2017 Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical - House Programme

A Copa de Oro Productions Ltd. and Segal Centre for Performing Arts production

THE

BELLES SOEURS MUSICAL

Based on the play Les Belles-soeurs by MICHEL TREMBLAY Book, Lyrics and Direction by RENÉ RICHARD CYR Music by DANIEL BÉLANGER English Book Adapted by BRIAN HILL English Lyrics, Musical Adaptation and Additional Music by NEIL BARTRAM Orchestrations and Musical Direction by CHRIS BARILLARO

October 10 to November 4, 2017

#tcSisters

Welcome friends.

A literary adaptation is when one adapts a literary source (i.e. a poem, a novel) to a different medium, such as a stage play or a film. This season, there are three adaptations being presented as part of Theatre Calgary’s 50th anniversary season: A Christmas Carol, Onegin, and Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical.

A Christmas Carol is based on the novella, “A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas,” by Charles Dickens, which was adapted by my predecessor, Dennis Garnhum; Onegin, which is part of the High Performance Rodeo – co-written by Veda Hille and Amiel Gladstone – is drawn from Alexander Pushkin’s 19th century novel, “Eugene Onegin,” and today’s performance of Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical, which is based on the hugely successful play, Les Belles-soeurs, by Michel Tremblay. Authors have never been shy about being inspired by other great works. At Theatre Calgary, we’ve embraced literary adaptations throughout our 50 years. What makes an adaptation so intriguing is how the adaptor(s) re-thinks, re-imagines, and re-works the source material. In 2012, I directed an Off-Broadway musical adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, Carrie, which had previously been adapted into a film. I loved eavesdropping on the audience as they exited the theatre. I’d overhear people buzzing about how much they preferred the movie to the musical, and then I’d hear other patrons exclaiming in defiance that the musical was actually more chilling than the film because they were sharing a physical space with these characters. Since the theatre is so subjective and personal, I was overjoyed that there was a robust discussion happening about not only the experience of the musical production of Carrie, but also what medium – novel, film, musical – was more accessible to a particular audience member. In the end, I feel that any variation of a captivating story with vivid characters is valid, as each medium has its own set of unique characteristics. I was delighted when I heard that Sisters was programmed for the 50th season since the buzz across Canada, surrounding this adaptation, has been off the charts. For those who know Tremblay’s play, I hope and trust you will enjoy this rousing and inventive musical adaptation.

For those who are new to Tremblay’s Les Belles-soeurs, you are in for an entertaining experience at the theatre.

STAFFORD ARIMA Artistic Director We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that this performance is taking place on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, including the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, and the Stoney-Nakoda and Tsuu T'ina First Nations. Calgary is also home to the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.

C A LG A RY ’ S FAVO U R I T E H O L I DAY TRADITION

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens Adapted by Dennis Garnhum November 23 to December 24 Tickets start at $35 Book early – tickets are selling quickly!

#tcCarol theatrecalgary.com 403-294-7447 This production is made possible by the generous support of the Cal Wenzel Family Foundation Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre

Allison Lynch in A Christmas Carol composite image with photos by David Cooper and Trudie Lee.

Family – whether they are near or far, we are all connected by the ties that bind.

I grew up in a family of four children, the eldest of three daughters and one son, off the coast of beautiful Prince Edward Island. I was also surrounded by a number of aunts who easily played the role of older sister to me on many occasions. The women in my life taught me how to drive a car, how to apply eye shadow, how to swim, and most importantly, how essential it is in life to have a good sense of humour. These women introduced me to my first musical and theatrical experiences, my first play being Anne of Green Gables (are you really surprised?), and my first concert, a solo performance of Burton Cummings; both at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

If it was not for my mother giving me the opportunity to study music at a very young age, I may not have discovered my career and life passion which has led me to where I am at this moment. Sure, there have been arguments and struggles along the way, but I am forever grateful for all of the beautiful women who are and have been a part of my life.

As you enjoy this wonderful production, I suggest that you take a moment and think of all of your sisters – every woman who has influenced who you are today – and wish them thanks for being a part of your life. Better yet, pick up the phone or drop by in person and tell them directly. I know that I will soon be making a long distance call to PEI to do the same.

COLLEEN A. SMITH Executive Director

Theatre Calgary gratefully acknowledges the support provided by the City of Calgary through Calgary Arts Development, the Government of Alberta through The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Government of Canada through the Canada Council, Canadian Heritage and all corporate and private contributors.

Theatre Calgary is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, and operates within the jurisdiction of The Canadian Theatre Agreement.

Theatre Calgary employs technicians under a collective agreement with the I.A.T.S.E. Theatre Calgary is a resident company of Arts Commons, operating out of Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre.

It is an immensely proud moment for us to see our Copa de Oro and Segal co-production on this beloved stage at Theatre Calgary. We are so grateful that these twelve fierce ladies have the opportunity to share their story and become a part of this national institution’s powerful legacy. Michel Tremblay’s Les Belles-soeurs, and its many adaptations, has forever changed the Canadian (and global!) cultural landscape and we are so pleased to be able to share this English musical version with the rest of Canada. We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Dennis Garnhum, Shari Wattling, and Colleen A. Smith, for their initial and continued support of this project, and to Stafford Arima for embracing it, and to Lesley MacMillan and the entire team here at Theatre Calgary, for their great collaboration. It has been a joy working together toward the common goal of bringing you this new and exciting Canadian work. We hope that you enjoy getting to know these strong women as much as we have. Their inner fire, their stories, and their dreams of something more have inspired us as we hope they do you. May their struggle and ultimate message of hope touch you, and give you pause to appreciate your own personal victories…no matter how big or small the “jackpot” is!

LISA RUBIN Artistic and Executive Director SEGAL CENTRE

JON RONDEAU General Manager SEGAL CENTRE

It is difficult to find words to tell you what it means to a producer to watch his dream become a reality. How can I possibly break down eight years of hard work and all the highs and lows that have led us to this moment into one small paragraph? It has been both an honour and a blessing to have been entrusted by iconic author Michel Tremblay, René Richard Cyr, and Daniel Bélanger with the task of re-adapting their show in English for worldwide markets. They handed their “baby” over to me. I was blessed a second time when the renowned duo of Neil Bartram and Brian Hill joined the team to adapt the book and create new music. In all my years as a producer, this was one of the most astounding collaborations to watch and be a part of.

With the creative team in place, it was then time to look for a theatre that understood the importance of what we were trying to do. I needed a theatre that believed in the possibility of creating the “Great Canadian Musical”. How poetically fitting it is that the theatre that stepped up was the Segal Centre, the theatre where it all started for me over twenty years ago. I cannot thank the theatre or its staff enough for their unwavering support of this show.

Halfway through the development process I received a grim diagnosis and came very close to death. At that point, not knowing if I would be able to finish the journey, I had to go back to Michel Tremblay and offer him his project back. His answer was unwavering. He looked me in the eye and told me: “You are the only one we trust to do this, without you there will be no Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical adapted for the worldwide stage. Go get healthy and come back and finish this.” With those words in my mind, I concentrated on my recovery. After a grueling battle, from which I emerged victorious, I returned with renewed vigor to complete the project.

I would like to thank my darling wife Laurie and my children and the hundreds of people in Montreal, Toronto, and Banff for helping us make this dream a reality.

Ladies and Gentleman, with a joyful tear in my eye and a heart full of love, I present to you Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical.

ALLAN SANDLER Copa de Oro Productions

SISTERS: THE BELLES SOEURS MUSICAL PRODUCTION TEAM PRODUCTION TD / Head of Sound on Tour Assistant Lighting Designer & Head of Lighting Head Carpenter Remount Choreographer/Dance Captain Head of Wardrobe Dresser Seamstress Head of Props

Wigmaker and Hair Stylist Makeup Artist

PETER BALOV KAREEN HOUDE OLIVIER PARENT LILI CONNOR LOUISE BOURRET KARINE BRISSON AMÉLIE GRENIER KARINE CUSSON, FRANCIS FARLEY-LEMIEUX RACHEL TREMBLAY JEAN BEGIN

SEGAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Artistic & Executive Director General Manager Director, Finance and Operations Director of Production Technical Director, Production Associate Production Manager Director of Sales, Marketing & Communications Associate Producer – Touring & Special Projects/Tour Manager Production Associate & Company Manager

LISA RUBIN JON RONDEAU BARRY TAGGART MARC LALIBERTÉ FRANCOIS LEMIEUX MIKE CARVALHO KAYLA ELMAN SEAN SANDLER STEPHEN MACLEAN ROGERS

To see the rest of the Segal Staff whose collaboration supported this production, please visit segalcentre.org.

COPA DE ORO PRODUCTIONS Producer

ALLAN SANDLER

AGENCES GOODWIN Executive Producer Assistant to Mme Goodwin

NATHALIE GOODWIN LISA DELHOLM, LOUISE JOKISCH

ACKOWLEDGEMENTS ELAINE NORMANDEAU, JEAN-GUY RANNOU, FRANCIS LAPORTE

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In 1965, a 23 year-old man wrote a play that would forever change the landscape of Quebec society and culture. Close to 50 years and over 250 productions later, his Belles-soeurs is the most produced Québécois play on the world stage; it has been translated into more than 30 languages and presented in over 25 countries. Since 2010, its musical adaptation has garnered critical and audience acclaim, and has been performed more than 200 times for 150,000 spectators throughout Quebec and in Paris. We are now presented with a new challenge: to rally a new audience while evoking the same laughs and emotions. This is the joyful task that has brought us all together today.

I would like to thank Michel Tremblay and Daniel Bélanger for their talent and trust, Neil Bartram and Brian Hill for their dedication and warmth, as well as the whole Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical team. Above all, I salute my friend Allan Sandler, whose extraordinary determination has carried this adaptation to completion after close to eight years. Allan: you have my complete admiration and gratitude. I also extend my sincere thanks to Pierre Pirozzi, Lou Arteau, Marie-Thérèse Fortin, and Nathalie Goodwin.

Twelve women: fierce and strong, wounded but willful, are given a voice through song. My wish is for you to understand them, to recognize them, and even love them just as much as I do.

RENÉ RICHARD CYR Book, Lyrics, and Direction

MEET A MEMBER OF OUR CAST THE TROTTER & MORTON GROUP OF COMPANIES IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THEATRE CALGARY.

pop before the show. Membership is open to students in Grade 9-12. Capacity is limited to 50 students.

