East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast

This was only my second year of taking in the East Van Panto, and this tale as old as time did not disappoint with its take on the classic Beauty and the Beast, with its annual East Van spin. 

Everything is familiar but just slightly off. We have our brainy Belle, who wants to become a finance person, a Beast who is turned into a mattress, a family of skunks and their Skunk Overlord, and a well-placed joke about Ken Sims. If you're familiar with the intersection of Venables and Clark, you'll appreciate all the Mr. Mattress and Fujiya humour throughout the show. 

The songs skewer popular hits such as Kylie Minogue's summertime anthem Padam Padam, (as well as her early 2000s monster hit Can't Get You Out of my Head), the Beach Boys' Kokomo, and Ryan Gosling's I'm Just Ken from the Barbie movie, to name a few. 

Some standouts included Steffanie Davis who shows off her pipes as the belting Belle, Jason Sakaki as the Beast and whom reminded me of a younger version of Broadway's Cheyenne Jackson, and Mark Chavez who takes on the multiple roles of a marijuana joint, an art dude, King Skunk, and Senor Tamaki, giving each one their own distinct flavour and nailing it each time. 

With its finger on the pulse of pop culture and city politics, Beauty and the Beast is fun for the whole family. Get your tickets here! 

Snow White

 Looking for theatre that's fun for the whole family?

Check out the Carousel Theatre for Young People's presentation of Snow White (retold by playwright Greg Banks), on stage at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island from November 29 to December 31! 

Tickets and more information available here! 

How Black Mothers Say I Love You

From the very onset of Trey Anthony's How Black Mothers Say I Love You, presented by the frank theatre company, we hear joyful rhythmic music playing, but underscored with notes of dread. What exactly was I in for? It sounded welcoming but at the same time, an unsettling feeling of darkness. 

What follows is a play that unravels like an onion, layer after layer. We first encounter the friction between Daphne and her lesbian daughter Claude. Then a mysterious character appears, singing a lullaby type hymn. Who is she? We soon find out exactly who she is, and it's a shame that her only appearances have her singing. 

Enter Valerie, Claude's sister, and for me, the most layered character in the show. She brings up issues of race, marriage, motherhood, and sisterhood. She seemed complex and complicated, while the other characters seemed more set in their ways. 

Overall, an intriguing glimpse into family dynamics that meet at the intersection of sexuality, race, and religion. 

How Black Mothers Say I Love You is on now at the Cultch until November 12. 

The Catering Queen

Well if you've already packed up your Halloween candies and decked the halls with festive cheer, then why not get more into the holiday spirit by checking out the latest show on at the Metro Theatre? 

The Catering Queen is a seasonal comedy revolving around a group of caterers at a hopping holiday function. They deal with unruly guests and ghosts of Christmas past, while wrestling with their own ghosts of Christmas present. 

It's a glimpse behind the scenes at what goes on when you're drunk off your ass during the festive season with the sober catering crew to bear witness. 

So spike the egg nog and go check out The Catering Queen, playing now until November 18 at the Metro Theatre! 

Te Tangi a te Tui

 

On now at the York Theatre is an escape into the lush world of a Maori legend. Te Tangi a te Tui is a circus of movement and a circus of language. The show is told completely in the Maori language, supplying a sensory delight for the ears. Add in singing and musical instruments, and the sonic soundscape is just as important as all the visuals happening before your eyes. 

Prior to the show, ticket holders were emailed a link to an audio file of the show in English. It is highly recommended that you do the homework before attending. I myself did not do that and found myself fairly lost in terms of the storyline, as there is no translation available on stage. 

It is a beautiful and breathtaking show. Te Tangi a te Tui is on now at The York until October 29.

(All photos by David Cooper.) 

The Mousetrap

I attended the opening night of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap this past weekend, playing now at the Metro Theatre in Marpole. 

What more perfect way to kick off the spooky season than with a whodunnit mystery written by the Queen of mysteries herself? In The Mousetrap, we are snowed in somewhere in the English countryside and there is a murderer loose in the manor! Who could it be? I had my theories at intermission, but by the time the play concluded, I was definitely proven wrong. 

Set designer Emily Dotson did a fantastic job with this production! We are immediately transported to an old-school lodging house caught in the throes of a winter snow storm. It's cozy and classic, much like the play itself. You can't go wrong with one of the most enduring plays to hit the stage! 

