STICKBOY will tour B.C. with more than 50 performances in schools and other community venues.
Stickboy, Vancouver Opera's groundbreaking new work about bullying, will begin its much-anticipated tour this month. Composed by Neil Weisensel to a libretto by world-renowned spoken-word artist Shane Koyczan and adaptation and stage direction by Rachel Peake, this autobiographical, courageous and visually stunning opera explores the inner life of a young boy transformed by bullying.
The 60-minute touring production, created especially for high school students, is adapted from VO's mainstage production. The set has been re-scaled for touring and three large video screens will recreate the innovative projections first seen during the 2014 world premiere at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre.
The entire production, complete with five cast members, a pianist and a stage manager will give 56 performances at schools and other venues over the 10-week tour. The Stickboy tour is part of the Vancouver Opera In Schools program, now celebrating its 44th year.
There will be one public performance of Stickboy:
Saturday, January 30th, 2016
The Surrey Arts Centre
Tickets: $27.95 ($17.95 for students/seniors)
Surrey Arts Centre Box Office: 604-501-5566
Tickets: http://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/18621.aspx
The story, in brief
On the playground, in school hallways, and most profoundly in his own mind, an overweight boy is shunned, bullied, and cruelly provoked. Supported by the love of his grandmother, he finds courage through his vivid imagination, but that courage mutates, expressing itself with the violence that he himself has endured. Scarred and wary, the boy survives to face an uncertain future.
Bravely autobiographical, beautifully poetic, visually innovative and musically memorable, Stickboy confronts a society struggling with its own fear and insecurity – a society that seeks conformity and uniformity at the expense of those who are different.
About Vancouver Opera In Schools
Vancouver Opera In Schools is one of the largest opera touring programs of its kind in Canada. Since 1972, VOIS has maintained a tradition of professional opera performances in schools throughout British Columbia.
Each season, VOIS introduces the power and beauty of opera to children and their families in schools and community venues across BC. These fully staged operas are performed by an energetic cast of professional singers with full sets, costumes and piano accompaniment.
