In many ways, Theatre in the Raw is right on point with its production of The Threepenny Opera. The three-act musical tells the story of those left on the margins of society while capitalism prevails in Victorian London. Using a unique, in-your-face approach, Theatre in the Raw’s production effectively takes its audience into the seedy 19th-century world of beggars, prostitutes, and criminals, with some English-music-hall flavour to keep things from getting too dark and heavy.
Read moreTheatre Preview: CREEPS takes a hard look at living with disability in the seventies →
When Rena Cohen first watched CREEPS over four decades ago, her life changed forever. David E. Freeman’s dark comedy about four disabled men marked one of the first times a Canadian play openly addressed discrimination in such a raw, gritty manner.
Read moreRent intermittently reaches the 1996 rock opera's original heights →
When the musical Rent premiered on Broadway in 1996, it took the world by storm with its insightful commentary on urban New York life in the midst of the AIDS epidemic. Today, Vancouver theatre fans, especially those too young to have seen the original production, will appreciate URP’s current rendition, which offers shades of the original. However, URP’s production doesn’t quite live up to the legacy of Rent, falling short in many important details.
Read moreTheatre Preview: Returning North Vancouver company's big bet on Rent →
This month, URP’s staging of Broadway musical Rent at Centennial Theatre will mark the first time the company has produced a mainstage show in seven years. Since 1995, URP (formerly Uncle Randy Productions) has produced 23 full-scale musicals in North Vancouver, which served as a breeding ground for young, talented theatre artists, and allowed local audiences to enjoy a variety of big name musicals on home turf. All of that came to an abrupt end in 2009, after URP’s production of High School Musical 2.
Read moreJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has a ball of biblical proportions →
Align Entertainment’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the perfect treat for musical-theatre fans in the mood for some zany fun. The show is a loose retelling of the biblical tale of Joseph from the Book of Genesis, set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and with lyrics by Tim Rice.
Read moreBallet BC’s "Program 1" uses shadows, lights and inventive choreography to explore emotions and memories
Ballet BC raised the curtain on its 2016/2017 season last night, with the sophisticated Program 1. This brilliantly creative and well-danced collection of contemporary ballet pieces explores time, space, memory, and the emotions we remember from relationships.
Read moreAges of the Moon pokes well-executed fun at aging →
There’s a famous quote that says, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” In Lonesome Moon Productions’ Ages of the Moon, a play by Sam Shepard, a one-day hangout session between two old friends brings up issues of lifelong jealousies, frustrations, and vulnerabilities while the two wait to witness a lunar eclipse that night.
Read morePop-up Taiwanese puppet festival coming to MOA →
From pop-up restaurants to pop-up stores, the theme of setting something up for a limited time in an unconventional setting is all the rage these days.
In keeping with this theme, the Museum of Anthropology is turning heads with the Taiwanese Puppet Festival from November 5 to 6. Amidst a cool museum setting, audiences will get to see talented Taiwanese puppetry performers tell both timeless and contemporary tales.
Read moreJames and Jamesy light up the dark
Discovering yourself and the world around you is precious. Vancouver comedy duo Aaron Malkin and Alastair Kowles recently captured the essence and beauty of this discovery from an imaginative angle that wowed local audiences. Malkin and Kowles’ abstract comedic play, James and Jamesy in the Dark, took audiences on a fun journey using simple production elements, Pixar-like creativity and Charlie Chaplin-inspired vaudeville comedy.
Read moreThe Concierge of Vancouver is a fresh look at city's housing crisis →
From headline news stories to cocktail party conversations, Vancouver’s housing crisis seems to be a daily topic of conversation. Matchmaker Production’s current play, The Concierge of Vancouver, written by Sahul Ezer, looks into this topic from a pretty cool angle. While the writing of the play isn’t amazing, the story itself is fascinating and the talented cast deliver top notch performances.
Read moreOut On Screen gala benefits LGBTQ youth across BC →
This past Saturday, Out On Screen, the non-profit organization behind the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, hosted its 14th annual fall gala. Held on the Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre, the event featured sassy drag performances from Isolde N. Barron and Adam Zapple.
Read moreHottest arts shows this fall: Girl Power to Vampire Seduction →
Pumpkin Spice lattes, peacoats, boots, TV series premieres and Halloween decorations at the mall… yes friends, welcome to fall. Fall is always an exciting time of new beginnings – a time to put down those summer cocktails and get back into the swing of things. And Calgary’s fall arts lineup is so exciting, you’ll want to grab that Pumpkin Spice latte stat and head out to all the happenings around town.
Read moreThe Book of Mormon - The ultimate guilty pleasure
If you’ve been hearing shrieks of laughter coming from the Queen Elizabeth Theatre lately, it’s because The Book of Mormon is back in Vancouver. This nine time Tony Award-winning musical is wildly and inappropriately tickling the funny bone of YVR and it feels so wrong…and so right at the same time!
Read moreOur fav Mormon boys are back in town and they want to give you the book!
"The Book of Mormon" has returned to Vancouver and plays until September 4. Photo credit: Broadway Across Canada.
Our favourite boys are back in town! That’s right, The Book of Mormon, presented by Broadway Across Canada, is back in Van and so are some of the most adorable Mormon missionaries ever! And they’re on a mission to steal your hearts with their cuteness and killer song and dance skills.
Read moreTheatre Under The Stars casts a magical spell with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
There’s something enchanted in Stanley Park this summer. It’s the stage production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, presented by Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS). The beloved “tale as old as time” has cast a magical spell over the Malkin Bowl theatre in Stanley Park and you’ll want to catch it before the end of August.
Read moreTheatre Under the Stars disgraces West Side Story
West Side Story is an iconic American musical known for its powerful message and brilliant showcase of dance and music. Unfortunately, Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) current production running at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park is so disappointing that it will break the heart of theatre fans.
Read moreYour guide to 2016 Vancouver Pride →
Things are about to heat up this week in Vancouver, as YVR prepares to celebrate Pride 2016. The Vancouver Pride Society’s theme this year is “Better Together,” honouring the strength we gain and accomplishments we achieve when we stand together. This year’s Pride will feature the 38th annual Vancouver Pride parade, and our amazing Prime Minster Justin Trudeau will be proudly marching.
Read more"Rock of Ages" is a blast despite a few letdowns
The Arts Club knows how to rock, and they’re currently heating things up at the Granville Island Stage with the Tony Award-nominated musical, Rock of Ages, directed and choreographed by Peter Jorgenson. And while the show isn’t the strongest effort I’ve seen from Arts Club, it’s still a pretty good time.
Read moreThe secrets of Dr. Seuss are revealed in Vancouver
Attention Dr. Seuss fans (so basically everyone at some point in their lives): the author famous for such works as The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, is having his art featured in a free exhibition at the Pendulum Gallery (885 West Georgia St) in downtown Vancouver.
Read more26th Annual Honda Celebration of Light is ready to shine
Get ready to light up the night with the 26th annual Honda Celebration of Light at English Bay. This exciting display of fireworks set to music kicks off the first of its three performances tonight and will continue on Wednesday, July 27 before concluding in spectacular Disney-fashion on Saturday, July 30.
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