Carousel Theatre for Young People CTYP Unveils its 2018/2019 Season

CTYP’s Artistic Director Carole Higgins is thrilled to announce an exciting new 2018/2019 season of theatre for young people and families on Granville Island.

This year’s theme is The Gift of Friendship – characters in each of the plays embark on adventures, big and small, and make important discoveries about themselves and the world around them. CTYP’s many Stages of Play will inspire audiences of all ages: the Mainstage Season features a series of five bold productions – two musicals, enlightening puppetry, a dance/theatre hybrid and an innovative production geared for older children from one of Australia’s most renowned TYA companies. The visionary BEE Stage for little ones is back with a world premiere, and the exuberant teen Shakespeare participants will bring magic and mayhem to the outdoor stage on Granville Island.

The Teen Shakespeare Play stages the enchanting A Midsummer Night’s Dream outdoors at Performance Works this summer. An energetic cast of teenagers takes on the Bard’s whimsical story, where friendship and love collide with the magic of the fairy world.

The Mainstage Season begins November 24^th with A Charlie Brown Holiday Double Bill– which features You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown paired with CTYP’s audience favourite A Charlie Brown Christmas– the Peanuts gang discovers the true meaning of happiness and the holiday season while having lots of quirky fun along the way. A star-studded cast including Andrew Cownden, Emilie Leclerc and Rebecca Talbot bring these beloved characters to life and shine a little spotlight on Happiness.

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia return to Vancouver in February with The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites. This co-presentation with Axis Theatre Company brings three theatre companies together to celebrate three stories- The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and The Mixed-Up Chameleon in one magical puppetry triple-bill.

Elephant and Piggie’s We Are In A Play is a delightful new musical about two “bestest” friends and their many adventures; this charming story based on the series of books by best-selling author Mo Willems will light up our stage for the month of March with its whimsical comedy.

Salmon Girl takes audiences on a magical underwater adventure in which a young girl befriends a salmon in a stunning production created by Raven Spirit Dance, and explores how we can all help take better care of our planet. A visually stunning work that shares a First Nations perspective on the importance of Salmon.

The pignant Oscar Wilde tale, The Young King, is a coming of age story that grapples with the ethics of beauty, leadership and compassion. The beautiful language of Wilde joins the intimate and magical world of internationally-acclaimed theatre company Slingsby (Adelaide, Australia), as audiences journey to faraway lands replete with rich rewards and challenging choices.

On the BEE Stage, a new Canadian Premiere, I Sea Sky takes babies, toddlers and preschoolers on an enchanting journey along the BC coast where they’ll meet some very special animal friends and learn how to be a good friend to the Earth. The BEE Stage engages audiences with an intimate, interactive theatre experience designed especially for them, and is lots of fun for parents and caregivers too.

Dates: Play Packs (purchases for more than one play) on sale – May 10, 2018

Single Tickets on sale – June 1, 2018

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (A Teen Shakespeare Play) – July 27-August 11, 2018

A Charlie Brown Holiday Double Bill – November 24- December 30, 2018

The Very Hungry Caterpillar And Other Eric Carle Favourites (Mermaid Theatre, Nova Scotia) – February 23 & 24, 2019

Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” – March 2-31, 2019

Salmon Girl (Raven Spirit Dance)– April 6-14, 2019

The Young King (Slingsby, Adelaide, Australia)– April 13-21, 2019

I Sea Sky – June 4-23, 2019

Ticket prices: Adults: $35

Seniors/Students: $29

Young People: $18

Address: Carousel Theatre for Young People

1411 Cartwright St, Vancouver BC

Box Office: tickets.carouseltheatre.ca or 604-685-6217

About Carousel Theatre for Young People

CTYP provides playful, exceptional and accessible theatrical experiences that inspire, involve and educate. At Carousel Theatre for Young People we believe that the arts play a vital role in a young person’s development. Now in its 43rd season, CTYP has received multiple Jessie Awards, and is the only professional theatre company in BC that creates a mainstage season of plays specifically for young people.