Choir Boy

It was on a rainy Sunday afternoon this past weekend when I decided last minute to purchase a ticket to the Arts Club Theatre's production of the hit Broadway play Choir Boy. 

It's about a young gay Black student played by the forceful and enigmatic Andrew Broderick, who is dealing with friendships and being picked on at his all-boys school where he is the lead of the school choir. Anton May provides a nuanced performance as his character of David, while Kwaku Okyere is explosive as the bully Bobby. Savion Roach plays the roommate of our lead character and brought tears to my eyes with his portrayal of kindness. 

The show was emotional and moving, with a superb set (designed by Rachel Forbes) that transformed amidst acapella hymns sung by the cast. The singing was transcendent. It's not a musical, mind you. It's a play, with songs in it. At 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission, Choir Boy had me completely captivated and is quite likely the best thing I've ever seen put on by the Arts Club at the Stanley Theatre. 

The songs and the story were both simply beautiful. Go see it! Choir Boy is on now until February 25. 

Into the Woods

Studio 58 at Langara continues to produce high-calibre productions for the city of Vancouver! If you're not attending their shows, then you are missing out. 

Currently on display is the Sondheim classic Into the Woods. With brilliant production design by Candelario Andrade, we are transported into a fairy tale land that holds some shocks and surprises for you. 

Some may not know this, but Into the Woods can be looked at as an AIDS parable. Written at the height of the epidemic, Sondheim pulled on the environment around him to create a show that deals with grief, loss, and consequence. Of course, it can also be enjoyed on a more superficial level too, with the story of the Baker and his Wife trying to have a child by undoing a curse put on them by their neighbouring witch. Throw in some fairy tale favourites like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, and this could very well be fun for the whole family! 

A definite crowd favourite on opening night was Brynna Drummond, who does double duty as both the lecherous Big Bad Wolf and one of  the smarmy Prince Charmings. 

Into The Woods is on now at Studio 58 until February 18!