For many local theatre lovers, Theatre in the Country feels like coming home. Nestled in Langley, British Columbia, this dinner theatre has grown from humble roots into a beloved hub of creativity and camaraderie. Its story is one of family, faith in local talent, and the magic that happens when a community comes together for an evening of food and theatre. In a world of big city productions, Theatre in the Country offers something cozier and nostalgic – a place where everyone knows the value of a good show and a hearty meal shared among friends.

History and Development

Community players perform a scene from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at Theatre in the Country’s Langley venue in 2018 – the company’s first big musical after relocating from Maple Ridge.

Theatre in the Country’s journey began in 2013, when founders Erin and Reg Parks set out to fill a void in the Fraser Valley theatre scene​. At the time, Reg was a drama teacher at Maple Ridge Christian School, and many of his students didn’t want their theatre experience to end at graduation. With encouragement from those students and their parents, Reg launched Theatre in the Country as a community-based dinner theatre in Maple Ridge​. The very first show, Charley’s Aunt, was staged in a cozy 100-seat venue – an intimate space where actors and audience practically shared the spotlight. “I fell in love with Charley’s Aunt on a field trip when I was in Grade 8,” Reg once reminisced, explaining why he chose that 1892 farce to inaugurate his new theatre​. It was a fitting start for a venture built on love of the arts and a dream of bringing people together.

From those early days, Theatre in the Country embraced the dinner theatre format. Guests could enjoy a roast beef buffet or vegetarian dinner as part of their evening, adding a delightfully social dimension to the theatre experience. “It’s a great form of entertainment. I like the social aspect it puts into theatre,” Reg noted of the dinner theatre tradition​. Despite the skepticism some have toward “dinner theatre” in the wider theatre world​, the formula proved a hit in Maple Ridge. By offering “Great Food – Great Shows – [a] Great Night Out,” the company quickly earned a loyal following in the community​.

After four prolific years and many sold-out shows in Maple Ridge, the theatre had its sights on growth. In late 2017, Theatre in the Country moved to downtown Langley City​, seeking a larger home to accommodate its expanding audience and ambitions. The new venue – located at 5708 Glover Road – could seat about 200 guests, double the original capacity​. The company’s Langley debut came in 2018 with an ambitious production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, featuring a cast and crew of 40 and an impressive 20-foot-tall set replicating Notre Dame Cathedral​. It was clear that even as the stage grew larger, the heart of Theatre in the Country remained the same. “We run on a community model with most of our cast and crew volunteering their time and services to put on great shows,” Reg Parks affirmed at the time​. From classic musicals like The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins to original Canadian premieres like The Da Vinci Code in 2025​, Theatre in the Country has continually expanded its repertoire while staying true to its mission of accessible, community-driven theatre.

A Community Hub for Local Talent and Families

More than anything, Theatre in the Country has become a community hub – a place where local talent, families, and theatre enthusiasts converge. The company proudly “shines a spotlight on our exceptional local talent,” in the words of its official website​. Many of the actors, singers, and backstage crew are volunteers from Langley and surrounding areas, ranging from teens to retirees. In fact, Theatre in the Country is family-run and family-friendly: it’s helmed by the Parks family, and you’ll often find multiple generations working side by side, whether on stage, in the kitchen, or ushering in the audience. The atmosphere at each performance is warm and inclusive – children giggle at the comedies, parents and grandparents smile along to familiar show tunes, and friends new and old share laughter over dessert.

The theatre’s community-driven ethos has tangible benefits for those involved. Reg’s dual role as artistic director and high school drama teacher created a pipeline for young performers to continue honing their craft beyond school​. As one early participant, a recent graduate, described: “[Theatre in the Country] creates a safe environment to perfect one’s craft. It offers people variety so that they may explore different things… Most of all, it allows the expression of creativity, and gives the word ‘possibility’ meaning and truth.” Those words capture the spirit felt by dozens of aspiring actors who got their first real stage experience under TIC’s lights. The company has even launched a TIC Academy that offers theatre classes and summer camps for kids, nurturing the next generation of performers.

Theatre in the Country also acts as a gathering place for the wider community. Its motto of being “the Fraser Valley’s premier dinner theatre experience: where a meal with friends meets spectacular entertainment” is lived out at every show​. Long before curtain time, the hall buzzes with conversation as patrons break bread together – often literally, over a homestyle buffet. Strangers share tables and leave as friends. This communal atmosphere is by design. “I like to see young people succeed in the arts, and I know if we can give our young actors a chance to work with our local professional talent, then that will be a great boost to the start of their careers. The bonus is that we can provide our community great entertainment at the same time,” Reg said early on​. His vision has borne fruit: some TIC alumni have gone on to professional theatre, and local professional actors occasionally join TIC casts, enriching the productions and mentoring newcomers. The interplay of beginners and veterans, volunteers and community members, creates a unique familial vibe around TIC.

