The best way to cool off in Vancouver amid this summer heat is to treat yourself to Broadway Across Canada’s Frozen. Under the direction of Michael Grandage, this stage adaptation of the iconic 2013 Disney animated film is as spectacular an experience as one would expect, with jaw-dropping effects and scenic, lighting, and costume designs. But it’s the show’s inspirational messages about sisterhood and inner strength that make this experience truly impactful and unforgettable.
Read moreThe Queen of Carthage: Retelling of Greek tragedy will focus on female empowerment
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.
Read moreSense and Sensibility remains fresh and vibrant in Arts Club production
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.
Read moreBeehive roars with girl power and genuine heart
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.
Read morePeter Pan Goes Wrong in all the right ways
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.
Read moreBlockhead celebrates the childhood wonder inside us all
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.
Read moreSomething Rotten!: A hilarious, uplifting celebration of musical theatre
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.
Read moreConstellations examines the infinite possibilities life holds
TheatreGarden’s production of the one-act play Constellations by Nick Payne, offers the concept of a multiverse, where parallel existences allow us to have infinitely different lives while still being the same person. Directed by Ricardo, this intimate two-person show features fine performances by Marie Isserman and Connor Riopel, and is an interesting experience.
Read moreThe countdown is on to Crazy8s 2020!
What can you do in 8 days? Why not make a short film? Crazy8s is an annual filmmaking competition and festival in Vancouver, where 6 short films are created in just 8 days. These 6 films will be premiered at the Crazy8s gala screening on February 22, with an epic after party to follow. Don’t miss this exciting event!
Read moreCarousel Theatre for Young People's Peter Pan flies high on low-tech magic
The cast of Peter Pan. Photo credit: Tim Matheson
The story of Peter Pan has captivated the imaginations of children for generations. And despite the many different interpretations of J.M. Barrie’s story over the years, Carousel Theatre for Young People has found a unique and refreshing way to tell this beloved tale.
Read more
Iconic ballet reimagined in today’s social media-driven world in @giselle
Photo credit: Craig Foster
Have you ever been ghosted by someone you were into? Isn’t it ironic how we can still feel so isolated in an era where we’re all connected digitally? Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY has taken the iconic classical ballet Giselle, and reimagined it in today’s social media-driven world with @giselle, featuring top dancers from across North America.
Read moreIt’s opening night of Mamma Mia!
Tonight is opening night of Mamma Mia! at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), and I am so excited and honoured to be in this amazing production. I truly believe this will be a career highlight for me, and I’m so happy to share this amazing experience with the extraordinary cast, crew, and creative team of Mamma Mia!
Read moreCome From Away pays tribute to the humanity that unites us
Broadway Across Canada’s Come From Away has landed in Vancouver, and on opening night this Tony Award-winning musical brought its audience to its feet with its authentically bold and emotional testimony of humanity through the most trying of times. Base on real-life experiences, the show recounts the moments and days following the 9/11 attacks, when 38 planes unexpectedly landed in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Read moreSuzy Kaitman: Former ballerina leaps to entrepreneurial success
Suzy Kaitman has taken extraordinary leaps in 2017. The former ballerina, who transitioned into becoming a fitness coach, opened her own studio, Ballet Lounge, in 2016 - but she faced tough roads ahead. Determined to succeed, she took serious action in 2017 and her drive and dedication has paid off. Read about her inspirational journey.
Read moreTheatre Review: Solo Collective Theatre’s Satellite(s) is lost in space
There’s a lot of confusing elements about Solo Collective Theatre’s latest work, the two-act play Satellite(s) by Aaron Bushkowsky. The script is arguably the worst I’ve ever seen performed in professional theatre; there’s no focus to the storyline, the characters literally ramble, and on top of all everything, there’s a lot of very weird elements. Additionally, the play decides it’s a musical at the end, when the actors abruptly start singing. This hot mess of a show genuinely made me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed for everyone involved.
Read moreRyan Kubeska keeps his cool in a hot real estate market
Ryan Kubeska is undoubtedly one of the top real estate agents in Vancouver. In his seven years in the industry, the 27-year-old has continually turned heads with his impressive sales - while doing it all with his trademark swagger and charm. Read about his journey to success and what motivates him to slay. This is the second installment of my new series, "Slaying it: Vancouver's top young professionals".
Read more2GuyWithKnives are cooking up success
The first in my series, Slaying it: Vancouver's top young professionals. 2GuysWithKnives are more than what their name suggests. True, the two guys, Sergio Pereira and Patrick Carr, use their knives to create delicious yet nutritious meals delivered to their customers’ homes. But the entire effort takes more than just knives. Sergio and Patrick have used their hearts and passion in helping others to build a successful service enjoyed by hundreds of people in the Lower Vancouver mainland.
Read moreMy CTV Morning Live visit
From left to right: Keri Adams, myself and Jason Pires on the set of CTV Morning Live Vancouver.
This past Friday, I had the amazing experience of visiting the CTV Morning Live set in Vancouver. These are the super talented people that I wake up to every morning and it was fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes.
Read moreCurtain Up: First-ever Vancouver Opera Festival opens today
Caitlin Wood and Alex Lawrence in "The Marriage of Figaro". Photo credit: Emily Cooper Photography
Begin the overture on a history-making event in Vancouver. It’s opening night for the Vancouver Opera (VO) – not just for a new production, but for a radical and ambitious new endeavour. Instead of presenting a standard season of mainstage productions throughout the year, VO has elected to instead present the first-ever Vancouver Opera Festival. Starting today and running until May 13, three mainstage productions will be performed: Otello, Dead Man Walking and The Marriage of Figaro.
Read more#YVRSocial takes a #NoFilter look at social media across industries
Vancouver is a social media hub – the home of many legit Instagram celebs and Snapchat addicts. Likewise, YVR is also where various industries use strategic and creative social media content on the daily. And while Vancouverites may have a reputation by some for being a little hard to approach, some of us actually do like to share. And that’s why #YVRSocial was created – as way for industry leaders to share their social media best practices with anyone and everyone who can grab a spot to this highly popular event.
Read more