With summer in full swing, many families and theatre fans will plan to visit Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park for Theatre Under the Stars’ annual Broadway musical offerings. But this year, audiences who have previously enjoyed the magical charm of fairy tale-inspired shows such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins will be disappointed with this year’s production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. This production lacks magic and appeal, and is instead a weird concoction of strange costumes, set pieces, and directorial choices.
Read moreLes Misérables celebrates the spirit of humanity
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
The musical sensation, Les Misérables has arrived in Vancouver, and on opening night, it was clear the show’s messages of redemption and love remain timeless. Broadway Across Canada’s (BAC) production is a new re-staging of the Tony Award-winning musical, with revised orchestrations, and new lighting and set designs, to keep the show fresh and relevant to current audiences. What remains the same is the show’s gorgeous score, which is performed brilliantly by the cast and orchestra and the story’s integrity.
Read moreVancouver Opera’s The Overcoat is a delightfully quirky and whimsical experience
Vancouver Opera's The Overcoat - A Musical Tailoring. Photo credit: Dahlia Katz
There are special times when something so captivating, imaginative and refreshing happens onstage, that you’re transported to another world. This is certainly the case with Vancouver Opera’s The Overcoat - A Musical Tailoring. This brilliant contemporary opera, co-produced with Canadian Stage and Tapestry Opera, is a whimsical interpretation of the 1942 short story by Ukrainian-born Russian author Nicolai Gogol.
Read moreStephen King thriller Misery comes to the stage next month
Who is your ultimate fanboy or fangirl obsession? Ryan Reynolds? Taylor Swift? If they were in a car accident, would you come to their rescue? Would you bring them home and take care of them? Would you let them leave? Wow – did that just get creepy?Well, that’s the premise of Stephen King’s classic thriller, Misery. Also an Academy Award-winning film, Arts Club Theatre Company is bringing the stage version of Misery to the Granville Island Stage, and it’s guaranteed to give audiences a good scare.
Read moreLocally produced Leonard Cohen show to ignite passions one final time
Let’s face it, the dating world isn’t easy. Imagine if you had to scroll through all your Tindr matches and reflect on how each relationship panned out.In celebrating its 35th anniversary season, the Firehall Arts Centre has remounted Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen.
Read moreBallet BC creatively tells the story of Romeo + Juliet, but dances to the wrong music
Brandon Alley and Emily Chessa as Romeo and Juliet. Photo credit: Michael Slobodian
There’s been much fanfare leading up to Ballet BC’s world premiere version of Romeo + Juliet, choreographed and conceived by Medhi Walerski. We’re not used to seeing Ballet BC do full-length story work. On top of that, the classic tale of the two star-crossed lovers is closely tied to classical ballet. So how does this primarily contemporary company fare with its own rendition of the iconic love story? Ballet BC’s Romeo + Juliet is a great production, showcasing the emotionally-moving, quirky and daring style the company is renowned for. Not all the pieces fit together, but it’s an interesting and valiant effort.
Read moreZee Zee Theatre’s My Funny Valentine has good intentions, but doesn’t fit together
In the recent aftermath of the Florida school shooting, Zee Zee Theatre’s remount of its one-man play, My Funny Valentine is hauntingly timely. Zee Zee Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director Cameron Mackenzie, decided to remount this play to mark the 10th anniversary of the tragic killing of 15-year-old Lawrence King on Valentine’s Day, 2008. While the pieces of the play don’t quite come together, the intentions are noble and this is an interesting interpretation of the event and its aftermath.
Read moreAlign Entertainment's Legally Blonde isn't a home run, but it's a lot of fun
Align Entertainment’s production of Legally Blonde The Musical is an entertaining and relatively well put together show. This production has a lot of fun moments and also sufficiently captures the deeper inspirational layer of the show. Though not as refined as other past Align productions, such as the outstanding Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Align’s rendition of Legally Blonde still manages to checkmark enough boxes to be considered a win at a community theatre level.
