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— Valsy Bergeron and Joseph Gustafson in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s 2010 production of The Patron Saint of Stanley Park. Photo by David Cooper. THE PATRON SAINT OF STANLEY PARK Arts Club Theatre Company’s Back by popular demand! December 1–December 24, 2011 A Magical Holiday Fable. On that infamously stormy Christmas Eve of 2006, a mysterious vagabond rescues two fatherless children in Stanley Park and takes them to a fantastical world beneath Prospect Point. During the course of the magical night, the children will experience wondrous visions—visions that may help them understand the truth about their father, their mysterious guardian, and the healing power of love. The Patron Saint of Stanley Park, by Hiro Kanagawa, was born out of the Arts Club’s Silver Commissions Project, which provides funding and development resources to established Vancouver artists to create original works for the company. The resulting work premiered last year to critical and popular acclaim. The play has elements of both fantasy and realism and will appeal to adults and youngsters alike with its emotion, action, and humour. Says Kanagawa, “The Patron Saint of Stanley Park is a contemporary variation on the stories told about Saint Nicholas of Myra, the protector of children who is now commonly associated with Santa Claus.” “It’s a pleasure for me to see Hiro’s play return this season and reach even more families,” says Rachel Ditor, Arts Club Literary Manager. “Audiences are hungry for seasonal stories that are genuine and hopeful. Patron Saint leaves us with a renewed sense of community as Vancouverites.” Kanagawa is a familiar face on many Vancouver-shot television series and features, including The X-Files, DaVinci’s Inquest, and Best in Show. He is also a well-respected teacher, voice actor, and writer, with story editing credits on DaVinci’s Inquest: City Hall and Intelligence. Kanagawa’s debut play, Tiger of Malaya, premiered at the National Arts Centre of Canada in 2003. By Hiro Kanagawa. Starring Jillian Fargey, Brian Linds, Derek Metz, Valsy Bergeron, Joseph Gustafson. Director Stephen Drover. Set Designer Naomi Sider. Costume Designer Carmen Alatorre. Lighting Designer Conor Moore. Sound Designer Noah Drew. Dramaturg Rachel Ditor. Stage Manager Marion Anderson. Assistant Stage Manager Colleen Totten RAVE REVIEWS “Such a lovingly, eccentrically handmade Christmas gift that it will steal your heart…. So moving that I had to work hard to stifle what could have been very loud sobs” —Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight “Kanagawa gift-wraps his own love of life, family, Christmas, and Stanley Park in a two-hour package that’s original, often funny, and always heart-warming” —Jo Ledingham, The Vancouver Courier An Arts Club Theatre Company production: The Patron Saint of Stanley Park at the Revue Stage (1601 Johnston St.) from December 1 to December 24, 2011 (MEDIA OPENING: Thursday, December 1). Monday at 8 PM, Tuesday at 7:30 PM, Wednesday–Saturday at 8 PM, and Wednesday & Saturday at 2 PM. Some special showtimes in effect; please see artsclub.com. Tickets are $25 and $35, inclusive of taxes and fees. Call the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644 or visit artsclub.com.
ABOUT THE ARTS CLUB The Arts Club Theatre Company, now in its 48th season, is the largest not-for-profit organization of its kind in Western Canada. It offers professional theatre at three venues—the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Granville Island Stage, and Revue Stage—as well as on tour throughout the province. Website: artsclub.com
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