2019-2020 SEASON ANY DREAM WILL DO…
WELCOME
We are delighted to share with you our 35th season of shows at Gateway Theatre. Taking you on a whirlwind tour across the globe, these dramas, comedies, and musicals move from contemporary North America, to turn of the century China, early nineteenth-century Newfoundland, and as far back as biblical times. This season was curated by former Artistic Director Jovanni Sy before he left Gateway, and in his selections, you will recognize many of the ways he has left a lasting impact on this theatre. Anchoring our season is the family-favourite Gateway Holiday Musical, and this year, we are excited to bring you Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 2019 is the 50 th anniversary of this show and marks its first appearance at Gateway. In October, we travel back in time to China in 1906, for the critically-acclaimed China Doll, which will have its BC premiere, directed by playwright Marjorie Chan. We then move to the depths of winter in Newfoundland for a bone chilling mystery, The Double Axe Murders, which is sure to have you on the edge of your seat. In the New Year, we will present the thought-provoking comedy Straight White Men by award-winning playwright Young Jean Lee. We will close the season with two beautiful and poetic new Canadian plays, O’wet by Quelemia Sparrow, and From Alaska directed by Diane Brown. We are particularly excited that this season traverses the world to tell the diverse stories of our country and our community. We hope you join us! BARBARA TOMASIC Interim Producer
CAMILLA TIBBS Executive Director
HISTORICAL DRAMA
CHINA D LL
Written and Directed by
Marjorie Chan
OCTOBER 17 – 26, 2019 MAINSTAGE THE DAINTIER THE FOOT, THE MORE MARRIAGEABLE THE GIRL Bound by tradition, Su-Ling’s world is closing in around her. Her grandmother is determined that she will marry well and bring prosperity to them both. But when she learns to read, Su-Ling’s mind is opened to new possibilities, setting her on a dangerous path to independence.
HISTORICAL THRILLER
THE
DOUBLE A E MURDERS Berni Stapleton By
NOVEMBER 14 ‒ 23, 2019 STUDIO B WHO WILL SURVIVE THE LONG, HAUNTING NIGHT? On an evening colder than frostbite itself, Sarah, Payne, and Pelly wait out a winter storm. Is that a tree branch knocking on the cabin wall? And why does the howling wind sound more like a wailing Banshee? Based on true events, this psychological thriller, steeped in Newfoundland folklore, will have you sleeping with the lights on.
Directed by Tamara McCarthy Produced by Rusticate Theatre
FAMILY MUSICAL
JSEPH
AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT AND THE
Tim Rice Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by
DECEMBER 12 ‒ 31, 2019 MAINSTAGE ANY DREAM WILL DO Celebrating its 50 th anniversary in 2019, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of the most well-loved musicals of all time. A joyous re-imagining of the biblical story of Joseph, Jacob, and the coat of many colours, this heartwarming hit will have your whole family humming along.
Directed by Barbara Tomasic
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is presented by arrangement with The Musical Company, LP.
2019-2020 SEASON CHINA DOLL MON
TUE
WED
THU 17 OCT
22
23
24
PR TM
1PM 8PM
AP
8PM
TK
8PM
8PM
FRI 18 OP
25 AP
SAT 19 8PM
26
8PM
SUN 20 2PM FM 2PM 8PM
8PM
THE DOUBLE AXE MURDERS MON
TUE
WED
THU 14 NOV PR
19
1PM 8PM
20 AP
21 8PM
TK
8PM
8PM
FRI 15 OP
22 AP
SAT 16 8PM
8PM
23
2PM 8PM
SUN 17
2PM 8PM
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT MON
23
30 8PM
TUE
WED
THU 12 DEC
FRI 13
SUN 15 2PM 2PM PR 8PM OP 8PM 8PM 17 18 19 20 21 22 TM 1PM 2PM 8PM AP 8PM TK 8PM AP 8PM 8PM 24 25 26 27 28 29 2PM 2PM 2PM 2PM 8PM 8PM 31 8PM
Illustrations: Karen Leung; O’wet: Chrystal Sparrow, Coast Salish Artist & Evelyn Alec, Graphic Design.
SAT 14
6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, BC, V7C 3V4
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STRAIGHT WHITE MEN MON
TUE
WED
THU 6 FEB
10
11
12
13
PR TM
1PM 8PM
AP
8PM
TK
8PM
8PM
FRI 7 OP
14 AP
SAT 8 8PM
15
8PM
SUN 9 2PM FM 2PM 8PM
8PM
O’WET MON
TUE
WED
THU 19 MAR PR
23
24
1PM 8PM
25 AP
26 8PM
TK
8PM
8PM
FRI 20 OP
27 AP
SAT 21 8PM
28
8PM
2PM 8PM
SUN 22
2PM 8PM
FROM ALASKA MON
TUE
WED
THU 16 APR
21
22
23
PR TM
1PM 8PM
AP
8PM
TK
8PM
FRI 17 OP
24
8PM
SAT 18 8PM
8PM
25
SUN 19 2PM FM 2PM 8PM
AP 8PM
Special Events PR = Preview TK = Talkback
OP = Opening Night TM = Tea Matinee @12pm
AP = Afterplay FM = Forum @1pm
• Talkback: Intimate conversation with the cast and/or creative team after the show • Forum: Pre-show exploration with a panel of experts on a key theme emerging from the play • Afterplay: Audience members share their thoughts in an informal postshow discussion, like a book club for theatre!
