A Word from our Director

Dating is hard, folks.

When the objective is to find someone you’re going to share your life with, you have to be picky; find a person who shares similar values, respects you and at the very least, hopefully isn’t a kleptomaniac.

That’s where this show comes in. When I first read Check Please I was taken in by how this play manages to hold a very ironic truth: In order to find love, you can’t take dating seriously. The whole dating process (at least in the beginning) is a pressure cooker of anxiety and exhaustion that can so easily chip away at a person’s self-esteem. So what else can you do but laugh? Humor is one of the greatest defenses a person can have from falling into the trap of thinking they are defined by whatever situation they find themselves in. This play gives you that defense. It allows you to perhaps look at your own dating life through the eyes of Guy and Girl and say: “Ha! At least I’ve never had it that bad!” or “Well… good thing I’m not the only one.”

The rehearsal process for this show was an absolute joy. The cast and crew brought so much of themselves and their stories to the table and created a family in a way that you can’t manufacture. What you see on stage is not simply a reflection of the playwright or of myself; it is the wit, heart and compassion of all involved in this process. I could not be prouder of the incredible creatives that I got to bring this show to life with, and if you laugh half as much as we did while creating it, you’re in for a real treat. 

Linda McCrossin

A Word from our President

We are very pleased to be partnered once again with the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel as part of the “Dine Out Vancouver Festival” series presenting to you our second annual Dinner Theatre.  Built on the bricks and mortar of last year’s wildly successful “Eat Your Heart Out” this two night only event features a gourmet three course dinner crafted for you by the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford’s Executive Chef Diego Del Paso paired with Johnathan Rand’s wildly funny show “Check Please”.  Presenting a very talented ensemble cast to round out the evening we hope that you have as much fun tonight as we have had in bringing our show to the stage!

The Royal Canadian Theatre Company is a not-for- profit society producing both professional and semi-professional theatrical entertainment, in addition to the Dine Out Festival series we produce three shows per year including our annual Christmas Pantomime bringing excellent, affordable, locally produced Theater at your doorstep.   To learn more about us or the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford hotel please visit our websites at rctheatreco.com and Marriott.com/YVRSI.

And now we wish you Bon Appétit and on with the Show!

Meet the Cast

Bryna Kennedy - Girl

Bryna Kennedy has been a working actor for many years. She has worked in theatre, film and commercials. Bryna has had a passion for acting since an early age. She has trained at George Brown University in Toronto and has taken a variety of classes in Nanaimo and Vancouver. She has loved to preform and moved to Vancouver to pursue her dreams. Bryna is thrilled to be a member of the Royal Canadian Theatre Company and is excited to preform in Check Please!

Arsham Farasat - Guy

Arsham Farasat is a Vancouver-born Persian actor. Arsham began acting at a young age and decided to take his passion and turn it into a career in high school, after that he studied at Vancouver Film School (VFS) after graduating in late 2019 he then joined the Film industry at the start of 2020. Arsham acts in all mediums but focuses on Film and Theater. Arsham’s passion for acting comes from wanting to bring what he felt when he watched movies as a child to other people’s lives, to create work that impacts people wherever they are.

Arsham uses his skills to reach out to his local High School arts programs and present workshops for the students to interesting them in the arts and works part-time at VFS helping guide students making their way out into the world of acting.

Now, Arsham is spending his time in the theater, making his first theatrical debut in Check Please (2023). 

Nikola Trotzuk - Swing

Dating sucks! And Nikola is thrilled to help demonstrate just how badly it sucks alongside his witty and energetic castmates. He returns to perform with RCTC once again, after playing the demon, Jack Frost, in The Snow Queen: A Frozen Adventure. This time around, his characters are less evil and more… misunderstood, lost, or downright weird. Test technician by day and tabletop gamer by night, Nikola shares his love for explosions and all things nerdy with his affinity for the stage. Some of Nikola’s favorite previous theater credits include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged (Bard In The Valley), Catch Me If You Can (Theater in the Country), and Footloose (Stage 43). He invites you to enjoy the show and hopes that you leave tonight relieved knowing your dating career could have been so, so much more surreal.

Kate Huxham - Swing

Kate Huxham has been working as an actor for 7 years. She started her career in Montreal, where she graduated from John Abbott College in Professional Theatre. During her time in Montreal, she appeared in Doctor Faustus and The Decalogue Project as well as several Fringe Festival Productions. In 2021, Kate made the choice to move to Vancouver and attend Vancouver Film school to further her education. Since graduating she has worked in voice over and independent films and can be seen in The Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s current production of Check Please.

