A History of Motown

Vancouver, you only have  ONE WEEK left to catch the phenomenal and informative show A HISTORY OF MOTOWN on now at the Firehall Arts Centre!

I was lucky enough to attend last night with a sold-out crowd and had no idea what to expect. Was this going to be a jukebox musical of sorts? 

I couldn't have been more wrong. 

What began as an educational program that toured schools to enlighten kids with the sounds and stories of Motown, as well as information about society at that time, i.e. civil rights movement, racism, has now become a bona fide hit with the public! 

Creator and singer Krystle Dos Santos leads a full band and the audience on a journey into Motown. I learned so much from this show that I never knew before, like how Stevie Wonder went blind or just how important the Ed Sullivan Show was to many Black artists. The first act is Motown 101 while the second act dives deeper into its history and legacy. 

My favourite part was the segment detailing the rise and fall of The Supremes, highlighting Florence Ballard, all interspersed between verses and choruses of You Keep Me Hanging On. So well done! 

By the end of the show, everyone was on their feet and dancing, and you will be too! 

Go see this now and take everyone you know with you! And if you're connected to a school, she still does school shows so invite her already !!! 

A History of Motown is on at the Firehall until August 24. 

Theatre Under the Stars: LEGALLY BLONDE

I first saw Legally Blonde on Broadway in New York City with the original cast. Then I saw them on the  television broadcast on MTV. So when I attended the opening night of Theatre Under the Stars' production of Legally Blonde, imagine my delight when the show just happened to be totally stellar! Like, OMIGOD, OMIGOD YOU GUYS!! 

all photos by Emily Cooper

Abby Woodhouse should be renamed Abby POWERHOUSE because she does a monumental job as Elle Woods! She's got the comic timing, the vulnerability, and the pipes! Absolutely tremendous! 

Madeleine Suddaby also shines as the fan-favourite Paulette. The entire cast were fantastic, right down to the four-legged ones!! 

If you've never seen Legally Blonde before, you are in for a treat. The music and songs are witty and catchy AF. The storylines will have you laughing and guessing and maybe even tearing up at some points. It's just so excellent, that this review is one big rave. 

What you want is to go see it for yourself! LEGALLY BLONDE is on now at Theatre Under the Stars until August 16. 

Theatre Under the Stars: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

 Now, if you know me, you know that I am not that keen on going to shows where I have to watch children sing and act. So when my friend really really wanted to go see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical at Theatre Under the Stars this summer, I indulged her. And boy am I glad I did!

All photos by Emily Cooper.

It was a confection of fun last night at Malkin Bowl as the cast took the stage to bring us into the world of Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka. With a simple monochrome set, I was at first disillusioned with what the night had in store for us, but by the end of it, I was definitely transported into another dimension, especially with that final scene. 

Well done to the Theatre Under the Stars actors and crew and everyone involved on this achievement that is sure to entertain people of all ages this summer. We brought blankets to keep us warm as the sun set behind the stage, and to keep in theme with the show, we had chocolates to snack on as well! 

The musical itself is smart enough to incorporate the iconic numbers of Pure Imagination and some Oompa Loompa songs. 

There's a ballet sequence that features Veruca Salt and a quartet of squirrels that was the most amazing fever dream I've ever had. 

Peter Ricardo's Willy Wonka is a friendlier and less manic take on the character, which appealed to me as he ebbs and flows with humour, sarcasm, and a paternal warmth. Jennie

Finally, Jennie Grenelle was a scene stealer with her delicious role of Mrs. Teavee, and had me in absolute stitches. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is on now on alternating evenings at Theatre Under the Stars at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, until August 16! 

Sophia's Forest

City Opera Vancouver (COV) is proud to present the Canadian premiere of Sophia’s

Forest, a powerfully evocative chamber opera by composer Lembit Beecher and librettist Hannah

Moscovitch, on stage May 29 to 31, 2025 at 7:30pm and June 1, 2025 at 2pm at Studio T at SFU’s

Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. Directed by Julie McIsaac, under the baton of COV Artistic Director

Gordon Gerrard, the groundbreaking one-act opera explores timely themes through the story of a

young girl, Sophia, who flees civil war and settles in a new country.

Visit the website for tickets and more information! 

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

 Go, go, go, go!! 

Need I say more? The final show of the season at Metro Theatre is none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical spectacular Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! I saw the production with Donny Osmond back in the 90s so sure, I had some doubts. But this local production definitely has charm. If you've never seen the show or heard the music before, then you are in for a fun and catchy good time! 

First off, it's retold through the eyes of a 1970s variety show! Once you get used to that, then sit back and enjoy the ride. The singing is top notch, whether it's the Narrator (Ivania Delgado) or Joseph (Argel Monte de Ramos) or any member of the cast really. 

Christopher King is a famed local director of stage work in Vancouver, so having him mount this production at the Metro is a complete treat for all involved and for anyone who gets to catch a showing! 

Joseph is on now at The Metro Theatre until June 8. 

Meeting

 ITSAZOO and Pacific Theatre (with support of Neworld Theatre) present a visceral, unflinching examination of group therapy in the world premiere of Meeting, taking place May 14 to June 7, 2025 in a real-life meeting room at the Chalmers Heritage Building (1440 W 12th Ave) – home to Pacific Theatre. Marking the playwriting debut of actor and writer Katherine Gauthier, Meeting invites audiences to join five participants of the support group, ‘Co-Dependents, Love and Sex Addicts Anonymous’ in an immersive, fly-on-the-wall experience, as the group grapples with the dark corners of stigma, trauma, and trust.

(Left to right): Sebastien Archibald, Carmela Sison, Kaitlin Williams, Chris Lam, Marcus Youssef 

Tickets available here. 

Love You Wrong Time

 Come fulfill your Asian Fantasy at the test offering at the Warrior Festival happening now at The Cultch! 

The Bad Muse Collective brings together Deanna H. Choi and Maddie Bautista in Love You Wrong Time, a stand up comedy / cabaret act that deals with the fetishization of Asian women. Presented by The Cultch and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, this is a hilarious, touching, smart, and poignant show that will have you laughing and crying in all of 90 mins. 

This extremely talented duo not only sing and play various instruments (piano, violin, ukelele, guitar), but they also perform skits and stand-up that incorporate important messages. To be honest, cabaret-style comedy is not usually at the top of my list, but this show was exceptional. I kept thinking, Saturday Night Live needs to hire these two - or better yet, give them their own show/platform! 

I learned about "banana-rangs" and took part in the "guess what kind of Asian am I" in the opening "rice-breaker" before morphing into a K-pop duo to sing about model minorities. My favourite moment was their send-up of the popular "mukbang" trend! 

At the end of it all though, what really held this show together was the bond of sisterhood that was palpable between these two friends / soulmates. If you don't think you can relate to any of the above, then at least go and witness what the power of friendship can produce. 

Love You Wrong Time is on now until May 11 at the Cultch. 

(photos by Helen Yung)