East Van Panto: Robin Hood

 I don't even know how to review this year's East Van Panto: Robin Hood, because it was SO GOOD. 

Stella Jack-Rennie, Munish Sharma, Hayley Sullivan, Sewit Eden Haile, Carol Chu

I was lucky enough to attend last week and brought along the perfect person to watch it with me, cause we both work in a library. Basically, libraries were one of the main things under attack in this year's show, thanks to the evil villain "Prince Ken" which I'm pretty sure everyone in Vancouver knows who that is referring to! 

It's not just libraries he wants to privatize, but also Trout Lake park. A timely jab about the dismantling of the Parks Board hit a little too close to home but was well-placed. With only three weeks to tech and rehearse the show, this production is a bonafide good time from start to finish. 

Steffanie Davis

Steffanie Davis downright steals the entire show as Toni the Pony. Last year she was impressive as Belle, but as one of this year's villain, she downright shines. Or as the kids these days might say, she ate!! 

Mark Chavez

Mark Chavez also returns in multiple roles, and delighting in every single one of them. My favourite was his turn as a Robobrarian. 

Hayley Sullivan & Munish Sharma

Finally, Munish Sharma as Little Jaan seems relatively reliable and safe for most of the show, until we reach Act 2 and its eleven o'clock number, when he gets a turn to solo. People of Vancouver, when this man opens his mouth to sing.... the most beautiful sound in the world will be gifted upon your ears. Why were they hiding this the entire time??? Our jaws dropped. What a gorgeous sublime voice! Sing on maestro, sing ON!

Veda Hille

And the songs this year are fun and current! Of COURSE they had to do some Chappell Roan. Perhaps a song from BRAT would've been just that one more cherry on top but kudos to Veda Hille for reimagining popular hits to fit this homegrown story. 

Go catch these superstars and the rest of the stellar cast of East Van Panto: Robin Hood, on now at the York Theatre until January 5!! 

(all photos by Emily Cooper)

Billy Bishop Goes to War

 I was lucky enough to observe Remembrance Day weekend last week with the premiere of Billy Bishop Goes to War, on now at the Metro Theatre. 

Damon Calderwood plays an immense 18 characters in this near-one person production of Billy Bishop Goes to War. Pianist Chris Robson lends a hand with some characters but is also supplying the live soundtrack to this Canadian-born musical. 

I'd always heard of this show, but had never had the opportunity to go see it until now. I don't know if other productions are also as minimalist as this one, but it works with the storytelling and Calderwood's transformations from character to character are seamless and you will be absorbed into the storytelling in no time. 

Billy Bishop Goes to War is on now  until November 30 at the Metro Theatre. 

Eastside Culture Crawl

 Happy November everyone! Did you make it through Halloween season alright? Thanksgiving Dinner anxiety is over and done with!  

This month brings us the annual Eastside Culture Crawl, which is ALWAYS a fun time, no matter where you go! 

Apparently, this year "is one of the biggest years ever, with more than 500 registered artists, including nearly 100 artists participating for the first time. Artists will be showcasing a variety of artistic mediums, from jewelery, sculpture, and pottery, to painting, textiles, photography, furniture, and so much more!" 

Photo-credit-Joshua-Wright: Georgia-Art-Studios - 

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Annette-Nieukerk_Photo-credit-Joshua-Wright

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Yaron-Bareli_Photo-credit-Joshua-Wright

Provided-by-Eastside-Arts-Society_One-Time-Use

And the best part is that all of this is FREE to go visit and see! 

Don't miss out on the Eastside Culture Crawl from November 14 - 17 ! 

The Woman in Black

 If you're seeking something spooky this October, you might want to check out what's happening at the Metro Theatre with its current production, The Woman in Black.  

Bernard Cuffling does double duty as director and actor in this production alongside Daniel Merlo, both of whom do a stellar job at bringing dread to the stage. It's not the kind of show that's full of tricks and treats, but more of a sit around the campfire telling a ghost story vibe. 

Certain images will remain with you long after you've left the theatre, a testament to the show's ability to haunt. 

