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VAN CITY VINCE

The adventures of Vince Kanasoot, a public relations boy in Vancouver.

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VAN CITY VINCE

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  • About Vince
  • Theatre Reviews
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The Queen of Carthage: Retelling of Greek tragedy will focus on female empowerment

June 11, 2023 Vince Kanasoot
2023 Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival banner

This summer, the 2023 Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival (previously named the Vancouver Bach Festival), will showcase the achievement of women composers, librettists, and performers of the past and present. Running July 27 to August 5 at various venues including SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts and The Orpheum Annex, the theme for this year’s festival is WOMENinSIGHT. The festival will kick off with the world premiere of The Queen of Carthage, co-produced by Early Music Vancouver (EMV) and re:Naissance Opera. I recently interviewed Marisa about her involvement with this show and what audiences can expect.

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Tags Van City Vince, Vancouver Theatre, Vancouver, Theatre, Dance, Music, Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival, The Queen of Carthage, Theatre Preview, Marsia Gold
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Cats still rules the night

May 26, 2023 Vince Kanasoot

The company of Cats. Photo credit: Matthew Murphy, Murphymade

Thank goodness cats have nine lives, because the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats is still kicking it 41 years after it first premiered in London’s West End. The current national tour, which is currently playing in Vancouver, is a re-creation of the 2016 Broadway revival—the second major version in North America. This production maintains the authenticity of the original London/Broadway production, with exciting freshness thanks to the young, talented cast members, many of whom probably were not born yet when the original Broadway production closed in 2000.

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In Theatre Review Tags Broadway Across Canada, Theatre review, Van City Vince, Vancouver Theatre, Musical, Dance
1 Comment

Expect fresh, smart, and touching storytelling in Unexpecting

May 8, 2023 Vince Kanasoot
Show image of Jessica Heafey and Rahat Saini

Jessica Heafey and Rahat Saini star in Unexpecting. Photo credit: Tina Krueger Kulic.

It’s human nature to avoid dealing with trauma. And big, life-changing turns often provide ideal opportunities to mask our wounds. In Unexpecting, a newly premiered stage play by Bronwyn Carradine, we see a couple deal with the fallout of their adoption plans going amiss. With their anticipated new life suddenly uncertain, they’re forced to deal with a haunting trauma they’ve never resolved. Unexpecting is an insightful and sensitive play told with humour by relatable and likeable characters. It’s also a breath of fresh air in the arsenal of queer stories in theatre.  

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Tags Theatre review, Zee Zee Theatre, Vancouver theatre review, Van City Vince
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Sense and Sensibility remains fresh and vibrant in Arts Club production

March 12, 2023 Vince Kanasoot
Cast members of Sense and Sensibility performing onstage.

Cast members of Sense and Sensibility. Photo credit: Moonrider Productions

Jane Austen originally published her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, anonymously in 1811, perhaps weary in how the success of a novel penned by a woman would be limited. She also may have wanted to protect herself from societal backlash from a novel that so boldly spoke about the inequitable role of women and their unfortunate dependency on marriage for both societal and economic wellbeing. Austen’s stories were the original Bridgerton. The Arts Club Theatre’s production of Sense and Sensibility, a two-act play written by Kate Hamill and directed by Rachel Peak, is a charming and fresh interpretation of Austen’s work, with creative staging and enduring performances.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre review, Van City Vince, Vancouver, Vancouver theatre, The Arts Club Theatre Company
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Oz has magical moments, but not enough sparkle to shine to the end

March 6, 2023 Vince Kanasoot
Actors playing Dot and Frank L. Baum onstage.

Megan Zong as Dot and Stephen Thakkar as L. Frank Baum. Photo credit: Sarah Race

Carousel Theatre for Young People (CTYP)’s production of Oz, written by Patrick Shanahan, is a play that offers a backstory in how L. Frank Baum completed the writing of his book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It features wonderful theatrical magic, innovation, and intrigue, along with fine performances and production values; however, the cast and artistic team can only do so much with a script that runs too long for a children’s one-act play, lags in places (especially in the last quarter), and doesn’t quite land as well as anticipated.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre review, Vancouver Theatre, Van City Vince, Carousel Theatre For Young People, CTYP
2 Comments

Beehive roars with girl power and genuine heart

March 5, 2023 Vince Kanasoot
Beehive show poster of young women in miniskirts and white boots striking fun poses

First Impressions Theatre’s production of Beehive: The 60’s Musical is an enjoyable celebration of the decade’s popular American female music artists as well as the social change that defined the era. Directed and choreographed by Kailley Roesler, and musical directed by Gordon Roberts, this two-act song-and-dance revue is worth seeing not only for its iconic songs but also for the sensational talent onstage. There are a number of young women who dazzle with rousing, heartfelt performances.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre review, Van City Vince, Vancouver, Theatre, Musicals
4 Comments

Circa’s Sacre uses acro and dance to form high art

January 21, 2023 Vince Kanasoot
A male dancer being lifted by two other male dancers

Cast members of Circa’s Sacre. Photo credit: Justin Ma.

