By Daisy Au, Coordinator, Seniors Club
For 50 years, MOSAIC has walked alongside newcomers as they build new lives, new communities, and new beginnings in Canada. This year, as we celebrate MOSAIC’s 50th Anniversary under the theme Together We Thrive, the MOSAIC Seniors Club is proud to bring back a production that has become one of the most powerful expressions of that journey:
“Seniors Take On Things We Never Talk About.”
More than a musical, this production is a living, breathing reflection of the newcomer experience — stories told by the very people who lived them, told out loud and on stage for all to hear.
From a single drop to a wave
Inspired by MOSAIC’s 50th Anniversary video message of “a drop of water creating ripples of impact,” this musical theatre project has become exactly that: a ripple that continues to expand outward through communities, families, generations, and hearts.
Since its premiere in March 2024, the production has touched thousands of audience members and profoundly impacted the lives of performers, volunteers, caregivers, community partners, and newcomers across Metro Vancouver. What began as a participatory arts project among immigrant seniors has evolved into a larger community conversation about belonging, resilience, identity, dignity, and healing.
Stories that belong to many
The stories shared on stage may begin with older adults, but they reflect the lived experiences of many newcomers to Canada — experiences of isolation, rebuilding life in a new country, language barriers, caregiving, loss, hope, cultural silence, and finding one’s voice again.
Through music, humour, storytelling, and collective creation, the performers courageously explore subjects we often avoid discussing openly: aging, stereotypes, elder abuse, loneliness, family expectations, intergenerational relationships, and the search for connection and purpose.
At the heart of it all is a simple belief that every person carries wisdom and stories that deserve to be seen and heard.
What’s new in 2026
The July performances will feature new scenes, new songs, and new stories that continue the evolving journey of the troupe and the communities they represent. Audience members can expect moments of laughter, reflection, tenderness, and inspiration as the production continues to grow alongside the lives of its performers.
As MOSAIC marks 50 years of supporting newcomers, this musical reminds us that true community transformation often begins with something small: one conversation, one shared story, one act of compassion, one person willing to step onto a stage and be seen.
Together, these moments create ripples of impact that continue far beyond the theatre. Together, we thrive.
Catch the performances:
📅 July 21, 2026 — 1:30–3:00 PM
📅 July 22, 2026 — 6:30–8:00 PM
📍 Anvil Theatre at Anvil Centre, New Westminster
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The 2026 performances also carry special meaning as we honour and remember Ann Fang, one of the beloved core cast members whose journey embodied the spirit of this project. Ann once reflected on how the musical transformed her life, bringing confidence, friendship, joy, and renewed purpose. Her courage, warmth, and dedication continue to ripple through the lives of fellow cast members and audiences alike. This year’s performances are dedicated in part to celebrating her legacy and the countless immigrant seniors whose stories continue to inspire us.
