A New Westminster resident is taking to the stage in a Stephen Sondheim musical.
Cassady Ranford – who’ll be recognized by local audiences from her turn as Grace Farrell in the 2014 Royal City Musical Theatre production of Annie - is part of the cast for Company, onstage at the Jericho Arts Centre in Vancouver from Jan. 22 to Feb. 14.
The musical follows the story of the confirmed bachelor Robert, who’s celebrating his birthday surrounded by married friends and who must ponder the pros and cons of married life. Nick Fontaine stars as Robert in the modern musical that won seven Tony Awards in its Broadway incarnation.
The Jericho Arts Centre show is directed by Brian Parkinson, with choreography by Julie Tomaino. It’s on at the centre, 1675 Discovery St., Vancouver, from Jan. 22 to Feb. 14, Thursday through Sunday. Performances are at 8 p.m., except Sundays Jan. 31 and Feb. 14, when the show is a 2 p.m. matinee.
Tickets are $30 to $35, available at the door. The preview is $18, on Jan. 21.
You can reserve by calling 604-224-8007, ext. 2, or see www.unitedplayers.com for more.
GET CREATIVE
Are you a writer looking for ways to get in touch with your creative potential? The Royal City Literary Arts Society can help.
The group is hosting a Creative Pursuits workshop on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
The session, led by David Blinkhorn, is designed to provide tools and techniques for writers to help them better use their writing time and gain confidence.
“Discover how to regularly invite the friends of creativity into your writing life,” a write-up about the workshop says. “Find out who your creative enemies are and how to bar them from your imagination’s door.”
The workshop will be interactive, with individual and group exercises. It costs $15 for members and $25 for non-members, and it takes place in the MLA’s office at 737 Sixth St. (enter at back of building). See www.rclas.com for information and to sign up.
ART AT THE LIBRARY
Love art? Pop by the New Westminster Public Library to check out the latest exhibition.
New West artist Angela Emsley has an exhibition on the second floor of the library for the month of January.
Emsley is a contemporary abstract painter who specializes in acrylics and mixed media. She’s a 2010 graduate of Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and she exhibited her work in the New Westminster Cultural Crawl in 2014 and 2015.
Check out more about her at www.angelaemsley.net – or drop in to the library at 716 Sixth Ave. to check out her art for yourself.
JOIN THE CHOIR
Love to sing? The Anvil Community Choir wants to hear your voice.
Singers of all skill levels are being invited to join the new community choir, which rehearses Sundays at the Anvil Centre in Studio 413.
Choir director Shane Raman leads the group dedicated to “having fun, discovering your voice and connecting with the people in your community.”
The season is planned to culminate in a final performance at Queen’s Park.
Check out the Anvil Centre’s winter program guide at www.anvilcentre.com to sign up. Registration is $120.75 for the term.
JANN ARDEN COMING
Here’s a “save the date and buy your tickets now” reminder for all you Jann Arden fans.
The Canadian singer-songwriter is coming to New Westminster, with a Saturday, March 12 show at Massey Theatre.
She’s touring in support of her latest release, Everything Almost, which peaked at No. 2 on the Canadian Billboard Chart.
Arden, of course, is well known to Canadian and internal fans for a string of hit singles that includes Could I Be Your Girl, Good Mother and Will You Remember Me, as well as her breakout hit Insensitive.
Tickets for her local show are $78.50. Buy through ticketsnw.ca or call 604-521-5050.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
