KAMLOOPS — A brand new season of shows was announced for Western Canada Theatre at a launch event Tuesday evening.
Theatre patrons gathered at the Ramada Hotel for the announcement of the 2018-2019 season.
The season kicks off with a comedy that will resonate with local audiences.
The world premiere of Kamloopa runs from September 13-22, and it follows two Indigenous sisters as they road trip from Vancouver to Kamloops for one of the world’s largest powwows.
“The TIB is such an important part of our community, and anything we can do to promote the work of Indigenous artists not only here but across the country it’s such an important part of what we do because it’s such an important part of our community,” WCT Artistic Director James MacDonald said.
“The great thing is there’s so many different ways to approach it. Children of God was obviously a historical story, and a dramatic story, and an educational story, and Kamloopa is very very different. It has no tragedy in it, it has no darkness in it.”
In October, Vimy takes audiences back 100 years to witness the internal struggle of soldiers wounded during the battle of Vimy Ridge.
Later, WCT brings the Christmas comedy ELF to the stage in musical form.
ELF The Musical runs November 28 – December 12.
Rock and Roll fams will be treated to the musical stylings of Buddy Holly Next February with Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story.
“I think theatre is an educational opportunity, but most of all I think it’s an entertainment opportunity,” MacDonald said. “I don’t believe in boundaries and barriers, I don’t believe theatre is an elitist activity, I think it has to be for everyone. There’s 100,000 people in this community, and as far as I’m concerned we should have 100,000 people at the theatre everytime.”
