alex.browne@peacearchnews.com
Jack and the Beanstalk
Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan Society is back to kick off Christmas pantomime season with Jack and the Beanstalk (until Dec. 6 at Surrey Arts Centre)
Directed by Mike Balser, and produced by Lyn Verra-Lay, it returns to traditional territory – after a few experimental years – with a tried-and-true British panto script of the fairy tale favourite, last produced by the society in 1988.
With a set by Omanie Elias that strives to recreate the look of a pop-up book, and costumes by Linda O’Donovan and Chris Roberts, the panto also employs the talents of fellow-veterans Tim Tucker (musical director), Carol Seitz (choreographer) and props mistress Maxine Howchin.
Among familiar faces on stage are experienced and capable principal boy Michelle Gaetz as Jack; Dann Wilhelm, returning to panto for the first time in 10 years as the villainous Fleshcreep; and ever-reliable Samantha Andrews as Jack’s brother Silly Billy.
Other regulars include Barbie Warwick and daughter Lois as Daisy, Breanna Branson (Mrs. Blunderbore), Adrian Duncan (King Sat-Upon), Rosie Forst (Queen Mum), Clive Ramroop (Goose voice and wrangler) and Lionel Rust and Alex Cameron as comedy duo Sargent Spic and Corporal Span.
New blood in Jack and the Beanstalk includes Roger Kettyls (a veteran of Metro pantomimes, as Dame Trot), Elizabeth Seaman (Princess Melanie), Deanne Ratzlaff (Vegetable Fairy), Paige Thomsen (Goosepimple), Weldon Hoggatt (Clarence Clanger, town crier), and Dane Ogilvie (voice of the Giant).
Jack and the Beanstalk runs Wednesday to Saturday with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For tickets, call 604-501-5566 or visit tickets.surrey.ca online.
Marriott one acts
Earl Marriott Secondary’s latest one act play festival, 3…2…One Act-ion – highlighting both student actors and directors, comes to the school’s Wheelhouse Theatre (15751 16 Ave.) tonight and Thursday (Dec. 3) at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
The Creator, by EMS graduate Adanna Farrow, is directed by students Leah Lifton and Alex Haugland, while Imaginary Friends was written and directed by student Jane Weaver.
Rounding out the show is Check Please, directed by Luke Ballam and Karn Cheema.
Tickets ($6) are available at the EMS box office during lunch hour, and after school at 2:15 and 3:30 p.m., or to reserve, call 604-542-2181.
Peninsula Productions
The joyous sounds of Christmas will continue at White Rock Baptist Church (1657 140 St.) Saturday, Dec. 5, when Peninsula Productions presents its ‘Sing-A-Long Messiah’ event with the 80-member Vancouver Bach Choir under the direction of Leslie Dala.
It’s the second year that the choir – a Vancouver tradition since 1930 – has brought Handel’s uplifting masterwork to South Surrey.
Peninsula says that all who wish to “raise their voices in a Christmas spirit” are welcome, be they serious singers, ‘shower singers’ or those who have yet to experience the fun of singing along with a choir.
Tickets are available at South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre (14601 20 Ave.) and Tourism White Rock (1459 Johnston Rd.), or online at brownpapertickets.com
For more information, visit www.peninsulaproductions.org
Cinderella
The White Rock Players Club tradition of a distinctly colourful, over-the-top Christmas pantomime (for the uninitiated, musical comedy with a heavy helping of vaudeville) continues this December with Cinderella (Dec. 4 – Jan. 2, previews Dec. 2-3) at Coast Capital Playhouse (1532 Johnston Rd.).
Based on a classic White Rock Players script by the late Charlotte Johnson, the new version, written by Sara and Lisa Pavilionis (and directed by Lisa) brings together all the traditional, fun-for-the-whole-family elements in the retelling of the favourite fairy tale, including a good fairy, a “magical maniacal” demon and, of course, poor, put-upon Cinderella and her ‘blended’ family.
Sam Brealey stars as Cinderella, with Juliana Peralta as Prince Charming, Katherine Lozada as the Fairy Godmother, Shaun McHale as the Demon, and Ray Van Ieperen as stepmother Clarice Cuttlefish and Jennifer Lane and Bryce Paul Mills as her daughters Mildred and Winifred.