Performance dates for our 50th season are:

interACTive

SEPTEMBER 12, OCTOBER 17, FEBRUARY 6, MARCH 13 and APRIL 24

Enhance Your Experience

EDUCATORS CIRCLE

TALK THEATRE THURSDAY OCTOBER 12 – Producer ALLAN SANDLER – In the Upper Lobby OCTOBER 19 – Artistic Associate JENNA TURK – In the Upper Lobby Get an insider’s perspective on the process of making theatre. Meet an artist from the production’s creative team before the show, in conversation with a member of Theatre Calgary’s artistic staff.

TALKBACK TUESDAY OCTOBER 17, 24, 31 – In our Theatre Join us for a lively post-show discussion with members of the cast.

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY OCTOBER 21 – JEAN-BAPTISTE ROUX and MARIETTE THOM Alliance Francaise – In the Main Lobby Come listen to a member of the Theatre Calgary staff in discussion with members of Alliance Francaise de Calgary.

SENIOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 28 – Musical Director DAVID TERRIAULT – In the Upper Lobby Before the performance begins, Senior Saturday patrons are invited to enjoy some snacks followed by an engaging chat with a theatre professional or relevant expert, providing insight into the performance.

THE YOUNG ARTISTS WORKSHOP Are you a student who is interested in the performing arts? Join our Young Artists Workshop! Registration includes: tickets to the show, a pre-show workshop and pizza and

Are you an educator? Do you love theatre and need a break from marking or planning?

Join our Educators Circle. Benefits include: Tickets to all five mainstage shows*, Ability to exchange tickets to another date and purchase additional tickets at 20% off. All members will be invited for two exclusive backstage tours throughout the year. Visit www.theatrecalgary.com to register today! *some conditions apply

GO BEHIND THE CURTAIN Go beyond being an audience member and see what else we have to explore. Theatre Calgary offers a number of additional theatrical experiences such as Backstage Tours, Skype in Schools, Workshops, Panel Discussions, Industry Nights and Play Guides.

GET ONLINE Find further details about our programming at www.theatrecalgary.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

@theatrecalgary #tcInteract

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT We are always looking for ways to engage with all citizens of the City of Calgary and surrounding area. If you have a community event, project or initiative that you think Theatre Calgary could partner with, contact us to start the discussion today!

For all of these programs, and any other learning or community engagement inquiries, please contact: Chris Stockton – Senior Manager of Learning and Engagement (403) 294-7440 ext. 1122 cstockton@theatrecalgary.com

October 10 to November 7, 2017

presents

SISTERS: THE BELLES SOEURS MUSICAL A Copa de Oro Productions Ltd. (Montreal) and Segal Centre for Performing Arts (Montreal) production Based on the play Les Belles-soeurs by MICHEL TREMBLAY Book, Lyrics and Direction by RENÉ RICHARD CYR Music by DANIEL BÉLANGER English Book Adapted by BRIAN HILL English Lyrics, Musical Adaptation and Additional Music by NEIL BARTRAM Orchestrations and Musical Direction by CHRIS BARILLARO Music Director DAVID TERRIAULT Original Choreographer LINDA GARNEAU Set Design JEAN BARD Costume Design MÉRÉDITH CARON Lighting Design MARTIN LABRECQUE The original French production of Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical was presented in Montreal, on March 29, 2010 as a co-production of Le Centre du Théatre d’Aujourd’hui and Le Centre Culturel de Joliette in collaboration with Loto-Québec. Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical is presented by arrangement with B-14 Productions Inc. and Agences Goodwin.

The Segal Centre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. The Segal Centre gratefully acknowledges the support of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and is proud to work in partnership with Equity in the production of our plays.

Theatre Calgary and One Yellow Rabbit present the Arts Club Theatre Company production of

Onegin

Book, Music & Lyrics

by Veda Hille and Amiel Gladstone Based on the poem by Pushkin and the opera by Tchaikovsky

Part of the 32nd Annual High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts

“You’re lucky you’re alive right now — you get to see Onegin.”

GEORGI A STR A IGHT

This passionate re-telling of a Russian classic will blow your mind. An innovative and in-your-face musical!

January 5 to 13

Tickets start at $30

theatrecalgary.com 403-294-7447 Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre

Meg Roe in Onegin, photo by David Cooper.

THE CAST

Yvette Longpré

Angéline Sauvé

Des-Neiges Verrette

Linda Lauzon Thérèse Dubuc (u/s Germaine/Rose)

Germaine Lauzon

Lisette De Courval

Rose Ouimet

Pierrette Guérin

Marie-Ange Brouillette

Rhéauna Bibeau Olivine Dubuc (u/s Lisette/Thérèse/Yvette) Swing (Pierrette/Linda/Des-Neiges)

VALERIE BOYLE NICOLA DAWN BROOK LILI CONNOR ÉLISE CORMIER SARA-JEANNE HOSIE GABRIELLE JONES HÉLÈNE MAJOR STEPHANIE MCNAMARA ERICA PECK GENEVIÈVE ST LOUIS MARCIA TRATT NADIA VERRUCCI KATE ETIENNE

THE BAND

Band Leader / Piano Reeds Violin Cello Drums Bass

Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager

Head of Lighting Head of Sound (Mixer) RF Technician Head Stage Carpenter Head of Wigs Interim Head Dresser

DAVID TERRIAULT KISHAN CHOUHAN KATE MALONEY ZOU ZOU ROBIDOUX BEN REIMER CALEB SMITH SARAH-MARIE LANGLOIS EMMA BRAGER CATHARINE CRUMB BRONWYN BOWLBY CHRIS JACKO SCOTT MORRIS RON SIEGMUND RACHEL MICHELLE SHERIDAN

Cameras and audio/visual recording devices are not permitted in the theatre.

Video and audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical has one 20-minute intermission.

Building stronger communities one act at a time.

At BMO, we take pride in our local communities.

Through various sponsorships and community involvement, we are committed to helping.

BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to support Theatre Calgary.

SONG LIST ACT ONE

Overture

Free

I Hate Her

Dull Life

Claudette’s Wedding Day

all women Germaine, all women Linda Marie-Ange, Yvette, Lisette, Rose, all women Yvette, all women

Do I Look Like a Girl Who Could Win Anything? Thérèse, Des-Neiges, Lisette, Rose, Germaine, Marie-Ange, all women

My Traveling Salesman

Ashamed

Pierrette Is Here

Des-Neiges Lisette Pierrette, Germaine, Rose, all women

ACT TWO

Entr’acte

Pierrette Is Here (Reprise)

all women Pierrette, all women

In a Club Linda, Pierrette, Angéline, Germaine, Rhéauna, all women

If Life Was a Movie

Ode to Bingo

Johnny

Why, Why, Why

The Stamps Are Mine

I Should’ve Asked for the Moon

Rose, all women all women Pierrette, all women Linda, Germaine, Pierrette, all women Germaine, all women Germaine, Pierette, Linda, all women

ONE MILLION WHAT???

The stamps that Germaine has won were part of a popular customer loyalty program at the time. Retailers would give out stamps with purchases that customers would collect and redeem for goods – basically it was a paper version pre-cursor to the electronic customer points cards we have today.

The program originated in the U.S. with S & H Green Stamps, which were offered as early at 1896, but really took off in popularity in the 1930’s. In Quebec, the grocery store Steinberg’s first started offering their own version of Green Stamps – what they called “Pinky Stamps” – in 1959. IGA and Metro quickly followed suit in the early 60’s rolling out their own “Gold Star” stamps.

Essentially, merchants would sell the stamps to the grocery stores, and then the grocery stores would give them away to customers who would collect them, paste them into booklets, then trade in the booklets for a dizzying array of consumer goods.

A stamp would typically represent 10 cents of purchased groceries. The fact that Germaine has won 1,000,000 stamps means the equivalent of having bought $100,000 worth of groceries!

HISTORICAL CONTEXT 1960 The Liberal party wins the Quebec general elections, making leader Jean Lesage the new Premier, taking over from Maurice Duplessis.

The Rally for National Independence, an independent party, is founded to promote Quebec’s independence from Canada.

Premier Jean Lesage

1962 The Montreal Metro and Champlain Bridge are built, connecting the island of Montreal and its buroughs, greying the lines of what makes up the "downtown" as the city becomes more centralized.

1963 The Front de libération de Québec (FLQ) begins their attacks on March 7th.

1964 The Ministry of Education is created as an entity separate from the Catholic church.

1965 The year Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical is set, and also the year the maple leaf flag is adopted as the national flag of Canada, replacing the previous version which featured a prominent union jack.

1966 Union Nationale, a conservative national party, wins the Quebec general elections, under the leadership of Daniel Johnson.

1967 Expo 67 brings over 50 million visitors to Montreal.

President of France Charles de Gaulle incurs the disapproval of Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson when he supports Quebec autonomy by shouting, “Vive le Québec libre!” from Montreal's City Hall, while visiting Canada's Expo 67 celebrations.

René Lévesque founds the Quebec party, Mouvement Souvraineté -Association.

1968 Les Belles-soeurs premieres at Théâtre du Rideau Vert on August 28th.

Pierre Trudeau becomes Prime Minister of Canada.

The Université du Québec is created.

A PRODUCTION TIMELINE Michel Tremblay’s Les Belles-soeurs has been translated into more than 30 languages and presented in over 25 countries. It is the most produced Québecois play on the world stage, and continues to be staged regularly across Canada. Here is a look at key dates in its storied history: 1965 At the age of 23, Michel Tremblay writes Les Belles-soeurs; the play is repeatedly turned down for production.

1968 In March, Les Belles-soeurs is given a public reading by the Centre d’essai des auteurs dramatiques at the Centre du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui.

Members of the original cast with playwright Michel Tremblay and director André Brassard.

The production premieres at Théâtre du Rideau Vert in August, directed

by André Brassard. The run sells out in two days.

“ After corpse after corpse piled on stages in the city by lifeless actors animated by soulless producers, finally a breath of fresh air from the Rideau-Vert opening the season with what can only be described as a masterpiece.” -Jean Basile in Le Devoir, August 30, 1968.

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A PRODUCTION TIMELINE (...continued) 1973 An English version, translated by John Van Burek and Bill Glassco, premieres at the St. Lawrence Centre in Toronto (also directed by André Brassard).

After much fighting for funding (government granting bodies calling the play an un-flattering reflection of Quebec), the original production hits the world stage; it arrives in Paris to be presented at l’Espace Pierre Cardin.

1989 The Guid Sisters, a Scottish version of the play, translated by Martin Bowman and Bill Findlay, premieres at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.

