Dance Review: Ballet BC offers engaging and unique contemporary with Program 3

May 13, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Ballet BC concludes its 2016/2017 season with Program 3, a triple bill of two pieces choreographed by Israeli artists and one original piece by artistic director, Emily Molnar.Overall, all three pieces were both entertaining and intriguing. Ballet BC’s stature as a top contemporary company is clearly evident. Program 3 demonstrates creativity and various styles of contemporary, while also being very engaging for the audience – a feat that isn’t always achieved with ambitious contemporary.

Ballet BC concludes 31st season with Program 3

May 10, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Ballet BC dancer Rachel Meyer. Photo credit - Michael Slobodian

Ballet BC will conclude its 31st season with Program 3, which opens tomorrow night at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. This much anticipated finale to the contemporary ballet troupe's trilogy of montage works this season will feature creations by Israeli choreographers Emanuel Gat and Ohad Naharin, as well as Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar.

Opera Review: Vancouver Opera gives The Marriage of Figaro a gorgeous makeover

May 10, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Susanna (Caitlin Wood), and Figaro (Alex Lawrence). Photo credit: Tim Matheson

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is one of the most beloved operas in the world. The delightful tale of mistaken identities, twists of fate and quests for love is a charming celebration of music and fun storytelling. Vancouver Opera (VO) offers a fresh new take on this classic opera while still maintaining its wit and charming spirit.

Opera Review: Otello: A chillingly dark operatic treat from Vancouver Opera

May 9, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

A true test of an opera company’s strength is its versatility in presenting both contemporary and classical work. Vancouver Opera’s (VO) production of Otello truly demonstrates VO’s outstanding strength in this area. After seeing VO’s emotionally compelling Dead Man Walking, a contemporary opera set in 1980s Louisiana, it was impressive to see the company switch gears to Otello, which is set in late 16th century Cyprus.

Opera Review: Vancouver Opera’s Dead Man Walking is a riveting journey driven by artistic brilliance

May 3, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Photo credit: Trudie Lee, courtesy of Calgary Opera

It’s incredible how a stage production can sometimes transport you to another time and place so convincingly that you forget you’re watching a show. Such is the case with Vancouver Opera’s (VO) Dead Man Walking, a 21st century American opera. Dead Man Walking is both a fascinating and moving look into the capital punishment debate. VO’s production is absolutely magnificent – a collaboration of incredible vocal and acting talent combined with astonishing brilliance in musical direction, staging, sets, lighting and costume design. But above all else – it tells a compelling story that will likely stay in many people’s minds long after the curtain falls.

My CTV Morning Live visit

May 2, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

From left to right: Keri Adams, myself and Jason Pires on the set of CTV Morning Live Vancouver.

This past Friday, I had the amazing experience of visiting the CTV Morning Live set in Vancouver. These are the super talented people that I wake up to every morning and it was fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes.

Curtain Up: First-ever Vancouver Opera Festival opens today

April 28, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Caitlin Wood and Alex Lawrence in "The Marriage of Figaro". Photo credit: Emily Cooper Photography

Begin the overture on a history-making event in Vancouver. It’s opening night for the Vancouver Opera (VO) – not just for a new production, but for a radical and ambitious new endeavour. Instead of presenting a standard season of mainstage productions throughout the year, VO has elected to instead present the first-ever Vancouver Opera Festival. Starting today and running until May 13, three mainstage productions will be performed: Otello, Dead Man Walking and The Marriage of Figaro.

#YVRSocial takes a #NoFilter look at social media across industries

April 26, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Vancouver is a social media hub – the home of many legit Instagram celebs and Snapchat addicts. Likewise, YVR is also where various industries use strategic and creative social media content on the daily. And while Vancouverites may have a reputation by some for being a little hard to approach, some of us actually do like to share. And that’s why #YVRSocial was created – as way for industry leaders to share their social media best practices with anyone and everyone who can grab a spot to this highly popular event.

Vertical Influences: Spellbinding contemporary dance and skating spun together

April 25, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Vancouver’s stand-out contemporary theatre, The Cultch, has added another exciting art form to its theatre season…contemporary ice-skating. Presented by Montreal’s Le Patin Libre, Vertical Influences is a spellbinding two-act show currently heating up the ice at Britannia Ice Rink in East Vancouver.

