ArtaFact: Anna Jacyszyn features local shows you’ll want to know about
Tomorrow night is the opening night of Mamma Mia at the Kelowna Community Theatre.
This is a much-anticipated musical jukebox of ABBA tunes, composed by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.
The story was written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, a single mother who launched her writing career by winning a local playwriting competition.
She wrote for theatre and TV and was then asked to write a comedy romance based on the songs of ABBA. She stitched together 22 ABBA songs around a storyline, making them feel as if they were written especially for this musical.
In a 2008 interview, Johnson says she never truly believed that success would follow this show and she anticipated it to be shut down and forgotten within three months of its London premiere in 1999, which would then allow her to go back to her “day job” of writing for the television show Byker Grove.
Little did she see coming the phenomena of the show — seen by over 60 million people worldwide, in over 440 major cities.
It has set the record for premiering in more cities worldwide faster than any other musical.
The film is the highest-grossing motion picture of all time in the U.K., and the biggest selling U.K. DVD of all time. She also co-wrote the 2018 sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
I’m proud to be the lead character, Donna, in this strong cast of highly talented singers, dancers and actors. This is a powerhouse musical that will definitely create nostalgic emotion.
Kudos to the Kelowna Actors Studio costume department, led by Hazel Rodgers. They sewed most of what you will see on stage. Randy Leslie, our director, has every detail of the show in his control, and his team of builders, lighting designers, sound engineers and backstage set crew are right behind him working into the late night and early mornings to create his vision and bring to life a Broadway-like version of the show with local people he has cast.
Leslie’s method of directing has no cotton wool surrounding it. He is demanding because he is meticulous. He is bold and brash because he cast us with a vision of our abilities and then brings more out of each actor.
I love his method of directing and I respect how hard he works and he expects that much more out of us.
I can only say we do deliver. The energypacked musical has me going through a gamut of emotions, but it’s mostly fun and wait until you see the finale.
The show is 80 per cent sold out, so get on that right now. Tickets are from $56 to $86 and you can get them through the box-office at 250-8622867 or online at kelownatickets.com.
Mamma Mia is at the Kelowna Community Theatre, 1375 Water St. through to Aug. 11 with a start time of 7:30 p.m.
————— Tonight, two great events are planned for anyone to attend and both are free.
The Boys and Girls Club is hosting a Moonlight Movie night, sponsored by Interior Savings.
Held at the Webber Road Community Centre in Glenrosa, the family-friendly film is Ferdinand, which is about a gentle pacifist bull named who refuses to participate in the fighting arena, but is forced back into it where his beliefs are challenged as he faces off against the world’s greatest bullfighter.
There will be pre-film activities and a concession stand.
The film begins at dusk which is around 8.30 p.m., I presume. Although the film is free to attend, there is a suggested donation of $3 or $10 per family and all the money goes back into the local Boys and Girls Club.
Also tonight is Opera Under The Stars at UBC Okanagan campus with Opera Kelowna. Food and refreshments are available for purchase. Although it’s also free, you are requested to go online to pre-register at brownpapertickets.com.
————— On Thursday, make a date to hear some great young jazz talent with the Alexander Marr Quartet as they will be making music at Buvez Wine Bar, 315 Lawrence Ave.
Marr is the drummer of his self-named quartet. He studied at Berklee College of Music as well as Capilano University and credits albums like Max Roach — Drums Unlimited, as influences.
Tickets are $25 per couple. Book your spot by calling 250-463-9463. The concert is from 7 to 9 p.m.
————— On Saturday evening in Lake Country’s Swalwell Park, 10070 Bottom Wood Lake Rd, it’s Wine and Jazz in the Park with ann Artisan Marketplace that will be full of local products from fruits to honey and handcrafted delightful creations. Performances will be by Keala Morazain, the wonderful Kinga Trio and Apollo Suns. It’s a free event. The music begins at 6:40 p.m.
On Sunday evening, enjoy an outdoor concert with Tiller’s Folly. Presented by The Lantern Folk Roots Music Society, this distinctly Pacific Northwest Canadian musical group is firmly rooted in an acoustic tradition of historically based songs of topics with a healthy Victoria vibe running through each.
Tickets are $25 tickets at lanternfolk.ca or or call 250-999-1965 for more information. The concert will be held at 3660 Anderson Rd. Time: 7:30 p.m.
Anna Jacyszyn is an award winning jazz singer and recipient of the Civic Honour of the Arts award, the Okanagan Arts award in Music. Email her at artafactevent@gmail.com.