The Mousetrap is on now at the Metro Theatre until October 7! Get your tickets here! 

More Fringe Fest recommendations!

Who is ready for some Fringe festing!? If you're still looking for shows to attend, here are a few more that might catch your fancy! 

The Holy O

Friday, September 8 @ 6:15 pm
Saturday, September 9 @ 2:45 pm
Sunday, September 10 @ 4:15 pm
Tuesday, September 12 @ 8:15 pm
Thursday, September 14 @ 5:00 pm
Saturday, September 16 @ 7:00 pm

Think Fleabag meets The Vagina Monologues, with Lauren Hance's one-woman show, where main character Vera contemplates becoming a nun, but has never considered celibacy one of her virtues. As Vera’s story unfolds, it intertwines with choose-your-own-adventure stories that explore the connection of body, spirit, and sexuality. Along the way, the audience helps Vera make some of the biggest decisions of her life, starting with what shirt to wear.

Lia & Dor

September 8, 2023 6.35pm
September 9, 2023 1.00pm
September 10, 2023 4.30pm
September 11, 2023 8.35pm
September 14, 2023 5.00pm
September 16, 2023 7.05pm

Immerse yourself in the mysterious world of Romanian folklore sprung from the mind of award-winning Romanian performer and playwright Cristina Tudor in this love letter to her Grandparents and her culture. Come on the journey as she explores the memories of family, the meaning of homeland, and the fables we tell each other about ourselves and the past

How To Be Japanese: Your Normal is Not My Normal

 9:00 p.m. Thursday, September 7

6:30 p.m. Saturday, September 9  

5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 10

6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 12

5:30 p.m. Thursday, September 14

10:00 p.m. Friday, September 15

Vancouver, get ready to be swept off your feet by the uproarious charm of Miyo Yamauchi—a Moth StorySLAM Champion! Hailing from the land of the rising sun but now an adopted Angeleno, Miyo Yamauchi has become the heartbeat of storytelling stages, captivating audiences across LA.

As Miyo herself puts it, "When you step into a new culture like I did, you find yourself on the outside looking in. And that's where the magic happens—the ability to question the norm from a fresh angle." She goes on to explain, "My mission is to show the audience that their everyday, their 'normal,' can transform into something exhilarating through the lens of my quirky world. By grasping the differences, we unveil the common threads that connect us all. And while you laugh at my zany escapades, you might just discover that you're chuckling at your own idiosyncrasies too."

Everything is Super Wow

September 9, 2023 1.00pm
September 10, 2023 8.15pm
September 11, 2023 8.45pm
September 14, 2023 6.45pm
September 16, 2023 5.30pm
September 17, 2023 2.30pm

A foot-fuelled, slapstick tragedy about bikepacking, dreaming big and giving up in your 30s! 

The Pigeon and the Dove: A History of Hatred and Love

Fri Sept 8 - 8:20pm                     

Sat Sept 9 -10:00pm          

Sun Sept 10 - 2:45pm         

Wed Sept 13 - 7:15pm       

Fri Sept 15 - 5pm  

Sat Sept 16 - 3:20pm

Much like the homeless and the housed, the pigeon and the dove are, in fact, the same damn bird. ‘They’ are ‘Us’. Through celebrating the lowly pigeon, we will explore how perception affects the support we offer those experiencing homelessness and how we may prevent this global crisis on a local level. With cycles of lighthearted vignettes about the much-maligned pigeon, related insight from local housing advocates, and dark but danceable songs reflecting on just some of the many roads one can take to end up on the street. By singing these stories we may find them easier to hear. But really, it’s about pigeons.

Let's Talk About Your Death

September 7, 2023 5.00pm

September 10, 2023 5.15pm

September 11, 2023 7.00pm

September 13, 2023 7.15pm

September 16, 2023 10.50pm

September 17, 2023 4.15pm

Have you ever wondered how you’ll die and then wanted to process it on LIVE TV? Well this is the show for you! Let’s Talk About Your Death is a hilarious confrontation of one of our least talked about topics and a celebration of everything that makes us mortal.

Happy Fringing!

All tickets available on the Fringe website! 

Fringe Fest!!