Even during challenging times, Theatre in the Country’s commitment to community never wavered. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced stages to go dark in 2020, TIC pivoted quickly – hosting weekly online play readings and creative Zoom productions to keep people connected​. In one stretch of 5 months, an incredible 58 actors from all over BC and even other provinces participated in TIC’s virtual shows, performing 21 plays online for audiences hungry for live entertainment (even if through a screen)​. As soon as it was safe, TIC reopened its doors with socially distanced seating and safety precautions, staging intimate shows like The Last Five Years to bring audiences back together in person​. This adaptability reinforced what locals already knew: Theatre in the Country isn’t just about shows, it’s about community resilience and togetherness. In Langley and beyond, the theatre has earned admiration not just for its productions, but for its heart.

Upcoming Shows and Season Highlights

The lights are bright on Theatre in the Country’s stage as it heads into another exciting season. True to form, the upcoming lineup balances crowd-pleasing classics with fresh, fun productions – all geared toward bringing people together for a memorable night out. Here are some of the upcoming shows that local theatre supporters can look forward to in 2025​:

  • Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution (April 2 – 19, 2025) – A gripping courtroom thriller by the Queen of Mystery. First published in 1925, this drama has been “thrilling audiences with the twists and turns of a murder trial” for nearly a century​. Expect suspense, surprise revelations, and an immersive whodunit experience as TIC transforms its stage into an English courtroom. (Just don’t reveal the ending – Christie’s twist is too good to spoil!)
  • Sister Act – The Musical (June 4 – 21, 2025) – The feel-good Broadway musical based on the hit film, Sister Act will raise the roof of the theatre with its choir of lively nuns. Filled with powerful gospel music, outrageous dancing, and a truly moving story of friendship, Sister Act “will leave audiences breathless.”​ It’s a high-energy comedy that’s perfect for the whole family, directed by Lauren Trotzuk and featuring songs by Disney legend Alan Menken. Get ready to clap along and maybe even sing “Hallelujah” by the finale!
  • Home, I’m Darling (September 10 – 27, 2025) – A witty and insightful British comedy by Laura Wade, making its way to the Langley stage. Home, I’m Darling is a “dark comedy about sex, cake and the quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife.”​ It follows a modern couple who decide to live as if it’s the 1950s, with all the quirky, and at times touching, consequences that ensue. TIC’s production, co-directed by Gabe Kirkley and Thomas Smith, promises plenty of laughs and a thoughtful look at nostalgia itself – a fitting theme for a community that cherishes the old-fashioned joy of live theatre.
  • It’s a Wonderful Life – The Musical (November 26 – December 14, 2025) – Just in time for the holiday season, TIC will present a musical adaptation of Frank Capra’s beloved film It’s a Wonderful Life. “Step into the heartwarming world of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical, where timeless holiday magic and uplifting music combine to tell the beloved story” of George Bailey and his Christmas miracle​. This show is sure to be a nostalgic treat for audiences of all ages, celebrating community, hope, and the value of each person’s life – themes that resonate deeply with the spirit of Theatre in the Country. Bundle up, bring some tissues for those joyful tears, and prepare to be moved by this classic tale set to song.

Aside from these mainstage productions, Theatre in the Country often peppers its calendar with special events. Watch for interactive murder mystery dinners (like the popular Murder in the Manor​), cabaret nights such as The Gingerbread Men holiday revue, youth showcases, and guest performances from other theatre companies. There’s always something happening on the TIC stage, and each performance feels like an event that the whole community is invited to.

A Legacy of Community Theatre

Reflecting on the journey of Theatre in the Country is an emotional ride for those who have been part of it from the start. In just over a decade, this little theatre company has woven itself into the cultural fabric of Langley (and previously Maple Ridge) through passion, perseverance, and a genuine love for community. It’s the place where a shy student found her confidence under the spotlight, where a retired gentleman discovered a second career building sets, and where countless date nights and family outings turned into cherished memories. The history lives on in every rehearsal and every curtain call. Each time the lights dim and the orchestra strikes the first notes, everyone in the room – performers, crew, and audience alike – becomes part of the Theatre in the Country family for the night.

In an era of high-tech entertainment, this community theatre reminds us of the enduring power of live, local performance. It’s a place where the applause is heartfelt, the laughter is real, and the connections are lasting. As Theatre in the Country continues to grow and adapt, it never loses sight of its core mission: bringing people together. “We are unique in that we are the Fraser Valley’s only traditional dinner theatre… We run on a community model,” Reg Parks said back in 2018​ – a statement that remains true and worth celebrating. Langley residents and theatre supporters know that when they step through the doors at 5708 Glover Road, they’re not just going to see a play; they’re joining a tradition of community, creativity, and camaraderie that feels like coming home. And as the lights go up on the next act of Theatre in the Country’s story, one thing is certain: the show will go on, and the community will be there – together – to take a bow.

Sources: Local news archives and Theatre in the Country official communications, among others.

Let’s Keep Talking:

Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance.

She is also a business development consultant with Impresario Partners, helping Canadian Business expand overseas.

She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jhansen@waypoint.ca. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/.  Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social

Let’s Meet Up:

Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4

Tags:  #Jenny Holly Hansen #Theatre in the Country #Community Stage #Dinner Theatre #Live Performance

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