Two-plus decades after he performed at Surrey Arts Centre and other local stages with Arts Club Theatre Company, Michael Bubl茅 has stepped up to help the company鈥檚 re-opening campaign.

The Burnaby-raised superstar singer has created a personal video to encourage donations to the Arts Club鈥檚 鈥減ivotal鈥� fundraising campaign, on now to July 31. Proceeds will support the re-opening of the company鈥檚 three venues.

鈥淭he Arts Club theatre will always hold a special place in my heart,鈥� Bubl茅 says in the minute-long video, posted to the company鈥檚 Youtube channel.

鈥淲ithout places like the Arts Club, there wouldn鈥檛 be close to as many opportunities for Canadian artists to learn and work and grow.鈥�

A donation-matching campaign involves a $100,000 pledge from Longhedge Foundation, with details posted to .

After 15 months of suspended operations, the Arts Club is turning to the community for help as it emerges from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淪ince the initial ban on public gatherings, 24 productions have been cancelled and, as a result, the Arts Club has laid off and cancelled contracts for over 660 artists and staff,鈥� says a news release about the fundraising campaign. 鈥淭he company has lost more than $13 million in ticket revenue.鈥�

Founded in 1964, the Arts Club produced one-person shows last fall at its Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre and offered digital streaming, but all three of its venues now remain dark. Also on hold are touring productions, including the series that plays Surrey Arts Centre annually.

Back in 1998, Bubl茅 starred in the Arts Club鈥檚 production of Dean Regan鈥檚 Swing! musical, the inaugural production at the refurbished Stanley Theatre in Vancouver.

Also that year, the original production of 鈥淩ed Rock Diner鈥� starred Bubl茅 when the show toured to Surrey Arts Centre and other local stages. 鈥淚 remember him well in that original production, and he was great,鈥� , about the show based on his adventures as a rock 鈥榥鈥� roll DJ.

Said Ashlie Corcoran, the Arts Club鈥檚 White Rock-raised artistic director: 鈥淲e are very grateful that Michael is amplifying our message during this difficult time鈥攁 time when we鈥檝e felt so buoyed by the support of our community. We look forward to welcoming theatre lovers in person and flourishing again.鈥�

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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