Theatre - tessaperkins.ca

Mary Walsh reminisces and shares new work

An Evening with Mary Walsh | Surrey Arts Centre | October 29, 2022

Mrs. Eulalia walks down the aisle toward the stage complaining about everything from the weather to the pandemic to her aging body. Going up the few stairs to the stage is “like climbing mitsu pitchu,” she says. Mary Walsh’s most recent character goes on to talk about local politics and “Thug McCallum” who “wasn’t putting his best foot forward” — the audience responded with roaring laughter.

Josephine double feature

Josephine and Josie and Grace | Dynamite Lunchbox Productions | Surrey Arts Centre | October 5-8, 2022

Tymisha Harris is a force of nature who fully embodies Josephine Baker in this double feature of biographical plays. From her larger than life dance moves right down to the smallest finger movement, Harris’s performance is precise and authentic.

Romeo and Juliet refreshed

Romeo and Juliet | Bard on the Beach | Sen̓áḵw / Vanier Park | August 3 – September 24, 2022

It begins at the end. It begins with a gasp. Juliet wakes up to talking skulls and a fight scene as she witnesses the action of her story unfold, a witness to her own life as if she were in A Christmas Carol. We see this classic play from a new perspective as we’re along with Juliet to see how things have gone so horribly wrong in what should be a moving love story instead of a dark tragedy.

Race and revenge in Othello-inspired Harlem Duet

Harlem Duet | Bard on the Beach | Sen̓áḵw / Vanier Park | June 15 – July 17, 2022

When Billie’s partner leaves her for a white woman, she descends into a depressive funk and buries herself in self help books while doubling down on her convictions about race and the importance of black people having their own spaces and distinct culture. “If you spend too much time among white people, you start believing what they think about you,” she says.

A lingering summer Dream at Bard on the Beach

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Bard on the Beach | Sen̓áḵw / Vanier Park | June 8 – September 24, 2022

Bard on the Beach returns to the play that started it all for their first live production since 2019. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a popular play melding fantasy, humour, and love — a good bet for the festival’s sole mainstage production this year.

Two fathers and sons skate around their feelings in Zee Zee Theatre’s latest production

Men Express Their Feelings | Zee Zee Theatre | Firehall Arts Centre | March 18 – April 3, 2022

It all started with a hug. Not an “appropriate man-to-man hug” that Brad’s father would have liked to see, but an embrace between two friends and teammates. Perhaps more than an embrace. Brad’s father, Mr. Bacon (Jeff Gladstone), comes to his own conclusions about what he saw in the locker room and confronts Raj’s father, Mr. Sharma (Munish Sharma), in the parking lot. Until they resolve their conflict off the ice, their sons can’t get back on the ice.

Nuns having fun with puns: Nunsense lets loose at Metro Theatre

Nunsense | Boone Dog Productions | Metro Theatre | March 11 – 27

Five nuns, tons of puns, and plenty of fun. Oh, and a puppet. That’s really all you need to know about this rollicking musical comedy of errors that sends up Catholic traditions. A group of nuns of the Mount Saint Helen’s convent come together to plan a talent show fundraiser after many of their sisters fall victim to poisonous vichyssoise soup.

Not just another dinner party play: Ominous Sounds calls theatrical representation into question

Ominous Sounds at the River Crossing; or, Another Fucking Dinner Party Play | Touchstone Theatre | Performance Works | March 6-13, 2022 | Streaming March 22 – April 10, 2022

“It’s just what we need in the year of our demise: another fucking dinner party play,” says a disgruntled actor in a moment of self-awareness. “We perform a stale little psycho-drama while nature collapses around us.” But this isn’t just another dinner party play; it’s a clever examination of the nuances and complexities about who has a right to tell which stories in contemporary theatre.

Mani Soleymanlou dissects identity and binary thinking in Zéro

Standing beside a mountain of chairs, Mani Soleymanlou tells the story of the night in Iran that his father was abducted and interrogated. He was a young child at the time and the family decided to immigrate to Canada to escape the violence in Iran. Now with a son of his own, he alternates between recounting the story of that night and talking about his hopes for his son, his struggle to define his own identity, and the grey areas between many binaries including the political left and right.

PuSh in person: The 2022 festival provided a captivating return to live theatre

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | Various venues and streaming online | January 20 – February 6, 2022

One of the biggest thrills of this year’s PuSh Festival is seeing live theatre again. While this year’s festival saw three shows cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions or infections, the diverse in-person line-up of theatre, dance, music, and multi-media works was refreshing—reminding us of the power of being together and sharing stories from both our own backyards and around the world.

Down an East Van rabbit hole at the Panto

East Van Panto: Alice In Wonderland | Theatre Replacement | The Cultch | York Theatre and online | November 24, 2021 – January 2, 2022

The evil Queen of Hearts, Jess Cheetos, owns a “super giant evil online store” that threatens to put East Van shops out of business, the White Rabbit sells cell phones, the Cheshire Cat (Amanda Sum) is a busker, Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dumb are transit police officers, and the Mad Hatter presides over a leftist tea party on Commercial Drive. It’s Alice in Wonderland like you’ve never seen it before, full of local East Van references and political commentary.

Lights is a relatable story about how families care for each other

Lights | Touchstone Theatre | Firehall Arts Centre | December 2 – 12, 2021

“Do not let me stare at a picture and think it’s a window,” says Nancy (Susinn McFarlen) to her son. She worries that her Alzheimer’s will get so bad she’ll be placed in a dementia village where people look at pictures and think it’s the outside world. This concern for her future and resistance and denial of her condition is at the heart of Lights, a moving mother-son story about taking care of each other.

Circus in a world out of order

Out of Order | The 7 Fingers (Les 7 doigts) | The Cultch online | March 18 – 21, 2021

“The world is upside down, the circus is out of order,” the words on screen share a sentiment of loss along with the black and white footage of an eerily deserted big top. What is the purpose of art without an audience? The question hangs on screen, allowing us to reflect as we settle in to watch this virtual show from our homes.

PuSh Festival forges ahead with partner presentations including ancient forest experience

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | January 28 – February 20, 2021 | Online and Performance Works

It’s been a challenging year for the PuSh Festival as it grapples with organizational and leadership changes in the midst of a pandemic. But as one of Vancouver’s diverse, interdisciplinary winter arts staples, the festival is forging ahead this year with a reduced program focused on partner presentations.

Dear Evan Hansen teaches us we're not alone

Dear Evan Hansen | Broadway Across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | February 25 – March 1, 2020

The set immerses the audience in screens of social media feeds, the opening dialogue is a whip-fast stream of consciousness, and right away we’re plunged into Evan Hansen’s world.

As an exercise for his therapist, teenager Evan Hansen (Stephen Christopher Anthony) has to write letters to himself each day: “Dear Evan Hansen, today is going to be a good day and here’s why…” in order to build confidence and a positive outlook. He heads to school hoping to finally make some real friends and fit in, but instead he has a run in with Connor (Noah Kieserman), the class rebel. Connor picks up Evan’s therapy letter from the printer, and the next thing Evan knows, everyone thinks that they were best friends — the letter is interpreted as Connor’s suicide note.

PuSh Festival 2020 review round-up

Dana Gingras's Frontera. Photo courtesy of Adrián Morillo.

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | January 21 – February 9, 2020 | Various Venues

Frontera | Animals of Distinction, Fly Pan Am, United Visual Artists | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | January 30, 2020

Part rock concert, part mesmerizing contemporary dance, all mind-blowing. Frontera is brilliant. The only thing I would change is having a longer run in Vancouver so that more people could experience it.

Dana Gingras’s choreography is relentless at times as the dancers pace around the edges of the stage, run and suddenly switch directions, and pulse as one unit. As they undulate to the beat, bars of light appear and they are frantic, running back and forth. The stunning lighting design by United Visual Artists creates walls, borders, bars, and force fields that define the space and restrict the dancers’ movements.

The morality of petty theft is examined with humour in The Shoplifters

The Shoplifters | Arts Club Theatre Company | Surrey Arts Centre, Metro Vancouver tour | January 9 – February 9, 2020

In the stock room of a grocery store, Alma (Patti Allan) sits calmly and waits. She’s being held for questioning after a couple of steaks fell out of her skirt. Surrounded by a towering set made of boxes (by Ken MacDonald), over-confident Alma and anxious Phyllis (Agnes Tong) are interrogated by Otto (Dean Paul Gibson), an overbearing security guard ready to retire, and Dom (Raugi Yu), a well-meaning trainee preparing to take over from Otto.

The Wonderwombs is bold, stunning contemporary circus

The Wonderwombs | The Dust Palace | The Cultch | York Theatre | January 11 – 19, 2020

After impressing Cultch audiences with 2017’s The Goblin Market, The Dust Palace returned with their new contemporary circus show full of post-modern feminism, comedic sketches, and impressive acrobatics.

Upending the strongman circus trope where women are only there to help highlight a man’s strength, these women took the stage and showed off both their physical and emotional strength.

House and Home tackles the housing crisis with humour

House and Home | Firehall Arts Centre | January 11 – 25, 2020

What is a home worth? In this new play by Vancouver playwright Jenn Griffin, a boomer couple struggles to manage their debt and turns to short term rentals to try to make ends meet. They grapple with the impact they have on their tenants and their neighbourhood while questioning their life choices.

Inifinity is a relatable, philosophical story about love and time

Infinity | Volcano Theatre (originally co-produced with Tarragon Theatre) | The Cultch | January 7 – 19, 2020

Time is a lot like love. Sometimes it doesn’t seem real until you’re confronted with it. Hannah Moscovitch’s play is full of authentic dialogue and interesting, neurotic characters. It’s deeply relatable while exploring abstract themes and presenting them in a way that makes you think deeply about the nature of time and the phenomenon of love.

Keep on PuShing: What to see at the 2020 PuSh Festival

Dana Gingras's Frontera. Photo courtesy of Adrián Morillo.

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | various venues | January 21 – February 9, 2020

A new decade; a new artistic director; the same ground-breaking programming. The 2020 PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is almost here, and its line-up is full of local and international performers who are sure to not only entertain us but also leave us with new ideas and plenty to think about. Whether you are a music fan, dance lover, theatre junkie, or you’re just looking for something innovative or quirky, this year’s festival looks like it will fit the bill. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most anticipated shows.

Pinocchio learns about authenticity in the ever-hilarious East Van Panto

East Van Panto: Pinocchio | Theatre Replacement and The Cultch | York Theatre November 20, 2019 – January 5, 2020

The highly acclaimed creative team of the 2018 Panto, The Wizard of Oz (playwright Marcus Youssef, composer Veda Hille, and director Stephen Drover), is back again for another year; and the Panto is even more highly anticipated after Theatre Replacement co-directors Maiko Yamamoto and James Long won the Siminovitch Prize (the top prize in Canadian theatre) the day before opening night.

Waitress the musical is missing a few ingredients

Waitress | Broadway Across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | November 12 – 17, 2019

Sugar, butter, flour: the words ring out in a beautiful harmony to start the show, setting the stage for a predictable romantic comedy infused with themes about the power of food to bring people together and make lasting connections. The impressive retro set of Joe’s Pie Diner (by Scott Pask) is where most of the action takes place as Jenna confronts big questions about life and love, all with a little help from her friends and co-workers, the nerdy Dawn (Gabriella Marzetta), bombastic Becky (Kennedy Salters), and serious Cal (Jake Mills).

Green Day's American Idiot: a punk rock opera with renewed relevance

Green Day’s American Idiot | URP Event Production in association with Capilano University Theatre Department | Centennial Theatre | November 5 – 10, 2019

Ripped couches, shredded jeans, and broken dreams: American Idiot is the bold, political rock opera that led Green Day back to superstardom in the early years of the 21^st century. Fifteen years later, the songs have gained new relevance in our current political climate. The award-winning Broadway show follows three childhood friends as they search for meaning and attempt to escape suburbia.

The Shipment forces us to confront our biases and think about race

The Shipment | SpeakEasy Theatre | Firehall Arts Centre | September 24 – October 5, 2019

So you think you know a lot about race? Well, this play may make you think again. The Shipment is a provocatively challenges notions of race, identity, privilege, and power in a way that only fully hits you once you leave the theatre.

Young Jean Lee’s subversive play takes stereotypes about black identity and turns them upside down. In the first section, Omari Newton’s stand-up comedy is a blunt, honest, and at times scathing commentary about white privilege, reverse racism, colour-blindness, and how to not walk on eggshells while still being culturally sensitive.

Cherish the moment and stay hopeful: Rent is just as relevant 20 years later

Rent | Broadway Across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | September 17 – 22, 2019

How do you measure a year? How do you measure a life? Rent’s message that our lives should be measured in love is just as powerful now as it was over twenty years ago when it premiered in 1996. Jonathan Larson’s re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème is full of rousing songs and unforgettable lyrics. From the opening notes of “Rent” and the line “How do you document real life when real life’s getting more like fiction each day?” to the iconic “Seasons of Love” and the triumphant finale, this production was a wonderful celebration of love, friendship, and hope prevailing over fear.

Dystopian Coriolanus looks stunning, fails to connect emotionally

Coriolanus | Bard on the Beach | Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Tent, Vanier Park | August 21 – September 21, 2019

Coriolanus is one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known and seldom-performed plays, so it’s no surprise that the first-ever production of this work at Bard on the Beach, directed by Bard regular Dean Paul Gibson, was highly-anticipated. Moya O’Connell stars as the ruthless fighter who is betrayed and exiled. Her confident, aggressive performance is the highlight, while the futuristic set and costumes make the production look stunning.

