Once Upon A Chuckle
Earl Marriott Secondary’s Drama Department presents Once Upon A Chuckle, a unique blend of ‘fairy tale’-related short comedies directed by senior students, Dec. 6-7 at 7 p.m. at the school’s Wheelhouse Theatre, 15751 16 Ave.
The Marriott one-act festivals are always worth watching for the special spark of creativity the students bring to ‘putting on the show’. But making this one particularly notable is the fact that all three plays are student written.
Story Time, written and directed by Brenna Goodwin and Ruth Francis-Lyster, features Sophia Ludwig and Hailey Moran as Sarah and Kira Williams, who find themselves face to face with such diverse fairy tale/ fantasy fiction characters as a warrior, a unicorn, a fairy, a goblin, a wizard, an ogre and a princess, all depicted by versatile supporting cast Reece Smith, Emily Fenton, Jane Weaver and Mikayla Hart.
After Death and Before the After Life, by Celeste Taylor, Elina Taillon and Karter Hall, directed by Taylor and Meadow Spurr, turns on the interaction of two mythical beings, Mira (Rachel Fournier) and Xeno (Travis Clifford).
The One Hundred Acre Wood, by Karter Hall, Neil MacAllistair and Jacob Taminga, directed by Hall and MacAllistair, takes satirical aim at the often-told Snow White story, with Cassidy Johnson narrating the tale of Snow (Madison Morris), Queen Maleficent (Jean Farrell), the Prince (Sierra Ellis), and the Huntsman (Kyle Mitchel), which somehow also involves a hyena (Siavon Balderson), a tree (Troy Harrison) a genie (Claudine Paed) and Bambi (MacKenzie Claus) as well as Snow White’s slightly unorthodox woodland helpers Singy, Skanky, Worry and Thumper, played by Elisa Kristensen, Garnet Butcher, Hailey Pattenden and Cameren Ballam.
Tickets ($6) are available at the box office, or by calling 604-531-8354, ext. 171.
Pinocchio
White Rock Players Club’s 2012 pantomime, Pinocchio, runs until Dec. 29 at the Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd.
Panto veteran and club president Dave Baron’s script is a new adaptation of the classic tale by Carlo Collodi, incorporating some original and intriguing elements that have been filtered out in successively de-natured versions.
Pinocchio (Michelle Gaetz) – a puppet brought to life who wants to become a real boy – must battle the evil Puppet Master and his minions Fox (Jennifer Tiles) and Cat (Elyse Raible), survive being swallowed by a whale, rescue his beloved Isabella (Melissa Paras), and even put up with Isabella’s overbearing aunt, Miss Ann Thrope (Bryce Paul Mills).
Also featured are Melanie Minty as Sophia, Nigel Watkinson as Geppetto, Ryan Elliott as the Godfather, Martin Perrin as Scagliare, Reilly Olexson and Kate Naylor as Gemini 1 and 2, and Suzanne Benson and Patte Rust as Old Puppet
Expect all of the the over-the-top humour, music and general nonsense the White Rock pantomime has been noted for over six decades, under the capable direction of Susanne de Pencier, with musical direction by Kerry O’ Donovan, choreography by Lena Dabrusin, set design by Andrea Olund and costumes by Heather Maximea.
For tickets ($18, $16 seniors, students and Coast Capital members) and further information, call 604-536-7535, visit www.whiterockplayers.ca or email wrpctix@uniserve.com
Phantom of the Panto
Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s latest pantomime, The Phantom of the Panto runs until Dec. 9 at Surrey Arts Centre, with 7:30 p.m. performances.
The new show is an original written by regular FVGSS performer Clive ‘Hitman’ Ramroop, taking a page (or two) from the famed Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and reworking it in broad ‘panto’ style.
FVGSS pantos are known as family events and this year’s show has seven families represented by two or more members. Tom Cleevely (The Phantom), for example, is joined on stage by his daughter Izabella, 15, a member of the large and enthusiastic chorus. And Chelsea Rose Tucker (Christine) is the daughter of musical director Timothy Tucker.
Also featured in the spoof (helmed by the winning team of producer Reginald Pillay, artistic director Mike Balser, Tucker and choreographer Carol Seitz) are Jackie Block (Meg Nolia), James Walker (Andre Jyne), Samantha Andrews (Firmin Full), Jeff Christiansen (as the dame, Carlotta Ferrari), Joni Hayden-Summerton (as principal boy Raoul), Jake Hildebrand (Joe Bouquet DeFleur), Adrian Duncan (Punchy Ferrari), Jerret Schwartz (The Skull) and Frannie Warwick (Trappe).
