Stafford Arima News

For the first time, three of Calgary’s largest arts organizations – Arts Commons, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and Theatre Calgary – are joining forces for a special musical presentation with an important message for the world. 

June 2022 with the Calgary Philharmonic is a celebration of youth and of the spirit of collaboration, beginning with Kevin Chen in Concert (June 3 & 4). The 17-year-old Calgary pianist – a MacLachlan/Ridge Emerging Artist – is the youngest musician ever to win the prestigious Franz Liszt International Piano Competition.

The Huntington has announced its 2022-2023 season, featuring 8 shows including 2 jubilant new musicals, 3 world premiere plays, one recent Broadway hit, and an outstanding revival of an August Wilson classic.   

BHANGIN’ IT: A BANGIN’ NEW MUSICAL is bringing a new perspective on culture, identity, and dance to the La Jolla Playhouse stage.  Brandon Contreras, who plays Billy in this show, his favorite part of playing Billy, and what it’s like working on a world premiere musical. BHANGIN’ IT: A BANGIN’ NEW MUSICAL is playing at the La Jolla Playhouse through April 17th, 2022

La Jolla Playhouse is presenting its world-premiere production of Bhangin' It: A Bangin' New Musical, featuring book by Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, with additional music by Grammy Award nominee Deep Singh, running in the Mandell Weiss Theatre through April 17, 2022.

Theatre Calgary's Artistic Director Stafford Arima has announced their 2022-23 season of plays.

La Jolla Playhouse is presenting its world-premiere production of Bhangin' It: A Bangin' New Musical, featuring book by Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, with additional music by Grammy Award nominee Deep Singh, running in the Mandell Weiss Theatre through April 17, 2022.

For the first time in its history, Theatre Calgary is giving all of Calgary and surrounding area a hand in choosing a production for the 2022-23 season.

La Jolla Playhouse has announced the cast for its world-premiere production of Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical, book by Mike Lew (Playhouse’s Tiger Style!) and Rehana Lew Mirza, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, with additional music by Grammy Award nominee Deep Singh. 

Theatre Calgary has announced that due to contact with COVID-19 all remaining performances of A Christmas Carol have been cancelled.

La Jolla Playhouse has announced the creative team for its world-premiere production of Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical, book by Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, with additional music by Grammy Award nominee Deep Singh, running in the Mandell Weiss Theatre March 8 – April 17, 2022.

Theatre Calgary is set to bring Calgary's festive tradition, A Christmas Carol, back to the stage starting on November 30. Now in its 35th year, their production of Charles Dickens' timeless tale of greed, ghosts, and redemption is a must in the annual holiday celebrations for thousands of families in their city.

Theatre Calgary will welcome A Christmas Carol back to the Max Bell Theatre  beginning November 30, and we wish to announce some important casting updates regarding this year's  production.

The Old Globe has announced its 2022 Season with a diverse and exciting lineup that features the Broadway-bound musical Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, with direction and musical staging by Tony Award–winning choreographer Wayne Cilento (Wicked, The Who’s Tommy); the world premiere and pre-Broadway run of Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical and more.

Theatre Calgary is getting ready to welcome Rick Miller back to wow our audiences as he brings the world premiere of his one-man show BOOM YZ to the Max Bell stage.

Their new mini-season of four plays includes a world premiere, the return of a holiday classic, a heartwarming story about community and women, and a rock 'n' roll show that will make you want to dance in the aisles.

Theatre Calgary, in partnership with The Shakespeare Company and Hit + Myth Productions,  will bring Shakespeare by the Bow back this year, but with a twist, as they present Shakespeare on the Go! 

This week, Theatre Calgary's Stafford Arima and Maya Choldin explained how their company is paving the way for emerging artists in the new digital age of theatre. Theatre Calgary (which is known for its cross-country collaboration and interpretations of old and new plays and musicals) jumped into the digital scene fairly quickly following the ending of in-person performances.

BroadwayHD announced today that George Takei’s Allegiance, which also features Broadway stars Telly Leung (Godspell, Glee) and Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Mulan) will be available  on the platform exclusively around the globe except in Asia beginning on March 18th. 

OUT FOR BLOOD: THE STORY OF CARRIE THE MUSICAL has announced a packed line-up for its final episodes starting today. Guests sharing their memories and experiences of recent productions of CARRIE include: Stafford Arima, Molly Ranson, Carmen Cusack, AnnMarie Milazzo, Alice Ripley and more.