The Arden Theatre’s new season has been unveiled at the same time as the theatre’s new professional programming presenter takes the reins.
Casey Prescott, a 10-year veteran at the Banff Centre, took over the position from Brenda Heatherington on Aug. 3. When the Gazette interviewed him, he was settling into a tidy office at St. Albert Place overlooking the Sturgeon River.
“We just bought a house in Heritage Lakes. It’s near parks. It’s close to work and I can ride my bike to work. I’m stoked,” he says.
Prescott is passionate, knowledgeable, articulate and he speaks quickly, a symptom of his fervid enthusiasm for the arts. Although Heatherington planned the upcoming professional series of 25 shows, Prescott has a solid handle on the artists, many of whom he’s familiar with from his previous job.
“This is a wonderful season. It’s important to showcase artists that sing and tell stories that resonate with people. And there are some exciting artists such as Robert Cray, Barney Bentall and Lunch at Allen’s,” Prescott says.
“We’re not here to compete with a variety of presentations from the area. Where I feel the Arden fits in is as a distinct alternative to the big shows. We can bring high calibre artists into this wonderful acoustic environment and we have an opportunity to bring in artists that may be overlooked by other theatres.”
Opening the season is two-time Juno nominee Danny Michel. “He has a Jack Johnson feel with a surfy, folky, rootsy sound. And he’s super charismatic, an ideal personality.
Prescott’s enthusiasm rises at the pairing of Chilean band Inti-Illimani with francophone chanteuse Francesca Gagnon, the voice of Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria.
“Inti-Illimani – they’re like rock stars in Chile. They play concerts to 30-40,000 people. And Francesca has such a soulful, mournful voice. It’s such an interesting pairing.
Of the nearly sold-out Cray he says, “To have someone of his calibre is a real coup. He’s a great blues guitarist who has been on the scene for 25 years. He’s had exposure and worked with the masters. He’s a musician’s musician and it will be a night to remember.”
Of Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir, he adds, “She’s so high energy, exuberant and generous. She embodies fun.”
One of the few country artists ever programmed in the series is Carolyn Dawn Johnson, an Alberta gal who hit the big time and then took a break to raise a family. She has a new CD out called Love Rules.
“When an artist takes a break, they always come back invigorated and more interesting. It was brave of her to walk away, especially in this dog-eat-dog world.”
Another new face is Kat Danser, Swamp Queen of the Blues, a favourite on the local jazz and blues fests. “It will be the release of her new CD and it will have a party atmosphere.
And then there’s Circa, a Brisbane-based company that mixes circus roots and dance. “I’m so pumped about their show. Brian Webb might take a swing at me, but I think this is the dance to see.”
Another one to watch is Trudeau Stories, written and performed by a friend of the late prime minister. “It was at the Magnetic North Theatre Festival and it brought the house down. It’s about someone who knew him. It’s not what you’d read in the press or in books.”
The more intimate, three-pronged On Stage Series also continues with accordionist Alexander Sevastian, Honens laureate Evgeny Starodbutsev and dancer Ipsita Nova.
Free program brochures are available at the Arden or online at www.ardentheatre.com.
