An exciting new theatrical partnership between two Bow Valley and Calgary dramatic groups will bring an exciting family-friendly outdoor show to the Stan Rogers Stage this summer.
An exciting new theatrical partnership between two Bow Valley and Calgary dramatic groups will bring an exciting family-friendly outdoor show to the Stan Rogers Stage this summer.
Canmore-based Pine Tree Players and Calgary's Artist Collective Theatre have announced a partnership this summer to stage an adaptation Alice in Wonderland to the community for an outdoor performance at the end of August.
“It is really a fun show for all ages, with singing and dancing and beautiful costumes,” said PTP's Jen Tweddell.
Tweddell said the Pine Tree was considering new models for how to bring more theatre to the community when the connection with Artist Collective Theatre occurred.
The idea for the show came about because a member of the Artist Collective Theatre who came to watch the most recent Pine Tree production of Nunsense is related to a member of the local theatre company. Once the connection had been made, the two organizations looked for a production they could put on together.
ACT already staged Alice in Wonderland over the winter, and members of both organizations felt it could work well in Canmore for an outdoor performance.
For Tweddell, it is also an opportunity to use the outdoor stage and space at Centennial Park to bring theatre outside.
“We (Pine Tree) really saw that theatre in the park in the summer is a gap here,” she said. “Ever since I moved here, I have been wanting to do theatre in the park.”
The partnership is not just a one-off – with both organizations looking to build relationships with each other and collaborate on future productions together. For Alice in Wonderland, ACT actors will play the parts and PTP members will support them backstage and with front of house duties. The show runs Aug. 25, 26 and 27 at Centennial Park.
“For this year, we are going to bring the cast form Calgary, but our idea for the future is to collaborate,” Tweddell said. “That way we have cast from Canmore and cast from Calgary and use it as a learning exchange opportunity so people can meet each other, share ideas and knowledge.
“Once we have proven this can be a success and it is something our audiences in Canmore wants to see, then we can start planning for the next summer.”
ACT's Amanda Cutting adapted the play from Lewis Caroll's classic novels Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.
Cutting said the show has elements that will reach older audiences and younger, and has Broadway quality production value, even here on an outdoor stage.
“It is creating an event for the community, not just a show,” she said, adding the cast includes a live band. “It isn't exactly a musical, but it is theatre with lots of music and music in almost every scene.
“It is hard a lot of the time to find a truly family friendly show that is inclusive, but because there are jokes the adults will be roaring about and thinking hilarious and the kids are going to be engaged by the music and acting.”
For Cutting, the partnership is very exciting and creates an opportunity to exchange creative ideas, and share abilities – like stage fighting for example.
“There are opportunities to explore those areas,” she said.
The exchange will be supported through members of PTP billeting the actors and crew from ACT for the three-day production in Canmore.
“It builds on the camaraderie between theatre companies and a passion for the arts,” Cutting.
Tweddell and Cutting are co-producing the show and encourage families to show up early with picnic baskets to enjoy the park and space before the show. Tickets are $20 or $15 for children 12 and under, and children under five are free.
Tickets are available on Eventbrite at url http://tiny.cc/AliceCanmore.
