NEW WEST FAMILY ONSTAGE TOGETHER
Theatre is a family affair for the Elcheshen-Norris family this Christmas.
The New Westminster family is taking to the stage in the Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s 2016 pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. The traditional British panto – with its original music, corny jokes, special effects and spectacular costumes – includes New West’s own Kerri Norris as the villain Brunhilda. She’s joined onstage by her husband, Stephen Elcheshen, and their daughters Aeron and Cayleigh Elcheshen.
Beauty and the Beast, written and directed by Ellie King, is onstage Dec. 16 to 26 at the Surrey Arts Centre and Dec. 30 and 31 at the ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge. It features 7:30 p.m. evening shows and 3:30 p.m. matinees.
Check out www.rctheatreco.com for details. For Surrey Arts Centre tickets, see tickets.surrey.ca. For ACT Arts Centre tickets, see www.theactmapleridge.org.
NEW WEST PERFORMER IN MUSIC MAN
New Westminster residents are part of the fun for Gateway Theatre’s holiday show.
The Music Man is onstage at the theatre from Dec. 8 to 31, and two local folks are involved.
Young performer Scotia Browner appears in the cast as Amaryllis, while Suzanne Ouellette is the choreographer.
If you think you recognize those names, you’re not wrong – Scotia has been seen in multiple productions around town, including Gateway’s The Wizard of Oz last season, and Beauty and the Beast and Oliver! at Theatre Under the Stars.
Ouellette, meanwhile, is well-known for her work. She recently choreographed Royal City Musical Theatre’s My Fair Lady, served as ballet advisor for Arts Club’s Billy Elliot and was ballet mistress for Ballet B.C.
The Music Man stars Jay Hindle and Meghan Gardiner and is directed by Barbara Tomasic.
It’s set to play at the Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Rd. in Richmond, nightly at 8 p.m. (except Dec. 13, 24, 25 and 27), with matinees on Dec. 10, 11, 18, 26 and 31 at 2 p.m., and Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.
Tickets start at $29. See www.gatewaytheatre.com/musicman for info, or buy tickets at 604-207-1812 or tickets.gatewaytheatre.com.
GOLDEN AGE THEATRE SEEKS PERFORMERS
The Century House drama club is looking for performers.
The Golden Age Theatre club, which runs out of the Century House seniors’ centre in New West, is looking for actors and actresses to take part in its spring production in March 2017. No experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome to join.
The group is also looking for behind-the-scenes stage crew help.
“We are a great group of people, many of us never having had experience on stage or behind the scenes,” reads an invitation from Carla Krens, director.
Anyone who’s interested is asked to join a meeting at Century House, 620 Eighth St., on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.
For information, email [email protected].
CHRISTMAS MOVIES AT THE MARKET
Got a favourite Christmas movie? River Market is showing a series of family-friendly holiday films in the month of December, and you’re invited to pop down to the food hall for the screenings.
The lineup starts with A Christmas Carol (the George C. Scott version) on Wednesday, Dec. 7, and it continues on Thursday, Dec. 8 with Gremlins. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, you can see Home Alone, with Miracle on 34th Street (the 1994 John Hughes film) on Thursday, Dec. 15.
Jingle All the Way screens on Wednesday, Dec. 21, with Elf on Thursday, Dec. 22.
The movie screenings are free for the whole family. Movies start at 3:15 p.m. Check out www.rivermarket.ca for more details.
BASKET WEAVING OFFERED
The New Westminster Museum is giving you a chance to explore a traditional First Nations art form.
Traditional weaver Melvin Williams of Lil’wat will be leading a session on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the museum.
Running in association with the feature exhibition, Witness Blanket, the workshop will teach participants how to gather, prepare and weave with cedar. Supplies are included, and you’ll make a small basket to take home.
It costs $88. See www.anvilcentre.comfor more details.
NWSS DANCERS ON STAGE
You can enjoy the talents of the next generation of dancers in an evening of dance at Massey Theatre.
The New Westminster Secondary School dance program is presenting two shows on Tuesday, Dec. 13, starting at 7 p.m.
The night will feature the senior dance students in Round Peg, which follows the story of Gwyneth, a new student at her high school who has a hard time seeing where she fits in.
Junior students will present It Was All A Dream, which follows what happens when a student falls asleep in one of her classes.
Sound intriguing? Tickets are only $8, plus service charges. Buy through 604-521-5050 or www.ticketsnw.ca. The Massey Theatre is at 735 Eighth Ave.
WRITE ABOUT NEW WEST
Writers, get out those pens and boot up those laptops: it’s time to get writing again.
LitFest New West is presenting a short story competition this year, and submissions are being accepted until midnight on Jan. 15, 2017.
All stories must be fiction, and they must be set in New Westminster. The contest is limited to one entry per person, and stories must not have been previously published in print or on the web.
Prize money will be available for adult and youth writers. Youth prizes will be awarded in three age categories: 12 to 13, 14 to 15, and 16 to 18.
Adult entries must be between 1,200 and 1,500 words, while youth entries must be from 500 to 1,000 words.
Entry is free for arts council members, or $25 for non-members (or, better yet, become a member of the Arts Council of New Westminster and then enter for free).
You have to send in your entry to [email protected] midnight on Jan. 15, so you still have some time.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected].
