Broadway Across Canada : Pretty Woman

Okay, Broadway Across Canada. You've made up for the train wreck of a show that was Anastasia a few weeks ago. Landing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is the musical adaptation of the iconic film Pretty Woman. 

Much to my surprise and delight, it stars RENT's original Roger - Adam Pascal - in the Richard Gere role of Edward. And newcomer Jessie Davidson delights in the role of Vivian, which is a feat since who can really fill Julia Roberts' boots? 

It's got pretty much everything you would want, if you're a fan of the film. The songs and music, written by Bryan Adams with Jim Vallance, were not the greatest and fairly forgettable, but decent enough to entertain. The sets were fun and elaborate enough for a touring Broadway show. All in all, a good time out! And I repeat, you get to see ADAM PASCAL perform!!! 

If you don't go see this, it's a big mistake. Big. HUGE.

Pretty Woman is on now until April 2 in Vancouver. 

aBIOTIC

 The New Media Gallery at the Anvil Centre in New West continues to blow my mind with their exhilarating exhibits. This time around, we are treated to aBIOTIC which revolves around the source of life itself, water. 

 In one room, a strong bass pulsates through a pool of inked water, creating ripples and shapes that are lit and projected up onto the wall canvas. 

In another room, we witness a CLOUD MACHINE. Literally, a machine that CREATES CLOUDS. It is hypnotic as we watch these clouds interact with music that either lures it forward through the glass case or pauses it and lets it all but evaporate. Absolutely hypnotic. 

And finally, in the main room, there is a box. Inside this box is dry ice, which pushes the oxygen out of the box. Then this robot machine is triggered and blows a soap bubble into said box. The bubble hangs in mid air. It is a beautiful thing and the guides / docents at this gallery will tell you more and perhaps reveal what the meanings are behind these three pieces of work. 

Go to the New Media gallery now to catch this exhibit on till April 23. 

Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream

 On now at The Cultch straight from New Zealand is the one person show, Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream, by Indian Ink Theatre. 

Jacob Rajan , photo by Ankita Singh

We are brought into a world of sky burials, the tradition of leaving deceased bodies in towers to be stripped to the bone by vultures. And yes, there is a vulture in this show, and it's pretty magnificent, even if it isn't a real one. 

It's probably not fair to call this a one-person show, although Jacob does all the heavy lifting. But let's not forget about the vulture and the vulture's handler, Jon Coddington. 

However, it's definitely because of Rajan's ability to seamlessly switch from one character to another that propels the story along. We meet Kutisar on the night of his death, as he flashes back to moments in his life that have led him here. 

At 80 mins with no intermission, the standing ovation at the end was well deserved. 

Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream is on now at The Cultch until April 19. 

My Little Tomato

 

Presently on at the Cultch is a smart little rom-com that takes on grief and loneliness with a twist of drag thrown in. We meet Keaton Chu, played by Nelson Wong (you'll recognize him from local commercials and bus stop ads, as well as countless Hallmark movies to name a few of his credentials), who is grieving the loss of his parents and having to deal with taking over their produce farm. 

Enter one Joe McKinlay, played by Taylor Kare, who shakes up Keaton's world in more ways than one. Throw in a dancing tomato and your evening is made. Written by Rick Tae, My Little Tomato is a fun foray into the world of two men trying to find themselves and wind up finding each other. Directed by Cameron Mackenzie, of Zee Zee Theatre, the energy in the show is palpable. This is also a partnership with the Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre as well as Rice & Beans Theatre, making it a true community affair! 

This is a fun, smart, and hilarious night out at the theatre! Don't miss it! 

My Little Tomato is on now at The Cultch until March 19.  

Oz

Visit the land of Oz this Spring Break, if you're looking for a family friendly show to take the kids to! 

L. Frank Baum is in trouble—forty-four years old and on the eve of his greatest creative work—he is a “jack of all trades” but success eludes him. It is 1899 in Chicago and Baum is putting the finishing touches on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but putting dreams on paper is elusive business and Baum is struggling with some definite plot problems, no title and no ending! Like the cyclone in his story, Baum’s housekeeper, Bridgey, and a little girl named Dot get swept up in the mad vortex of his tale, as Baum enlists them to help him improvise the story. Suddenly, an overstuffed Victorian study becomes a magical land, a black, horsehair footstool becomes Toto; a ceiling fan with scarves becomes the cyclone; stuffing from the sofa, a potbelly stove and a bearskin rug become the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Cowardly Lion. Somewhere, in the heart of this frenzy is the whole creative process, and in the end we realize that Baum is the real wizard of Oz, but he needs an assistant … our imaginations.

Carousel Theatre presents OZ, on now until March 26. Tickets available here! 

Broadway Across Canada: Anastasia

 Last night I went to see Anastasia, the Musical. My friend and I bought our tickets for this show three years ago. We were to see it in March of 2020, but well, you know what happened. It got postponed, and then postponed again. Finally, the day had come for us to finally see this show! 

And wow, I regret not taking the refund that was being offered to me and instead sticking with the tickets. This show was terrible. There was zero chemistry between the actors. The songs were boring. The script was dull. The acting was not great. 

My friend and I, after waiting three long years to see this, ended up walking out at Intermission. And we were not the only ones. Other people exiting with us commiserated about how terrible the show was. "Like, that was BAD," said the stranger outside to us. 

I'll be at another Broadway Across Canada production later this month - Pretty Woman - and I'm hoping it will be a lot better than this. Or will it just be a big mistake? Huge? 

Anastasia is on now at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre until March 12.