For ticket information, call 604-501-5566 or visit http://tickets.surrey.ca/
Honeywell update
The Honeywell clan continues to be synonymous with music on the Semiahmoo Peninsula – and even further afield.
Roger Honeywell (a heroic classical tenor, formerly of the Canadian Opera and the Chicago Lyric Opera) stars as Frederic in The Vancouver Opera Association’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, until Dec. 9 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (604-683-0222, www.vancouveropera.ca).
Meanwhile, in White Rock, as cornetist/pianist Rice Honeywell Sr. heads south to spend the winter in Arizona, his regular keyboard gig Wednesday nights at Five Corners Bistro will be covered by Bob Storms (also formerly sax and clarinet player with the 10th Avenue and Bathtub Gin jazz bands), playing several sets of smooth jazz and classic ballads for couples who enjoy music from the swing and big band eras.
The venue is owned by Rice Jr. and his wife Cathy, while daughters Shannon and Jessie waitress and son Nate Honeywell (also a pianist) helps out in the kitchen. Rice Jr. has also been known to join in on harmonica for boogie and blues numbers at the venue. Reservations are recommended (604-538-5455).
Rice Sr.’s band Red Beans & Rice (also house band for the White Rock Traditional Jazz Society) continues to play Friday nights from 7 p.m. at Porter’s Bistro in Langley Township’s historic Murrayville district. In Rice’s absence, well-known traditional jazzman Leigh Smith takes over the cornet chair.
The all-ages evenings draw teens and 20-somethings as well as more senior jazz fans, and 15 year-old Ethan Honeywell (Rice Sr.’s grandson) often plays drums, while his dad Keith has also been known to fill-in on trombone (reservations recommended, 604-530-5297).
Blue Frog Studios
White Rock’s Blue Frog Studios, 1328 Johnston Rd., will host an evening of seasonal fun with rocking local blues favourites The Mud Bay Blues Band.
Their Christmas Bash will take place Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., presented by Arbonne International.
The veteran band – which has an uncanny ability to get a crowd up on their feet and dancing – has shared stages with such legends as James Cotton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Long Baldrey, and promises a few surprise special guests for the show.
Admission is $25.
Also coming up at Blue Frog: a return visit by Canadian vocal chart-topper Alfie Zappacosta (originally scheduled for Nov. 23-24) has been rescheduled to Jan. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.
The show will be a follow up to the Live from Blue Frog DVD Zappacosta (‘We Should Be Lovers’, ‘When I Fall In Love Again’) recorded at the studios in June of 2011.
For more information on both shows, call 604-542-3055, or visit www.bluefrogstudios.ca
Lighthouse talent
White Rock and Surrey Ambassador Lisa Xie was already involved with helping the Kids Help Phone service, but the death of 15-year-old Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd prompted her and her fellow ambassadors to create a new fundraiser – the Lighthouse Talent show.
Performers from all over the Surrey and White Rock area will show off their talents Dec. 8. 5:30 p.m. at Star of the Sea Hall, 15262 Pacific Ave.
Among them will be White Rock country singer-songwriters on the rise Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris, who will sing Wounded Angel, a song they wrote and dedicated to Todd.
Proceeds from the talent show will benefit Kids Help Phone’s 24-hour toll-free phone counseling services to children aged five to 21.
The show will begin at 5:30 p.m. For more information or to sponsor the event, email sponsor@wrasa.org
For more information about Kids Help Phone, visit www.kidshelpphone.wrasa.org
Chamber music
New home for White Rock Chamber Music, now celebrating its 40th year on the peninsula, is Crescent Gardens Retirement Community (1222 King George Blvd.).
The next event, Dec. 8, features the VanDeca troupe of 10 young singers, speakers and instrumentalists presenting A Child’s Christmas in Wales, an intimate evening of story and song based on the classic Dylan Thomas memoir by adaptor/arranger Ainsley Reid.
Concerts are scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, from November until May, and each runs from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Admission is a suggested $5 donation to the Peninsula Arts Foundation.
Kent Street show
The Kent Street Activity Centre presents A Theatre Variety Show, performed by participants in its dramatic program, AKA – Pacific Players, Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the centre auditorium (1475 Kent. St.)
Included will be scenes from a variety of favourite plays, with admission by donation at the door.
For more information, call 604-541-2231.
Carols in the Country
The ever-popular Carols in the Country singalong and dessert buffet at historic Hazelmere United Church returns Dec. 8 and 9.
The singalong of traditional carols and other Christmas favourites begins each night at 7 p.m., followed by the dessert buffet in the church hall next door at 8:15 p.m.
Tickets ($15, $5 children) are available through huc@shaw.ca
White Rock Traditional Jazz Society
The danceable rhythms of retro jazz continue each Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.).
