Spirits will be soaring throughout the summer for Chemainus Theatre FestivalB次元官网网址檚 rendition of Ghost The Musical, running June 23-Aug. 27.

All the much-loved elements B次元官网网址� like the pottery scene and the iconic Unchained Melody song B次元官网网址� from the multi-award winning 1990 movie that starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg are incorporated into this production, only with Jacob Woike (Sam Wheat), Jennie Neumann (Molly Jensen) and Madeleine Eddy (Oda Mae Brown) in the lead roles.

Ghost The Musical relives the magical moments from the movie in this Broadway musical that features a thrilling adventure to the afterlife. Book and lyrics are by Bruce Joel Rubin, with music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard.

B次元官网网址淭his show did really well in other theatres pre-pandemic,B次元官网网址� said Chemainus TheatreB次元官网网址檚 artistic director Mark DuMez, who is directing this dynamic performance.

B次元官网网址淭here are some beautiful moments of connection. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of love in this show and thereB次元官网网址檚 a sense of justice. The love is really what is so beautiful how it connects us in all space and time. It reminds us of the good parts of being human.B次元官网网址�

A strong team has been assembled that includes returning choreographer Melissa Young, who previously directed the much-loved Lumberjacks In Love B次元官网网址� the last show at the theatre that featured DuMez as a performer B次元官网网址� and musical director Antony Knight, who lent his magic touches to Naked Radio earlier this year at the theatre, plus an amazing assortment of talent with expertise in all facets of sets, costumes, lighting and sound.

This also just happens to be the largest production for the theatre since the return from COVID protocols, with 10 actors on stage as the recovery process continues. DuMez said itB次元官网网址檚 nice to be working with a larger cast again for a summer musical and itB次元官网网址檚 been a fun group during rehearsals.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 some powerful numbers in the show,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e fun and theyB次元官网网址檙e energetic and really beautiful voices in the show. ThereB次元官网网址檚 lovely depth and heart. It really goes into so many realms. ItB次元官网网址檚 a solid New York texture and feel and then you get the lights and the projections inside of that and the lovely story-telling elements.

B次元官网网址淭he closure of Act 1 is just a powerhouse, the way itB次元官网网址檚 been executed and the way itB次元官网网址檚 been rewritten.B次元官网网址�

The show marks a homecoming for Woike, 30, who was born in Port Alberni but grew up in the Cowichan Valley, and is looking forward to his first-ever performance at the Chemainus Theatre.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always keeping my eyes on the shows here,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always wanted to work with Mark.B次元官网网址�

The role of Sam Wheat definitely caught his attention and now B次元官网网址淚 get to spend the summer season with my family and live on the farm,B次元官网网址� he enthused.

Ghost The Musical plays perfectly into WoikeB次元官网网址檚 talents as an actor and singer that has included numerous film and television credits over the years.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a pretty iconic movie,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 watched it while I was younger. ThereB次元官网网址檚 lots of really fun stuff, very contemporary. ItB次元官网网址檚 going to sound great. ItB次元官网网址檚 a very contemporary, very upbeat soundtrack. ItB次元官网网址檚 exciting to be in a role like this. At the end of the day, I get to tell a beautiful story and I want to do the best I can.B次元官网网址�

And Woike loves to sing. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what I first started doing in theatre,B次元官网网址� he said.

After graduating from Cowichan Secondary School in 2011, Woike moved to Vancouver, attended Capilano University and started working in various projects around Western Canada. He finished his Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree at Capilano just before the pandemic in 2020.

Among his interesting experiences have been working on Royal CaribbeanB次元官网网址檚 Empress of the Sea cruise ship for a year and a recent part in The Dating Game, a film based partly on the popular 1960s game show thatB次元官网网址檚 due for release in the fall.

Co-star Madeleine Eddy also has all sorts of claims to fame to her name, including growing up in Goodwood, Ont. thatB次元官网网址檚 become a famous tourist spot as the backdrop for the SchittB次元官网网址檚 Creek TV series.

Eddy graduated from high school in Uxbridge, Ont. and completed the jazz program at Humber College in Toronto. She went on to study acting at Seneca College.

B次元官网网址淔rom that acting program, I continued with singing a lot,B次元官网网址� Eddy said.

The Soul of Motown and a lead role in Dreamgirls furthered her career. The Hero Artists talent agency immediately recognized her talents.

B次元官网网址淎n agent happened to be there and thatB次元官网网址檚 how I got signed,B次元官网网址� Eddy said of her Dreamgirls experience.

The Chemainus Theatre opportunity was too good for her to pass up. B次元官网网址淚 love the sense of community here,B次元官网网址� Eddy said. B次元官网网址淭oronto, you can feel like a moving piece sometimes. You feel like a family here which reminded me why I wanted to get into the theatre in the first place and make beautiful art.B次元官网网址�

Her theatre and television credits are numerous. Ironically, one of those was during a Season 2 episode of CBSB次元官网网址� Ghosts.

Now to be in Ghost The Musical in the Whoopi Goldberg part is like seventh heaven for Eddy.

B次元官网网址淲hen the chance arose to play her character, I felt I was right for it,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a dream role, for sure.

B次元官网网址淭he show itself is very intense with its emotions.B次元官网网址�

But there is some comedic relief and B次元官网网址渉opefully people will be dancing in their seats,B次元官网网址� Eddy added.

To book tickets for matinee or evening shows, call the box office at 1-800-565-7738 or visit chemainustheatre.ca.

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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