Inspiring Children's Theatre Gears up for 2019

Following the success of Aladdin last year, and The Little Mermaid Jr. in fall 2018, The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association is prepared to step into the spotlight in 2019. 

We now have dates for two of their productions: Cinderella G2k and Mary Poppins Jr. and e would love for you to help us spread the word for this burgeoning theatre company.

Cinderella G2K

Date: May 17th - 20th, 2019 

Location: Granville Island Stage, Vancouver, BC

Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website 

Fun fact: director Heather Ondersma has worked on Broadway!

Mary Poppins Jr.

Date: November 22 and November 23, 2019

Location: Massey Theatre, New Westminster, BC

Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website

Fun fact: director Emma Swords was the creative director for The Little Mermaid Jr. (photos below)

Founded by Lily Yuan, the Children's Theatre of Richmond Association(CTORA) is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities to support young artist and youth in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver community.

Youth Performers are cast each year to perform in annual musical productions that showcase their artistic talent and passion, while providing an opportunity to learn from some of the best artists and musicians in British Columbia. Past musical productions include: Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid and more. Learn more at CTORA.ca

Media: please email us at info@townhallbrands.com if you want more information or interview opportunities.

3 Productions, 3 Cities, 1 Dream Come True

[Richmond, BC] Following the success of Aladdin last year, and The Little Mermaid Jr. last month, The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association is not ready to step out of the spotlight just yet. 

Tickets are on sale now for this weekend's production of another Disney classic: Beauty and The Beast Jr., (December 7 and 8, 6:30 pm at the Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver) and the company returns in 2019 to present Cinderella (G2K) and Mary Poppins Jr..

And... The Little Mermaid Jr. Returns!

By popular demand, the "Little Mermaid" will be performed again, this time at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond. The dreamy show, which ran at the Massey Theatre last month for nearly 2,500 spectators, will once again enchant, with an innovative 3D interactive background, intricate hand-crafted scenery, and best of all: the same talented cast and crew will play out this wonderful story.

The CTORA’s The Little Mermaid Jr. returns in 2019.

In addition, The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association has finalized "Cinderella (G2K edition)" and "Mary Poppins Jr." as the 2019 dramas and will present more beautiful musical works in May and November respectively.

Lily Yuan, founder of The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association and play producer shares: "It has been my dream for youth to perform in productions to showcase their artistic talents and passion. I am so thrilled that we are bringing this dream to life with these upcoming productions."

Yuan has been on a mission to provide an opportunity for youth to perform and learn from some of the best artists and musicians in British Columbia. She looks forward to the Little Mermaid's return. "The actors' understanding of their characters is growing with their age, the arc of these characters and the dramatic tension will also further develop, and the vivid back drop will again be included in the 2019 show."

"...and in 2019," she continues, "the show will be staged in other cities, so those who missed the first run have another chance to see it."

Auditions On Now for 2019 Productions

Lily Yuan does not rest. On December 9, right after Beauty and the Beast Jr., casting takes place for the new play "Cinderella G2K" set for 2019. So far, more than 400 young music lovers and more than 100 local professional actors have submitted audition applications. These 500 applicants will be narrowed to 90 call backs on Dec 9.

Yuan shares, "There is so much talent, but eventually only 25 people will be selected. Cinderella will return to the stage first, to highlight the actors' performances with traditional sets and gorgeous costumes, bringing the audience into the world of fairy tales."

The Little Mermaid utilizes state of the art background technology and costumes.

Beauty and the Beast - *LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN*

Date: December 7 and 8, 2018

Location: Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver, BC

Booking details: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/361520

Little Mermaid Jr.

Date: TBA 2019 

Location: Gateway Theatre, Richmond

Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website

Cinderella G2K

Date: May 2019 

Location: Granville Island Stage, Vancouver, BC

Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website 

Mary Poppins Jr.

Date: November 2019

Location: Massey Theatre, New Westminster, BC

Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website

Photo library: https://bit.ly/2Cu6JyE

Get Social with the CTORA
Instagram: @ctora.ca

Facebook: facebook.com/childrens-choir-of-richmond

Local Youth Bring Disney Musical Performances to Stage

The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association (CTORA) is excited to announce that their 2018 program runs in November and December with two musical productions from Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. and Beauty and the Beast Jr. 

