SHOWTUNES NIGHT - the Pride Edition!

It's SHOWTUNES NIGHT on July 3rd and this time, we'll be celebrating PRIDE! Why not get your Pride festivities started early? Come on down for some Broadway clips to help get you in the mood!

For more information, check out the Facebook page! Showtunes Night is on Friday July 3, 6-9pm at 1181 Davie Street!

Movies in the Park !

It's the EVO SUMMER CINEMA SERIES aka Fresh Air Cinema, aka Movies for free in Stanley Park!

Yes! And the line-up includes:

For a full list of times and dates, check out the website! 

The School For Scandal of Vancouver

"It's impossible to be witty without a little ill-nature; the malice of a good thing is the barb that makes it stick." -Verjuice Sneerwell

Is Vancouver ready for a satire about itself? Do the citizens of Canada’s “most livable city” take themselves too seriously? Underneath the pretty veneer churns a society rife with scandal, treachery, debauchery, deception and, of course, sexy yoga classes. NOW! Theatre and the Quimera Theatre Collective are bringing you an adaptation of Richard Sheridan’s classic British comedy The School for Scandal, but fully modernized as The School for Scandal of Van-couver, adapted and directed by local director and playwright Matthew Willis.

"You say ‘Assassin of Character’ like it’s a bad thing..."

This production marks the third partnership of director Matthew Willis with Quimera Theatre Collective (The Bald Soprano, Tales in Crux) to bring the audience what can only be described as a truly immersive, inventive and slight-ly unorthodox theatre experience. Co- production by NOW! Theatre introduces a sustainable element to the show that promises an environmentally mindful run, and Willis delivers an ensemble of over a dozen actors, spanning different acting and academic backgrounds, nationalities and experiences.

The School for Scandal of Vancouver runs from June 28 to July 5 at the CBC Studios 700. Tickets can be purchased online. 

The Taming of the Shrew

Starting today (June 24) through this Saturday, June 27, Stone’s Throw Productions is presenting the classic Shakespeare comedy The Taming of the Shrew but with a 1950s spin.

This is a great idea. I love Shakespeare, I love the esthetic of the 1950s, and I think it is a neat idea to compare the strict gender norms of the fifties to a Shakespeare show that is often interpreted through the feminist lens. Taming of the Shrew is the love story of brass Petruchio and his witty intellectual Kate, who has a tendency to think for herself in a society that frowns on women, you know, doing that. Screwball banter and hilarity ensues. The show is produced through an apprentice program at Pacific Theatre, which gives emerging producers support to create their own shows. I’m looking forward to seeing this show; I’m hoping it will be Grease-meets-Olde-English-meets-10 Things I Hate About You.

 Playing June 24-27, Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm at Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave. Tickets $10 by calling 604.731.5518 or visit pacifictheatre.org

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update: 

I throughly enjoyed myself at The Taming of the Shrew by Stone's Throw Production this weekend.  While I've seen this show a few times before, I thought it was clever to put it in the context of the 1950s, and I loved the costumes, especially Kate's tea length wedding gown! While I thought all the actors were spot on, I particularly liked the performances of Adelleh Furseth as Biondella and Cheyenne Mabberley as Baptista, both stealing every scene they were in. It was a great show and I look forward to the next production from Stone's Throw.

(written by guest blogger Roxanne Kalenborn) 

Ballet 422

His name is Justin Peck, and yes isn't he gorgeous? He's also 25 years old and has choreographed three ballets for the New York Ballet. This documentary follows his journey as he sets out to create his third piece for the iconic institution. It's a backstage look at a well-oiled machine - Black Swan, this is not. I'm not a huge ballet fan but after seeing this film, I totally want to catch one at Lincoln Centre the next time I go to New York. Or better yet, perhaps see what Ballet BC is putting on!

Catch Ballet 422 at the Vancity Theatre on June 23, 25, and 27.

Ultimate Dinosaurs at Science World

If you can't get into the latest screening of Jurassic World, then head on down to Science World for an even better experience: the Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibit!

Meet T. Rex’s bigger, badder cousin in an exhibition that highlights the unique dinosaurs of the Southern Hemisphere. Step into the role of a paleontologist and be a part of the story that took millions of years to write.

