Starwalker

 Whenever I see that I'm attending a homegrown musical and that it's a world premiere, I admit that I am prejudiced into thinking that it's not going to be good. But upon arriving at The York theatre on opening night of Starwalker, I was immersed into the positive energy that was vibing throughout the building. There were dignitaries in one corner, drag queens in another, Indigenous dancers in yet another, and smiles all around. Everyone was eager to see the show that we were all about to witness. 

From the opening number, we were presented with a brand new musical of such calibre that it should go directly to Broadway next. No joke. The songs were great, the singing was fantastic, the dancing was entertaining, and the storyline was engaging. Add in the Indigenous culture element, and this is something you've not seen before. 

The story revolves around Star, a lost soul who finds themself embraced into the fold of the House of Borealis, a group of drag performers who have become chosen family to one another. Through their support, Star becomes the person they've always meant to be, while also navigating a love interest, a maternal figure, and a secret past. The House of Borealis itself also has its underlying tension going on.

This show has humour and it has heart. Writer Corey Payette's achievement is astounding, and if he won the Tony award one day, I would not at all be surprised. The imagery in the show is memorable and the messages it brings forward are important and heard, but without hammering the audience over the head with it. A balance of entertainment and education. 

Go see Starwalker now at The York Theatre, on until March 5. 

O'DD

 I only went to one show this year at the PuSh Festival. I often forget about the PuSh Festival, but it's a good winter activity for those of you into theatre and the arts. It features numerous productions from all around the world. 

My friend took me to see O'DD last night, which is from the Race Horse Company in Finland. It featured a naked man on stage with saran wrap, medicine balls, and a trampoline. Oh and don't forget about the spinning disc which was dizzying to witness. It was a beautiful amazing show, while also terrifying and breath taking. 

If you're going to only one show this year at PuSh, then go see O'DD. It is on today at 2pm. 

Tickets here. Do not miss out!! 

Fado - The Saddest Music in the World

 

Escape to Portugal by heading down to the Firehall Arts Centre to catch the spellbinding tale of Fado - The Saddest Music in the World. 

We follow a young woman and her mother as they travel across the waters back to their homeland in Lisbon, Portugal, to learn about the wonders of Fado music, grieve the singer Amalia Rodrigues, and come face to face with ghosts of their pasts and present. 

I was lucky enough to attend the show on a night when the Consultate General of Portugal was in the audience, and he generously invited everyone upstairs for an after-party complete with port and Portuguese tarts for everyone! 

 Fado - The Saddest Music in the World is on for one more week until Feb 5 at the Firehall ! 

Little Willy

 

Ronnie Burkett returns to the Cultch in his first post-pandemic performance, and boy was the crowd ready for it.  Little Willy is the latest incarnation of the infamous Daisy Theatre troupe's repertoire. This time around, they tackle William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but also not quite. 

They do make it through the general storyline of the love story tragedy, but with the backstage bickering and musical interludes, this is most definitely a Daisy Theatre production and not a marionette version of Bard on the Beach. Rather, this one is pure joy and hilarity! 

Throw in some audience participation, including as Burkett described it, "two shirtless guys and four dancing dicks," and you know this is not a puppet show for the kids. It's raunchy and it's funny and it's also touching, in that sentimental way of how things used to be, before 2020 turned the world upside down. 

The audience, Ronnie Burkett, and the puppets, were all thrilled to be in the room sharing this one of a kind unique experience. You could attend each night of the run and get a different show, so do it already! 

Little Willy is on now at The Cultch until January 29. 

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!!!