Ring in the holidays at the Grand with A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Dennis Garnhum and Directed by Megan Watson
Starring Jan Alexandra Smith as SCROOGE
ON THE SPRIET STAGE FROM DECEMBER 5 TO 23
LONDON, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 26, 2018 - Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL returns to the Spriet Stage this season starring Jan Alexandra Smith as SCROOGE, in a gender-flipping twist on the holiday classic. Audiences will be immersed in the spectacle of Ebenezer Scrooge and her transformation at the hands of ghostly spirits from Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Adapted by Grand Theatre Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum, A CHRISTMAS CAROL debuted last season to sold-out houses. It returns this holiday season directed by Artistic Associate, Megan Watson. The Title Sponsor for A CHRISTMAS CAROL is London Life.
“Changing the gender of Scrooge has the potential to crack open this story in unexpected ways,” said Director Megan Watson. “The core of the story is the same but with a female Scrooge this classic will evolve in ways that will ask our hearts to feel and minds to think differently about a story we know so well.”
Jan Alexandra Smith most recently appeared at the Grand in TIMOTHY FINDLEY’S THE WARS as Mrs. Ross and will return in the powerhouse role of Johannah Donnelly in Catalyst Theatre’s VIGILANTE, back by popular demand this season.
The 21-member cast includes Steve Ross, currently in the Stratford Festival’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, as the jovial Mr. Fezziwig. Also featured is Blythe Wilson returning as the Spirit of Christmas Present, and Sean Arbuckle as Bob Cratchit.
ASL INTERPRETED AND OPEN CAPTION PERFORMANCE DATES
The Grand Theatre continues its commitment to accessibility initiatives for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing theatre patrons. ASL Interpreted and Open Caption performances have been announced for A CHRISTMAS CAROL on the following dates:
- OPEN CAPTION | Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 pm
- ASL INTERPRETED | Sunday, December 16 at 1:00pm
To book tickets, please email boxoffice [at] grandtheatre.com (boxoffice[at]grandtheatre[dot]com).
HUMBUG TO HUNGER
In the spirit of holiday giving and ongoing community support, the Grand Theatre is thrilled to continue its #HumbugtoHunger campaign in conjunction with A CHRISTMAS CAROL in support of the London Food Bank and the Business Cares program. Cash donations will be collected following each performance.
HOLIDAY WISH FOR KIDS
On December 5th, the Grand will host Holiday Wish for Kids, an annual event that welcomes over 300 children and families from 30 agencies across London to the holiday production and an evening of games, special treats, and a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus. The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges the donors and corporate supporters that make this special event possible at no cost to families.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL was developed through FUSE: The Enbridge New Play Development Program at Theatre Calgary and premiered in December of 2011.
The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges Season Sponsor BMO Financial Group.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL is on the Spriet Stage from December 5 thru 23. Tickets range from $29.95 to $86 and are available at grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. Prices include HST and are subject to change.
