A Christmas Carol: Dec 7-24, 2017 at Gateway Theatre

Russell Roberts Photo: David Cooper

CHARLES DICKENS ADAPTED BY MICHAEL SHAMATA DIRECTED BY RACHEL PEAKE BY

MAINSTAGE | DECEMBER 5 – 24, 2017

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL

By Charles Dickens Adapted by Michael Shamata Directed by Rachel Peake December 5 - 24, 2017

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM Russell Roberts* Ebenezer Scrooge Scotia Browner Josh Chambers Matthias Falvai Emily Jane King Jenna Lamb Allan Morgan* Michelle Morris Sachi Nisbet Adam Olgui Linda Quibell* Teo Saefkow Amanda Testini Stephanie Wong

Fan/Others Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come/Others Peter Cratchit/Topper/Others Spirit of Christmas Past/Others Tiny Tim/Ebenezer as Child/Others Jacob Marley/Spirit of Christmas Present/Others Martha Cratchit/Miss Jane/Others Belinda Cratchit/Mrs. Fred/Others Bob Cratchit/Dick Wilkins/Others Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Dilber/Others Fred/Young Ebenezer/Others Belle/Spirit/Others Mrs. Cratchit/Spirit/Others

CREATIVE TEAM Rachel Peake* William Ford Hopkins Shane Snow Drew Facey Carmen Alatorre Itai Erdal Joelysa Pankanea Marcus Stusek Lois Dawson* Michelle Harrison* Madelaine Walker Megan Lane Donnie Tejani

Director Assistant Director Movement Consultant Set Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer Sound Design & Composition Technical Director Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager Apprentice Stage Manager

*appears courtesy of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association

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STAGE CREW Robin Richardson Mark Carter Alexis Douglas glenn Kruger David Degryse *

Head Carpenter Head Lighting Head Sound Head Properties Head Fly Operator Head Wardrobe

*supplied by IATSE local 118

SCENERY Sharon zimmerman grant Winsor Tim Cardinal Philip Piper Katherine Witts Omanie Elias Jennifer Hill

Properties Master Head Scenic Carpenter Scenic Carpenter Scenic Carpenter Scenic Carpenter Head Scenic Artist Scenic Artist

COSTUMES Carmen Alatorre Hannah Case victoria Klippenstein Sarah Butler Alaia Hamer Amy McDougall Megan veaudry Jill Wyness

Costume Manager Costume Assistant Head Cutter Builder Builder Builder Builder Hair

Setup & Strike crew provided by IATSE

The play is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including a 20 minute intermission.

Photography, videotaping or other audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Program Design and Production: gary Slavin

Cover Art: Legrudge & Rugged

Lobby Art: Jenny Yao / December 1 – 31, 2017

A Chinese synopsis of the play is available at the Coat Check.

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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

What makes a work of art timeless?

I believe that stories like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – which has become a staple of Western culture since its publication in 1843 – endure because they connect to our essential humanity.

A Christmas Carol has an undeniably rich legacy. It has inspired countless adaptations (the first stage version dates back to 1844), homages, and parodies. It’s my unscientific opinion that any sitcom that has lasted more than five seasons has had its own holiday special where someone is visited by apparitions that teach the character to stop acting like a jerk.

One of the great appeals of the story is that the spirits that visit Scrooge on Christmas Eve bestow him precious gifts. They allow him to see how blessed his own life is. They remind him that we are all connected in some way (as Fred says, ‘fellow passengers to the grave’) and that the choices Scrooge makes to enrich himself can impoverish others. Above all, the spirits give Scrooge a wonderful message of hope: our futures are not yet written – what we do today can make all of our tomorrows better.

Our wonderful ensemble, led by director Rachel Peake, offers a fresh interpretation that feels both traditional and contemporary. Our gifted designers have created a world that pays tribute to Victorian England but that also has a modern sensibility – I particularly love how composer Joelysa Pankanea’s musical arrangements blend traditional English carols with modern instrumentations. Our cast, speaking in their own accents, represents the diversity today’s Lower Mainland.

Of course, the heart of Dickens’ story – what gives it its timeless appeal and what is captured in this imaginative production – is how it inspires us all to be better neighbours and to reflect on what truly makes a life well-lived. In today’s world where success is often measured by wealth and status, it offers a welcome reminder that the kindness we extend to each other brings its own unique reward.

As the play says about Scrooge, ‘he knew how to keep Christmas well...and how to keep it all the year’. However you observe this holiday season, I hope that you also keep it well and throughout 2018. Happy holidays!

–Jovanni Sy

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

Who would have imagined that a Christmas story wrapped up in a ghost story would be the tale that changed Christmas? Prior to Charles Dickens writing A Christmas Carol, Christmas had waned in popularity and become a fairly humdrum day of rest for most people. But in the time that this story was written, the tides had begun to change. Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in just six weeks and, with that, transformed the celebration into an opportunity to resist greed and selfishness, and to come together with one another. While he didn’t invent Christmas, Dickens certainly helped us to reimagine it.