Vibrant Indian dance and culture bring new life to All's Well That Ends Well at Bard on the Beach

All’s Well That Ends Well | Bard on the Beach | Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Family Theatre, Vanier Park | June 26 – August 11, 2019

Set amidst the tumultuous end of British occupation in India, in this adaptation Helena (Sarena Parmar) is a wealthy Hindu woman secretly in love with Bertram (Edmund Stapleton), a British officer. The only problem is he doesn’t feel the same way. The historical backdrop, infusion of Indian dress, dance, and culture, and superb performances by the whole cast make this a hit of the summer.

Shakespeare in love and in trouble at Bard on the Beach

Shakespeare in Love | Bard on the Beach | Mainstage at Vanier Park | June 12 – September 18, 2019

William Shakespeare (Charlie Gallant) has writer’s block. As he sits at a desk trying to compose a sonnet, he struggles: “Shall I compare thee…to an autumn morning?” On top of that, his new play is overdue and he owes new works to Burbage and Henslowe. It doesn’t help that amidst all of this he wants to outshine his rival, Kit Marlowe.

Kate and Petruchio channel Bonnie and Clyde at Bard on the Beach

The Taming of the Shrew | Bard on the Beach | Mainstage at Vanier Park | June 5 – September 21, 2019

Kate and Petruchio channel Bonnie and Clyde in this subversive Wild West adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew, inspired by Bard’s 2007 spaghetti western version.

From the moment Katherine (Jennifer Lines) takes the stage brandishing a rifle, it’s clear that she’s a badass who doesn’t take grief from anyone. She is headstrong, stubborn, and even obstinate — much to the dismay of her younger sister, Bianca (Kate Besworth). Their mother, Baptista Minola (Susinn McFarlen), has decided that Bianca cannot get married until Kate finds a husband.

Coming to terms with the past and moving forward in Ensemble Theatre Company’s Summer Repertory Festival

Ensemble Theatre Company Summer Repertory Festival: The Drawer Boy, Born Yesterday, Superior Donuts | Jericho Arts Centre | July 12 – August 16, 2019

Superior Donuts

Of the three shows in this year’s festival, Superior Donuts stands out for both its sharp social commentary and strong performances. Tracy Letts’ 2008 play, which was adapted as a TV sitcom in 2017, includes plenty of laugh-out-loud moments along with many sobering, thought-provoking ones.

Arthur Przybyszewski (David Nykl) and Franco Wicks (Chris Francisque) are an odd couple working at Arthur’s family donut shop in Chicago. Arthur has been plodding along in the same rut for years until one day when Franco comes knocking looking for a job.

The 2019 Jessie Awards recognize Indigenous artists

Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards | Bard on the Beach mainstage | July 15, 2019

“Fuck the status quo.” That was the sentiment repeated throughout the awards ceremony in many acceptance speeches. From the opening land acknowledgement to the final award of the evening, one thing was clear: this year’s Jessie Awards were a tribute to diversity and inclusion and to the Indigenous theatre artists who so deservingly took home nine awards.

Sophie Buddle headlines Yuk Yuk's

Sophie Buddle with Harris Anderson, Sam Tonning, and Ari Matti | Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver | June 28, 2019

With her recently-released comedy album, Lil Bit of Buddle, weekly Obsessed podcast, and stand-up gigs across the country, Sophie Buddle has been busy. Headlining Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver for the first time this June, the local comedian who has written for This Hour Has 22 Minutes had the room laughing about sexual fantasies, rape-front jobs, mermaids, and Christian horse camp. Her material is diverse, her delivery is confident, and her punchlines are unexpected and well-timed.

The power of the press meets high kicks in Newsies at TUTS

Newsies | Theatre Under the Stars | Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park | July 6 – August 17, 2019

A classic underdog story about the power of the press, this musical is full of rousing songs, unlikely triumphs, and a love story. Julie Tomaino’s choreography brings it all together in a high-energy frenzy of high kicks and higher jumps. The newsies take New York City by storm and stand up against the most powerful man in town, publisher Joseph Pulitzer.

Ce qu’on attend de moi dares us to imagine alternate lives

Ce qu’on attend de moi | 2par4 and L'Homme Allumette | Théâtre la Seizième | Performance Works | May 21 – 25, 2019

A play with no actors and no script that has the audience watching from outside the walls of the theatre — it doesn’t get much more innovative than that. In Ce qu’on attend de moi, an audience member becomes the protagonist of an improvised journey to explore an alternate life they could have lead.

The Preston Rivulettes pave the way for women's hockey in Glory

Glory | Western Canada Theatre and Alberta Theatre Projects | Gateway Theatre | April 4 – 13, 2019

A Chatelaine article from 1933 states that “Ice hockey is a game for which [women’s] soft, unyielding flesh is unsuited.” Helen Schwartz (Kate Dion-Richard), a member of the pioneering Preston Rivulettes, reads this quote in disbelief as she sits with her teammates. Glory is the true story of the Rivulettes fighting back against a society that didn’t think women should play hockey. We’ve come a long way since then, but, as the current lawsuit in US women’s soccer demonstrates, we have a long way to go to achieve gender equality in sports.

Surreal antics and yodel queens combine in New Cackle Sisters: Kitchen Chicken

New Cackle Sisters: Kitchen Chicken | L’orchestre d’hommes orchestres | The Cultch | York Theatre | April 2 – 6, 2019

Dancing chickens, spray bottles of wine, and Cheese Whiz art — just a few of the joyously weird sights in this delightful orchestra that caters to all the senses. By the end of the show, the smell of roasted chicken fills the theatre and audience members have been treated to various delicacies such as lettuce wrapped hotdogs, mashed potato cones, and cups of tea with a whipped cream rim. But it’s not what’s on the plate that’s important — it’s how it gets there.

Gross Misconduct is sharply written with plenty of suspense and superb acting

Gross Misconduct | SpeakEasy Theatre | Gateway Theatre | March 14 – 23, 2019

Meghan Gardiner’s sharply-written Gross Misconduct is a difficult yet important story about sexual assault that explores the complex consequences and repercussions for all involved.

In a stark jail cell with two white boxes serving as beds and harsh fluorescent lighting, Deke (Ian Butcher) enjoys his silence. He tells the guard, Gareth (Scott Bellis), “I haven’t had a cellmate since —…” The unfinished sentence begins to build the suspense as we wonder why Deke is in prison.

Over the top Hitchcock parody The 39 Steps is full of laughs

The 39 Steps | Circle Bright Productions | Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre | March 1 – 10, 2019

It’s 1935 in an old cinema, and the opening credits of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps roll. Just as we get into the first scene, there’s a technical issue and the film stops. A few enthusiastic audience members decide to do the show live instead. After all, says one woman, they’ve seen it 50 times.

The audience members are among us in the theatre and make their way to the stage to put on their own version of the classic film that is a loving parody with everything full of exaggerated slapstick.

Yoga Play parodies the commercialization of yoga

Yoga Play | Gateway Theatre | February 7 – 16, 2019

Playwright Dipika Guha’s Canadian debut, Yoga Play, takes aim at corporate culture, the false authenticity of the yoga lifestyle, and cultural appropriation. The themes and comedic material are all stacked in favour a great play, but the narrative remains on the surface; instead of delving deeply into the issues this production takes a more slapstick approach that didn’t resonate with me.

Circle Game gives new life to Joni Mitchell classics

Circle Game | Firehall Arts Centre | January 12 – February 9, 2019 | On tour around the Lower Mainland February 14 – March 26, 2019

Joni Mitchell’s songs are full of classic themes of love, environmental consciousness, and social justice. In this marathon musical, her songs have been updated and reimagined with new arrangements or musical styles, and sometimes with new narrative interpretations. Mitchell’s words still retain a great deal of relevance for today’s generation, and Circle Game reminds us of her wisdom.

Mrs. Krishnan knows how to throw a damn good party

Mrs. Krishnan’s Party | Indian Ink Theatre Company | The Cultch’s Culture Lab | January 15 – February 3, 2019

Dancing, delicious daal, and a damn good party. In Mrs. Krishnan’s Party, you aren’t just watching the fun; you’re part of it. Her boarder, James (Justin Rogers), has invited us all over to celebrate Onam. It’s a traditional Indian harvest festival that is, as James describes it, like Christmas, Easter, and Diwali all in one.

The Full Light of Day is innovative, ambitious

The Full Light of Day | Electric Company Theatre | Vancouver Playhouse | January 7 – 12, 2019

This is the most innovative piece of theatre I’ve seen in a long time. The integration of beautiful film elements, suspenseful plot, tense family dynamic, and brilliant cast made for a spectacular production. Ambitious and immersive, this is theatre that’s pushing the art form in new and exciting directions.

Mary (Gabrielle Rose) is an aging matriarch of a wealthy family who feels that she must face her husband’s corrupt past and reject it wholeheartedly before she dies. In an act of redemption, she banishes him from her deathbed and comes to terms with her self-imposed ignorance.

The Illusionists prove seeing isn't always believing

The Illusionists | Broadway Across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | January 15 – 20, 2019

It’s flashy, daring, it’s unexpected. The Illusionists live from Broadway combines five of the world’s top illusionists, each a specialist in their own area, as they join forces for this massive production. Colin Cloud brings his mind-reading prowess, Jonathan Goodwin is a daredevil who isn’t afraid of anything, An Ha Lim is the top manipulator in the world, Darcy Oake performs grand illusions such as disappearances and levitation, and Adam Trent is The Futurist specializing in creative, interactive magic.

PuShing through the winter: What to see at the 2019 PuSh Festival

PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | various venues | January 17 – February 3, 2019

It’s hard to believe the PuSh Festival is 15 years old. It has become a staple of the winter arts calendar in Vancouver and helps to keep the winter blues away by bringing us innovative international performing arts and showcasing some of our best local talent. There is something for everyone in this milestone year with dance, theatre, music, film, and interdisciplinary works that are sure to transport, provoke, and delight. With over 26 shows in this year’s festival, you might not be sure where to begin. Here are some top picks to get you started:

Musical adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life has no wings

It’s a Wonderful Life | Patrick Street Productions | Gateway Theatre | December 6 – 31, 2018

It’s difficult to remake a classic, especially a well-loved classic. There is the pressure to not stray too far from the original, yet the expectation to provide something new or to enhance the story or emotional impact in some way. Peter Jorgensen has adapted It’s a Wonderful Life as a big-band musical, and, while it’s a unique take on a tired classic, it doesn’t feel quite right.

An East Van Panto to top them all

East Van Panto: Wizard of Oz | Theatre Replacement | The Cultch’s York Theatre | November 28, 2018 – January 6, 2019

Political jokes, silly costumes, and hyper-local content always make for a great time at the East Van Panto — but this year’s edition might just be the best yet. The re-written pop songs are hilarious, the set and props are spot on, and the jokes are full of local and political references.

Mortified's unconventional setting provides an otherworldly backdrop to a difficult story

Mortified | Studio 58 and Touchstone Theatre | Studio 58 at Langara College | November 15 – December 2, 2018

Girl moves to new town. Girl meets boy. No…girl meets man. Man takes advantage of girl. Girl struggles to come to terms with this experience and, as an adult, is still affected by the abusive relationship and his power over her.

Emily Jane King plays Girl, the unnamed 14-year-old who falls for Ty (Isaac Mazur). As an adult, she (Lindsay Angell) runs into Ty (Ian Butcher) in a mall food court and decides to try and talk to him about what he did to her.

Empire of the Son is a masterful, intimate story of the power of family relationships

Empire of the Son | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre | Gateway Theatre | November 8 – 17, 2018

Tetsuro Shigematsu has created an autobiographical masterpiece that is a tribute to his father and a beautifully crafted piece of theatre about the power of family relationships.

He chronicles his life as one of five children, including a twin sister, who would all bathe together growing up on Montreal. He spent his teenage years as an anarchist skateboarder and had a complicated relationship with his father, Akira. Neither of them shared their feelings, but they usually came to a silent understanding. Although he vowed to be nothing like his father, he ended up on CBC radio, just as his father was.

Backbone is a stunning display of gravity-defying acrobatics

Backbone | Gravity and Other Myths | The Cultch | Vancouver Playhouse | October 30 – November 4, 2018

With effusive energy and a playful sense of humour, this Australian troupe performed death defying feats and beautifully choreographed acrobatic sequences. A live band accompanied them with lively beats, and there was never a dull moment with a busy stage and jaw-dropping acts.

Kill Me Now is tragicomic and full of complex themes

Kill Me Now | Touchstone Theatre | Firehall Arts Centre | October 13 – 27, 2018

What do you do when you have a special needs son to take care of, but end up needing care yourself? Brad Fraser’s darkly funny play is tragic and comic all at once. In moments of despair, a witty line suddenly breaks the tension and you can’t help but laugh.

Lessons of love and trust in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time | Arts Club Theatre Company | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage | September 6 – October 7, 2018

Daniel Doheny shines as Christopher Boone in Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s popular novel. When his neighbour’s dog is murdered and he is wrongly accused, Christopher makes it his mission to find out who did it. His father (Todd Thomson) tells him not to go poking around in other people’s business, but he can’t help himself.

Fringe Festival 2018: Review Round-Up

Vancouver Fringe Festival Review Round-Up | September 6 – 16, 2018

The Lady Show

What does it mean to be a lady? Who is a lady? All this and more is creatively explored in this sketch comedy bonanza that will knock your socks off. As the ladies say in their anthem, “Bring your bitches, bring your old man, call your grandma, make a new friend.” You won’t want to miss a chance to see this show.