About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through COMPASS New Play Development program. The Grand supports educational programming with The High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America. The Grand’s season runs from September to May.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL MEDIA CALL
WHEN: Wednesday, December 5 at 1:00 pm (cameras, please arrive at 12:45pm to set up)
WHERE: Grand Theatre, Spriet Stage, 471 Richmond Street
WHAT: A CHRISTMAS CAROL photo, video, and interview opportunities for media
For more information and to RSVP for media call, please contact:
Ashley Roberts, Communications Consultant, Grand Theatre
aroberts [at] grandtheatre.com (aroberts[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)
Cell: 937-554-1894
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Dennis Garnhum
Directed by Megan Watson
Based on original direction by Dennis Garnhum
CAST
| Bob Cratchit | Sean Arbuckle |
| Spirit of Christmas Past | Jahlen Barnes |
| Tiny Tim | Owen Barteet |
| Young Scrooge / Martha Cratchit | Anna Bartlam |
| Belinda Cratchit | Annie Cornish |
| Peter Cratchit | Emma Cuzzocrea |
| Girl Scrooge | Riley DeLuca |
| Woman Scrooge | Ellen Denny |
| Fred | Aidan deSalaiz |
| Mrs Dilber | Nikki Duval |
| Fan | Isabella Espanol |
| Mrs Fezziwig | Tracey Ferencz |
| Mrs Cratchit | Rachel Jones |
| Dick Wilkins/ DANCE CAPTAIN | Michael Man |
| Jacob Marley | Patrick Monaghan |
| Spirit of Christmas Future/ SINGING CAPTAIN | David Michael Moote |
| Voice of Charles Dickens | Christopher Newton |
| Mr Fezziwig | Steve Ross |
| Ebenezer Scrooge | Jan Alexandra Smith |
| Topper | Geoffrey Tyler |
| Abigail | Amaka Umeh |
| Spirit of Christmas Present | Blythe Wilson |
PRODUCTION TEAM
| Director | Megan Watson |
| Original Director | Dennis Garnhum |
| Set Designer | Allan Stichbury |
| Costume Designer | Kelly Wolf |
| Lighting Designer | Bonnie Beecher |
| Videographer | Jamie Nesbitt |
| Composer | Jeremy Spencer |
| Sound Designer | Jim Neil |
| Music and Vocal Director | Mark Payne |
| Voice and Dialect Coach | Jane Gooderham |
| Choreographer | Kerry Gage |
| Skating Choreographer | Geoffrey Tyler |
| Stage Manager | Kelly Luft |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Jordan Guetter |
| Apprentice Stage Manager | Taryn Dougall |
| Child Supervisor | Linda Martin |
| Child Supervisor | Heather Raycraft |
| Child Supervisor | Chrystine Robinson |
| Child Supervisor | Cindi Ryde |
GUEST ARTISTS
Sean Arbuckle Bob Cratchit
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol, The Turn of the Screw. Theatre Credits (Selected): 16 seasons at the Stratford Festival including Guys and Dolls, Twelfth Night, London Assurance, The Pirates of Penzance, The Merchant of Venice, Cabaret, Three Sisters, 42nd Street, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; London Road (Canadian Stage); Othello (Segal Centre); Phedre (A.C.T.); The Winter's Tale (McCarter Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Roundabout); Copenhagen (US national tour). Film and TV Credits (Selected): 12 Monkeys, Murdoch Mysteries, Reign, Defiance, Law and Order. Other: Graduate of Duke University and The Juilliard School.
Jahlen Barnes Spirit of Christmas Past
For the Grand Theatre: Debut. Theatre Credits: Mamma Mia! (Neptune); Seussical (Young People’s Theatre); Passing Strange (Musical Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre); 80's Solid Gold (Stage West); Back to the 80's (Mayfield Theatre). Other: Graduated from Randolph Academy. Instagram: @JahlenBarnes
Owen Barteet Tiny Tim
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol. Theatre Credits: Shrek the Musical, The Wizard of Oz (Lord Roberts Public School). Other: Student of Lord Roberts Public School
Anna Bartlam Young Scrooge/Martha Cratchit
For the Grand Theatre: Miracle on 34th Street The Musical. Theatre Credits: Heart of Robin Hood (Mirvish); Brighton Beach Memoirs, White Christmas, The Music Man, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound Of Music (Drayton Entertainment).TV / Animation: True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Anne (Netflix); The Next Step (Family Channel); Super Why, Space Ranger Roger, Peg + Cat (PBS Kids). Other: The Dance Movement, Arc Music Studios. @annabartlamna
Annie Cornish Belinda Cratchit
For the Grand Theatre: Debut. Theatre Credits: Inspector Noble and the Figure in Black (Pearson); Trolls (OK Original Kids); The Tortoise and the Hare (Original Kids Kidlets). Other: Annie is in grade 3 at Academie de la Tamise. She plays the violin.
Emma Cuzzocrea Peter Cratchit
For the Grand Theatre: Debut. Theatre Credits: The Addams Family and Oliver! (London Youth Theatre Education - LYTE); Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (London Community Players).
