Sleeping Beauty

Within the stone walls of a long forgotten castle, a beautiful princess has slept for hundreds of years. When she is finally awakened, she finds herself in an unfamiliar time where everything she once knew has completely changed. Join Alberta Opera on a journey through time and experience the unforgettable story of Sleeping Beauty.

Cast & Crew

Farren Timoteo 

Artistic Director/Playwright/Director 

Having made his directing debut with a fringe production of Songs for a New World in 2004, Farren became the Artistic Director of Alberta Opera in 2006 and subsequently directed The Frog Prince, Puss in Boots, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Pinocchio (The latter four of which he has also served as co-author). Other directing credits include Be Arthurs: Reunion Tour (Fringe ’08), Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mayfield Dinner Theatre), Everybody Goes to Mitzi’s, The Infinite Shiver (Teatro La Quindicina) and Pippin (Young Musical Theatre Company at the Citadel Theatre). Farren, alongside composer Ryan Sigurdson, received the 2010 Sterling Award for Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical for Everybody Goes to Mitzi’s, to which he contributed the lyrics. In addition, his direction for Hansel and Gretel and Jack and the Beanstalk has been nominated for Outstanding Artistic Achievement in Theatre for Young Audiences.

Jeff Unger 

Artistic Director/Composer/Musical Director 

This season mark’s Jeff’s 19th consecutive year as Musical Director for Alberta Opera. During this time he has watched the company grow into a major force in Alberta touring and one of Edmonton’s important theatrical voices. Past productions include: Cinderella, The Frog Prince, Rapunzel, Puss in Boots, The Red Shoes, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel,  Jack and the Beanstalk, and Pinocchio. Along with collaborators Garner Butler and Farren Timoteo, Jeff has co-authored and composed music for thirteen fairy tale “pocket musicals.” Jeff’s work has been recognized by the Elizabeth Sterling Awards on many occasions, acquiring nominations for Outstanding Musical Director for The Frog Prince and Jack and the Beanstalk, Outstanding Artistic Achievement in Theatre for Young Audiences for the Composition of Hansel and Gretel, and he has collected several in Outstanding Production for Young Audiences for his collaborations.

Adam Tsuyoshi Turnbull 

Production Manager 

adam is a freelance theatre technician + designer, a multimedia + graphic designer, and is currently studying the cello. He likes bicycles, experimenting with user-interface design, and eating sushi. He grew up on a farm.

Arielle Ballance 

Princess Violette / Ensemble 

Arielle Ballance is absolutely ecstatic to be performing with Alberta Opera for her first season! Born and raised in St. Albert, AB, Arielle is a 2011 graduate of the Grant MacEwan Theatre Arts program and a St. Albert Children’s Theatre alumnus. Some of her past credits include High Society, The Music Man, Company (Grant MacEwan), The Not-Evil Stepmother (Promise Productions) and Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (Rabid Marmot Productions). She has also had the pleasure of working as an accompanist for Three Form Theatre Collective’s I Love You Because. 

Mackenzie Reurink 

Arianna / Ensemble 

Mackenzie is thrilled to be working for Alberta Opera this season! She just graduated from MacEwan University, where she played Melpomene in the Canadian Premier of Xanadu, and Gussie Carnegie in Merrily We Roll Along. She has also been seen in shows such as Vernon God Little, Annie, Once on This Island and Thebans. Mackenzie is also the Music Director for her company, Three Form Theatre. She hopes that her beauty doesn't put you to sleep, and that you enjoy the show! 

Steven Angove 

Prince Charming / Ensemble 

Steven is thrilled to be working with Alberta Opera! He graduated from the Theatre Arts program at MacEwan University in April of 2012 with over 30 show credits, including: Charley - Merrily We Roll Along; Jeff - I Love You Because; Michael - Tick, tick… BOOM!; Willy Wonka - Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka; Lally - Vernon God Little (Canadian Premiere);Terpsicore – Xanadu (Canadian Premiere); Horton - Seussical. Awards: Dr. Dasha Goody Memorial Foundation Scholarship; Youth Artist of the Year – Mayors Celebration for the Arts; Marsha Stanton Award. When he is not on stage, he enjoys instructing for St. Albert Children’s Theatres summer drama camps. What’s next? Steven will be starring in Songs for a New World - Presented by Three Form Theatre, at the end of December.

Erik Mortimer 

Accompanist 
Erik has been thrilled to work with the Alberta Opera the past two seasons and is returning for a third with company. Erik pursues many different musical projects and opportunities but loves performing in the theatre as it gives a unique opportunity to explore imagination and fuel creativity for audiences both young and old . He was raised in the ski town of Rossland BC and is a graduate of the Grant MacEwan University music program in piano performance (2010). His previous credits in the theatre include accompanist for Alberta Opera’s Hansel and Gretel (2010), Jack and the Beanstalk (2011) and Pinocchio (2012). A variety of roles in three seasons with the Gold Fever Follies in Rossland including Musical director, actor, composer and accompanist (05,06 and 09). He also Music Directed the Fringe show “Party Worth Crashing”(2011). Erik is excited to share this show with everyone!