A New Westminster actor takes centre stage in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s return to holiday musicals.
The COVID-19 pandemic meant the theatre company was unable to stage a Christmastime musical in 2020. But it’s returning in style this season with its 2021/22 season opener: Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, onstage Nov. 18 to Jan. 2.
The musical, featuring music and lyrics by the country icon, offers up a twist on Charles Dickens’ familiar Christmas Carol.
New Westminster’s David Adams stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, now reimagined as the owner of a mining company town nestled in the Smoky Mountains.
The musical debuted in Boston in 2019, and this outing marks its Arts Club premiere.
“The combination of Dolly Parton’s honest, authentic and joyful music along with Charles Dickens’s timeless Christmas ghost story of redemption really makes for a wonderful night of musical theatre for the entire family,” said director Bobby Garcia in a press release. “Nobody does Christmas quite like Dolly and Dickens!”
Peter Cathie White, executive director of the Arts Club, noted the recent lifting of capacity restrictions “has added more joy to this already joyous holiday celebration.”
“Dolly is truly the great uniter — someone who is universally beloved. The show’s theatrical storytelling alongside Dolly’s music makes this the right way to welcome back audiences to the Stanley, after almost 20 months of that venue being dark,” he said.
All performances will be held in accordance with provincial health guidelines. All patrons aged 12 and older will be required to present their B.C. Vaccine Card, along with photo ID.
IN A NUTSHELL
What: Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol, presented by Arts Club Theatre Company
When: Nov. 18 to Jan. 2. Shows Tuesdays to Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (with special times for holiday shows between Dec. 21 and 26).
Where: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St., Vancouver
Tickets: Starting at $43. Order online or call 604-687-1644