Riley DeLuca Girl Scrooge
For the Grand Theatre: Debut. Theatre Credits: Cinderella the Panto, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Drayton Entertainment); Anne of Green Gables (London Community Players); Defying Gravity (Musical Theatre Productions); Jack and the Beanstalk (Elgin Theatre Guild); Annie, Willy Wonka, Fracture, Nova Prime, Glee London (AK Arts Academy).
Ellen Denny Woman Scrooge
For the Grand Theatre: Chariots of Fire, High School Project West Side Story. Theatre Credits (Selected): Bad Jews (Harold Green Jewish Theatre / Segal Centre for the Arts); Life After (Musical Stage / Canadian Stage); My Fair Lady (Capitol Theatre Port Hope); The Audience (Mirvish); It’s A Wonderful Life (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Brighton Beach Memoirs (Drayton); Anne & Gilbert (National Arts Centre, The Guild Charlottetown); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Manitoba Theatre Centre / Mirvish); A Christmas Carol (Theatre New Brunswick); The Penelopiad (Citadel); Beauty and the Beast, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol, Sweeney Todd (Neptune). Other: Graduate of Dalhousie University (BA Music & Theatre Combined Honours), and the Citadel / Banff Centre Professional Theatre Program. @ellen_denny
Aidan deSalaiz Fred
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol (’17, ’93, ’92), PlayWrights Cabarets, The Wild Guys, Annie, The Secret Garden, various High School Projects. Theatre Credits (Selected): The Best Brothers (Western Canada Theatre/TNW); Red, Cabaret, The Mousetrap, Legally Blonde (Aquarius); Having Hope At Home (Neptune); The Wedding Singer (Stage West, Critter nomination); Lies My Father Told Me (Segal); Visiting Mr. Green (Harold Green); Altar Boyz (Angelwalk), various productions with Drayton, RMTC, STC, Mayfield, three seasons at Stratford Festival. Film and TV Credits (Selected): Mayday (Discovery); Canadian Made (History); Caesar and Cleopatra (Bravo/CTV); Goosebumps (YTV). Other: Graduate of Ryerson (BFA - Theatre), Birmingham Conservatory (Stratford).
Nikki Duval Mrs. Dilber
For the Grand Theatre: Debut. Theatre Credits (Selected): Portia’s Julius Caesar (Shakespeare in the Ruff); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare in the Ruff); The Circle (Tarragon Theatre); Knickers! A Brief Comedy (Globus Theatre); The Pitchfork Disney (Precisely Peter Productions); Well Born (Soco Theatre). Film and TV Credits: Workin’ Moms (CBC); Killer High (Syfy); Nellie Bly (Lifetime); Imposters (Bravo); Murdoch Mysteries (CBC).
Isabella Espanol Fan
For the Grand Theatre: Debut. Theatre Credits: The Wizard of Oz, Phantom Tollbooth, Peter Pan (Original Kids Theatre Company).
Tracey Ferencz Mrs Fezziwig
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol. Theatre Credits (Selected): Pygmalion (Guild Festival Theatre); Hana’s Suitcase (YPT); Seeds (Blyth Festival); Becky’s New Car (ATP); Gone with the Wind (MTC); Whispering Pines (GCTC); It’s a Wonderful Life (Canadian Stage); Enchanted April (Theatre Calgary); Real Estate (Theatre Aquarius); Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare in the Rough); A Man For All Seasons (Globe Theatre); The Overcoat (CanStage / International Tour); 10 seasons with the Shaw Festival. Film and TV Credits (Selected): The Expanse (SyFy); Designated Survivor (ABC); Murdoch Mysteries (CBC); King (Showcase); Silent Witness (TNT); Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure (Disney); Stories We Tell (NFB).