Diana Bang, Morgan Brayton, Fatima Dhowre, and Katie-Ellen Humphries take turns using their unique talents to lampoon gender norms and upend stereotypes. Bang’s original acapella song, “Forehead,” was an aggressive declaration to an ex-boyfriend, letting him know that he would be missing out on her impressive pre-frontal region. Humphries performed some stand-up comedy using the persona of an offensive male comic to show how ridiculous their content can be, Dhowre’s stand-up comedy was about her parents’ cruel nicknames and reactions she gets when calling herself fat, and Brayton did a scene as a film noir ladybug. Another hilarious segment, the Lady News, lampooned current events in late-night talk show style.

Marion Bridge is a fitting end to an iconic theatre career

Marion Bridge | A Wing and A Prayer Productions | Kay Meek Arts Centre | September 5 – 20, 2018

Nicola Cavendish plays to her strengths in her swan song production. Alongside two other formidable actors, Lynda Boyd and Beatrice Zeilinger, she plays the middle sister who never tires of telling them what to do. When their mother falls ill, the three sisters reunite at the family home in Cape Breton to care for her. The play is celebrating its 20th anniversary, while Cavendish marks 42 years on the stage with what she has said is most likely her final role.

Jocks and nerds face off in Back to School TheatreSports

Back to School TheatreSports | Vancouver TheatreSports | The Improv Centre | September 3 – October 7, 2018

Relying on high school clichés and stereotypes, Back to School TheatreSports is a battle of the jocks against the nerds, and audience members are the judges. The awkward high school band teacher presides over the improv matches as the nerds and jocks face off, their skits becoming sillier as the evening goes on.

Tremors Festival of Emerging Talent presents three plays full of complex themes

Theory, Tiny Replicas, Selfie | Tremors Festival | Rumble Theatre | Italian Cultural Centre | August 16 – 25, 2018

Rumble theatre supports emerging talent through their main mentorship platform, the Tremors Festival. All of the artists involved in producing and performing these three plays are in the beginning stages of their theatre careers, and they have been mentored by established professionals. It’s a model that seems to be working well, allowing the artists to take creative control and have the experience of taking a play from script to performance. Many Tremors alumni have gone on to successful careers in local theatre companies, and some of this year’s artists are sure to do the same. Jumping from room to room of the Italian Cultural Centre, seeing all three shows is an almost four-hour theatre marathon; but it is well worth it as all three are engaging pieces that deal with complicated relationships and messy scenarios with no simple resolution.

Babelle Theatre's This, Here provides philosophical musings on identity and the meaning of life

This, Here | Babelle Theatre | Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch | July 18 – 28, 2018

What happens when we are removed from any environment or context that usually defines our identity? What if we have no job; we don’t “do” anything? Then who are we? James King’s play, directed by Marie Farsi, asks us to consider these questions and think about our own stripped-down identity.

Theatre Under the Stars delights with refreshing Cinderella and memorable 42nd Street

Cinderella and 42^nd Street | Theatre Under the Stars | Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park | July 4 – August 25, 2018

Cinderella

Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is no Disney fairy tale — in this version, the prince is a dragon slayer who cares about the poor citizens of his kingdom, Cinderella is an activist, and one of the stepsisters turns out to have a heart of gold. There are also two balls that Cinderella (Mallory James) attends and runs away from at midnight. Another refreshing change is her decision to leave her glass slipper behind when she leaves the second ball. She wants to Prince Topher (Tré Cotten) to be able to find her.

Brave, relevant, and hilarious: Lysistrata is a triumph at Bard on the Beach

Lysistrata | Bard on the Beach | Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre, Vanier Park | July 6 – September 13, 2018

As the cast runs around the stage making last-minute preparations, Christopher Gaze give his pre-show remarks and reads a statement from the acting company — due to their concern for the future of Vanier Park in the face of proposed new zoning bylaws, they have decided to highjack the theatre to stage a version of Lysistrata instead of the planned all-female production of Hamlet. They have no set and no costumes, and are completely unrehearsed he says.

Bard on the Beach's Timon of Athens is a tremendous modern adaptation

Timon of Athens | Bard on the Beach | Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre, Vanier Park | June 26 – September 9, 2018

Sometimes you get a chance to find out who your true friends really are. In this gender-flipping adaptation of one of the Bard’s more obscure works, Timon (Colleen Wheeler), a wealthy and extremely generous woman of leisure, calls in a favour with her friends. She has run out of money and needs a loan. It turns out that her generosity is not reciprocated and she is left to question her relationships and fend for herself. Shakespeare’s original has only two female characters — prostitutes. In this version there are two male actors, and they are wait staff.

Magical, manipulative, and measured: Bard on the Beach's Macbeth plays it safe

Macbeth | Bard on the Beach | BMO Mainstage at Vanier Park | June 6 – September 13, 2018

Fair is foul and foul is fair in this measured production of The Scottish Play. The staging is dark, gloomy, loud, and bloody. The three weird sisters are very weird, and that is a good thing. Plenty of fog, a few flames, and lots of foreboding drumming (a bit too much drumming) set the tone for an eerie self-fulfilling prophecy.

Ireland's Untold Wants Theatre presents North American premiere of The Human Ear

The Human Ear | Untold Wants Theatre | Pacific Theatre | July 18 – 25, 2018

Sometimes we want something to be true so badly that we will it into being. When Lucy gets a knock on the door from a man who looks like her brother (who she hasn’t seen in ten years), she doesn’t question it. She invites him in, tells him he’s welcome to stay, and gives him a key. Lucy’s boyfriend, Ed, is a local cop who doesn’t believe it could have been her brother at the door.

Diversity and inclusion highlighted at 36th annual Jessie Awards

Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards | Bard on the Beach BMO Mainstage in Vanier Park | July 16, 2018

After many years at the Commodore Ballroom, the Jessie Awards returned to a theatre setting to celebrate the best of Vancouver’s thriving theatre scene. Hosted by the fabulous drag duo and Zee Zee Theatre directors Peach Cobblah (Dave Deveau) and Isolde N. Barron, the Queen of East Van (Cameron Mackenzie), the evening was diverse, inclusive, and vibrant — an apt reflection of Vancouver’s tight-knit theatre community. The Queertet (a three-piece band) were on hand to provide background and your-time-is-up music.

In As You Like It, the Bard and The Beatles agree: all you need is love

As You Like It | Bard on the Beach | BMO Mainstage at Vanier Park | June 12 – September 22, 2018

Shakespeare has never been so groovy. This ’60s-inspired Beatles and Bard fusion is so much fun it will have you singing and clapping along. And it all starts with a full-on WWE style wrestling match! I bet you never thought you’d see that at a Shakespeare show — but this is far from your average Shakespeare production. It’s full of soul, all the creative elements have perfectly come together, and it will leave you with a new-found understanding of the Bard’s relevance. It’s what all Shakespeare adaptations strive to be.

Once is a testament to the power of music

Once | Arts Club Theatre Company | Granville Island Stage | June 14 – July 29, 2018

Music has the power to bring people together, express deep emotions, and serve as a therapeutic release. In Once, it’s all those things and more as an Irish boy meets a Czech girl who reminds him why he loves making music. The only problem is, this production didn’t do the music justice.

Shaun Majumder talks politics, racism, and fame in the Hate Tour

Shaun Majumder – Hate Tour – Bell Centre for Performing Arts – June 12

If you’ve ever seen Shaun Majumder on This Hour Has 22 Minutes or Just for Laughs, you would never think he was a hateful person. But that’s what this world has become — it’s full of hate. Majumder uses this as the premise of his new stand-up show, and it’s as hilarious as ever. He incredulously describes our world as an alternate reality, arguing it must be with all the crazy things that we’re witnessing.

C'mon Angie intelligently explores questions of consent

C’mon, Angie! | Touchstone Theatre | Firehall Arts Centre | May 31 – June 9, 2018

Angie lays in bed in silence. Reed (Robert Moloney) babbles away, talking about mundane things as he gets dressed and ready to leave. Just as he opens the door, Angie (Kayla Deorksen) speaks for the first time and says, “Do you know you assaulted me?” It’s a powerful moment that neither Reed nor the audience expects, and it launches them into an intense discussion of their two perspectives of the events that unfolded the previous night.

Des Arbres: An honest, intimate story of a couple contemplating parenthood

Des Arbres | Théâtre de la Manufacture et La Licorne | presented by Théâtre la Seizième | Studio 16 | May 8 – 12, 2018

Bringing a child into this world is complicated — because this world is complicated. There is a lot to think about: is it selfish to have a child when the planet is overpopulated and facing a climate crisis? What happens to a body after childbirth? What is the best time of year to give birth? Sometimes too much thinking can be counterproductive.

The Money Shot is an over-the-top satire of Hollywood narcissism

The Money Shot | MPD Artistic Collective | Studio 1398 | May 2 – 6, 2018

This over-the-top satire of Hollywood narcissism ends in a wrestling match, and there is plenty of verbal wrestling leading up to the big finale.

The play’s title is a “double intenuendo,” as Steve (Michael Patrick Denis) would say. He’s an exaggeration of every single movie star stereotype: he’s an ignorant know-it-all, he doesn’t have much respect for women, and he is as superficial as they come. Along with his much younger wife, Missy (Vivian Tang), who is even more clueless and superficial, they have come to visit Karen (Kate Isaac) and Bev (Lara Amelie Abadir) to discuss a proposed sex scene between Karen and Steve in their upcoming film.

August: Osage County is what great drama is all about

August: Osage County | White Rock Players’ Club | Coast Capital Playhouse | April 13 – 28, 2018

“‘Life is very long’ – T. S. Elliot,” says Beverly Weston (Fred Partridge) in the first scene. So is this play. In three acts, the three Weston sisters grapple with the disappearance of their father and the crazed actions of their mother Violet (Cindy Peterson), a headstrong matriarch who abuses prescription medication. At just over three hours, there is plenty of family drama to keep audiences interested and eager. The frequent profanity and yelling also doesn’t hurt.

World Without Us: A thought experiment that provides a fresh perspective on humanity

World Without Us | Ontroerend Goed, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Vooruit, Richard Jordan Productions in association with Summerhall and Big in Belgium | The Cultch | April 17 – 29, 2018

What would happen if humans suddenly disappeared from the face of the Earth all at once? How long would the lights stay on; how long would the aircraft continue on autopilot? It’s an interesting thought experiment and an ambitious premise for a piece of theatre. Having thoroughly enjoyed Ontroerend Goed’s intelligent, political, and highly engaging Fight Night, I had high hopes for this show. But it fell flat.

Poirot takes us on a wild ride in Murder on the Improv Express

Murder on the Improv Express | Vancouver Theatre Sports League | April 12 – May 26, 2018

All aboard for the wackiest murder mystery on rails. Henri Poirot (Allen Morrison) takes us on a journey to solve a murder mystery aboard a train heading through the Canadian Rockies. When the train breaks down, the murderer strikes.

Me and You reveals the complexities of sisterhood

Me and You | Arts Club Theatre Company | Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre | April 12 – May 6, 2018

Sibling relationships are complicated. They are a messy mixture of competition, love, hate, stability, and unpredictability. In Melody Anderson’s new play, Liz (Patti Allan) and Lou (Lois Anderson) grow together and apart and together again as they navigate the many complexities of growing up.

The Humans is a family drama with plenty of surprises

The Humans | Arts Club Theatre Company | Stanley Theatre | March 22 – April 22, 2018

Surreal, comical, and deeply human, this is a family drama that has Brigid’s mom pressuring her to get married, her sister complaining about her ulcerative colitis, and her boyfriend struggling to find something to talk about with her father — and that’s before they even sit down for Thanksgiving dinner.

Ruby Slippers Theatre and Gateway Theatre present the premiere of I Lost My Husband

I Lost My Husband | Produced by Ruby Slippers Theatre in association with Gateway Theatre | Gateway Theatre | March 15 – 24, 2018

We’ve all had those nights when we wake up the next morning wondering what exactly happened. How did we get home safe? Did we do anything we might regret? Evelyn (Meghan Gardiner) is a regular at her local bar. She knows the whole karaoke catalogue by heart, and she loves to give the bartender, Melissa (Agnes Tong), a hard time. One night, after a few too many beers, Evelyn and Melissa end up in a karaoke bet — with Evelyn’s husband as the prize.

Remember to see Arts Club's incredibly moving Forget About Tomorrow

Forget About Tomorrow | Arts Club Theatre Company | BMO Theatre Centre | March 1 – 25, 2018

It begins with small mistakes, absent-minded mishaps. Tom (Craig Erickson) is not himself and complains that his mind feels foggy. At first, his wife, Jane (Jennifer Lines), thinks it’s related to his anxiety for which he has been prescribed Cipralex, but Tom is not convinced.

Jill Daum, a member of the Mom’s the Word Collective, wrote this play after her husband, John Mann (of Spirit of the West fame) was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Incorporated into the play are some songs written by John. It’s partially autobiographical and entirely moving. Although Tom’s decline is enough to pull at the heartstrings, we see the story from Jane’s perspective as she struggles to come to terms with her 50-year-old husband gradually losing his mind.

JFL Northwest 2018: Anthony Jeselnik is not afraid to joke about anything

Anthony Jeselnik | JFL Northwest | Vogue Theatre | March 8, 2018

On International Women’s Day, Anthony Jeselnik told a joke about never seeing his dad hit his mom (he was too quick), and then said, “Happy International Women’s Day. Shout out to all those punching bags out there.” Yes, it was that kind of show. Jeselnik is not afraid to joke about anything, and that is a good thing. With build ups that tend to drive a knife into a tough subject, his punchlines are often an unexpected twist of the knife. This type of humour isn’t for the faint of heart, but it is for anyone who can laugh at horrible things and know that that doesn’t make them a horrible person.

