His name has become synonymous with musical theatre in New Westminster.
Edwin Harrington, a native of the Royal City, devoted his life to the theatrical arts, and for his many years of artistic contribution, he is being honoured this month with the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame Award.
"It's a very important award to people in theatre," said choreographer Dolores Kirkwood, a long-time friend and collaborator of Harrington's, who spoke on his behalf due to complications with his health. "I would say it's sort of second in line to the Order of B.C. It's a big one."
Harrington was cofounder and artistic director of the Royal City Musical Theatre Company for 20 years, for which he was recently awarded the Director Emiretus award for his "many years of creative directing."
He was a high school teacher at Terry Fox Secondary in Port Coquitlam for 25 years, where he produced and directed the musical theatre productions.
He was also an actor and director with the Vagabond Players, and was involved with Metro Theatre, Vancouver Little Theatre, North Vancouver Theatre, Fraser Valley Musical Theatre, Vancouver International Festival, and others, and was an adviser to the theatre department at Douglas College.
Among the many awards he has received over the years, Harrington was given the Sam Payne Award - for humanity, integrity, and encouragement of young talent, from ACTRA, Canada's Film and Television Union - the Bernie Legge Award for Encouragement of Art in the Community, and the Key to the City of Port Coquitlam for promotion of drama and musical theatre.
Along with the Entertainment Hall of Fame Award this month, Harrington will also have his name put on a brass star on the sidewalk on Granville Street across from the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver.
In 2005, Harrington retired and passed on the title of artistic director for the Royal City Musical Theatre Company to Lloyd Nicholson, who was in that spot for three years before he passed away and Valerie Easton took over.
"She's doing a wonderful job," said Kirkwood, of Easton. "She's another volunteer who certainly has put in her time and we're thrilled that she has taken over the reigns as artistic director. Ed has said she's the right person to lead the company forward."
On stage at Massey Theatre this month is Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, which Easton is directing. Kirkwood accepted the award on Harrington's behalf at the show on April 19.
