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NEIL MINOR JESSE COOPER Spring 1 9 9 4 . A cast o f 3 0 o d d , r a n g i n g in a g e f r o m 13 t o 3 7 , g a t h e r f o u r times a week in t h e d r a m a classroom of touring bands. Godspell provincial shows Three and months chart-topping later URP's Haskett says t h e c o m p a n y ' s energy, d r i v e a n d w i l l i n g n e s s t o t a k e risks is what keeps established performers cast a n d c r e w e m b a r k e d o n a tour with stops including B a l m o r a l J u n i o r H i g h S c h o o l in N o r t h V a n c o u v e r t o rehearse f o r t h e i n a u g u r a l show of a b r a n d n e w North Shore c o m i n g back for more. "This c o m p a n y has n e v e r s e t t l e d f o r r e c r e a t i n g past Powell River, M i s s i o n a n d N a n a i m o . p r o d u c t i o n s . T h e y c o n s t a n t l y strive t o A s URP's r e p u t a t i o n as a y o u n g a n d see s o m e t h i n g n e w in e a c h p i e c e a n d a l l o w a n d e n c o u r a g e their actors t o d o the s a m e . " musical theatre Led Berg, production director company. Richard immerse by 2 1 - y e a r - o l d the cast edgy c o m p a n y grows, actors, singers and dancers clamor to audition for a part in o n e o f t h e b i - a n n u a l s h o w s , b u t B e r g is c a r e f u l t o a l w a y s b e a r in m i n d why the production in the company first on place. young was He or members t h e m s e l v e s in A n d r e w Lloyd W e b b e r a n d T i m Rice's e d g y a n d e n e r g e t i c Jesus Christ Superstar. B e r g , d e s i g n e r Jesse This fall U n c l e R a n d y is c e l e b r a t i n g its 10th season by returning to t h e s h o w that started Berg it all Jesus Christ W h i t e , a n d t h e rest o f t h e p r o d u c t i o n team collaborate o n the project to established often takes chances Superstar. a n d original designer give u p - a n d - c o m i n g opportunity environment. benefit by performers the l e s s - e x p e r i e n c e d p e r f o r m e r s w h e n he sees potential that needs to be Jesse W h i t e h a v e j o i n e d f o r c e s a g a i n a n d are e x c i t e d by t h e c h a l l e n g e o f giving a fresh f a c e t o a n o l d f r i e n d . Berg explains, " E v e n t h o u g h w e have d o n e it before, I have o f t e n w a n t e d t o revisit it. There is still so m u c h t h a t c a n be d o n e w i t h it that w e never tried. A f t e r talking w i t h m y M o m a n d Jesse, I realized they felt t h e s a m e w a y a n d it just m a d e s o m u c h s e n s e f o r us t o p u t o u r h e a d s t o w o r k in a p r o f e s s i o n a l The bonus: being able audiences to attend nurtured, as w e l l as i n c l u d i n g those w i t h a love o f p e r f o r m i n g , but w h o high-quality productions o n the North S h o r e . W i t h t h e s u p p o r t o f his p a r e n t s and a close family friend, Berg f o u n d s Uncle Randy Productions (URP). Ten have c h o s e n o t h e r career paths. H e c a n boast previous cast members in professions r a n g i n g f r o m a n airline pilot to a c r o w n prosecutor, retail m a n a g e r t o biology masters' student. years later it is still g o i n g s t r o n g . Since Superstar ago, Uncle hit t h e s t a g e a d e c a d e Randy Productions has Most URP performers however, are n o t paid together and create something professionals, professional truly special to celebrate 10 years of working together." c o n t i n u e d t o fill the needs of performers and audiences on the North Shore and b e y o n d . In f a c t , cast m e m b e r s often m a k e t h e t r i - w e e k l y trip f r o m as f a r as W h i t e Rock t o be a part of o n e of URP's s h o w s , a n d a u d i e n c e m e m b e r s cross the bridges to see refreshing takes o n old favourites. The company's shows have also travelled b e y o n d t h e North Shore, most Godspell, notably in 1 9 9 8 w i t h a production of critically-acclaimed stage, film a n d television actors a n d recording artists c a n o f t e n be f o u n d o n t h e cast roster. R o g e r H a s k e t t , a local professional actor in f i l m a n d television first worked with Berg in 1998s Godspell, at a t i m e w h e n film w o r k w a s In t r u e U n c l e R a n d y P r o d u c t i o n s style, t h e s h o w p r o m i s e s t o tell t h e story o f J e s u s ' last d a y s in a n i n n o v a t i v e w a y that is sure t o m a k e a u d i e n c e s feel they are seeing it for t h e first t i m e . scarce a n d he l o n g e d t o r e t u r n t o t h e s t a g e . Today, e v e n t h o u g h he enjoys a successful acting career a n d m a n a g e s his o w n t h e a t r e c o m p a n y , he h a p p i l y stays i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e U n c l e R a n d y t e a m , often participating in s h o w s b o t h as an a c t o r a n d director. R e f l e c t i n g o n his c o n t i n u i n g i n v o l v e m e n t w i t h URP, J e s u s C h r i s t S u p e r s t a r is o n s t a g e a t t h e C e n t e n n i a l T h e a t r e (2300 L o n s d a l e A v e , N o r t h V a n c o u v e r ) N o v 10 (2 f o r 1 p r e v i e w ) . N o v 11 - 2 1 6 8 p m . S u n d a y 2 p m matinees. Tickets: 604.984.4484 or 604.980.7942 which enjoyed a three-week run at t h e V o g u e Theatre in V a n c o u v e r , a venue usually reserved for h i g h - b u d g e t November I December 5