I have always loved this story for its magic and its imagination, but also for its duality. On one hand, it shows us the glimmer in every person’s heart to seek and share joy. And at the same time, it reminds us how easily we can lose touch with that joy in the shadow of selfpreservation; how looking after ourselves first and “others” after can lead us to lose touch.

I am always struck by how timely this story continues to be. I wish we could say this was a story of long ago and far away, but the truth is that we need to be reminded of its moral lessons now as much as ever. It is for this reason that I have asked the actors to use their own accents rather than those of Victorian England; I want us to be able to truly hear the words and remember that we are not so far away from Scrooge. His behaviour is not a relic of another time and another place, but a trap we all risk falling into – of losing sight of our fellow humans in our drive to look after ourselves.

All of the magic of Christmas is wrapped up in A Christmas Carol. It has family, love, looking after one another, parties, games, food, warmth, and music. It has flights of fancy and adventure. But, it also has a warning. I hope we are all transported through its magic and joy to be reminded of our own love of the season, and I hope we take advantage of this opportunity to reach outside of ourselves a little more.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

-Rachel Peake

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FEATURE

Did Charles Dickens invent Christmas?

By Scheherazaad Cooper

There is a celebration at wintertime in almost every culture around the world; but, what we currently understand as Christmas, here in North America, is actually a combination of a number of holidays. In his book, Inventing Christmas: How our Holiday Came to Be, author Jock Elliott charts the evolution of Christmas and notes that a large number of what we consider to be established traditions for the holiday, were actually created in a short 25 year window between 1823-1848. For example, the Christmas tree, hanging stockings, Christmas carols, and candy canes, even Santa Claus— who has a number of regionally specific aliases, were all popularised around this time. And right within this Christmas boom, in 1843, the world saw the first publication of Charles Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol.

The classic tale of a miser, mean and selfish, who is visited first by his former business partner and then by three ghosts— over a night that changes his very life— is, at once, a tale of Christmas spirit and a ghost story. The tale has been adapted numerous times and continues to inspire Christmas 8

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plays, TV shows, and movies. To track the scope of the story’s influence, one need only consider that ‘Scrooge’ has been included in the Oxford English Dictionary as a synonym for someone lacking in generosity since 1982.

The idea that Christmas has the power to transform even the darkest of souls into one who brings joy and light is at the centre of A Christmas Carol’s enduring power. The winter is a dark and cold time, the harvest is over, and nothing new will grow until the spring. Many celebrations

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FEATURE (continued)

around this time emphasize ‘light’, both literal and metaphorical: Diwali includes the lighting of small lamps called diyas as a symbol of hope and knowledge over darkness and ignorance; Hanukkah includes the daily lighting of the menorah over eight days and nights to commemorate an ancient light that burned for as many days despite only having enough oil for one; the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, is also the focus of Yule and the Iranian celebration of Shab-e Yalda, where families stay up late, sharing food and reading poetry. In contemporary celebrations, many Christmas stories include similar ideas of light defeating darkness,

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of hope, and of the potential for transformation.

Consider, for example, the beloved holiday movie It’s a Wonderful Life, where Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey gets the chance to see what life would have been like if he had never existed, a chance to evaluate his current life and to change it, or his perception of it at least, for the better.

Dicken’s beloved ghost-story has had a profound effect on the way we tell Christmas stories and on what we understand to be the purpose of Christmas spirit. Our fascination with Scrooge and his creator has endured in the 174 years since the story first appeared, and continues— there is even a movie about Charles Dickens writing A Christmas Carol coming out this month: The Man who Invented Christmas starring Dan Stevens and Christopher Plummer.

In the spirit of Dickens, the spirit of Christmas, and the spirit of the light of hope, Gateway Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol begins, as the candle is lit…

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CAST Russell Roberts

Ebenezer Scrooge Russell Roberts’ career now spans five decades and over 200 theatre, film and TV productions. Most recently seen on stage this summer as George Banks in TUTS production of Mary Poppins and on TV as Luigi Lemoncello in the Nickelodeon movie, Escape from Mr. Lemoncellos Library. Locally, he has appeared with Playhouse Theatre Company, Rumble, Pi, and Touchstone Theatres, and Bard on the Beach for five seasons and nine productions. He is married to actor Colleen Winton and they have two sons Sayer and Gower.

For full film and TV credits, see IMDB--Russell Roberts.

Scotia Browner

Fan/Others Scotia is thrilled to return to Gateway Theatre after playing Amaryllis in The Music Man and Coroner Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz for the past two seasons. Scotia studies at the Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts. Credits include: Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast and Oliver! (Theatre Under the Stars); The Lion King Jr. and Mulan Jr. (Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts) and The Nutcracker (Royal City Youth Ballet). Scotia thanks Rachel for this amazing opportunity and sends love to her cast, family, friends, and teachers.

Josh Chambers

Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come/Others Josh is very excited to be performing in A Christmas Carol for his last show while still being a student at Studio 58. He couldn’t be more excited to be doing a show in his hometown of Richmond, and being able to bring some holiday spirit and cheer to everyone who comes out to see the performance. Other credits include, Angels in America, Troilus and Cressida, 42nd Street, The Refugee Hotel and As You Like It (Studio 58). He wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

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Matthias Falvai

Peter Cratchit/ Topper/Others Matthias is delighted to join Gateway Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol. Finishing his final year of his training at Studio 58, Matthias has portrayed Julian Marsh in 42nd Street (Studio 58) and Jaques in As You Like It (Studio 58).