The Woman in Black is on now at the Metro Theatre until November 2 !

Film Fest season is upon us!

 Just around the corner is my favourite time of year! Film Festival season! 

First up is the Vancouver Queer Film Festival which is on now until Sept 22! 

Then from Sept 26 to Oct 6 is the Vancouver International Film Festival! 

Don't miss out on either! 

The Play That Goes Wrong

The Metro Theatre has launched their latest season starting off with the slapstick comedy The Play That Goes Wrong! I was very excited to see this, as I have heard about it in New York but never got the chance to see it, until now! 

The production is silliness to the infinite degree, and you will definitely find yourself laughing out loud. But wait, the show doesn't pause during intermission. Here's a hot tip: leave your seat! If you hang out in the lobby, you may see one of the characters wandering about. Even better, if you go outside for some fresh air, you'll see a couple of characters marching back and forth. The fun never ends! 

The physical comedy in the show was astounding, and at some points, downright dangerous! Definitely a sight to behold. 

Make it to the Metro Theatre early too, so you can go upstairs and enjoy their newly renovated lounge! It's a place I would definitely go and just hang out at, especially if they have that live piano player going in the corner. 

The Play That Goes Wrong is on now at the Metro Theatre until October 5! 

An Adaptation of The Wizard of Oz

Strap on your ruby red slippers and get ready for a Wizard of Oz like no other! Adult dance studio Passion and Performance is bringing this beloved classic to the stage at the historic Cultch Theatre on August 8. 

Picture it: the Tin Man, a stud with moves that could melt your heart; the Lion, strutting their stuff on Davie Street with a mane that won’t quit; and the Scarecrow, a laid-back stoner who’s always one step ahead of munchkin curfew. Dorothy? Oh, she’s a shy yet wild child at heart from Squamish, ready to take on the Emerald City. And watch out for the Wicked Witch of West Van – she’s got style for days and a laugh that could curdle almond milk. But that’s not all – Glinda the Good Witch floats in with glamor and grace, spreading glitter and wisdom wherever she goes. A vision in sequins and pleasers, she’s the guiding light through this Oz adventure.

Tickets are almost sold out, get them now! 

Theatre Under the Stars: SCHOOL OF ROCK

Full disclosure: I am not a huge fan of watching children sing in musicals. Does that make me a terrible person? Probably. It's just not my cup of tea, so sue me. 

With that being said however, I was wowed by the kids in Theatre Under the Stars' School of Rock musical and I will tell you why and how I got there. 

The people I attended the show with LOVE the movie School of Rock, on which the musical adaptation is based. I had no idea this too was an Andrew Lloyd Webber vehicle until last night. When the show began, I found the pacing of things to be a bit off. This could just also be my bias against musicals based on movies. Not a fan of those. 

TUTS 2024. Colin Sheen, with members of the youth cast in School of Rock. Photo by Emily Cooper

Colin Sheen holds down the fort as the main character Dewey Finn, portrayed memorably on screen by Jack Black. Colin can sing, dance, play instruments, and literally anchors the whole show as he is in almost every scene. Also he has to work with children? I pity the fool. But stay with me here, as I stayed with Colin and the kids and went on this journey that warmed my heart and had me in tears by the end of the evening...

Closer to the second half of Act 1 and definitely all of Act 2, I was engaged and invested. If you're not familiar with the storyline, Dewey Finn is an out-of-luck musician who winds up "teaching" at a prestigious private school - except he's faking his identity and pretending to be his best friend, who is an acclaimed teacher while Dewey has no business in front of a classroom. He leads the kids into learning about rock music and hopes to enter them into a local Battle of the Bands. 

 

TUTS 2024. Colin Sheen, with members of the youth cast in School of Rock. Photo by Emily Cooper

The audience at opening night was feisty, and I hope that continues for this production throughout the summer. The energy of the crowd really helps feed what's going on up on the stage. From the start of the program when the emcee shouted out Kiss lyrics: "I wanna rock and roll all night...!" 

To which the crowd promptly called back: "... and party every day!" 

