The Messiah

This is the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of baby Jesus as told by an amateur community theatre duo of two men (Peter Carlone and John Voth), playing all the characters from the Wise Men to shepherds to angels to Mary. Throw in an opera diva (played by Karen Ydenberg) for good measure, and you've got yourself a silly and humorous take on the Nativity. 

At first, I wasn't quite sold on the whole amateur community theatre aspect of the show, with Peter, the earnest new actor who is trying to pay his dues, and John Oliver Bunion, the haughty demanding director and overactor of the show. Their constant bickering while trying to tell the tale of Christmas was a bit distracting until it became the meatier part of the program, and Jesus et al. took a backseat. 

In the end, this seemed to be like Pacific Theatre's version of a Christmas panto (complete with some audience particiaption) and it delivers. The Messiah is on now until December 17 at Pacific Theatre. 

East Van Panto - The Little Mermaid

 I don't like pantos. I find them weird and amateur and unfunny. And the audience participation portion makes me nervous. 

All photos by Emily Cooper

But, I cannot stop recommending that everyone rush out now to go see The Little Mermaid, on now until January 1 at the York Theatre, as the 10th anniversary of the East Van Panto. 

It was absolutely ridiculous fun. This is not the Disney cartoon, if that's what you're hoping for. Nor is it really an ode to the Hans Christian Anderson source material. It lays somewhere in between, with musical numbers based on hits of the day, and Vancouver tidbits thrown in for good measure and humour. 

And oh is there humour. The scene stealer for me has to be Dawn Petten who stars as a maniacal Ursula. But everyone from Amanda Sum's Ariel to Ghazal Azarbad's Eeer-k to Mark Chavez's Sebastian, and even the kids who are taking part this year - all are a joy to watch on stage. 

The Little Mermaid is ridiculous silly fun, and guaranteed you will leave with a smile on your face. Tickets available at the Cultch. 

ANIMAL

 Well, eat your heart out, Cirque du Soleil. Who needs ya anyway! Especially when we've got something as organic and hilarious and genuine as ANIMAL, now on at the Vancouver Playhouse thanks to the CULTCH and the Vancouver International Children's Festival. 

This show was mesmerizing and joyful and also slightly terrifying, because these folks are flying without a net, balancing all over the place on top of one another and soaring through the air. There is also a lot of humour and heart in this performance, and is definitely suitable for all ages. 

photo by Rolline-Laporte

Aside from the mind-blowing stunts, the entire show is soundtracked by a live band - including the circus performers themselves, who sing, play instruments, and even yodel! 

photo by Benoit Z Leroux

Created by Cirque Alfonse, this Quebec-based troupe is gracing our city with their presence only until September 24th, so get your tickets immediately and do not miss out on this thrilling and fun night out! 

photo by Rolline-Laporte

ANIMAL had us laughing and gasping at the same time. I cannot recommend it enough!!! 

The Mountaintop

 On Friday night I went to Pacific Theatre to see their last play of the season, The Mountaintop, written by Katori Hall and directed by Omari Newton. 

Wow Wow Wow.  

If you read my last post, you'll know that what I really enjoy about good plays is when the entire play takes place in one long scene. That's exactly what this 90 minute gem is - with no intermission. 

Taking place the night before Martin Luther King Jr gets murdered, we witness an imagined meeting he has at his hotel with a maid who is more than she appears. 

The maid, Camae, is played by Shayna Jones who is simply BEGUILING. I cannot think of another word to describe her. Her energy, her facial expressions, her cadence... all of it. It is perfection and you need to see this show if only to witness greatness. 

And Kwesi Ameyaw's turn as Martin Luther King Jr has big shoes to fill, but he manages to make it his own. He goes from stoic to passionate to angry to scared in mere seconds, and it is a wonder to behold. 

If you are searching for some excellent theatre in the city, then do yourself a favour and book your ticket now for The Mountaintop at Pacific Theatre. It is on now until June 11! 

Himmat

Last night I attended the opening of Himmat, at the Cultch. It is a bilingual play (Punjabi and English) about an Indian family in Vancouver. 

I try not to give negative reviews on this site, so I'll just explain why the play did not work for me. I don't speak Punjabi, so I felt I was missing out on some of the characters and their development when they were not speaking English. I thought there might have been subtitles going into it, but there weren't any. And that's fine. I saw the latest movie version of West Side Story where Spanish is included without subtitles, but I had no problem still relating to the characters since the lines in Spanish were fairly minimal. In Himmat, there are several full scenes that are completely in Punjabi and I had no clue what was happening or being said. It's an ambitious and noble attempt at bringing something seemingly new to Vancouver audiences. 

