Thanks for joining us for our production of The Elephant Man!

By Bernard Promenance Directed by Dale Kelly
Produced by Claire Pinkett

Production Dates:
April 25-27, 2024 at 7:30pm
April 28, 2024 at 3:00pm
May 1-4, 2024 at 7:30pm

**Claire Pinkett** (*S43 President and Show Producer)*
Claire has been on the Board of Directors of Stage 43 for more than 20 years. She is passionate about keeping community theatre in the community and making it accessible for all. She is a producer, a stage manager, a set builder/painter, a set dec artist, a props mistress, an actress, and anything else a production requires. She is most likely to be seen in the lobby, greeting patrons or selling 50/50 tickets, or onstage before the show telling everyone to turn off their mobile devices…lol!

Message from the President:

It took four years for the dream to become a reality for Director Dale Kelly and Stage 43. In March of 2020, we were only weeks away from loading The Elephant Man production into the Evergreen Cultural Centre, and then the unthinkable happened. The Board was forced to make the hardest decision it ever had to make – to cancel a production. The safety of all our theatre family was our primary focus. Little did we know that we were only slightly ahead of public health orders closing theatre venues when that decision was made.

Skip forward two years – the wait was over and live theatre returned. But what would people come out to see? Was The Elephant Man the right show to return with? Stage 43 decided that it might be better to start off with comedies and mysteries – tried and true shows that we felt people would show up for. However, always in the back of our minds, was the show that never saw the stage... a production that showcased the resilience of the human spirit... a show about hope and determination... a show based on real life events... The Elephant Man. It was time for this story to be told. The added bonus was it would be Director Dale’s 100th time in the director’s chair for community theatre. What better way to celebrate so many accomplishments?

To finally see this show come to life in the theatre has been such a triumphant experience. We hope John Merrick’s journey touches you the way it has touched us and that you enjoy your time in the magic of live theatre.

Synopsis
John Merrick, a horribly deformed young man - victim of rare skin and bone diseases - becomes the star freak attraction in travelling sideshows. Found abandoned and helpless, he is admitted to London’s prestigious Whitechapel Hospital. Under the care of celebrated young physician Frederick Treves, Merrick is introduced to London society and slowly evolves from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy, only to be denied his ultimate dream - to be come a man like any other.

Proteus Syndrome has also been termed “The Elephant Man Disease”.

It is a rare genetic condition in which some parts of the body start to grow too much in a random manner. Caused by a mosaic alternation or mutation, it strikes less than one in a million. In 2020 only 200 people globally were diagnosed with it. Usually, one half of the body is more affected and life expectancy can vary. About 25% will die before the age of 22.

**Karen Ostroff** (Stage Manager)
Karen welcomes the opportunity to be involved in this thought-provoking play, *The Elephant Man*. Many thanks go out to Dale Kelly, a wonderful director, and to the warmly welcoming cast and crew, all of whom are truly gifted. She is thrilled to be returning to Stage 43, having managed many productions at this venue over the years, and more recently with Pivot Theatre, Emerald Pig in Bard on the Bandstand’s production of *King Lear* and Vagabond Players’ *The Last Romance*. Her sincere thanks go out to family and friends who offer encouragement, strength and support. Enjoy the show!

Message from the Director:

“Tis true my form is something odd.
But blaming me is blaming God;
Could I create myself anew
I would not fail in pleasing you.”

-John Merrick

After a 4-year hiatus, (pandemic induced of course), I am thankful to finally see The Elephant Man reach The Evergreen Cultural Centre’s theatre. We were two weeks from opening in April 2020 when everything shut down.

Now four years later, thanks to Claire Pinkett and the Board of Directors at Stage 43, our Production will “strut the boards” at last. Special thanks to the four returning performers from our first production, our cast and crew from our present effort. And finally, my heart felt gratitude to my wife Colleen whose effort on my behalf have made all things possible.

Enjoy the show.

OUR CAST:

**Ryan Johnson** as *John Merrick*
Born in the previous century, Ryan Johnson had a typical childhood. But starting in the early years of his life, strange changes started to occur to him. Things grew in places where things did not grow before. He became hard to understand; women would flee in terror at just the sight of him. His only recourse; to go into show business. Now people come to point and gawk. Something about this show brings comfort to him.

**Kurtis Maguire** as *Dr. Treves*
Kurtis could not be happier to have set sailed from his new home of Halifax, Nova Scotia to join the remounting of this wonderful show; his 100th theatrical production and his last in BC for the foreseeable future. No stranger to Western shores, Kurtis last treaded Stage 43's boards in 2019 for *The Lion in Winter*; he also performed most recently in *Cauldron*, *King Lear*, *Charley’s Aunt*, and with Dale Kelly in *Terror by Gaslight.* A big thank you to an amazing cast and crew and an even more amazing Tatiana Robinson for keeping the home fires burning and the housecats fed. It is an honor to bring Mr. Merrick's amazing tale to you; may it touch you as it has all of us. And thanks for the memories BC. It has been a beautiful ride!

