Fear has a way of stripping us down to our true selves, and it’s not always pretty. And while our ugly sides can surface, so too can virtues such as bravery, empathy, and teamwork. In short – the worst and best of us can come to light; and this message sang through in Stone’s Throw Production’s recent staging of Wolves Are Coming For You, a play written by Joel Horwood.
Read moreMarjorie Prime is an enjoyably dark, unsettling glimpse into the future
Marjorie Prime is a Pulitzer Prize-finalist play currently being presented in Vancouver by Ensemble Theatre Company, that is haunting and clever. If you love watching futuristic stories that make you feel disturbed, this is the play for you!
Read moreKinky Boots joyfully struts its stuff, celebrating inclusion and authenticity
The cast of Arts Club Theatre’s Kinky Boots. Photo credit: Moonrider Productions.
Broadway sensation Kinky Boots has kicked its way into the Stanley Theatre and my opinion of this production is: Shantay, you stay! (as RuPaul would say). Presented by Arts Club Theatre and under the wise direction of Barbara Tomasic, this staging of the Tony Award-winning musical offers high-energy, wit, poignancy, and above all else, an uplifting and inspirational message.
Read moreEmotional narrative and heartfelt music delivered in Once
Once, the 2012 Tony Award-winning musical, is a gem of a show, and thanks to Renegade Arts Co, Vancouver audiences are being treated to a taste of this work. This production is a bare bones production, but the hard-working and talented company and creative team have tried their best to deliver every ounce of quality from this show. Despite its limited resources, this production succeeds in embodying the emotions and spirit of Once.
Read moreMasterful storytelling paints a dark, intriguing tale in Terminus
Terminus, a one-act play written by Mark O’Rowe, is a black comedy told through multiple monologues performed by the show’s three characters. Throughout this series of monologues, each character helps paint the story of a dark, fateful night in Dublin that dramatically changes many lives. This production, presented by Jeb Beach and Associates, and directed by Shane Savage, is an interesting 90-minute storytelling experience that leaves you a little more on edge each time a character finishes their monologue and the next one begins.
Read moreMen Express Their Feelings: Fun and insightful play examines what can get in the way
Photo credit: Tina Krueger Kulic
Men Express Their Feelings is a one-act play that examines pre-conceived expectations of male behaviour and emotional expression – or lack thereof. At the heart of this clever and insightful play is the generational divide between Gen Z and their Gen X parents, especially when it comes to sexuality and gender norms.
Read moreConstellations examines the infinite possibilities life holds
TheatreGarden’s production of the one-act play Constellations by Nick Payne, offers the concept of a multiverse, where parallel existences allow us to have infinitely different lives while still being the same person. Directed by Ricardo, this intimate two-person show features fine performances by Marie Isserman and Connor Riopel, and is an interesting experience.
Read more5 new Canadian dance works you can watch for free, virtually on December 15
Choreographer and dancer Zahra Shahab. Photo credit: Yvonne Chew.
NEXT: New Dance in Development features creative new works from 5 emerging Canadian choreographers. You can watch the free presentation virtually on December 15, 2021.
Read moreAlice in Wonderland gets an East Van makeover in entertaining pantomime
Photo credit: Tim Matheson
You know it’s the holiday season again when The Cultch and Theatre Replacement light up the York Theatre with its annual pantomime. This year, the show is East Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland, and we get to watch Lewis Carroll’s famous heroine adventure through East Vancouver – as seen through a Wonderland filter.
Read moreArts Club brings holiday spirit back to the stage with reimagined version of A Christmas Carol
The recent opening of Arts Club Theatre Company’s Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol marked the return of main stage theatre to Vancouver since COVID-19. And what better way to re-ignite the stage lights of the Stanley Theatre than a masterful blend of creative staging, technical design, and live performances. The result is musical theatre magic that we’ve been deprived of for far too long.
Read moreThe Hunger Moon treats audiences to 4 interesting and intimate plays
Presented by Vancouver theatre company Ordinary Productions, The Hunger Moon: An Evening of Short Plays – allows audiences to enjoy four very creative plays, both in-person and online. I enjoyed watching all the plays, as I found the concepts for each quite unique.
Read more#BoysDanceToo: Jacob Williams finds his footing
Jacob Williams, Emerging Artist at BalletBC. Photo credit: David Cooper
When Jacob Williams was a kid, he loved singing and dancing around the house to his mom’s disco music. It was clear that he found his passion for performing and dance early in life – and this passion would eventually lead him on a journey of training and self-discovery before finding his place at BalletBC in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Read more#BoysDanceToo: Alex Wong knows how to pivot turn with style (and side tilt)
Alex Wong. Photo credit: Brian Jamie Photo
Not even COVID-19 can keep Alex Wong down. Throughout 2020, he’s continued to entertain his over 566K Instagram and 298K TikTok followers (as of the time of this article). But despite Alex’s time in the public spotlight and his massive social media following, there’s a lot about Alex that hasn’t been widely publicized. Here’s an inside look into his career.
Read moreVan City Vince is refreshed and back in action!
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.
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