Archive
Giving Tuesday: Royal City Musical Theatre
Giving Tuesday Now is May 5th. A day when Canadians are encouraged to give to their favourite charitable organizations. A day that highlights both the generosity of people and the powerful work and needs of incredible organizations across the nation.
Usually charitable organizations highlight the work they do and the challenges they are facing to ask for donations. Although Massey Theatre Society is a charitable organization, we have chosen not to do that.
Of course the theatre is going through challenging times this year. But this Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to give to Royal City Musical Theatre Society.
For three of the theatre’s six decades, April has been a month of exceptional musical theatre at the Massey Theatre. Community members and professional artists have joined forces for over thirty years to lift spirits to astronomical heights with sound, movement, spirit and song. Our theatre was filled with audiences, appreciators and artists. Each one of those hundreds of performances ended with thunderous applause and folks leaping to their feet. All because of Royal City Musical Theatre.
This April, all was dark. Absolute silence and stillness descended on our beloved theatre. A beating heart of our community paused.
For 30 magical years, they have brought Broadway to New Westminster. And like Broadway, this year, the show couldn’t go on. The production was cancelled after the budget was spent, only two weeks before the show was to load into the theatre and begin its ascent to the public performances.
Theatre companies like Royal City Musical Theatre rely on ticket sales to produce their shows. Without those ticket sales, their future is on the line.
Your donation on Giving Tuesday will help RCMT resolve the huge financial impacts of cancelling the production. It will help them begin to envision going on in the future and returning to production as soon as that is conceivable.
Giving to RCMT will bring back those magical and exceptional nights on the Massey stage. Nights when the restaurants are packed before the show and the streets are filled with local and visiting families and friends strolling to the theatre for one of the best nights out of the year, every year.
Please consider giving your tax deductible Giving Tuesday donation to Royal City Musical Theatre. Donations can be made online, by mail to Royal City Musical Theatre Society c/o Massey Theatre 735 8th Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 2R2, by email at donations@royalcitymusicaltheatre.com or over the phone by calling the Massey Theatre Box office at 604.521.5050.
The show must go on.
Read More →
Under the Rainbow Family Weekend
This February, Massey Theatre is celebrating diverse families with a variety of presentations for young and old alike. With a fabulous iconic film, a multigenerational queer family performance, and a contemporary Indigenous opera created with young ones in mind, the Massey is your destination for Family Day programming that’s just a little bit different.
Tickets for all these fabulous events are on sale now
1. February 14th 7:30pm The Wizard of Oz (Film Screening)
One of the most popular family films of all time, The Wizard of Oz, is coming back to the Big Screen at Massey Theatre for one day only. Join Dorothy as she meets the scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion and experience their journey to the Emerald City and all the beloved scenes and songs along the way. Dressing up you (and your little ones) is joyfully encouraged.
And join us after the movie in the Plaskett Gallery for a post-show discussion of the movie, in particular it’s fascinating legacy within the gay community.
2. February 15th 11am – The Flight of the Hummingbird (Vancouver Opera/Pacific Opera Victoria)
“Here is the story of the great forest that caught on fire”
The Flight of the Hummingbird is based on an indigenous parable from the Quechuan people of South America. The story of the brave hummingbird travelled through pre-contact trade routes to become well known within Haida culture. This opera is influenced by the graphic novel written by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and will include elements of his dramatic Haida-manga illustrations. Created for young audiences, The Flight of the Hummingbird is a beautiful contemporary performance for kids and adults.
3. February 15th 4pm – Parents are a Drag (Zee Zee Theatre)
Join local drag queens Peach Cobblah & Isolde N. Barron for a drag dress-up spectacular! Add some rainbow to your Family Day at this fun and inclusive event which reminds young ones, their parents, caregivers and everyone in between that it’s never too early (or too late!) to get silly and dress-up! Parents are a Drag celebrates diversity with songs, laughter and play. With opportunities for the audience to become part of the show, be sure to come dressed to impress or ready for some dress-up time.
Massey Theatre is a safe space for LBGT2+ people and allies where we promote the notions of love, mutual consent, empathy and understanding. Homophobia, transphobia, sexism, any type of bigotry or violent conduct will not be tolerated. Don’t hesitate to approach us if anything should alert your concern.
