STAGES: Songs of Sondheim & Schwartz: Broadway Concert-Style Musical Revue

Ioco Players Port Moody Theatre Arts is pleased to present Stages: Sondheim & Schwartz to Port Moody and Tri-City theatre lovers August 4-7, 2022, with four live performances at the Inlet Theatre, 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody, BC.

What:

Stages: Sondheim & Schwartz is a musical revue conceived by Ioco Players which features inspired cast stories and song selections from the artistry of legendary musical theatre composers Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, Company, Into The Woods, and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Prince of Egypt). This concert-style revue will also feature a multi-image slide show to educate and inspire audiences around the contributions of Sondheim & Schwartz to the musical theatre art form and will feature songs selections from popular musicals including: West Side Story, Wicked, Into The Woods, Pippin, Sweeney Todd, Godspell, Company and Baker’s Wife, to name a few. The wonderful cast will be accompanied with the rich sounds of a grand piano, as well as supporting string players on cello and violin.

This event is made possible by the support of many volunteers and City of Port Moody, staff of the Inlet Theatre, PCI Developments, Tom Lee Music, RecreateNow Marketing and program advertising support at the time of publication from: Bosa Development, Massive Canada, GearForce, Olive The Best, I Love Port Moody, Saint St. Grill, Waves Coffee Port Moody Rec Complex, Sharpour’s Tailoring & Alterations, CityState, Willow and Wallflower Home Decor and Coastal Books.

While this production is suitable for the whole family, we would suggest that it will likely be of more interest to adults age 16+.

When: (3 x 7pm evening performances, 1 x 3pm matinee performance)

Thursday, August 4, 2022 – 7pm Performance


Friday, August 5, 2022 – 7pm Performance 


Saturday, August 6, 2022 – 7pm Performance 


Sunday, August 7, 2022 – 3pm Matinee Performance

Where:

Inlet Theatre, 100 Newport Dr, Port Moody, BC V3H 5C3, Canada

The show will run about 2 hours and 15 minutes and include one 15 minute intermission.

Ticket Price:

$35.00 per person includes $5 donation to Ioco Players to support future Ioco Players theatre arts activities in Port Moody. Seating is general admission. Arrive early for the best seats. Doors open 45 minutes before curtain.

Eventbrite service and processing fee is non-refundable for cancellations.

Ticket are available online only and not available to purchase at the door.

The Inlet Theatre follows all B.C. Health and Public Safety guidelines.

About Stephen Sondheim & Stephen Schwartz:

Stephen Sondheim (March 22, 1930 – November 26, 2021) was an American composer, songwriter and lyricist. One of the most important figures in twentieth-century musical theater, Sondheim was credited for having "reinvented the American musical"with shows that tackled "unexpected themes that range far beyond the [genre's] traditional subjects” with "music and lyrics of unprecedented complexity and sophistication”. His shows addressed "darker, more harrowing elements of the human experience",with songs often tinged with "ambivalence" about various aspects of life.

Sondheim began his career by writing the lyrics for West Side Story (1957) and Gypsy (1959), before eventually devoting himself solely to writing both music and lyrics. His best-known works include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Into the Woods (1987), and Passion (1994).

Sondheim's numerous accolades include eight Tony Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Tony in 2008), an Academy Award, eight Grammy Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, a Pulitzer Prize, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has a theater named for him both on Broadway and in the West End of London. Film adaptations of Sondheim's work include West Side Story (1961), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Into the Woods (2014), and West Side Story (2021).

Stephen Schwartz (born March 6, 1948) is an American musical theater lyricist and composer. In a career spanning over five decades, Schwartz has written such hit musicals as Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972), and Wicked (2003). He has contributed lyrics to a number of successful films, including Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), The Prince of Egypt (1998, music and lyrics), and Enchanted (2007). Schwartz has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, three Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, and has been nominated for six Tony Awards. He received the 2015 Isabelle Stevenson Award, a special Tony Award, for his commitment to serving artists and fostering new talent.

Cast:
(In alphabetical order)

Mike Arseneault, Connor Hogg, Ian Kowlaski, Kara McLachlan, Lannette New, Harold Perdoma, Emily Saint, Julia Walmsley

Creative Team:

Mike Arseneault (Producer, Director), Kylie Lorenzana Fonacier (Music Director, Pianist), Lindy Sisson (Choreographer), Jenny Norris (Co-Producer), Rose Kapp (FOH Manager), Stefan Kapp (Stage Manager), Sue Davey (ASM), Marlo de Vaal (Costumes), Sandeep Kulkarni (Projection), Anna Kuchkova (Cello), Catie Akune (Violin).

