Ballet BC opened its season this past week with Program 1, featuring three ballets with distinctly different styles. One of these ballets was an internationally acclaimed work from iconic choreographer William Forsythe. The second piece was a world premiere, set to the music of Jimi Hendrix. The third – and strongest – piece was a gorgeous remount of a ballet originally set on the company in 2011. It’s no surprise then that this piece, Petite Cérémonie, fits the company like a glove, and was likely the most memorable ballet of the night among audiences.
Read moreBackbone defines gravity with flair and quirkiness
Photo credit: @GomCircus Instagram
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 moreThe Merry Widow sparkles with attitude and charm
The company of Vancouver Opera’s The Merry Widow. Photo credit: Tim Matheson
Vancouver Opera has outdone itself with its dazzling production of Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow. This lighthearted operetta, written by Franz Lehár, will be a delightful treat for many theatre fans. It features dynamite performances, and some of the most spectacular sets and costumes I’ve ever seen onstage. But the heart of this production is the masterful craftsmanship of director Kelly Robinson, and choreographer Joshua Beamish.
Read moreKill Me Now is a touching play about family bond
The cast of Brad Fraser’s Kill Me Now. Photo credit: David Cooper
Brad Fraser’s Kill Me Now is a serious look into the lives of a family plagued by unfortunate health conditions. It is heartfelt, touching and solidly based in its arguments. While the play’s primary message examines who holds the right to decide life or death, another layer explores the coming-of-age of a young man – a story, which regardless of disabilities involved (the central teenage character is disabled), is a beautiful representation of the circle of life.
Read moreBlood flies in site-specific Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street →
Colleen Winton as Mrs Lovett and Warren Kimmel as Sweeney Todd.
With Halloween approaching, the Snapshots Collective’s immersive production of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award–winning musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has been unleashed at the perfect time. Bone-chilling and imaginative, this resurrection of Sweeney Todd delivers Sondheim’s masterpiece score and the show’s murderous story line in a way that’s wickedly and enjoyably up close and personal: at an actual pie shop.
Read moreWhat would you say to your younger self? Krapp’s Last Tape is an interesting look at self-reflection
Linden Banks in Krapp’s Last Tape. Photo credit: Seven Tyrants Theatre
Looking back at our younger selves is always interesting, and can conjure all kinds of emotions. A lot of times, we may think, “What was I thinking?”. Seven Tyrants Theatre’s production of Samuel Beckett’s play, Krapp’s Last Tape, explores the mixed emotions we have when reflecting on the past, and how we may often think, “I wish I could tell my younger self what I know now – and maybe give them a shake as well”.
Read moreTestosterone explores societal gender expectations with sincerity and sensitivity
The company of Testosterone. Photo credit: Luke Forsyth
Does our personality shape how we look, or does how we look shape our personality? That’s the question that Kit Redstone asks in the UK’s Rhum and Clay Theatre’s show, Testosterone, presented in Vancouver by The Cultch. Inspired by Redstone’s own experiences from transitioning to male in his early 30’s, Testosterone in an insightful look into adjusting to post-operation life and addressing pre-conceived assumptions about gender behaviour.
Read moreThe Book of Mormon sparkles with fresh, young talent and fun humour
The ensemble of The Book of Mormon. Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes
Our favourite Mormon boys and their pals are back in the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, The Book of Mormon, presented by Broadway Across Canada. This cheeky musical from the creators of South Park combines fun, adult humour with valid commentary and insightful perspectives on society – the perfect balance of lightheartedness and intelligence. And while this is the third touring production of the show, this version is as fresh as ever, pumped up with exciting, youthful talent.
Read moreFirehall Arts Centre opens season with exciting new work, Never Still
Dancer: Alexa Mardon; Photo Credit: Ben Didier
Water is life. We’re basically made of it. Our body composition is roughly 50 – 70% water. Water also covers 71% of the earth. We’re mysteriously connected to water – and that’s something that Vancouver’s Vanessa Goodman, artistic director of Action at a Distance Dance Society, explores in her new work, Never Still, which will open the Firehall Arts Centre’s 2018/2019 season on Wednesday, September 26.
Read moreEnsemble Theatre’s A Few Good Men keeps you on the edge of your seat
As a society, we tend to expect our summertime entertainment to be spectacular. Epic Hollywood adventure movies (I recently watched the new Jurassic World), large scale stage shows (I recently reviewed Les Miserables, Cinderella and 42nd Street, and concerts and music festivals (I might have been to a couple of EDM festivals) are the norm. And all of that is great. But we can’t count out the other end of the spectrum. For example, intimate plays with minimal actors, sets and costumes…that are very well done. And Ensemble Theatre’s production of the acclaimed play, A Few Good Men, is a small-scale show that blows you out of the water.
Read moreThe Dance Teacher is a dark tango of truths and lies
Tomo Suru’s The Dance Teacher, is an intriguing play that reads like a Gillian Flynn novel. If you’ve read any of Flynn’s work, or watched the film adaption of her story, Gone Girl, you’ll catch my drift. The Dance Teacher is a dark mystery that draws you in and keeps you hooked as piece the story together.
Read moreNew generation breathes fresh life into Theatre Under the Stars' fast-tapping 42nd Street
The Broadway musical 42nd Street has tapped its way to Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. The Theatre Under the Stars production opened to an appreciative audience who enjoyed the tremendous efforts put forth by the popular theatre company, which is celebrating its 72nd season. And while 42nd Street doesn’t quite knock it out of the park, there’s some great talent on display.
Read moreDespite strong lead, Cinderella lacks TUTS's usual musical magic
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.
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