The Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society (FVGSS) launches its 35th season at the Surrey Arts Centre with Pinocchio, the 2016 instalment of its annual Christmas pantomime.
This year鈥檚 panto brings back the audience-interactive hijinx, multi-era song-and-dance numbers, and a few dashes of puppetry in more ways than one.
Previously produced by FVGSS over 20 years ago, this revival is from a homegrown script written by co-directors Mike Balser and Barbie Warwick. Last time, Balser played the role of Geppetto; this time, he鈥檚 the evil Fungus Fox.
鈥淭his is a chance where I actually get to be creepy and mean and villainous,鈥� said Balser on his first time playing a villain.
鈥淰illains are way more interesting than heroes. I鈥檓 enjoying it already鈥� we鈥檝e done a bunch of (musical) numbers, including a couple that feature Fungus Fox; namely one where I get to hypnotize children and lead them astray out of the village.鈥�
Along with established musical director Tim Tucker, resident choreographer Carol Seitz, and debuting production manager Clive 鈥淗itman鈥� Ramroop (who also has a cameo as Stromboli), Warwick and Balser have assembled a solid cast of 鈥減erpetually perky panto people鈥� players, including: Lois Warwick in the title role, Jake Hildebrand as Geppetto, Melissa Funnell as Jiminy Christmas, Miriah Reitmeier as Bella Grazia, Roger Kettyls as Mamma Mia, Joni Hayden-Summerton as Fox鈥檚 sidekick Kit Kat, Tori Dolmans as the Blues Fairy, Michelle Gaetz as Lampwick, Emma-Rose Harvey as Filament, Tyler Supinsky as Alfonso, Saxony Eccleston as Tammy, Tanya Mills as Lucia, and Paige Thomsen and Samantha Gorin as Mary & Annette.
Pinocchio hits the Surrey Arts Centre鈥檚 Main Stage theatre, 13750 88 Ave., Nov. 24 to Dec. 4. Show runs Wednesday to Friday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday weekend matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase in person at the SAC Box Office, by phone at 604-501-5566, or online at .
Prices are $27.95 (adult) and $22.95 (senior or student), or $11.95 for all ages on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
For more information, visit the .