 TUTS 2024. Colin Sheen, with members of the youth cast in School of Rock. Photo by Emily Cooper

The audience participation did not stop there, and I am not even counting all the cheers and applause that the performers got whenever they played their instruments. Yes, that's right. These CHILDREN are playing live instruments right there on the stage in front of you! There's no air guitar! That's real guitar!  Those are real drums and keyboards and bass! COME ON. 

Near the end when they are announcing the winner of the Battle of the Bands, the entire audience was up in arms chanting out SCHOOL OF ROCK! SCHOOL OF ROCK! 

TUTS 2024. Colin Sheen, with members of the youth cast in School of Rock. Photo by Emily Cooper

If you want a rockin' night out that will have you laughing and crying and cheering on the underdog, then go see SCHOOL OF ROCK at Theatre Under The Stars, alternating nightly with CATS all summer until August 24. 

Theatre Under the Stars: CATS

TUTS 2024. Left to right_October Penningroth, Owen CB Scott, Jaren Guerreiro, Colton Bamber, Anna Smith. Photo by Emily Cooper

I'm a cat person. I'm also a musicals guy. I kinda low-key hate the CATS musical. I saw it when I was in my teens and had no idea what was happening. I do love the song Memory, however. 

Over the years, CATS has grown on me. Perhaps, like a cat, I just needed to warm up to it. The score is familiar. I sang Mr Mistoffelees with my Grade 7 class in elementary school. And of course, there's the movie version. I saw it in the theatre and was still slightly confused, even though I knew what the plot was supposed to be now. I am excited about the "ballroom" themed vogueing CATS remount happening in New York right now, aptly subtitled The Jellicle Ball. 

So when Theatre Under the Stars announced they were doing CATS as one of their shows this year, I was a bit unenthusiastic. But then I attended on opening night... 

 TUTS 2024. The cast of CATS. Photo by Emily Cooper

Maybe it's age and I've been around long enough, but this production was the most I've ever understood the plot in the times that I've seen the show. I knew exactly what was going on! So kudos to the direction on this for being able to successfully translate to the stage a show that can be quite polarizing. 

CATS is a dance show, and TUTS has done a superb job in delivering a purr-fect evening of entertainment for the whole family. For any newbies who may go to the show not knowing what to expect, all you need to know is that on this special night, one cat gets chosen to be "reborn" and they are all vying for that spot. 

 TUTS 2024. Sarah Lane as Grizabella. Photo by Emily Cooper

And then the moment that everyone was waiting for: Memory. When Grizabella takes the stage, to deliver this iconic number, she does not disappoint. With the stars in the evening sky sparkling above you, the smoke machine and dimmed lights on the stage, the performance of Memory is literally everything. Go see CATS for that alone. But don't forget about the tap dancing cockroaches, the comedy relief of Bustopher Jones, the earworm of "Macavity's not there!" and the sensuality of Rum Tum Tugger. 

 TUTS 2024. The cast of CATS. Photo by Emily Cooper

All of these ingredients come together to create a purr-fect production! CATS is on tonight at Theatre Under the Stars and alternates with School of Rock until August 23. 

Create! East Side Arts Festival

"Eastside Arts Society (EAS) presents the 4th edition of its newly expanded, immersive summer arts event, CREATE! Eastside Arts Festival, at various Eastside Arts District (EAD) studios, breweries, and performance venues, in addition to its traditional all-day outdoor festivities at Strathcona Park from July 22-28, 2024. Celebrating the diversity of performing and visual arts in Vancouver’s Eastside, CREATE! offers arts workshops, live music and dance performances, a beer garden, public art activations, an art shop, and countless opportunities for art lovers of all ages and abilities to explore and discover.

 

From Monday, July 22 to Sunday, July 28, the festival will offer affordable ticketed art workshops and performances at pop-up locations, such as breweries, studios, and performance venues. Community highlights include CREATE! pop-up art workshops at Off the Rail Brewing, Luppolo Brewing, and Strange Fellows Brewing from July 22-26 and studio art workshops at 1000 Parker Street, The Mergatroid Building, and The Arts Factory on July 28; Canadian musical artist Paul Pigat at the Firehall Arts Centre on July 25; legendary Canadian singer songwriter Art Bergmann at the Rickshaw Theatre on July 26; a roving piano and dance performance from Mascall Dance on July 26; live mural painting by Eastside Culture Crawl co-founder Richard Tetrault at E. 4th Ave and Ontario St. from July 22-26; and so much more."