Juliet Logan - Swing

Juliet Logan (Swing) is ecstatic to be playing the various outrageous dates. Juliet is a graduate of Capilano university’s Acting for Stage and Screen program. You may have recently seen her in The Royal Canadians Theatre Company’s Pantomime, The Snow Queen: A Frozen Adventure, where she played the principal boy, Gustaf. Over the summer she was in As You Like It where she played the lead Rosalind, and a few years prior she played Celia in her university’s production of the Shakespearean Play. Juliet constantly finds herself gravitating towards the comedic roles, as they are an outlet for her to let loose. Although Juliet would like to continue her career in film, she holds a special place for theater in her heart

Meet the Crew

Amanda Haggett - Director

Amanda is a multi-disciplinary artist who has had the most fun bringing this hilarious show to life. She received her BFA in Acting and has taken part in bringing many shows to life in various different roles. Previous directing credits include Reach (SAMC Theatre) and musical directing for Ignite Theatre’s production of Disney’s NewsiesSelect acting credits include Crystal in Ghost of a Chance (Royal Canadian Theatre Company), Imogen in Cymbeline (Shadows & Dreams) and Diana Barry in Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (SAMC Theatre). A massive thank you to this wonderfully witty cast who not only entertained my crazy ideas, but brought them to life and to my stage manager and partner in life Tiff who kept me sane throughout this process. Get ready to laugh, y’all!

Tiffany Kanda - Stage Manager

Tiffany is a local theatre enthusiast who holds a BA in Theatre from Trinity Western University. Previously, you may have seen her choreographing for RCTC pantos: The Snow Queen, Alice in Wonderland and Snow White. Select previous stage managing credits: Wit (Pacific Theatre), The Drowsy Chaperone (SAMC Theatre) and The Diary of Anne Frank (SAMC Theatre). Tiffany wants to thank the cast, crew and her partner, Amanda for bring such joy and laughter to this creative process. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Connor Hogg - Assistant Stage Manager

Connor Hogg is normally on stage performing and he is excited to be working backstage for the first time. He would like to thank Tiff and Amanda for allowing him this opportunity and the Royal Canadian Theatre Company for putting on this funny show. He hopes you enjoy this dinner and a show.

Nigel Brooke

Nigel Brooke - Lighting Design

Nigel began his theatrical career with a critically-acclaimed turn as ‘Tree’ and ‘Candy Cane’ in Hansel and Gretel at age five. More recently (and relevantly), he has designed lights for dozens of productions around the Lower Mainland, including Screwball Comedy, Ghost of a Chance and The Snow Queen: A Frozen Adventure for the Royal Canadian Theatre Company, where he is also the resident lighting designer, Holy Mo and Spew Boy for Gallery 7 Productions, Henry V for Stone’s Throw Productions/Pacific Theatre, and many more. He also occasionally performs, appearing recently as ‘Adam Lucas’ in Ghost of a Chance for RCTC and as ‘Belarius’ in Cymbeline for Shadows and Dreams, which he is a founding member of. In real life, Nigel is a computer programmer, and, oddly enough, does this for “fun”.

Kerri Norris - Costume Design

Kerri is a Costumer, Actor, Director, Producer and sometime Dramaturg. She has an MFA in Acting from CalArts in Los Angeles.  She is the resident costume mistress for both the Royal Canadian Theatre Company and Shadows & Dreams Company. Her most recent design credits include Snow White (RCTC) Spider’s Web (RCTC), Anne of Green Gables (TWU), The Comedy of Errors (S&D)  and Romeo & Juliet (S&D).

Jean 'Mac' Blackburn - Front of House Coordinator

 After many years working in the ‘outside’ world, Mac became part of the Royal Canadian Theatre Company in its infancy. As Front of House Manager she loves greeting old friends and new, and raising funds through 50/50 (which benefit our mentorship programme so buy them now!). She also works behind the scenes to bring you wonderful shows such as you are about to see tonight. So sit back, relax, flex your chuckle muscles and enjoy the show.

Stephanie Bruce - Sound Design & Help

Well, it’s been quite the year! And while it feels like a century since we’ve seen people live in a social setting, we’re glad to be back! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Crystal Weltzin - Production Manager & Marketing Coordinator

Crystal has been producing for RCTC since May 2022 and after being in last years “Dine Out Vancouver Festival Production (Eat Your Heart Out), she is excited to watch the show this year. Crystal last produced Ghost of a Chance and The Snow Queen: A Frozen Adventure. You may have also seen her directing Something Borrowed, Everyone Blue. She would also like to thank her husband for his endless patience during this process as she never seemed to stop working. Enjoy the show!

The Menu

To Start

Tortilla Soup, with Sides of Tortilla Chips, Pasilla Peppers, Sour Cream, Avocado, Pork Rinds, and Queso Fresco.

 

Entrée

(choice of)

24 hr. Braised Short Rib, Creamy Polenta, Red Wine Jus, BC Forest Mushroom

Or

Seared Salmon & Lemon Grass/Ginger Elixir with Onion Springs and Aparagus, Fennel Pollen

Or

Gnocchi Rigatte, Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce, Sweet Pistachio Crumble

 

Dessert

(choice of)

Pistachio Mascarpone and Limoncello Cannoli

Or

Chocolate Mouse

Rehearsal Pictures: