Pacific Theatre's 2009-2010 Season Kicks Off With 'JUDAS ISCARIOT' October 7-17

Pacific Theatre just passed the quarter-century mark - our first public performance was in September 1984 - and we're celebrating! With a whole new look, and our most exhilarating season ever: plays familiar and plays brand spanking new, singing and dancing, damnation and redemption. We've got it all! Our 2009-2010 includes:

"God may reduce you on Judgement Day to tears of shame, reciting by heart the poems you would have written had your life been good."
THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
October 7-17

Halfway between Heaven and Hell, in a place called Hope, history's most infamous sinner stands trial. In a court room that's as much ghetto as gospel, the witnesses are called - Mother Teresa, Pontius Pilate, Sigmund Freud, a foulmouthed Saint Monica, a high school football coach, a handful of Jesus' disciples - to decide eternal questions of forgiveness, mercy, and eternal damnation. Wildly funny, scathingly provocative.

Directed by Stephen Drover. Featuring Michael Kopsa, Bob Frazer, Dawn Petten, Denis Simpson, Lesly Ewen, Marcus Youssef, Ron Reed, Sasa Brown, Stephanie Belding, Kevin McNulty.
A staged reading, co-produced with Pound of Flesh Theatre. Strong audience advisory.

"Makes most contemporary plays seem safe, timid and dull. Reminds us of what is missing not only from 99 per cent of our drama but from 99 per cent of our lives - a sense of spirituality and of mystery." Charles Spencer, The Telegraph

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"A dream so beautiful you remember it all your life, always wishing you could get into that dream again."
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE
From the novel by C.S. Lewis
November 13-January 2 (preview Nov. 12)

This splendidly theatrical invention preserves all the magic of the twentieth century's best-loved fantasy classic. Four young adventurers pass through a doorway to a land in the grip of an icy queen, where it's always winter and never Christmas - but Aslan is on the move! Captivates the adult imagination as powerfully as a child's with its rich themes and unforgettable images.

Directed by Kerry van der Griend. Featuring Kyle Rideout and Donna Lea Ford.
"I didn't see the star of Bethlehem shining over Pacific Theatre, but I witnessed a miracle inside. Casts an amazing spell." Jo Ledingham, The Courier

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"For me she is a saint."
THE PASSION PROJECT
By Reid Farrington
January 27-February 6

**Co-presented with the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Direct from New York, Pacific Theatre is proud to present this extraordinary performance piece by video artist Reid Farrington. The electrifying work compresses the entirety of Carl Theodor Dreyer's classic silent film The Passion Of Joan Of Arc into a 30-minute concentration of movement, projection, installation and sound collage. In a 10X10 square of light a solitary woman executes a rigorous movement score, interacting with flickering images of the extraordinary Maria Falconetti as the warrior saint of Orleans. Mesmerizing, meticulous, transformative.

Directed by Reid Farrington. Featuring Shelley Kay.
"Magical, and sinister, and strange - one of the most satisfying theatrical experiences I've had in ages." Claudia La Rocco, Culturebot

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"As long as your husband runs from his past, I think he is not the man you believe him to be."
REFUGE OF LIES
By Ron Reed
April 9 - May 1 (preview Apr. 8)

Following last season's Off-Broadway premiere, Pacific Theatre is proud to present this suspenseful and provocative drama of conscience, grace and consequence. Rudi Vanderwaal is a quietly retired man whose religious conversion may hide terrible wartime secrets. When a Dutch journalist travels to Vancouver to confront him with the realities of his past, memory and fantasy, dream and nightmare collide in a searing vision of guilt and the cost of redemption. Inspired by actual events. Directed by Ron Reed. Featuring Terence Kelly, David Adams, Anna Hagan, Anthony Ingram, Kerri Norris, Erin Mahoney, and David Nykl.
Mild audience advisory.

"Eloquently crafted, a non-linear drama about the complexity of grace. Entertaining, engaging, and argumentative." Theatreonline.com

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"Prepare ye!"
GODSPELL
A musical by Stephen Schwartz & John-Michael Tebelak
May 28 - July 3 (preview May 27)

The Gospel According To Saint Matthew as you've never seen it before! Pacific Theatre celebrates the greatest story ever told with one of the most popular musicals ever staged - a sparkling new "Revised Version" that brings all the heart and hilarity of the original with glorious new musical arrangements. Singing! Dancing! Sheep! Goats! Thou shalt be thrilled!!

Directed by Sarah Rodgers, with Musical Direction by Nelson Boschman. Co-Produced with Theatre at TWU. A More-Or-Less-Emerging Artist Showcase featuring Ron Reed, Kaitlin Williams, Joel Stephanson, Shalyn McFaul, Benjamin Miller, and many more! Production sponsored by Rhema Health Industries

"Never takes itself seriously - except that it is serious about love." Tony Mastroianni, Cleveland Press

SECOND STAGE
PRESENCE
Readings, music, stories, poetry - Christmas Presence without the Christmas! In the tradition of Confessions, Testimony and Passion.
September 24-26, 8pm

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE
Tickets go fast for this PT tradition - the unslickest Christmas show in town, sponsored by the Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel.
At PT Dec. 13 (special "unplugged" matinee), Dec. 14 &15 (8pm)
On the North Shore Dec.20

I WAS MEANT FOR THE STAGE
From Shakespeare to Show Biz - the life of the theatre, first audition to final bow. David Mamet, Cole Porter, Mark Twain, David Sedaris and more!
March 10-13

SIDESHOW
Hilarious comedy improv with a dash of chaos - Perfect for the whole family!
May 13 (North Shore), May 14 & 15 (PT)

MUSIC AT PACIFIC
The Classics
For the third consecutive season, Pacific Rim String Quartet - PT's resident chamber music ensemble - presents a series of intimate concerts connected to the themes, characters and settings of the season's plays.
Oct 24, Mar 20, May 8 at 8pm

The Series
Brand new this season! A live music showcase featuring independent music from Vancouver and across Canada. PT favourites like Lance Odegard, Sheree Plett, Jeremy Eisenhauer and Nelson Boschman, joined by exciting new artists - bluegrass, folk, jazz and more in the living-room intimacy of Pacific Theatre, finishing with a three-day Summer Festival!
Oct 23, Mar 19, May 7, July 8-10 at 8pm

Pacific Theatre continues to make excellent professional theatre accessible with remarkably affordable subscriptions starting at only $61 for four shows. Non-subscription tickets can also be bought online!

2009-2010 SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW, FROM $61-194!

Single tickets go on sale September 8th and range from $17-$34.

All performances are at Pacific Theatre, 1420 West 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC (at Hemlock St.)

For more information, call Pacific Theatre at 604.731.5518 or visit pacifictheatre.org.

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