ItB次元官网网址檚 been an emotional roller coaster ride the last three seasons for the Chemainus Theatre. With the return to stage in 2022, itB次元官网网址檚 hoped the ride will be much smoother as the theatre rolls out its 2023 schedule and prepares to head into a new season.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a season that offers a little something for everyoneB次元官网网址檚 tastes in theatre.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a nice mix,B次元官网网址� said managing director Randy Huber.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 lots of variety in the season,B次元官网网址� added artistic director Mark DuMez. B次元官网网址淎 lot of shows have two elements in them.B次元官网网址�

So whether patrons prefer comedy, mystery, suspense, drama or music, itB次元官网网址檚 all covered in the five shows on the schedule.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 five very different experiences,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 a full range of theatrical experiences.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭wo very new shows,B次元官网网址� observed marketing director Michelle Vogelgesang. B次元官网网址淭hey look very interesting. WeB次元官网网址檙e pretty excited about the season, nice to get back to some new stuff and a bigger musical.B次元官网网址�

A phased-in approach to seat selection begins with season tickets available to donors and then bookings and renewals for groups that come on a regular basis. They will all be notified.

Feb. 1 is the launch for season tickets for the general public, with single tickets going on sale Feb. 8.

ThereB次元官网网址檚 also an option to purchase three-show packages where B次元官网网址渢hey get to choose the shows they want to see,B次元官网网址� explained Huber.B次元官网网址�

And for a full season subscription, B次元官网网址渨eB次元官网网址檝e given a really good discount on that package,B次元官网网址� he added.

DuMez has been busy arranging to cast the shows and that aspect is coming together nicely.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got a couple of shows cast,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l be auditioning early (in 2023) for the second half of the season.B次元官网网址�

The theatre schedule got part way into its first show of 2020, The Marvellous Wonderettes, when the rest of the season got cancelled due to COVID. The theatre stage remained dark in 2021 before slowly opening up again with precautions in 2022 and shows with smaller casts.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to be planning a full season with some assurance,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 nice to see the audience thatB次元官网网址檚 been returning to the theatre.B次元官网网址�

Without further adieu, hereB次元官网网址檚 whatB次元官网网址檚 on the agenda for 2023:

Naked Radio, March 3-April 2

DuMez immediately assures there is no nudity in this performance, despite the title.

Billed as a musical comedy, the showB次元官网网址檚 premise is two deejays hold a community together through music, laughter and song with a host of call-in characters and cheeky jingles after a powerful snowstorm B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渟omething we know very much about on Vancouver Island,B次元官网网址� quips DuMez B次元官网网址� that cuts off the internet, cell phones and TV. All thatB次元官网网址檚 left is the local radio station; thus, the naked part.

B次元官网网址淭hey have to make up a radio show on the fly,B次元官网网址� said DuMez of the deejaysB次元官网网址� predicament.

B次元官网网址淎 third person on the show, she plays over a dozen characters calling in. ItB次元官网网址檚 super funny.B次元官网网址�

For those who remember Lumberjacks In Love when it played at the Chemainus Theatre, Naked Radio is from the same company in Wisconsin, Northern Sky Theater.

Gaslight, April 28-May 28

Two versions of the classic thriller, mystery and suspense yarn were movie releases in the 1940s.

The story involves a woman who believes sheB次元官网网址檚 been living an idyllic married life with her husband. But she worries about losing her grip on reality when items start to disappear, pictures move and the gaslight dims. She searches for answers as secrets from the past are revealed.

This recent adaptation is from the Shaw Festival in Ontario.

B次元官网网址淭he detective has been removed,B次元官网网址� said DuMez of one difference. B次元官网网址淭he heroine is responsible for basically sleuthing her own puzzle. ItB次元官网网址檚 kind of a neat update. It changes the dynamic.B次元官网网址�

Ghost The Musical, June 23-Aug. 27

DuMez said itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渂ased on the film that featured the Unchained Melody as one of the featured numbers.B次元官网网址�

Ghost The Musical follows young couple Sam and Molly whose connection takes a shocking turn after his untimely death.

Sam is trapped between two worlds and refuses to leave Molly, although sheB次元官网网址檚 in grave danger as the bond of love transcends all challenges.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a bit of a mystery as well,B次元官网网址� added DuMez.

The Fiancee, Sept. 22-Oct. 22

This is a new Canadian comedy, DuMez said, thatB次元官网网址檚 a door-slamming kind of farce set toward the end of the Second World War.

B次元官网网址淥ne well-meaning sister wants to send the troops out happily,B次元官网网址� he noted. B次元官网网址淪he says sheB次元官网网址檒l marry a number of different people because she canB次元官网网址檛 say B次元官网网址榥o.B次元官网网址� When they come back, sheB次元官网网址檚 in a bit of a bind.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a really strong Canadian comedy that played really well at the Citadel (Theatre) in Edmonton when it premiered. WeB次元官网网址檒l be doing our own version here.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 A Wonderful Life B次元官网网址� The Radio Play, Nov. 17-Dec. 23

This version of the beloved holiday classic is done with a clever twist as a live radio broadcast.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a kind of a simple actor-driven magical telling of the story,B次元官网网址� said DuMez.

Actors each portray numerous characters and take on sound effects.

The story otherwise stays true to form with George Bailey realizing what life would have been like if he wasnB次元官网网址檛 born and how he impacted so many people in a positive light. With the help of his guardian angel Clarence, George has a change of heart from being downtrodden to recapturing the spirit of the holidays.

DuMez added the Playbill Presents cabarets that helped fill the COVID gaps will be returning between shows, with the performers to be announced.

The Playbill Dining Room will also have a buffet option returning in 2023 on Wednesdays during shows with a premium buffet on Saturday nights as well as brunch buffets for Saturday and Sunday matinees.

B次元官网网址淚 think patrons are going to be interested to know that,B次元官网网址� said Vogelgesang.

The table dB次元官网网址檋ote menus will continue on Thursday and Friday nights.

The theatre looks to 2023 to rebuild momentum and that includes a Momentum Matched Giving Campaign for donors. Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, and Dr. Don and Joyce Hilton have collectively pledged $25,000 to the matched campaign of putting together the 2023 season.

B次元官网网址淵ou incur a lot of your costs up-front and the revenue comes later,B次元官网网址� explained Huber. B次元官网网址淭his is going to be a critical campaign for us.B次元官网网址�

The vital financial support will help to restore capacity. The theatre ran at less than half its historical audience level in 2022, but the light is at the end of the tunnel again.

B次元官网网址淚t feels a little more normal,B次元官网网址� said Huber. B次元官网网址淲e wonB次元官网网址檛 get back to 2019 levels (in 2023) but weB次元官网网址檇 like to take a step in that direction.B次元官网网址�

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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