A self-taught pianist, he spends his spare time reading music and studying the instrument. Currently, Matthias is writing a One-Act play based on his Hungarian heritage, to be produced at Studio 58 Spring 2018. Matthias will finish his training this coming April and is both excited and anxious to join the big world!

Emily Jane King

Spirit of Christmas Past/Others Emily Jane King is thrilled to be a part of this wonderful show. She was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and is here in beautiful BC studying acting at Studio 58. Along with theatre, Emily Jane has studied dance, writing and piano, and she loves cartooning. Some favourite theatre credits include: Narrator - 2BR02B (Studio 58); Bessie - The Drowning Girls (Creative Minds/pocketfrock productions); Film credits: The Pinkertons (Buffalo Gal Pictures). Thanks and love to family, friends, Cheyenne and Theresa.

Jenna Lamb

Tiny Tim/Ebenezer as Child/Others Jenna is excited for her theatrical debut with Gateway Theatre in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol. Jenna studies musical theatre and dance at Lindbjerg Academy of Performing Arts and attends Leblanc School of Acting Studio 3 Media. Recent credits include Cowardly Lion in Wizard of Oz, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, and this year’s production as Gloria in Madagascar. Jenna would like to thank Gateway Theatre and the entire production team for this great opportunity. Special thanks to her talented teachers, her family, and Melissa and Shannon for their daily encouragement and support along her journey.

CAST Allan Morgan

Jacob Marley/Spirit of Christmas PRESENT/ Others Allan is very pleased to be returning to Gateway Theatre.

Previous shows here include Our Town, Chernobyl, and Sleepwalker. Recently, he performed in The Christians (Pacific Theatre) and in his own play Pride (Shift Theatre Festival). He is a veteran of Bard on the Beach where he last appeared as Prospero in The Tempest. Other shows for Bard include King John, Merry Wives of Windsor, and Much Ado among many others. He has played across Canada, and toured internationally with The Overcoat. He has been the recipient of four Jessie Richardson awards. Next up for him is The Humans (Theatre Calgary) in the new year.

Adam Olgui

Bob Cratchit/Dick Wilkins/Others Adam is grateful to be making his Gateway Theatre debut as part of the incredible team of A Christmas Carol.

Recent credits include Thomas in Bull (Rumble Theatre), Eddie in Habib’s Unforgettable All-Night House Party (Western Canada Theatre), Fred in Anything Goes (RCMT) and Ernst in Spring Awakening (Phantom Moon Collective).

Other favorite roles: The Street Singer in Threepenny Opera (Theatre in the Raw) and Pierre Trudeau in Just Watch Me! (Vancouver Fringe). Performance highlights include performing at We Day and singing with the legendary Dal Richards Orchestra. Big thanks to family and friends for their love and support!

Michelle Morris

Martha Cratchit/Miss Jane/Others Michelle is currently in her final year of study at Studio 58. Recent Credits include: As You Like It (Studio 58), 42nd Street (Studio 58), Zoetrope: Curiosity of Puppet Oddities (Studio 58), The Country Wife (Ensemble Theatre Company) The Romans in Britain (Ensemble Theatre Company). Upcoming: The Skin of Our Teeth (Studio 58).

She would like to thank Rachel Peake for this amazing opportunity and the faculty of Studio 58 for their support and encouragement.

Sachi Nisbet

Belinda Cratchit/ Mrs. Fred/Others Sachi Nisbet is a recent graduate of the BFA Acting program. Previous credits include: Splitz in Girls! Girls!

Girls! (Excavation Theatre), Mary in Her Name Was Mary (Indigo Child Productions) and Lise in Les Belles Soeurs, ensemble in Love and Information, Prince Edward in Edward II , ensemble in Arabian Nights and Mutt in Paper Series (UBC). Being an enthusiastic lover of Christmas, she is incredibly excited to be a part of telling such a classic and beloved tale.

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CAST Linda Quibell

Mrs. Fezziwig/ Mrs. Dilber/Others Linda is thrilled to be making her first appearance on Gateway Theatre’s Mainstage in A Christmas Carol. Most recently, she appeared onstage in Studio B in Pi Theatre’s Long Division, which also ran at the Annex in Vancouver. Before that: Late Company (Touchstone Theatre), Mother Tongue (Wild Excursions Performance) and Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Alley Theatre). Past performances include Top Girls (Vancouver Playhouse), Calendar Girls (Arts Club), Into The Woods (Patrick Street Productions), UND (Felix Culpa), Copenhagen (Globe Theatre) and two seasons at Bard on the Beach. She is a graduate of Studio 58 and the co-Artistic Director of Felix Culpa.

Stephanie Wong

Mrs. Cratchit/ Spirit/Others Stephanie Wong is a Vancouver-based actor and recent graduate from Studio 58.

