting each other’s needs without judgment. George Bailey was no stranger to this, and the resolve and sacrifice we have witnessed in and around Abbotsford these past weeks has shown we are capable of harnessing this power too. While there are still forces beyond our control, with power from above and the power of our communities (or is it the power from above empowering our communities?), we will not only survive, we will thrive. And we will be stronger for leaning on each other. Clarence tells George, “No man is a failure who has friends.” I hope and pray that community, friendships and joy will permeate your Christmas season, and that this show will lift your spirits and give you hope as we continue to journey in this wonderful life together.

Thanks to Ken, Charlene, Des, Michael, and the entire design team and crew for all of your hard work, passion, and commitment to telling this story. Thank you for being my community and bringing light and joy into a bleak time.

And to Derik, thank you for lassoing the moon.

Enjoy the show!

Kate Muchmore Woo DIRECTOR

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE NOVEMBER, 2021

Weekdays 5am-10am on

MORNINGS with LISA & KENNY 6am-10am

Support the disaster relief effort.

Donate today.

Thousands of people have been displaced by the flooding in Abbotsford. Businesses and livelihoods have been disrupted. The effects of this disaster will be long term and funding will be needed for weeks and months to come.

The Abbotsford Community Foundation, The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, and The University of the Fraser Valley have teamed up to establish the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund, which will support front-line agencies providing essential services to affected families and businesses.

Now, more than ever, we all need to come together.

Please give, and encourage others to give, so that our community can rebuild.

GIVE NOW AT: abbotsfordcf.org/disaster

Production Team Live Stream Technician // Aaron Dawson Assistant Stage Manager // Pat Davis Running Crew // Meenakshi Nair Fly Operators // Mark Stevens, Chris Williams Lighting Operator // Kiwi Madge Sound Assistants // Charlene Crawford, Andrew Potts Head of Construction // Andrew Potts Additional Set Load-in/out Crew // Nelly Fargeon House Managers // Linda Funk, Louise Reimer Discussion Guide Editor // Angelika Dawson Program Layout & Design // Justin Keitch, Ignite Creative Gallery 7 Theatre Staff Executive & Artistic Director // Ken Hildebrandt Production Manager // Charlene Crawford Theatre Administrator // Mikayla Froese Marketing Associate & Livestream Director // Gabe Kirkley Bookkeeper // Marion Witoszkin Front of House Coordinator // Jenn Suess Head of Properties & Company Photographer // Dianna Lewis Graphic Designer // Justin Keitch, Ignite Creative Gallery 7 Theatre Board of Directors Jim Harrison // President Matt Forster // Vice President Rudy Ouwehand // Treasurer

Fran Vanderpol // Secretary Dr. Lloyd Arnett // Director at Large

Acknowledgements Gallery 7 extends a HUGE thank-you to all our volunteers for their hard work, dedication and support. Without them, this theatre would not succeed! We would also like to thank the following for their contribution to this production: Abbotsford Arts Centre // School District #34 // Abbotsford International Airshow Society – Jim Reith & Dave Reith // Abbotsford Senior Secondary Schools – Theatre Class – Katrina Jenkins // TWU SAMC Theatre // UFV Theatre Costume Department – Heather Robertson // All the businesses and churches who placed postcards in their reception or info centre.

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST & CREW

Charlene Crawford (Production Manager) A BA graduate from the TWU theatre program, Charlene has been telling stories on the stage for almost two decades. She has served as the company’s production manager officially for 5 years but was a volunteer and contract artist for many years before that. Charlene has performed, produced and designed during her career and is sad to see that some post-secondary institutions no longer value the contributions of theatre to society. She is thankful that you have chosen to come out to support the magic of live theatre.

Pat Davis (Assistant Stage Manager) How great to be back with Gallery 7 Theatre behind the scenes! Over the last nine years, Pat has acted in three shows and worked backstage for ten or more. This is a first for Pat: a one man show! What a challenge for Michael, but he has done an amazing job playing so many different characters. Pat is so glad to be back with her Gallery 7 Theatre family!

Dani Dejong (Costume Designer) Dani has designed costumes for Gallery 7 Theatre for several years and has enjoyed working on shows such as Pride and Prejudice, Doubt, Little Women and, most recently, Last Train to Nibroc. She is a huge fan of It’s A Wonderful Life and enjoys this Christmas ritual with family each year. She is thrilled to see this favourite come to life.