Shows are at 7:30 p.m., with matinees Dec. 6, 13, 20, 26, 27 and Jan. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
Also upcoming this season are Marc Camoletti’s celebrated 1960s door-slammer farce Boeing, Boeing, set to hit the stage March 2-19, and Noel Coward’s brilliant 1930s comedy of manners Private Lives (April 13-30).
The announced season closer will offer not one, but two versions of a classic comedy – a staging, on alternate nights, of both the male and female versions of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple.
For panto tickets ($22, $15 children 12 and under and Coast Capital Savings members) call 604-536-7535, or visit www.whiterockplayers.ca
Blues tunes
Victoria, B.C.-based Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band – led by Hank ‘Uncle Wiggly” Leonhardt has been around since 1978, and, during extended touring in the 1980s, opened for such legends as Muddy Waters, Joe Cocker, James Cotton, Koko Taylor and Paul Butterfield.
Over the last couple of years the band has extended its act with a Tribute to the Blues Songs of Christmas – with rave reviews in Alberta and on Vancouver Island – and that’s the show the seasoned musicians will be bringing to Blue Frog Studios, 1328 Johnston Road, Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.
Don’t expect the usual Christmas carols – the show is a collection of traditional Blues Christmas tunes from the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s and 60s by the likes of Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, BB King, Eric Clapton, Charles Brown and Etta James, plus many more.
The band includes regular members Leonhardt (vocals), Lonnie Glass (bass), Mark Comerford (guitar), Matt McLean (trumpet), Dave Rowse (sax), Andy Graffiti (drums), with special guests Dennis Meneely (former Streetheart Member, on keyboards), Paul Wainwright (sax) and Deb Rhymer (vocals).
Tickets ($35) are available from www.bluefrogstudios.ca or call 604-542-3055.
Latin Christmas
White Rock’s Doug Towle – internationally acclaimed as one of Canada’s premier guitarists, is back to put a Nuevo Flamenco spin on the traditional Christmas repertoire.
A show at Blue Frog Studios (1328 Johnston Rd.) at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5 promises to spice up the eggnog of seasonal favourites with a distinctly Latin flavour.
The well-travelled Towle – a past finalist in Guitar Player magazine’s Superstar contest – has drawn influences for his music from around the world, as well as kudos from audiences and industry alike in the U.S. and across Canada.
Also a virtuoso on electric – he has presented a well-received Carlos Santana tribute at Blue Frog and other venues – Towle will be emphasizing the more acoustic end of the range with the current show, offering an exciting and fiery Spanish twist on the time-honoured favourites.
With seven albums of instrumental guitar music to his credit, Towle will draw on his 2009 album High Spirits, as well as his most recent recording the Christmas-themed “Guitarras Navideñas” for the playlist.
Joining Towle will be respected sidemen Goby Catt on bass and Lyndon Dewitt on percussion – plus a surprise guest or two.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and limited seating is first come, first served.
Chamber music
The next White Rock Chamber Music program takes place Saturday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Crescent Gardens Retirement Residence, 1222 King George Bldg. (beside the Best Western Pacific Inn, also known as the Pink Palace).
The program will feature 16 year-old violinist Julie Lin with two of her violin students; the Christmas-oriented a cappella Kringle Singers (directed by Kathleen Anderson and including Reynhardt Krause); pianist David Chen; Zoe Chen, playing the pipa, an ancient Chinese instrument similar to a lute; and a poetry reading by Caroline McDowall. Admission is $5, with proceeds going to scholarships for youth of the Semiahmoo Peninsula.
White Rock Community Orchestra
The public will be able to see an organization of volunteer music makers that has played a valuable role in the cultural life of White Rock – for some 35 years – showcased Saturday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 1480 George St.
That’s when the White Rock Community Orchestra will show off its varied repertoire of classics and light classics, under the baton of director Stuart Martin.
Special guests will be The Cantrix Women’s Choir, directed by Sarona Mynhardt.
The orchestra also performs concerts regularly at various seniors’ facilities during the Christmas season and in the spring.
For tickets ($15, children under 12 free), call 604-535-8949.
