The arts have always been a powerful platform for advocating social justice—and now seems to be a particularly timely moment to amplify marginalized voices. Under the leadership of artistic director Ryan Nuñez, Play On Words has reimagined Godspell from a queer perspective that celebrates love and community, while advocating for queer rights.
Read moreA heavenly hit: The Book of Mormon delivers comedy gold and Broadway charm
These days, audiences can’t get enough of Mormon-themed entertainment, as proven by the ongoing popularity of the Broadway hit The Book of Mormon and the TV show The Secret Lives of Mormon Housewives. And while the Housewives may not be in Vancouver right now, The Book of Mormon squad certainly is! On Tuesday night, the Broadway Across Canada touring company lit up the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with a crowd-pleasing performance that had the audience roaring in laughter and erupting in cheers throughout the evening.
Read moreThe Last Resort is a playfully dark, retro-themed escape
Have you experienced immersive theatre? If not, it’s understandable—immersive theatre is rare in Vancouver, and for good reason. There are many challenges involved in presenting it, including the need for a suitable venue. Fortunately, Dreamqueen Collective—under the helm of Fairlith Harvey—offers Vancouver audiences a chance to dive into this unique entertainment with The Last Resort. In true immersive fashion, the audience is placed right in the action as the story unfolds around them.
Read moreMusic of the Night's ode to Lloyd Webber is as polished as a Phantom chandelier →
From featuring falling chandeliers to high-kicking cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals are cultural icons. But strip away the spectacular production values associated with his shows, and you’ll find that the driving force behind everything is the score. Music of the Night: The Concert Tour proves that Lloyd Webber’s music, along with the lyrics of collaborators like Rice and Don Black, can stand alone, captivating and entertaining audiences without the theatrical bells and whistles.
Read moreTheatre review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory shines with humour and energy →
CTORA Theatre has plucked Roald Dahl’s beloved story Charlie & the Chocolate Factory from the pages and transformed it into a larger-than-life production that proves how pure imagination can make anything possible. Over the past few seasons, CTORA has emerged on the Vancouver theatre scene with productions infused with clever staging concepts and production values, under the direction of Mark Carter. To that end, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory is right up CTORA’s alley, with a show that combines strong on-stage talent with delightful visuals to entertain and inspire audiences of all ages.
Read moreStudio 58’s Baggage innovatively unpacks dating life
Emotional baggage from dating is no joke. But it can be entertaining to poke a little fun at. After all, recognizing the humour in past experiences is part of how we grow. Sarah Segal-Lazar’s play Baggage is a clever and playful look at how baggage from past relationships follows us. This freshing work is superbly brought to life by a cast of tremendously talented Studio 58 students, led by the charismatic Michelle Avila Navarro. Director and Studio 58 graduate Jessie Liang offers an inventive concept with some creative ideas that highlight the many strengths of the cast and Segal-Lazar’s script.
Read moreIn The Improv Centre's Betrayers, audience has fun separating the truthful from traitors →
The Improv Centre a thing or two about timing, which of course is essential when it comes to comedy. And now that we’re officially into fall, The Improv Centre is right on time with its latest show, Betrayers—and not just because it’s based on one of the year’s most memed TV shows.
Read moreJersey Boys has smooth moves, authentic grit, and style for miles
A couple of seasons ago, the Arts Club Theatre Company staged Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, telling the personal story of the iconic title character. Now, it’s time for the fellas to take the stage with Jersey Boys, a bio musical of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The show, which won the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, recounts the exciting, yet often complicated and sometimes heartbreaking, story of the group—all powered by its nonstop parade of hits.
Read moreCome From Away’s true story still soars with authentic East Coast style
Broadway Across Canada’s Come From Away has landed in Vancouver again, and it will undoubtedly inspire and uplift audiences throughout its stay. The Tony Award-winning musical, based on the events from the tragic September 11 attacks being memorialized this week, pays tribute to the efforts of the residents of the town of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, who housed and cared for the thousands of people stranded by diverted flights.
Read moreTheatre Under the Stars brings fresh feline eyes to CATS →
Cats are known to have nine lives. But Cats, the iconic Broadway musical, seems to have countless lives, as it’s still being performed worldwide after first premiering in the West End over 43 years ago. In fact, there’s even a drag-and-ballroom-themed version off-Broadway, where the Jellicle cats are voguing and waacking their way down a catwalk. Here at the Malkin Bowl, Theatre Under the Stars is offering a fresh reimagining of its own. While this retelling is nowhere near as drastic as the current off-Broadway version, director Ashley Wright’s production offers some creative ideas to keep things interesting, while still having one paw planted faithfully in the original.
Read moreIn School of Rock, youth performers jam out with skill and authenticity →
Theatre Under the Stars has a tradition of showcasing young talent every summer—and it’s spotlighting some wonderfully talented kids in School of Rock, a Broadway musical adaptation of the 2003 film that starred Jack Black. The demands on the young performers for this show are huge, with some roles requiring them to play instruments in addition to acting and singing. (Andrew Lloyd Webber rounds out the score, adding to songs from the film.) The group of youth performers assembled on the Malkin Bowl stage is incredibly impressive and fun to watch in a show that sometimes leans a bit too heavily on cartoonish antics.
Read moreGuys & Dolls glitters amid bedazzled cabarets and Broadway marquees →
The Arts Club Theatre Company’s highly anticipated production of Guys & Dolls brings the classic Broadway musical to life with gorgeous style and some fresh, inventive ideas that breathe new life into the iconic show. Under the direction of Ashlie Corcoran, there’s a dusting of magic throughout the show, which really comes alive near the end.
Read moreMary Poppins: The Broadway Musical brings the magic to Massey Theatre →
Each year, Royal City Musical Theatre stages a splashy song-and-dance spectacle, complete with a full orchestra, eye-pleasing sets and costumes, and a cast led by top-industry professionals, rounded out by promising local talent. Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical checks all these boxes and pulls off the magical elements with good stage effects; it’s a smoothly run show full of charm and musical-theatre mastery.
Read moreBlasts of colour and danceable music as high-energy Hairspray returns →
Hairspray, the hit Broadway musical, has danced its way into Vancouver, looking and feeling as fresh and energized as ever. The show, which premiered on Broadway in 2002 and is based on the 1988 film, oozes with fun and heartfelt messaging. You may just find yourself leaving the theatre humming its tunes and feeling inspired to help make positive change.
Read moreRaincity Theatre's Parade still resonates with chilling effect →
The true story of Jewish American Leo Frank’s wrongful murder conviction and lynching in 1915 in Marietta, Georgia is bone-chilling, heartbreaking, and fascinating. These events are dramatized in the Tony Award-winning musical Parade, which originally premiered in 1998.
Read moreSense and Sensibility remains fresh and vibrant in Arts Club production
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 moreCirca’s Sacre uses acro and dance to form high art
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.
Read moreBackbone defines gravity with flair and quirkiness
Gravity may not be as limiting as you think. While you always have to come down to earth after taking flight, there’s a lot you can do while still up in the air. And there’s no better example than Gravity & Other Myths thrilling production of Backbone. Featuring a cast of ridiculously in-shape and talented circus artists, this world-renowned show lifts you from your seat and whisks you into a whimsical world that challenges human strength and ability.
Read moreDisney’s NEWSIES inspires us to ‘seize the day’
Disney's NEWSIES is a sensational musical theatre experience that will blow you away with its phenomenal dancing, singing and acting. The show tells an inspiring story of how a community that was once told they didn't matter, stood up for their rights, 'seized the day' and made sure their voices were heard. NEWSIES is an incredible and uplifting experience you will not forget.
Read more