Not your typical dinosaur exhibition, Ultimate Dinosaurs introduces you to new and unique dinosaurs that evolved in isolation in South America, Africa and Madagascar. The exhibition combines rarely seen specimens with augmented reality technology that transforms full-scale dinosaurs into flesh-covered animated beasts right before your eyes.

Ultimate Dinosaurs is on now until September 7 at Science World! 

PNE summer concert series 2015

If you haven't already seen the PNE summer concert series, here it is. I usually post this more immediately, but I guess I'm just not too excited about any of the acts this year? Boys II Men are back, and I saw them last summer, and they were good.

There's also the Beach Boys, Colin James, and Loverboy.

I'm semi-excited for Pat Benatar.

And Hall & Oates

But otherwise, I'm kinda meh about the whole thing. I mean, I would love it if they could book the likes of Debbie Gibson & Tiffany, or even Martika (who'll be playing Seattle Pride next weekend!)




Check out the list for yourself at the PNE website for full details, performers, and dates!

Women's World Cup FIFA Fan Zone Vancouver

The Women's World Cup is happening and Vancouver is one of the host cities! Go catch a game, or if you just want a taste, check out the FIFA Fan Zone in downtown Vancouver behind the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

It's open everyday for the entire month that the Women's World Cup is taking place, from noon - 9pm! Go check out the festivities and then take some goofy photos like these ones I took:

Check out the website for more info!

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

The inaugural full-length musical from the brand new theatre company Play On Words is the fun-for-all-ages You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! Founded in 2014 by three graduates of the Capilano University Musical Theatre Program, Vancouver has just received yet another wonderful addition to the local theatre scene.

The location for the show is at the very fitting Strathcona Ukranian Hall and Dance Centre, with its elementary school gymnasium vibe making it the perfect setting for this show based on the beloved Peanuts characters created by Charles Schulz.

The show itself centers around different scenes from the life of Charlie Brown. You will get everything you want from a Charlie Brown musical, from Linus and his blanket to Lucy and her psychiatry booth. Sadly, there is no scene featuring Lucy, Charlie, and a football he'll never manage to kick but all is forgiven when you see Snoopy as the Red Baron, Schroeder's ode to Beethoven, and the mandatory baseball game with good ol' Chuck as the manager. (Why the musical didn't incorporate Peppermint Patty or Marcy into the storyline is beyond me!)

Standout performances were definitely from Paige Fraser as the bullying but hilarious Lucy and Theo Budd's soulful interpretation of Snoopy. The only thing I knew about the show beforehand was Kristen Chenoweth's Tony-winning performance as Sally and her performance of My New Philosophy, which was done justice here in this production by Sophie-Anne Leroux as Sally and Justin Lapena as Schroeder.

It's charming and cute, with just the right amount of childlike qualities to provide you with an evening of innocence and fun.

Good grief, go see You're a Good Man Charlie Brown already! It's playing now until June 13th at the Ukranian Hall and Dance Center in Strathcona.  More information at Play On Words. 

When Marnie Was There

I know, I know. It's so amazingly sunny outside, why would anyone in their right mind want to go into the dark confines of a movie theatre? Does it help if I tell you that there's air conditioning and the seats are super comfortable over at the Vancity Theatre?

Well, if that's not enough to persuade you, then at least let me tell you about the Japanese anime I went to see the other day, When Marnie Was There.

Beautiful and tender are the two words I would use to describe this tale of Anna, a young girl sent to the countryside to try and cope with her bouts of depression and asthma. While there, she meets a mysterious but loving girl named Marnie and their two worlds get intertwined until the mystical revelation is discovered at the film's climax.

"Perhaps the last film destined to come from the legendary Studio Ghibli, this beautifully animated tale would make a worthy swansong."

When Marine Was There plays at the Vancity Theatre on June 13 & 14. (Told in original Japanese with English subtitles)

SHOWTUNES Night at 1181

It's Tony awards season! This week we celebrate the best of the Tonys at SHOWTUNES Night at 1181!  Friday June 5, 6-9pm at 1181 Davie Street! Come on by! For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/761082330656238/