White Rock Trad Jazz
The upbeat style of jazz that kept toes tapping through the Roaring `20s and the Dirty Thirties continues to inspire dancers at White Rock Traditional Jazz Society’s regular 2 to 5 p.m. sessions of live Dixieland/Swing each Sunday at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.).
The music is back on Dec. 6 with drummer Scott Robertson’s Swing Patrol, followed on Dec. 13 by the society’s Christmas party, featuring Gerry Green’s Crescent City Shakers, and on Dec. 20 by society house group the Red Beans and Rice Band.
Admission (19 and up) is $10 for WRTJS and Legion members, $12 for everybody else).
For more information on upcoming bands visit www.whiterocktradjazz.com or call 604-560-9215.
Surrey Symphony Society
Performances by more than 100 youth musicians, members of the Surrey Junior Strings, Intermediate Orchestra and Youth Orchestra, will be the draw to Surrey Symphony Society’s Christmas concert, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Chandos Pattison Auditorium, 10238 168 St.
The program includes Beethoven’s exuberant Symphony No. 7 , performed by the full Surrey Youth Orchestra under the direction of Joel Stobbe.
The Intermediate Orchestra, directed by Ben Goheen, will play selections from Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, as well as the Egmont Overture and the holiday favourite All I Want For Christmas.
The Junior Strings, led by Andrea Taylor will perform the first movement of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, plus Rondeau by Jean-Joseph Mouret (theme of PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre) and Brahms’ lively Hungarian Dance No. 5.
Tickets ($18, $12 students, seniors and alumni) are available at gm.surreysymphony@gmail.com or at the door (cash, cheque or credit cards accepted).
Timewalkers
The Blue Frog Studios Christmas show by popular act The Timewalkers has already sold out two shows for Dec. 11, so a third has been added, on Thursday, Dec. 10 (8 p.m., 1328 Johnston Rd.).
An unusual blend of four lead singer-songwriters and instrumentalists, The Timewalkers include Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Ron Irving, who once topped the charts with his own band Bootleg, but is also an award-winning songwriter for artists like Michael Buble, Anne Murray and Jennifer Rush. Michael Vincent, an original cast member of the CBC shows Let’s Go and Music Hop, has recorded in Memphis, Toronto, New York and Montreal. Eli Bryan Neslon was a producer of the year nominee for Bootleg, has won West Coast Songwriter awards and has recorded with Buddy Holly’s legendary producer, Norman Petty. Luke Isaac has been a winner of Rock 94 FM’s Battle of the Bands and is owner and house and house producer at Sunset Sound Recording Studio.
The versatile group will present everything from the Beatles to the Eagles, hits from the `60s and ’70s, intriguing originals and Christmas classics.
Tickets ($37.50) are available at www.bluefrogstudios.ca or call 604-542-3055.
Songs of the Season
The annual carol singalong and dessert buffet returns to Sunnyside United Church (15639-24 Ave.) 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, featuring music by Ken Rattray’s popular community music group the Hazeltones.
For advance and reserve tickets ($15, $5 for children), call Pat at 604-531-6558.
A limited number of tickets also available at the door.
Proceeds from ticket sales support Sunnyside Outreach Programs.
Christmas dinner dance
Another opportunity to get out the dancing shoes – for anyone 50 or over – will be when the members of the Silver Stars Orchestra play for the Christmas Dinner Dance, Saturday, Dec.12 (7-10 p.m.) at Kent Street Activity Centre, 1475 Kent Street.
Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. for the event.
Tickets ($25) can be purchased at the centre’s regular Wednesday dances, or for more information, call 604-857-0384.
Also coming up rapidly at the centre is the New Year’s Eve dinner dance, Dec 31, with the Swing City Orchestra playing 8:45 PM till 15 minutes after midnight.
Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets ($35) can also be purchased at the Wednesday dances or for further ticket information call: 604-857-0384 or 604-541-2231.
Linda Kidder and Dave Pickell
Described as a musical ‘match made in heaven’ the combination of vocalist Linda Kidder and pianist Dave Pickell brings fresh jazz arrangements and a sophisticated, dazzling, often humourous approach to original material and familiar, beloved Christmas repertoire.
They’ll be presenting their ‘Christmas-ish’ show Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. at Blue Frog Studios (1328 Johnston Rd.)
