Something Rotten!: A hilarious, uplifting celebration of musical theatre

July 11, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

The company of TUTS’ Something Rotten! Splitting centre is Katie-Rose Connors (left) and Kamyar Pazandeh (right), with Jyla Robinson (far right). Photo credit: Emily Cooper

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Vancouver’s iconic Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) recently reopened with a radiant production of the Tony Award-winning musical Something Rotten! at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. And there is certainly nothing rotten about this hilarious and wonderfully polished production under the direction of Rachel Peake, with choreography by Nicol Spinola and musical direction by Brent Hughes.

Wolves Are Coming for You: Enjoyably mysterious, with no bells and whistles needed

June 30, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

Fear has a way of stripping us down to our true selves, and it’s not always pretty. And while our ugly sides can surface, so too can virtues such as bravery, empathy, and teamwork. In short – the worst and best of us can come to light; and this message sang through in Stone’s Throw Production’s recent staging of Wolves Are Coming For You, a play written by Joel Horwood.

Kinky Boots joyfully struts its stuff, celebrating inclusion and authenticity

June 19, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

The cast of Arts Club Theatre’s Kinky Boots. Photo credit: Moonrider Productions.

Broadway sensation Kinky Boots has kicked its way into the Stanley Theatre and my opinion of this production is: Shantay, you stay! (as RuPaul would say). Presented by Arts Club Theatre and under the wise direction of Barbara Tomasic, this staging of the Tony Award-winning musical offers high-energy, wit, poignancy, and above all else, an uplifting and inspirational message.

Emotional narrative and heartfelt music delivered in Once

June 15, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

Show poster for Renegade Arts Co's production of Once

Once, the 2012 Tony Award-winning musical, is a gem of a show, and thanks to Renegade Arts Co, Vancouver audiences are being treated to a taste of this work. This production is a bare bones production, but the hard-working and talented company and creative team have tried their best to deliver every ounce of quality from this show. Despite its limited resources, this production succeeds in embodying the emotions and spirit of Once.

Masterful storytelling paints a dark, intriguing tale in Terminus

June 4, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

Terminus, a one-act play written by Mark O’Rowe, is a black comedy told through multiple monologues performed by the show’s three characters. Throughout this series of monologues, each character helps paint the story of a dark, fateful night in Dublin that dramatically changes many lives. This production, presented by Jeb Beach and Associates, and directed by Shane Savage, is an interesting 90-minute storytelling experience that leaves you a little more on edge each time a character finishes their monologue and the next one begins.

Men Express Their Feelings: Fun and insightful play examines what can get in the way

March 26, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

Men Express Their Feelings is a one-act play that examines pre-conceived expectations of male behaviour and emotional expression – or lack thereof. At the heart of this clever and insightful play is the generational divide between Gen Z and their Gen X parents, especially when it comes to sexuality and gender norms.

Alice in Wonderland gets an East Van makeover in entertaining pantomime

December 3, 2021 Vince Kanasoot

You know it’s the holiday season again when The Cultch and Theatre Replacement light up the York Theatre with its annual pantomime. This year, the show is East Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland, and we get to watch Lewis Carroll’s famous heroine adventure through East Vancouver – as seen through a Wonderland filter.

Arts Club brings holiday spirit back to the stage with reimagined version of A Christmas Carol

November 30, 2021 Vince Kanasoot

The recent opening of Arts Club Theatre Company’s Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol marked the return of main stage theatre to Vancouver since COVID-19. And what better way to re-ignite the stage lights of the Stanley Theatre than a masterful blend of creative staging, technical design, and live performances. The result is musical theatre magic that we’ve been deprived of for far too long.

The Hunger Moon treats audiences to 4 interesting and intimate plays

March 21, 2021 Vince Kanasoot

Presented by Vancouver theatre company Ordinary Productions, The Hunger Moon: An Evening of Short Plays – allows audiences to enjoy four very creative plays, both in-person and online. I enjoyed watching all the plays, as I found the concepts for each quite unique.