Des Hale (Stage Manager) Des is a graduate of UFV’s BA program with a major in theatre, and they are so glad to be back for their second time stage managing a Gallery 7 Theatre mainstage production. When they aren’t vigorously jotting down line notes in rehearsal, you may find them working at local fabric store, Overseas Fabrics, snuggling their grumpy cat, or finishing up one of many craft projects. Des would like to thank their loved ones for the continued support, and for putting up with always hearing “sorry, I have rehearsal”

Ken Hildebrandt (Executive Artistic Director/Lighting Designer) Ken is the founding Executive/Artistic Director of Gallery 7 Theatre. In addition to managing the organization, Ken occasionally directs, acts or does lighting design. Select directing credits include Doubt, A Parable, Halo, The Giver, Lord of the Flies, Driving Miss Daisy, The Importance of Being Earnest and the Canadian amateur premier of Swallows and Amazons. Select acting projects include The Mousetrap, Macbeth and Tuesdays with Morrie. Lighting design credits include Hamlet (UFV), The Fantasticks, Mary’s Wedding, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Pride and Prejudice. When not doing theatre, Ken enjoys announcing at airshows, flying airplanes and relaxing at home with friends, movies and video games.

Michael Holman (Storyteller) Michael is thrilled to be sharing the story of one of the greatest Christmas stories ever told. He has never had to memorize every line before, but somehow he managed to pull it off! You may have previously seen Michael on the G7 stage as Potiphar in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2019), James Keller in The Miracle Worker (2018), and as the best-looking spoon in Beauty & The Beast (2017). It’s a Wonderful Life is a movie that transcends time, and he hopes you will leave tonight knowing that even one life can touch so many others, and no one is a failure who has friends.

Kate Muchmore Woo (Director) Kate is a director/actor with credits from around the United States and BC. Directing credits include A Wrinkle in Time, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Mousetrap, and Enchanted April (Gallery 7); The Illusion, As Little Children, Twelfth Night, Jane Eyre: The Musical, The Cover of Life, and The Game of Love and Chance (TWU SAMC Theatre); The Women of Lockerbie (Vancouver Fringe 2016); and The Music Man (Theatre in the Country). Other favourites include Crime & Punishment; Hairspray; Almost, Maine; Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and Pericles. Kate has a MFA in Directing from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She is the co-chair of SAMC Theatre at Trinity Western University.

Andrew Potts (Set Designer) Andrew has once again been allowed to dabble in design, in between building sets for Gallery 7 Theatre. Previous set designs include A Wrinkle in Time (G7), and collaboratively on Mary Poppins Jr. (ASIA North Poplar). Sound designs include three shows in Pageant Wagon Theatre (G7). He also does some design in the “real world,” making cabinets, closets, furniture, decks, shelves, finishing carpentry, and doing other small renovations.

Courtney Smith (Props Designer) Courtney grew up in the world of performing arts as a dancer and circus performer. Her first exposure to technical work came in high school at ASIA Sumas when she acted as the production assistant of Grease in her senior year. In university, she focused on prop making, sewing, and customizing masquerade-style masks in her spare time. This is her first show with Gallery 7 Theatre, and she is very excited to share her vision with you!

All day Wednesday you can upsize any drink for free.

We are open from 8a.m. to 5:30 pm 7 days a week.

Unit 100 - 1910 North Parallel Road Abbotsford, 604-746-1136 | hugsinamugcoffeebistro.com

A Career with Communnitas is a Career with a Difference

Your Career Starts Here • On the job training provided • Home-like work environment • Competitive wages Apply Today! hr@communitascare.com or call 604.850.6608 or visit CommunitasCare.com/careers

Communitas Supportive Care Society

art, history & culture live here Visit Us

Tues to Fri: 10am - 5pm | Sat: 12pm - 5pm Admission by Donation Online: thereach.ca

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED When It Comes To Your Landscaping & Gardening Needs!

Christmas Items Now Avail able!

LANDSCAPE SUPPLY

GARDEN CENTRE

Soils, Gravels, Mulches, Gravels, Landscape Fabric, Vegetable Seeds, Grass Seed, Shovels and more!

Plants, Trees, Pots, Gifts, Fertilizer, Soils, Mulches, Gravels, Landscape Fabric, Seeds, Shovels and more!

