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Performing arts college promises Victoria high-flying lineup

Canadian College of Performing Arts director Ron Schuster wasn’t exaggerating when he described the college’s 2015-2016 season as “supercalifragilistic.
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Students from the Canadian College of Performing Arts rehearse last year's production of Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Canadian College of Performing Arts director Ron Schuster wasn’t exaggerating when he described the college’s 2015-2016 season as “supercalifragilistic.”

A spring production of Mary Poppins, the Broadway musical inspired by the beloved movie starring Julie Andrews will cap CCPA’s ambitious new season, Schuster said.

The musical, with a book by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame, will be directed by artistic director Darold Roles, who most recently helmed its sold-out production of Smokey Joe’s Café.

“Between the extended run, the aerial choreography of Burt and Mary Poppins flying onstage and the lush sets and costumes, this is one of the most elaborate productions mounted by the college,” Roles said.

“We will be engaging top international flying professionals to help bring these whimsical moments to life.”

The “high-flying season” features what Roles describes as “a thrilling lineup.”

It begins Oct. 22 in a much darker vein, with a production of Peter Weiss’s Marat/Sade, directed by James Fagan Tait. It’s Geoffrey Skelton’s English version, adapted by Adrian Mitchell.

Marat/Sade is the first in a trio of productions by Company C, showcasing the talents of Year 3 students. It will be followed on Dec. 3 by Simon Levy’s stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, directed by Ron Jenkins. On Jan. 28, Into the Woods, director Sara-Jeanne Hosie’s production of the James Lapine-Stephen Sondheim hit, with musical direction by Heather Burns, opens.

Rounding out the season are Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona, directed by Christopher Weddell; and Jay Presson Allen’s The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, directed by Jim Leard.

The TD Festival of New Works program will also be back, Roles said.

It offers “an opportunity for the college’s emerging directors, playwrights, choreographers and music conductors to grow and develop their work with guidance from industry professionals,” he said.

Also returning is the annual Casino Royale fundraiser (March 5) and Spend the Day at CCPA (Jan. 29), when the college opens its doors to the public.

Meanwhile, Double Bill; Triple Threat, two one-act musicals created and performed by CCPA graduates, takes place June 5, 6, 12 and 13 at the college, 1701 Elgin Rd.

The CCPA, which trains some of Canada’s top actors, singers and dancers, is owned by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society, which raises funds to offset tuition costs to assist talented young artists.

For more information, or to purchase a VIP season pass, call 250-595-9970.

mreid@timescolonist.com