1991 A revised English translation premieres at the Stratford Festival, directed

by Marti Maraden.

1992 A Yiddish translation, Di Shveigergins, is presented by the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre at the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts (now the Segal Centre.)

The Guid Sisters is presented at Montreal’s Centaur Theatre.

The original cast of the Yiddish translation.

2010 Belles-Soeurs, the French musical adaptation by René Richard Cyr (book, lyrics, and direction) and Daniel Bélanger (composer) premieres at Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui.

2012 This production heads to Paris before touring extensively throughout Quebec.

2014

elles Soeurs: The Musical, an English adaptation of the musical B adaptation (with book adapted by Brian Hill and lyrics and music adapted by Neil Bartram), a Copa de Oro production, has its world premiere at the Segal Centre.

2015 Michel Tremblay’s original play, Les Belles-soeurs, turns 50!

2017 Renamed Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical, the English musical adaptation has its Western Canada premiere at Theatre Calgary as part of the 50th anniversary season.

PLEASE NOTE: Editorial content has been edited from its original forms, as they first appeared in the Segal Centre’s Study Guide for its 2014 production of Belles Soeurs: The Musical.

SPOTLIGHT ON 50: MUSICALS

by Stephen Hunt

Throughout our 50th Anniversary Season, we take a look back at the storied history of bringing plays to our stage.

Musicals speak – no, they sing – a theatrical language unlike any other.

In real life, when you reach an emotional crescendo, you can’t just burst into song and share it with the world.

In musicals, that’s business as usual.

For Tory Doctor, whose 25 year long career in musical theatre started in 1993, when Doctor, then a 17 year old Calgary high school student, was cast in a Theatre Calgary production of Evita, people bursting into song when feelings run a little hot is the oldest story in the humanity handbook.

“For tens of thousands of years, we have turned to song and dance when words are no longer enough,” Doctor says.

“You don’t need to look any farther than African death chants or First Nations rain dances or sun dances – when words are no longer enough, we turn to song and dance. And we still do that – the father/daughter first dance at weddings. We even do that daily, when we work out. What do we do? We listen to music to inspire us!”

The musical tradition at Theatre Calgary doesn’t quite go back that far – founder Christopher Newton created two of them in the company’s first three seasons in the late 1960’s – but the tradition of producing one major, Broadway sized musical a season really started when Brian Rintoul took over as Theatre Calgary’s artistic director in the early 1990’s.

It was also when local Calgary musical theatre actors came of age, and started landing leading roles on the Theatre Calgary stage, instead of having those go to out-of-town performers – and in fact, that 1993 production of Evita may have been the turning point.

Tory Doctor in Cats (2012). Photo by Trudie Lee.

The Evita cast included 17 year old Doctor, Mark Bellamy, Doug McKeag, Elizabeth StepkowskiTarhan, Tracey Flye, and Susan Gilmour, among many others.

One Yellow Rabbit’s Denise Clarke choreographed the show. All of them were directed and cast by Rintoul.

“He was the first guy to hire a lot of locals on the stage because there were enough quality musical theatre people in town,” says McKeag, who just completed Theatre Calgary’s world premiere presentation of Sharon Pollock’s new drama, Blow Wind High Water.

“He did Evita way back in the day, with Denise Clarke choreographing, and that was a fantastic production.

That got me started.”

Elizabeth Stepkowski-Tarhan in Song and Dance (1998).

Photo by Trudie Lee.

Stepkowski-Tarhan’s award-winning musical career in Calgary, singing at Stage West, ATP, and Vertigo, remembers that Evita fondly.

“Susan Gilmour (who played Evita) was astounding, and Denise Clarke did an amazing job of choreographing it,” says Stepkowski-Tarhan.

Doctor remembered the audition.

“There were people from (the cast of) Phantom and Les Miserables,” he says.

“Livent had just closed the shows – so I walked in and was auditioning with people from Phantom and Les Mis, who I had just seen on tour. I was 17 at the time going, this is incredible: my heroes are auditioning with me!”

Doctor lit out for Toronto shortly after that success with Evita, but after years of living out of suitcases, doing shows around the world, found himself married, the father of three young boys – and he returned home to Calgary.

In 2012, he found himself back on stage at Theatre Calgary, auditioning for Cats.

“I had submitted for (the role of) Old Deuteronomy, because I didn’t want to dance anymore,” he says. “And he just walks around stage.”

Instead, the show’s director Jacques Lemay convinced Doctor to audition for the role of Rum Tum Tugger, the rock and roll cat – the show’s most physically demanding role.

“I thought oh my gosh, no! There’s so much dancing involved!” Doctor says.

“Then, when I was offered the contract, I said yes immediately.”

Doctor prepared for the part by riding a stationary bike for an hour at a time, while singing all his songs at the top of his lungs.

During the run of the show, he would sing and dance, then exit.

“I would go offstage and almost throw up, because it was just so physically demanding,” he says.

It turns out that Theatre Calgary’s Cats was a production unlike larger-scale, touring versions of the same show.

“We didn’t have any booth singers,” he says. “Quite often, for productions of Cats, you have, like, four singers who just sing offstage and don’t dance at all, but in our production we didn’t – so we couldn’t rely on that.

“I learned a couple things,” he says. “If I can do Cats, I can do anything, because it was so physically demanding.

“And two,” he adds. “being cats, we always licked – as cats do – our paws. My hands tasted like floor – or stage.”

Every musical theatre actor develops unique relationships with fellow cast members, crew, director, costume designers, the orchestra – and even the room itself.

Stepkowski-Tarhan appreciates the production values that come with being in a Theatre Calgary musical, and the pleasures of singing onstage at the Max Bell Theatre.

“When the budget for your costume is two thousand dollars, the way that everything happens around that costume is different,” she says.

As far as the room goes, there are a number of technological advantages that singing in a Theatre Calgary musical presents that make the harmonies sound that much sweeter than they might elsewhere.

“Singing in the Max Bell Theatre is kind of a breeze because you’re miked,” she says. “You have an availability of your entire volume range. You can whisper and it gets picked up on the mic, or you hit that high C and they just put some equalizer on it and turn you down – so the beauty of miking is, one person sings really loud and another person doesn’t sing really loud, and then the sound guy mixes it all so everybody sounds equal – and it sounds fantastic.”

And in an age of downsizing the performing arts experience, Theatre Calgary musicals always have – and hopefully always will – employ a mini-orchestra that often sits in an eight foot deep pit in front of the stage (or onstage, as they do in Sister: The Belles Soeurs Musical).

“There’s truly nothing like that,” McKeag says. “One of my sidelines is producing kid’s concerts for symphony orchestras, so I’ve spent a lot of time on that magical eight feet between the orchestra and the audience – and there is no sound like that.”

Doctor says the orchestra is part of the landscape that makes musical theatre so often a memorable experience – for both performers and audience members.

“I always say that the melody is the path that you walk through the show,” Doctor says, “but if the melody is the path, the orchestra is the view and scenery. It paints so much emotion and so much beauty and angst and sorrow.”

“We get to express ourselves, not only in words, but through movement,” he adds, “and we get to express Doug McKeag (right), along with (left to right) Colleen Tillotson, Thom ourselves through Allison, and Kate Hennig in Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (2000). song – and when Photo by Trudie Lee. you have an (actual) orchestra behind you, supporting you, there’s no other feeling (in the world that can top it) – particularly when you’re taking the audience on an emotional journey.”

That journey for all three performers continues in spring, 2018 when the trio are all part of the cast of The Secret Garden, Theatre Calgary’s season-ending musical, to be directed by TC’s new artistic director, Stafford Arima.

Doctor fondly remembers a quarter of a century ago, as a grade 12 student, one of his dressing room roommates for Evita was – of all the song and dance men – McKeag.

“He could do no wrong” says Doctor,. “He was my hero. I loved sharing a dressing room with him and Mark Bellamy. I learned so much – and I don’t think they know this, I’ve never told them this, but I learned so much from them over the years.”

“They’ve helped shaped who I am as an actor – but in those days, I really did my best to try and watch them...and it was those people who...taught me a lot about being a real good company member.”

“That’s something I look forward to (with every musical I do at Theatre Calgary),” he says, “the camaraderie and companionship that comes with every show.”

Theatre Calgary’s Spotlight on 50 is generously supported by BMO Bank of Montreal.

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Tristan D. Lalla, Bruce Dow, and Janelle Cooper in Twelfth Night, photo by AndrĂŠe Lanthier. Photos for The Humans and The Secret Garden by David Cooper.

403-294-7447 theatrecalgary.com

VALERIE BOYLE

Yvette Longpré Valerie is thrilled to be playing Yvette Longpré again in Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical. Her most recent theatre credits include: Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, Flora in Jack of Diamonds (Theatre Aquarius); Yvette Longpré in Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical Canadian Premiere (Segal Centre); Mary in Unnecessary Farce, Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man, Mamma Morton in Chicago, Bertha in Boeing, Boeing; Helga Ten Dorpe in Death Trap, Julia in Lend Me a Tenor (Drayton Festival).

Other selected theatre credits include: Celia Weitz in Houdini (Segal Centre), Mary in Unnecessary Farce (Stage West), Mother Superior in Nunsense (Stage West, Theatre Aquarius) Shirley Valentine in Shirley Valentine (Theatre Aquarius, Stage West, Kawartha, Ontario tour).

BROADWAY: Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins (also in L.A and Toronto). FILM/TV: Amanda Durst, Series Lead in Strange Days, Mrs. Bear in Rupert The Bear.

NICOLA DAWN BROOK

Angéline Sauvé Canadian Theatre: Trish in Kinky Boots (Mirvish) Rosie in Mamma Mia! & Lucilla in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival). West End and UK: Lola in Copacabana (Prince of Wales Theatre); Serena in Fame (Victoria Theatre); Guilietta in Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales Theatre); Janey/Josie in Taboo (The Venue Theatre); Lucy in The Thing about Men (Kings Head Theatre); Alice in When Harry met Barry (Gatehouse Theatre); Leisl in The Sound of Music (Saddlers Wells) and Chess (UK tour); The Leader of the Pack, The Happy End (Theatre Clywd); A Funny Thing Happened on the way the Forum, Dames at Sea, Hard Times (Queens Theatre, Hornchurch); Romantic Comedy (Vienna English Theatre); A Twist of Fate (Singapore); Singer in Cirque du Soleil in Saltimbanco and Joyà. FILM/TV: Sweeney Todd, De-lovely, The Little Matchgirl, Being Human. Nicola would like to thank her family and Talent House for all their support.

LILI CONNOR

Des-Neiges Verrette Lili has been a part of Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical since its first workshop in 2011 and is thrilled to back again. Theatre credits include Belles Soeurs: The Musical (Segal Centre/NAC/Charlottetown); A Christmas Carol (National Arts Centre); Mama Cass in Dream a Little Dream (Grand Theatre); Legally Blonde (Neptune Theatre); Bunch of Munsch, The Full Monty (Sudbury Theatre Centre); The Full Monty (Theatre Aquarius); The Sensuous Senator, Not Now Darling, and The Christmas Express (Upper Canada Playhouse). FILM/TV: Reign (CW/ CBS Studios); Saving Hope (CTV/ICF Films); and a recurring role on the hit comedy Schitt’s Creek (CBC).

ÉLISE CORMIER

Linda Lauzon After graduating from Musical Theater at Lionel-Groulx College, Élise spent a few months in Tokyo singing as a soloist in the Christmas Fantastik show. Later on, she was cast for Cosette and many other characters in the classic production Les Misérables first presented at Le Capitole followed by Place des Arts. Afterwards, she obtained a leading role in the musical Je m’voyais déjà presented at the Olympia Theater. She recently played Jo March in the Broadway classic Little Women performed at La Bordée Theater as well as Wendla in Spring Awakening. Since 2014, she’s performed every year at Place des Arts in the Christmas show Décembre. Elise is thrilled to be part of the English version of the hit play Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical, directed by René Richard Cyr.

KATE ETIENNE

Swing Kate is so honoured to be a part of this incredible cast. A graduate of Sheridan Institute's musical theatre performance program, some credits include Disney's The Little Mermaid (The Globe Theatre); the world premier of Faust The Musical (Theatre by the Bay); Little Women The Broadway Musical (Theatre New Brunswick); Little Shop of Horrors (The Rose Theatre) for which she received a broadwayworld.com nomination; Why Do Fools Fall in Love? (Stage West); Stephenville Theatre Festival; Disney Cruise Lines. Thank you to my family, Gina and Adrian for being the best support system a girl can ask for.

SARA-JEANNE HOSIE Thérèse Dubuc (u/s Germaine Lauzon & Rose Ouimet) For Theatre Calgary: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Acting credits include playing Mary Poppins, Fantine, Sally Bowles, Patsy Cline, and Betty Haynes (Arts Club Theatre); Baker's Wife in Into the Woods (Neptune & Thousand Islands); Kate in Wild Party, Dr. Charlotte in Falsettos (Acting Upstage); Stepmother in Slipper (ATP); Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (The Belfry); Velma in Chicago (Mayfield); Adelaide in Guys & Dolls (The Gateway); Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Bluebridge Repertory). Direction & Choreography: Associate Director on A Little Night Music and Man of la Mancha (Stratford Festival); My Fair Lady, Alice vs. Wonderland (Bluebridge Repertory); The Buddy Holly Story, Chickens (Chemainus Theatre); Godspell, Blood Brothers, Altar Boyz, SUDS (Arts Club Theatre); Into the Woods (CCPA). Upcoming Projects: Alison Bechdel in Funhome (Arts Club), directing Wintertime by Charles Mee (CCPA).

Sara-Jeanne has an album “In Case You Didn’t Know” on iTunes. Thank you to my husband Kevin and The Talent House gang. sjhosie.com

GABRIELLE JONES

Germaine Lauzon Gabrielle is delighted to be returning to Calgary, having previously appeared as Golde in A Fiddler on the Roof for Stage West (“Critter” nomination). Recent credits: My Fair Lady (Capitol Theatre), Harvest (Drayton Entertainment), The Audience (Mirvish Productions). She originated the role of Rosie in the North American premiere of Mamma Mia! (Toronto, U.S. Tour). Six seasons with The Stratford Festival include Romeo and Juliet, 42nd Street, Oedipus Rex, and twelve seasons with The Shaw Festival include The Cherry Orchard, A Little Night Music, Mack and Mabel, Gypsy, Tristan, Follies. Elsewhere: The Ladies Foursome, The Sound of Music (Theatre Aquarius) Brighton Beach Memoirs, Sexy Laundry (Drayton Entertainment), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Drowsy Chaperone (Vancouver Playhouse), Les Miserables (Toronto, 2nd National Tour).

HÉLÈNE MAJOR

Lisette De Courval Hélène has pursued a career as an actress for about 30 years and excels in all areas. Since her graduation from the National Theater School in 1987, she participated in several musicals such as ONCE UPON A TIME, GREASE and LES BELLES SOEURS. Other theatre credits include L’Opera de Quat’sous, Conte d’hiver 70 and Arrêter Le Mensonge. Hélène’s film and TV credits include, among others, Cruising Bar 2, La Run, Rumeurs, Annie et Ses Hommes, Le Négociateur, L’Auberge Du Chien Noir and Madame Lebrun. Hélène has also participated in several youth programs including Ayoye, for which she was nominated at the Gémeaux Awards. In addition to being a versatile actress, Hélène is also an exceptional singer.

STEPHANIE MCNAMARA

Rose Ouimet Thrilled to be back at Theatre Calgary where she last appeared as Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story. Stephanie is a native Montrealer, graduate of McGill and LAMDA. Credits include: The Chocolate Soldier, A Foggy Day (Shaw Festiva); The Philadelphia Story, The Night of the Iguana (MTC); The Night of the Iguana, A Delicate Balance, Our Town (Rubicon); The Graduate (Theatre New Brunswick); Twelfth Night, Relative Good, Oliver! (Centaur); Chimneys (Vertigo); The Mousetrap, Belles Soeurs: The Musical (The Segal Centre); Belles Soeurs: The Musical (NAC); Belles Soeurs: The Musical (Charlottetown Festival); Glory Days (Theatre Aquarius); Drayton Festival, The Piggery and Theatre Lac Brome. Stephanie makes her home in LA, with her husband and fellow Montrealer, Robin Gammell.

ERICA PECK

Pierrette Guérin Erica is best known for her performance as Scaramouche in the original Canadian Cast of We Will Rock You, and Oz in the US National Tour. She also starred as Mary Maguire in the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Boys in the Photograph (Mirvish).

Recently, she was in the Kinky Boots First US National Tour, and was seen in the original Canadian cast. Other Credits include: Cabaret, The Wedding Singer, Songs for a New World, Seussical, and Penny Pingleton in Hairspray. Stratford Festival credits include: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Wanderlust. She has performed with The Killers, Burton Cummings and Queen. Erica is also the owner and head stylist of WILDTHINGVINTAGE. Love to the gang at TH, Mom & Dad, and Robin and Pluto for the best adventures of all.

GENEVIÈVE ST LOUIS

Marie-Ange Brouillette Upon graduation from l'École de théâtre de Saint-Hyacinthe where she was awarded the Laurier d'argent, Geneviève collaborated with Jean-Stéphane Roy and Bill Glasco for the Montreal Young Company.

Soon after, she attended the Stella Adler Studio in New York. Theatre credits include: La Nuit de Madame Lucienne (Espace Geordie), Le sourire de la morte (Théâtre du Double Signe), Mérédith (Monument National and Théâtre Prospero) for which she was nominated for best actress as part of the Cartes Premières awards, Belles Soeurs: The Musical (Segal Centre, NAC, Confederation Centre). FILM/TV: Contre toute Espérance and Tout ce que tu possèdes by Bernard Émond, as well as O’, La Galère and Les Bobos.

MARCIA TRATT

Rhéauna Bibeau For Theatre Calgary: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Marcia’s theatre career has taken her across Canada, the United States, and to England. She spent 5 seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival; was the original Fantine understudy in the Canadian premiere of Les Miserables in Toronto; and spent 2 years in the Canadian premiere of Disney's Beauty & the Beast. Other favourite roles include Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Wallis Simpson in The Duchess, Annie Wilkes in Misery, Mrs. Potts in Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, and Jack's Mother in Into the Woods. She played Rosie in Stage West Calgary's The Wedding Singer two years ago, and is happy to be back in one of Canada's great cities. A member of the Belles Soeurs workshop 6 years ago, Marcia originated the role of Rheauna Bibeau and performed the role in the Montreal and Ottawa productions, and was Lisette De Courval last year in PEI. Love always to Alma and Dave.

NADIA VERRUCCI Olivine Dubuc (u/s Lisette De Courval, Yvette Longpré & Thérèse Dubuc) Nadia is a META award winning actor, singer, director and choreographer. Selected theatre credits: Carmela's Table (Centaur Theatre); Billy [The Days of Howling] (Talisman Theatre); The Jazz Singer, Belles Soeurs: The Musical (The Segal Centre); I'm Not Here (Composite Theatre Co.); In Search of Mrs. PirandelloI (MaryBeth Productions); Captain Aurora: A Superhero Musical (Kaleidoscope Theatre). Video games: Assassin's Creed series, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, Far Cry Primal, Watch Dogs II and For Honor. FILM/TV: Mirror Mirror, The Hunger and The Disappearance, as well as recurring roles on Being Human and Mohawk Girls. Nadia is thrilled to be performing at beautiful Theatre Calgary with these beautiful ladies.

KISHAN CHOUHAN

Reeds Kishan graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Music from York University with research in multiple woodwind performance and pedagogy. Notable teachers include David Bourque, Peg Albrecht and Wendy Bornstein. Kishan performs on all clarinets, all flutes, all saxophones, as well as oboe, English horn, and bassoon. He has held principal chair orchestral positions on flute (York University Symphony Orchestra), bassoon (Kindred Spirits Orchestra), oboe (Orchestra Toronto) and clarinet (University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra) and predominantly plays in theatre pit orchestras across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

KATE MALONEY

Violin A versatile and engaging musician, Kate Maloney holds a Bachelor of Music, with Outstanding Achievement in Violin and a Masters Degree from McGill University with a Graduate Excellence Award, with Axel Strauss. Passionate about chamber music, Kate is currently a member of MTLstrings, which performs regularly for groups such as the ALS Society and the Alzheimer’s Society of Montreal. She is currently concertmaster of the MGSO Opera and the Ariadne ensemble, and was previously concertmaster of CME and L’Orchestre Philharmonique des Musiciens de Montreal. She performs with the McGill Symphony Orchestra, Pronto Musica, and L’Orchestre Symphonique de L’Agora.

Equally passionate about recording and improvising, she has written and released two albums with her band Sweet Mother Logic.

Following the Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical tour, Kate will be traveling to Munich to further her musical education.

BEN REIMER

Drums Montreal-based percussionist Ben Reimer has established himself as a leading figure in contemporary drumset performance.

Commissioning solo works by composers from around the world, he has notably premiered four concertos by Nicole Lizée and his album Katana of Choice - Music for Drumset Soloist is available on Redshift Records. He has been featured in such events as the Bang On A Can Marathon (NYC), Winnipeg International New Music Festival, Music on Main, PuSh Festival (Vancouver) and Innovations En Concert (Montreal). Ben is a member of Architek Percussion, Chow/Reimer Duo (Vicky Chow, piano), and Want Slash Need. benreimer.com

ZOU ZOU ROBIDAUX

Cello A Montréal-based cellist, Zou Zou is thrilled to be joining Theatre Calgary in this collaboration with the Segal Centre. This is her second production with the Segal Centre after playing for the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre’s production of It Shoulda Been You. Other theatre credits include work with Music Theatre of Madison, Fresco Opera Theatre, Madison Savoyards, Children’s Theater of Madison, Middleton Players Theater and Janesville Armory, all in her native Wisconsin, USA.

CALEB SMITH

Double Bass Caleb Smith is a recent graduate of McGill University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Double Bass Performance (2015).

His musical pursuits include classical and jazz bass, songwriting and performing in a variety of capacities. He also teaches multiple instruments and is always expanding his musical horizons. Caleb is excited to be a part of the Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical team.

DAVID TERRIAULT

Musical Director, Band Leader & Piano A Montreal native, David Terriault currently holds a Bachelor in classical piano from McGill University. Selected credits as music director include: You Are Here (TIP/Musical Stage); Million Dollar Quartet, Fancy Nancy The Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Segal Centre); Spring Awakening (Centaur Theatre); L’Éveil du Printemps (CADM), Songs for A New World (Player’s Theatre); assistant music director on Grease (Just For Laughs); Forever Plaid, On Second Avenue (Segal Centre); The Wild Party (IYFE). This next spring, David is excited to join the Musical Stage Company & Off-Mirvish team, as assistant music director on their production of Fun Home.

“Women are going to form a chain, a greater sisterhood than the world has ever known.”

– Nellie L. McClung

MICHEL TREMBLAY

Playwright, Les Belles-soeurs A major figure in Quebec theatre, Michel Tremblay has built an impressive body of work as a playwright, novelist, translator, and screenwriter. He is the author of 27 plays, two musicals, 27 novels, one book of fables, four collections of short stories, seven screenplays, 33 translations and adaptations of foreign works, one opera libretto, one song cycle, as well as the lyrics for dozens of songs. His plays have been a published and translated into 40 languages and garnered critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and throughout Europe. His name can be found in the Larousse and Robert Dictionaries, the Who’s Who Encyclopedia and the Dictionary of International Biography. A six-time recipient of Canada Council for the Arts grants, Michel Tremblay has been awarded over 75 prizes over the course of his illustrious 50-year career.

RENÉ RICHARD CYR

Book, Lyrics, Director René Richard Cyr was Artistic Director/Co-General Manager of Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui (1998-2004) and Co-Artistic Director of Théâtre PàP (Petit à Petit) (1981-1998). Acting credits include Michel Tremblay’s Hosanna and several television shows. He has directed countless works by international playwrights as well as new creations by Michel Tremblay, Michel Marc Bouchard, Daniel Danis, René Daniel Dubois, Serge Boucher, and Céline Dion’s show at the Montreal Forum (1990) and world tour (1991). René Richard co-wrote and co-directed Zumanity (Cirque du Soleil, Las Vegas since 2003). In 2010, he adapted and directed Belles Soeurs: The Musical (Félix prize, Director of the Year) and Le Chant de Sainte Carmen de la Main. He co-directed a new musical entitled Les Trois Mousquetaires. It premiered in September 2016 in Paris and then toured France in January 2017. The same year, René Richard directed his third musical play by Michel Tremblay: Demain matin Montréal m’attend.

DANIEL BÉLANGER

Music Singer-songwriter Daniel Bélanger released his debut solo album Les insomniaques s’amusent (1992), later followed by Quatre saisons dans le désordre (1996), Tricycle (1999), Rêver mieux (2001), Deflaboxe (2003), L’échec du matériel (2007), Joli chaos (2008) and Nous (2009). The recipient of 22 Félix prizes, Daniel Bélanger is also an accomplished film composer, including L’audition (Jutra prize for Best Film Score, 2006). In 2000, he published Erreur d’impression (Éditions Coronet Liv), a collection of short texts. In 2010, he composed the music for Belles Soeurs: The Musical in collaboration with René Richard Cyr followed by a second collaboration, Le Chant de Sainte Carmen de la Main, presented at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde in 2013. He recently composed the soundtrack for Paradis perdu, and released his ninth album, Chic de Ville (2013).

BRIAN HILL

English Book Adaptation Brian was associate director of the US national tours of Sunset Boulevard and The Sound of Music, resident director of the Broadway company of Disney's The Lion King, and associate director of The Little Mermaid. With Neil Bartram, he has written The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Theory of Relativity, now available for licensing through MTI, and The Story of My Life, which premiered on Broadway in 2009 earning four Drama Desk Award nominations (Outstanding Musical, Music, Lyrics, and Book). Current projects include Senza Luce and Bethune, commissioned by the CMTP, and adaptations of Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Something Wicked This Way Comes (Delaware Theatre Company 2017). Brian wrote the book for October Sky for the Old Globe and the new book for the Goodman Theatre's acclaimed production of Brigadoon.

NEIL BARTRAM English Music and Lyrics Adaptation and Additional Music Neil is the composer/lyricist of Broadway’s The Story of My Life, written with book writer Brian Hill (four Drama Desk Award nominations).

Neil's adaptation of The Adventures of Pinocchio was commissioned

by Chicago Shakespeare Theater and is now licensed worldwide by Rodgers & Hammerstein. His musical The Theory of Relativity had a highly successful run at Goodspeed Musicals and concurrently played off-West End in London. Current projects include a musical based on Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes (Delaware Theatre Company 2017), and the stage adaptation of Disney’s Bedknobs & Broomsticks (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). Awards include the ASCAP Foundation’s Yellen Award, a Jonathan Larson Foundation Award, and a Dramatists Guild Fellowship. Cast albums include The Story of My Life and The Theory of Relativity (both on PS Classics).

CHRIS BARILLARO Orchestrator Chris Barillaro is a Montreal-based musical director, pianist, orchestrator, actor, singer, and graduate of Dawson College’s Professional Theatre Program and of McGill University (B.A. in music and theatre). Selected music credits include: Demain matin, Montréal m’attend (MD/Arrangements); Dogfight; Senza Luce; You Are Here (Orchestrations); Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical (MD/ Orchestrations); Last Night at the Gayety (MD/Orchestrations); The Last 5 Years; Forever Plaid; Ain’t Misbehavin’; Schwartz's: The Musical (Asst. MD/vocal arrangements); and the Canadian premieres of Rooms: A Rock Romance and of Altar Boyz. Selected acting credits include: Funny Girl (Segal Centre), Forever Plaid (Segal Centre/Copa), Songs For A New World (Players' Theatre); The Play's the Thing (Segal Centre); Schwartz's: The Musical (Centaur); Souvenir (CETM & IYFE); Altar Boyz (CETM); The Jazz Singer (DWYT) and SyFy's Being Human.

ALLAN SANDLER Producer (CEO, Copa de Oro Productions) Allan is a well-known Quebec producer of highly successful theatrical productions in both English and French languages.

Besides Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical, some of Allan’s most successful productions include Chicago in Montreal and Paris, where it was nominated for the Molière Award for Best Musical; and Grease (Montreal, & Toronto), nominated for seven Masques Awards including Best Musical and awarded the coveted Prix Billet d’Or. Allan and the Segal Centre acquired the worldwide rights to the smash-hit Sherlock Holmes which went on tour across North America. Other recent projects include Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Segal Centre), Forever Plaid (Segal Centre), Boom (Segal Centre) and The Mahalia Jackson Musical (Segal Centre).

LINDA GARNEAU Original Choreographer Linda is the artistic director of the Helix Dance Project (The Waiting Room, Rain, Unearth) and a faculty member at Ryerson University and Sheridan College. Theatre credits include three seasons with the Shaw Festival (Trouble in Tahiti, The Next Whiskey Bar, The Light in the Piazza); Talk is Free Theatre (Barrie)/Birdland Theatre (Toronto) (Assassins – Dora Mavor Moore Award); as well as productions for Theatre 20, Rainbow Stage, Tarragon Theatre, Stars on Ice, and Drayton Entertainment. Other credits include the Opening Ceremony for the Pan Am Games (Guadalajara), and the Juno and Gemini Awards. Linda is excited to continue her graduate studies at York University in the fall.

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JEAN BARD

Set Designer A National Theatre School of Canada graduate, Jean Bard has been designing for Montreal stages for over 25 years. He has over 175 set design credits to his name, ranging from theatre and opera to musical theatre and variety shows. Jean has worked with such companies as Théâtre du Nouveau-Monde, Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui, Théâtre du Rideau Vert, Espace Libre, Espace Go, across both Québec and Canada, and internationally in France and Belgium. He began his career working alongside Robert Gravel, with whom he collaborated on ten set designs between 1990 and 1996 (Durocher le Milliardaire). Since then, he has worked with such renowned directors as René Richard Cyr (Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical, Demain Matin Montréal M'Attend), Lorraine Pintal (La charge de l’orignal épormyable, TNM), Normand Chouinard (Ubu roi, TNM), Denise Filiatrault (Sister Act), Claude Poissant (Le ventriloque, Espace Go) and Robert Bellefeuille (La dame aux camélias, TNM).

MÉRÉDITH CARON

Costume Designer Mérédith Caron has contributed to more than 150 works and is considered a leader in the field of costume design. She works regularly with such skilled stage directors as Dominic Champagne, Serge Denoncourt, Robert Lepage, René Richard Cyr, André Brassard, Daniele Finzi Pasca, and with Richard Monette at the Stratford Festival. Since the beginning of her career in 1978, she has divided her time between theatre, film and opera. She designed the costumes for two shows by the Cirque Éloize: Nomad and Rain. She has created two designs for Cirque du Soleil: Criss Angel Believe (Las Vegas) and Amaluna. She also designed the costumes for the musicals Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical (Montréal, Charlottetown, Calgary 20142017) and Les Trois Mousquetaires (Paris 2015). A recipient of many prestigious awards, Mérédith Caron teaches art history and costume design at the National Theatre School of Canada.

