Holiday Theatre in Vancouver 2011
byI love attending the theatre in Vancouver during the holidays. Wrapped in a scarf, boots crunching down on the salted sidewalk, ducking for cover under the Stanley’s marquee. Entering the lobby, cheeks rosy-red, taking my seat for the holiday production of the year. Not only are the shows colourful and classic, but giving the gift of a theatre ticket is a long-lasting experience. Here are just a few of the plays and musicals appearing on stage around Metro Vancouver this season:
Brian Linds in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s 2010 production of The Patron Saint of Stanley Park.
Photo by David Cooper.
The Arts Club
Patron Saint of Stanley Park
When: December 1 to December 24, 2011
Where: Revue Stage on Granville Island
Twitter: @TheArtsClub
About: A “magical holiday fable” set in Vancouver’s crown jewel, Stanley Park, on Christmas Eve. “A scruffy vagabond, who may be more than he appears to be, helps a struggling family to see that Christmas really can illuminate the strength of the human spirit.”
White Christmas: The Musical
When: December 2 to December 28, 2011
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
About: John and I saw this a few years ago and even he (who doesn’t like musicals) had a great time at the performance — I’m not sure how you can’t enjoy this classic. “Based on the classic holiday film, this tap-dancing delight brims with tunes—including “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” and the ever-popular “White Christmas”—that will fill you with the joy of the season.” Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin.
Ballet BC
The Nutcracker
When: December 28 to December 31, 2011
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Twitter: @BalletBC
About: One of the most famous ballets of all time (within pop culture at least) with familiar sugar-plum tunes. “This production takes place in the opulent grandeur of turn of the 20th century Imperial Russia. Danced to the glorious Tchaikovsky score, played live by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.”
Pacific Theatre
Christmas Carol
When: December 2 to December 31, 2011
Where: 1440 West 12th Ave, Vancouver
Twitter: @PacificTheatre
About: Adapted by Ron Reed from the Charles Dickens novel, this will be a one-man performance with the storytelling of Dickens in this hauntingly familiar tale. There’s a “Pay What You Can” preview on December 1st as well.
Carousel Theatre
Wizard of Oz
@CarouselTheatre
When: December 2 to December 31, 2011
Where: Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright, Granville Island)
About: While not a classic “holiday” tale, you can still enjoy this family-friendly production with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto as the travel through Oz.
Gateway Theatre
Sound of Music
When: December 8 to December 31, 2011
Where: Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
Twitter: @Gateway_Theatre
About: See this Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece live and experience numbers like “Do-Re-Mi”, “Edelweiss”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, and “The Sound of Music”.
The Cultch
The Christmas Carol Project
When: December 18 to December 20, 2011
Where: 1895 Venables, The Eastside Cultural Centre (The Cultch)
Twitter: @TheCultch
About: A musical version of Dickens’ Christmas Carol with a blend of contemporary music and literature for the whole family.
Goh Ballet
Nutcracker Ballet
When: December 15 to December 18, 2011
Where: The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
About: The classic ballet accompanied by the Vancouver Opera’s orchestra.
Additional shows of note are The Hotel Bethlehem at the Shadbolt Centre in Burnaby, and the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir “Sounds of Christmas” at the Surrey Arts Centre.
If any other theatre companies would like to have their productions listed, please feel free to send me an email. I encourage everyone to support their local arts scene and give loved ones the intangible gifts of music, dance, and theatre this season.