This is That brought "A Night During the Oscars" to JFL Northwest

This is That Live | JFL Northwest | Vogue Theatre | March 4, 2018

The audience at This is That Live may not have been able to have a night at the Oscars, but hosts Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring, along with producer Chris Kelly, brought us “A Night During the Oscars,” and it was a hilarious collection of fake news stories. Returning to JFL Northwest after their 2016 appearance, Kelly and Oldring brought a new show that featured previously created content in the first half of the show, and brand new stories based on audience suggestions in the second half.

Delightful clowning duo has it all in Pss Pss

Pss Pss | Compagnia Baccalà | The Cultch | York Theatre | February 20 – March 4, 2018

Acrobatics, apples, and an accordion: Pss Pss is a delightful clowning duo that will have anyone laughing despite themselves. Camilla Pessi and Simone Fassari are true entertainers, and they channel the spirit of Chaplin and Keaton as two lovable, bumbling clowns.

Ravi Jain re-imagines classic Canadian play Salt-Water Moon

Salt-Water Moon | A Factory Theatre production touring with Why Not Theatre | Gateway Theatre | February 15 – 24, 2018

Can you go back home? And if you do, will it be the same as you left it? In this classic Canadian play, Jacob (Kawa Ada) returns to Coley’s Point, Newfoundland after leaving Mary (Kayko Nguyen) without saying goodbye. In the meantime, she has become engaged to Jerome, whose father disrespected Jacob’s father.

Pourquoi tu pleures...? is a darkly humorous family drama

Pourquoi tu pleures…? | Les Éternels Pigistes | Théâtre la Seizième | Waterfront Theatre | February 16-17, 2018

Some people like to have control over their family even in the afterlife. A father (Pierre Curzi) decides to state in his will that his $5 million inheritance must be divided among his widow and four children “according to individual need.” At a family barbeque, sitting around a pig on a spit, all manner of past disagreements and grievances are aired.

Onegin is a rousing musical about the kind of love worth dying for

Onegin | Arts Club Theatre Company | Surrey Arts Centre | February 21 – March 3, 2018 | Western Canadian tour January 5 – April 4, 2018

Onegin is a musical about love; about the kind of worth dying for. With a party atmosphere, rousing songs, and a story of a love that could have been, this adaptation by Amiel Gladstone and Veda Hille is splendid.

Originally published in 1832, Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin is a piece of classic Russian literature that has been adapted to stage and screen many times. The Arts Club production premiered in spring 2016 and won ten Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards while receiving wide critical acclaim. It’s wonderful to see the production tour Western Canada and reach an even wider audience.

Fun Home is a touching masterpiece of a musical

Fun Home | Arts Club Theatre Company | Granville Island Stage | February 8 – March 10, 2018

Touching writing, a brilliant cast, and inventive staging. Fun Home is a coming-of-age musical that entertains while tugging on the heartstrings.

Alison (Sara-Jeanne Hosie) grows up in an unconventional household. Her father is a funeral home director and she, along with her two brothers, sometimes helps Dad with the family business. After she goes away to college, she has a revelation that she’s a lesbian and begins a romance with Joan (Sara Vickruck). Little does she know, her father (Eric Craig) is a closeted gay man who has been having affairs during her parents’ entire marriage. As Alison says, she “leapt out of the closet,” and four months later her father killed himself.

SHIT shows the harsh realities of life after foster care

SHIT | Firehall Arts Centre | January 27 – February 10, 2018

Three women who have been used and abused by the foster care system discuss their pain, their lack of trust in humanity, and their lack of hope for the future. Billy (Kayla Deorksen) is always looking for a fight; Sam (Yoshié Bancroft) grasps on to the hope that one day she will have a chance to be a mother, and Bob (Sharon Crandall) wants to be a man. As Billy tells Sam, it’s better not to want anything. Life is less disappointing that way.

Jitters is a hilarious love letter to Canadian Theatre

Jitters | Arts Club Theatre Company | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage | January 25 – February 25, 2018

“Where else can you be a top notch actor and still die broke and anonymous?” asks Canadian theatre star Patrick Flanagan (Robert Moloney). This line sets the tone for David French’s love note to Canadian theatre with all the trials and tribulations artists go through to get a show to opening night. Director David Mackay has set this Arts Club production in 1979, the year the play was first produced, and it’s wonderful to see the set and costumes bring this era to life.

PuSh 2018: Dublin Oldschool

Dublin Oldschool | PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | The Cultch Historic Theatre | January 30 – February 3, 2018

Two brothers, two mics, one crazy Dublin weekend. Playwright Emmet Kirwan plays Jason, a wannabe DJ, who is estranged from his brother Daniel (Ian Lloyd Anderson), a homeless junkie. During one drug-fueled weekend, Jason takes audiences on a journey through crack houses, raves, his love life, all the while seeing his doppelganger wherever he goes.

JFL NorthWest returns with laugh-packed line-up

JFL NorthWest comedy festival | various venues in Vancouver | March 1 – 10, 2018

Bringing much-needed laughs to brighten up our rainy Vancouver winter, JFL NorthWest returns for a third year with a stellar line-up of hilarious local and international comedians. New this year is the Vancouver Just For Laughs Film Festival, which will include short and feature films as well as industry panels.

Returning for his third year in a row at JFL NorthWest is Daily Show host Trevor Noah. Also joining the festival from The Daily Show is Ronny Chieng whose segments as a correspondent on the show have made him a household name. Other big names include Jo Koy, known for his Filipino mom jokes, Maria Bamford and her dry, unique humour, and Bill Burr who had a third show added due to popular demand.

PuSh 2018: The Events - Pi Theatre

The Events | Pi Theatre | PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | Russian Hall | January 17 – 28, 2018

How do you go on when an entire community has been taken away from you? In David Greig’s The Events, Claire, a priest and choir leader, tries to come to terms with a mass shooting that had her face to face with the gunman. The play is based on an incident that took place in Norway in 2011, and it sadly has relevance in many other parts of the world.

PuSh 2018: Inside/Out - Neworld Theatre

Inside/Out | Neworld Theatre | PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | Performance Works | January 17 – 21, 2018

Patrick Keating has a gift for storytelling. But he only found that out after spending twelve years in and out of federal correctional facilities until ending up in a theatre course taught by Richard Payne in Matsqui penitentiary. Keating ended up trading his crime community for the theatre community twenty years ago and since then has had roles in The X-Files, Fringe and Da Vinci's Inquest. In this one-man show, he shares his story with honesty and integrity, humanizing the prison experience.

Black Boys presents the multiplicity of being black and queer in Canada

Black Boys | Buddies in Bad Times Theatre/Saga Collectif | Presented by The Cultch and Zee Zee Theatre | The Cultch Historic Theatre | January 16 – 20, 2018

What is it like to be black and queer? The intersectionality and multiplicity of this identity is explored by Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Tawiah Ben-Eben M’Carthy, and Thomas Olajide who each have unique histories and circumstances as black gay men living in Canada. Jackman-Torkoff grew up as a foster kid in the Toronto area, M’Carthy is a Ghanian-born Canadian living in Toronto, and Olajide lives in Toronto and is originally from Vancouver.

Hot Brown Honey is an explosion of feminist expression

Hot Brown Honey | Briefs Factory | Presented by The Cultch | York Theatre | January 9 – 27, 2018

Smashing through stereotypes with hip hop beats, fierce dance moves, and impressive acrobatics, the performers of Hot Brown Honey are here to take back their power and fight the patriarchy. As Busty Beatz says, atop a luminescent hive, this is “where rebellion brews,” and they are here to “make you interrogate all of your views.” With songs like “You Are Not the Maid” and “Don’t Touch My Hair,” this show is an explosion of feminist expression and social commentary.

An author writes for his life in Arts Club's suspense-filled drama, Misery

Misery | Arts Club Theatre Company | Touring the Lower Mainland January 5 to February 8, 2018 and at the Granville Island Stage April 5 to May 5, 2018

Sometimes it feels like you need a gun to your head to actually be productive as a writer. What if you had to write like your life depended on it? Would you produce your best work? Author Paul Sheldon (Andrew McNee) has to do just that in Misery when his “number one fan” Annie Wilkes (Lucia Frangione) rescues him from a car crash and holds him hostage. Based on Stephen King’s thriller, this chilling production combines innovative set design, riveting acting, and a sharp script to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

PuSh International Peforming Arts Festival brightens up winter with unique dance, theatre, music, and film

Push International Performing Arts Festival | Various venues | January 16 to February 4, 2018

The 14^th annual PuSh Festival features artists from 11 countries, 20 Mainstage shows, eight Club PuSh shows, and PuSh Assembly, an industry networking event series. This year, the Club PuSh shows have expanded eastward to the Anvil Centre in New Westminster. Another highlight of this year’s festival is the Spotlight on Ireland, featuring a series of works from the Republic of Ireland as well as Northern Ireland. With so many shows to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. There are many worthy of anticipation.

Little Women is a quaint tale about following our dreams

Little Women | Bring On Tomorrow Co. | presented with Kay Meek Centre and Creber Music | Grosvenor Theatre at Kay Meek Centre | December 27 – 30, 2017

This musical is hard to relate to. It wasn’t just the old-fashioned costumes and quaint farm house in 1860s Massachusetts that felt far-removed from our own context, but the content as well. While on the surface, this story by Louisa May Alcott may seem like a feminist tale of striking out on one’s own and following our dreams, it inevitably ends in marriage.

The Daisy Theatre provides a fresh take on A Christmas Carol in Little Dickens

Little Dickens | The Daisy Theatre | The Cultch Historic Theatre | December 5 – 22, 2017

Provocative puppets teach us the true meaning of Christmas in Ronnie Burkett’s take on A Christmas Carol. Featuring many of the Daisy Theatre characters we’ve come to know and love, this was a hilarious reimagining created exclusively for Vancouver audiences.

East Van Panto returns with a hilarious, hyper-local take on Snow White

East Van Panto: Snow White & the Seven Dwarves | Theatre Replacement and The Cultch | York Theatre | November 29, 2017 - January 6, 2018

The hyper-local East Van Panto is back for its fifth year entertaining young and old alike, and it’s as irreverent and hilarious as ever. This year, a goth Snow White (Ming Hudson) escapes from the evil queen’s house in West Vancouver to cross the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge to East Van, a magical land she has always dreamed of visiting. On her travels, she ends up at the PNE and meets a washed up ’80s rock group called the Seven Dwarves who live in a Playland haunted house.

Nothing Up My Sleeves is an impressive evening of magic

Nothing Up My Sleeves | Matt Johnson | Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall | December 1, 2017

First inspired to explore magic as a kid when he imagined shrinking himself down and entering a music box in his grandmother’s house, Matt Johnson has been fascinated by illusion and fantasy ever since. His theatre show is a fusion of personal storytelling, comedy, traditional magic acts, illusions, and audience participation.

Titus Bouffonius is hilarious, haunting

The Society for the Destitute presents Titus Bouffonius | Rumble Theatre | The Cultch Historic Theatre | November 22 – December 3, 2017

You wouldn’t normally think of Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare’s bloodiest, most gruesome play, as a comedy. But at the hands of bouffon clowns Sob, Spark, Boots, Fink, and Leap, it’s hilarious.

The ramshackle set of wooden planks, tires, and junk heaps is detailed and immersive as the bouffons skulk around telling the tale of Titus. The troupe explains that they chose to do an adaptation of Titus Andronicus because it has the most murders (“thank you taxpayers” they add cheekily).

Satellites explores housing and community in our city

Satellites | Solo Collective Theatre | Performance Works | November 16 – 26, 2017

“Satellite kids” are lonely teenagers left by themselves in large houses as their parents go back and forth to another country. Li (Mason Temple) is one of these kids living in a large house in Vancouver. His neighbour, Jan (Jillian Fargey) is lonely herself. Her marriage is strained and she spends her days complaining about the way her neighbourhood is changing and fears that Li’s mother might tear down the heritage home she bought for her son to live in. One of her hobbies is breaking into empty houses to take photos in case one day they are no longer standing.

Into the Wilderness at Studio 58

Wilderness | Studio 58 | November 16 - December 3, 2017

The Canadian premiere of this play, based on true stories of troubled teenagers sent to a wilderness camp against their will, was a captivating look at the way nature can heal us and provide comfort even when we’re sleeping on the ground in the desert.

The healing properties of nature are well-known, but for these six troubled teens, it seems that the isolation and camaraderie of their collective experience is what helped them to work through their individual trauma or anxiety that drove their parents to send them to the desert.

Unité Modèle provides real estate comic relief

Unité Modèle | Théâtre la Seizième | October 17–28, 2017

Two real estate representatives show off a showroom to promote a residential development. Through acting out scenes from their lives, they show how happy, stylish, and carefree your life could be if you lived at Diorama. This condo is the pinnacle of perfection, but only on the surface. It soon becomes clear that all is not well for the happy couple.

Happy Place is an all-female tour de force

Happy Place | Touchstone Theatre in association with Ruby Slippers Theatre and Diwali in BC | Firehall Arts Centre | October 19-29, 2017

In a minimalist, grey rehabilitation centre, six women who have tried to kill themselves help each other find a reason to keep living. Their stories are all unique, yet they share an understanding of the difficulties of finding hope and feeling happy.

TJ Dawe and Itai Erdal explore our digital lives in Hyperlink

Hyperlink | The Elbow Theatre Society | Firehall Arts Centre | October 4 – 14, 2017

TJ Dawe and Itai Erdal explore the good, the bad, and the ugly phenomena of the internet in this show that is as varied as its subject. How do we connect with each other online? What are we looking to get out of our online interactions? Is spending too much time online reducing our attention spans and putting us in a constant state of distraction? Dawe and Erdal use personal stories and thoughtful analysis to delve into these topics.