Putting some spring in our swagger at Guys' Night Out

April 25, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

To mark the start of spring, Hudson’s Bay recently hosted its ever-popular Guys' Night Out. Taking over the men’s department on the 6th floor of Vancouver’s downtown store, this stylish party always comes with some epic swagger.

Celebrating diversity at Pride At Work’s Vancouver event

April 20, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

After an exceptionally snowy winter, spring was in the air last month when Pride at Work hosted its Vancouver LGBT Networking Social Presented by TD. This lively networking event was a sophisticated affair held at the Shangri-la Hotel Vancouver.

Cinderella will sweep you away →

April 11, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is Broadway magic at its finest. This musical production of the classic story is an impressive display of artistry in all aspects. Its production values such as the costume, set, and lighting designs shine just as brightly as the cast of triple threat performers who gloriously sing and dance to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s timeless score.

Fabulist Theatre’s Songs for a New World never takes flight

March 31, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Fabulist Theatre has taken on a difficult challenge by presenting Jason Robert Brown’s renowned musical theatre piece, Songs for a New World. This entirely sung-through show centres on the theme of people making life-altering decisions. Unfortunately, not only does Fabulist Theatre’s production fall flat, it never even gets off the ground.

One day pre-sale for The Phantom of the Opera is tomorrow

March 30, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Since its West End opening in 1986, Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera has thrilled millions worldwide. This seven-time Tony Award-winning musical has been re-imagined into a spectacular new production that will play Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre, July 12-23. And tomorrow, you can beat the ticket line with a special pre-sale ticket offer by Broadway Across Canada.

Elbow Room Cafe: The Musical captures spirit of iconic Vancouver hub

March 11, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

It’s not every day you experience a musical that takes place in a local setting, and Elbow Room Café: The Musical is exactly that. Zee Zee Theatre and The Cultch’s musical takes a peek into the relationship of real-life restaurant owners Patrice and Bryan, set of course against the backdrop of their beloved establishment, Vancouver's iconic Elbow Room Cafe.

Align Entertainment’s The Little Mermaid sails with talent and polish

February 17, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

There’s something magical about Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Align Entertainment has done a fine job in delivering this magic to local audiences. Led by the show’s talented star Elyse Maloway as Ariel, this production of The Little Mermaid truly encompasses the heart and soul of the story.

Kinky Boots celebrates diversity and is one fierce party!

February 10, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

The Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots has fabulously kicked its way into Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Based on the British film of the same name, this sensational stage musical is the winning combination of a fantastic score by Cyndi Lauper, a clever book by Harvey Fierstein, superb cast performances, and brilliant direction and choreography by Broadway legend Jerry Mitchell.

Don’t miss the ball – presale to Broadway Across Canada’s Cinderella begins this Friday

January 24, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Who doesn’t love a classic fairy tale? As millennials, anytime anyone mentions a beloved fairy tale, we all seem to get super excited and exclaim, “I love <fill in name of story>!” This is probably because fairy tale memories take us back to our childhood days. A time period when life was simpler, a world of possibilities lay ahead, and no matter what kind of challenges we faced, we could dream.

Theatre Preview: Mess provides insight into overcoming anorexia →

January 12, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

Anorexia is the topic of Mess, a 75-minute play presented by The Vancouver International Children’s Festival and PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.This critically-acclaimed show from England is unique because it’s not the dark play many people might expect. Instead, it’s been described as an experience that infuses humour, creativity and fun songs while offering a poignant look into the power anorexia holds over individuals and their loved ones.

"The Phantom of the Opera" leads Broadway Across Canada's exciting 2017/2018 season

January 11, 2017 Vince Kanasoot

"The Phantom of the Opera" will open Broadway Across Canada's 2017/18 season. Image: Alastair Muir.

Broadway Across Canada (BAC) recently announced it's spectacular 2017/2018 season lineup, headlined by one of my personal favourite musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. This will be a fresh new staging of the show, featuring a new set and choreography. This production has sparked a lot of buzz and we'll get to see it right here at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre.