WCT 22/23 - Season Brochure

rocking sequel to one of last season’s most-popular shows, an uproarious Canadian sporting comedy, a global love story for our times, an uplifting theatrical tour de force, and a spectacular all-new reimagining of one of the most popular musicals of all time–guaranteed to knock your bobby-sox off!

Western Canada Theatre is your theatre, and we can’t wait to welcome you back. We go to the theatre to be entertained, we go to be enlightened, we go to laugh and to cry, but most of all…we go together!

JAMES MacDONALD Artistic Director

2022/23 SEASON OVERVIEW

SLEIGHT OF MIND

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY

BOOM X HURRY HARD

FIRST MÉTIS MAN OF ODESA

GREASE EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Oct 13 - 22, 2022

Sagebrush Theatre

Nov 24 - Dec 10, 2022

Sagebrush Theatre

Jan 19 - 28, 2023

Sagebrush Theatre

Feb 23 - Mar 04, 2023

Sagebrush Theatre

Mar 16 - 25, 2023

Pavilion Theatre

Apr 13 - 29, 2023

Sagebrush Theatre

May 04 - 13, 2023

Pavilion Theatre

for creative learning the hub

At Western Canada Theatre we are passionately invested in the role theatre has in the education and enrichment of our community, built on a foundation of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access. The Hub for Creative Learning provides opportunities for teachers, creative artists, theatre lovers, and theatre newcomers of all ages to become actively engaged in these activities through Audience Enrichment , Community Engagement , Creative Development , Educator Resources , and Theatre Classes .

STAGE ONE

NEXT STAGE

Stage One Theatre School offers Acting, Musical Theatre, and Performance classes year-round for ages 4 to 18, as well as Teen Drama Workshops, Spring Break programs, and Summer Camps. Plus, The Next Stage offers Acting and Play Reading groups for adults.

Learn more at wctlive.ca/thehub

SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the season we will be bringing various additional offerings to you that fall outside of our regular season of productions. These may include social events, fundraisers, special performances, and more. Stay tuned for announcements throughout the season on our social media, e-news, and at wctlive.ca .

A BROAD’S WAY CABARET

Celebrating International Women’s Day

March 2023

A celebration of community talent—showcasing music, dance, theatre, improv, stand-up comedy, and more from a variety of local emerging and established artists—created by and for all women, including cis and trans women, non-binary people, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

WAYS TO SAVE!

SENIORS save 10% off Adult tickets

STUDENTS & PATRONS UNDER 30 get access to discounted tickets with valid ID

PREVIEW THURSDAY

save $5 by joining us on the first Thursday of the run

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN SATURDAY MATINEES available for sale online the day of the performance or at the door, one hour before curtain (limited seating available)

GROUPS of 10 or more Adult tickets save 10% – plus added benefits

ROW A front row seats are the most affordable ticket prices at the Sagebrush Theatre

WCT STUDENTS CLUB offers high-school students discounted tickets to Pizza Night

*restrictions apply

Evening shows 7:30PM | Saturday Matinees 2PM Wednesday Tea Matinees 11AM

JOIN US AT A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE

OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY

Ticket holders are invited to a special post-show reception with the artists.

PIZZA PRE-SHOW

J oin us and special guests in the Sagebrush lobby for pizza and dynamic discussion about the production at 6:30pm before the second Thursday performance.

POST-SHOW ARTIST TALKS

Following the second Thursday performance, join the cast for an enlightening discussion about the show.

RELAXED PERFORMANCES

An opportunity for those who might benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment to attend a live performance. The majority of this season’s second Saturday matinees will be Relaxed Performances. For dates and more information, please visit wctlive.ca/accessibility

Our Commitment to Care

We are committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all our patrons, artists, and staff, and encourage everyone to be respectful of others’ space and comfort levels while attending WCT events. If public health guidelines change throughout the season, precautions such as masks may be recommended or required. Stay up to date at wctlive.ca/plan-your-visit

For information and tickets visit wctlive.ca, or contact the Kamloops Live! Box Office at:

klbo@kamloopslive.ca | 250-374-5483 | 1025 Lorne Street

By DANIELA VLASKALIC

Inspired by true events

In association with Hit & Myth Productions

A LIFE ENTANGLED BETWEEN THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

Rudi Schneider has an extraordinary gift…and it just might destroy his life. Driven by a father’s obsession and his astonishing paranormal abilities, Rudi finds himself caught between two worlds, the living and the next. In his quest to become the greatest spiritual medium of all time, Rudi must choose between his loving fiancée, a doctor driven to reveal his talent to the world, and a ferocious ghost with a dark secret.

Inspired by a notorious true story from 1920’s Europe surrounding the most documented paranormal psychic in history. The World Premiere of this spine-chilling new play is filled with magic and seductive mayhem.