CONTEMPORARY COMEDY
STRA GHT WHITE MEN Young Jean Lee By
FEBRUARY 6 ‒ 15, 2020 MAINSTAGE AN EXPLOSIVE EVENING OF MALE BONDING In this satirical comedy, three brothers return home for the holidays. Regressing to trashtalking and sibling pranks, they are caught off guard by a shift in the family dynamic, forcing them to examine the effects of traditional masculinity.
Directed by Chelsea Haberlin and Fay Nass Produced by ITSAZOO Productions
Chrystal Sparrow, Coast Salish Artist Evelyn Alec, Graphic Design
MULTIMEDIA DRAMA
compass ’WET By
Quelemia Sparrow
MARCH 19 ‒ 28, 2020 STUDIO B ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY TOWARDS SPIRITUAL RECLAMATION In O’wet, playwright and performer Quelemia Sparrow explores her identity as a mixed-race aboriginal woman in the present-day, colonized world. Taking the audience on a journey of discovery, Quelemia weaves real-life stories with spiritual awakening to reconnect with her First Nations heritage. O’wet (oh-wee): a verb used to denote propelling a canoe. O’wet is also connected to a shaman’s canoe ride to the land of the dead to retrieve a lost soul.
Directed by Kim Senklip Harvey Produced by Savage Society
CANADIAN DRAMA
FRstampM ALASKA Sébastien Harrisson By
Translated by
Leanna Brodie
APRIL 16 ‒ 25, 2020 MAINSTAGE TWO HEARTBROKEN SOULS HEALED BY AN UNLIKELY CONNECTION A troubled teenager escaping from the world breaks into the house of an elderly woman. Time passes with the unpredictable rhythms of grief as the seemingly mismatched pair share their feelings of love and loss. Moving effortlessly between street-smart humour and lyrical elegance, From Alaska explores the intense connection between young and old; the limits of language; and the ways in which we come to both change and mirror the ones we love.
Directed by Diane Brown
Produced by Ruby Slippers Theatre
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Secure your seats today. MainStage •• China Doll •• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat •• Straight White Men •• From Alaska
Studio B •• The Double Axe Murders •• O‘wet
SUBSCRIBERS SAVE UP TO 18% on single ticket prices!
MORE PERKS
•• Best seats in the house •• FREE parking pass •• Flexibility with complimentary exchanges •• Discounts on single tickets for family and friends
SUBSCRIPTION PACAKGES THEATRE LOVER
MAINSTAGE
$228 $199 $168
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MainStage + Studio B
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BOX OFFICE 604.270.1812
6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond · Monday-Saturday 12-5pm Closed on Sundays and Statutory Holidays. Hours subject to change.
TICKET EXCHANGES: Subscriber tickets may be exchanged for another performance of the same production. Ticket exchanges must be made 48 hours in advance of the scheduled performance and are subject to availability. Please call the Box Office to make your exchange. PARKING: Subject to availability. Please arrive early.
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Bridget Esler as Dorothy and the cast of The Wizard of Oz, 2015. Photo: David Cooper. Set Design: Lauchlin Johnston. Costume Design: Carmen Alatorre.
ENRICH YOUR COMMUNITY As a registered Canadian charity, Gateway Theatre relies on the generosity of our donors and supporters to enrich the quality of life in Richmond and the surrounding communities. Each year, Gateway welcomes over 33,000 community members to engaging performing arts events and essential education programs in our theatre. As a dynamic cultural hub, we offer venue services to more than 35 community partners and provide hundreds of hours of studio rehearsal time to smaller performing arts organizations working on exciting new projects. Consider adding a donation on to your subscription and help us bring theatre and education to more people this year.
ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE Making a donation is an excellent way to add an enhanced experience to your Season Subscription. When you donate $25 or more you receive exclusive benefits like backstage tours, pre-show receptions, and invited readings and rehearsals; and become a member of the Richmond Gateway Theatre Society. For a full list of donor benefits, please talk to a Box Office Representative or visit gatewaytheatre.com. All donations of $10 or more receive a tax receipt. Registered Charity # 11911 8875 RR0001
All programming and artists subject to change. Illustrations: Karen Leung; O’wet: Chrystal Sparrow, Coast Salish Artist & Evelyn Alec, Graphic Design.
telephone 604.270.1812 (box office) 604.270.6500 (administration) mail boxoffice@gatewaytheatre.com map-marker 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, BC V7C 3V4 house2 gatewaytheatre.com GatewayThtr