Cast and crew with Stage 43 Theatrical Society are off to Vernon next month to represent the Fraser Valley Zone at Theatre BC's Mainstage.
The Coquitlam society advanced to the community theatre provincial competition after taking the coveted Best Production Award at the zone festival in White Rock, May 21 to 27.
Stage 43 presented the final show of its L"oh"L Canada 150 season: Bingo! by Canadian playwright Daniel MacIvor and directed by Coquitlam resident Lisa Pope.
The company was up against Offtopic Theatre, Chilliwack School of Performing Arts, Surrey Little Theatre, Emerald Pig Theatrical Society, Chilliwack Players Guild, Opening Nite Theatre and Langley Players Drama Club for the regional prize.
Besides the Best Production accolade, Stage 43 also walked away with the Best Properties (Claire Pinkett); Best Supporting Female Actor (Michelle Berg, in a tie); Best Ensemble (Berg, Leona Atkinson, Aaron Davis, Pierce Ivan and Detton Lake); and Best Director (Pope) awards.
In Vernon, Stage 43 will compete against the winning productions from six regional zones: Central Interior, North Island, North Shore, Okanagan, Peace River and Skeena (this year, Greater Vancouver, Kootenay and South Island zones were not able to host festivals).
Now, Stage 43 is needs $2,000 to get a dozen actors and stage crew — plus set pieces, costumes and tools — to Theatre BC, which runs June 30 to July 8. Visit gofundme.com/bingo2017 to donate.
Meanwhile, the company also announced its lineup for next year.
It will put on two comedies — A Bench in the Sun (Oct. 12 to 15 and Oct. 18 to 21) and The Ladies Foursome (April 26 to 29 and May 2 to 5, 2018) — and the musical The Fantasticks (Jan. 11 to 14 and Jan. 17 to 20, 2018).
For early bird prices for season tickets at $48, call the box office at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