Poetry and lust combine in circus show, The Goblin Market

The Goblin Market | The Dust Palace | York Theatre, The Cultch | October 3 – 14, 2017

Poetry, fruit, and acrobatic feats: a seductive combination that made The Goblin Market by New Zealand circus troupe The Dust Palace a sensational show. Their unique blend of circus and theatre, with text from Christina Rosetti’s classic poem, Goblin Market, projected on the back wall of the stage, is bold and exciting.

All-teen cast rocks in 13: The Musical

13: The Musical | Bring on Tomorrow Co. | The Waterfront Theatre | September 28 – October 8, 2017

It’s not easy being 13. Especially when you’re the new kid in town. Evan’s family has moved from New York City to Appleton, Indiana, and he struggles to fit in with the popular kids. Meanwhile, local girl Patrice (Julia MacLean) falls for Evan (Graham Verchere) over the summer and tries to help him navigate the social dynamics of their small-town school. This all-teen cast was full of vibrancy and talent, and, bolstered by a live band, they gave us a thrilling opening number that truly rocked.

Sugar Sammy hosts the Just for Laughs Canadian Comedy Tour

Sugar Sammy returns for a second year to host the 17^th Just for Laughs Canadian Comedy Tour. The tour begins on October 13, with stops in Surrey and Vancouver before heading to 10 more cities. This year’s edition also features the good-natured Alonzo Bodden and the multi-talented Gina Brillon.

The hills are alive with The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music | Broadway across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | September 12 – 17, 2017

At its core, The Sound of Music is about the power of song: its power to overcome sadness, fear, and loneliness, and its ability to bring joy into our lives. Therein lies its universal appeal and longtime popularity. Maria Rainer (Jill-Christine Wiley) embodies this power as she is sent from Nonnberg Abbey to be a governess to seven children at the strict von Trapp household.

Shylock is an impassioned plea on the importance of art

Shylock | Bard on the Beach | Douglas Campbell Theatre at Vanier Park | September 6 – 15, 2017

Why perform The Merchant of Venice? The play has long been derided for its anti-Semitic content and for perpetuating the stereotype of a Jewish moneylender, so why include it in a contemporary Shakespeare festival?

In Shylock, Warren Kimmel plays Jon Davies, a Jewish actor who has just completed his final performance as Shylock in a run of The Merchant of Venice that was cut short due to controversy. The play is structured as a talkback session where Davies explains why Merchant is in fact worthy of being performed and why he prefers to play Shylock as a Jewish villain rather than as a victim of persecution.

2017 Vancouver Fringe Festival in review

Vancouver Fringe Festival | various venues | September 7 – 17, 2017

Katherine Ferns is In Stitches

Performance Works

Although billed as a comedy show, Katherine Ferns’ story of domestic abuse, back pain, and pedophiles isn’t funny material on the surface. Ferns inserts darkly humorous commentary into her story, but most of it made me want to cringe and cry as opposed to laugh out loud.

Nadia Manzoor’s Burq Off! is a compelling coming of age comedy

Burq Off! | Nadia Manzoor | Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts | York Theatre | August 11 and 12, 2017

Nadia Manzoor used to think she was a failed Muslim. Through her story of personal discovery and cultural collision, she comes to realize that her identity has nothing to do with failure but is something that she needs to embrace and understand. Playing 21 characters with ease, Manzoor is a dynamo who was able to elicit tears of joy and sadness while keeping us thoroughly entertained.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona has a new feminist twist at Bard on the Beach

The Two Gentlemen of Verona | Bard on the Beach | Douglas Campbell Theatre at Vanier Park | June 29 – September 17, 2017

An adorable basset hound, lessons in love, and a new feminist ending — this production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona couldn’t have been better.

Shakespeare’s comedies often contain antiquated ideas about gender roles or unrealistic romantic gestures, but Proteus (Charlie Gallant), a protagonist in Two Gentlemen, is probably his most deplorable lover. After laying eyes on Sylvia (Adele Noronha), his best friend Valentine’s (Nadeem Phillip) girl, he casts aside Julia (Kate Besworth) and says “I will forget that Julia is alive.”

Updated Merchant of Venice pulls no punches at Bard on the Beach

The Merchant of Venice | Bard on the Beach | Douglas Campbell Theatre at Vanier Park | June 22 – September 16, 2017

Set in modern day Venice, this stylish, sophisticated production is infused with thoughtful interpretations of Shakespeare’s classic play about a Jewish moneylender, Shylock (Warren Kimmel), and a love struck young man. From the opening choreographed sequence to the climactic courtroom scene, the cast kept us invested in Bassanio’s quest to win Portia’s love and Shylock’s determination to exact revenge through his loan.

Practically perfect Poppins and comical Chaperone at Theatre Under the Stars

Mary Poppins and The Drowsy Chaperone | Theatre Under the Stars | Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park | July 7 – August 19, 2017

She’s confident, she never explains anything, and she’s practically perfect in every way — she’s Mary Poppins and she lights up Malkin Bowl this summer with her no-nonsense attitude and whimsical songs.

Poppins really is more than just a nanny — she comes into the Banks family home and whips everyone into shape, especially Mr. Banks. As she says, she’ll stay “until the wind changes” — until Mr. Banks realizes the importance of spending time with his children and she’s no longer needed.

New Phantom of the Opera production is a visual spectacle

The Phantom of the Opera | Broadway Across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | July 12 – 23, 2017

As the chandelier came crashing down from the ceiling, there were squeals of mixed delight and terror. I think that mixture of delight and terror sums up this classic musical very well as the phantom plots to get the object of his affection, Christine Daaé, into the spotlight. There were moments when I was delighted with the elaborate staging and operatic vocals, but there were an equal number of moments when I was confused about a character’s motivation or true intentions.

This is Our Youth is an authentic, impressive debut from Midtwenties Theatre Society

This is Our Youth | Midtwenties Theatre Society and Red Gate Arts Society | Red Gate Revue Stage | July 14 – 23, 2017

An impressive directorial debut from SFU alumnus Beau Han Bridge and his new theatre company Midtwenties Theatre, This is Our Youth pulls you right into the chaotic lives of three teenagers in New York City.

Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea) has created characters that are some of the most authentic I’ve seen, and his writing is extremely intelligent with subtle hints of wit that catch you off guard. That, coupled with brilliantly genuine portrayals from Zack Currie (Dennis), Quinn Hinch (Warren), and Mackenzie Cardwell (Jessica), turns what could be mundane conversation into a richly textured commentary on youth and the human experience.

Mary Poppins lands in Malkin Bowl this summer

Mary Poppins | Theatre Under the Stars | Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park | presented in repertory with The Drowsy Chaperone | July 7 to August 19

Mary Poppins is tart, sassy, and opinionated. Ranae miller is a bit shy and quiet. “This is a character that’s the furthest from who I am that I’ve played,” Miller told The Peak. She is enjoying embodying this strong-willed woman while bringing a bit of herself to the character at the same time. “She’s a little sassy, but still kind,” explained Miller. “She’s there to do a job and she has a lot of love to offer. She has a lot going for her.”

A magical production of The Winter's Tale at Bard on the Beach

The Winter’s Tale | Bard on the Beach | BMO Mainstage at Vanier Park | June 8 – September 22, 2017

Leontes, King of Sicilia, gets a dangerous idea in his head: he is convinced that his wife is having an affair with his friend, Polixenes, King of Bohemia. This idea and his fervent jealousy set in motion a series of not-so-credible events. It’s hard to get emotionally involved in a story that doesn’t seem to have rational motivation.

Much Ado about Italian cinematic charm at Bard on the Beach

Much Ado About Nothing | Bard on the Beach | BMO Mainstage at Vanier Park | June 1 to September 23

The glamour of a film set, the sophistication of Italy, and the timeless wit of one of Shakespeare’s best comedies — Bard on the Beach has a hit on their hands with Much Ado About Nothing.

The show opens in a flurry of revelry with champagne bottles popping and a film crew celebrating the wrap of their latest project. A set of large white doors at the back of the stage serves as a screen for black and white projections and custom retro movie posters. This provides a stylish backdrop to the beautiful black and white costumes by Christine Reimer.

Hand to God is a hilarious dark comedy

Margery, a recent widow, laments that she can’t sing and her brownies taste like tires. So she contributes at church the only way she knows how: leading a puppet theatre group. Jennifer Lines gives a tremendous performance as Margery whose son, Jason (Oliver Castillo), is one of her three puppet theatre students.

The Hunger Room is full of surprises

Two male high school teachers share a whiskey and discuss the challenges of working with young girls who sometimes look older than they are. One seems to be hinting that he struggles to resist acting on his sexual thoughts while the other becomes increasingly uncomfortable. Their “chain of trust” is soon stretched thin as a shocking confession emerges.

Children of God shows us the tragic realities of residential schools

Children of God | Urban Ink, National Arts Centre, Raven Theatre | The Cultch’s York Theatre | May 17 – June 3, 2017

“We’re trying to make you better,” says a priest to a little boy, implying that everything he is — his culture, his language, and everything he does — is wrong. This is how children were treated in residential schools in Canada. They were abused in many ways and made to feel like there was something wrong with them. The trauma of that experience is intergenerational — it is passed on the children of residential school survivors and the effects linger to this day. Corey Payette’s Children of God demonstrates the realities of residential schools in gripping detail through rousing song and heart-wrenching drama. Everyone should see this play — even those who are already educated about this part of our history.

Napoléon Voyage is an autobiographical trip around the world

Napoléon Voyage | Théâtre Hors Taxes | Théâtre la Seizième.| May 2 – 6, 2017

When Jean-Philippe Lehoux travels, he is not intrepid and things are not usually glamorous. But he always comes home with a good story. This autobiographical story about the power of travel shows how it can open your mind and change your perspective on the world.

End of the Rainbow gives us an intimate look into the tragic end of Judy Garland's life

End of the Rainbow | Ace Productions | Jericho Arts Centre | April 26 – May 20, 2017

“Give me the phone!” yells Judy Garland as she teeters on the window ledge outside her London hotel room. Her Scottish pianist, Anthony Chapman, reluctantly passes her the phone and she proceeds to guilt the hotel manager into getting an extension on their bill. This is just one of the erratic moments that we see from Garland as she spirals closer to self-destruction in this gripping drama set during her comeback run of shows in 1960s London.

The Watershed sheds light on our nation's most precious resource

The Watershed | Porte Parole and Crow’s Theatre | Gateway Theatre | April 6 – 15, 2017

A master of documentary theatre, Annabel Soutar draws on dialogue and text from everyday life to create her plays. In The Watershed, she uses her own family’s road trip and quest to find out more about the sudden closure of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), a research facility in Northern Ontario, as her starting point. Woven into this quest are news reports, interviews, and speeches from rallies and events that provide a broader context to the issue.

Ronnie Burkett's The Daisy Theatre delights at The Cultch

The Daisy Theatre | Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes | The Cultch Historic Theatre | March 21 – April 9, 2017

“Fasten your seatbelts and clench those sphincters! Let’s do a puppet show!” Thus began Ronnie Burkett’s variety show of puppetry that lasts anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes and is never the same two nights in a row. While there are songs and skits that he has prepared, which ones make it on stage and what he adds to them each night depends on how he feels and what he thinks the crowd will enjoy.

The Pipeline Project tackles environmental concerns with frank, personal reflections

The Pipeline Project | ITSAZOO Productions and Savage Society with Gateway Theatre and Neworld Theatre | Gateway Theatre | March 9 – 18, 2017

Quelemia Sparrow and Kevin Loring, both members of First Nations communities, ask Sebastian Archibald, a white man of unidentified heritage, what his culture is. At first, he thinks he has an answer, but after hearing what their sense of culture is and how they feel connected to the land — to where they live — he isn’t so sure. Moments like these made The Pipeline Project relevant and relatable.

Elbow Room Café: The Musical - Zee Zee Theatre

Elbow Room Café: The Musical | Zee Zee Theatre | The Cultch’s York Theatre | March 1 – 12, 2017

Tabby and Tim from Tennessee don’t know what they’ve gotten themselves into when they decide to stop for a quick bite at the Elbow Room Café on their way to Stanley Park. “Vancouver’s Famous Breakfast Café,” as the sign declares above the door, is run by partners Patrice and Bryan, a couple who loves to bicker and often airs their dirty laundry in front of the customers. The iconic real-life café is known for the tough love that customers receive from Patrice, and the do-it-yourself attitude when it comes to things such as coffee refills.

Bonjour, là, bonjour - Théâtre la seizième

Bonjour, là, bonjour | Théâtre la seizième | February 28 – March 11, 2017

Serge (Vincent Leblanc-Beaudoin) is in love with his sister. And his sister is in love with him. Out of his three other sisters, only one knows the truth about this incestuous bond. This dysfunctional family story is full of quirky characters and intense dramatic moments.

JFL Northwest 2017: Sarah Silverman

Sarah Silverman | JFL Northwest | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | February 25, 2017

Exuding the cool confidence of a seasoned comedian, Sarah Silverman knows her strengths and weaknesses and how to please a theatre full of fans. But not everyone is a fan it seems. The heightened security and metal detectors at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre were in response to threats against Silverman’s life after she tweeted in support of a military coup against President Donald Trump. Silverman’s stand up is infused with a similar boldness. She isn’t afraid to talk about anything, including her own internet porn search terms.