Visit the website for more information! 

Barbu

Thank goodness for the Cultch and their efforts in bringing in quality shows like Barbu from Quebec's Cirque Alfonse. It makes me want to go visit Quebec and see all the circuses there! But luckily, all I had to do to see this spectacular spectacular is go down the street to the Historic Theatre for a wild night of breathtaking entertainment that had my toes curling and my voice howling with laughter and sheer terror. 

Expect the unexpected at this fantastic mind-blowing evening that has the performers soaring above the crowd - literally! We were seated right on the stage so had an up close and personal experience with it. At first I was worried my sightlines weren't going to be good because I had a tall person sitting in front of me and the seats are all one level on the floor, but luckily, the show finds its way to all nooks and crannies of the theatre. Bet not everyone got a shoulder massage like we did from one of the performers! 

The only thing I did not like was a part with a cracking whip, which I don't particularly enjoy the sound of, so didn't think it was necessary unless it was to just elevate my stress level, in which case, mission accomplished! Otherwise, it's an absolute wonderful show that I want to tell everyone to go see, and I would go back to again myself! And I would get seats in the first two rows, centre! 

Barbu is on now at The Cultch until June 23! 

A Case for the Existence of good theatre in Vancouver

At 80 minutes with no intermission, is a wonderful production happening right now at the Pacific Theatre. "A Case for the Existence of God" is a two-hander performance, previously shown on Broadway and now how lucky are we to have the chance to see it here in Vancouver? 

 Keith a mortgage broker and Ryan is a down on his luck guy looking for a break. The two are single fathers, one a White heterosexual recently left by the mother of his child, and the other a Queer Black man who is trying to adopt the child he has been fostering. 

Actors Kwesi Ameyaw and Rob Salvador are spellbinding in this as we witness their interactions, whether it's rediscovering past trauma, revealing secrets, or a night of drunkenness. The two are just hypnotic and the audience is on the edge of their seats waiting to see what will happen next. 

 A Case for the Existence of God is on now at the Pacific Theatre until June 9!

The Papa Penguin Play

 Looking for fun for the whole family? Check out the world premiere of The Papa Penguin Play, co-presented by Carousel Theatre for Young People, Vancouver International Children's Theatre, and Zee Zee Theatre. 

Designed for children ages 3-8 and their families, this visually spectacular show is a celebration of queer families through a lovable penguin family – and their friendly Zoo Keeper – celebrating their penguin chick Hedgie's first birthday.

The Papa Penguin Play runs May 15 - June 2 at the Waterfront Theatre. 

Pussy Riot

 There's a very exciting exhibit on now at the Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver. If you've never been, now is the perfect chance to go check it out. 

It's Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot's Russia. This is the first survey exhibition of this infamous feminist collective! How lucky are we? The group came to help curate the show, and even performed a live concert in town during the first week. 

The exhibit itself contains footage and photographs mixed with handwritten accounts of events they took part in and things that happened to them in Russia. It's extraordinary to witness their courage and bravery. 

The Pussy Riot exhibit is on now until June 2!  Don't miss out! 

Go Home Yuppie Scum

 An exciting new exhibit has landed at the SUM Gallery via the Queer Arts Festival in Chinatown. Preston Buffalo's Go Home Yuppie Scum uses altered reality technology, 3-D glasses, and even old school View Masters (remember those?) to comment on the state of Vancouver. 

Go check out Go Home Yuppie Scum on now at the SUM Gallery until June 6 ! 

Parifam

Presented by Medusa Theatre and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, The Cultch kicks off its Femme Festival with Parifam. 

Written by Aki Yaghoubi, Parifam takes us into the world of Parifam, our lead character who is in the midst of balancing her artistic endeavours with her professional architectural work. Her friend Ramak wants to film a documentary on her and her work, but there is an underlying sense of trauma that Parifam is battling with. 