I took a playwriting course before, and I know that doesn't make me an expert on plays, but it did make me notice a few things. There are numerous scenes and scene changes in Himmat. I've found over the years that the plays I enjoy the most are the ones where the set never changes and it's almost like one long continuous scene, as opposed to one minute vignettes right after the other. It disrupts the flow for me and I find it harder to get into the character development. 

Another thing I learned in that course was that the writer or director should try to avoid having their characters sit down, as it drains the energy out of a production. I definitely felt this didn't help the show last night as the characters were either sitting or laying in a bed or leaning against something. 

When I got home, The Cultch had sent out an email saying they felt it was necessary to send out a synopsis of the show. This is probably a good idea and I wish I had received it beforehand. 

Himmat is on now at The Cultch until May 15.

The Invisible

 

On now at the YORK THEATRE is the musical The Invisible : Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare.  

This is a stunning production with memorable songs about a secret all-female spy cell during WWII. It's inspired by real people and historic events, but was there ever really an all-female spy cell working underground? And if there was, will we ever know for sure? 

This show brings us into that world with a simple set design, stunning lighting, and passionate performers who bring these women's stories to the live stage. 

The Invisible is on now until May 7th! 

Spring 2022 : Collected Works at Rennie

I was sad to hear that the Rennie Museum would be giving up its location in Chinatown soon, but happy to hear that they are giving the space over to the Chinese Canadian Museum. I recently went to visit, fearing it would be their last exhibit there (luckily there is at least one more to look forward to!) and I spoke with one of the employees, who told me that the gallery would be relocating, so there is still going to be a space in Vancouver to see Rennie's art collection! 

Right now though, there are a number of different artists being displayed at the Rennie that are worth your time :  Larry Clark, Katy Grannan, and Andres Serrano. Here's a sampling of some of their pieces, but I highly recommend you book your free visit now and look at the exhibition as a whole. 

Book your visit at the Rennie Gallery here. 

How The World Began

 I haven't been to the Pacific Theatre in over two years, and boy was it good to be back! I'd forgotten how being there always made me feel like I was in New York at some off-Broadway theatre. It's not just the atmosphere either, it's also the continuous quality productions that they put on. 

Last night saw the opening of How The World Began, which explores the clash of religion vs. science. It's thought provoking and exhilarating, no matter which side of the conversation you fall on. 

Photo Credit: Diamond’s Edge Photography

Actors Pictured: Ron Reed, Evan Rein, Meghan Gardiner

Designers: Stephanie Kong (Costume), Jessica Oostergo (Set), John Webber (Lighting), Marcus Vaillant (Properties), Rick Colhoun (Sound)

We are introduced to Susan, a new Science teacher recently relocated to small town Kansas from the bright lights of New York. She is met with student Micah, who has an issue with something she had stated in class, basically scoffing at the idea of creationism, which juxtaposes Micah's religious beliefs. Throw in Gene, Micah's guardian, who represents the close-knit mentality of a small town, and this is one explosive powder keg just ready to ignite. 

There is friction, frustration, anxiety, and stress. There is no intermission, so the ride continues with or without you. At times I was reminded of David Mamet's Oleanna, in that there was a lot of "he said, she said" moments with misunderstandings left, right, and centre. A turn in the fourth act really brought it all together for me and made the play not just a debate between those of faith and those of science, but a piece about humanity and our differences, but more importantly, how we navigate and embrace them. 

How The World Began is on now until April 16 at the Pacific Theatre. 

Shakespeare's First Folio and Yoko Ono at the VAG

 If you haven't yet gone to the Vancouver Art Gallery yet to check out Shakespeare's First Folio, it's pretty damn cool to see. It's like such an immense part of Western history, that one just has to go see it for their own eyes. 

Also on still is the Yoko Ono exhibit, which couldn't be more timely given what's happening in the Ukraine right now, with a message of peace and anti-war.  There are also enough participatory installations to keep one entertained. 

Speaking of participatory installations, the latest exhibit aims to engage viewers with its focus on Artificial Intelligence. I wasn't too fussed about this exhibit to be honest. I was also surprised to see an entire floor of the art gallery currently closed off as it is in between exhibitions. Considering it's Spring Break and many people might want to bring their kids to the art gallery to turn their kids onto art, I would've thought they'd want to have as many exhibits on and open during this period, but what do I know. 

