Arts Club's Noises Off is a three-part free fall into divinely crafted chaos →

January 30, 2020 Vince Kanasoot

A tight ensemble nails the comedic clockwork of Noises Off's farce. Photo credit: David Cooper

Good things come in threes. And so does great comedy. The Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Noises Off is a hilarious farce about putting on a play, and the train wreck that can erupt when you combine personal misunderstandings, jealousies, and romantic affairs gone wrong. And in keeping with the rule of three that says a trio of events can achieve ideal comedic effect, the action in Noises Off happens in three acts—a three-part free fall into divinely satisfying chaos.

Girlfriend brings tenderness and sensitivity to the rock musical

December 13, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

Julien Galipeau and Scott McGowan in Girlfriend. Photo credit: Javier R. Sotres — Julien Galipeau and Scott McGowan in *Girlfriend.* Photo credit: Javier R. Sotres

Amid the abundance of glittery holiday entertainment right now, Fighting Change Productions has staged an intimate coming-of-age story with its production of Girlfriend. Set to American pop-rocker Matthew Sweet’s songs, this musical tells the story of a romantic relationship between two boys during the summer following their high-school graduation. Through their relationship, the teenagers gain a sense of identity and contemplate how they fit into their worlds.

Vancouver TheatreSports' Merry Kissmas: A Royal Romance takes audience on an improvised tour of romantic Provdovia

December 3, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

The cast of Merry Kissmas. Photo credit: Vancouver TheatreSports

In recent years, enjoying a romantic comedy about a prince or princess falling in love with a “commoner” during Christmas has become a holiday guilty pleasure for many people. One can argue that Netflix’s A Christmas Prince is responsible for this trend. And now Vancouver TheatreSports has jumped in on the fun with its own version. Merry Kissmas: A Royal Romance is the improv troupe’s holiday-themed show and it’s packed full of cheeky humour that will keep audiences roaring with laughter.

Carousel Theatre for Young People's Peter Pan flies high on low-tech magic

November 25, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

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.

Arts Club's The Sound of Music offers more to revel in than just the famous songs →

November 14, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

Synthia Yusuf climbs every mountain in The Sound of Music. Photo credit: Emily Cooper — Synthia Yusuf climbs every mountain in *The Sound of Music.* Photo credit: Emily Cooper

The Arts Club Theatre Company has unveiled an inspirational retelling of the classic musical The Sound of Music. This production certainly does what audiences will expect—serve justice to the famous score by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. But above and beyond that, director Ashlie Corcoran has brought to life a stunning reworking of the show whose messages will resonate with contemporary audiences, and sparkles with exciting performances and production values.

Green Day-fuelled American Idiot channels high-energy, early-2000s angst →

November 7, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

From left to right: Tanner Ford, Colin Sheen, and Nick Heffelfinger in URP’s production of Green Day’s American Idiot. Photo credit: Robert Sondergaard

URP’s production of American Idiot is a spectacular celebration of punk-rock band Green Day’s music, told through a high-energy, theatrical experience. Soaring vocals and band accompaniment, visually stimulating staging, and rock-concert lighting make this a fun experience. And while the show’s story is flat and the directorial concept is a bit illogical, there’s much to enjoy in this electrifying, nostalgic ride.

Songs and puppets help outcast kids cope in Tomson Highway's The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito →

November 4, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

Feeling like an outsider is a universal hardship that many people experience throughout life, but that sense of otherness is usually felt most acutely in childhood.The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito is a one-act musical that offers some important messages on how to deal with feeling like an outcast, told through an engaging story and fun songs.

Dance at the 2019 Chutzpah! Festival

October 27, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

The 19th annual Chutzpah! Festival is in full swing and continues until November 24, celebrating culturally rich works in comedy, music, theatre and dance. Here are three exciting dance works playing at this year’s festival.

#BoysDanceToo: An interview with Roberto Campanella

October 16, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

Life is all about creating your own path and Roberto Campanella knows about that. Originally from Rome, Roberto had a successful dance career joining his first company, Compagnia Italiana di Danza Contemporanea, at the age of 17. He eventually leaped to Toronto to dance for The National Ballet of Canada, where he began choreographing. Since then, Roberto has had a stellar career in teaching, choreographing, and directing. One of his most notable credits was choreographing the Academy Award-winning film The Shape of Water.

#BoysDanceToo: An interview with Logan Savard, dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School

October 14, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

Logan Savard (right) and partner. Photo credit: Leif Norman

Logan Savard is in the final stages of achieving his dream to become a professional dancer. Originally from Comox on Vancouver Island, BC, the 18-year-old has been training full-time at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) School since he was 16. He’s now in Level 7, the highest level in the Academic program at the RWB School.

