THEATRE PREVIEW

OCTOBER 2023 | Volume 232

 

Join Buddy the Elf on his tunefully exciting expedition from the North Pole to New York City in Elf: The Musical, playing Nov 2–Dec 31 at the Arts Club Theatre Company's Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.

Buddy (Andrew McNee) is bigger than all the other elves and has poor toy-making abilities, sparking doubt on whether he is an elf. With Santa's (Tom Pickett) permission, he embarks on an unforgettable journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Buddy is determined to win over his new family with Christmas cheer, syrupy spaghetti, and heartfelt songs. But what's an elf to do when his dad, Walter (Andrew Wheeler), is on the naughty list and his half-brother, Michael (Rickie Wang), doesn't even believe in the man in red? Audiences of all ages can frolic in this romp that's part family reunion, part rom-com, and full of heart and humour.

Director Stephen Drover said, "At its core, the story is about joy, being together as a family, and the power of belief. If you love Christmas, if you loved the movie, and if the idea of eight tap-dancing Santas gets you excited, Elf: The Musical is for you!"

Ashlie Corcoran, the Arts Club's Artistic Director, added, "I've always loved the humour, charm, and sheer silliness of the film Elf, and I find the musical to be equally delightful, surprising, and joyful. I am so thrilled that Andrew McNee will be leading our Ensemble as Buddy the Elf, and I'm over the moon about our deeply talented creative team led by Stephen Drover as the director, Julie Tomaino as the choreographer, and Ken Cormier as the music director."

The Arts Club's production of Elf: The Musical features 19 cast members, including understudies; a 10-person strong children's chorus; and eight musicians.

CAST
Meghan Anderssen (Deb/Ensemble), Scott Bellis (Mr. Greenway/Santa Understudy), Oliver Castillo (Ensemble), Hailey Christie-Hoyle (Ensemble), Cassandra Consiglio (Ensemble), Sharon Crandall (Emily Hobbs/Ensemble), Paige Fraser (Standby), Andrew J. Hampton (Ensemble), Hannah Henney (Ensemble), Greg Liow (Ensemble), Andrew McNee (Buddy), Argel Monte de Ramos (Manager/Ensemble), Tom Pickett (Santa), Jyla Robinson (Ensemble), Vicente Sandoval (Ensemble), Eva Tavares (Jovie), Chris M. Ward (Standby), Rickie Wang (Michael Hobbs), Andrew Wheeler (Walter Hobbs)

MUSICIANS
Ken Cormier (Conductor / Keyboard 1), Angus Kellett (Keyboard 2), Sasha Niechoda (Keyboard 3), Martin Fisk (Drums & Percussion), Henry Christian (Trumpet), Ingrid Stitt (Reeds), Jim Hopson (Trombone), Ellen Marple (Substitute Trombone)

CHILDREN'S CHORUS
Nora Cowan, Benjamin Jacobson (Michael Hobbs Understudy), Siggi Kaldestad, Charlie Lynn, Alex MacIsaac, Mana Nakamura, Noah Park, Isla Sunar, Vienna Vasquez, Layla Verreault

CREATIVE TEAM
Stephen Drover (Director), Julie Tomaino (Choreographer), Laura Ross (Associate Choreographer*), Ken Cormier (Musical Director), Brian Ball (Set Designer), Christine Reimer (Costume Designer), Itai Erdal (Lighting Designer), Rick Colhoun (Sound Designer), Sam Jeffery (Fight & Intimacy Director), Adam Henderson (Dialect Coach), Parmiss Sehat (Assistant Director), Melicia Zaini (Assistant Costume Designer), Anna Garoucheva Gonzalez (Apprentice Director), Angela Beaulieu (Stage Manager), Geoff Jones (Assistant Stage Manager), Liz King (Assistant Stage Manager), Elyse Wall (Apprentice Stage Manager), Brynna Drummond (Child Supervisor), Rose McNeil (Child Supervisor)

*This role was made possible through the support of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers' Assistant and Associate Program, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts.

SHOWTIMES + SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
November 2–December 31, 2023 (Media opening: November 8)
Evenings: Tue–Thu, 7:30 PM; Fri & Sat, 8 PM
Matinees: Wed, 1:30 PM; Sat & Sun, 2 PM
Sunday Salon: Sun, Nov 12, 2 PM
Talkback Tuesday: Tue, Nov 21, 7:30 PM
VocalEye Performances: Sun, Dec 3, 2 PM; Fri, Dec 8, 8 PM

ABOUT THE ARTS CLUB THEATRE COMPANY
The Arts Club Theatre Company is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, in particular the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured to live, work, and create on this land together.

The Arts Club, now celebrating its 60th anniversary season, is one of the largest not-for-profit theatre organizations in the country and is the principal gathering place for the theatrical arts in British Columbia. Comprising three unique venues across Vancouver, the Arts Club welcomes more than a quarter million guests annually, tours provincially and nationally, and engages students and artists alike through educational and professional programs.

Above all, the Arts Club is dedicated to the advancement of local artists telling stories from around the globe and, in particular, those of our region. From this, we believe that culture expands, an understanding of differences is nurtured, and art bursts forth. The Arts Club was founded in 1964 and is currently led by Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran and Executive Director Peter Cathie White.

artsclub.com
facebook.com/theArtsClub
twitter.com/theArtsClub
instagram.com/TheArtsClub/
youtube.com/ArtsClubTheatreCompany

 

 

 

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