She is thrilled to be working with a cast and artistic team that will continue to challenge her and help her grow as an artist. Previous credits include: Cry Baby: The Musical (Awkward Stage Productions, winner of Pick of the Fringe), Elbow Room Cafe: The Musical (Zee Zee Theatre), East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood (Theatre Replacement), 42nd Street, and Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (Studio 58). Upcoming projects include Green Thumb’s touring show Land of Trash, and her design debut for One Story Production’s Blackbird.

Teo Saefkow

Fred/Young Ebenezer/ Others Teo is thrilled to be a part of his first production outside of school. A Christmas Carol was one of the first plays that he ever saw, when he was four years old in Prince George, B.C. and he’s extremely happy to be on the other side of the proscenium! Other theatre: Troilus and Cressida, 42nd Street, The Refugee Hotel, As You Like it (Studio 58). Teo is about to graduate from Studio 58 in December, and is looking forward to being a part of The Only Animal’s world premiere of Slime next June. Merry Christmas!

Amanda Testini

Belle/Spirit/Others Amanda is a performer and choreographer based in Vancouver. She is delighted to be getting into the spirit of the season by telling this story.

Some performing highlights from this year include playing Thing 2 in The Cat in the Hat (Carousel Theatre), Justine in Love Bomb (shameless hussy productions) and Peggy in The Sweet Life, part of this year’s In Tune Conference (Touchstone Theatre). This season Amanda also choreographed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Carousel Theatre) and assistant choreographed Onegin (Belfry/Arts Club). Amanda is a graduate of Studio 58.

Many thanks to Rachel, the cast and crew.

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CREATIVE TEAM Rachel Peake

Director Rachel is a freelance theatre and opera director, and is the Associate Artistic Director of the Citadel Theatre. She has directed for Vancouver Opera, Persephone Theatre, the elbow, Studio 58, Globe Theatre, Théâtre la Seizième, Western Canada Theatre, Caravan Farm, Belfry, Realwheels, Classic Chic, Alley Theatre, and Pacific Opera Victoria. Rachel directed and dramaturged the world première opera Stickboy by Shane Koyczan, and spent five years as co-Artistic Director of Solo Collective Theatre. She is a three-time recipient of the Jessie Richardson award for Directing. Rachel is a graduate of the UofA and Studio 58. www.rachelpeake.com

William Ford Hopkins

Assistant Director William last worked at Gateway Theatre as an actor in their 2014 production of Crazy for You. He’s thrilled to be back, but on the other side of the table working with Rachel Peake (again! She directed his second year Risky Nights project while at Studio 58) and this entire team of phenomenal designers and creators as the Assistant Director. His second time assistant directing in Vancouver, he last worked on Offleash: A Dog Park Opera assisting Sarah Rodgers. William studied at Studio 58 and works as an actor in Vancouver as well as occasionally coaching Shakespeare. He hopes you enjoy this wonderful story.

Shane Snow

Movement Consultant Shane has been working in theatre since the turn of the century, and has had the opportunity to perform and create entertainment for audiences across the country.

In Vancouver, he has performed and choreographed at the Arts Club, Boca Del Lupo, Vancouver Playhouse, Relephant and Patrick Street. His favorite role so far was Mickey in Blood Brothers, and his favorite choreography for a production of Edges. He is a recipient of the Ray Michal award for directing.

Drew Facey

Set Designer Drew has been designing sets and costumes for opera and theatre over the past ten years.

Recent highlights include: Me & My Girl (Shaw Festival), Merchant of Venice & The Merry Wives of Windsor (Bard), The Marriage of Figaro (Vancouver Opera), Bonjour, la, Bonjour (Théâtre la Seizième), Comedy of Errors (Western Canada), Onegin (Arts Club), Das Ding (Can Stage).

Drew is the recipient of 14 Jessie Richardson Awards for Outstanding Design and 28 nominations. He is a graduate of Studio 58. www.drewfacey.com

Carmen Alatorre

Costume Designer Originally from Mexico City, Carmen earned her MFA degree in Theatre Design at UBC and has worked as a theatre designer in Vancouver since 2006. Some of her recent design credits include: Stickboy (Vancouver Opera); The Music Man (Gateway Theatre); Bittergirl (Arts Club); Pericles and The Winter’s Tale (Bard on the Beach); Carmen is the recipient of three Jessie Richardson Awards. For more visit: carmenalatorre.com

Itai Erdal

Lighting Designer Itai is delighted to be back at Gateway Theatre where he previously designed lights for Pump Boys and Dinettes, Sisters and Harvest, and performed his one-man show How to Disappear Completely (The Chop, directed by James Long).He designed lights for over 250 shows, winning 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. Itai is the artistic director of The Elbow Theatre, for whom he co-wrote and performed in A Very Narrow Bridge, This Is Not A Conversation and Hyperlink. www.itaierdal.com, www.theelbow.ca

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CREATIVE TEAM Joelysa Pankanea

SOUND DESIGN & COMPOSITION Since exploding onto the Vancouver theatre scene with her score for the critically acclaimed Crime and Punishment (Neworld and VMT) in 2004, Joelysa’s music has been celebrated in theatres across Canada. As a composer, musical director, and sound designer, her versatility has taken her into theatre, film, and animation. A prolific composer, Joelysa seamlessly weaves her whimsical and melancholic sound into any genre of music she tackles. Joelysa has musically directed casts of up to 150 members. Her impressive body of work has earned her multiple nominations and awards. For more, visit www.joelysa.com

Lois Dawson

Stage Manager Lois’ theatre adventures have brought her to an abandoned barn, the basement of a church, the middle of a forest, and Calgary in February. Lois believes in mentorship, and seeks work in environments that allow her to mentor emerging stage managers.

