The Motherfucker With The Hat

Well, fuck.

Haberdashery Theatre Company's inaugural show, The Motherfucker With The Hat, is fucking good.

I've been wanting to see this show ever since it was nominated for a Tony award in 2011. Sure, the local Vancouver production met with some controversy over the casting choices and the lack of diverse representation in the city's theatre scene overall.

Having said that though, the latest show now playing at the Firehall is definitely worth going to. The story centers on recovering alcoholic Jackie and his fiery girlfriend Veronica, his sponsor Ralph, his cousin Julio, and Ralph's scene-stealing wife Victoria, played by Lori Triolo, who managed to garner spontaneous applause during one of her scenes. The rest of the cast were all equally as superb. Kyra Zagorsky's fiesty Veronica was supremely entertaining, while Francisco Trujillo brought tears to my eyes during one of his scenes as Cousin Julio. John Cassini's Ralph is deliciously duplicitous, while Stephen Lobo turns in a passionate performance as the lead character Jackie. With Lauchlin Johnston's elaborate set design and the drumming soundtrack of Eric Banerd, I felt like I was in New York City watching the show - that's how good the caliber of this production is!

For fuck's sake, what are you waiting for? The Motherfucker With The Hat is on now at the Firehall Arts Centre until January 30th.

Dirty Dancing

I was afraid. Very afraid. The last time that Broadway Across Canada brought along a non-Broadway musical based on a famous movie, the results were disastrous. I'm talking to you, Flashdance. With Dirty Dancing, however, let's just say... you'll have the time of your life.

Perhaps it's because the show knows it is being ridiculous at points, but strives to give fans the iconic scenes that the movie is so well known for.  It pretty much manages to hit every checkbox, if you're a big fan of Johnny and Baby. Not as much a musical as one might think, the songs are mainly used as background for the stellar dancing numbers. There are a few singers on the stage though, who manage to show off their pipes during songs such as You Don't Own Me, In The Still of the Night, and (I've Had) The Time Of My Life.

Perfectly cast and with an audience that was rather randy and vocal, Dirty Dancing was a fun evening out at the theatre that Vancouver needs more of!

Dirty Dancing is on at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre until January 17th.

Postcards: Wish It Were Sunday

Looks like it's officially Rain-uary as we make way for the torrential downpour that's in store for us the next few weeks.

This photo was taken last Sunday at 4:30pm... Hard to believe it was only two days ago when it was absolutely gorgeous out...

Foreshore Park, South Burnaby, North Arm Fraser River

Photo by YVR-51

James and the Giant Peach

Back by popular demand is Carousel Theatre's musical production of James and the Giant Peach, the classic story by Roald Dahl of an orphaned boy, a giant peach, and the cast of critters he befriends.

This all-ages show is fun for the whole family, with plenty of adventure and delights for the kids, but also enough humour and engagement for any young-at-heart adult to enjoy. Stealing the show were Patti Allan and Deborah Williams as the zany and evil Aunts.

With innovative and creative set designs, the show really manages to bring you into Roald Dahl's world.

With only a few days left to catch it, don't miss out on this wonderful live theatre experience!

James and the Giant Peach runs until January 3 at the Waterfront theatre on Granville Island. You can purchase tickets online!  #CTYPJames

The Hateful Eight

 
Now showing at the Park theatre is Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight. I normally wouldn't review a mainstream movie on this site, but this one is a bit different. Why? Because Tarantino has two versions of the film. One is the regular theatrical version, and the other is toted as being the "traveling roadshow" version, which includes an Overture and Intermission and is shown on 70mm film.

The only theatre in Vancouver with this is the Park, over on Cambie Street. I got my ticket in advance, and managed to get there an hour beforehand to get a good seat. I went to the 2pm show and by the time I arrived, signs were already up saying that both the 2pm and 6pm show were sold out. So, get your tickets early!

As for the movie, it was more about the experience. It was great to see that ray of light streaming from the projector towards the screen. It was so pleasant to be around other patrons who weren't texting on their phones or talking - everyone was there to watch a MOVIE.

The Nutcracker

Everyone says to visit Vancouver in the summertime, and it's true that is probably the best season to be here and the most touristy. However, Christmastime has just as much to see and do, if not more. Considering that theatre season is usually quiet in the summer months, December more than makes up for it with countless shows. So why not make Vancouver a tourist destination for the holiday season? Not only can you visit the local mountains for skiing with all the other ski bunnies, but there are shows and so many holiday-time events taking place!

One of those events is the Goh Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. I had never seen the show before either live or on TV. I've always wanted to do it though, and was familiar with some of the music, specifically the Sugar Plum Fairy dance.

Wow, I was blown away! This was a gorgeous beautiful production, and even though I don't really ever attend the ballet, this was so easy to watch. It's probably a great way to introduce newbies into the ballet world, since there's a bit of a storyline that can be followed. And the production value that the Goh Ballet has put into this show is just phenomenal.

The Nutcracker plays at the Center in Vancouver until December 22nd!

Ebenezer

I think I just saw one of the coolest shows to ever grace the stage at the Jericho Arts Centre.

Seven Tyrants Theatre presents the very familiar tale of Ebenezer - A Christmas Ghost Story. This take on the beloved Dickens classic is a darker affair, bringing out the creepy and the eerie that comes along with being visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. With a very minimal and stark set and effective lighting, this steam-punk holiday greeting is part Shakespeare, part musical, and part Tim Burton, all rolled into one.

Ebenezer is on now at the Jericho Arts Centre until January 2nd. Put it on your Christmas list! Tickets available at Tickets Tonight.