Christmas is coming and the return to the stage is the best gift of all for the Chemainus Theatre staff and its patrons.
That will be happening Dec. 8-23 with Holiday Jubilation, a Christmas concert, live on the main stage.
B次元官网网址淚t feels good to be back in this space,B次元官网网址� said the theatreB次元官网网址檚 artistic director Mark DuMez, as preparations are well under way for the show.
B次元官网网址淭o say weB次元官网网址檙e excited about it would be an understatement,B次元官网网址� added managing director Randy Huber. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a long time.B次元官网网址�
March 13, 2020, to be exact, was the last live performance on the theatre stage when COVID shut down the Marvelous Wonderettes early and then everything else on the schedule for 2020, with 2021 being a no-go until now.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 seared in my mind,B次元官网网址� said DuMez of the infamous date that led to a prolonged dark period not only for the Chemainus Theatre, but the entire industry.
After more than 20 months, the doors are finally reopening with a special Christmas concert thatB次元官网网址檚 certain to warm the heart, especially with everything thatB次元官网网址檚 happened.
The show will be a sentimental holiday concert with well-known musicians and singers, including ChemainusB次元官网网址� own Georgia Bennett, CroftonB次元官网网址檚 Ed Peekeekoot, Heather Burns, Kraig Waye and Michelle Bardach to celebrate hope and healing with uplifting holiday and seasonal songs spiced with the right blend of seasonal stories inspiring love, joy and peace to all.
There will be solo sets, some group works and original arrangements, said DuMez.
B次元官网网址淏etween it, IB次元官网网址檒l be doing a bit of introduction and some fun holiday stuff. We have really gone with holiday jubilation to be a celebrative time to being back in the space together.B次元官网网址�
The gap between stage shows has been bridged with the Playbill Presents Cabaret Series of dining and live entertainment that has included Bennett and sheB次元官网网址檚 been thrilled at the chance to do that.
B次元官网网址淚t felt amazing,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t rekindled the love I have for performing.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淟ots of people have enjoyed the Cabaret,B次元官网网址� Huber indicated. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been able to run those with public health orders.B次元官网网址�
Bennett voiced Songs of the Screen for the second time (back by popular demand), with the last performance just ending Friday, that featured Oscar-winning soundtracks, movie musical scores and familiar hits from past decades.
B次元官网网址淚 decided to do that there because IB次元官网网址檇 been watching so many movies and media,B次元官网网址� she reasoned.
Lots of the material from the 1970s and B次元官网网址�80s was familiar to the audience.
B次元官网网址淚 think it was just a nice way for people to know the music I was singing and not that theyB次元官网网址檇 heard it a thousand times,B次元官网网址� confided Bennett.
She was in Toronto when COVID restrictions first happened to idle the industry. Many of her acting friends were contemplating back-up plans if theatre never came back.
B次元官网网址淚 fell into that as well, but never pursued it,B次元官网网址� said Bennett. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l just wait as well.B次元官网网址�
She spent the summer of 2020 in Chemainus and eventually gave up her apartment in Toronto last November to move back here.
Of course, Bennett is not stranger to the magic of Christmas in Chemainus, having previously appeared in Little Women at the theatre in 2018 and sheB次元官网网址檚 looking forward to rekindling that with this special Christmas production. And her biggest fan, grandmother Sandra Heydon, will be there with bells on.
B次元官网网址淎s soon as you step back in youB次元官网网址檙e going to feel the warmth of the stage lighting and the performance,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 fantastic to be gearing up hopefully to stay for the road bumps ahead,B次元官网网址� noted Huber. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely our intent to bring a full season of theatre in 2022.B次元官网网址�
Tickets for Holiday Jubilation are already going fast. Wednesdays and Thursdays are at 7:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
B次元官网网址淭he restaurant is open; itB次元官网网址檚 a three-course plated dinner beforehand,B次元官网网址� Huber added.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 also Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m., with a brunch before the Sunday 2 p.m. shows.
Seating is extremely limited, masks are mandatory and proof of vaccine and government-issued ID are required. Capacity will be in accordance with current public health orders.
One seat will be maintained between each party, restricting the theatre capacity.