“Daniela Vlaskalic is a compelling storyteller” –CALGARY HERALD

Adapted by JOE LANDRY

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is based on the story, ‘The Greatest Gift’ by PHILIP VAN DOREN STERN from the screenplay by FRANCES GOODRICH, ALBERT HACKETT, FRANK CAPRA, and JO SWERLING

RING THE BELLS FOR A CHERISHED HOLIDAY CLASSIC

One fateful Christmas Eve, George Bailey finds himself questioning life’s greatest gift. With guidance from a guardian angel looking to earn his wings, George will discover how rich his life and community really are when he is given a chance to see what the world would have been like if he had never been born.

Celebrate the holidays with WCT! All the heart and familiarity of the enduring movie masterpiece is told with new energy onstage as a live radio broadcast—featuring live sound effects, festive carols, and a stocking full of holiday joy. Terrific fun for the whole family.

“One of the best holiday shows around. This is a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption”

–CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

Written, Directed, and Performed by RICK MILLER

A Kidoons and WYRD Production, in association with Theatre Calgary and the 20K Collective

THE MUSIC, CULTURE, AND POLITICS OF GENERATION X

After dazzling Kamloops audiences with a rock & roll journey through the Baby Boom years, virtuoso writer/performer Rick Miller returns with a sequel about Gen X. From 1969's Woodstock to the growth of the internet in 1995, Miller plays over 100 characters from the days of disco, punk, the oil crisis, Watergate, the Cold War, video games, and more.

Surrounded by Miller’s signature style of stunning visuals, BOOM X will take audience of all ages on an explosive journey through a generation that continues to shape our modern world.

“STUNNING... A marvellous mashup of media, verbatim theatre, jukebox musical and autobiographical confession”

–THE GLOBE & MAIL

By KRISTEN DA SILVA

LOVE ON THE ROCKS

Seven years ago, a rocky divorce split up Bill and Sandy, and put their championship curling team on ice. On the brink of a life-changing Bonspiel, a sudden emergency brings Bill and Sandy, their friends and siblings, and a hotshot newcomer together in a last-ditch attempt to form a winning foursome. Can this ragtag team overcome their personal differences, sibling rivalry, and lingering feelings in order to bring home a win?

A curling love story from Canada’s hottest new comedic playwright in her western Canada premiere. With all the warmth and camaraderie of a great evening at the curling club, this is a hilarious, heartwarming story of love and second chances that you won’t want to…skip.

Winner of the Stage West Award for Best New Comedy!

KHOMUTOVA

By MATTHEW MACKENZIE and MARIYA

A Punctuate! Theatre production, in association with Western Canda Theatre

A ROMANTIC COMEDY FOR AN UNPREDICTABLE WORLD

A Canadian Playwright and a Ukrainian artist spark up a romance that takes them from the beaches of the Black Sea to the riverbanks of the North Saskatchewan, through the onset of a global pandemic and the eruption of a brutal war, plus many moments of joy through it all.

In this World Premiere, award-winning playwright Matthew MacKenzie ( Bears ) joins forces with his wife, award-winning Ukrainian actor Mariya Khomutova, to tell their captivating, real-life COVID love story and share an intimate perspective on the war in Ukraine.

–THE SLOTKIN LETTER (about the audio play)

“Illuminates the absolute determination, hilarity and frustration of a modern romance in COVID times.”

Book, Music and Lyrics by JIM

JACOBS and WARREN CASEY

THE ALL-TIME FAVOURITE ROCK N’ ROLL MUSICAL

Danny Zuko, the coolest guy at Rydell High, and the new girl-next-door, Sandy Dumbrowski, try to rekindle their summer fling when school begins—but navigating the high school dynamics between the greased-hair, hot-rodding "Burger Palace Boys", and the gum-snapping, hip-shaking "Pink Ladies" make it hard to maintain their summer lovin’.

The T-Bird is getting a fresh coat of paint! Created right here in Kamloops, this all-new, original WCT production features 1950s rock n’ roll inspired musical favourites such as "Summer Nights," "Grease Lightnin'," and "We Go Together” that’ll have you tapping your toes and singing along. You’ve never experienced Grease like this!

“A lively and funny musical – as well as the dancingest one in town. It’s a winner.”

By DUNCAN MACMILLAN with JONNY DONAHOE

100,000 BRILLIANT THINGS ABOUT BEING ALIVE

1: Ice cream, 2: water fights, 3: staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV... As a mother battles chronic depression, a child creates a list of everything that makes life worth living. As time passes and the list grows; what began as a naive attempt to deal with tragedy becomes an epic chronicle of life's small joys.

Intimately staged and featuring an engrossing and interactive performance from one of this country's most dynamic performers. This touching and intimate solo piece charts the lengths we will go for those we love.

One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression–and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop.”

–THE GUARDIAN (UK)

“[A] heart-wrenching, hilarious play...