We are introduced to her son and husband, who tiptoe around her when they're not in the middle of a melodramatic argument. There are flashbacks to Parifam's own mother's trauma, but things are quite unclear as the lights go down on Act One. 

The set design by Parjad Sharifi is impressive. But the teasing mystery in Act One isn't clear enough to make audience members really feel engaged enough to want to find out what happens next.

Parifam runs now until April 14 at The Cultch.  

Noises Off!

 Another classic hits the Metro Theatre this season, as they bring to life the comedic hijinx of Noises Off! If you've never seen this play before, then get yourself to the Metro for a wonderful production!

The cast is stellar, especially when you think about all the lines and physical comedy they put into this 2+ hour production. The set design is perfect, considering how integral it is to the storyline. There's even an immersive element which I don't remember from having seen this play before, but it's been awhile so I could be mistaken in thinking it is unique to this mounting, but perhaps it is!

All in all, you will leave the theatre with your sides and face hurting from laughing all night long.

Noises Off is on now at The Metro Theatre until April 6!

Choir Boy

It was on a rainy Sunday afternoon this past weekend when I decided last minute to purchase a ticket to the Arts Club Theatre's production of the hit Broadway play Choir Boy. 

It's about a young gay Black student played by the forceful and enigmatic Andrew Broderick, who is dealing with friendships and being picked on at his all-boys school where he is the lead of the school choir. Anton May provides a nuanced performance as his character of David, while Kwaku Okyere is explosive as the bully Bobby. Savion Roach plays the roommate of our lead character and brought tears to my eyes with his portrayal of kindness. 

The show was emotional and moving, with a superb set (designed by Rachel Forbes) that transformed amidst acapella hymns sung by the cast. The singing was transcendent. It's not a musical, mind you. It's a play, with songs in it. At 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission, Choir Boy had me completely captivated and is quite likely the best thing I've ever seen put on by the Arts Club at the Stanley Theatre. 

The songs and the story were both simply beautiful. Go see it! Choir Boy is on now until February 25. 

Into the Woods

Studio 58 at Langara continues to produce high-calibre productions for the city of Vancouver! If you're not attending their shows, then you are missing out. 

Currently on display is the Sondheim classic Into the Woods. With brilliant production design by Candelario Andrade, we are transported into a fairy tale land that holds some shocks and surprises for you. 

Some may not know this, but Into the Woods can be looked at as an AIDS parable. Written at the height of the epidemic, Sondheim pulled on the environment around him to create a show that deals with grief, loss, and consequence. Of course, it can also be enjoyed on a more superficial level too, with the story of the Baker and his Wife trying to have a child by undoing a curse put on them by their neighbouring witch. Throw in some fairy tale favourites like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, and this could very well be fun for the whole family! 

A definite crowd favourite on opening night was Brynna Drummond, who does double duty as both the lecherous Big Bad Wolf and one of  the smarmy Prince Charmings. 

Into The Woods is on now at Studio 58 until February 18! 

Broadway Across Canada: Mean Girls

 

Well my first show of the new year was Broadway Across Canada's Mean Girls at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. I am not a fan of the original movie, so maybe this musical was not meant for me. There were many in the audience dressed in pink and seemed to be super fans of the film. Basically, I found the show to be fairly meh. 

The songs were not memorable, and the storyline was even less entertaining for me than the movie was. At least the movie had the charisma of Rachel McAdams in it. The cast here were fine, but the material is just too fluff for my liking. 

I do applaud Broadway Across Canada for stepping up and trying to bring new stuff on tour such as shows like this and not the usual regular Les Miserables / Phantom of the Opera combos. 

Having caught the Saturday matinee yesterday, there was one memorable moment in the show that was unplanned when one of the set pieces flew off and hit the actress playing Gretchen in the face. The curtains came down and we had an unexpected intermission, with the understudy taking the stage after the show resumed. Assuming it was Kristen Amanda Smith who was injured, hopefully she is doing okay.