About Ioco Players:

Ioco Players Port Moody Theatre Arts is an innovative new community arts initiative and social club for lovers of theatre arts; small plays, musicals and revues, readers' theatre, in-concert, play readings, and other intimate and innovative theatre activities for adults in Port Moody and surrounding area.

The goal is to have fun, create, and build a more connected and energized theatre and arts community for all in Port Moody - The City Of The Arts.

The name Ioco comes from the heritage of Port Moody and is an abbreviation of Imperial Oil Corporation; which was originally a townsite for an Imperial Oil refinery that began operation in 1915. Today, Ioco is a main street and artery that runs through Port Moody and connects this community. The historic Ioco Townsite is still standing and remains an indelible and distinctive part of the iconic history of this community. At Ioco Players Port Moody Theatre Arts, we honour them both.

Theatre and marketing veteran Mike Arseneault founded Ioco Players Port Moody Theatre Arts in 2021 after his second visit to Port Moody with the goal of bringing innovative, intimate, theatre arts to this wonderful community. "We're excited to bring new energy and increase awareness, education, and participation in community theatre arts".

In February 2021, Ioco Players produced their first sold-out production of the classic play “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney which also help raise over $6,000 for the Port Moody Legion Branch 119.

Mike Arseneault has produced, directed, and served on many theatre Boards in Toronto, Portland Oregon, and on the Oregon Coast, and was a founding member of the Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre in Portland, Oregon, helping youth pursue their dreams of full-time careers in musical theatre.

"We're thrilled to bring new energy to performing arts in Port Moody and surrounding areas", said Arseneault. To follow our progress and stay involved, follow Ioco Players Port Moody Theatre Arts on Facebook or Instagram:

For general questions or to inquire about how to get involved with Ioco Players, to audition or work behind the scenes, and to find out more about future productions, contact us by email at: iocoplayerpomo@gmail.com

Facebook.com/groups/iocoplayersportmoodytheatrearts Instagram: #iocoplayersportmoody

Media Inquiries:

Mike Arseneault, Cell: 971-724-0273


email: mikes.arseneault@gmail.com email: iocoplayerspomo@gmail.com

#iocoplayersportmoody

Stages: Cast Biographies (In alphabetical order)

MIKE ARSENEAULT (Also Producer and Director)

Mike may be a newbie to Port Moody but is no newcomer to the stage. Theatre has been a lifelong passion and he has performed in over 100 musicals, plays, and revues, in Toronto, Portland (Oregon), and on the Oregon Coast. Mike recently created Ioco Players Port Moody Theatre Arts with the goal of bringing innovative, intimate, theatre arts to this wonderful community. In February 2021, and produced and directed their first sold-out production of the classic play “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney which also help raise over $6,000 for the Port Moody Legion Branch 119. Mike is also the producer and director of this production of STAGES.

An award-winning theatre performer, select musical credits include: Baker (Into The Woods), John (Miss Saigon), Nathan (Guys and Dolls), Rooster (Annie), Motel (Fiddler), Beadle (Sweeney Todd), Etches (Titanic), Peter (Company), Dickon (Secret Garden), Hysterium (Funny Thing…Forum), Mr Stephens (Carrie), Minstrel (Once Upon A Mattress), Frank (Wonderful Town), Warren/Hubert (On A Clear Day…), Albert (Secret Garden), Gerald (Me and My Girl), Trent (The Last Resort), Barber (Man of La Mancha), Bobby (A Chorus Line), A Rab (West Side Story), Charlie (Brigadoon). Mike has developed many musical revues and also created his one-man musical revue "STAGES: Songs From Broadway” (guess where he got inspiration for this new production).

Mike has produced, directed, and served on many theatre Boards in Toronto, Portland, and on the Oregon Coast, and was a founding member of the Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre in Portland, Oregon, helping youth pursue their dreams of full-time careers in musical theatre.

Thanks to Kylie, Jenny, and all the cast and crew of STAGES, our volunteers, and this community for supporting live theatre in Port Moody.

CONNOR HOGG

Connor is a graduate of Capilano University’s Musical theatre program. He has had a love for both of these composers from a young age and it is due to them that he is a performer now. He would like to thank his family for always supporting him throughout the years. His previous credits include Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Secondary Characters), Stepmother, Into the Woods (Cap U). He hope you enjoy the stories that are being presented.

IAN KOWALSKI

Ian is a graduate of the Performing Arts program at O’Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute and the Media Production program at Ryerson University in Toronto. He is thrilled to be partaking in Ioco Players’ sophomore production. While not working in film production, he enjoys acting and directing for screen and stage. He recently made his stage direction debut with the play Cumulus at UBC’s Brave New Play Rites festival.

