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)

N.ormes

 Duo Agathe et Adrien from Quebec bring to town their fabulous show N.ormes for the Warrior Festival on now at the Cultch. 

It's circus meets modern dance in this beautiful and hypnotizing one hour performance that stretches the limits of the human body and imagination. With gorgeous light design and a bare stage, witness two bodies as they jump and spar, balance and break, and eventually merge into one sprawling mass. 

Don't miss out on this mesmerizing display of talent and poignancy as channeled through two ordinary vessels like you and me. N.ormes is on now at The Cultch until April 27. 

Lxdy Parts: Babes

 I honestly did not expect much when I realized I was walking into a comedy based around motherhood. What did I, as a gay child-free single male, have to relate with being a parent? Turns out, it didn't matter!

The Lxdy Parts: Babes show on now as part of the Warrior Festival at the Cultch is a downright hoot! Four women doing sketch comedy that was unique, funny, and poignant. Saturday Night Live wishes they had sketches like this!  

The only misstep I felt, was the guest stand-up comedian performer, whose material was funny and poignant in its own way, but the energy was completely different from the rest of the show and I could feel the air being sucked out of the room momentarily. Luckily, the troupe was back to get things back on track! 

It's a short run for this hilarious and talented show, so don't miss out! LXDY PARTS: BABES is on now at the Cultch until April 19!