Read moreTheatre Preview: 'No Foreigners' hits back on impact of Chinese-Canadian immigration
The Cultch’s latest production is the world premiere of No Foreigners, about at the controversial issue of Chinese-Canadian immigration to Vancouver.This interdisciplinary work by local company Hong Kong Exile and Toronto-based fu-GEN Theatre, runs February 7 to 17 at the Vancity Culture Lab.
Read moreTheatre Review: 'Motown the Musical' reveals the story behind the music
Looking for some sizzle to warm up from the rainy winter weather?Motown The Musical is a hot blast of fun. Full of crowd-pleasing renditions of classic Motown tunes such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “My Girl,” and “Baby I Need Your Lovin,” this musical bio on the life of Berry Gordy, the founder of the Motown record label, is burning up the Queen Elizabeth stage until February 11.
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 moreDance Review: Alberta Ballet's The Nutcracker is a stunning visual treat with solid dancing
Photo credit: Yin Yi
Ballet BC has graciously invited Alberta Ballet to perform its renowned production of The Nutcracker in Vancouver. This visually stunning production features all the opulence, majesty and grace that this classic story is known for. Complete with some stand-out dance performances, and accompanied by the magnificent Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Alberta Ballet's The Nutcracker is a special holiday treat.
Read moreTheatre Review: Little Women shines bright with talent and heart
There’s a hidden gem shining brightly at the Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver. The show is Little Women: The Musical. But the shining gem is the magnificently talented cast and the wonderful care that has been taken by director Lalainia Lindbjerg and her creative team in bringing this show to life. And the star of the show, young Michelle Creber, delivers an exceptionally brilliant performance that should not be missed.
Read moreShannon Chan-Kent is the new Belle of Vancouver
Like millions of young girls, Shannon Chan-Kent grew up watching Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and dreamed of one day playing Belle. Guess what? Her dream has come true and she's now starring as Belle in Arts Club Theatre Company's production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. I recently interviewed her to get an inside look at how she got to where she is today.
Read moreMichela Fiorido: All-star team player in law, sports and life
Whether protecting client privacy rights or helping her team on the basketball court, you can count on Michela Fiorido. Once intent on working in law enforcement, this young Vancouverite realized you can apply law to anything you're passionate about - and she has.
Read moreThe best holiday shows to check out in Vancouver this Christmas →
The holiday season has arrived and some familiar faces have returned to Vancouver’s theatre and arts scene. Whether you’re looking for some great entertainment to enjoy with your family, friends or significant other, here’s a rundown of some of the top theatre, dance and musical performances in and around Vancouver this holiday season. Cheers!
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 moreTheatre Review: Jersey Boys is a riveting biography →
Broadway Across Canada's presentation of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys is a riveting and spectacular biographical telling of the rise and aftermath of 1960s’ music icons, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Told from the perspectives of all four members throughout the years, Jersey Boys is a heartfelt account of the exciting, yet emotionally turbulent ride of each of the members, set to sensational performances of the group’s timeless songs.
Read moreDance Review: Program 1 defines Ballet BC’s stature as a world-class artistic treasure
Ballet BC dancers Livona Ellis, Emily Chessa and Alexis Fletcher in Cayetano Soto's "Eight Years of Silence". Part of Ballet BC's latest work, "Program 1". Photo credit: Michael Slobodian.
There’s a common theme underlying Ballet BC’s season-opening work, Program 1. This exquisite offering of two pieces, Eight Years of Silence and B.R.I.S.A., is defined by the personal journey of overcoming personal demons. Whether by confronting one’s own fears or finding the courage to break away from your comfort zone, Program 1 is a remarkable display of artistry, embodied by the incredibly talented Ballet BC dancers, who combine superb technique and versatility into world-class contemporary dance.
Read moreTheatre Review: 13: The Musical brings fresh verve to familiar teen archetypes →
Mean girls, jocks, freaks, and geeks—the struggles of adolescence always seem to come with these familiar characters. Bring on Tomorrow Co.’s production of 13: The Musicalintroduces us to a new generation of these archetypes in a story about the teenage fight for social acceptance and the true meaning of friendship. It’s also the perfect vehicle to showcase an impressive array of local teenage talents who individually and collectively deliver outstanding performances.
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