Australian acrobatic/dance company Circa has heated up our frosty Vancouver winter with its production of Sacre. This is an extraordinary work that showcases the company’s innovative hybrid of circus and contemporary dance. The touring show’s run at the Vancouver Playhouse, co-presented by The Cultch and DanceHouse, is a great fit for all companies involved. Sacre is dark, sexy, innovative, ingenious, and absolutely captivating.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre review, Van City Vince, Vancouver theatre, Dance, Vancouver dance
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Fun, stylish musical production of The 3 Little Pigs lights up the holiday season

December 9, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
The cast of The 3 Little Pigs

From left to right: Angela Chu, Steffanie Davis, Tanner Zerr, and Frankie Cottrell. Photo credit: Tina Krueger Kulic

There’s a real sense of mystery and fairytale magic from the get-go when you walk into the Waterfront Theatre for Carousel Theatre for Young People’s holiday offering this year, Stiles & Drewe’s The 3 Little Pigs. The opening set is of a foreboding, dark, ominous woods with giant trees and eerie lighting—the kind made from fairytale magic. Once the show begins, we see the cast light up the stage with their fun energy and Nicole Rose Bond’s terrific choreography, and the next 45 minutes are a real pleasure to watch. Audiences of all ages will be happily transfixed by this fabulous one-act musical, which is slick, sassy, creative, and features some incredibly fine voices.  

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In Theatre Review Tags Van City Vince, Theatre review, Carousel Theatre For Young People, CTYP, The 3 Little Pigs, Vancouver Theatre
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Raincity Theatre’s Cabaret seduces, mesmerizes, and chills

October 16, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

Kit Kat Klub dancers Vicente Sandoval, Cassandra Consiglio, and Joaquin Little in Cabaret. Photo credit: Nicol Spinola

The theatre world is obsessed with Cabaret. But even after seeing numerous productions and performing in one myself, it wasn’t until seeing Raincity Theatre’s version that I finally really understood the show. This production hits in all the right ways, getting to the heart of what Cabaret is all about. It’s an up-close-and-personal experience that provokes thought, rips at your emotions, and completely captivates you.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre review, Cabaret, Van City Vince, Raincity Theatre, Vancouver Theatre, Vancouver Musicals
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The Café is a fun, choose-your-own adventure theatrical experience

October 16, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Cast of The Cafe

*Photo credit: Chelsey-Stuyt

The Café, an immersive new theatrical work is a creative, clever, and fun experience. Presented by ITSAZOO Productions and Aphotic Theatre, in partnership with PuSh, the show is performed at one of the Kafka’s (a Vancouver coffee shop) location. Seven different scenes happen throughout the coffee shop and audiences choose-their-own adventure, roaming around and sitting in on whichever conversations they want. Overall, the production is well-acted and polished, and there are few nuggets in the scripts that are meaningful and provide great takeaways. Above all else, this is a really enjoyable experience as an audience member.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre review, Van City Vince, Vancouver Theatre
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Cultural differences in friendship are examined and celebrated in Frozen River nîkwatin sîpiy

October 1, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Poster image of Frozen River

Carousel Theatre for Young People (CTFYP) has opened its 2022/23 season with a play that’s timely, educational, entertaining, and very suited for children. Frozen River nîkwatin sîpiy’s kid-friendly story is brought to life with skilled acting and creative puppetry and visuals to inform on Indigenous experience, while teaching what it means to truly listen to others.

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In Theatre Review Tags Carousel Theatre For Young People, CTFYP, Carousel Theatre, Frozen River, Frozen River nîkwatin sîpiy, Theatre review, Van City Vince, Vancouver Theatre
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Hot Brown Honey sweetly fights oppression

September 24, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Poster image of the show Hot Brown Honey

“We have been told that our silence will save us, but it won’t. So, we will make noise,” proclaims Busty Beatz during Hot Brown Honey – The Remix. This one-act presentation of hip hop-infused dance, singing, circus variety, and political commentary is a timely, important, and fun artistic work that celebrates feminism.