Read More →
Queerly Canadian: A Play Reading Series
As part of the Under the Rainbow LGBTQ2+ programming at Massey Theatre, we are presenting a series of play readings of fantastic Canadian Plays. These plays have been curated by our artist in residence Allan Morgan and Roy Surette, Artistic Director for Touchstone Theatre.
All plays will be presented as staged readings, performed by professional actors. Plays contain mature content and may not be suitable for young audiences.
FREE and welcoming and accessible for all!
Hosanna by Michel Tremblay
January 20, 2020 @ 7:30 pm Plaskett Gallery
The heart-rending and often hilarious Hosanna by seminal French Canadian playwright Michel Tremblay shines light on the fear of change, identity, and the reluctance to release the illusion of self. Aging drag queen Hosanna, a man wanting to be a woman, wanting to be Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra, with her live-in partner Curiette, a going-to-seed leather stud, faces a Halloween night feeling like an outsider in her own skin.
Hosanna, was first performed in French at Théâtre de Quat’Sous in 1973 and in English at Toronto’s Tarragon in 1974 and is set in an exotic world of nightclubs and gay bars on the main of Montreal in the seventies. Written during the social and political tumult of Quebec’s Quiet Revolution, Tremblay’s political allegory about the authenticity of self resonates just as much today.
This reading of Hosanna is a features the actors from the recent UBC Theatre presentation, Frank Zotter and Joey Lespérance and is directed by Stephen Heatley. Translated by Bill Glassco and John Van Burek.
Lilies by Michel Marc Bouchard
April 8, 2020 @ 7:30 pm Plaskett Gallery
The play is set in 1952 in the church of a prison where it has been arranged that the jailed Simon Doucet will make confession to his old friend Bishop Bilodeau The play’s English translation by Linda Gaboriau was published in 1991.
This reading will feature members of the cast from the Jessie Award winning joint production of Touchstone, Arts Club and Pi Theatres, including Allan Morgan.
Swollen Tongues by Kathleen Oliver
June 8, 2020 @ 7:30 pm Plaskett Gallery
Written entirely in rhyming couplets, Swollen Tongues is a contemporary take on Restoration comedy – with a twist!
Thomas and his sister, Catherine, are both instructed in the powers of poetry by Dr. Wise. While Thomas is more prolific than skilled in his praise of his beloved Sonja, Catherine is strangely mute. The problem? Catherine is in love with Sonja too, and has taken the liberty of effectively improving her brother’s verses and giving them to Sonja under an assumed name, Overripe. When Thomas discovers that he has been plagiarized, Dr. Wise suggests a challenge of poetic skill. The ensuing flurry of disguises, tricks, and revelations includes a visit to Sapphic hideaway, closer to home than anyone might have imagined. Here, the characters discover that no one is without secrets, and that poetry can unlock the door to love in unexpected ways.
Massey Theatre is a safe space for LBGT2+ people and allies where we promote the notions of love, mutual consent, empathy and understanding. Homophobia, transphobia, sexism, any type of bigotry or violent conduct will not be tolerated. Don’t hesitate to approach us if anything should alert your concern.
Read More →
Métis Arts Fest
Join us for the Métis Arts Fest Presented by Savage Society and Massey Theatre from September 27th – October 26th, 2019
Includes music, dance, visual art, theatre, and celebration, sharing and illuminating Métis stories and culture
ALL events and activities are free and take place at the Massey Theatre in the Plaskett Gallery or on the Massey Theatre stage. All are welcome and encouraged.
FULL SCHEDULE:
September 27th @ 7pm Métis Culture Fair
The Métis Culture Fair is an exciting celebration of contemporary Métis arts and culture. Enjoy music and stories, and hear artists speak intimately about how their heritage, culture, and art intersect. Featured artists include Sandy Scofield, Andrea Menard, Charlene Wilson and host Tai Amy Grauman.
October 1st @ 7pm Métis Jigging
In this fun and exciting workshop for all ages, you will learn the basics of Metis jigging from local dancer Charlene Wilson. Get your body moving as she teaches the steps, and then enjoy a session of social dancing where you can put your new skills to the test and experience the joy of jigging.