**Colleen Bignell** as *Mrs. Kendal*
Colleen has been tripping the stage for many years. She won Best Actress in Zone, Mainstage and the CTC for *Agnes of God*. Her turn on the Evergreen stage have included *Mama Won’t Fly* and *The Ladies Foursome* for Stage 43 and *The Out Virgil* for Green Thumb.

**Chris Gursche** as *Carr Gomm*
Chris most recently played Sir Peter Teazle in Stage 43’s production of *School for Scandal*. Prior to that, you might have seen him as M. Bouc in Stage 43’s *Murder on the Orient Express*, or Frank Burns in *M*A*S*H*. He has also appeared with various other theatre groups over the years. Now he’s grown a mustache to play an English hospital administrator. His wife hates it, but she’s still coming to see the show. Stiff upper lip, and all that.

**Bruce Dunham** as *Ross / Bishop*
Bruce Dunham is a professor in the Department of Statistics at UBC. He has been taking acting classes for several years now, although this production is only his second theatre performance in front of an audience since his school days. He very much hopes you enjoy the show.

**Parker Thompson** as *Belgian Police / London Police / Porter / Lord John*
After more than a decade away, Parker returns to Stage 43 in *The Elephant Man* alongside his talented mum, Donna. He's thrilled to be welcomed back on this production by a wonderful cast and crew. Most importantly though, Parker is grateful for the unwavering support of his beloved wife, Ally, and their adorable daughter, Zara. He truly cherishes every moment both on and off the stage.

**Kevin Sloan** as *Conductor / Snork*
This is Kevin’s third show for Stage 43 and first since 2019’s *One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest*. Once theatres re-opened following the Covid pandemic, he has split his time between doing shows at Deep Cove Stage and Metro Theatre in Vancouver. He is happy to be re-united with some familiar faces and excited to be working with some new ones as well. Enjoy the show. Thank you.

**September Stokes** as *Manager of Pinheads / Miss Sandwich*
September is delighted to be back on stage with *The Elephant Man*. Last seen in *Calendar Girls* in 2023, it had previously been a 25-year hiatus from the theatre. She was in *California Suite* in 1997 and *Steel Magnolias* in 1993 with the Chilliwack Players Guild. Outside of acting, she enjoyed a successful radio career, and has been the Office Manager of Valley Driving School for more than 10 years.

**Donna Thompson** as *Princess Alexandria/Pinhead 1*
Donna is thrilled to return to Stage 43. Working with this wonderful cast and crew including her son, Parker, has been the perfect welcome back! She has performed in many roles, with a passion for murder mystery plays. Donna also loves spending time with her family, weight training, and cooking with her adorable granddaughter.

**Emily Thun** as *Countess/Pinhead 2*
Emily has always had a passion for theatre and cinema, but she took a break from acting for several years after graduating from SFU. Having recently moved to Port Moody, City of the Arts, she wanted to explore some of the exciting local theatre groups in the area. Emily also loves live music, cooking, and building miniatures in her spare time.

**Lydia Rogers** as *Duchess/Pinhead 3*
Lydia is excited to perform in her first Stage 43 stage play! Having been in several performances throughout primary schooling, she is thankful to the director Dale for giving her a role in *The Elephant Man*. She also wants to shout out to her friends, family, and partner for supporting her in creative practice.

Acknowledgements:

Stage 43 would like to express sincere thanks to the following:

The staff and volunteers of the Evergreen Cultural Centre for their support of community theatre and always making it a fun place to play.
Krista Pavane and the technical operations staff of the Evergreen Cultural Centre for their technical expertise and mentorship.
Jessica Fowlis and Emily Bayrock of the Evergreen Cultural Centre for their assistance in promotion.
Chilliwack Players Guild for the loan of costumes.
Colleen Bignell and Dale Kelly for the loan of furniture pieces.
Bob LePine for crafting the Belgian policeman’s sap.
Ron Brooks for assistance with building.
David Berrouard for signage assistance.
And, of course, YOU - our patrons - for your kind support of community theatre!

Production Team:

Producer – Claire Pinkett
Director – Dale Kelly
Stage Manager – Karen Ostroff
Assistant Stage Manager – Susanne Hale
Lighting Design – Stuart Chaplin
Projection Design – Colleen Bignell
Sound Design – Colleen Bignell
Lighting Operation – Pat Prigge
Projection Operation – Dale Kelly
Lighting Operator – Pat Prigge
Sound Operation – Stuart Chaplin
Costume Design – Joy-Ann Lee & Jennifer Strazhnik
Properties – Ryan Johnson (and cast & crew)
Set Design – Dale Kelly
Set Decoration – Colleen Bignell & Claire Pinkett
Graphic Design – Katrina Lashmar
Virtual Program Design – Sharon Notarrigo
Social Media & Publicity – Claire Pinkett & Sharon Notarrigo
Front-of-House Coordinators – Claire Pinkett & Sharon Notarrigo
Lobby Display – Sharon Notarrigo