Grease in Chemainus

Julie and Barbara take a quick break during Grease rehearsals on the (in-progress) set.

Thank you to Barbara Tomasic and Julie Tomaino, the Director and Choreographer of our upcoming production of Grease for answering a few questions!

  1. This is the 40th Anniversary of Grease! What is it about this show that has stood the test of time?

Barb: I think the spirit of being a teenager, trying to figure out who they are, is still the same.

Julie: I think there are so many popular fifties songs in this show that are still widely listened to now.

  1. Do you have a favourite memory of watching this show? Either a stage production or a movie?

Barb: When I was in grade 7 I watched the movie 8 times in one night at a sleepover. I remember thinking it was such a risqué movie, and marvelling at the freedom and joy of the teenagers.

  1. This show is so popular and well-known, what creative touches are you planning to bring to the production at Chemainus Theatre Festival?

Julie: there is such iconic choreography in Grease, and of course I’m going to pay homage to the original, but with a twist. I like to challenge myself as a choreographer with movement that tells the same story in the style of the show but with my stamp on it.

  1. The 50’s are such a fun part of Grease, how is the creative team working together to bring this decade to life on stage?

Barb: our set designer Lauchlin has based the set on a photo of Sandra Dee that I chose. I think this photo is a strong representation of the colour palette and style of the time period. We’re also using images from advertising from the fifties and of course the costumes.

  1. Be honest, do you constantly have the soundtrack going through your head? Any songs in particular?

Julie: yes. Because I need to know all the accents and orchestrations so well I had ALL the songs running through my head for over a month. Today, it’s We Go Together.

Barb: Freddy My Love is the one I’ve had over and over in my mind.

We’re both happy to back in Chemainus, a town we hold close to our heart.

 

Thai Chicken Salad Recipe

It takes many players to provide the world-class service of a Chemainus Theatre experience. Of course there are the actors on stage and the designers who work so hard to entertain and inspire you, but the team in the Playbill Dining Room also continues to impress visitors with friendly service and delicious food! The reviews for the Playbill Dining room from both critics and theatre-goers have been outstanding lately!

“Could you please extend our thanks to the Executive Chef? We really enjoyed the cold buffet with Asian themed salads in addition to the relatively new waffle station. Service was, as always, friendly and attentive.”

“The new salad bar, plated menu, dessert bar combo on Friday nights is fantastic!”

“Dinner buffet is exceptional with very attentive and friendly staff.”

Congratulations to our Executive Chef, Nick Caulford, his entire kitchen staff, and the busy dining room service staff on these great reviews!

Check out the menu for every show. It is always changing and with so many options to choose from you will find something to suit your tastes and budget!

Thank you to Chef Valarie Butler for sharing the latest recipe that we are sure you will be serving all summer long!

Thai Chicken Salad

Dressing For the Noodles:

½ Cup Canola Oil

3 Tbsp Sesame Oil

½ Cup Rice Wine Vinegar

2 Cloves Crushed Garlic

1 Lime – Juiced

1 Tbsp Garlic Chili Paste (Sambal)

1 Tbsp Sweet Chili Sauce

2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Dressing For the Vegetables:

3 Tbsp Canola Oil

3 Tbsp Sesame Oil

3 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar

1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 Cup Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp Honey

1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

1 Tbsp Water

1 Tbsp Minced Fresh Ginger

2 Cloved Crushed Garlic

Ingredients For The Salad:

1 Pack Dried Chinese Egg Noodles

Mushrooms

Cilantro

Green Cabbage

Green Onions

Chicken Breast (Cooked and Diced)

Carrots

Method:

Make both dressings separately. Add the noodle dressing to the dried noodles and mix thoroughly. Don’t worry if the noodles break up a bit. Let noodles soak in dressing in fridge covered. Approx 1 hr. While noodles are resting in the fridge, prepare your dressing for the vegetables. Slice your vegetables thin and then marinate them in the dressing. Once the noodles have softened, mix all ingredients together. Strain the vegetables before mixing into the noodles. Garnish with Sesame seeds and more green onion if desired.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By |May 15th, 2018|Categories: Playbill Dining Room|0 Comments

Kim’s Convenience Video

 

We were lucky enough to sit down for a short interview with James Yi, who plays Appa in the play. You also get a peek at the stage design and some of the other characters you’ll meet. This play is on until May 26th, don’t miss your chance to see this moving and funny play that audiences are falling in love with!

By |May 4th, 2018|Categories: 2018 Season, Videos|0 Comments