604-425-3105 4491 Gladwin Rd

604-744-2111 36440 South Parallel Rd

Two locations in Abbotsford to serve you!

klassenlandscapesupply.com

Langley 604-534-1907

Abbotsford 604-850-6522

Chilliwack 604-792-9934

“Your Fraser Valley Car & Truck Centre”

Car & Truck Rentals Auto Detailing

Auto Repairs Auto Sales

www.clearwaybc.ca

• Mouldings • Engineered Wood Products • Treated Lumber • • Trusses • Cedar Siding • Insulation • Laminated Beams • Plywood • • Panelling • Lumber • Plumbing • Electrical • Tools • Hardware • • Paints • Roofing • Doors • Power Tools • Gyproc•

33050 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford Phone: 604.853.6471 | Fax: 604.853.6771 info@blackwood.ca

Home Owners helping homeowners

SUPPORTER’S GALLERY

The individuals listed below are heroes of Gallery 7 Theatre. They have contributed some of their hard-earned cash and/or value of their tickets to help us navigate through an incredibly challenging time and to help us continue creating entertaining theatre that stirs the heart, challenges the mind and elevates the soul. Thank you! Every effort has been made to make this list as accurate as possible but if you see an error or omission, please let us know at 604. 504.5940 or at info@gallery7theatre.com so we can correct things. Our donors are very important to us!

Family Gallery ($1 - $99) Eldon & Monica Affleck David Allen Joan Baerg Diane Barnhill Laura Beatty Judy Becker Sharon Bell Susan Benjamin Cynt Bernardin Lorita Bos Joel Brandt Deborah Brewer Doriana Brewer Kathleen Burchill Sharon Busby Heidi Calzavara Mary Chesham Linda Crowell Walter Davies Cornelius & Christine De Ruiter Grace DeJong Linda Driediger Len Dueck Gloria Dyck Ingrid Epp Sharon Erickson Ian Farthing Nassy Fesharaki Donna Flynn Martha Friesen Melody Froc Helen Guenther Mayoh Dan Guenther Steven Hamel Kari Harper Carol & Tony Helgason

Kyle Herrewynen Marilyn Hoeppner Leroy Hollaar Norman Holmes Judy James Ardis Janzen Linda Johnston Nev Kalegaric Dr. R Bruce Kirkley Gabe Kirkley Adele Klassen Beverly Klassen Erwin Klassen Laverne Klassen Robert & Christina Koole Kim Kruusma Andrea Langill Rebecca Laurenti Emily Leavitt Monique LeBlanc Brennan Loewen Barb Luck Ian Maclean Michaela Mamm Bernie Martens Lorna Marten Charlene Crawford Helen Mayoh Rose McComb Helen McElroy Linda McRae Karen Metzger Cheryl Mulder Susan Murphy Kalegaric Nevio Gary O’Keefe Karen Olafson Rudy & MaryAnna Ouwehand Lily Penner

Mary Putman Elaine Ranger Marlene Raymond Teresa Regier Vivian Reid Margaret Rempel Carol Roberts Ann Rowley Heather Robertson Ann Rowley Richard Sather Evan Schmuland Dorothy Seiler Leanne Shuttleworth Juliana Smith Carol Stewart Joyce Sukkau John Thielmann Jane Thompson Otto van Ek Mary van Muyen Maggie Van Seters Joyce Van Spronsen Jenny Vanderheide Alyssa Vanderstoep Marnie Venema Joyce Verwoerd Adelita Viger Rudolf Wagner Suzie Warneke Sandy Watson Graham Webb Marilyn Weston Elizabeth Williams Jim Williams Les Willetta Jennifer Wittrup

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Be a part of making theatre magic! Volunteer positions abound, both on-stage and off. To get involved or for more info, visit the lobby box office, log on to www.gallery7theatre.com, call us at 604.504.5940 or drop us an email at info@gallery7theatre.com with the following.

