The Chemainus Theatre would have normally been at this stage sooner, but reaching the 30th anniversary season is a milestone the staff looks forward to celebrating with the public.
B次元官网网址淲e would have hit the 30th season in 2022, but we lost two seasons,B次元官网网址� said managing director Randy Huber.
Those COVID years are but a distant memory now, but the effects are still being felt at the box office and Huber hopes 2024 will be a big rebound year for ticket sales. Those pre-pandemic levels have yet to be attained since the theatre resumed programming again the last two years.
Behind-the-scenes work has long been under way for the 2024 season and some preparations have already started for 2025. ThatB次元官网网址檚 how far ahead the necessary groundwork must be laid.
But, first things first, and itB次元官网网址檚 on with the shows that will be coming this calendar year.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e doing five main stage shows and then some auxiliary programming as well,B次元官网网址� explained Huber.
It all begins with a curling comedy Hurry Hard March 22-April 14 followed by a comedic adventure Jeeves At Sea May 10-June 2, the summer musical 9 to 5 June 28-Aug. 25, award-winning drama The Piano Teacher Sept. 27-Oct. 20 and concludes with a holiday romance Miss Bennett Christmas at Pemberley Nov. 22-Dec. 22.
B次元官网网址淭he seasonB次元官网网址檚 kind of neat,B次元官网网址� said artistic director Mark DuMez. B次元官网网址淭he centrepiece is the summer musical. WeB次元官网网址檙e back to a fulsome musical with 9 to 5.B次元官网网址�
Music and lyrics for that summer blockbuster are by none other than Dolly Parton herself.
B次元官网网址淪he seems like sheB次元官网网址檚 always relevant,B次元官网网址� noted DuMez.
Parton is still making waves in the industry and beyond, even as she reached her 78th birthday on Jan. 19. She defied the age spectrum by appearing in a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform during a National Football League game in November.
Chemainus Theatre fans wonB次元官网网址檛 get to see her in person, obviously, but the legacy of her music will ring true throughout the 9 to 5 production.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a tirelessness to her and her work,B次元官网网址� reasoned DuMez.
HereB次元官网网址檚 a synopsis of the shows on the 2024 calendar:
Hurry Hard B次元官网网址� A comedy by Canadian playwright Kristen Da Silva. When Bill and SandyB次元官网网址檚 marriage splits up, so does their curling team. A medical emergency left the menB次元官网网址檚 team a player short on the day of the big regional bonspiel. Bill, Sandy and their friends put aside their differences and come together to make a winning foursome.
B次元官网网址淟ots of laughter and good heart, too,B次元官网网址� said DuMez of the play, not to be confused with Men With Brooms.
B次元官网网址淚n this case, itB次元官网网址檚 women and men with brooms,B次元官网网址� he quipped. B次元官网网址淓veryone gets a broom.B次元官网网址�
Jeeves At Sea B次元官网网址� Bertie Wooster revels in life aboard the Vanderley yacht, accompanied by his peerless valet Jeeves. When BertieB次元官网网址檚 pal Crumpet assaults a prince, a madcap case of mistaken identities ensues, leading to BertieB次元官网网址檚 doom or marriage? Jeeves will sort it all out B次元官网网址� maybe.
This will be the fourth show in the Jeeves series, but itB次元官网网址檚 been a while. B次元官网网址淕lad to see that series is coming back,B次元官网网址� said DuMez. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a fun and frolicking world. Our audiences love the Jeeves series.B次元官网网址�
9 To 5 B次元官网网址� The musical is based on the 1980 hit movie, a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers plot to get even with their egotistical boss. Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy by giving their boss the boot.
The Piano Teacher B次元官网网址� A play about loss, love, friendship and the healing power of music. When classical pianist Erin experiences a family tragedy, sheB次元官网网址檚 unable to play music or even touch a piano. She meets an unconventional piano teacher who gives her new hope for the future.
The award-winning drama is written by Dorothy Dittrich, a long-time member of the Vancouver Theatre community who now calls Nanaimo home. She was part of the production team for Classic Country Roads at the Chemainus Theatre in 2022 as assistant musical director.
B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 written this beautiful play about healing, how music and compassionate relationships make that possible,B次元官网网址� explained DuMez. B次元官网网址淛ust really excited to have a nationally award-winning piece thatB次元官网网址檚 got such a local connection.B次元官网网址�
Miss Bennett Christmas at Pemberley B次元官网网址� The sequel to Jane AustenB次元官网网址檚 Pride and Prejudice is set at Christmas two years after the novel ends. Miss Bennett continues the story, but with middle sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks MaryB次元官网网址檚 hopes for independence, an intellectual match and possibly even love.
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a popular season with our season ticket holders,B次元官网网址� summed up Huber.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going to have some of the Playbill Presents cabarets between the shows,B次元官网网址� he added.
DuMez noted there will also be an Indigenous Film Festival to kick things off in 2024 March 8-9.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still in a spot where weB次元官网网址檙e rebuilding,B次元官网网址� said Huber.
B次元官网网址淭his year has been a year of building back. WeB次元官网网址檙e certainly not at the level of pre-pandemic.B次元官网网址�
But there are signs of a definite rebound and Huber said heB次元官网网址檚 been pleased with the recent sales.
The support for the theatre through the pandemic by other means was encouraging.
B次元官网网址淎udiences and sponsors, weB次元官网网址檙e just very grateful for the support,B次元官网网址� said Huber.
With a little something for everyone, DuMez hopes the season will also attract some newcomers.
B次元官网网址淭hirty seasons in, itB次元官网网址檚 nice for people to try for the first time,B次元官网网址� he said.
Those looking for deals will find some at the theatre, including a three-show option.
B次元官网网址淭he sooner folks buy, the better seats are going to be that they can access,B次元官网网址� Huber pointed out. B次元官网网址淧lanning ahead is always best.B次元官网网址�
