Students at Byrne Creek Secondary School are offering up a teen classic for their spring production.
The Byrne Creek Theatre Company is presenting The Outsiders, running Wednesday, April 19 to Saturday April 22 at 7 p.m.
Director Jack Trovato is leading the student cast in the stage production of the story adapted from S.E. Hinton’s classic coming-of-age novel, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. (It’s also best known to many of us from the 1983 film version that starred such future A-list stars as Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Tom Cruise.)
Byrne Creek is at 7777 18th St. Call 604-296-6885 for information.
MUSIC IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Here’s another one from the Burnaby school scene that will be well worth a music lover’s time.
The Burnaby School District ensembles are presenting Connected in Song, Wednesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave.
The night will feature Piccoloini, the district children’s choir; CoroVoce, the district youth choir; and Sound Wave, the district handbell ensemble.
See www.burnabyschools.ca.A Burnaby performer is returning to the stage in a production that proved a hit with young audiences in the fall.
BAKING TIME
Aaron Lau is back onstage at Presentation House for Baking Time, running April 30 to May 2. The show – which earned plenty of love from its preschooler-and-small-child audience in November and December – will be travelling to the Ottawa Children’s Festival later in May.
Lau has become a familiar face on the Vancouver theatre since debuting in Footloose at Theatre Under the Stars in 2004. He’s since performed in more than 50 shows and formed his own company, Intimate Theatre Productions, to produce small-scale musicals.
In Baking Time, he plays – you guessed it – a baker, as two bakers lead young audiences on a magical journey that involves actual, onstage baking. Plus, there’s music; most of the text is sung alongside live cello and accordion. And kids can get their own hands on flour and sugar to touch.
“This is a show that involves all the senses – touch, taste, smell, sight and sound,” says Kim Selody, artistic director of Presentation House Theatre, in a press release. “Our hope is that everyone goes home with an understanding of the delights of bread making and, perhaps, an appetite to bake up some adventures of their own.”
It’s onstage April 30 to May 2 at Presentation House, 333 Chesterfield Ave., North Vancouver. Shows are at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, and at 9:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 1 and 2. Tickets are $15. See phtheatre.org or call 604-990-3474.
HE IS RISEN
An Easter-themed concert is onstage April 22 at Westminster SDA Church.
The Westminster Church Choir and friends are presenting I Will Rise, a musical offering that combines popular worship songs and traditional hymns in a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. The choir will be joined by solo vocalists and instrumentalists, including violin, harp and accordion, plus string and brass ensembles.
The church notes it’s open to people of all ages and denominations, so everyone is welcome. A free-will offering will be taken.
The concert is on Saturday, April 22 at 7:15 p.m. at Westminster SDA Church, 7925 10th Ave., Burnaby. Enter from 11th Avenue off Sixth Street. Call 604-524-6969 for information.
PHOTOGRAPHY IN FOCUS
Photography fans, don’t forget about a fascinating event at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts later this month in connection with the Capture Photography Festival.
On Sunday, April 30 from 1 to 3 p.m., you can enjoy an art talk, My 50th Year in Photography, by Henri Robideau, and take in a demonstration of tintype photography with Phillip Chin.
Check out www.shadboltcentre.com for details. There’s no charge, but you should register ahead on the website.
DANCER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
A young dancer from Burnaby will be onstage in Coastal City Ballet’s production of Giselle this spring.
It’s the first time in a decade that the traditional classical ballet – a favourite since its Paris premiere in 1841 – will be onstage in Vancouver.
Coastal City Ballet is a repertory company based in Vancouver that offers performance opportunities for emerging dancers, both Canadian and international.
Among their ranks for Giselle is Burnaby’s own Megan Kinders, a 15-year-old dancer whose training encompasses classical ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical and stage. She studied with Danzmode Productions from 2010 to 2015 and has since been training with Pacific Dance Arts. She has also taken part in summer intensive programs with MOVE: The Company.
Giselle will be onstage Friday, May 19 at 8 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse, with tickets ranging from $29.95 to $59.95. See www.vtixonline.com or call 604-241-7292.
It then moves to the Surrey Arts Centre for a performance on Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $42. See tickets.surrey.ca or call 604-501-5566.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, jmaclellan@burnabynow.com, or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
