Eclectic lineup for new Shadbolt Centre theatre season

Love is in the air at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts all season long.

The centre has just announced its 2013/14 theatre season, centred on the theme "Love at the 'Bolt."

The season includes a mix of favourites from seasons past along with new surprises.

"Love is our theme this year, so how could I not be excited about the new season?" says Cory Philley, theatre and facility coordinator at the Shadbolt, in a press release. "I love all the shows and the artists that will be performing at the Shadbolt and am eager to share these wonderful artists with our audience."

The season kicks off with the Shadbolt Presents series, with Sharron Matthews headlining Love at the 'Bolt on Sept. 20.

Two more shows in the series will feature the Hurts So Good musical cabaret on Feb. 14, 2014 and Daces for a Small Stage - Summer Lovin' on June 20 and 21, 2014.

Also featured in February 2014 will be Burnaby Lyric Opera's Le Nozze de Figaro, Feb. 21 to March 1.

For theatre lovers, the popular Arts Club on Tour series will be back in town, featuring the comedy Boeing Boeing Oct. 11 and 12, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy on Feb. 3 and 4, 2014, and Chelsea Hotel - featuring the music of Leonard Cohen - on March 12 and 13, 2014.

The Independents series brings a series of original works to the stage, with Ruby Slippers Theatre's Christmas satire Hotel Bethlehem from Dec. 4 to 7, 2b Theatre's When it Rains from March 19 to 22, 2014, and Theatre Replacement's Kate Bowie from May 28 to 31, 2014.

Dance lovers can enjoy the Sole Series, with Amber Funk Barton's newest piece, Workspace II, from Oct. 2 to 5. The 605 Collective's New Animal is up Nov. 20 to 23, and Shay Kuebler's Karoshi from April 2 to 4, 2014.

On the music front, the Lounge Series brings some of Canada's best artists to an intimate cabaret setting.

Juno Award winners Emm Gryner and Royal Wood are part of the series this year, with Gryner on Nov. 1 and Wood on Jan. 30, 2014. Closing out the Lounge Series will be Daniel Powter - whose hit Bad Day spent five weeks as number 1 on the Billboard Top 100 in the U.S. and was the first single to sell two million digital copies. Powter is set to appear on April 25, 2014.

"I think that even if you think you know what the Shadbolt is all about, there is an artist in our season that will engage and entertain you in an completely unexpected way," Philley said. "It's an opportunity to fall in love with the 'Bolt and with live performance all over again."

For tickets and full information, check out www.shadboltcentre.com.