This summer a taste of Broadway is coming to Princeton! A new professional summer theatre company - River Road Theatre - will be staging three modern crowd-pleasers at the Riverside Centre in Princeton B.C. between June 17 and August 14. The season kicks off with the musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, followed by Neil Simon’s romantic-comedy Barefoot in the Park, and concludes with the mystery/farce The 39 Steps.
River Road Theatre was founded by Princeton local Chelsea Turner, who previously directed “The Mousetrap” and “Angels in Love” with the Princeton Performing Arts Society. “When I directed community theatre here three years ago I discovered what an appetite this area has for live theatre. The community support is amazing.” Chelsea recently completed a two-year theatre-training program at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria B.C., and has returned to Princeton with four other graduates of the college to put on a season of professional summer theatre.
“We’re all thrilled to be bringing this exciting season of shows to both Princeton locals and summertime tourists,” Turner says. “Our focus is fun, accessible entertainment that will leave you with a smile on your face and a bounce in your step.”
River Road Theatre’s first show - which runs every weekend from June 17 to July 3 - is sure to do just that. It’s a hit Off-Broadway musical with the catchy title I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. It’s an extremely funny look at the daily trials and triumphs of love, dating and marriage, and showcasing the singing and dancing talents of the energetic young company.
Each of River Road Theatre’s five company members has a wealth of experience in the production aspects of the theatre - from playwriting to set design to choreography - as well as being highly trained actor/singer/dancers.
“We met through the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria B.C.,” says company member Benjamin Wardle. “It’s one of the most intensive theatre training programs in North America. We’re used to twelve-hour days, six days a week, and we’re used to being involved in all the backstage aspects of putting on a show.”
“This is such a gorgeous place to live and spend a summer season,” Wardle adds. “I feel lucky to have the chance to be in professional theatre in a small town - it’s such a rare opportunity. As a city boy from Vancouver, the chance to do theatre out here in the beautiful mountain scenery is half the attraction.”
River Road Theatre’s shows will be running every weekend, with 7:30 pm evening performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays. Tickets are available at the Princeton Shoppers Drug Mart or by phone at 250 293 6152. Adult tickets are $18, and student tickets are $15.