Rachel Jones Mrs Cratchit
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, The Paper Bag Princess, A Practical Joke, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Black Bonspiel of Wullie McCrimmon, 10 seasons of PlayWrights Cabaret. Theatre Credits (Selected): La Bete (Soulpepper); Antony & Cleopatra (Saint Lawrence Shakespeare Festival); Late Night (Theatre Brouhaha/Zoomermedia); Hamlet/All's Well That Ends Well (Canadian Stage); The Nerd, The Odd Couple (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); The Marriage Go-Round, Mary, Mary (The Classic Theatre Festival); The 39 Steps (Theatre New Brunswick); 10 seasons at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre; The Continuing Adventures of the Boneyard Man (Natural Broadcasting Company).
Michael Man Dick Wilkins / Dance Captain
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol. Theatre Credits (Selected): King Lear, Twelfth Night, Titus Andronicus, As You Like It (Canadian Stage); Measure for Measure (Shakespeare Bash'd); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Chekhov Collective); The Other Shore 彼岸 (Gateway Theatre); The Jungle Book (Magnus Theatre); Julius Caesar, Much Ado About Nothing (St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival); The Snow Queen (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Potluck Festival (fu-GEN Theatre); Les Misérables (Pianist, Sudbury Symphony Orchestra); Goblin Market (Pianist, Theatre Kingston). Film Credits (Selected): Backstabbing for Beginners (Parts and Labor). Other: Graduate of Queen’s University and George Brown Theatre School.
Patrick Monaghan Jacob Marley
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol. Theatre Credits (Selected): Port Authority (Fly on the Wall Theatre); Elephant Man (Broadway Theatre, London,UK); Murder by the Book (Fergus Theatre); A Midsummer Night's Dream, Harps of God (Rising Tide); Noises Off (Stephenville Festival); Camelot, House of Blue Leaves (Theatre NL.); West Moon (Irish Tour, Producer); Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, The Crucible, King Lear, Waiting for Godot (Grenfell Campus, Memorial University). Film and TV Credits (Selected): Titanic: New Evidence (Discovery Channel); Liminality (Liminality Inc.); Search Out the Land (Historical Films); Hungry Ghosts (3-Asthmatics Production). Other: Actor in Residence in The School of Theatre, Memorial University, 1999 - 2010. PhD in Chemistry from UWO. patrickmonaghan.wordpress.com
David Michael Moote Spirit of Christmas Future / Singing Captain
For the Grand Theatre: Chariots Of Fire, A Christmas Carol, The Wind in The Willows, High School Projects Fiddler On The Roof, Oliver!, The Music Man. Theatre Credits (Selected): Jukebox Hero (Northern/Southern Jubilee); Urinetown (Stephenville Theatre Festival); Oh Canada What A Feeling! (Princess of Wales Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar (Hart House Theatre); Next To Normal (The LOT). Upcoming: Beauty and the Beast (The Globe Theatre). Film and TV Credits (Selected): The Strain (FX); Dead Rush (People’s Choice Award Canadian Film Festival); Lariat (Winner Toronto 48hr Film Festival). Other: BMus Voice Performance, McGill. Lead singer of Operus, a symphonic metal band signed by Dark Star Records/Sony. www.davidmichaelmoote.com
Steve Ross Mr. Fezziwig
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Story, Shrek The Musical, A Little Night Music. Theatre Credits (Selected): 15 seasons at The Stratford Festival including The Music Man, The Rocky Horror Show, Guys and Dolls, Shakespeare in Love; Fleeto, Oh, the Humanity, 4th Graders (Tiny Room); London Road (Dora Award), Into the Woods, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Canadian Stage); Assassins (TIFT/Birdland/RMTC); The Producers (Neptune Theatre); The Three Musketeers (Chicago Shakespeare); One for the Pot (Drayton); Seussical, Sylvia (Theatre Aquarius); West Side Story, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Citadel); A Year With Frog and Toad (MTYP/Citadel); Three Sisters (ATF); Orson’s Shadow (The Pilot Group); The Foursome, For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again (New Stages). Film and TV Credits: Ice Princess (Disney).
