Hey everyone! This is my first post since COVID-19 exploded. I took the past 8 months to chill and regroup, and now I’m refreshed and back in action!
Read moreThe House at Pooh Corner invites kids to help out at Carousel Theatre for Young People →
Victor Mariano, Tom Pickett, and Advah Soudack star in The House at Pooh Corner. Photo credit: Tim Matheson
As the world continues to rapidly change, one thing that remains timeless is the loving bond between Christopher Robin and his bear, Winnie-the-Pooh. Their friendship is universally loved because it celebrates the curious, inquisitive nature of childhood and the unrestrained imagination that accompanies it. Carousel Theatre for Young People’s production of The House at Pooh Corner is a tender tribute to the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories, and provides young audience members with the unique opportunity to experience these stories firsthand from the perspective of Christopher Robin.
Read moreA strong cast takes Steel Magnolias up close and personal →
The company of Steel Magnolias. Photo credit: Rochelle Elise
Delicate but unbreakable is the theme of Steel Magnolias, a play that celebrates the joys of friendship and laughter, underlined by the strength of female courage. In its debut show, Boone Dog Productions has nicely brought to life Robert Harling’s compelling story, which many people may be familiar with from the film version. This production tells the tale in a way that is touchingly intimate, and that radiates sincerity.
Read moreFun and visually pleasing BEEP passes along important sustainable-energy messages for kids →
Some of the cast of BEEP. Photo credit: Sia Duff
How do you adjust to changes to your schedule and environment? How do you deal with strangers who are different from you? These are the questions raised in BEEP, a fun, visually pleasing children’s play from Australia’s Windmill Theatre.
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 moreSpine is disturbingly fascinating storytelling
Kate Besworth stars in Clara Brennan’s one-woman play, Spine. Photo credit: Charlie Gallant
From the first moment of walking into the theatre, Backbone Theatre Collective’s Spine is undeniably compelling. This one-woman play by Clara Brennan, originating from the Edinburgh Fringe and London’s Soho Theatre, is an intimate and intriguing look at a young woman’s journey from being kicked to the bottom of society, to finding her voice and rising up.
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Studio 58's Urinetown makes a splash with strong singing and comic timing →
Ivy Charles is a blast as the jaded Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown. Photo credit: Emily Cooper
In Urinetown, public-urinal authoritarian Penelope Pennywise proclaims “It’s a privilege to pee.” And Studio 58’s production of the Tony Award–winning show, under the direction of Courtenay Dobbie, is a privilege to watch. Performed by Langara College’s acting students, this impressive production rivals any professional version out there. The show features well-timed comedy, polished singing and movement, and an energetic spark that drives the performance.
Read moreArts Club's Noises Off is a three-part free fall into divinely crafted chaos →
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.
Read moreGirlfriend brings tenderness and sensitivity to the rock musical
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.
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Vancouver TheatreSports' Merry Kissmas: A Royal Romance takes audience on an improvised tour of romantic Provdovia
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.
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.
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Arts Club's The Sound of Music offers more to revel in than just the famous songs →
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.
Read moreGreen Day-fuelled American Idiot channels high-energy, early-2000s angst →
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.
Read moreSongs and puppets help outcast kids cope in Tomson Highway's The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito →
Photo credit: Lauren Garbutt
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.
Read moreDance at the 2019 Chutzpah! Festival
ProArteDanza
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.
Read more#BoysDanceToo: An interview with Roberto Campanella
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.
Read more#BoysDanceToo: An interview with Logan Savard, dancer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School
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.
Read moreDancing Lessons' quirky take on the rom-com has mixed results at Jericho Arts Centre →
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.
Read more#BoysDanceToo: An interview with Sterling Baca, Pennsylvania Ballet
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.
Read moreIconic 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.
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