Select performance credits include Peter in Peter Pan the Musical (The LOT), Davey in Newsies (RMTC), Lumière in Beauty and the Beast (O’Neill CVI), Tobias in Sweeney Todd (Ember Island Players) and Will Bloom in Big Fish (RMTC).

KYLIE LORENZANA FONACIER (Musical Director & Rehearsal Pianist)

Kylie is a Vancouver-based, Filipino-Canadian composer, lyricist, conductor, singer and pianist. From original musical theatre-esque, jazz and instrumental works to performing original or favorite music, be it singing or on the piano, or even acting on stage, her aim is to take audiences and listeners on a vast array of journeys that are often thought-provoking and emotionally driven with an occasional mix of humor and heart.

Having won awards for her work in original music, Kylie placed one of three winners in ArtSong Lab's SongSLAM 2020, the VAM Young Composers' Competition for her orchestral piece “The Next Station Is” in May 2021, and Sing Me a Song, BC in 2014. More recently, Kylie completed composing music for an upcoming all-new musical theatre production with lyrics written by a Vancouver playwright, guested in her aunt Filipino artist JoAnne Lorenzana's virtual concert "JoAnne @35: Love Songs and Lessons," musical directed Fabulist Theatre's musical theatre revue "All Together Now” on November, 2021 directed by Damon Bradley Jang and Mary Littlejohn, and Treehouse Theatre’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” directed by Natalee Lovelock.

Above all, Kylie aspires to inspire people along the way as many have and continue to inspire her. She remains eternally humbled, blessed and grateful to her peers, mentors, and most especially, God and her family, for without their unwavering support, she would not be where she is today.

KARA MCLACHLAN

Thank you for coming back to the theatre.

Kara is thrilled to be making her Ioco Players debut and to be back creating live theatre once again. Her lifelong love affair with the theatre began through dance and eventually morphed into a passion for storytelling in all its forms. She is excited to tackle the complex and challenging works of Sondheim and Schwartz and aspires to one day be cast as the villain in one of their shows.

Special thanks to Ash for all the support and to her neighbours for graciously not filing any noise complaints.

LANNETTE NEW

Lannette is delighted to return to the stage! With a background in musical theatre and film, she’s been on an extended hiatus, taking on her greatest role – motherhood. Supported by her family, she is now making her gentle return to show biz. She’s the soprano of the jazz a cappella ensemble, ReVerve, and loves the challenge and joy of singing (and nailing) those complex harmonies.

Lannette looks forward to taking you on a journey with STAGES. One of her favourite musicals growing up was “West Side Story”. She would dance around singing ALL the parts. Fast forward many years and she got hooked on the music from Schwartz’s “Wicked” and was lucky to see it in New York! She has always found a lot of Sondheim’s music tricky, but the challenge adds to the joy. Thank you for your love and support, Jak and Carter. It’s good to be back!

HAROLD PERDOMO

After a 16-year hiatus from performing, Harold is returning with STAGES. During his childhood Harold sang with his District Honor Choir twice, the BC youth choir and, most recently, with the Mount Royal Youth Choir/Edmonton Youth Choir for a performance of Mozart’s Requiem. His most notable solo performance was as the lead role in an oratorio called “Jephte” by Giacomo Carissimi.

Harold left music to pursue a career in tech but during the pandemic, had a chance to reflect on the things that were truly important to him and, thus, came back to singing.

EMILY SAINT

Emily is very excited to be a part of STAGES with Ioco Players. She is currently completing a Master’s in Public Policy at SFU and is thrilled to be getting back into theatre and music after two years of not being able to perform. Some of her favourite credits include Chicago, Legally Blonde, 13: The Musical, and Heathers (all with UBC MTT) as well as Westerburg Reunion Concert (Eyagi).

Emily is delighted to share some of her favourite songs with you! She has long loved the music of both Sondheim and Schwartz and is looking forward to sharing songs from shows often not performed at a community level. She’d like to thank her family and friends for their support. Thank you also to everyone for coming to the show and for supporting local theatre.

JULIA WALMSLEY

Julia is thrilled to return to performing in Ioco Players’ “Stages”. In her day-to-day life, Julia is an elementary school music teacher and owns a music school with her husband Michael. She enjoys teaching voice, ukulele as well as singing and dancing around with her preschool music and movement classes. Julia has twirled across several stages in the lower mainland as well as in Ottawa while completing her studies in voice performance. Previous credits include “The World Goes Round” (DCSS) ”JUNK!”(BTFP) “Zombies from the Beyond” (NVCP).

Julia has always enjoyed challenging music and pushing the boundaries of her voice. The music of Sondhiem and Schwartz always presents that irresistible challenge both in character and in composition. Love to Michael, Max and Cooper! Thank you for coming back to the theatre.

See you at the theatre!!!!!