JFL Northwest 2017: Michelle Wolf

Michelle Wolf | JFL Northwest | Biltmore Cabaret | February 19, 2017

With her sometimes acerbic, always thought-provoking sense of humour, Michelle Wolf packed the Biltmore Cabaret for an evening of cathartic laughs. Opening the show was Kevin Banner, originally from Vancouver Island, who gave us some local flavour, self-deprecating stories, and tales of failed relationships.

Wolf wasted no time mentioning Trump, but commented that we have a “cute president” in Trudeau. I guess we can’t blame her for not knowing that we don’t have a president? There were a few other forced Canadian references that fell flat — such as her comment about everyone speaking two languages and not understanding why there were French signs at the airport in Vancouver.

JFL Northwest 2017: Comedy Short Shorts

Comedy Short Shorts | JFL Northwest | Rio Theatre | February 18, 2017

Hosted by Paul Anthony (of local variety show Talent Time fame), the short film series at JFL Northwest was a grab bag of all types of humour. Forty filmmakers entered their creations, and out of those 17 were shortlisted for this presentation where judges chose the winner of $1,000 and a screening at Just for Laughs in Montreal.

The winner, Grocery Store Action Movie, was easily the funniest film of the bunch. Written by Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson (comedy duo Peter ‘n’ Chris), and featuring Ryan Beil as a stoic cashier, the epic hunt for crackers to bring home for a dinner party turns nasty.

JFL Northwest 2017: Iliza

Iliza | JFL Northwest | Vogue Theatre | February 17, 2017

For a good girls’ night out, Iliza doesn’t disappoint. With most of her humour based on general assumptions about the way men and women act and how they interact with each other, she pokes fun at gender stereotypes while also infusing her material with feminism.

Local comedian Ivan Decker opened the show and warmed up the crowd with hyper local jokes about referring to his neighbourhood, the Downtown Eastside, as Gastown and how unprepared Vancouverites are for snow. I also enjoyed his bit about Dark Table, the restaurant where you eat in complete darkness, as he talked about how overrated that experience is.

Kinky Boots is a fabulous feel-good musical

Kinky Boots | Broadway Across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | February 7 – 12, 2017

Drag queens, Cyndi Lauper tunes, and sequins galore. How can one go wrong? Kinky Boots is a musical about acceptance, following your heart, and feeling fabulous in your own skin.

Charlie Price (Curt Hansen) is the classic hero who is pulled back to his small tow to save the family shoe factory, Price & Sons, after his father passes away. He is eager to get back to London to be with his fiancé Nicola (Katerina Papacostas), but soon gets involved in the daily running of the company and trying to save it from bankruptcy.

Odysseo by Cavalia needs to be seen to be believed

Odysseo by Cavalia | January 31 – March 5, 2017 | White Big Top, Olympic Village

Breaking all kinds of records for touring shows, Odysseo is something that has to be seen to be believed. From start to finish this show bombards the senses with a series of impressive acts that are as beautiful as they are technically challenging. The true stars of the show are the 65 horses, ranging in age from three to 14, and representing 11 different breeds from seven countries. They are accompanied by 48 artists who respect their four legged co-stars and all work together to create a magical spectacle.

PuSh 2017: Mouthpiece

Mouthpiece | Quote Unquote Collective | presented by PuSh International Performing Arts Festival and The Cultch | January 31 – February 4, 2017

We all have conflicting voices in our heads at one time or another, but how do we reconcile them and find our true voice amidst the chaos of life and the pressures of societal expectations? Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava embody two voices of one grieving woman in Mouthpiece, their duet based on personal experience.

PuSh 2017: As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying | Theatre Smith-Gilmour | presented by PuSh International Performing Arts Festival and Arts Club Theatre company | BMO Theatre Centre | January 19 – February 12, 2017

This production of William Faulkner’s classic novel is described as experimental, physical theatre. I can see the physical element for sure, but I’m not sure it was that experimental. Perhaps the folks who were discussing whether they should leave at intermission would disagree, but I thought Theatre Smith-Gilmour was using physicality and no props to fill our imagination with a highly detailed story. A show that can create scenes in our mind’s eye without the use of props is much more of a success than a show relying on elaborate set pieces to create the scene for us.

PuSh 2017: Concord Floral

Concord Floral | PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | Roundhouse Community Centre | January 25 - 29, 2017

The cast of this show is comprised of teenagers from all over the Lower Mainland, some of whom have little or no theatrical experience. Despite (or perhaps because of) this fact, they were able to bring a refreshing authenticity to their performances. Created by Toronto artists Jordan Tannahill, Erin Brubacher and Cara Spooner, the play is based on Boccaccio’s The Decameron — but in this case the setting is a huge abandoned greenhouse called Concord Floral.

PuSh 2017: By Heart

By Heart | PuSh International Performing Arts Festival | Performance Works | January 19 - 21, 2017

It may sound like a boring premise to watch ten fellow audience members get on stage and learn Shakespeare’s Sonnet 30 by heart, but Portugal’s Tiago Rodrigues weaves a haunting literary tale that infuses the sonnet with new meaning.

Cuisine and Confessions is a feast for the senses

Cuisine and Confessions | Les 7 doigts | Jaunuary25 – 29, 2017 | Vancouver Playhouse | Presented by Théâtre la Seizième

Death-defying acrobatic feats, infectious humour, and a meal at the end of it all: these are the ingredients for a spectacular show. From the audience interaction before the show to the tasty treats at the end, this show was a complete joy.

The nine acrobats of Les 7 doigts weave culinary stories in between their impressive acts while sharing their favourite foods, discussing intimate food-related memories, and fantasizing about foods they love. Their first course is an omelet, and the perfect omelet, they explain, needs eggs, peppers, onions — and love. Cracking eggs with one hand, throwing eggs over the audience, and finally bringing an audience member on stage, they prepared the omelet of love while the acrobats, utensils and ingredients alike were tossed around the stage and over the large kitchen island that served many purposes.

The (Post) Mistress is full of small town charm

The (Post) Mistress | Arts Club Theatre on tour | January 7 – February 4, 2017

Full of gossip, energy, and enthusiasm, Marie-Louise Painchaud (Patricia Cano) is instantly likeable. Telling stories, spinning fantasies, and dreaming about her future, her stunning voice is accompanied on stage by piano (Michael Creber) and saxophone (Chris Startup).

Working in the post office of small-town Lovely Ontario, Painchaud knows everybody’s business. She hears all the latest gossip when people drop off their packages, and has no shame in holding a letter up to the light to read its contents. The contents of these letters, inspires her daydreams and fuels her fantasies.

The Fighting Season shows us another side of war

The Fighting Season | Bleeding Heart Theatre | January 10 – 21, 2017 | Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch

A serene lake, a pristine lawn, a hockey game on TV, and an ice cold beer. That’s all Terry wants after his tour in Afghanistan as a doctor in a busy medical facility at the Kandahar Airfield. Based on the experiences of playwright Sean Harris Oliver’s father, Dr. John Oliver, this is an intense telling of the events that profoundly affected three of the hospital’s Canadian personnel.

PuSh Festival 2017: Volker Gerling's Portraits in Motion shows us moments of truth

Portraits in Motion | York Theatre | January 24-26, 2017

Volker Gerling collects flipbooks like some people collect acquaintances. “I’m curious about people; about souls,” he said on the phone from his home in Germany. Gerling started taking photos as a child with his super eight film camera, and dreamed of becoming a film director. It was at film school in 1997 that the flipbook seed was first planted. He saw a documentary about people in a retirement home, and one scene grabbed his attention. He remembers one lady showing a flipbook of herself from the 1920s — the flipbook of herself as a young woman flipped in her old hand and she came to life. “This scene is the reason I had the idea to do flipbooks,” explained Gerling.

Potted Potter is a hilarious re-telling of all seven Harry Potter books

Potted Potter | December 13 – 24, 2016 | Vogue Theatre

This show is a classic comedic duet. James Percy, the straight man, is trying to summarize all seven Harry Potter books for the audience as best he can, while Joe Maudsley, his less competent partner, makes things difficult for him at every opportunity.

It all starts with Joe unveiling the set pieces he’s created, all with some significant imperfections. The Forbidden Forest set is a sunny beach scene, and there is a wardrobe that leads to Narnia. It doesn’t help that Joe admits he hasn’t actually read any of the books, and he blew their budget on a special dragon for book four.

East Van Panto rides into town with Little Red Riding Hood

East Van Panto: Little Red Riding Hood | Theatre Replacement

York Theatre | November 23 – December 31, 2016

For those who live in East Vancouver or who are very familiar with that area of the city, this hyper-local pantomime was created for that audience and contains endless references to their neighbourhoods. In heater Replacement’s fourth year of partnering with The Cultch to bring the East Van Panto to life, it has become even more localized and specific to the areas surrounding the York Theatre. For everyone who is familiar with this area, this is probably a welcome progression, but for everyone else it can seem a bit alienating.

Touchstone Theatre and Diwali Fest present Anusree Roy's Brothel #9

Brothel #9 by Anusree Roy | presented by Touchstone Theatre and Diwali Fest

The Cultch’s Vancity Culture Lab | November 17 – 27, 2016

For a play about sex slavery in Calcutta, there was at times too much joviality in Anusree Roy’s Brothel #9, but the complicated relationships between the four main characters are what keep this story endlessly interesting while producing a constant tension.

Rekha (Adele Noronha) arrives in Calcutta at what she thinks to be a light bulb factory. Her innocent eyes are lit up with the hope of a good job and a fresh start in a new city. She quickly finds out that she has been sold by her brother-in-law into sex slavery and that Jamuna (Laara Sadiq), a fellow sex slave and the only woman who she can confide in, has completely submitted herself to her new reality and is not interested in Rekha’s pleas for help.

Long Division presents math as a metaphor for human connection

Long Division | Pi Theatre at Gateway Theatre | November 17 – 26, 2016

When I go to the theatre, I don’t really want to feel like I’m at a university lecture or a didactic educational play that is trying to no-so-subtly feed me information in between bits of disjointed plot. Unfortunately Peter Dickenson’s Long Division felt like this.

I understand that the educational nature of the story was intentional, but the plot was interrupted too often to let me get into the story, which was intriguing. I wanted to hear more about Paul, the poor math genius who was bullied in high school, about the way the lives of the seven characters onstage intersected, and how everything lead up to the climactic event at Paul’s high school. We never see Paul, instead seven characters tell us his story in fragments.

The Pianist: A Concert Catastrophe

October 26 – November 6 | The York Theatre

As Thomas Monckton swung off his piano holding onto a chandelier, peals of laughter bounced all around the theatre. This climactic moment is just another hilarious stunt in a show full of silliness and slapstick. Reminiscent of Mr. Bean’s mute brand of misadventure and physical humour, Monckton plays a pianist whose performance goes awry in every possible way.

Straight Jacket Winter - Théatre la Seizième

Straight Jacket Winter | Théatre la Seizième, 2par4, Centre National des Arts

October 18 – 29, 2016 at Studio 16

Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience, especially when you don’t know anyone and don’t speak the language fluently. Esther Duquette (Artistic Director of Théatre la Seizième) and Gilles Poulin-Denis moved from Montreal to Vancouver in 2011, and they wrote Straight Jacket Winter about their experience of finding a new home. This could have been a banal, commonplace story, but they expertly pulled out the most poignant moments and wove in literary references from L’Hiver de force by Réjean Ducharme that added another layer of meaning.

Fight Night is a democratic theatre experience

Fight Night – Ontroerend Goed (Belgium)

The Cultch | October 18 – 29, 2016

The host of this show manipulated the audience, asked us personal questions, and sent actors off stage based on arbitrary polls. And we loved it. The first vote of the evening, choosing our favourite of five candidates, happened before we even heard them speak. This emphasized the degree to which people base their decisions on appearance, and was the first of many polls that exposed the strategies and manipulations of election campaigns.

This show turned actors into candidates and audience members into voters, and it was the most fun I’ve had at a participatory theatre show. We all got a kick out of seeing the results of each audience poll immediately. Before the candidates came out, we were warmed up with some demographic questions, and the host, Angelo Tijssens, added his own witty commentary about the options and the results.

King of the Yees - Gateway Theatre

King of the Yees – by Lauren Yee

October 13 – 22, 2016 | Gateway Theatre

There were three Lauren Yees at Gateway Theatre on the opening night of King of the Yees. One, the playwright from San Francisco, was sitting in the audience, and the other two were onstage. King of the Yees is about Lauren’s relationship with her father, Larry Yee, and the play is partly about her process of writing the play itself.

In the opening scene we see Lauren (Donna Soares) and Larry (Raugi Yu) in the ornate Yee family association building — at least we think they are Lauren and Larry. Then in walks Lauren (Andrea Yu) to add some directorial notes and we realize they are playing actors in Lauren’s play within the play. Are you still with me? Then Lauren’s father (Gateway artistic director Jovanni Sy) joins them, and after already presenting a unique opening scene, they break the fourth wall and talk to the audience.

Cathy Jones feels like a Stranger to Hard Work

Canadian comedy icon Cathy Jones talks about her new show, Stranger to Hard Work

September 28 - October 8 | Firehall Arts Centre

Sitting in the mattress department of a Sears department store in Halifax, Cathy Jones is having a pretty hectic day. She’s had a haircut, got a new screen on her cell phone, and now she’s found somewhere relatively quiet and comfortable to sit while she does a barrage of interviews one after the other about her new solo show. And yet, she says she feels like she could be working harder; doing more.

Bard on the Beach presents a new adaptation of the strange epic Pericles

Photo courtesy of David Blue Pericles might be the strangest play in Shakespeare’s canon with its themes of incest and dead characters coming back to life. It also isn’t always easy to understand on your first pass. Rather than reduce that barrier, I found this adaptation by director Lois Anderson somewhat hindered an easy understanding of the plot. Using dolls to represent characters being described in narration and moving between present and flashback in real life and magical worlds, this show was not easy to follow.

