“I Hate Hamlet!” a comedy by Paul Rudnick, opens April 20, 2023

Portal Players Dramatic Society’s next production is shaping up well – TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW via online purchase (click this link or the image below).

Andrew Rally seems to have it all: celebrity and acclaim from his starring role in a hit television series; a rich, beautiful girlfriend; a glamorous, devoted agent; the perfect New York apartment; and the chance to play Hamlet in Central Park. There are, however, a couple of glitches in paradise. Andrew’s series has been canceled; his girlfriend is clinging to her virginity with unyielding conviction; and he has no desire to play Hamlet. When Andrew’s agent visits him, she reminisces about her brief romance with John Barrymore many years ago, in Andrew’s apartment. This prompts a seance to summon his ghost. From the moment Barrymore returns, dressed in high Shakespearean garb, Andrew’s life is no longer his own. Barrymore, fortified by champagne and ego, presses Andrew to accept the part and fulfill his actor’s destiny. The action becomes more hilarious with the entrance of Andrew’s deal-making friend from LA, spouting the laid-back hype of the Coast and offering Andrew a fabulous new TV deal worth millions of dollars. The laughs are nonstop as Andrew wrestles with his conscience, Barrymore, his sword, and the fact that he fails as Hamlet in Central Park.

“I Hate Hamlet”, directed by L’Rae Whipple and produced by Nicole Foster, opens on April 20, 2023 at The Capitol Theatre and plays on select dates through May 6. It is also Portal Players’ entry in the Theatre BC North Island Zone Drama Festival being held the third week of May in Campbell River.

This play includes scintillating sword fighting and mature content – more details coming soon . . .


Portal Players Dramatic Society is a Volunteer, Charitable & Non-Profit Organization which owns & runs The Capitol Theatre. All our actors, directors, crew, front of house & production team members are highly skilled, talented & local volunteers, working hard to help create and promote a Vibrant Arts Community in the Alberni Valley.

Thank You For Your Support Of Our Productions!


Comedy at The Capitol, Feb 16 – 25, 2023!

“I Take This Man”

by Jack Sharkey, directed by Diena Tyne

On stage at The Capitol Theatre in Port Alberni on select dates, February 16 – 25, 2023.

When lovely young Gideon Hollis a.k.a. Giddy spots an unconscious man in a tank top and shorts lying in Copley Square just after all other Boston Marathon racers have crossed the finish line, she reasons that since nice guys finish last, this must be Mr. Right! She has a helpful policeman tote him to her nearby apartment, shocking her roommate, whose fiance is due for a dinner date. When the comatose dreamboat revives and cannot remember who he is, Giddy tells him they are married. She regrets her subterfuge when he tries to be a loving husband. Complications escalate at a furious pace in this outrageous concoction of wild, warm, and lightning-paced hilarity that is perfect for the entire family.

Tickets are available in advance from the Alberni District Co-op’s administration office, 4885 Beaver Creek Road, Port Alberni (cash sales only). Tickets are also available at the door on show nights at The Capitol Theatre, 4904 Argyle Street. The play runs for two weekends between February 16 and 25, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the curtain opens at 7:30 pm. For more information, text or call 250-913-0454.

Please check out this wonderful story by the Alberni Valley News about our production.

We thank our business sponsors for their support: Alberni District Co-op, The Graphics Factory, The Alberni Valley News, 93.3 The Peak Radio and Ferro Studios.

ATC 007 – “GEN Z – It’s Fun & Fresh, with Cool Teens”

This time around, and with no trepidation at all, we have handed the podcast keys over to some of our STAGES Company One students, who are preparing their original play “GEN Z” for production at The Capitol Theatre.

STAGES Youth Theatre Company students, podcasting.

STAGES Youth Theatre Company is opening “GEN Z”on Friday, April 5, 2019 – running over two weekends of Friday and Saturday night shows, and Sunday matinees, through to April 14th at The Capitol Theatre. Tickets available at the box office before each performance. Check out the STAGES Facebook page for tons more information and promotional videos that the students have prepared.

Download the show here.

“Little Shop of Horrors” Tickets Available Now!

Portal Players Dramatic Society launched its new season of plays on October 17 with an Opening Night Fundraising Gala & Raise The Reds event at The Capitol Theatre.

With thanks to major sponsors Koliber Gifts and Swale Rock Cafe, we unveiled our brand new Red Main Stage curtains. Thanks also to funding partners: AV Community Foundation, Little Bavaria RestaurantCatalyst Paper, and many individual donors.

