SPRING AWAKENING IS a bold and daring Tony Award-winning musical about sexual discovery and adolescent struggles in Germany during the turn of the 19th century. But in addition to addressing these timeless themes, the show is also about challenging the cultural norms and restrictions set by older generations—something that resonates strongly these days, as Gen Z continues to rise up and question how things are done.
Read moreCats still rules the night
The company of Cats. Photo credit: Matthew Murphy, Murphymade
Thank goodness cats have nine lives, because the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats is still kicking it 41 years after it first premiered in London’s West End. The current national tour, which is currently playing in Vancouver, is a re-creation of the 2016 Broadway revival—the second major version in North America. This production maintains the authenticity of the original London/Broadway production, with exciting freshness thanks to the young, talented cast members, many of whom probably were not born yet when the original Broadway production closed in 2000.
Read moreThe Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical brings engaging stage magic to Greek myth series
WITH THE LIGHTNING Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, CTORA Theatre has unleashed a fun and imaginative theatrical experience that audiences of all ages will love. Thanks to a cast of young, talented performers, and impressive staging and design, the show does a fine job of bringing the first story in Rick Riordan’s popular Percy Jackson & the Olympians novel series to life.
Read moreExpect fresh, smart, and touching storytelling in Unexpecting
Jessica Heafey and Rahat Saini star in Unexpecting. Photo credit: Tina Krueger Kulic.
It’s human nature to avoid dealing with trauma. And big, life-changing turns often provide ideal opportunities to mask our wounds. In Unexpecting, a newly premiered stage play by Bronwyn Carradine, we see a couple deal with the fallout of their adoption plans going amiss. With their anticipated new life suddenly uncertain, they’re forced to deal with a haunting trauma they’ve never resolved. Unexpecting is an insightful and sensitive play told with humour by relatable and likeable characters. It’s also a breath of fresh air in the arsenal of queer stories in theatre.
Read moreRoyal City Musical Theatre’s Crazy For You conjures golden-era Broadway magic
IT’S BEEN A long time since Metro Vancouver has been treated to a locally-produced splashy Broadway musical at the calibre of Royal City Musical Theatre’s Crazy For You. This show offers first-rate performances, grand-scale costumes and sets, and classic Broadway magic under the leadership of renowned director and choreographer Valerie Easton.
Read moreThe Legend of Georgia McBride tells a timely story with sensitivity and sass
AT THE OUTSET, The Legend of Georgia McBride has the visage of being a fun, sparkling, drag-themed play. But every drag performance has a meaningful personal story under the glitter—and the relevance of drag is increasing daily as political and societal forces threaten to oust it.
Read moreStudio 58's The Kitchen is a rare chance to see elaborately choreographed work get cooking
IN THE DIRECTOR notes for Studio 58’s production of Arnold Wesker’s The Kitchen, Amiel Gladstone discusses how this play is rarely done due to its size. “Enjoy this special thing—33 actors in a big bold play, full of life,” he writes. And that’s indeed what this play is—a big, bold play, full of life, and an absolute stellar opportunity for Studio 58’s students to sink their teeth into interesting, varied, and complicated characters. It’s a chance for the emerging actors to showcase their talents in a work that has the production qualities and scale usually reserved for Broadway musicals.
Read morePretty Woman the Musical serves up light, fun story ripped directly from 1990 movie
IF YOU’RE LOOKING for a fun night out, Pretty Woman the Musical is an enjoyable option. This touring production of the Broadway show offers some strong performances, including those of lead Jessie Davidson and original Broadway Rent star Adam Pascal; high-energy production numbers; and pleasing visual designs. But don’t expect much originality, substance, or memorable songs, apart from Roy Orbison’s classic title track, which of course is included.
Read moreSense and Sensibility remains fresh and vibrant in Arts Club production
Cast members of Sense and Sensibility. Photo credit: Moonrider Productions
Jane Austen originally published her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, anonymously in 1811, perhaps weary in how the success of a novel penned by a woman would be limited. She also may have wanted to protect herself from societal backlash from a novel that so boldly spoke about the inequitable role of women and their unfortunate dependency on marriage for both societal and economic wellbeing. Austen’s stories were the original Bridgerton. The Arts Club Theatre’s production of Sense and Sensibility, a two-act play written by Kate Hamill and directed by Rachel Peak, is a charming and fresh interpretation of Austen’s work, with creative staging and enduring performances.
Read moreAnastasia is a fairy-tale spectacle, complete with ballet and Broadway-belt songs
ANASTASIA SPARKLES like a Swarovski diamond. The touring production of the Broadway musical, inspired by the animated film, opened in Vancouver last night, sweeping audiences into an idealized world of European grandeur in its telling of the legend of Anastasia Romanov.