Jan Alexandra Smith Scrooge
For the Grand Theatre: Timothy Findley’s The Wars, High School Project Evita (Director/Choreographer); A Christmas Carol, The Dining Room. Theatre Credits (Selected): Much Ado About Nothing (Director, Shakespeare Co.); Vigilante (Catalyst Theatre); The Hollow (Director, Vertigo Theatre); Mamma Mia!, Alice Through The Looking Glass (Charlottetown Festival); Seussical (Director/Choreographer, St. Lawerence College); As You Like It, Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare in High Park/CanStage); The Mountaintop, God of Carnage (Director, Theatre Calgary); Lost (Theatre Calgary); Forests (Tarragon); Shakespeare’s Will (Citadel Theatre); Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Shaw Festival); Les Misérables (Royal Alexandra).
Geoffrey Tyler Topper / Skating Choreographer
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol, Dream a Little Dream. Theatre Credits (Selected): Company (Toronto Musical Concerts); Mamma Mia! (Theatre St. John's); A Christmas Story (Sudbury Theatre Centre); I Love You You're Perfect Now Change (Gravenhurst Opera House); Singin’ in the Rain (RuBarb); The Producers (Mirvish); Sweeney Todd (Canadian Stage); The Who’s Tommy (Toronto and London UK); Footloose (Canadian Premiere). Film and TV Credits (selected): The Music Man (ABC TV/ Disney); Mulroney: The Opera. Other: Figure Skating Performance Coach and Choreographer for Kurt Browning, Javier Fernandez, Lubov Illiyushechkina & Dylan Moscovich, Piper Giles & Paul Porier, Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje, among others; Stars on Ice, Celebration on Ice (with Kurt Browning).
Amaka Umeh Abigail
For the Grand Theatre: Beethoven Lives Upstairs. Theatre Credits (Selected): The Wolves (Howland Company/Crow's Theatre); Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Canadian Stage/Shakespeare in High Park); James and the Giant Peach (Young People's Theatre); Twelfth Night (Classical Theatre Project); Munsch Mash (Solar Stage Children's Theatre). Other: Graduate of the Musical Theatre Program at the Randolph College for Performing Arts. Amaka will be appearing in a documentary theatre piece by Andrew Kushnir called Towards Youth: a cycle of plays about radical hope at Crow's Theatre (Toronto) in March 2019.
Blythe Wilson Spirit of Christmas Present
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street The Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Theatre Credits (Selected):The Fantasticks with Eric McCormack, Music Man, Julius Caesar, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, Oliver!, The Three Penny Opera (Stratford Festival); Mary Poppins (Broadway/US Tour); 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Connecticut Rep); The Three Musketeers (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Mamma Mia!, The Sound of Music, Man of La Mancha (Mirvish Productions); The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Happy End (Shaw Festival); Mary Poppins, Evita (Theatre Calgary/Citadel); The Last Five Years (Canadian Stage); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Chicago Theatre); Aspects of Love (US Tour/Livent). Other: Graduate of Vancouver Playhouse Theatre School.
Megan Watson Director
For the Grand Theatre: The Glass Menagerie, PlayWrights Cabaret 2016 & 2017; High School Projects Shakespeare: The Mixtape, Julius Caesar; Assistant Director: A Christmas Story. Upcoming: Juno’s Reward. Theatre Credits (Selected): Director: Dial M for Murder (Watermark Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare in the Ruff); Agency (Yell Rebel); Extremophiles (Summerworks); Far Away (Toronto Fringe); Crookback: An Adaption of Richard III (Beacon Theatre); Queer Bathroom Stories (Libido); When the Rain Stops Falling, Much Ado About Nothing,(University of Alberta); Derailed (Summerworks); Assistant Director: Salt-Water Moon (NAC); The Mill part 4 Ash (Theatrefront). Other: Megan is the Artistic Associate at the Grand Theatre.