MARTIN LABRECQUE

Lighting Designer The recipient of four Masque Awards for Hosanna (2006), Everybody’s WELLES pour tous, Le peintre des madones (2004) and L’homme en lambeaux (2001). Martin has over 140 lighting projects under his belt.

He has collaborated closely with many talented directors including Claude Poissant, Martine Beaulne, René Richard Cyr, Dominic Champagne and Serge Denoncourt. His work in dance includes collaborations with Estelle Clareton and Ginette Laurin. His most ambitious projects so far include design for Volta, Luzia, Kurios, Kooza and Corteo for Cirque du Soleil, Nomad and Rain for Cirque Éloize and the daring Mutantes by Pierre Lapointe. In 2009, Martin designed the lighting for an 11-hour show by former NAC French Theatre Artistic Director Wajdi Mouawad, which was presented in the courtyard of the Palais des papes in Avignon, France. In 2010 he worked on the French premiere of Les Belles-soeurs and in 2011 he designed the lights for Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour for Cirque du Soleil.

“I figure you have the same chance of winning the lottery whether you play or not.”

– Fran Lebowitz

Official media spOnsOr Of TheaTre calgary.

arTs aT yOUr fingerTips. calgaryherald.com

PETER BALOV

Technical Director, Head of Sound on Tour Peter works as a sound designer, sound engineer, and technical director in music, theatre, circus, dance, and television. A Bulgarian native, he attended university in Russia and began his career in studio recording before discovering the world of live performance.

Experience includes 15 years and numerous creations with 4D Art/ Michel Lemieux/Victor Pilon; Rain with Cirque Eloize; multiple productions with les 7 Doigts de la Main, and many musical tours and festivals throughout the world. With the Segal Centre, he’s designed sound for several musicals including: Prom Queen : The Musical, Funny Girl, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: The Musical and Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical. Most recently, Peter co-founded the Cassia Project, through which he's led performance projects in Lithuania, Greece, and Bulgaria.

SARAH-MARIE LANGLOIS

Stage Manager Sarah-Marie lives in Montreal and has been stage managing for over a decade. Previous Segal Centre credits include Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical, The Graduate, Top Girls, Sherlock Holmes, The Seagull, Guys and Dolls, The Play's the Thing, Scientific Americans, A View from the Bridge, and The Odd Couple. She has worked with many Montreal and Toronto companies; Centaur Theatre, SideMart Theatrical Grocery, Black Theatre Workshop, Theatre Porte Parole, Imago Theatre,Tarragon Theatre, and Buddies In Bad Times. SarahMarie was last in Calgary earlier this year with The Watershed (Theatre Porte Parole) Canadian Tour. She is also an Instructor and Coach at the National Theatre School. This marks S-M's first show for Theatre Calgary.

EMMA BRAGER

Assistant Stage Manager Emma is so thrilled to be joining the company of Sisters: The Belles Soeurs Musical. Select Theatre Calgary credits include: Crazy for You (co-production with Citadel Theatre), King Lear, Mary Poppins (co-production with Citadel Theatre), A Christmas Carol (’08 – ’14), The Kite Runner (co-production with Citadel Theatre), Cats, Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Calgary), Romeo and Juliet, The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare by the Bow). Other credits include: August: Osage County, Death of a Salesman (Citadel Theatre); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Venus in Fur, The Motherf**ker with the Hat (ATP); The Hollow (Vertigo Theatre); Blind Date (Spontaneous Theatre/ WCT). Emma would like to thank her family for keeping the home fires burning, and her fiancée Eric for everything!

“A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves – a special kind of double.”

– Toni Morrison

OUR TEAM LEADERSHIP

PRODUCTION

STAFFORD ARIMA, Artistic Director

AMELIA MARIE NEWBERT, Production & Operations Manager

COLLEEN A. SMITH, Executive Director ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE KRISTEN DION, Director of Finance & Administration BRENT FALK, Accountant TAMMIE RIZZO, Accountant JOCELYN PHU, Executive Assistant, Government Relations Coordinator ARTISTIC LESLEY MACMILLAN, Producer

ADAM SCHRADER, Technical Director GRAHAM KINGSLEY, Assistant Technical Director LOUIS BEAUDOIN, Head Scenic Artist CATHARINE CRUMB, Head of Lighting CHRIS JACKO, Head of Sound MICHELLE LATTA, Head of Wardrobe LILLIAN MESSER, Head of Props SCOTT MORRIS, Head Stage Carpenter

SUSAN MCNAIR REID, Company Manager

STEVE PILON & ANDREW RAFUSE, Co-Head Scenic Carpenters

JENNA TURK, Artistic Associate

RON SIEGMUND, Head of Wigs

JANE MACFARLANE, Resident Voice Coach

FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF – MAX BELL THEATRE

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

LEE BOOTH, Front of House Manager

CHRISTOPHER LOACH, Director of Communications

KIRSTIE GALLANT, Bar & Guest Services Coordinator

LISA MACKAY, Director of Marketing & Audience Development

NORMAN COOK, Front of House Volunteer & Guest Services Coordinator

KRISTINE ASTOP, Database & Systems Manager

BARBARA BOOTH

TRYPHENA FRIC, Advertising & Promotions Manager SARAH LAMOUREUX, Digital Communications Manager

SHIRLEY COSTLEY NORMA HANSEN SIENNA HOLDEN

VIRGINIA REMPEL, Audience Services Supervisor

LAURA KWAS

JENNIFER KINCH, Database & Systems Administrator

JULIA MEEDER

JAMIE TYMCHUK, Audience Services Associate

TAMSIN MILES

RYAN FRISCHKE, Audience Services Associate

KIM SIMMONS

HAYLEY FEIGS, Audience Services Associate

DEBORAH SYDORCHUK

DEVELOPMENT

BARTENDING STAFF - MAX BELL THEATRE

SARAH HUGHES, Senior Development Associate

KEVIN BAILEY, ATTRINA BLYTHE, RAYNAH BOURNE, NATALIE BUCKLEY, MARY CHISHOLM, CONNER CHRISTMAS, PAM DOWNEY, ALEXA ELSER, ELIZABETH FERGUSON, DANIELA HEJRALOVA, MANDY KOCH, KELLY MALCOLM, LAUREN MARSHALL, CARLY MCKEE, MATT MOGHADAM, STEPHANIE MORRIS, GRACE OLIVER, DAVID SKLAR, MEGAN STEPHAN, TOM WOOD, JASMIN ZENCHYSON

SHIRLEY YURCHI, Manager Individual & Planned Giving RONALD PETERS, Business Development CIANI MUZA, Development & Office Coordinator ROSEMARIE JOHNSTON, Bingo Volunteer Coordinator LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT CHRIS STOCKTON, Senior Manager of Learning & Engagement JENNIFER TAYLOR, Learning & Engagement Apprentice

MITZI METZGER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Leaders in our arts and cultural community BOARD EXECUTIVE MARGO RANDLES, Chair Active Community Volunteer

CRAIG D. SENYK, Vice Chair,

MAGGIE SCHOFIELD Excecutive Director, Calgary Downtown Association

ALI SHIVJI Managing Director, Optima Living

Director of Portfolio Management, Mawer Investment Management Ltd.

EDITH WENZEL

JOY ALFORD, Corporate Secretary

TRECIA WRIGHT

CATHERINE SAMUEL, Artistic Committee Chair

Business Development Executive – National Accounts, Van Houtte Coffee Serices

Partner, McCarthy Tetrault LLP

KELLY BERNAKEVITCH, Audit & Finance Committee Chair Executive Vice President, MNP, LLP

RICHARD S. HANNAH, Development Committee Chair

President, International Results Group

WARD ZIMMER Partner, Deloitte

THEATRE CALGARY ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION

Vice President, Information Services, Gibson Energy

BOARD EXECUTIVE

PAUL POLSON, Facility Committee Chair

CHADWICK NEWCOMBE, Chair

Vice President, Stuart Olson Construction

Kahane Law Office

KATHRYN HEATH, Governance & Nominating Committee Chair

ELLEN CHIDLEY, Vice Chair

JAMES READER, Human Resources Committee Chair

WARD ZIMMER, Secretary / Treasurer

Consultant Partner, Deloitte

Managing Director, Corporate Financial Services, ATB Financial

BOARD MEMBERS

CHADWICK NEWCOMBE, Past Chair

IAN BEDDIS

Kahane Law Office

Former Director & Branch Manager (Retired), Scotia McLeod Inc.

BOARD MEMBERS

PETER EDWARDS

MICHELE BEITEL

Vice President, Human Resources and Relations, Canadian Pacific

PETER EDWARDS Vice President, Human Resources and Relations, Canadian Pacific

GORD HARRIS

STEPHEN HAIR

RYAN HOULT

Artistic Consultant

TRICIA LEADBEATER

BERNETTE HO

Director, Wealth & Management, Richardson GMP

NARMIN ISMAIL-TEJA

DR. NORMAN SCHACHAR, M.D.

BARRY R. KENLEY Financial Services Agent, Euler Hermes Canada

TRICIA LEADBEATER Director, Wealth & Management, Richardson GMP RIAZ MAMDANI CEO, Strategic Group

IAN MCAULEY President, American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP

DOUG PAGE Director of Government Relations, TransCanada

KATE RYDER Senior Legal Counsel, Cenovus Energy Inc.

DR. NORMAN SCHACHAR, M.D. University of Calgary Department of Surgery

P. Eng., M&A Consultant

University of Calgary Department of Surgery

HERE’S YOUR CUE with Michael J. Hughes, Management Consultant and Affiliate with WMC How did you first get involved with Theatre Calgary?

I’d done some work for a Theatre Calgary board member, and at the end of the contract I offered to make a contribution to a charity of his choice.

He chose Theatre Calgary.

“Our public spending on the arts is just so low, it might be the lowest in Canada, maybe the world, and if the private sector doesn’t step up we’ll have nothing.”

Why have you chosen to be a Corporate Dress Circle member and how do you use it?

I saw a great play at the theatre and it made me think – now I need to get involved. So now I use my membership to introduce people who might not normally go to the theatre, sometimes it’s a family with kids to something like A Christmas Carol, or sometimes it’s a thank you to friends or colleagues, but generally, someone who’s never been.