October 3rd @ 6pm Métis Feast
The Grand Celebration of Metis Arts Fest will include a delicious feast, fabulous performances and a rousing celebration of Métis arts and Métis life. The event will include music from Sandy Scofield, Andrea Menard, and Kim Brandt, dancing by Charlene Wilson. Excellent food will be provided by Rosemary Georgeson and Barb Bennett Hospitality Services. Finally, the Métis Pairing exhibition featuring work by artists Nicci Battilana and Monique Hurteau will bring a dynamic array of colours and images to the walls of the Plaskett Gallery.
October 25th and 26th @ 1pm
Workshop Presentation: You Used to Call Me Marie Witness the creation of new theatre in progress with this workshop presentation of Tai Amy Grauman’s play You Used to Call Me Marie
Month of October
Plaskett Gallery Artist Exhibition: Métis Pairing Nicci Battilana and Monique Hurteau
Under the Rainbow: A year of LGBTQ2+ programming
The arts bring community together. Through shared experiences, stories and space. This season, we’re introducting ‘Under the Rainbow’, a series of community events, programs, shows and more celebrating expression, identity, and connection, with a particular focus on LGBTQ2+ stories and artists.
A featured component of this programming is the participation of our artist in residence Allan Morgan.
Massey Theatre is proud to welcome veteran Canadian actor, and more recently playwright Allan Morgan as our 2019-2020 Artist-in-Residence. As part of our Under the Rainbow series, Allan will be developing and leading a number of events and programs, including a run of his solo play “Pride: for the young gay, the un-gay, and the jaded queen in all of us,” a storytelling program for gay seniors, a play reading series, and more. Allan will also be writing a blog for the Massey website about his residency, and will be present at the Theatre throughout the year to work on new projects and get the community excited about arts and Pride.
Here’s a teaser of some of the programming coming Under the Rainbow
2019
September 20th -September 22nd
Pride-For the young gay, the un-gay and the jaded queen in all of us- writtten and performed by Allan Morgan on the Massey Theatre stage
September 28th to November 30th
Let me Tell you a Story Nobody Ever Told to Me- Gay Seniors project in the Plaskett Gallery
October 19th
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Movie: Drag Queen Singalong in the Massey Theatre
October 20th
The Flame NW the LGBTQ2+ edition- Plaskett Gallery
October 28th
Colette-Last Monday at the Movies with the Arts Council of New Westminster in the Massey Theatre
November 1st to 30th
Love Out Love Exhibition in the Plaskett Gallery
November 30th
Gay Seniors Project Sharing & Celebration in the Massey Theatre
2020
January 11th
Fire Song- Award winning contemporary film from indigenous film maker Adam Garnet Jones in the Massey Theatre
January 20th
Play Reading in the Massey Theatre
February 14th
The Wiard of Oz the Movie: Drag Queen Singalong in the Massey Theatre
February 15th
Rainbow Families Family Day Gathering-activities and performances in Massey Theatre and Plaskett Gallery
February 24th
Rafiki-Last Monday at the Movies with the Arts Council of New Westminster in the Massey Theatre
March 13th and 14th
New Performance showcase in the Massey Theatre
March 14th
Dance Party in the Massey Theatre
April 6th
Play Reading in the Massey Theatre
May 1st and 2nd
Hot Brown Honey in the Massey Theatre
June 8th
Play Reading in the Massey Theatre
Want to be kept up to date on Under the Rainbow and other programming? Email us and we’ll keep you in the know.
Read More →
Wilkommen and Wild Rice!
We’ve long been of the opinion that a perfect night out often includes dinner and a great show. The Massey Theatre can always help provide access to the show, but dinner remains a challenge for us.
This month, we have a solution!
First…the show.
We are tres enchante to be hosting Royal City Musical Theatre’s Cabaret. The show runs from April 12th to 29th.
Since opening on Broadway in 1966 the show remains a devastatingly relevant work of art and continues to be both entertaining and unsettling.
Based on a book written by Christopher Isherwood, Cabaret is set in 1931 Berlin in the seedy glamour of the Kit Kat Klub. It’s bawdy Emcee, hard living entertainer, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd and leave their troubles outside. This decadent nightlife takes place during a disturbing time with the collapse of Weimar Germany and the rise of the Nazi Party.
Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time” along with dance numbers, a love story, and with an overwhelming wake up call and a reminder to be vigilant, that things can change so quickly that suddenly without you knowing, you’re in a scary world.
Come and leave your troubles outside – life is beautiful at the Cabaret – follow your heart while the world loses its way.
And the dinner.
We’re thrilled that Wild Rice is offering ticket holders of Cabaret 10% off their food and non alcoholic drinks bill during the run of the show. Simply present your ticket or ticket stub at Wild Rice during the run of the show to receive the discount. Kung Po and Cabaret anyone?
This offer is only good from April 12th-29th.
Read More →
Massey Madness FREE Family Activities
This Saturday, February 10th is the first ever Massey Madness Family Arts Festival
In addition to some incredible shows being performed (tickets available on TicketsNW),
All Day FREE Activities (12:00pm-5:00pm)
New West Craft – Lobby/Hallway
New West Craft is a handmade market hosted by the Arts Council of New Westminster. New West Craft aims to provide a welcoming environment for crafters, artisans and makers to share their work with the community.
Tinypreneurs Info Booth/Registration – Lobby/Hallway
The Tinypreneurs event is a unique, innovative, philanthropic, and educational experience, for children as young as 7 years old to be exposed to the world of an entrepreneur. It will allow children and their entire family to explore and embrace the benefits of entrepreneurship from an early age, as well as showcasing their talent and creativity.
At Massey Madness, children and families will have a chance to learn more about Tinypreneurs, and sign up for the 2018 Spring Break Tinypreneurs workshop to take place at Massey Theatre.
ArtsToGo Lobby/Hallway
Arts Council of New Westminster brings their fantastic interactive arts and crafts table for kids. Explore! Learn! Enjoy!
SCHEDULED FREE ACTIVITIES
Pow Wow Dance Lesson with Shyama-Priya- Massey Small Gym
12:15pm-1:00pm
Youth Music Showcase– Massey Theatre Lobby
Artist #1: 12:15-12:45 Jazz Ensemble
Youth Poetry/Storytelling Showcase– Massey Theatre Lobby
Young writers share their work.
1:00-1:30
Culture Conversations– Massey Theatre Lobby
Session 1: 12:00-1:00 – Aaron Pietras, Chelsea McPeake, Alan Hill
Culture Conversations is a human library style event where you can talk to fascinating people from the community and learn about the varied ways that arts and culture have impacted their live, and how they live their most creative life. Conversation partners include professional artists, arts workers, and arts lovers from all sorts of backgrounds. Each session will feature different conversation partners, so come back and talk with all of them.
Youth Music Showcase– Massey Theatre Lobby
Artist #2: 1:30-2:00 Emma Toth
Culture Conversations – Massey Theatre Lobby
Session 2: 1:30-2:30 – Eddie Lam, Susan Grieg, JJ Lee
Culture Conversations – Massey Theatre Lobby
Session 3: 3:30-4:30 – Stephen O’Shea, Candice James, Cassius Khan/Amika Kushwaha
Pow Wow Dance Lesson with Shyama-Priya – Massey Small Gym
3:45pm-4:30pm
Magic by Travis Bernhardt – Massey Theatre Lobby
4:30-5:00
Travis Bernhardt proves that Magic isn’t only fun for kids. Experience the wit and magic of this 2017 Pick of the Fringe winner up close and personal before seeing him perform on the Massey stage in the evening. Travis moves through the crowd performing for small groups, drawing people together, creating a buzz—breaking the ice between strangers and giving friends new stories to tell.
Youth Music Showcase – Massey Theatre Lobby
Artist #4: 6:15-6:45 Allie Melchert
Read More →
The Flame New Westminster
There aren’t many things better than a great story told by an engaging storyteller.
Luckily, we’ve got a bunch of great storytellers, from right here in New Westminster, coming to share their stories as part of the first presentation of The Flame New Westminster.
Deborah Williams, award winning performer, co-creator of the international hit Mom’s the Word trilogy is bringing the popular Vancouver storytelling series The Flame to the Plaskett Gallery at the Massey Theatre.