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Tags Theatre review, Van City Vince, Vancouver Theatre, The Cultch, Hot Honey Brown, Hot Honey Brown - The Remix, Quiet Riot
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Peter Pan Goes Wrong in all the right ways

September 20, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Poster image for Peter Pan Goes Wrong

The only thing as enjoyable as watching perfection is watching a complete train wreck. Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong is as wacky and chaotic, as it is intelligent and polished. Only a production this thought out and meticulously put together can produce such an uproarious, “disaster” of a show. The two-act play is a hilarious delight, and includes a couple of emotionally uplifting subplots as well. And on top of all that, this show is as visually pleasing as it is funny.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre Review, Vancouver Theatre, Arts Club Theatre, Arts Club Theatre Company, Arts Club, Van City Vince, Theatre, Vancouver, Theatre review
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Fiery grace: “Tango, to the Pointe” is an artistic achievement

September 18, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
The 2 dancers from the show Tango the Pointe

Erin Scott-Kafadar and Alexander Richardson in Tango, to the Pointe. Photo credit: Mark Ruddick

“Style is the answer to everything,” poet Charles Bukowski once wrote in his poem Style, which included the line, “To do a dangerous thing with style is what I call art.” And by that definition Tango, to the Pointe, presented by PointeTango is the epitome of art. I recently had the pleasure of watching dancers Erin Scott-Kafadar and Alexander Richardson perform their work at the 2022 Vancouver Fringe Festival. Tango, to the Pointe is not only an impressive fusion of Argentine tango and classical ballet, but also a breathtakingly beautiful celebration of art.

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In Theatre Review Tags Vancouver Dance, Vancouver Theatre, Theatre Review, Van City Vince, 2022 Vancouver Fringe Festival, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Theatre review
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Grand delusions: The most beautiful type of delusions

September 17, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Karen Hall playing the cello in Delusions and Grandeur

In Delusions and Grandeur, Karen Hall says that people forget up to 80% of what they hear within 24 hours. But 24 hours after seeing her fascinating and brilliantly creative one-person show at the Vancouver Fringe Festival, I can’t stop thinking about what I heard, saw, and experienced. An accomplished cellist, and tremendous actress as well, Hall brings audiences into her world, sharing her head space, emotions, and exquisite musical talent.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre Review, Vancouver Theatre, Vancouver Fringe Festival, 2022 Vancouver Fringe Festival, Van City Vince, Theatre review
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Gerald Williams honours his mother’s life with grace

September 15, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Poster image of the show How I Murdered My Mother

In this touching and insightful one-man show, written and performed by Gerald Williams, he discusses how he had to “murder” (essentially forget) the version of his mom that was affected by Alzheimer’s, so he could focus on loving the real version of his mom in her final days.

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In Theatre Review Tags Vancouver Theatre, Vancouver Fringe Festival, 2022 Vancouver Fringe Festival, Van City Vince, Theatre review
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Juliet is sweet as revenge!

September 13, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Poster image of Juliet: A Revenge Comedy

Why did Juliet have to die at the end of Romeo and Juliet? After all, she only knew Romeo for two days and she was only 13-years-old. Instead, what if Juliet defied her fate as a tragic female heroine and lived? In Monster Theatre’s Juliet: A Revenge Comedy, currently playing at the 2022 Vancouver Fringe Festival, we get to see Juliet defy the odds. And it isn’t easy, if the Bard has his way.

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In Theatre Review Tags Vancouver Theatre, Theatre Review, Van City Vince, Vancouver Fringe Festival, 2022 Vancouver Fringe Festival, Theatre review
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Blockhead celebrates the childhood wonder inside us all

September 12, 2022 Vince Kanasoot
Zac Williams stars in Blockhead

Zac Williams stars in Blockhead. Photo credit: Vancouver Fringe Festival

No matter how old we get, the little kid in us never disappears. While they may get buried and overshadowed by our never ending life issues and concerns, there’s part of us stays innocent and genuinely curious. Written, directed, and starring Zac Williams, Blockhead is a one-act play that sweetly commemorates childhood perspective, and the anxieties and over contemplation we love to thrust upon ourselves.

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In Theatre Review Tags Vancouver Fringe Festival, Theatre, Van City Vince, Theatre Review, Vancouver, Theatre review
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We Will Rock You is a fun, thrilling adventure with heart

July 13, 2022 Vince Kanasoot

The company of TUTS’ We Will Rock You. Photo credit: Emily Cooper

Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) production of We Will Rock You certainly had its work cut out for it recently when it premiered the evening after TUTS’ other show this season, Something Rotten!, which opened to excellent reviews. Fortunately, not only was We Will Rock You up to the challenge, it was ready to slay. This production of We Will Rock You is absolutely electrifying!

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In Theatre Review Tags Vancouver Theatre, Theatre Review, Van City Vince, Theatre review
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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.

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In Theatre Review Tags Theatre Review, Musical Theatre, Vancouver, Vancouver Theatre, Van City Vince, Theatre review
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