Civil War Othello doesn't live up to expectations at Bard on the Beach

Photo courtesy of David Blue

Othello, a civil war general for the Union Army, consults with his trusted advisor, Iago. As they sit in silence poring over maps and strategies, Iago masterfully manipulates Othello into thinking that his new wife, Desdemona, may be unfaithful. Once Iago has planted the seed of doubt, this play unfolds with such elegance that it’s impossible not to get drawn into the intrigue.

The Merry Wives of Windsor is back on the big Bard on the Beach stage

Photo courtesy of David Blue “These Boots are Made for Walking” fills the Bard on the Beach mainstage tent as a colourfully dressed cast takes the stage of The Garter Inn in 1960s Windsor, Ontario. At this moment I wondered what a modern day song like this was doing in a Shakespeare play, and whether these kinds of modern renditions that mix the old and the new are even appropriate. I think it depends. In this case, director Johnna Wright successfully translated the play to 1960s Ontario where it feels right at home, and then from the smaller Bard stage where it first appeared in 2012 to the larger space where it easily fills it with mirth and song.

Romeo and Juliet teach us the importance of love at Bard on the Beach

June 3 - September 23, 2016 at Bard on the Beach, Vanier Park

Photo courtesy of David Blue Juliet sneaks out of her bedroom at night to meet Romeo. She sprinkles rose petals on the ground and lays down a blanket. She’s preparing for her first time, and the scene evokes memories of young love that will resonate with many in the audience. Romeo and Juliet share a tender, romantic night under the stars and plan to be together forever.

Andrew Chown and Hailey Gillis shine in the title roles. They made me believe in their love, in their innocence, and in their anguished demise. I think this play, as tragic as it is, is a tribute to love, teaching us the importance of pursing it against all odds. Yes, the ending is extreme with both lovers taking their own lives, but so often theatre goes to extremes to get a point across. Their deaths are the result of a family feud, and we are warned to against letting hatred get in the way of love.

Good People is too good to miss

Good People - Arts Club Theatre Company

March 24 – April 24, 2016

Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage

Margie (Colleen Wheeler) sits on the sofa in her ex-boyfriend Mike’s fancy house. He left South Boston, became a doctor, got married and had a baby, and become what she calls “lace curtain” — someone who thinks they’re better than others based on their income and where they live. While his wife is in the kitchen, Mike askes Margie not to tell her that they used to go out. Margie not only tells her they used to go out and that Mike asked her not to, but she tells Mike that her daughter is actually his. The tension in that living room could be cut with a knife.

Kayak is political and personal

Jordan Hall’s play focuses on the impact of global warming.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Some people are so insufferably righteous that you can’t stand them. You know the type: in a way you admire them, but those feelings are quickly overcome with the urge to slap them in their fair-trade-buying, bicycle-riding, self-satisfied faces. That’s how Mrs. Iverson feels about Julie.

Five Cures for Winter Boredom

Got the post-Christmas blues? Here are a few ways to distract yourself until spring.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

1. Discover Thug Notes

If you’re ever in need of a quick summary and analysis of a classic piece of literature, Thug Notes has your back. Hosted by character Sparky Sweets, PhD, watching this web series promises to turn you into one well-read balla.

Samuel Beckett at his best

Blackbird Theatre presents the Canadian premiere of Beckett’s classic radio play.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Written in 1956, All That Fall by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett has never been professionally produced in Canada, until now. First broadcast on BBC radio, Beckett never allowed the play to be produced on stage. He insisted that it was meant to be heard, as it was better if the audience could imagine the story for themselves. The Beckett estate recently allowed for the play to be produced on stage, but only as a radio play.

Christmas Queen - Vancouver Theatresports

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

If improv and pantomime had a child, it would be Christmas Queen, an “improv comedy fairytale.” This magical story is brought to life each night through audience suggestions and a spunky narrator, who guides the action as the evil Christmas Queen tries to ruin the holiday for everyone. In true pantomime fashion, the audience is told to boo every time the Queen comes on stage, and the Queen is played by a man. This character, with overly perky fake breasts and classic pantomime makeup, is hilarious on its own. With the addition of the other improvised characters and a crazy plot of random elements, the night is guaranteed to be entertaining.

Loon - Wonderheads Theatre

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

You wouldn’t think that one person in a full-face mask not speaking for almost an hour would be an entertaining show, but this melancholic story about a man who falls in love with the moon was incredibly moving. Wonderheads, a physical theatre company from Portland, brought Grim and Fischer to The Cultch last year, and it was so popular they’re back again this season with Loon.

Kate Braidwood plays Francis, a lonely janitor searching for love. He compulsively calls to see if he has any voicemails from his phone dating service, but he is always left disappointed. While finding solace in a comic book from his childhood, the power goes out and the moon is the only light he has. Thus begins his bizarre courting of the moon as he pulls it down from the sky and brings it home.

Arts Club’s Saint Joan is a long epic about a brave woman

This three hour journey into Joan of Arc’s life is one of George Bernard Shaw’s masterpieces.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

George Bernard Shaw is widely considered to be the greatest playwright after Shakespeare, and Saint Joan is one of his final great works, written when he was 67. The play is long. Even though director Kim Collier, leading lady Meg Roe, and dramaturge Rachel Ditor spent some time editing the script, it still clocks in at over three hours. I’m not against long plays — Shakespeare’s plays, even when edited, are still lengthy — but this didn’t seem to have enough dynamism to hold our undivided attention.

Flashdance - Broadway Across Canada

November 11 – 16, Queen Elizabeth Theatre

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Everyone can picture the iconic scene from the film Flashdance, when Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) drenches herself in water, but unfortunately this iconic image was missing on opening night. Alex did the dance and arched her back over the chair, but the water was a blatantly missing element that everyone was expecting. The image used to advertise this show involves the main character on a chair with water spraying off of her hair as she puts her head back, so it was too bad that the opening night crowd missed out on this essential piece of the show. I’ve been assured that this won’t be a problem for the remaining performances.

Urinetown - Firehall Arts Centre

November 1 – 29, Firehall Arts Centre

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

What if there comes a time when water shortages are so severe that it becomes a privilege to pee? Urinetown is back at the Firehall to explore this possibility with hilarious characters and songs, while playing with established musical theatre tropes.

Unique to this show is the narrator who breaks the fourth wall to welcome us to Urinetown, “the musical not the place,” and explain what we’re about to see. His conversations with the inquisitive Little Sally throughout the show explain what is going on, and as he explains in detail what we’re about to see, he says things like, “too much exposition can kill a show,” while Little Sally asks “what kind of musical is this?”

Hunter Gatherers - Staircase Theatre

October 30 to November 15, Havana Theatre

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Any play that reminds me of Yasmina Reza’s Carnage is doing something right. Peter Sinn Nachtreib’s Hunter Gatherers begins similarly, with a calm household gathering that slowly descends into chaos. Pam and Richard invite Wendy and Tom over every year for an anniversary dinner to celebrate the day both couples got married. Their calm, upstanding dinner party gradually descends into an animalistic disaster as secrets and true personalities are revealed.

I first heard about the play when interviewing Pippa Mackie about another of her projects, and she said she had been thrilled to be part of a play with such a good script. I couldn’t agree more that this is an extremely well-written play. Almost every line is punchy and unexpected, and hilarity runs through the entire play as things become increasingly strange.

The Four Horsemen Project shows the power of language

October 28 to November 2, The Cultch

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Inspired by The Four Horsemen, an avant-garde poetry group that was active in Toronto from 1978 to 1988, this show is a tribute to their work and an extension of it. It’s about the power of poetry, its visceral quality, and the way it sounds and feels in your body.

Three Tall Women - Western Gold Theatre

October 23 to November 9, PAL Studio Theatre

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story impressed me so much during this year’s Fringe Festival that when I found out Three Tall Women was also written by him, I had to go see it.

I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as Zoo Story, but I could see the similarities in Albee’s style. This play also featured only one setting, and it wasn’t so much a story as an interesting conversation.

The Tandoori Kings of Comedy are coming to Surrey

Sunee Dhaliwal and Hollywood Harv join forces in this stand up show.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

“If I stayed on course I would be a lawyer right now. I would be making a lot more money,” laughed Sunee Dhaliwal. Before leaving school to pursue stand up comedy, Dhaliwal spent some time studying criminology at SFU, and the plan was to become a lawyer. “I took one semester off that turned into six years,” he said.

“I always liked comedy. I’d study and watch it as a kid,” said Dhaliwal. While working at Staples, his manager encouraged him to try stand up. He was too shy to email the comedy clubs in Vancouver, so his manager took it upon himself to email, pretending to be Dhaliwal, and signed him up to perform. “He said he’d do it with me, but he never did, and it turned out to be an amazing experience.” That was seven years ago and Dhaliwal has never looked back.

Sesame Street for adults

Arts Club tours the Broadway hit Avenue Q around the Lower Mainland.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Did you watch Sesame Street as a kid? The hilarious Broadway musical Avenue Q is the perfect grown up version, complete with full puppet nudity. The show won Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score at the 2004 Tony Awards, and the music and lyrics are catchy, irreverent, and universal. Having seen the Broadway Across Canada production a couple of years ago, I was eager to see what Arts Club’s version would be like.

There are many parallels to be seen between Avenue Q and Sesame Street. Bert and Ernie are roommates Rod and Nicky, the Cookie Monster is Trekkie Monster, a grumpy, porn-obsessed bachelor. Some of the show’s familiar devices are also used, such as sounding out words one syllable at a time to introduce a new concept.

A toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou is deeply captivating

Theatre la Seizième opens their 40th season with a powerful play by Michel Tremblay.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

The first thing that struck me as outstanding about Theatre la Seizième’s season opener was the set. With three raised platforms to separate the space, each character was isolated and stood out when they delivered their lines. Marie-Lou sat on the far left in her rocking chair, knitting while watching TV, and her husband, Léopold, sat at his table full of empty beer glasses on the other side. In between them, and a bit lower down, were their two daughters, Manon and Carmen.

Carmen has returned home to visit Manon, and as they revisit their childhood we learn shocking things about their parents’ relationship and their tragic death. Manon is a single, religious woman who is obsessed with their death, and Carmen has become a country singer who wants to forget the past all together.

Improv superheroes save the day at Theatresports

Theatresports' new show is a comedic adventure with a new superhero each night.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Theatresports’ Superhero Show! Each night, the improv masters of Theatresports entertain audiences at The Improv Centre with a different caper involving a unique superhero created from audience suggestions. For example, the night I was there the hero was the Pecker, a bird whose special ability was spaghetti fingers.

The narrator has a bit of control over the action on stage as he asks for the audience to shout suggestions or signals a scene change for the performers. There is also a basic structure and setting to the show — it’s set in Big City, and the narrator asks the audience specific questions in order to create the tale. Other than that, nothing is scripted, and the performers have to make up a hilarious story on the spot, given only a couple of pieces of information.

Educating Rita is dead funny

Arts Club's production shows that we all have something to learn.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

What does it mean to get an education? When we hear the word, most of us picture the typical university lecture hall with a professor at the front sharing his or her wisdom, but there are other types of education to be had.

When Rita (Holly Lewis) shows up at Frank’s (Scott Bellis) university office wanting to “know everything,” it’s the beginning of a special relationship that has each of them learning more than they bargained for. Rita gushes about her favourite novel, Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown, and Frank tries to explain the merits of Faulkner and Blake.

Studio 58 opens their 49th season with Kosmic Mambo

This physical theatre piece is loosely based on Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Continuing the long tradition of physical theatre at Studio 58 (joining works like Nocturne, Scenes from a Courtroom, and The Company), Kosmic Mambo is an adaptation of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, set during the space race of the 50s and 60s. Instead of a ship on the ocean, this story takes place on a spaceship. Telling the story entirely through movement, gesture, facial expression, and body language, this was a unique production performed by a talented cast.

Since You Left Us is a hilarious tale of dysfunction

Susinn McFarlen’s play is a comedy about a family reunion, forgiveness, and learning to let go.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Like watching a hilarious television sitcom, Since You Left Us is about a sister returning home to her dysfunctional family and learning to accept them for who they are. Susinn McFarlen has written characters that are just exaggerated enough to make you laugh out loud, yet authentic enough to represent people you know.

Fanny (Jillian Fargey) shows up at her sister Denny’s house in Vancouver after flying from Toronto to look for her runaway son, Danno (Mike Gill). Denny (Colleen Wheeler) has her dog Jack in a baby carrier and, having just come back from their mother’s birthday party at Hooters, is furious that Jack wasn’t allowed in the restaurant.

4000 Miles crosses the generational divide

A touching, humorous tale of a grandmother and grandson who become roommates and friends.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

A simple premise and a beautifully portrayed relationship can lead to a very immersive theatre experience. In Amy Herzog’s 4000 Miles, Vera and her grandson Leo have a relationship that gradually becomes something very touching. It was so immersive that, during one scene an audience member shouted “Avocado!” to help Vera, frustrated about forgetting her words, remember the name of a slimy green fruit with a pit in the middle.

Nicola Cavendish was endearing and highly comical as Vera, the 91-year old former activist. Nathan Barrett as her hippie grandson Leo complimented her well. When Leo shows up at her door at 3:00 a.m. one morning, Vera barks, “Are you high?” She doesn’t mince her words, and she is a strong character who elicited many laughs through subtle things such as meticulous laundry folding or angrily kicking aside shoes in the doorway.