Previous Gateway credits include The List (Ruby Slippers), You Will Remember Me (Ruby Slippers), and The Pipeline Project (Itsazoo/Savage Society). Next, she will be remounting The Pipeline Project at the Firehall.

Visit www.LoisBackstage.com for more credits, and thoughts about the art of stage management.

Michelle Harrison

Assistant Stage Manager Michelle is excited to join Gateway Theatre for A Christmas Carol. Select previous credits include Le Nozze di Figaro, Evita, Madama Butterfly, Carmen (Vancouver Opera); A Little Too Cozy, Crush (Banff Centre); Peter and the Starcatcher, Mary Poppins, Red Rock Diner, It’s Snowing on Saltspring (Arts Club); Whose Life Is It Anyway? (Real Wheels); Uncle Vanya (Blackbird); Leave of Absence (Pacific Theatre); La Clemenza di Tito (COSI). Graduate of UBC. Many thanks to the cast, crew, and creative team!

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Madelaine Walker

Apprentice STAGE MANAGER When not hanging out in random theatres across the city, Madelaine can be found curled up with a good book, or playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends. Since moving to Vancouver four years ago, she has worked primarily in stage management, most recently with Wunderdog Theatre, TUTS, and the Quimera Collective, as well as produced shows with the UBC Players Club. Madelaine plans to continue to work in stage management, and expand her directing resume after her successful debut of Bedtime by Mary Gallagher.

She’s excited to be a part of Gateway’s A Christmas Carol for the holiday season!

Megan Lane

Apprentice STAGE MANAGER Megan Lane is delighted to be making her debut with Gateway Theatre. Recent credits include working on costume crew for Conchord Floral and The Diviners (Douglas College). She also contributed to props and costume for a small opera production of Hansel and Gretel (Opera Mariposa). She is currently a student of Stagecraft and Event Technology at Douglas College (and has also trained under a mentorship program with the Richmond Art Gallery).

Donnie Tejani

Apprentice STAGE MANAGER Donnie’s experience in Vancouver’s theatre community has been very costumefocussed and this is his first venture into the realm of stage management. His start was dressing for Beauty and the Beast (TUTS) where he was awarded the IATSE 118 Technical Theatre Award and has since returned to TUTS as head of wardrobe and assistant costume designer for Mary Poppins and The Drowsy Chaperone. He is thrilled to be working at Gateway Theatre, which as a young Richmondite, was very much his gateway to theatre.

Other notable credits: Anything Goes (RCMT), 13 (Bring On Tomorrow), Turandot (VO).

RBC EMERGING ARTISTS PROGRAM

gateway Theatre celebrates our Studio 58 Student Cast Members!

As a dynamic hub for the performing arts, one of Gateway’s guiding principles is nurturing and developing young talent. This year, thanks to the generous support of the RBC Foundation, we have formed a partnership with Studio 58 to cast some of their students in our holiday production of A Christmas Carol.

Five of the actors you see onstage tonight are currently enrolled in the senior terms of the Acting Program at Studio 58, the professional theatre training program at Langara College. As part of this new partnership, these students took part in two professional development workshops at Gateway and worked alongside Gateway’s professional artists and staff throughout the rehearsal and production process.

We wish them all well as they finish their studies and look forward to following their exciting careers.

Josh Chambers

Matthias Falvai

Emily Jane King

Michelle Morris

Teo Saefkow

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Kawa Ada and Mayko Nguyen

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Salt-Water Moon February 15 – 24, 2018 | MainStage

By David French Directed by Ravi Jain A Factory Theatre production touring with Why Not Theatre This glorious production of David French’s Salt-Water Moon was a sold-out hit in Toronto last season. The beloved Canadian classic about love, loss, and reconciliation is daringly re-imagined by visionary director Ravi Jain. With its boldly spare staging, this production asks “Can you ever truly return home?”

It’s 1926 and every day the villages of Newfoundland are being abandoned by their young for a new life in the big city. But eighteen year-old Jacob Mercer has come home to Coley’s Point, to win back his former sweetheart Mary Snow, after abruptly leaving over a year ago. By the light of a moon-filled night, the former lovers meet to confront their past choices and contemplate a possible future together.