What better way to herald in the Autumn season than with the annual Vancouver Fringe Festival!? It takes place September 7 - 17. 

Fringe can be hit or miss, and that's part of the fun! But here are some featured shows to help you on your way: 

Femmillenial

Thursday, Sept 7th, 8:45pm, Friday, Sept 8th, 5:00 pm, Saturday, Sept 9th, 6:30 pm, Monday, Sept 11th, 8:45 pm, Tuesday, Sept 12th, 7:15 pm

Femmillennial explores the intersection of the modern femme persona and generational evolution. A third question also persists: what do we value as work? Three virtuosic Toronto-based dance artists will invite you into this world: Kiera Breaugh, Dana MacDonald and Claire Whitaker.

This Show Will Change Your Life

September 8th at 8:00pm / September 9th at 9:30pm / September 10th at 2:30pm / September 13th at 9:15pm / September 15th at 5:00pm / September 16th at 3:30pm

Inspired by the deep well of vapid internet gurus, and aggressive self-help books yelling at

you to “Get Your F**king Sh*t Together!!!” Anesti Danelis has decided that he will also add

his voice to the oversaturated void of unsolicited advice. With catchy songs on guitar, piano,

and violin (yes, a violin), you will be serenaded about: stealing from work, living at home,

goats, bisexual revenge, healing crystals, mental health breaks, how to spot a cheating

partner, and so much more!

Anne Geddes: The Unauthorized, Untrue Biography

Friday, September 8 at 6:15 p.m / Saturday, September 9 at 3:00 p.m / Monday, September 11 at 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday, September 12 at 9:00 pm / Saturday, September 16 at 7:15 pm / Sunday, Sept. 17 at 6:15 pm

Anne Geddes’ iconic baby photography is known around the world... but we’ve never truly known the woman behind the camera. Until now. This is the untold, unverified, unresearched story of an artist’s life: her career highs, her complicated upbringing, her relationship with her son, and everything else that goes into making a multi-dimensional artiste. 

Shawshank: The Musical

September 8, 2023 10.05pm / September 9, 2023 8.30pm / September 10, 2023 12.45pm / September 13, 2023 5.00pm / September 14, 2023 8.45pm / September 17, 2023 3.35pm

Follow Andy Dufresne as he navigates the Shawshank prison system along with Red and the gang, while singing parodies of the greatest hits from the incomparable Johnny Cash. Laugh, cry, and tap your feet as we respectfully ridicule the film that is still rated #1 on IMDb.com.

Private Parts: The Secrets We Keep

FRI Sept 8 @ 6:15 PM / SAT Sept 9 @ 4:15 PM / SUN Sept 10 @ 4:30 PM / TUES Sept 12 @ 8:50 PM / THUR Sept 14 @ 5:00 PM / SAT Sept 16 @ 6:45 PM

A one-woman storytelling show about the private parts of her life told through secrets. A funny, touching and thought-provoking show that takes the audience on a journey of love, loss and secrets. Will she find a path to forgiveness and stop history from repeating itself? We all have secrets, all of us, some are just bigger than others.  

Three Acts of a Woman: Birth - Life - Tomorrow

September 7, 2023 5.00pm / September 9, 2023 8.10pm / September 13, 2023 7.00pm / September 15, 2023 7.00pm / September 16, 2023 4.15pm / September 17, 2023 4.45pm

This episodic play powerfully portrays the lives of women reclaiming their power in the face of oppressive forces, aiming to create a better future for themselves and society. Inspired by the real-life Woman-Life-Freedom movement led by Iranian women, who rose up following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police. Each of the three episodes: Birth, Life, Freedom, draws inspiration from iconic female characters in history: Joan of Arc, Antigone, and Medea

Puffy Hair

September 7, 2023 5.45pm / September 10, 2023 6.15pm / September 11, 2023 7.00pm / September 13, 2023 7.15pm / September 16, 2023 10.15pm / September 17, 2023 4.30pm

A night of existential stand-up performed by an id. Using Vaudeville-cum-Fosse dance moves to investigate one woman's ambivalent and tortured relationship to the male gaze, which she alternately cozies up to and execrates, it is a catharsis of self-hatred, body dysmorphia, and self-aggrandizement. A vigorous dose of lipstick smears and shoulder pads. A marriage between Joan Rivers and gastrointestinal turbulence. A struggle to hold space for the existential pressure of a bun. A boopity boop.