With a Juno award and a Billboard number one hit between them, the two pursued parallel careers working with the likes of Bryan Adams, kd lang, Anne Murray, Alanis Morissette, Paul Horn, Kelly Rowland and Gary Fjellgaard.
Finally teaming in 2011, they decided jazz was the genre to take their energies and talents in a new direction.
Backed by stellar sidemen Brent Gubbels (bass) and Nino DiPasquale (drums) the duo will also be joined by humourous and talented performer Norm Foote.
Tickets ($37.50) are available at www.bluefrogstudios.ca or call 604-542-3055.
Tina Turner tribute
Vancouver-based Luisa Marshall had the powerhouse vocal talent, the legs and the looks to pull off a tribute to the Queen of Rock – but it wasn’t until she was performing in Dubai in 1995 that she finally gave in to persistent requests to don a wild Tina Turner wig while ‘selling’ Turner’s signature ‘Proud Mary.’
It was at that moment that her internationally-acclaimed, award winning tribute show was born – the show she and Rock.It Boy Entertainment will bring to Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd. (Monday, Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m.).
An astounding resemblance to Turner both musically and physically consistently brings down the house with spectacular performances of hits like The Best, Better Be Good To Me, Private Dancer, What’s Love Got To Do With It, Let’s Stay Together and We Don’t Need Another Hero.
Tickets ($42.50, plus facility fee and service charges) can be charged by phone at 604-536-7535 or online at www.whiterockplayers.ca
Young actors sought
There’s still a chance for young actors to audition for a highly-regarded theatre company’s 18th season.
Susan Pendleton’s Young People’s Theatre Company of Surrey (SYTCO) has opened up a few spots for boys and girls in grades 7-10 for the upcoming season.
Contact sytco@shaw.ca for audition information.
Encore concerts
The series of well-received afternoon classical performances presented by Encore Peninsula Concerts and co-sponsored by the City of White Rock continues in January at White Rock’s First United Church, 15385 Semiahmoo Ave. Next in the stellar group of world-class classical touring musicians lined up by artistic director Eugene Skovordnikov, himself an internationally-recognized concert pianist, will be Chinese cellist Yinzi Kong and her life and performing partner, American pianist William Ransom (Jan. 31).
Italian piano duo Sergio Marchegiani and Marco Schiavo, both also noted as soloists, will bring out the excitement of Brahms’ piano duets on Feb. 28, while Polish/Belgian pianist Joanna Trzeciak will present Beethoven and Chopin pieces on April 17.
Rounding out the series will be an extra treat – an orchestral performance by the strings of the West Coast Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Albanian maestro Bujar Llapaj) with Skovorodnikov at the piano, and Canadian-American trumpeter Dan Kocurek.
Featured pieces at this concert will be Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart, surely one of the best-known of all classical compositions, and Shostakovich’s Concerto No. 1 for Piano, Trumpet and Strings.
Tickets (season and individual) can be purchased online at tickets.surrey.ca or at White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Ave.
Orchestral recruits
The White Rock Community Orchestra has openings for double bass players and string players – especially violinists and violists. New woodwind and brass players are also welcome. For details, call Don Miller at 604-807-0560 or email papadon1812@hotmail.com, or visit http://whiterockcommunityorchestra.org
Symphonists sought
Now celebrating its 30th concert season, the Fraser Valley Symphony is seeking new members in the violin, viola and percussion sections, but also welcomes inquiries from other interested professional-calibre musicians.
Performing alongside world class instrumental and vocal soloists, the orchestra provides an opportunity for auditioned musicians to present a variety of music to audiences throughout the region.
Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings, in Abbotsford.
Contact info@fraservalleysymphony.org or call 604-859-3877.
Singers wanted
Pacific Showtime Men’s Chorus, based in Ocean Park, 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 many different Lower Mainland events, including show productions, concerts and private functions.
The repertoire is designed to include songs and a singing style that appeal to a wide variety of music preferences, with emphasis on entertainment value, and chance to develop singing skills while having fun and enjoying camaraderie.
Male singers are invited to attend rehearsals to check out the group and, hopefully, join in.
For more information, call 604-536-5292 or email leighand@shaw.ca