Dennis Garnhum Adapter / Original Director
For the Grand Theatre: Timothy Findley’s The Wars, Prom Queen: The Musical (High School Project), Chariots of Fire, Beethoven Lives Upstairs, A Christmas Carol. Theatre Credits (Selected): World premiere of musical The Little Prince (Theatre Calgary); Barber of Seville (Florida Grand Opera, Opera Lyra, Vancouver Opera); Timothy Findley's The Wars (Theatre Calgary, Vancouver Playhouse); Director / Adaptation of Lost: A Memoir (Theatre Calgary, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Neptune Theatre); Director / Adaption of King Lear (Theatre Calgary, Bard on the Beach); Carmen, La Traviata (Pacific Opera); West Side Story (Bangkok University); Stratford Festival (four seasons); Shaw Festival (six seasons). Other: Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre since 2016. Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary from 2005-2016. Recipient of a Calgary Award for Community Achievement in Arts and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee.
Allan Stichbury Set Designer
For the Grand Theatre: Timothy Findley’s The Wars, A Christmas Carol, Set and Lighting: Prisoner of Zenda, Educating Rita; Set and Costume: Pack of Lies; Set, Costume, and Lighting: Master Harold and The Boys; Lighting: Waiting for the Parade, The Doctor’s Dilemma, Godspell, The Paul Galico Series. Theatre Credits (Selected): West Side Story (Bangkok University); The Barber of Seville (Vancouver, Ottawa, Florida, Edmonton, Pittsburgh); The Wars (Theatre Calgary, Vancouver Playhouse); Of Mice and Men (Theatre Calgary, Canadian Stage); Three Tall Women (Manitoba Theatre Centre). Other: Graduate of University of Alberta (BFA), Past President of Associated Designers of Canada (ADC), 28 years teaching at Phoenix Theatre University of Victoria, Awards: The CITT Education Achievement Award for 2017.
Kelly Wolf Costume Designer
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol, Sexy Laundry. Theatre Credits (Selected): Judith, Berlin Blues (Blyth); Waiting Room (Tarragon); Pantalone’s Palace, Antigone, Radium Girls (Brock); Too True to Be Good (Shaw); Site specific - Frost Bites Festival in Hamilton; One Small Drop, In Sight, HERE (Open Heart); The Wars, A Christmas Carol (Theatre Calgary); The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Stratford). Upcoming: Hook Up (Tapestry New Music/Theatre Passe Muraille). Other: Instructor at Brock University and has taught and mentored students at Sheridan, Humber, and Ryerson. Graduate of York University (BFA), University of Toronto (MA), Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design. Member of ADC. www.kellywolf.ca
Bonnie Beecher Lighting Designer
For the Grand Theatre: Timothy Findley’s The Wars, A Christmas Carol, Art, Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), Ned Durango Comes to Big Oak. Upcoming: The Penelopiad. Theatre Credits (Selected): Over 350 productions for theatre, opera, and dance across Canada and internationally. Recent productions include Romeo and Juliet (Ballet Im Revier, Germany); Hadrian (Canadian Opera); Paradise Lost (Stratford); Oh What A Lovely War (Shaw); Bed and Breakfast (Soulpepper); The Secret Garden (Theatre Calgary), The Children (Canadian Stage/Centaur). Upcoming: The Runner (Human Cargo/Passe Muraille); The Father (Coal Mine); Akhnaten (Dortmund Opera, Germany); New work by Juanjo Arques (Acosta Ballet, Havana); A Midsummers Night’s Dream (Ballet Im Reveir, Germany) Other: 15 Dora award nominations and two wins. www.bonniebeecher.com
Jim Neil Sound Designer
For the Grand Theatre: Mr. Neil is thrilled to be back at the Grand this season after a 34 year career as the Grand’s Head of Sound. In that time he was involved with over 200 productions. Theatre Credits (Selected): Over the time Mr. Neil spent at the Grand he also worked as a sound designer in many of our country's regional theatres including The Stratford Festival, The National Arts Centre, The Ed Mirvish Theatre, Canadian Stage, and The Manitoba Theatre Centre to name a few. Mr. Neil would also like to thank Local 105 of IATSE for 35 years of support.