Emilio's A Million Chameleons

September 8, 2023 5.00pm / September 9, 2023 6.30pm / September 11, 2023 5.00pm / September 15, 2023 6.45pm / September 16, 2023 2.00pm / September 17, 2023 2.00pm

The only Kids Fringe show this year! A family-friendly musical spectacular, about embracing what makes you special, and letting that inner sparkle shine.

Generic Male: Just What We Need, Another Show About Men

September 9, 2023 2.45pm / September 10, 2023 9.00pm / September 14, 2023 6.45pm / September 16, 2023 6.00pm / September 17, 2023 3.00pm

The Generic Males’ multi-award winning Off-Broadway show comes to Vancouver Fringe for the first time to give us just what we need: another god-damn show about men. It’s fathers and sons, it’s war and death. It takes us into the beating heart of the failing patriarchy as it descends into acrobatic absurdity.

Grease, Too! 

Friday Sept 8, 5:15pm / Sunday Sept 10, 7:20pm / Monday Sept 11, 9:45pm / Thursday Sept 14, 6:40pm / Friday Sept 15, 8:25pm / Saturday Sept 16, 2:45pm

Welcome to this one-woman world of whimsy, where Greased Lightning meets Cool Rider! It’s Grease and Grease 2, all smooshed together in a musical love letter where you can be even more what you feel. Eleven-year old Megz (with a Z, get it right!) is having a Grease viewing party… and when people show up, the fun begins!

Larry

September 7, 2023 5.00pm / September 9, 2023 9.40pm / September 10, 2023 1.00pm / September 13, 2023 7.15pm / September 14, 2023 10.10pm / September 16, 2023 8.00pm

Candice Roberts claims to be a recovering people pleaser and says that Clown School Saved Her Life. LARRY is used to explore her experiences growing up as a female in rural BC, Canada in the 1980s and to transform family challenges into laughter and joy. Culled lovingly from the male archetypes that surrounded her during her upbringing, Larry compassionately examines the limitations of the gender binary, aging as a woman, and the complexities of being human.

All tickets for the Fringe are available online! 

 

Free Outdoor Movies !

Even though Starbucks released their Pumpkin Spice Lattes onto the masses today, summer ain't over yet! There are still some weekends of free outdoor movies left, including: 

The Lost City (August 25th - 8pm at Bob Prittie Library / Metrotown) 

West Side Story (August 30th - 8pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza 

                            & September 1st -8pm at Bob Prittie Library / Metrotown)  

Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (August 30th at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond) 

Bullitt (August 31st at North Vancouver's Cates Deck) 

Lantern Procession

 I miss the days of Illuminares, put on by the now-defunct Public Dreams Society. I remember heading to Trout Lake for the Summer solstice and being immersed into a magical land of fairies and sirens singing in the trees, while being surrounded by a plethora of creative home-made lanterns. 

That's why I was intrigued to find out that they do still have a lantern celebration in the summer at Trout Lake, so I ventured out last night to attend it. Instead of a full on festival, it's a procession, led by a joyful band of musicians and lantern-folk. Everyone jostled behind them, as we all made our way around the lake, following our pied piper of the night. 

Theatre Under the Stars: Matilda

The thought of going to a musical where much of the singing is done by children terrifies me. The only show I would go to willingly would be Annie, based on the strength of the songs. Plus they have Miss Hannigan! 

So when I learned that the alternate show at Theatre Under the Stars this year was going to be Matilda, I was not overly thrilled. But hey, give them a chance right? And boy am I glad I did!

If I was hankering for a dose of Miss Hannigan, well I got it in spades with Matilda's headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, played by Jyla Robinson. Add in a pair of hilariously child-hating parents, played by Victor Hunter & Madeleine Suddaby, and you've got a winning recipe for a terrific family night out! 

Siggi Kaldestad does a fantastic job portraying the lead character, Matilda, and brings new inspiration to young actors everywhere. 

Much like the counterpart show this season, The Prom, there is also a Netflix movie version of this musical, and it too falls flat in comparison to seeing it live, especially outdoors under a shimmering summer sky. 

Matilda is on now at Theatre Under the Stars until August 26! Don't miss out! 