Check out the Vancouver Art Gallery for yourself and see what you think! 

BOW'T TRAIL Retrospek

As part of the Cultch's fifth annual Femme Festival, last night saw the opening of the dance performance BOW'T TRAIL Retrospek, starring Rhodine Désir. 

Now I don't pretend to know anything about dance. But this was a powerful and exhilarating performance to behold. Not only with the choreography and movement that we were lucky enough to witness, but also the live music performed by two accompanying "maestro musicians." 

This is culture and it is back in fine form, so don't miss your chance to experience it. Thank you to everyone involved for this opportunity to see this award-winning performance. 

BOW'T TRAIL Retrospek is on now at The Cultch until March 26 !  

Great Freedom

 It's good to be back at the movies, isn't it? 

I did go to a few during the pandemic but it's been few and far between. And last year I partook in the online Vancouver International Film Festival by purchasing a pass to stream films at home. 

Tonight however, I set foot once again in the Vancity VIFF Theatre on Seymour Street to catch the Cannes award winning feature, Great Freedom, a German film about a gay man who is released from Nazi Germany's concentration camps only to be put in jail for his homosexuality immediately after. 

It wasn't the gay prison love story I had imagined, but it was definitely moving and had me in tears at one point. I could see why it would be a winner at the Cannes Film Festival. 

Check out Great Freedom at the VIFF Theatre! Showtimes and tickets here. 

Hey Viola!

 

If you're wondering about the woman who graces the Canadian $10 bill, Viola Desmond, then wonder no more. 

Playing now at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster is Krystle Dos Santos' one person show (with a four piece band), Hey Viola! 

Live theatre is back and this is a perfect one to get you back into the mode of going out and getting some fine entertainment while learning a bit about forgotten Canadian history. We learn about the woman who was Viola Desmond, as imagined by Dos Santos and through songs of the period. 

I wasn't expecting to be as moved as I was with this show. There was definitely a moment when I could hear people around me also shedding tears. Moving and poignant, Hey Viola is a musical for the times! 

Hey Viola! is on now until March 27 at the Anvil Centre. 

SUM Gallery : Sovereignty

 Did you know there was an art gallery here in Vancouver dedicated to Queer Arts? 

I just found out recently that the SUM Gallery exists, over in Chinatown! This space is courtesy of the Queer Arts Festival. 

On now until May 14 is the show Sovereignty by Duane Isaac, who is a Mi'gmaq photograpgher and mask maker.  

It's free to visit the SUM Gallery, you just have to book an appointment! Go check it out! 

Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer

If you are like me, and not sure about going to live theatre yet, then by all means please go dip your toe into what's playing now at the York Theatre. This was my first live play in two years! And it was FULL CAPACITY. Kinda like the olden times, but with everyone in masks. 

The play is Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer, written and directed by Kevin Loring of the Nlaka’pamux Nation.

I went into the show knowing next to nothing about the story. Judging from the title alone, I thought it was going to be a serious play. And yes, there are definitely serious messages in it, but it is delivered with wit and charm and over-the-top satirical prowess. 

The show centres around an Indigenous man named Little Red Warrior, who is trying to defend his land against developers. And from there, comedy ensues, if you can believe it. I don't want to give out too many details as I found not knowing anything about the show really helped me enjoy the moment. And what a moment to be in. A theatre full of people laughing and enjoying themselves with some live entertainment. If the pandemic is soon to be over and we are ready to party hard again, this is definitely a good start.  

In short, Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer is a raucous good time! It is playing now at the York Theatre until March 13. 

Rocky Horror Picture Show

 Wow it's been two years since I last posted on here. 

I mean, we all know why. The pandemic hit and everything shut down. I should've tried to keep this blog up to date with some FUN things that we could do during lockdown, but I think most people found their own way. 

I was very excited to attend my first live musical show in 2 years the other day. It was Langara's Studio 58's production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I didn't need to see this. I've seen this before. But it's slim pickings these days, and I know Studio 58 does great work. And wow, I'm so glad I went! 

Zac Bellward as Frank-N-Furter is an absolute REVELATION. When he appears on stage and starts to sing? It makes every penny I paid for my ticket worth it. The show is now over, and it was sold out by the end of it, so if you missed it, that's a shame. 

But, for those who did miss out, one thing is for certain. Studio 58 is back and better than ever! I can't wait to see what they've got planned for us next.