Now that we've hit the two-week mark in December, it's time to break out those sweaters, dust off those decorations and get into the Christmas spirit.
Officially throw yourself into the season with the sounds and humour of TheatreK's A Cottage Community Christmas, onstage at the Kay Meek Theatre in West Vancouver Dec. 13-15. It's Christmas Eve 1983 and the Cornwall family are up to their usual comedic hi-jinks in their ancestral fixer-upper out in Horseshoe Bay.
Only this year, West Vancouver's quirkiest family have got an arsenal of show-stopping musical numbers to share in the dysfunction.
"It's a special piece, not typical Christmas fare," says playwright Nicolle Nattrass.
Like any good Christmas story, the play is a tale of love. The story explores multiple generations of love between the characters.Writing lively relationships between older characters is a recent but important endeavor for Nattrass, especially at this time of year.
"I have a soft spot for believing in love, family and Christmas," she says.
"Family is family. That's what Christmas is all about."
Nattrass originally co-wrote the script with Mark Dumez for its first production at the Chemainus Festival on Vancouver Island.
Although it originally took place a ferry ride away, the location references in the play have been changed to fit West Vancouver, and the spirit of the play remains intact despite its new digs.
"Comedy is comedy," says Nattrass. Dumez and Nattrass wrote the play with the ambition to one day produce it on the East Coast of Canada.
"We can tailor it to wherever there's an ocean," says Nattrass.
All of the regional references are from the North Shore. (for example, Grandma resides on Bowen Island), so that audiences can see the show in their own backyard, says Kay Meek artistic director Claude Giroux. The play takes place in that golden era of family sitcoms lending itself nicely to holiday laughs.
"1983: there's just so much potential for comedy," says Nattrass.
Giroux says the cast of six performers, featuring a live band, is a strong mix of veterans and young talent on the rise.
"We've got some really talented singers and we're really using them to the utmost of their skills," says Giroux.
Highlights from the cast include Danielle St. Pierre (Miss Saigon, A Chorus Line, Seussical the Musical), Danny Balkwell (Mama Mia, Fiddler on the Roof, The Buddy Holly Story) and Milo Shandell, who toured with the cast of Mama Mia Co for six years. A
The soundtrack stays true to its roots as a family Christmas show, but don't expect the pipes in this cast to stick to the same old Christmas tunes.
The show comes complete with rock, pop and country standards in addition to a healthy seasonal dose of Christmas carols.
Nattrass is blown away by the eclectic sounds and harmonies of her script coming to life.
This run of A Cottage Community Christmas will be a historic moment for the Kay Meek Theatre because it is the first production completely produced in-house.
"It's a bit of a momentous occasion for the centre and the community," says Giroux.
The show was inspired by the West Vancouver Historical Society's coffee table book, From Cottages to Community: the Story of West Vancouver's Neighbourhoods, says Giroux.
The collection of photos and stories was published this year to mark the
centennial of West Vancouver and illustrates the transition of West Vancouver from a few bunches of cottages to the community it is today.
Opening night (which is already sold out) will mark the last month of West Vancouver's 100th year as a municipality.
Mayor Michael Smith and council will be attending the final performance to celebrate the centennial.
The show runs from Dec. 13-15 at the Kay Meek Theatre. Tickets: $43/$39/$24, available online or by calling the box office at 604-981-6335.
There will also be a special preview performance for seniors only on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m., tickets $5 by phone or in person at the box office.