“A stripped-down, poetic staging of David French’s classic love story is sure to win your heart” – Now Toronto

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UP NEXT! “An irresistible re-imagining of a Canadian classic” – Globe and Mail

Mayko Nguyen & Kawa Ada Photo: Joseph Michael

DAVID FRENCH RAVI JAIN A FACTORY THEATRE PRODUCTION TOURING WITH WHY NOT THEATRE BY

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COMING SOON

Meghan Gardiner

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I Lost My Husband March 14 – 24, 2018 | Studio B

By Catherine Léger Translated by Leanna Brodie Directed by Diane Brown Produced by Ruby Slippers Theatre Catherine Léger’s comedy J’ai perdu mon mari was a hit in Quebec and we are proud to present the World Premiere of Leanna Brodie’s translation I Lost My Husband. This our third partnership with leading Vancouver company Ruby Slippers Theatre, following The List in 2016 and You Will Remember Me in 2017.

Award-winner director Diane Brown returns to direct this wickedly funny play about the aging party girl and her dreams of independence. Evelyn, played by Meghan Gardiner - who was Marian in our production of The Music Man last season, loses her husband in a bar bet. The thing is, she’s not entirely sure she wants him back.

“Behind its eccentric premise, and the great bursts of laughter that it provokes, lies a script that tackles some of the big, super-current issues in an original way.” – Jeu Magazine

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UP NEXT! “Great bursts of laughter” – Jeu Magazine

Meghan Gardiner Photo: David Cooper

CATHERINE LÉGER LEANNA BRODIE DIRECTED BY DIANE BROWN PRODUCED BY RUBY SLIPPERS THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH GATEWAY THEATRE BY

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COMING SOON

John Ng

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Nine Dragons April 12 - 21, 2018 | MainStage

By Jovanni Sy Directed by Craig Hall A Co-Production with Vertigo Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Gateway Theatre is proud to present the World Premiere of this this powerful new play by our Artistic Director Jovanni Sy. Nine Dragons is a riveting crime drama that will satisfy lovers of classic mysteries and detective stories.

Set in 1924, in Kowloon, Hong Kong, a killer is on the loose. Tommy Lam, Hong Kong’s most brilliant police detective, is brought on to investigate. Constantly overlooked by his English supervisors, Tommy feels he has something to prove on this case. The leading suspect, however, is Victor Fung, the son of one of the wealthiest families in Asia. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between Tommy and his mysterious nemesis.

“Director Hall has developed a brisk, economic style of staging these gritty neo-noir crime stories that he ought to copyright. Nine Dragons looks and sounds as beautiful as it does sinister.” – Globe and Mail

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UP NEXT!

A stylish murder mystery set in 1920s Kowloon, Hong Kong

JOVANNI SY CRAIG HALL A CO-PRODUCTION WITH VERTIGO THEATRE AND ROYAL MANITOBA THEATRE CENTRE BY

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GATEWAY THEATRE

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SPOTLIGHT ON

SPONSORS Performance Sponsor Since 2011, the team at the Richmond branch of Investors Group have been some of our most passionate supporters. Every December, we get the pleasure of hosting a pre-show reception for their clients and staff during which we witness their enthusiasm for theatre and dedication to making a difference in the community.

Investors Group is a national financial organization that helps individuals plan for the future by providing quality financial advice and products. Investors Group is also involved in the community by donating and volunteering for non-profit charitable organizations across Canada like Gateway Theatre. Along with their ongoing support of Gateway Theatre, Investors Group Richmond shows they truly care about the arts by hosting exhibitions of local artists in their offices.

We appreciate all their efforts towards building a richer community, both financially and artistically.

Sink or Swim Production Sponsor Univar Canada is one of our longest standing supporters. This year, as the Production Sponsor for Sink or Swim, they have made an incredible contribution toward the artists that animate our Studio Theatre with unique theatre experiences.

Univar is a leading distributor of chemistry and related innovative products and services, spanning industries such as agriculture, forestry, personal care, and water treatment. As a Richmond based company, they are committed to making substantial contributions to our community and have been one of our longest-time supporters.

Producing professional theatre is not possible without corporate partners who understand the importance of Arts and Culture. We thank Univar for recognizing this importance and for supporting Gateway Theatre for so many years.

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GATEWAY THEATRE

SPOTLIGHT ON

SPONSORS Academy Production Sponsor Daiso Canada is a unique combination of dollar and convenient store, carrying over 45,000 types of high-quality stylish household and lifestyle products at unbeatable prices. Their community giving program focuses on youth engaging in the arts.

Gateway Academy offers year-round acting, musical theatre, and performance training classes for youth aged 6–18. Each year, over 200 students learn the craft of theatre from our professional teaching artists.

This amazing program is only possible due to the support of our Academy Production Sponsor Daiso Canada.

Volunteer & Tea Matinee Sponsors We would like to thank our Volunteer & Tea Matinee sponsors Gilmore Gardens and Courtyard Gardens for their support during our Signature Series. Advocating for the quality of life for seniors, Richmond Retirement Residences’ Gilmore Gardens and Courtyard Gardens strive to empower seniors to “live their best lives” in a safe, supportive and beautiful environment.

Gilmore Gardens and Courtyard Gardens join us in celebrating our volunteers and you’ll be sure to see them in the lobby for our weekday Tea Matinees where their support makes the coffee and tea complimentary. We are lucky to have such a wonderful community organization as partners and supporters!

GATEWAY THEATRE

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INDIVIDUAL

DONORS Dedicated donors and supporters are essential to our ability to present high-quality professional theatre and nurture the next generation of theatre artists. As a registered charity, Gateway Theatre relies on the generosity of our donors and supporters to enrich the quality of life in Richmond and the surrounding communities. In addition to a tax receipt, Gateway Theatre offers exclusive privileges to enhance your theatre experience.

Please visit our website or contact our Development Associate, Basa Koga at 604.247.4988 for more information.

Star

Artistic Director’s Circle $1,000+

Anonymous (1) Joe & Gertie Chan Wayne Gibson & Janet Sinclair* Betty Goodwin Anne & Tom Green Lilian Hudson Bob & Donna Humphries Sunny & Hilda Leung Keith Liedtke & Elizabeth Doyle Diane Purvey Camilla Tibbs Panteli Tritchew John & Gail Watson*

Producer $500-$999

Nettie Aronius Elsie and Audrey Jang Fund, held at Vancouver Foundation Etella Keenan* Frank Lawler & Ann McCurdy Michael & Edith Matthews Susan G. Ness George Radke Susan Tucker Verchere Family Linda & Garry White

*Seat Dedication Donors

$250-$499

Anonymous (1) D & L Bogert-O’Brien Paula & Gordon Boleen Sheila Brew Mary Gardner Jean & Bob Garnett Bob & Carol Mitchell Bob & Lois Munroe Ione S. Owen Scott & Marla Penner Lynne Perreault & Kjell Magnussen Clayton Rubinstein Jovanni Sy & Leanna Brodie

Feature Player $100-$249

Anonymous (3) Don Anderson Ted Andrew Chak Au Gillian S. Burnett Karen Calsbeck Adrian C. Chan Arlene Clark Judith Coffin William & Carell Colvin Don & Denise Dale In memory of Phil Dubin Suzanne Dunn Tim & Gloria Enno Jennifer Forlin Evelin E. Fowler

Fiona Gan Donna Claire Gold Ruth Goodchild Tim & Ellen Gould H & R Frydrychowicz Howard & Trudy Harowitz Elizabeth Ho William & Karen Holden Glenda Johnson Colleen Kason Barbara Kissuras Joanna Ko Fred & Ruth Krause Isao & Ina Kuramoto Ian & Ardis MacLeod Anne Mathisen Alma McDonald Donna McKinlay Linda Morical Joanne Neufeld David & Melinda Newman Christine O’Toole Tim Oberholzer Robert & Gail Plowman Jane Pratt Carolyn Price Shirley & Craig Rampton Lin & John Richardson Gail Screaton & John Maclachlan Eileen Sengara Morley & Fay Shafron Kathryn Shaw Nansi Smith Tom & Ruth Stubens Geraldine Svisdahl Kei & David Takahashi Barrie & Margaret Vickers Linda Wright

We make every effort at ensuring accuracy in terms of individual donor acknowledgement.

If you notice any discrepancies, please contact us at development@gatewaytheatre.com.

Registered Charity #11911 8875 RR0001

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GATEWAY THEATRE

2017/2018 SUPPORTERS

THANK YOU Sponsors

Sink or Swim Sponsor

volunteer & Tea Matinee Sponsors

Keith Liedtke www.keithwestcoasthomes.com

Performance Sponsor

Enhanced Content Sponsor

Community Sponsors

Education Sponsors

Academy Scholarship Sponsor

Academy Presentations Sponsor

In-Kind Sponsors

Storage Sponsor

Catering Sponsors

Media Sponsors

government Funders Human Resources Development

Corporate Donations ARC Works RBC Richmond Chinatown Lions Club Rotary Club of Richmond Sunset TELUS Walmart Canada Western Construction*

Foundation Support Betty Averbach Foundation Hamber Foundation Hawthorne Charitable Foundation Lohn Foundation RBC Foundation Wuchien Michael Than Foundation

In-Kind Donors Christopher King Helijet M&M Meats Francis Road Enjoy all the beneďŹ ts the Corporate Circle has to offer and demonstrate that your business acknowledges the importance of live professional theatre in our community. Call 604.247.4973 for more information.

GATEWAY THEATRE

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STAY CONNECTED AT STRAIGHT.COM

Proud Media Sponsor

Gateway Theatre Season

Vancouver's leading arts source.

Photo by David Cooper

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GATEWAY THEATRE

GATEWAY ABROAD

(L-R, Donna Soares, Jovanni Sy, Raugi Yu)

photo by David Cooper

Gateway Theatre is all over the map this season!

Last October, our production of King of the Yees opened here at Gateway Theatre. This year, this same production played at the Canada’s National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa for over 2 weeks.

