Arts & Culture

Barbara Tomasic (left) directs Gateway’s virtual holiday show, and Chelsea Rose (right) is one of the performers.

Photos submitted

Gateway brings favourite holiday musicals home

By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Published 1:17 PST, Sat December 5, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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At this time of year, theatregoers are usually pencilling a handful of holiday shows into their calendars.

But this year, with most annual events either cancelled or postponed, theatre companies are thinking outside the box. Richmond’s Gateway Theatre is bringing the gift of music to online audiences through their virtual musical revue show, Home for the Holidays.

“The show was inspired by an online concert for (musical theatre composer) Stephen Sondheim’s birthday, made at the beginning of the pandemic,” explains director Barbara Tomasic, who is also Gateway’s director of artistic programs.

“It made me think—if we can’t do a holiday show this year, what if we bring the gift of music to our audience online? We started by looking at the history of the holiday musical at Gateway, and choosing the shows and songs that were most popular. From there we went and talked to past performers to see if they were interested in being involved.”

Gateway’s video editor and musical supervisor provided thorough instructions for performers, who filmed individually in their own homes with help from backing tracks (created by Chris King) and costumes and set pieces (created by Donnie Tejani). Filming angles were pre-planned with Tomasic, who says the shots “are meant to feel like you are at home with the performers, as opposed to watching a staged show.”

Actor Chelsea Rose is one of the cast members of the Christmas show. When approached by Tomasic, her answer was an easy and enthusiastic "yes."

But the rehearsal process was unlike anything Rose had experienced before. There were preparation meetings via video conferencing platform Zoom, as well as email correspondence. But cast members had to make time to rehearse and record individually.

“I believe that our community is hungry for entertainment, and for connection,” says Rose. “We’re nostalgic for the days, not so long ago, that we could go to a theatre, immerse ourselves in a story, or song and let our minds drift from the realities of life. I believe that we can still accomplish this at home. Audiences can get comfortable. They don’t have to worry about traffic, where to park, what to wear. They can cozy up together, with their favourite snacks and drinks, and reminisce with us, in the comfort of their own homes.”

While it’s not easy to engage audiences virtually, Rose says performers treat cameras as they would a live audience. Looking into the lens translates to looking directly at viewers to create togetherness, and she adds that music is the greatest strength of the show.

“The songs in Home for the Holidays are the kind you can sing along to,” says Rose. “They’re your favourite songs from your favourite musicals. I think that familiarity, in itself, will help to create a beautiful, palpable relationship through the screen.”

And, after a challenging year in the performing arts industry, Gateway’s unique show is bringing life and light back to stages that have been dark for months.

“Around summertime, I think theatre companies started to realize we were in this for the long-haul, and if they wanted to survive, they were going to have to adapt,” says Rose. “I’ve been lucky to have been involved in a number of productions that have moved online. Home for the Holidays is an emotional one, though—the song I will be performing is from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, a show I hold dearly to my heart, which was the last live musical I did. It brings me back, and reminds me how desperately I miss the stage.”

For Rose, being part of the show has helped her feel close to the craft she loves. And the hope is that audience members feel the same kinship, even from home.

“I hope (audience members) feel like they are close to the experience, to the performers, and that they are able to relax and be entertained,” says Tomasic. “I also hope they sing along!”