2012 marks the 35th Anniversary of Footlight Theatre’s Vaudeville show. Back in 1977, Footlight Theatre and the Burnaby Village museum worked together to produce a good old fashioned Vaudeville show, to entertain the summer patrons. Since then we’ve been delighting audiences with our classic songs from the American Songbook, crazy antics, cheesy jokes and some can-can kicking dances. The 30-minute show is included with admission to the park.

Last year marked the Burnaby Village Museum’s 40th Anniversary, and in celebration admission to the park was free! It’s always excellent family entertainment and being free, fits everyone’s budget. The Vaudeville show is an excellent opportunity for performers, offering solo work and featured moments that most performers wouldn’t get in a large production. Each show is custom written based on the show’s cast.

Vaudeville always has a string of popular songs from the Vaudeville era featuring music from great composers such as Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan and Richard Rodgers. Between songs are a string of zany comedy sketches and Vaudeville jokes based on the comedy of such greats as the Marx Brothers, The Three Stooges, George Burns and Gracie Allen, and Abbott and Costello.

Additionally Vaudeville is a great opportunity for other rising talent and volunteers. Being a smaller show, it’s an excellent venue for up and coming directors, script writers, choreographers, musical directors, musicians, stage managers and producers. Like any show, there is always a need for volunteers to help with front of house and other behind the scenes duties.

The show runs all summer from Father’s Day to Labour Day on Sunday afternoons every hour on the hour. Additional shows are performed on Canada Day, BC Day and Labour Day. Performances are held in Brookfield Hall inside the Village. The Vaudeville show is a must see for patrons of the park and many people return each year to see the show.

Rob Christensen
Producer

The play was a challenge as the cast was quite large and we also decided to double cast the show to relieve the time commitment for the families and individuals. We also had to deal with many illnesses. As a result, director Heather Kennedy had to fill in for many performances. We also had to ask performers from previous shows to fill in for the various performers who were unable to attend certain performances.

Many thanks to Skyler Devlaming, Neil Gibbard, and Astrid Visscher. Astrid also helped in clarifying Jewish traditions, dress, and the costuming of the cast.

Many thanks to all the performers. They did an incredible job as many of them had limited rehearsal time. An additional thanks to all the parents. The show became a wonderful effort with I think the parents having just as much fun as the performers. I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

To finish, I hope that no one became tired of eating “A Whole Lotta Latkes”!

Judy Chang
Producer

Over the years, Footlight has produced over 100 shows for our audiences to enjoy. Last year, we challenged ourselves by bringing one of the most technically difficult shows, an all-time classic, The Wizard of Oz, to the Michael J. Fox Theatre. Over 5,000 people came to see our show, and we couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support and dedication from our production team and over 100 volunteers. THANK YOU all from the bottom of my heart. It was an amazing show and a remarkable experience.

Angus Chiu
Producer

We would like you to be a part of our continuing success by becoming either an individual or family member. Membership entitles you to take part in our productions or serve on the Board of Directors, plus you receive these benefits:

• Voting privileges at Footlight’s Annual General Meeting
• Advance notice of the shows being produced by Footlight Theatre
• Newsletters showcasing Footlight Theatre shows and other community theatre events

The price of membership is an incredible value when you consider the above benefits coupled with the knowledge that you are supporting quality community theatre. Our individual membership is $15 and family membership is $25 for a full year. Memberships are one year in duration. Current memberships expire on June 30. Be sure to renew early!

How to join

Simply download the membership form and print it out. Mail your completed form along with your payment to:

Footlight Theatre Company Society
c/o Burnaby Arts Council
6584 Deer Lake Avenue
Burnaby, B. C. V5G 3T7

Click here to download our membership form.

Thank you for considering a membership with Footlight Theatre and I look forward to meeting you at our next production!

Regards,
Abigail Wong-de Leon
Director of Membership

All performers should be prepared to do be involved in the goofy antics and comedy of Vaudeville. This can involve silly costumes, back handed compliments, telling bad jokes, on stage squabbles with characters, awful singing etc.

All performers should be prepared not to take themselves too seriously, as that’s part of the “comedy” of Vaudeville, i.e. you may be singing like a lark in one scene and the next you are screeching like a cat in a tub of water., Likewise you may be spinning like a ballerina in one number and then tripping all over the stage in the next.

Notes: Please note this is a non-equity production. All performers are volunteer and unpaid.

Production Dates: June 17^th – September 3^rd

Rehearsals: Rehearsals start Feb 18th and go every Saturday till the 31st of March at which point we start 3 times a week from, April 3rd till June 2nd - Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

Shows: Dress June 3rd (cast 1) Soft Opening (Schools) June 8th (1st cast – Family and friends) Dress June 10th (cast 2) Soft Opening (Schools) June 15th (2nd cast – Family and friends). Extra shows on July 2nd and September 3rd.

The show requires 2 casts of 6-9 performers each comprised of a combination of the following:

• Master of Ceremonies: well spoken, quick witted, able to tell jokes and keep the show flowing between acts.
• Dancers: at least 2-3 skilled dancers.
• Singers: strong soloist singers who are prepared to partake in comedy and not take themselves too seriously.
• Actors: 2-3 comedic actors

Please contact April Fortin at april.fortin@live.com for an audition time and additional information.

**No phone calls please.**

Christmas meets Hanukkah in our new holiday show!

“A Whole Lotta Latkes” tells the story of two families living side by side – one Christian and the other Jewish.  When the parents are unavailable on Christmas day to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, the two families end up sharing the day together and a lot is learned about Hanukkah traditions and what it means to share the day together.

Produced By Judy Chang. Directed By Heather Kennedy. Written By Joyce Christmas with additional material by Heather Kennedy.
Stage Manager: Livia Du Hamel. Costumer: Christina Goddard.

Show dates and times summary

November 26 to December 11:
Saturdays and Sundays only, 1:30 and 3:30pm

December 15 & 16: 6:30pm
December 17 & 18: 1:30, 3:30pm and 6:30pm
December 19 & 20: 6:30pm
December 21 to 23: 1:30, 3:30pm and 6:30pm

Complete list of performance dates/times

Go to this link at TicketsTonight, and on the final screen simply enter “Dorothy” (case sensitive) in the appropriate box, and you will unlock the discounted prices. This discount cannot be applied to previously purchased tickets.

Click here to order your tickets to any of the four remaining performances:

• Thursday @ 7:30pm ($5 discount with code)
• Friday @ 7:30pm
• Saturday @ 2pm
• Saturday @ 7:30pm

Hope to see you there!

We will need:

• 5 Children ages 6 to 14
• 2 Adults

The show will consist of two casts which will perform on alternate dates. Rehearsals are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays 7-9pm.

Audition dates:
Monday, September 19 at the Bonsor Centre in the arts room
Wednesday September 21 at the Bonsor centre in the conference room

Bonsor Centre
6550 Bonsor, Burnaby, BC
Click here for a map.

For audition appointment please send an e-mail to audfootlight@gmail.com .