The Arts Club Theatre Company Presents
THE ELVIS CHRISTMAS COMEBACK SPECIAL
Conceived and Directed by Tracey Power
A Musical TheatreWorks Production
WORLD PREMIERE
November 26–December 27, 2026
From the creative mind behind Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen and House of Folk, the Arts Club Theatre Company brings the World Premiere of The Elvis Christmas Comeback Special to the Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre. Conceived and directed by Tracey Power, this dynamic theatrical concert invites audiences to take a peek inside a legendary performance and offers unique insight into the night that Elvis Presley rediscovered himself.
December 3, 1968: following seven years away from the music business, the former king of rock ‘n’ roll launched a comeback on the biggest stage of his career, with the hope of saving his musical soul. Dissatisfied with what Hollywood was offering him, Elvis marked his return to live performance with anNBC television special, revitalizing both his stage presence and public image. The Elvis Christmas Comeback Special draws from that iconic 1968 broadcast, originally conceived as a traditional Christmas special but reimagined into something more personal and immediate.
“My desire to know the human being behind the image of Elvis continues to be an incredible journey of discovery,” said Power. “I think the ‘68 special is the closest we can get to experiencing not only his insane talent as a performer but his humour, his passion for music, and his deep desire for a better world. Learning that the special was supposed to be something very different was all the inspiration I needed to start my creative digging into what would become The Elvis Christmas Comeback Special.”
“We are thrilled to be bringing the world premiere of Tracey Power’s theatrical invention to our Olympic Village Stage,” said Ashlie Corcoran, the Arts Club’s Artistic Director. “Supporting new work like this is an integral part of who we are at the Arts Club. In this theatre in particular, you’ll feel like you’re at a live studio event. This show is welcoming and unconventional, giving our audiences a holiday experience built around great songs, a sense of connection, and the joy of coming together.”
At its core, this magical night in 1968 celebrates the kid who grew up with rhythm and blues in his soul and a dream of something even bigger in his heart. Through the songs that shaped his life, we get a little closer to knowing both Elvis and the music that, to him, mattered the most. From this fertile ground, The Elvis Christmas Comeback Special weaves a story that brings music, storytelling and history together.
The production previews at the Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre on November 26, opens on November 27 and runs until December 27. Showtimes and Special Performances are:
- Evenings: Tue–Wed, 7 PM; Thu–Sat, 7:30 PM
- Matinees: Wed, 1 PM; Sat, 1:30 PM; Sun, 2 PM
- Holiday Schedule: Thu, Dec 24, 1 PM; Sun, Dec 27, 8 PM
- Talkback Tuesday Performance: Tue, Dec 8, 7 PM
- VocalEye Performances: Fri, Dec 11, 7:30 PM; Sun, Dec 20, 2 PM
- Open Caption Performances: Sun, Dec 13, 2 PM; Tue, Dec 22, 7 PM
Tickets are available through the Arts Club Box Office with prices starting at $29. Purchase tickets online or through the Box Office at 604.687.1644.
ABOUT THE CREATOR AND DIRECTOR
Tracey Power is a Canadian theatre creator, director, choreographer, and writer whose work is known for its bold theatricality, musical storytelling and strong feminist perspective. She is the creator of acclaimed stage works including Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, Miss Shakespeare and GLORY, which have been produced across Canada and praised for their inventiveness and heart. Power has collaborated extensively with major regional theatres and festivals, bringing historical and cultural stories to life through movement, music and text. Her directing and choreographic work spans drama, musical theatre and opera. Respected for her collaborative leadership and distinctive artistic voice, Tracey Power continues to be a vital force in Canadian theatre, championing ambitious, ensemble-driven work that resonates with contemporary audiences.
THE ELVIS ENSEMBLE
Brianna Clark, Tainui Kuru, James Ross, Ali Watson
THE ’68 SPECIALS
Joseph Lubinsky-Mast (Bass), Paul Pigat (Guitar), Jodie Ponto (Drums)
CREATIVE
Tracey Power (Director & Co-Creator), Van Wilmott (Music Director/Co-creator),
Narda McCarroll (Set Designer), Stephanie Kong (Costume Designer), Trevor Trews (Sound Designer), Jeff Harrison (Lighting Designer), Maddie Steppler (Assistant Lighting Designer),Makayla Moore (Associate Choreographer), Emma Hammond (Stage Manager), Camila Newton(Apprentice Stage Manager) 
ABOUT THE ARTS CLUB THEATRE COMPANY
The Arts Club Theatre Company is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, in particular the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations, We invite you to reflect on your relationship to these lands.
The Arts Club is one of the largest not-for-profit theatre organizations in the country and is the principal gathering place for the theatrical arts in British Columbia. Comprising three unique venues across Vancouver, the Arts Club welcomes more than a quarter million guests annually, tours provincially and nationally, and engages students and artists alike through educational and professional programs.
Above all, the Arts Club is dedicated to the advancement of local artists telling stories from around the globe and, in particular, those of our region. From this, we believe that culture expands, an understanding of differences is nurtured, and art bursts forth. The Arts Club was founded in 1964 and is currently led by Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran and Executive Director Peter Cathie White.
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