Our Town: As much as things change, they always stay the same

Bob Frazer talks about his company's production of Thornton Wilder's classic.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Sitting at a picnic table beside the main stage tent at Bard on the Beach, Bob Frazer explains that Thornton Wilder and Shakespeare have one very important thing in common: they wrote plays about human emotions.

“One of the great things about Shakespeare, and why I firmly believe he gets done over and over again, is that he doesn’t deal with his time period, he doesn’t deal with what’s going on, he deals with human emotions. Our Town may take place between 1901 and 1913, but that’s not the point. The point is that it deals with human emotions and human truth.”

As his summer acting in Equivocation and Cymbeline at Bard on the Beach comes to a close, Frazer’s company, Osimous Theatre, has started rehearsing their production of Our Town. The play has been around since 1938 and is still so popular that it is staged daily somewhere in the world. It hasn’t been done professionally in Vancouver in over 20 years, and Frazer said he thinks this has to do with the play’s unfortunate reputation as a play reserved for high school drama class or community theatre.

In review: dramatic Fringe

A round up of reviews from some of the dramatic offerings at the Vancouver Fringe Festival.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

For Body and Light – 3 stars

Slow and pensive, this show was poetry in motion. The poetry and music of Ian Ferrier and choreography of Stéphanie Morin-Robert, Linnea Gwiazda, and Allison Burn, combined to create a vivid atmosphere full of maritime imagery. Like the ocean tides, these dancers moved fluidly below one large light hanging above centre stage, representing the moon.

The mesmerizing poetry came alive, yet left room for imagination and interpretation. The large light, maneuvered by a pulley, changed the tone of the space as it was moved to different heights and pulled to the side of the stage. Opening the show were a young musician and spoken word duo who were extremely talented and set the tone for the show. The show ended in a puddle of water as one of the dancers stood in rubber wellingtons filled to the brim. As she moved, the water spilled out around her.

In review: comedic Fringe

A round up of reviews from some of the comedic offerings at the Vancouver Fringe Festival.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

No Tweed Too Tight – 4 stars

This cheesy genre spoof of insurance investigator Grant Canyon was over the top in a good way. Acting like an exaggerated, drunken cross between Philip Marlowe and James Bond, Grant Canyon is on the trail of a huge insurance fraud case. If only he can remember what happened to him, he might be able to solve the mystery and escape death.

Art imitates life in Fringe show about actors who work at a restaurant

Industry: The Food Must Go Out is an ode to the restaurant industry and all the actors who spend their second lives there.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Sometimes life imitates art and vice versa in a serendipitous feedback loop. Pippa Mackie is an actor, and she also works in a restaurant; not the other way around. The line between these two parallel lives is becoming a bit blurred lately as she performs her new show, Industry: The Food Must Go Out, at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. “The vibe is a chef, a busser, and a server walk into their own restaurant, it’s closed down, and they want to have some fun — that’s really what the show is,” said Mackie.

The show is performed at Edible Canada on Granville Island, the hub of the Fringe Festival, and the circumstances couldn’t have been more perfect for this show. Mackie works with chef Nik Bunting, a sketch comedian, and server Lauren Jackson, who is a fellow theatre school grad. Mackie has had an idea brewing for a while to do a show involving life in the restaurant industry, but a couple of months ago it all started to come together when she thought about doing a show at her workplace.

Monty Python take their final bow

The remaining Pythons put on a fitting farewell show.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Broadcast from the O2 Arena in London to cinemas around the world, Monty Python Live (Mostly) included many of the comedy troupe’s classic sketches and hit songs, although they weren’t always done in predictable ways. Some have been updated with current references, but others remain the same and are as funny as always. The parrot may have passed on, but the members of Monty Python are not dead yet (mostly), and they joked that the subtitle of the show is One Down, Five to Go.

This epic comedy reunion was the perfect way for the remaining Pythons to perform together for one last hurrah. The “female Python” Carol Cleveland also joined them and reprised her role in “The Lumberjack Song,” among others. Although their Flying Circus has been off the air since 1974, and the Pythons haven’t done a stage show since 1980, their impact on pop culture is immense and has trickled down through the generations.

Ogres and lawyers at Theatre Under the Stars

Musical versions of Shrek and Legally Blonde entertain audiences at Malkin Bowl this summer.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Playing this year at Stanley Park are two comedies adapted from the big screen featuring original scores, stories of overcoming adversity, and plenty of laughs. Shrek: The Musical features the lovable ogre and all his fairytale friends, and Legally Blonde: The Musical returns for a second year in all its peppy, pink glory.

Perhaps it’s the extra year of performance that the show has under its belt, or maybe it is the stronger writing, but Legally Blonde was a much more polished production. Jocelyn Gauthier was stunning as Elle, Peter Cumins complemented her well as Warner, and Cathy Wilmot was an audience favourite as Paulette.

Cymbeline is a modern drama

This lesser-known play doesn’t fit neatly into any of Shakespeare’s categories

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Late in his life, Shakespeare seemed to get a bit sentimental, writing plays that don’t fit neatly into one of his usual categories. Cymbeline is not exactly a tragedy, although it involves war; it’s not exactly a comedy, although it ends happily, and it’s not exactly a history, although it is about a king. The play is really a modern drama with elements of each and a happy Hollywood ending.

Director Anita Rochon makes her Bard on the Beach debut with this small cast of seven who play multiple roles. The setting is ancient Britain where King Cymbeline (Gerry Mackay) is being threatened by the Romans. To Cymbeline’s dismay, his daughter, Imogen (Rachel Cairns), has married Posthumus (Anton Lipovetsky). Cymbeline had ordered her to marry his new wife’s son, Cloten (Lipovetsky), and he banishes Posthumus to Rome. In Rome, Posthumus meets the manipulative Iachimo (Bob Frazer), who makes a bet that he can seduce Imogen.

What would Shakespeare do?

Shagspeare is commissioned to write about the gunpowder plot in Equivocation

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Bard on the Beach almost never presents plays that are not written by the Bard himself, but when they do, it is for good reason. Bill Cain’s tale of art and politics is a masterpiece of suspense and humour played by a cast of six talented actors. It is presented in partnership with the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, where it premiered this spring.

The story is set in Jacobean England in 1606 as Robert Cecil (Anousha Alamian), King James’ Prime Minister implores Shagspeare (Bob Frazer) to write a play titled The True Historie of the Gunpowder Plot. Shagspeare explains that he writes histories and plays based on events that happened in the past, but he does not do current events.

Shrek and Fiona find love in Stanley Park

Theatre Under the Stars presents Shrek: The Musical this summer

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Matt Palmer has never played a character quite like Shrek. “It feels very large, very green, very grumpy,” laughed Palmer. Even just getting into costume is a unique experience. It takes him one and a half to two hours to make the transformation into the lovable ogre, and the process involves prosthetics along with tons of green make-up.

Shrek, playing in repertory with the return of Legally Blonde, should be a popular show for all ages. Just as the animated film cleverly included many jokes that only adults would understand, the musical will be entertaining for the whole family. The adaptation follows the story pretty closely, said Palmer, with a few additions of some characters’ backstories. The score, however, is completely original except for the inclusion of “I’m a Believer” during curtain call.

True identities are revealed in The Tempest

Meg Roe returns to remount this production at Bard on the Beach

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

The ethereal beauty of Prospero’s deserted island and Ariel’s spritely magical powers make The Tempest a unique exploration of identity and longing. Meg Roe is back to direct this remount of her 2008 production as it moves from the studio stage to the larger main stage. Some of the actors have also returned; most notably Jennifer Lines as Ariel.

Although Prospero (Allan Morgan) is our protagonist, his servant Ariel and her sprites control much of the action with their spells. She creates the tempest that shipwrecks Alonso, King of Naples; Antonio, Duke of Milan; and their entourage. Prospero has asked Ariel to raise the storm in order to seek revenge on his brother, Antonio, who cast him away years earlier. Prospero and his daughter Miranda ended up on the island and managed to survive.

Kick up your heels at Red Rock Diner

Dean Regan's musical is a tribute to Vancouver DJ Red Robinson

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

One of the first DJs to play Elvis, Buddy Holly, and other rock n’ roll acts regularly in Canada, Red Robinson is a Vancouver radio star who was extremely popular with young people. He went on to have a very successful radio and TV career while authoring a couple of books along the way. I’m sure some people attending Red Rock Diner remember the days when Robinson dominated the airwaves, and this show is a nostalgic trip back to those days. It’s full of toe-tapping classic ’50s music, but it’s lacking a strong narrative.

Believe in fairies with A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Bard on the Beach opens their 25th season with this classic comedy

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

I’ve seen many productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream over the years, but I have to say I laughed the most at this one. The Players, Puck, and even Helena were all just a bit more exaggerated in their humour, and it was refreshing.

From the colourful circus-inspired fairy costumes to the umbrella motif used throughout the show, this was a unique staging that allowed for plenty of dreaming. The first thing the audience saw coming up over the stairs at the back of the open-ended tent were large black umbrellas as Theseus and Hippolyta discussed their daughter Hermia’s betrothal to Demetrius.

Putting the pieces together with The Other Place

Nick Hunnings discusses this well-written tale full of twists.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Like a good film full of plot twists and layered meaning, The Other Place is a play that will leave you wanting to see it again. As star Nick Hunnings explained, it will require another viewing to catch parts and clues you may have missed.

As the play develops, the audience begins to piece together the story. “There’s a moment when people will begin to piece it together,” he said, “but there will still be questions — provocative questions. You’ll have to retrace your steps. There will be moments you missed and clues in the script.”

Totem explores the infinite potential of human existence

Cirque du Soleil brings their latest big top show to Vancouver.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Chronicling the evolution of the human species from amphibians, to apes, to the present, Totem is a new Cirque du Soleil production that fuses many cultures and inspirations to create a magical tapestry of human ingenuity. As tour publicist Francis Jalbert explains, “It explores the infinite potential of human beings. We’re always moving onwards and upwards; we don’t accept the status quo.” It’s also about the evolution of our own lives and the way we evolve as individuals.

Wicked - The untold story of the witches of Oz

The relationship between the witches is what people can relate to the most.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Are you good or evil? What does that even mean? Wicked explores the idea that none of us are really good nor evil, but a combination of both, and how we end up that way is more complex than we probably realize. Matt Shingledecker, who plays the witches’ love interest, Fiyero, explained that the idea of the show is to strip away the labels of good and evil to look deeper into individual character and motivations.

Blue Man Group on Tour

Jesse Nolan talks the Blue Man Group and its upcoming Vancouver show.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Three years of working on the Blue Man Group show has changed Jesse Nolan’s perspective on the world.

“It has changed the way that I look at everything,” he said. As the show’s musical director, Nolan said his challenge is to create musical accompaniment that outlines the stories and action on stage. He describes it as “painting with sound.”

Working on the show and thinking like the Blue Man character has helped Nolan expand his own thinking. “I’ve been encouraged to think a little bigger about everything,” he said, “I think more creatively in all aspects of life.”

Are you Proud of your government?

Michael Healy's political play takes the stage at Firehall Arts Centre.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Whether or not you’re proud of the current federal government, if you’re interested in politics, Michael Healy’s Proud will be an enjoyable show. “I would hope people of all political stripes come to the show,” said director and Firehall Arts Centre producer Donna Spencer. She believes the show will really appeal to political science students, political writers, and anybody with an interest in the subject.

Hirsch: Remembering a Canadian Legend

Theatre Review

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Would you want someone to tell your story after you’re gone? And if so, who could be trusted with this task?

Alon Nashman and Paul Thompson took on the responsibility of bringing the life of John Hirsch to the stage, paying tribute to this Canadian theatre legend. After an enormously successful premiere at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in 2012, Hirsch has made its way west to the Firehall Arts Centre.

Rodgers and Hammerstein - Out of a Dream

Patrick Street Productions creates an ode to musical masters Rodgers and Hammerstein.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

The careers of Rodgers and Hammerstein encompassed 11 musicals, 34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Grammys, and one Pulitzer Prize. What the duo also did was leave a lasting legacy in the musical theatre community, spawning a lineage of artists who continue creating work in the same spirit.

Nashville Hurricane

The Vancouver Fringe Festival presents Chase Padgett's Nashville Hurricane.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Chase Padgett loves Canadians and Canadian Fringe Festivals. “I often feel that I’m a Canadian trapped in an American’s body,” he said.

Padgett is returning to Vancouver with his new show Nashville Hurricane after last year’s successful Vancouver Fringe Festival show, 6 Guitars, and he is looking forward to being back in this city.

Underbelly: Burroughs and The Beats

The Cultch presents one-man show performed by Jayson McDonald.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsberg represent the Beat Generation in American Literature. Full of drug-induced episodes, a rejection of authority, and spontaneity, their works have influenced and inspired artists of all genres.

“They’re like the Three Musketeers,” said Jayson McDonald, “flinging themselves headlong into calamity.” McDonald embodies William S. Burroughs in his one-man show, Underbelly.Kerouac and Ginsberg also have cameos, but Burroughs is the star.

Whose Life is it Anyway? Tackles Disability in the Theatre

An interview with Realwheels Theatre Artistic Director, James Sanders.

By: Tessa Perkins

First published in The Peak.

Sometimes art and life imitate each other a little too well. During the research process for his new show, Whose Life is it Anyway? James Sanders fell ill and had to spend some time in the hospital. Since the play’s protagonist, a sculptor who has become paralysed, spends the whole show in a hospital bed, this experience provided actor Bob Frazer with a real life research opportunity.

Having been good friends with Sanders since their theatre school days, Frazer was at the hospital almost daily, observing the environment and forming relationships with doctors and nurses.