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Thank you to the Chemainus Royal Canadian Legion for their donation and support of our 2015 Children’s Summer Theatre Camp. A cheque for $750.00 was presented to Marlie Kelsey at their meeting on February 22nd.
Volunteer appreciation week is April 12 to 18 and that’s one of my favorite quotes about the value of volunteers. Volunteers have truly kept the good ship Chemainus Theatre afloat through our first 23 years. There’s no doubt in my mind that we wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the selfless contribution of volunteers. This past year alone 154 people volunteered a total of 6,127 hours. Checking coats, showing us to our seats, building costumes, pulling weeds, helping in the office, serving on the board of directors… no task is too great or too small.
Volunteerism is one of the things that make Canada the greatest place to live on Earth. Each year 12.7 million Canadians give 2 billion hours of time. Next chance you have be it here or elsewhere, say thank you to a volunteer who is giving their time to make your life better.
Randal Huber
Managing Director
Ages 10 – 17
Join us for a week-long celebration and exploration of what makes theatre so incredible! You are eligible if you are between the ages of 10 and 17 years old. You won’t want to miss this experience.
We’ll explore performing, theatre games, movement, improvisation, music, script work, costumes and props. Instructors include industry specialists as well as guest actors who are starring in Chemainus Theatre Festival productions. Students will gain an insider’s view into Chemainus Theatre’s production facilities as the camp will be held in our Rehearsal Hall in our professional Production Facilities. At the end of the week, students have the opportunity to perform on the Chemainus Theatre Festival stage!
*Please note: the second week will be cancelled if there are less than 10 students. If cancelled, you will receive a full refund.
Samantha Currie and Jonas Shandel
By Andrea Rondeau, Cowichan Valley Citizen
If you’re in the mood for some dynamite country and gospel music, the Chemainus Theatre’s latest production Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash is for you.
And even if you’re not a fan of the iconic singer/songwriter when you go in, the quality of the presentation will make you one by the time you come out.
But you do need to be in the mood for an evening of music; this production is wallto-wall songs – 29 of them to be exact. If you’re looking for a complex storyline you won’t find it. Some sparse dialogue elucidates a few facts from Cash’s life and timeline, but it’s really just there to glue together the songs, which create a sense of time and place by themselves anyway.
Jonas Shandel
By Gretta Kennedy, Traveling Islanders
Do you remember when music used to tell a story?
It didn’t just make you want to get up and dance, it helped you understand more about the true lives of people who walk the earth just like you.
When you were down and out, it helped you know you weren’t alone. When you felt like shouting from the rooftops in joy, it reminded you that others have felt the same way.
Jay and I walked into the theatre to see a simple and inviting stage set with drums, keyboard, guitars, and microphones. And it was there we settled into this musical revue on the life and times of Mr. Johnny Cash, narrated by an older version of the Man in Black himself.
If you’re a fan of his music, you’ll love sitting and listening. If you don’t know anything about him, you’ll be surprised at what songs you know and I dare you to keep your feet from tapping.
Ensemble
By Janis La Couvée, JanisLacCouvee.com
It’s a long way from the wet west coast of Vancouver Island to the hills and fields of Arkansas, and the music halls of Nashville, yet music has the power to tie us together in a celebration of family and community.
Mining this fundamental truth, Chemainus Theatre artistic director Mark DuMez opens the 2015 season with Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash. If the enthusiastic and all-ages audience at Sunday’s matinée is any indication, Cash fans are legion.
Dumez and Musical Director Zachary Stevenson (well-known to Victoria audiences for roles in Urinetown, the Buddy Holly Story, Hank Williams-the Show He Never Gave, and FIRE!), inspired by the Broadway jukebox musical Ring of Fire, winnowed the vast catalogue of Cash hits (a massive undertaking given his nearly five decades in the music business and over 1200 songs) to a carefully chosen list of 30 titles well-known to even the most casual listener.
Samantha Currie / Jonas Shandel
By Lexi Bainas, Cowichan Valley Citizen
The story of a country music legend is being told at the Chemainus Theatre starting Feb. 20 as Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash hits the stage.
This presentation follows the life of the inimitable Man in Black from his rockabilly roots in Arkansas to country’s hallowed halls: the Grand Old Opry.
Running until April 11, the revue-format all-ages show features more than 30 hit songs matched with narrated insights that give you the scoop on Cash.
Ring of Fire, conceived by William Meade and created by Richard Maltby Jr., is more than a biography or collection of Cash’s songs.
