It's about making intergenerational connections this season at New West's Massey Theatre

This time around, it’s about uniting those young—and young at heart.

After more than two years of modified programming, the Massey Theatre is out with its schedule for the 2022-2023 season. Executive director Jessica Schneider says the goal of the line-up was to create connections between people from all walks of life.

Some of this season’s performers:

• Tom Jackson: Jackson will start the Massey’s holiday season with Stories, Songs and Santa Causes. A companion of the Order of Canada, Juno and Gemini Humanitarian Award winner, he’s appeared on shows like Shining Time Station, North of 60 and Star Trek: The Next Generation;

• Michael Kaeshammer: Kaeshammer’s stop is part of his coast-to-coast Canadian tour. The pianist, singer, and songwriter will treat the audience to a preview of his upcoming release Turn It Up;

• Ballet Jörgen’s Cinderella: Bengt Jörgen’s choreography balances the fairy tale elements of Cinderella with a contemporary treatment of the story, looking at the story in a realistic, human way;

• A Dinosaur Tale: Fans of E.T., Jurassic World and The Avengers will enjoy this tale. Lisa and Declan are two eighth-graders who are trying to send dinosaurs back through the mysterious time-warping wormhole from which they came.

“[The way we operate] gives us an opportunity to support Indigenous artists, Canadian artists that are doing exciting new projects, and also things for families, for children which are not really commercially viable, but when you have fewer costs and a not-for-profit scenario, you can offer those things,” explains Schneider.

Schneider says it was also important to recognize that many children have had a modified theatrical experience, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I know in my family, we all live close together, but we’re not seeing our elders as much as we would have liked to because of COVID precautions,” says Schneider. By offering multi-generational programming, people who may have grown up with some of these performers can create new memories they’re all able to take part in."

While Schneider says she’s excited for the majority of the performances, she’s always partial to dance.

“There’s not never enough dance, right? Professional dance…those big shows really excite me at the Massey, because it’s a big theatre and that’s what it’s best at. It really frames up those big productions really well,” notes Schnieder.