• First & Last Name • Phone Number • Email Address • Position you are interested in • Experience & training you may have • Any other information you think

we should know Check out the list below to see where you might like to get involved: • Actor •

Props • Lighting or Sound Operator Construction Assistant • Box Office Assistant • Caring for Cast & Crew • Concession Assistant • Office Assistant • Publicity Assistant • Make-Up Assistant • Assistant Stage Manager •

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dave Kropp Your Real Estate Sales Professional Cell: 604.897.5751 | Bus: 604.855.0800 | Toll Free: 1.866.855.0800 Email: kropp.dave@gmail.com | Fax: 604.855.0833 2790 Allwood Street, Abbotsford, BC V2T 3R7

Patron’s Gallery ($100 - $249) Anonymous (x6) Al & Beverley Boniface Robert Boughen Tamara Charman Alan Cobbet Cindy Coles Allena Collie Virginia Cooke Sharon Crowley Patricia Davis Harminder Dhillon Jacquie Dick Peter & Lora Dijk Judith Doyharcabal Karis Duncalfe Dale Edwards Ian Fenwick Aird Flavelle Sheila Flavelle Brendan & Karen Frith Abram & Ann Funk Eunice Gaglardi Roy Hafeli Chris Harper Joyce Henson Kim Hiebert Geoff & Yolanda Hoogstra Natalie Hoogstra Victoria Hurlbut Judith Ibbs Stacey Irwin Dick Klapwyk Eldon Letkeman Thea Levesque Kathleen MacKillop Joanne Martin Dorothea McCallum Maureen McConnel Eldon McMann Randolf Millard

Waldimar & Elinor Neufeld Carla Pattinson Corice Peters Erin Peters Shelley Picard Andrew Potts Dorothy Reid David and Cindy Sahlstrom Abigail Schultz Robert & Pamela Schultz David Smith Trent Stenmark Donald Strangway Katie Syroid Ernie & Janette Thiessen Andrew van der Leek Richard & Louise Welsh Elizabeth Winn Marion Witoszkin Gwen Wray Actor’s Gallery ($250 - $499) Anonymous (x3) Gordon & Frances Bates James Bergen Maria Denholme Roy Harrison Harold & Carolyn Krahn Calvin McCarthy Bruce McLaughlin Louise Oppel Christine Redekop Jim & Maggie Reith Chris Smallenberg Luke Timmermans Kate Woo Director’s Gallery ($500 - $999) Anonymous (x2) Gareth & Cynthia Brandt John Crawford

Aaron Dawson Dani DeJong Maria Denholme Karis Duncalfe Gloria Fernandez Beth Gasser Josha Ho Laura Kehler Rudy & MaryAnna Ouwehand James Shannon Karen Vandongen Producer’s Gallery ($1,000 - $4,999) Anonymous (x1) Beth & Lloyd Arnett Joanne Bandstra Janet Brock Doris Darvasi Angelika and John Dawson Elizabeth Doerksen Nelly Fargeon Ken Hildebrandt Laura Kehler Mt. Lehman Winery Louise Reimer Stephen & Sylvia Stewart Brittany Suderman Jennifer Suess Artistic Director’s Gallery ($5000 +) Your Name Here.

You can be a hero of Gallery 7 Theatre too! All donations above $10 will receive a tax deductible receipt. Make a one-time contribution or set up a monthly donation program.

Every contribution, big or small, is a HUGE help to us. Give us a call at 604-504-5940 or go to www.gallery7theatre.com to make your donation today!

Because when your spine’s in line, you feel fine.

Dr. Dorothea McCallum CHIROPRACTIC, REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY, SHOCKWAVE, LASER #100A - 2955 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, BC 604.746.5668 | drdorotheamccallum.ca

Brand Invoice for: Strategy Gallery 7 Theatre & Design

PO Box 825 Abbotsford, BC V2T 7A2

IGNITECREATIVE.CA Item Description

G7 Lite & Abby Theatre Fe Logo & graphic design

Tel: 604.859.3137 Fax: 604.852.4436

#301 - 2955 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 5T4

Trying

BY JOANNA MCCLELLAND GLASS

JANUARY 28 & 29, FEBRUARY 1–5, 2022 @ 7:30 PM ABBOTSFORD ARTS CENTRE 2329 CRESCENT WAY, ABBOTSFORD For Tickets & Info, visit

WWW.GALLERY7THEATRE.COM or call 604.504.5940

ENGAGE SEASON 2021/2022 THEATRE

SEASON SPONSOR:

OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS:

MEDIA SPONSORS:

PRODUCTION PRESENTING SPONSORS:

CONCESSION SPONSOR

OFFICIAL CATERER

PRODUCER’S GALLERY:

PERFORMER’S GALLERY:

WWW.GALLERY7THEATRE.COM