 

Theatre Under the Stars: The Prom

 I was very hesitant to go see The Prom at Theatre Under the Stars for two reasons. One, I had seen the movie The Prom on Netflix and thought it was terrible. I had friends tell me they've seen the Broadway production and that it was way better than the movie adaptation. Okay, fine. 

The second reason is that I remember Theatre Under the Stars from many years ago when I would go to a show and be disappointed, though I have heard that they have gotten a lot better since the days I used to attend. 

Opening night on Tuesday for The Prom was filled with excitement. It was a lovely summer evening. The perfect one really to go out and catch an outdoor musical theatre production. Ambiance, check. 

When the show began, I still had my reservations. The material itself wasn't strong, at least not for an opening number. But then the leads all came out, including Caitriona Murphy as divalicious Dee Dee Murphy. 

The story revolves around a group of New York actors continually failing and flailing on Broadway, who take it upon themselves to do a good deed in order to get audience approval. Their good deed turns out to be a teenage lesbian trying to take her girlfriend to the school prom in smalltown, Indiana. Anna Pontin charms as the teenage lesbian. 

By the end of the show, I was a complete recruit. I thoroughly enjoyed the musical The Prom, and this production from Theatre Under The Stars was of the highest calibre. It was funny and touching and everyone in the show was talented and gave it their all. Keep an eye out for a backflip that will leave you gawking in awe. 

Pride in Vancouver is coming up and this celebratory show about fighting for LGBTQ2+ rights is the perfect way to kick off the season. And you're outdoors in this lovely summer weather, watching a musical underneath the night sky! How perfect is that?! 

The Prom is on now at Theatre Under the Stars at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, alternating with the musical Matilda, now until August 25th! Don't miss out! 

Dirty Laundry

Up from down under is the theatre / circus / drag troupe Briefs Factory International with a show that's been six years in the making! Landing at the York Theatre is their piece, Dirty Laundry. 

Instead of clowns, you've got hilarious drag queens. You've also got some spectacular circus acts to witness as well, from a cheeky Aussie juggler to a literal sword swallower. 

Honestly, I could not stop smiling for the entire show! I was wowed and delighted and at times, terrified. I screamed and kicked my feet in pure enjoyment as well as disbelief! 

Tell all your friends, cause I've already told mine! Go see DIRTY LAUNDRY now! It's on at the York Theatre until June 25. What better way to celebrate Pride month!? 

Unexpecting

Touted as being a play about modern motherhood, I wasn't quite sure I was keen to go see Unexpecting, on now from Zee Zee Theatre. As someone who is not a parent, let alone a mother, would I be able to relate to this show? 

Turns out, the plot revolves around that time in your life when you're about to make big life-changing decisions such as, "Should I take a risk and follow my dreams or go for stability?" Now that I could relate to! 

We are introduced to a lesbian couple who are in the midst of a pending adoption. One woman is up for a big life altering job promotion, while her wife is torn between being a successful sellout commercial artist and staying true to her artistic visions. Throw in a young pregnant lawyer who is uncertain about whether or not to give up her child for adoption, and a scene-stealing best friend (played by Melissa Oei), and you have a recipe for some good old fashioned lesbian drama with top notes of slapstick comedy! 

And the set is intricately designed, transporting you from a Vancouver loft to a night out at a trendy restaurant. All in all, Unexpecting was an unexpected fun night out!  A perfect treat for Mother's Day!! 

Unexpecting is on now at Studio 16 (1551 West 7th Avenue) until May 21st.

Raven

A trio of German women are currently owning the stage down at the York Theatre with their show Raven, a circus performance on the regrets of motherhood. 

Wait, what? A circus with a storyline? I was intrigued to see how this was going to go and was extremely impressed with this piece. We are treated to scenes that involve a contortionist who elevates body dysmorphia to a whole new level or a laundry-folding session turned into a party for one. There are moments dealing with judgement when it comes to being a mom. The main thorough line is that high-wire balancing act of juggling motherhood with a career, the guilt of being seen as selfish and not a good maternal figure. 

There is so much in this tightly packed show runs; it an hour with no intermission. You will find humour, joy, and sadness, alongside daring feats of circus performance, in this reflective and entertaining show sure to make you gasp and sigh and smile. 

Raven by Germany's still hungry is on now at The York Theatre until April 30.