It isn’t just about the theatre though, but the whole experience of it all. We

Michael J. Hughes, Management Consultant and Affiliate with WMC

usually start out with dinner, then head to the theatre early to go into the W.O. Mitchell Room for a glass of wine and relax a bit before the show. Clients that I’ve taken really enjoy it.

You’ve been a Corporate Dress Circle member for seven seasons.

What keeps you coming back?

It’s the plays – they’ve been fantastic!

But it’s been the amazing little known or new work that really blows me away, like Dear Johnny Deere, Liberation Days, and in particular A Thousand Splendid Suns. Every year when I get my renewal, even though I might not recognize all of the plays, I know I don’t want to miss a thing!

What do you think about the quality of work on our stage?

It’s very high, it’s as good as anything in the West End, the quality is just really, really good.

What importance do you think the performing arts play in our community?

Performing arts brings a city together by providing a place for a shared experience. A classic example of that is Shakespeare by the Bow. The plays

are absolutely brilliant! You see a bunch of new actors coming through the program, then looking around you see such a diverse audience, you have seniors, you have kids, all cultures watching this thing in the park in the middle of summer – to me that’s what a city, a community is all about.

Why do you think it’s important to support arts organizations in your community?

Life isn’t just about having possessions; life is about exploring all those creative and emotional sides of you, that’s what the performing arts allow you to do.

Our public spending on the arts is just so low, it might be the lowest in Canada, maybe the world, and if the private sector doesn’t step up we’ll have nothing.

Given that Theatre Calgary is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, do you think it’s important to support an organization with that kind of longevity?

Yes, it’s absolutely an achievement worth celebrating. If you look around the world, you’ll see theatre companies going out of business, so to still be here after 50 years and increasingly turning out even more impressive work and spreading your reach internationally is a great achievement. You need to sell your vision of the next 50 years to the people in this city to ensure your continuation. That would help people like me and others to say “that’s a really cool vision”, what can I do to help to be a part of that.

CORPORATE DRESS CIRCLE Play Your Part with Theatre Calgary Investment $5,000 Elevated Entertainment Opportunities Our Corporate Dress Circle members enjoy unique entertainment opportunities, including premium theatre tickets, exclusive W.O. Mitchell Room lounge access, and exciting event invitations that can be used to entertain valued clients, senior leaders, or employees. Let us help you foster stronger relationships with your key supporters.

A Thriving Arts and Culture Scene A thriving arts scene elevates Calgary’s profile and image as an exciting global city. It encourages tourism, employment, and entrepreneurship, and attracts the professional workforce necessary to our economy. Your support will help us to increase the quality of life for all Calgarians by enabling us to present high quality productions, talented artists and superior craftsmanship.

Please consider joining our Corporate Dress Circle today!

Your investment will provide you with a premium subscription for four, exclusive access to the W.O. Mitchell Room and invitations to behind-thescenes events throughout the year.

For more information, please visit theatrecalgary.com or contact Shirley Yurchi, 403-294-7440 ext. 1002 or donations@theatrecalgary.com. * Th e W.O. Mitchell Room is sponsored by Strategic Group.

More than ink on paper.

Formerly known as McAra Unicom, CBN Commercial Solutions is about more than ink on paper.

We’re about you.

(403) 250.9510

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CBNCS.com

JO I N US F OR YOUR P RE -SH OW DI NN E R PRIME TIME MENU 2 COURSES $39/ PERSON 3 COURSES $47/ PERSON

Availble from 5pm - 6pm Daily

CALL 403-246-3636

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS 50 years of supporting creativity!

ARTISTIC CHAMPIONS PRODUCER’S CIRCLE ($25,000 +) Joy Alford & Dan Magyar Michelle O’Reilly Foundation Craig D. Senyk, Mawer Investment

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ($10,000 +) Frank & Diane Babienko Chadwick & Jillian Newcombe Alex Osten Margo & Brant Randles Rod & Betty Wade Edith & Cal Wenzel Tanya Zumwalt

DESIGNER’S CIRCLE ($5,000 +) Brent Allardyce, Allardyce Bower Consulting Michele & Paul Beitel Dave & Roxanne Dunlop Don & Joan Greenfield Brian & Barbara Howes Chris & Tracy Lee Dennis Nerland & Jennifer Pollock C.A. Siebens

ACTOR’S CIRCLE ($2,500 +) Anonymous Stafford Arima, in memory of Daisy Arima Christine Armstrong & Irfhan Rawji The Armstrong Family Bruce & Mary Comeau Laurel Edwards Peter Edwards & Maxine Leverette Jason W. Hadley Stephen Hair Brian Hook & Kathryn Heath Ryan Hoult & Kate Andrews Laurie & Barry Kenley Tim & Alana Kitchen Tricia Leadbeater Louise Bernette Ho Professional Corporation Riaz & Zai Mamdani Keith & Gwen McMullen, Fireside Property Group Ltd. Geri & Alan Moon

Janis & Bruce Morrison Jock & Diana Osler Doug Page & Christine Rogerson Susan & Jim Reader Vera Ross Catherine Samuel & Todd Pringle Janice & James Sanford Salima & Ali Shivji Colleen A. Smith Darwin Smith & Erica McBeth Roger & Lorna Smith The Tisdall Family Williamson/McAuley Family

CORPORATE DRESS CIRCLE ($3,900 +) ARC Financial Corporation Jeff Boyd, Royal Bank of Canada Canadian Natural Resources Limited Canadian Pacific Franklin Templeton Investments Brian French, Where Magazine Terry Gale, Standard General Ray Limbert & Associates, BMO Nesbitt Burns Mackie Wealth Group/ Richardson GMP Stantec Consulting Ltd. Western Management Consultants Trecia Wright, Van Houtte Coffee Services

DRESS CIRCLE ($1,000 +) Anonymous Gary Agnew & Debra Johnstone, Tigerback Resources Ltd. Marguerite & Rene Amirault Bill Armstrong, Norton Rose Fulbright Janet Arnold & Gayle Hayes Diane M. Auld Eric & Diane Axford Maryann Ayim & Jim Mullin Banff Aspen Lodge Robin & Ian Beddis Clare Beers & J. Timothy Buehner James Bergeron & Aileen Delaney Louise Berlin Kelly & Celeste Bernakevitch

George & Colleen Bezaire Margot Black Blue Sky Services Inc. Dave & Marilyn Bradley Michael Broadhurst Jeanne Bulger Jim & Pat Burns Tom Byttynen & Janet McMaster Christina & Mark Caldwell A.S.L. & Wendy J. Campbell Lorna Carlson & Lloyd Good Ellen & Bill Chidley Carlene & Bruce Chrumka Lois Cole Steacy Collyer & Bryan Pinney Mary Comeau, Norton Rose Fulbright Denis Couturier Frances & Bob Coward DIALOG Dr. David & Kris Docherty Patrick & Cheryl Doherty James Doleman & Dori Wood Greg & Tara Draper David Eeles, Norton Rose Fulbright Dr. Reuben & Amy Eng Frances Ferguson, Norton Rose Fulbright Lorie & Mike Flynn John & Audrey Fry S/S James Rob Geremia & Bonnie Kowaliuk Ricardo & Betti Anne Giammarino Gibson Energy Warren & Kristine Gieck Bruce Graham & Kathy Falla Richard S. Hannah Gord Harris & Nancy Dalton Dean & Trish Harrison Bruce Hartley & Michale Bonn Dick & Lois Haskayne Kevin & Kathy Hildebrand Lynn & Vern Hult Clarke & Adele Hunter, Norton Rose Fulbright Larry & Carolyn Hursh Narmin Ismail-Teja & Mohamed Teja Andrew & Stephanie Johnson Glenna Jones & Michael Sherman Bill & Elspeth Kirk Barb & Yukio Kitagawa John & Vici Kortbeek Sandy & Parnell Kowalski

Bob & Mary Lamond Cameron Lang, Carpet Superstores Rick & Val Lautischer, Awin Insurance Dr. Laurie Lemieux & Dr. Wayne Rosen Elaine Lo Ray & Bernice Mack Bob & Peggy MacLeod Danielle & Jason Maksimow, Norton Rose Fulbright Stephen & Wendy Mason Dr. Lloyd & Tracy Maybaum Dr. J.E. Mccruden Christopher & Vicki McPhee Mauro & Brenda Meneghetti Rob Mitchell & James Pearson Tony Morris, Norton Rose Fulbright Gradon & Dorothy Morrison Mortgage Connection Stuart & Catherine Mugford John & Karen Murphy Jana & Lacey Neal Alan & Shelly Norris Barry & Sharon Northfield David & Linda Noruschat Bill O’Kruk & Alison Clift Bob & Rhonda Osness, Osness Insurance Ltd. C. Gordon & Joan Packer Donald & Leslie Park Allan & Allison Pedden Paul Polson, Stuart Olson Construction Aaron Potvin & Naomi Merkley Bonnie Ramsay & Richard Leslie Al & Margaret Rasmuson Sheila & Reno Redenbach Donna Riback George Rogers & Cathy Christensen Bob & Jean-Ann Rooney Susan & Richard Roskey Allan & Denise Ross Kate & Jon Ryder Juli & Paul Sacco Norm & Kathy Schachar Byron & Marnie Schmidt Maggie Schofield Gudrun & Peter Serendynski Kelly R.H. Shannon Jeffrey & Karen Spiers James M. Stanford Dr. M. Steele & Dr. A. Daly Strategic Group Vera Swanson O.C. Lynn Tanner & Margaret Graw

Harry & Linda Taylor TransCanada Corporation Michael & Susan Tumback Randal & Pam Van De Mosselaer Gordon & Annie VanderLeek Paul Ventura Jud Virtue, Norton Rose Fulbright Alida Visbach & Paul Corbett Diane Volk Greg & Lori Waslen Rob & Candace Waters Mike & Theresa Watson Shari Wattling & Trevor Rueger Patti Weldon & Kevin Taylor Ken & Stephanie Wilson Ward & Denise Zimmer

ADOPT-A-PLAY ($2500 FOR THE SEASON/ $500 PER PLAY)

FULL SEASON Dave & Marilyn Bradley Lynda Dunfield Stuart Olley & Myra Diaz Joanne Schaefer James M. Stanford

