Image Credit: CFJC Today / Adam Donnelly

By Dylana Kneeshaw

LIVE THEATRE IS BACK

Western Canada Theatre bringing back in-person performances for 2021/2022 season

Oct 7, 2021 | 4:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — Western Canada Theatre’s (WCT) last large show in the Sagebrush Theatre was in February of 2020, but next month the theatre group is returning to the stage.

“Just the response we’ve had so far has been unbelievable,” says WCT Artistic Director James MacDonald. “People are so excited about the idea of being together again, and they’re super excited about the shows that are on tap, too.”

Shows begin in November, featuring eight productions over the course of the season. The performances are divided into two series, including iconic musicals, inspiring plays, and an Indigenous dance performance.

“In March, we’re going to do Kim’s Convenience, which is actually a play before it was a TV show. A lot of people are like, ‘I love that TV show!’, but they never knew it was a play,” notes MacDonald. “It’s a great show; it’s such a great way to come together and laugh together in an audience again. And then we’ll wrap up here in the Sagebrush in the spring with The Wizard of Oz, which is an all new production built here for WCT.”

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Normally the large, family-friendly musical is in December, but with consideration around changing youth vaccinations and attendance regulations, MacDonald says The Wizard of Oz performance will be in the spring instead.

“It’s so important that we’re introducing young people to the theatre and this is a great show for them but it’s also a great show for older — for kids of all ages as I like to say, because everybody knows this. It’s an iconic show but they’re going to see it with a totally new twist on it, too.”

To create more flexibility around rehearsal space and time, the season schedule is a mix of in-house productions and other groups coming to Kamloops to perform.

“We’re balancing our season,” explains MacDonald. “This season we’re not producing as much as we do. We’re bringing in shows, we’re partnering on shows. And that kind of alleviates the amount of work that we’re doing in our space.”

And given their experience shushing noisy audience members, or asking people to turn off cell phones, Western Canada Theatre feels confident they’ll be able to add pandemic protocols to the theatre experience for a safe return.

“Our industry standards are super high when it comes to what’s happening in the audience, and what’s happening in the rehearsal halls. We like to think we can match up with anybody in the continent when it comes to our security protocol.”

Season tickets and series ticket packages are available as of today through the Kamloops Live! Box Office, with more information online at wctlive.ca.

2021/22 Season Overview

Heart Series:

Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen — December 02 to 11, 2021 at Sagebrush Theatre

BOOM — February 24 to March 05, 2022 at Sagebrush Theatre

Kim’s Convenience — March 31 to April 09, 2022 at Sagebrush Theatre

Hey Viola! Viola Desmond—The Soundtrack of a Life — April 21 to May 07, 2022 at Pavilion Theatre

The Wizard of Oz — May 12 to 28, 2022 at Sagebrush Theatre

Courage Series:

Clean — March 24 to April 02, 2022 at Pavilion Theatre

Hey Viola! Viola Desmond—The Soundtrack of a Life — April 21 to May 07, 2022 at Pavilion Theatre

Echoes of the Homesick Heart — June 02 to 11, 2022 at Pavilion Theatre

Special Presentations:

Tales from the Stage — October 29 and 30, 2021 at Pavilion Theatre & Online

Trace — November 20 and 21, 2021 at Sagebrush Theatre

International Women’s Day Festival — March 08 to 12, 2022 at Pavilion Theatre

Image provided by Western Canada Theatre (Illustrations by J Taylor Paravantes)