Incredibly talented youth performers, including Disney stars, perform these popular musical productions with collaboration from Vancouver Aquarium to provide support and the three-dimensional (3D) backdrop in The Little Mermaid Jr. production. Tickets on sale now from $20.00 to $49.50 (excludes applicable service fee and taxes). 

2018 Show Schedule:
The Little Mermaid Jr.
Saturday, November 24 & Sunday, November 25
6:30pm (approx. 2 hours)
Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave., New Westminster
Starting from $20.00- Order online with assigned seating

Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Friday, December 7 & Saturday, December 8
6:30pm (approx. 2 hours)
Norman Rothstein Theatre, 950 West 41st Ave., Vancouver
Starting from $21.50- Order online with assigned seating

Lily Yuan, CTORA founder and producer, shares, "Last year's production of Aladdin was a huge success, so we expect The Little Mermaid Jr. and the Beauty and the Beast Jr. to sell-out quickly this year. We not only have a talented team of young performers and renowned directors, we have also incorporated original art with digital technology to bring audience a stunning, lively, and one-of-a-kind performance stage."

Following last year's sold-out Aladdin musical production, this year's The Little Mermaid Jr. and the Beauty and the Beast Jr. are expected to sell-out quickly.

World Class Talent and Experience Bring These Productions to Life
As a non-profit organization that leads in providing talented youth performers the opportunity to share their passion for art and culture, CTORA welcomes three (3) award-winning and local youth performers to join this year's musical productions:

Zoey Siewert as Ariel, The Little Mermaid Jr. (in Nov 25 show)
Performance credit: Universal NBC's Nina's World; ABC's Once Upon A Time.

Zac Siewert as King Triton, The Little Mermaid Jr. (in Nov 25 show)
Performance credit: Marvel's (short-series) Black Spiderman, Chopped Canada Junior.

Jaedon Siewert as chef Louis, The Little Mermaid Jr. (in Nov 25 and 26 shows)
Performance credit: Universal's Aliens Ate My Homework; ABC's Siren.

More than 30 talented performers will take the stage this year with returning performers to include:

Neil Hong as Prince Eric, The Little Mermaid Jr.
Victoria Kazantseva as Ursula, The Little Mermaid Jr.

With more than 22 years of global musical theatre production experience, Emma Swords is the creative director behind this year's The Little Mermaid Jr. Swords' previous musical theatre production experience include: Oliver, Mulan, Aladdin, Les Misérables and West Side Story.

Internationally renowned choreographer Harry Zhao, who has represented China in World Sports Dance Open, will bring his Latin flair to work with Swords in creating electrifying choreography for The Little Mermaid Jr. Beauty and the Beast Jr. is directed by Joseph Spitale with assistance from Emily Matchette. Spitale is no stranger to the stage as he has participated in many internationally-acclaimed theatrical productions for Tokyo Disneyland, Theatre Under the Stars, Les Misérables, Lincoln Centre in New York City, and more.

Canadian surrealist artist Michael Abraham has generously offered to hand-paint props and backdrops to create a lively experience for audience. Props and backdrops created by Abraham will include Ursula's cave, mirrors from the mermaids, and much more. As well, a Vancouver-based digital media company, FStar Media, has utilized 3D mapping technology to showcase the 20 animated backdrops that bring the show to life.

Another local construction company, Kiewit, has created a ship to accommodate up to nine actors and help bring the audience on a journey into the beautiful sea world.

"This year's show embraces technology and mixes it with traditional art, while celebrating the culture and talents of the young generation in our community," adds Yuan.

About Children's Theatre of Richmond Association
Founded by Lily Yuan, the Children's Theatre of Richmond Association (CTORA) is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities to support young artist and youth in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver community. Young performers are casted each year to perform in annual musical productions that showcase their artistic talent and passion, while providing an opportunity to learn from some of the best artists and musicians in British Columbia. Past musical productions include: Aladdin Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., the Little Mermaid Jr., and more. For more information, visit: www.ctora.ca