Read moreOz has magical moments, but not enough sparkle to shine to the end
Megan Zong as Dot and Stephen Thakkar as L. Frank Baum. Photo credit: Sarah Race
Carousel Theatre for Young People (CTYP)’s production of Oz, written by Patrick Shanahan, is a play that offers a backstory in how L. Frank Baum completed the writing of his book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It features wonderful theatrical magic, innovation, and intrigue, along with fine performances and production values; however, the cast and artistic team can only do so much with a script that runs too long for a children’s one-act play, lags in places (especially in the last quarter), and doesn’t quite land as well as anticipated.
Read moreBeehive roars with girl power and genuine heart
First Impressions Theatre’s production of Beehive: The 60’s Musical is an enjoyable celebration of the decade’s popular American female music artists as well as the social change that defined the era. Directed and choreographed by Kailley Roesler, and musical directed by Gordon Roberts, this two-act song-and-dance revue is worth seeing not only for its iconic songs but also for the sensational talent onstage. There are a number of young women who dazzle with rousing, heartfelt performances.
Read moreStudio 58 cast brings heart to polished A Chorus Line production
Studio 58, the professional theatre-training program at Langara College, has captured the spirit of the celebrations, challenges, heartache, and love that dancers experience universally, in a production that’s creative, polished, and handles personal storylines with great sensitivity and respect.
Read moreCirca’s Sacre uses acro and dance to form high art
Cast members of Circa’s Sacre. Photo credit: Justin Ma.
Australian acrobatic/dance company Circa has heated up our frosty Vancouver winter with its production of Sacre. This is an extraordinary work that showcases the company’s innovative hybrid of circus and contemporary dance. The touring show’s run at the Vancouver Playhouse, co-presented by The Cultch and DanceHouse, is a great fit for all companies involved. Sacre is dark, sexy, innovative, ingenious, and absolutely captivating.
Read moreA timely Fiddler on the Roof upholds classic Broadway-era stylings through a fresh, contemporary lens
IF THEY DIDN’T KNOW better, audiences watching Broadway Across Canada’s touring production of Fiddler on the Roof would assume the show is a recent musical—one that speaks directly to the here and now. Its parallels to the current Russian oppression in Ukraine and references to clashes between tradition and social progress are uncanny.
Read moreAnne of Green Gables—The Musical soars on strong performances, energized dance, and PEI charm
THE STAGE LIGHTS are shining again at Richmond’s Gateway Theatre, where a full-scale holiday musical is back after a two-year pandemic pause. It’s therefore fitting that this year’s show is Anne of Green Gables, the onstage version of iconic Canadian author L.M. Montgomery’s treasured novel. Gateway’s production radiates with warmth and heart, featuring wonderful local talent both on and offstage. The show is headlined by the talented Kyra Leroux, who brings the role of Anne Shirley to life with sincerity and charming personality.
Read moreMe Love BINGO!: Best in Snow is fun and games with a message, but its story lags
ME LOVE BINGO!: Best in Snow is a well-intentioned commentary on self-acceptance and diversity, written, directed, and starring queer artist Kyle Loven. The twist here is that the show is disguised as a BINGO game and quirky holiday variety show. There’s inventiveness here and lovely heart in the production’s message. However, the show lags, and it could use further development and polish in merging its messaging and concept together.
Read moreFun, stylish musical production of The 3 Little Pigs lights up the holiday season
From left to right: Angela Chu, Steffanie Davis, Tanner Zerr, and Frankie Cottrell. Photo credit: Tina Krueger Kulic
There’s a real sense of mystery and fairytale magic from the get-go when you walk into the Waterfront Theatre for Carousel Theatre for Young People’s holiday offering this year, Stiles & Drewe’s The 3 Little Pigs. The opening set is of a foreboding, dark, ominous woods with giant trees and eerie lighting—the kind made from fairytale magic. Once the show begins, we see the cast light up the stage with their fun energy and Nicole Rose Bond’s terrific choreography, and the next 45 minutes are a real pleasure to watch. Audiences of all ages will be happily transfixed by this fabulous one-act musical, which is slick, sassy, creative, and features some incredibly fine voices.
Read moreThe Arts Club's Sound of Music sees a lavish remount, with Chelsea Rose making a mesmerizing Maria
AFTER A FEW YEARS of being sidelined by the pandemic, the Arts Club Theatre Company has risen up once again to stage a lavish holiday show at the Stanley Theatre, with its breathtakingly beautiful and heartfelt production of The Sound of Music.
Read moreJesus Christ Superstar revival puts focus on music over storytelling
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the rock opera that launched Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to Broadway, West End, and film success in the 1970s, is iconic for its departure from realism—injecting contemporary music and cultural influences into an obvious period piece. One could even argue that it paved the way for the likes of Hamilton. The current Broadway Across Canada production is the show's 50th anniversary tour, a version of the 2016 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production in London, directed by Timothy Sheader. The Regent Park production opened to much acclaim, winning an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. However, it seems much of the show's lustre and impact has been lost in translation as it filtered its way to Vancouver on tour.
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