SISTERS: THE BELLE SOEURS MUSICAL Darin & Belinda Dunlop

OTHER 2017-18 PLAYS John Armstrong & Karyn Leidal Roy & Roberta Barr Sandy & Neill Coad Brian & Yvonne Conway Robert D.D. Cormack Karol Dabbs Demiantschuk Burke & Hoffinger Dr. Donald Gladman & Irene Shewchuk Ted Jablonski & Monique Courcelles Louise & Mark Lines Howard & Janet McLean Alan & Shelly Norris Carolyn S. Phillips Robert & Andrea Sartor Norm & Kathy Schachar Mike Stillwell John & Peggy Van De Pol

LEGACY CIRCLE LEGACY LEADERS Martha Cohen Estate Jo-Ann De Repentigny Estate

Barbara Peddlesden Estate

LEGACY VISIONARIES Paul & Michele Beitel Denis Couturier Alex Osten Norm & Kathy Schachar Allen & Valerie Swanson

INDIVIDUAL DONORS INVESTOR ($5,000 +) Edmonton Community Foundation The Flanagan Foundation

SUSTAINER ($1,500 +) Harry & Martha Cohen Foundation Gord & Eva Hoffman1 Barb & Yukio Kitagawa McCarthy Tetrault Foundation Netherlands Investment Company of Canada Limited The Printing House Norm & Kathy Schachar Family Legacy Fund, Shakespeare by the Bow1 1

Friends of the Bard

BENEFACTOR ($1,000 +) Anonymous Diana & David Ballard Nolan & Carol Blades Stacey & Dale Burstall Cakeworks Michael Mezei & Andrea Hopps Alan Moon, United Way of Calgary, Donor Choice program Graydon & Dorothy Morrison Susan O’Brien Osten-Victor Fund, at the Calgary Foundation Bernice & Thomas Raedler Dr. Douglas Rix & Deborah Ferguson Colleen & William Tobman Wanklin Family Fund, at the Calgary Foundation Jody Wood & Quentin Pittman

ASSOCIATE ($400 +) Anonymous Baher Family Fund at the Calgary Foundation David & Gwen Baker Gary & Tracey Boehm Chris Brooks & Daniel Heng Bruce & Heather Brunette

Ian & Gwen Burgess John & Monique Buysschaert Barrie & Joan Cameron Bill & Laurie Clay CW4W Afghan, Calgary Chapter Edward & Jean Czaja Gloria J. Davis Kristen & Denis Dion DLA Piper (Canada) LLP G.M. Gillette Danelle Hames James Hughes IBM Canada Employees’ Charitable Fund Cindy Johnson Royer Fund at the Calgary Foundation Bill & Kit Kennedy Roy Klassen Lee’s Picture Frame Warehouse Jean Macnab C. Marshall Joan & Robert Martin Leslie & Roger McMechan Brian Mills & Susan Tyrrell Leyton Morris Nancy & Glen Charitable Gift Fund C. Gordon & Joan Packer Bill & Erisa Penner Michael & Margaret Perlette

Jeff Pivnick & Jayne Thirsk Repsol Oil & Gas Canada Inc. Richard Kennedy P.C. The Schmitz Family Foundation Malcolm Turner & Barbara Black Linda & Gord Vogt Willis Winter Robert Woodrow

FRIEND ($100 +) Anonymous Sherrill & Robert Allan F. Garfield Anderson David & Bev Andrews Stephen Arsenych Bernice & Ken Baher C. Baker Don & Carol Baker Jane Barlet Hessdorfer Jane Baxter The Belangers & The Mix Tom & Bev Benson Allan & Donna Black Gerry Bowland Diane & John Boyd Dave & Marilyn Bradley Brian Brausen Barb & Alex Brough

K.R. Brown Mike & Judy Brunner R. Bryant Helga Budwill Sharon & Royal Burritt David & Sebina Butts Richard & Eleanor Byers Brenda & Gordy Cannady Marlys & Ted Carruthers Cenovus Energy Inc. Marjorie Challand Donna Chapman In honour of Ellen Chidley Jim & Eleanor Chinnick Margaret Churchill J. Clapson CNL Resources Ltd. Maureen Cook Ira Cooper & Erin Storey Greg Coupal Tom & Carol-Ann Cox The Craig Family & The Willis Family Thomas & Winifred Day Mike DeNicola Luigi & Joyce De Somma Elizabeth Dixon Willa & Don Dumka Gay Dunlop

When the arts need our support, we’re there.

Norton Rose Fulbright is proud to sponsor Theatre Calgary, as they take to the stage for their 50th season.

Law around the world nortonrosefulbright.com

Tricia Durkin Jane Ebbern & Kevin Johnston Steve & Shawan Edworthy Len & Fran Esler Dwayne & Rita Ewanchuk F. Ferguson G.J. Filyk B. Flood Beverley Fujino Jan Geggie Bob & Carol Gerein Barb & Dan Giba Gordon & Dorcas Giesbrecht John Gilpin Jane & Alan Glover Ronald & Helen Goodman Pauline & Don Gray Dennis & Ardele Gregory Irene & J.G. Grier Ian & Michele Gunn & Family Kent Haidl Elizabeth Hamel Barbara Hay Catherine Heaton John Heffer Laurie Hillis Brent & Tammy Hironaka Louis & Penny Hogan Aldyth Holder

Gillian & John Hopkins Neil & Sue Huckle Carolyn & Henry Huisman John Humphrey & Laura McLeod Carol Jensen Janice & Barrie Johnson Glen & Joan Johnston Edward Juarez Evelyn Keddie Brian & Darlene Kelly Annalise King Phyllis & Larry King John & Maureen Kirby Helle & Juri Kraav Herb & Kathy Kroeker Ruth Kroon George & Suzannah Kurian Lorne & Pat Larson Diana & Roger Leach Robert & Linda Lesoway Larry & Corrie Loomes Frank & Donna Losoncy Barb & Jack Lough Cathy Loughlin Al & Sandy Lucas Andrew & Emily Lukacik Debbie MacDonald & John Sojak

Mary & Don MacLeod Jean Macnab Karen MacPherson Evelyne & Harvey Martens James & Donna McDonald Ron & Sylvia McIntosh Tonya McKechnie Marilyn Mcelheran Shirley McNamara Medley Family Annette M. Messer Dr. Julian Midgley David & Maureen Mitchell Jean L. Mitchell Margaret Montgomery Barbara Morin Muir Family Forbes & Margaret Newman Todd & Jean Nickel Chuck & Daphne Nicolle Wayne & Marilyn Niddrie John & Dianne O'Rourke The Paddon Hughes Development Co. Ltd. Bev Palko John & Karen Palmer Murray & Corlienne Pennell Mike & Lorie Pesowski Louella & Wayne Pethrick

Ross & Robin Phillips William Phillips Ronald & Marjorie Potts James & Gabriella Prette Sue & Wayne Ramsden Del Rath RBC Foundation Wendy & Dan Reid Cindi Reopell & Don Watt Mary & Ernest Rewucki Ian & Cheryl Richmond Gay Robinson Howard & Karen Roppel Dr. Peter Roxburgh Robert & Rosalie Rudolf Doreen Sandercock Christine Sargeant William Scheidt Jo-Ann Schwartzenberger David Severson Rob & Cheryl Sheppard Barb & Don Sibbald Tim & Doris Sidlick Dr. Wilma Slenders & Victor Didkowsky Monty Slim & Sylvie Monfette Kelly Smith & Dan Fichter Ken & Barb Smith Paulette & Rick Smith

Penny Smith Susan Spratt Barb Squires & Robert Elsworthy Kelly Stacey Ray & Pat Stauffer Elizabeth Stock & Alistair Shepherd-Cross Douglas & Laurie Strother Dave & Darlene Swanson Valerie & Allen Swanson Aliya Tafber James & Roberta Taylor R. & M. Tebo L. & M. Tenzer Kathryn Thomas Mark & Linda Thomas Dianne & Owen Thomson Lynne J. Thornton Helene Tonnisen Bill & Carol Twasiuk John & Elizabeth Varsek Jane Virtue & Sean McMaster Jan & Robert Walsh Glenda & Keith Wellon Dennis & Sylvia Wheatley Bob & Wendy Whyte Robert V. Whyte Ken Wiens Val & Larry Wolfe

George Woodings Lora & Terry Wyman Herrat Zahner Helen & Paul Zeman Doris Zellweger

SENATORS William R. Blain, Q.C. Don Boyes Derek Bridges Joyce Doolittle Kay Grieve David Haigh Harry Hartley Margaret Hess, Q.C. Les Kimber Jan McCaghren Victor Mitchell Barbara Morin Gerry Nichol Fred Scott Lynne J. Thornton Derek Warren Nomi Whalen For more information on donating to Theatre Calgary, contact Shirley Yurchi at 403-294-7440 ext 1002 or donations@theatrecalgary.com.

merlovino.com

MERLO VINOTECA

Unit 1000, 10 Aspen Stone Boulevard SW, Calgary, Alberta 403.269.1338 • vino@merlovino.com

Trail e Sarce

69 Street SW

Bow Trail

85 Street SW

Merlo the extraordinary Italian wine store is proud to support Theatre Calgary. The passion and spirit for Italian wine you’ve enjoyed at Theatre Calgary can also be enjoyed at home.

17 Ave SW Glenmore Trail

Tuesday thru Friday 11am to 7pm • Saturday 10am to 5:30pm Sunday Noon - 5pm • Closed Monday.

D E L I G H T F U L LY S I L LY C L A S S I C

Twelfth Night

by William Shakespeare as imagined by The Old Trout Puppet Workshop Originally produced by Canada’s National Arts Centre

January 30 to February 24 This refreshing take on Shakespeare’s classic comedy will leave you rolling in the aisles and begging for a Thirteenth night!

Tristan D. Lalla, Bruce Dow and Janelle Cooper in Twelfth Night. Photo by Andrée Lanthier.

#tcTwelfthNight theatrecalgary.com 403-294-7447

TICKETS START AT $35 Arts Commons Max Bell Theatre

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS Making outstanding productions possible SISTERS: THE BELLES SOEURS MUSICAL MEDIA PARTNERS

PRODUCTION & SEASON SPONSORS

ACCESSIBLE ARTS SPONSOR

SPOTLIGHT SPONSOR

W.O. MITCHELL ROOM SPONSOR

STR ATEGIC

INTERACTIVE LEARNING PROGRAM SPONSORS

DRESS CIRCLE SPONSOR

EMERGING ARTISTS PROGRAM & SHAKESPEARE BY THE BOW

GALA SPONSORS

STR ATEGIC

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sarah Hughes, Senior Development Associate: 403-294-7440 shughes@theatrecalgary.com.

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@CBCCalgary

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is proud to support Theatre Calgary.

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