This is a first for Gateway Theatre, so we were all very honoured and excited when we heard King of the Yees will open in Ottawa. Though, we couldn’t be more excited than Artistic Director Jovanni Sy as he also plays the lead role in King of the Yees as Larry Yee. Around the same time, Jovanni Sy’s new play, Nine Dragons, premiered at Vertigo Theatre in Calgary and then at Royal Manitoba Theatre. Both audiences and critics alike raved about the show and we can’t wait to bring Nine Dragons to you in April! The play will also be published by Talonbooks in Spring 2018.

Nine Dragons in MTC

Photo by Scott Bellis GATEWAY THEATRE

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GATEWAY THEATRE ADMINISTRATION gateway Theatre Board of Directors Chak Au, City Council Liaison

Gillian Burnett, Secretary

Wayne Gibson, Vice-Chair

Elizabeth Ho Jacqueline Ho Joanna Ko, Treasurer

Carolyn Price, Secretary

Diane Purvey Clayton Rubinstein John F. Watson, Chair

Special Thanks Douglas College, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Sebastian Costumes, Studio 58, UBC Opera, Vancouver Opera, Carol McDonald, Ava Forsyth, Dan “Half-Day” Patterson, Keith Smith

gateway Theatre Staff The Gateway Theatre, owned by the City of Richmond and operated by the Richmond Gateway Theatre Society, is currently producing its 33rd season of live theatre.

Executive Director Camilla Tibbs Artistic Director Jovanni Sy Artistic Associate Scheherazaad Cooper Marketing Associate Wendy Tsui Publicist Marnie Wilson Development Manager Marla Penner Development Associate Basa Koga Production Manager Josef Chung Production Assistants Henry Beasley Amber Cruickshank Technical Director Marcus Stusek Head Stage Carpenter Robin Richardson Head Lighting Mark Carter

Finance & Office Manager Sylvia Lanz Finance Assistant Agnes Chan

Box Office Staff Alexandra Anos Crystal Lan Vivian Ling Tory Ip Sheila Wong

Administrative Assistant Robin White

Building Services Supervisor Paul Bartlett

Associate Manager Samara Van Nostrand

Building Services Assistant Mesfin Ayalew Alyssa Hodgson

Patron Services Manager Tim Oberholzer Audience Services Supervisor Lucy Pratt-Johnson Audience Services Olivia Etey Ella Fund-Reznicek Julie James Terri Jelic Tracey Mack Xin Xuan Song Christine Stoddard Andrew Wade Nicola Whitney-Griffiths Nicholas Yee

Education Manager Ruth McIntosh Education Coordinator Becky Gold Gateway Academy Instructors Patti Allan Erika Babins Russell Cripps Christina Cuglietta Erik Gow Manami Hara Erin Michell Playwright-in-Residence Leanna Brodie

Producer, Pacific Festival Esther Ho

is proud to support the Gateway Theatre @therichmondnews 28

GATEWAY THEATRE

SUPPORT THE ARTISTS OF TOMORROW Gateway Donors support the next generation of artists and allow us to mentor up-and-coming theatre professionals.

As a donor you become part of a dedicated group of theatre lovers who are invited to join us for exclusive events like: • Backstage tours • Invited rehearsals • Opportunities to meet the artists Donate online at gatewaytheatre.com/support or contact Development Associate Basa Koga at 604.247.4988 or bkoga@gatewaytheatre.com

TAKE YOUR SEAT! Celebrate a loved one, honor an arts lover, or give a gift to the person who has everything with a donation that makes a difference. Dedicate a Seat at Gateway leave a unique mark on the MainStage Theatre.

With a donation of $500 you can place your name or message on the seat of your choice for the lifetime of the seat.

Contact Development Associate Basa Koga at 604.247.4988 or bkoga@gatewaytheatre.com to get yours today.

GATEWAY THEATRE

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CONNECT WITH GATEWAY THEATRE ABOUT US Gateway Theatre enriches the quality of life in Richmond and surrounding communities by creating outstanding professional theatre and a dynamic hub for the performing arts.

Incorporated in 1982, Gateway is a vital member of the theatre scene in the Lower Mainland and is led by Artistic Director Jovanni Sy. Gateway’s professional activity includes a six-show English-language Signature Series, the Pacific Festival of contemporary theatre in Chinese, and a play development program. We also provide theatre education for youth via Gateway Theatre Academy which offers year-round acting, musical theatre, and performance training classes for youth aged 6 – 18. As a venue, Gateway Theatre also provides a much needed rental space for professional and community producers.

(Registered Charity# 11911 8875 RR0001)

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GATEWAY THEATRE

6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, BC V7C 3V4 Administration: 604.270.6500 I Box Office: 604.270.1812

gatewaytheatre.com

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艺术参与

A RT PA RT I C I PAT I O N

C U LT U R A L E M PAT H Y 文化共鸣

The arts help build bridges in our community by helping us understand perspectives different to our own. Art works in ways we often don’t think about. Find out more about how the Arts benefit the people of Richmond at HowArtWorks.ca. 艺术能够促使人们理解不同的观点，从而在社区中建立沟通的桥 梁。 艺术经常带给我们意想不到的效果。有关更多如何通过艺术 为列治文居民 带来益处的信息，请上网查询 HowArtWorks.ca

@HowArtWorks

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GATEWAY THEATRE