Local performers will be front and centre when URP presents Jesus Christ Superstar later this month.
Jesus Christ Superstar is onstage at North Vancouver’s Centennial Theatre from Tuesday, Oct. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 5.
URP (formerly Uncle Randy Productions) is bringing what it bills as a “gender-blind” show to the stage with its take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic 1970s rock opera.
“We held open auditions and cast the strongest actor-singers we could for each role, regardless of gender,” explains producer-director Richard Berg in a press release. “We are not trying to make any big political statement or anything like that. We simply want to tell the story in an exciting and entertaining way with the best performers we could get.”
Among those performers are Burnaby’s own Synthia Yusuf, as Mary, and Ali Watson, in a gender twist on Judas. Also part of the cast is former Burnaby (now New West) resident Caleb Lagayan as Peter.
Nick Heffelfinger appears in the title role.
Tickets for the show start at $28 for the Oct. 31 preview. Buy through tickets.centennialtheatre.com.
See www.urp.ca for more on the show.
A LOST STORY
A Burnaby singer is part of the cast for the world premiere of a new chamber opera that tells the story of B.C.’s notorious Highway of Tears.
City Opera Vancouver, with Pacific Opera Victoria, is presenting the premiere of Missing, Nov. 3 to 11 at the York Theatre. In the cast is Burnaby mezzo-soprano Heather Molloy, who plays the role of Jess.
Missing, with libretto by Métis playwright Marie Clements and score by JUNO Award-winning composer Brian Current, deals with the 1,200 missing and murdered First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and girls in Canada. It’s set between Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and B.C.’s notorious Highway 16 – the Highway of Tears, where at least 18 women have vanished or have been found murdered since 1969.
It’s told in both English and Gitxsan – a language widely spoken in First Nations communities along Highway 16 – and follows the fate of an Indigenous and a non-Indigenous young woman whose lives become intertwined.
It stars Métis Canadian coloratura soprano Melody Courage alongside Caitlin Wood, with Rose-Ellen Nichols, Clarence Logan and Kaden Fosberg.
Missing is onstage Nov. 3, 7, 9 and 11 at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 5. Tickets are $22, $45 and $65, available through tickets.thecultch.com.
ART ON THE SPOT
Here’s one for the artists and budding artists in your family.
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is hosting a free Art on the Spot event on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
An Emily Carr look-alike will be on hand to lead participants of all ages in an art project inspired by the work of the artist.
Shadbolt Centre is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Check out www.shadboltcentre.com for information, or just drop in to take part.
ARTISANS WANTED
Artisans and crafters, take note: The Burnaby Arts Council is calling for entries for its 46th Deer Lake Craft Festival, coming Nov. 24 to 26 to the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
The show is juried, and new artisans must pay a $15 jury fee. You have to provide three to five high-quality images of your work to [email protected].
Check out www.burnabyartscouncil.orgor call 604-298-7322 for details.
WONDERING ABOUT ART
If you’re curious about how artists make art, be sure to save the date for Saturday, Nov. 4.
Deer Lake Gallery will be hosting an artist demo and talk that day in connection with Worlds of Wonder, a new exhibition featuring the metal sculpture of Lynne Taylor Fahnestalk and the digital art of Nancie Green.
The demo and talk runs at 1 and 2 p.m. Deer Lake Gallery is at 6584 Deer Lake Ave. Call 604-298-7322 or see www.burnabyartscouncil.org.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