These stories will be diverse and engaging, must be true and ‘happened to you’. Performers include New Westminster residents: Janice Bannister, Lisa Bunting, Laura Drummond, Colleen Winton, JJ Lee, Syd Bosel, Aidan Chafe, Devon More and musical guest: Jay Brazeau.
‘The impetus for the Flame New Westminster came from a desire from local professional performers to have an outlet in their own city,’ said co-presenter Laura Drummond, ‘Many of these actors, poets and singers have a successful career outside of New Westminster, but want to share their art in the city that they love.’
‘Massey Theatre is always happy to provide space to grassroots group of committed artists to help enliven the arts scene in New Westminster’ said Jessica Schneider, Executive Director of the Massey Theatre Society, ‘We’re happy to be able to help ignite this series that will hopefully grow into something lasting that will showcase performers of all disciplines in New Westminster.’
The Flame Vancouver has been going for nine seasons has expanded to various locations as well as a Victoria.
Come be a part of The Flame New Westminster!
November 26, 7:00 pm at the Plaskett Gallery.
Click here for more information on the event.
Read More →
Your Story, Your Voice-Storytelling Workshop with Deborah Williams
New Westminster performer and facilitator Laura Drummond and the Massey Theatre society are proud to announce an upcoming storytelling workshop in New Westminster.
Deborah Williams, award winning performer, co-creator of the international hit Mom’s the Word trilogy and co-founder of Vancouver’s sold out storytelling series The Flame is bringing her storytelling intensive workshop here to the Plaskett Gallery at the Massey Theatre.
In this two-day intensive, Deb will give people the tools to create and share a truly compelling story. This inclusive and supportive workshop is focused on learning and growth.
New to storytelling, but passionate about it? A performer that is looking for a new outlet? Bring a short, interesting personal anecdote, and Deb will work with you to get it performance ready. It has to be true, about you, and told in less than 5 minutes.
Dates: Sat, Nov. 25 & Sun. Nov. 26 @ 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Address: Plaskett Gallery, Massey Theatre
Registration: Email deborahwilliams1@mac.com to arrange e-transfer or payment
Workshop Prices $150.00
Website info www.facebook.com/groups/flamevancouver/about/
About Deborah Williams
Deborah Williams is award winning actress, playwright, director, producer, comedian, storyteller and teacher who has been working professionally for over 30 years. She is the co-creator/producer/host of Vancouver/Victoria’s The Flame, a sold out monthly storytelling event, celebrating it’s 9th season. She is one of the creator/stars of the international hit comedy trilogy Mom’s The Word, true stories enjoyed by 1.5m people in 19 countries in 14 languages. Deborah lived in New Westminster for almost a decade founding the Urban Farmers Fall Fair and the Port Royal Community Garden. She is the proud mother of a couple of wonderful adult scientists who learned their love of nature in the ditches of Queensborough.
Read More →
The Victoria Project
Imagine accepting that each moment is a chance to start over.
Imagine being unhindered by memory. Imagine not being able to think, but only to imagine. It would be a bit like dreaming.
And what is it that counts in our dreams?
What can we take with us when we die?
It’s something that aging, and even dementia, can’t take away. It’s those moments of communion that we have known, with creatures, gardens and gods…otherwise known as love.
Living isn’t easy, and neither is dying, but it is all interlaced with moments of great richness…little victories. Victoria savors every moment. I was glad to find a bit of myself in her-I hope that you will too.
Dulcinea Langfelder
In the work Victoria, Montreal’s acclaimed Dulcinea Langfelder is all at once an actor, dancer, mime and storyteller, incorporating physical theatre, music, multi-media.
Victoria is a wheelchair-bound 90 year-old suffering from the loss of memory, autonomy and just about everything else, Langfelder melds tragedy with humour. This multi-disciplinary work dazzles audiences with its humour and compassion while addressing old age, vulnerability, loss and death. She and her creative team sought to open dialogues and change attitudes towards old age, others’ as well as our own. Victoria proposes a positive image and reassures people who feel excluded, be it by aging, solitude, illness, handicap… socially or politically.
Show runs Saturday, October 27th at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 28th at 2:00 pm.
Tickets on sale now: Tickets are $35 adult, $25 senior, $15 children and youth up to aged 18
Group rates are available. Bring family, friends or colleagues for this powerful performance that touches us all.
Read More →