Next attraction in the White Rock Traditional Jazz Society’s current season will be drummer Scott Robertson’s Swing Patrol (Dec. 9).
Joining Robertson for the show will be stellar sidemen Glen Tremblay (trumpet), Evan Arntzen (reeds), Ron Thompson (guitar, banjo) and Brent Gubbels (bass).
Admission is $8 (members), $10 (non-members) and memberships ($15) are available at the door.
Holiday market
White Rock Museum & Archives 20th annual Holiday Market runs until Dec. 20, featuring over 24 local artists and crafters.
Opening hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The museum, the former Burlington Northern station building,is at 14970 Marine Drive, White Rock. For more information, call 604 541 2221.
Art Society
The White Rock and South Surrey Art Society will hold an evening reception – featuring artists whose work is in its current exhibit – Dec. 12 from 7-9 p.m. at Mel Edwards Centre, Centennial Park (14600 North Bluff Rd.)
The exhibit will continue at the centre until Jan. 3.
For more details, visit www.semiahmooarts or call 604-536-8333 for viewing times.
Handel’s Messiah
The Handel Society of Music continues a grand Christmas season tradition by presenting Handel’s immortal oratorio, Messiah, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Church, 2250 150 St.
The Handel Choir and the Chilliwack Metropolitan Youth orchestra, both directed by artistic director Johan Louwersheimer, will be joined by well-known soloists Raphael Wagner, Sonya Sweeney, Christopher Simmons and Angus Bell.
Tickets ($20, $15 seniors and students) are available from 604-585-9102, www.handelsociety.ca or by visiting the society’s Facebook page.
Gospel Blues Christmas
Tickets are selling fast for Peninsula Productions’ second annual Gospel and Blues Christmas Show featuring incomparable keyboardist/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist John Lee Sanders, his seven-piece band, featuring phenomenal vocalist Sibel Thrasher, and special guest zydeco blues fiddler Gary Comeau.
The show is on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. at First United Church, White Rock.
Tickets ($25 advance, $30 at the door) are available from Tapestry Music or https://tickets.surrey.ca
Robinson Crusoe
The Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s 2012 Christmas pantomime – founder-director Ellie King’s rollicking seafaring tale, Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates – will come to Surrey Arts Centre Dec. 20 to Jan. 6.
The show offers “spectacular sparkling family fun” including King’s patented brand of colourful, traditional, kid-friendly cheer-the-hero, boo-the villain adventure, with plenty of song and dance and a healthy helping of groan-worthy knockabout humour, spearheaded by obligatory panto animal Griselda the Gorilla and veteran RCTC player Alan Cedargreen as Dame Kitty Crusoe.
Well known White Rock performer Erin Coon takes the role of Robinson, with Tony DeMatteis as Captain Blight, Bob Wilson as First Mate Bruce, Tim Zhang as Second Mate Bruce, Claurien Zanoria as beauteous Princess Friday.
Regular admission is $23.95 plus box office charges, or $14.95 plus charges for children under 12.
For ticket information and bookings visit www.rctheatreco.com or www.arts.surrey.ca or call 604-501-5566.
Needle Doodle
Promising “a circus in a tiny space,” well-known Crescent Beach multi-media artist and dance mentor Elizabeth Carefoot is currently presenting a new show of her work – Needle Doodle – until Jan. 4 at the Amelia Douglas Gallery, Douglas College (700 Royal Ave., New Westminster).
Methods and materials in Carefoot’s endlessly creative universe include acrylic painting, found objects, machine and hand-stitching, coloured pencils, inks, transfers and embellished acid etching.
“In my artwork, be it painting, fabric art or construction, elements of surprise, playfulness and personal symbolism are important,” Carefoot says.
“I try to make the viewer see something in a new way and invite personal interpretation.”
For more information, call 604-527-5723.
Norman Foote
Looking for kid-friendly stocking stuffers? Tickets are available now for popular children’s and family entertainer and musician Norman Foote, presented in concert by Peninsula Productions Jan. 4 at 3 p.m. at Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd.
Included will be songs from his Juno-winning CD Love My New Shirt.
Tickets ($10) are available from www.whiterockplayers.ca and 604-536-7535.
Singers wanted
Pacific Showtime Men’s Chorus, based in Ocean Park, and directed by ‘Mr. O Canada’ Mark Donnelly, rehearses Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church, 12953 20 Ave.
The small community chorus of experienced singers is currently seeking new members for all vocal ranges: lead, tenor, baritone and bass.
Offering a big sound in a variety of musical styles, Pacific Showtime has been featured at a wide range of Lower Mainland events, including show productions, concerts and private functions.
Male singers are invited to attend rehearsals to check out the group and, hopefully, join in.