Mark Payne Music and Vocal Director
For the Grand Theatre: Chariots of Fire, Beethoven Lives Upstairs. Theatre Credits (Selected): Godspell, The Fantasticks, Starbright Christmas (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia). Other: Musical Director, Victoria Playhouse Petrolia (2012-present); M.Mus (piano performance) University of Toronto; Co-Conductor, Primus: Amabile Mens’ Choir; Musical Director, Church of the Ascension, London.
Jane Gooderham Voice and Dialect Coach
For the Grand Theatre: Chariots of Fire, A Christmas Carol. Theatre Credits (Selected): Voice, text, dialects for Stratford Festival (16 seasons); Shaw Festival; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (National Theatre/Toronto); Invisible Hand (Theatre Aquarius); Matilda (Royal Shakespeare Company); London Road, The Syringa Tree, Rock ‘n Roll (Canadian Stage); War Horse (National Theatre/Mirvish); Romeo and Juliet (NAC); Cloud Nine, The Lord of the Rings, The Producers (Mirvish). Film and TV Credits: Republic of Doyle. Other: Teaching - Head of Voice, National Theatre School of Canada (2009-16); Birmingham Conservatory, Centre for Indigenous Theatre. Training: MA Voice (Central School), Acting (Guildhall School, London, England).
Kerry Gage Choreographer
For the Grand Theatre: A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz, Shrek, Elf The Musical, Miracle on 34th Street The Musical, Cinderella, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Anne of Green Gables, Annie, My Way. High School Projects Les Misérables School Edition, My Fair Lady, Fiddler On The Roof. Theatre Credits (Selected): Stratford Festival: H.M.S. Pinafore, Two Gentlemen of Verona (Choreographer); Crazy For You, Fiddler On The Roof, 42nd Street, Camelot (Associate Choreographer). Other: Kerry has spent 13 seasons at the Charlottetown Festival as a member of the creative team, performing, and as Director of the Charlottetown Festival Young Company. She was also Children’s Resident Director for the Mirvish production of The Sound of Music.
Kelly Luft Stage Manager
For the Grand Theatre (Selected): Prom Queen, Chariots of Fire, A Christmas Carol, Art, The Wizard of Oz (’16, ’09, ‘02). Theatre Credits (Selected): The Komagata Maru Incident (Stratford Festival); The Sound of Music, Hairspray (Drayton Entertainment); Le Bal (Theatre Plus); Not Wanted on the Voyage (Canadian Stage Company); two years in London England’s West End. Opera Credits (Selected): 12 seasons with Opera Lyra Ottawa, 10 seasons with Hawaii Opera Theatre, 6 seasons with Orchestra London/Opera Pacific Victoria, 16 seasons with Opera Ontario, Wagner’s Ring Cycle - Götterdämmerung (Canadian Opera Company); Idomeneo (Opera Atelier). Upcoming: Countess Maritza (Pacific Opera Victoria); Le Nozze di Figaro (Hawaii Opera Theatre).
Jordan Guetter Assistant Stage Manager
For the Grand Theatre: Chariots of Fire, A Christmas Carol. Theatre Credits (Selected): Passing Strange (The Musical Stage Company/Obsidian); Oksana G (Tapestry Opera); The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom (Sudbury Theatre Centre); Hosanna, The Odd Couple, The Testament of Mary (Soulpepper); Stage Fright (Lighthouse Festival Theatre); One Slight Hitch, Halfway There (Upper Canada Playhouse); Dimensions: A Cirque Experience, Toxicity, Kinet-X (Haut-Vol/Canada’s Wonderland); The Penelopiad, A Flea In Her Ear (George Brown).
Taryn Dougall Apprentice Stage Manager
For the Grand Theatre: Debut. Theatre Credits (Selected): Anna Bolena, Abduction from the Seraglio, Arabella (Canadian Opera Company); Of Thee I Sing, Handel’s Imeneo (UofT Opera Division); Candide (Toronto Operetta Theatre); Marriage of Figaro (Vancouver Opera). Other: Received an Advanced Diploma in Music Theatre Performance from St. Clair College and Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree from Capilano University. www.taryndougall.com