Little Shop of Horrors plays on select dates through to November 3. Tickets are available now for this show; season tickets for the entire series of plays are also now available.

Ticket purchase links as follows:

Any seats available at the door on show nights are $30 each.

Season Tickets are now available which includes Little Shop of Horrors, at a cost of just $69 + fees – a savings of $10 over buying individual advance adult tickets.

The full season shows include:

  • Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman & Alan Menken; based on the film by Roger Corman & Charlie Griffith (October/November, 2018)
  • This Is a Play by Daniel MacIvor (November, 2018) – This includes a special tour of select non-public areas of The Capitol Theatre
  • Looking by Norm Foster (February/March, 2019)
  • Sisters by Wendy Lill (April/May, 2019)

Portal Players’ incredible Fall Fair parade team promoting Little Shop of Horrors.

Individuals can also purchase a Membership Patron Sponsorship Package for $129 (only available at our Capitol Theatre Box Office) which includes a season ticket, a membership in Portal Players to support us and receive our updates, and a $50 tax receipt. These and other business sponsorship packages are available by contacting Portal Players as listed below.

It’s an exciting season and series of plays, presented by Portal Players Dramatic Society at The Capitol Theatre. For more information call or e-mail the box office, 250-723-1195 and capitoltheatre@shaw.ca

ATC 002: News Update, August 19, 2018


Download Show Here

One Act Plays – Auditions

Portal Players is producing a series of two one-act plays in November and invites people interested in acting in them to audition. Two more nights of auditions will be held for “Take Five” and “This Is A Play”, both comedies, about which you can read more below.

Auditions are being held on Sunday, August 26 and Monday, August 27 at 6 pm, at The Capitol Theatre.

Education Programs – Registrations

The STAGES Youth Theatre Company is taking registrations for the fall semester at The Capitol Theatre Box Office on Monday through Wednesday, August 27 to 29, from 4 pm to 6 pm. The Company One auditions will also be held then – more information on how to prepare can be found below.

Our music programs registrations are being held on Thursday, August 30 from 3:30 to 6 pm – this is for our Glee, Wee Glee and Sea Notes choral programs.

For more information on either of these programs, please e-mail capitoltheatre@shaw.ca

Season Tickets Available Soon

Portal Players’ new season of plays kicks off in October with our production of the musical “Little Shop of Horrors”. Season tickets will be available soon for the entire series of productions at a discounted price of just $69.00 for adults, a savings of $10 on individual ticket purchases. Keep an eye on our website for when they become available.

Business Partnerships

Our annual campaign to partner with local businesses is now underway. This is an excellent opportunity for your business to support the arts while raising your own profile in the community, including shout outs on our new podcast. Affordable support levels start at just $250, with several higher levels available too. Interested? Email us: capitoltheatre@shaw.ca and someone will get back to you.

Thank you to our season sponsors so far, Koliber Gifts, Swale Rock Cafe and The Graphics Factory.

Opening Night Fundraising Gala

Another way you can show your support of Portal Players is by attending our Opening Night Fundraising Gala for “Little Shop of Horrors” on Wednesday, October 17. Not only is it our opening night, but we finally be “Raising The Reds” with our new, marquee curtains at centre stage. With grateful thanks to Lily Diotte and our many other funders, it’s a night to celebrate! Tickets available soon.

Podcast Episodes

Be sure to listen to our inaugural episode of the podcast, featuring a chat with Carrera Schroeder and Melissa Lowe, talking about days of old and new with Portal Players at The Capitol Theatre.

Future episodes include more chats with cast and crew members of “Little Shop of Horrors”, and coming soon we’ll feature Portal Players president Brent Ronning and treasurer Elliot Drew announcing our upcoming season, and on how we work in tandem with the local business community to both our benefit.

PPDS Annual General Meeting

Finally, if you are new to the Alberni Valley or new to hearing about Portal Players, please consider attending our Annual General Meeting on Monday, September 24 at 7 pm, at The Capitol Theatre. You’ll get to meet many of our members and hear more updates. You may be aware that Portal Players is taking a lead role in organizing Theatre BC’s big “provincials” of drama festivals called Mainstage, coming to Port Alberni next summer. We’re still building the team and assembling a volunteer corps, so by all means, come to the AGM.

Subscribe on iTunes Here!