Dancing Lessons' quirky take on the rom-com has mixed results at Jericho Arts Centre →

October 8, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

When two seemingly opposite people end up having to spend time together in an unusual situation, you have the basis for a romantic comedy. Dancing Lessons intends to give this genre quirky flair. But while this production has some sweet moments, the affection between the two characters isn’t quite believable and there a few too many loose ends in the story to make it truly satisfying.

#BoysDanceToo: An interview with Sterling Baca, Pennsylvania Ballet

September 4, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

Sterling Baca, principal dancer, Pennsylvania Ballet. Photo credit: Alexander Iziliaev

As the world premiere of Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY’s @giselle approaches, I interviewed principal dancer Sterling Baca as the first profile in my new #BoysDanceToo series. Sterling was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”, and was a soloist with American Ballet Theatre before moving to Pennsylvania Ballet as principal dancer. Read about Sterling’s meteoric rise to the top of the ballet ranks, and enjoy some of his fun personal info as well.

Iconic ballet reimagined in today’s social media-driven world in @giselle

August 29, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

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.

It’s opening night of Mamma Mia!

July 9, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

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!

Matilda celebrates the wonder of childhood innocence and imagination

June 24, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

The cast of Matilda The Musical. Photo credit: David Cooper

Roald Dahl’s classic children’s tale, Matilda, has been brought to life in a dazzling production at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Presented by the Arts Club Theatre Company, the Tony Award-winning Matilda The Musical tells the story of a brave and hyper-intelligent young girl who dares to stand up for what’s right, including facing off against her villainous school principal. Arts Club’s version is a slick display of masterful storytelling, thanks to tremendous creativity and talent from the show’s artistic team and cast.

Come From Away pays tribute to the humanity that unites us

March 7, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

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.

La Bohème soars with poignancy and heartbreaking beauty

February 18, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

France Bellemare and Ji-Min Park star in Vancouver Opera’s La Bohème . Photo credit: Tim Matheson — France Bellemare and Ji-Min Park star in Vancouver Opera’s *La Bohème* . Photo credit: Tim Matheson

La Bohème is the one of the world’s most enduring love stories and operas of all time. And love is definitely in the air in Vancouver Opera’s (VO) beautiful staging. This production is a larger-than-life vintage postcard of Paris, set for the most part in the 1920’s. André Barbe’s Parisian set of cafes and shops lining a bustling city street, is complemented by his period costumes and Guy Simard’s luminous lighting, altogether painting a superb vision. And the first-rate cast performances, accompanied by VO’s exquisite orchestra under the direction of conductor Judith Yan, make this telling of La Bohème an excellent artistic work.

Annie offers great ensemble performances and visuals, but lacks magic overall

February 12, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

Camryn Macdonald (centre) with the company of Annie. Photo credit: Emily Cooper

As the snow continues to fall in Vancouver, it seems fitting that Align Entertainment’s current offering is the Tony Award-winning musical, Annie, which not only beckons the sun to come out tomorrow, but also takes place at Christmas. And while a lot of effort has gone into putting on this ambitious musical, which involves a sizeable cast, gorgeous sets and costumes, a full orchestra, and two dogs (who alternate in the role of Sandy), this production doesn’t quite hit the mark. The issues lie mainly with comic timing and dialogue delivery, and a lack of vibrancy from some of the leads.

Yoga Play has clever concept, but needs more refined storytelling

February 12, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

From left to right: Derek Chan, Christine Quintana, and Lois Anderson in Yoga Play. Photo credit: Tim Matheson

Gateway Theatre’s Canadian premiere of the comedy, Yoga Play, is a fun, satirical look at the yoga apparel industry. While the play has a clever main concept – exploring the disconnect between the spirit of yoga and the competitive retail world – the show takes on a few too many plotlines for it to handle and isn’t able to adequately follow-through with its storytelling.

New twists and strong performances make Studio 58's Cabaret a darkly satirical delight →

February 4, 2019 Vince Kanasoot

The company of Studio 58’s Cabaret. Photo credit: David Cooper

The set for Studio 58’s production of the Tony Award–winning musical Cabaret features large letters that light up to spell KABARETT. This German word can refer to both cabaret-style entertainment and political satire. And Studio 58’s retelling of Cabaret, under the direction of Josh Epstein, is both. Audiences are drawn into an imaginative world where the Kit Kat dancers interact with guests and provide high-energy, rousing song-and-dance numbers that eventually turn into political commentary—at first more lightly satirical, then turning very dark.