Ballet BC opened its season this past week with Program 1, featuring three ballets with distinctly different styles. One of these ballets was an internationally acclaimed work from iconic choreographer William Forsythe. The second piece was a world premiere, set to the music of Jimi Hendrix. The third – and strongest – piece was a gorgeous remount of a ballet originally set on the company in 2011. It’s no surprise then that this piece, Petite Cérémonie, fits the company like a glove, and was likely the most memorable ballet of the night among audiences.
Read moreThe Merry Widow sparkles with attitude and charm
The company of Vancouver Opera’s The Merry Widow. Photo credit: Tim Matheson
Vancouver Opera has outdone itself with its dazzling production of Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow. This lighthearted operetta, written by Franz Lehár, will be a delightful treat for many theatre fans. It features dynamite performances, and some of the most spectacular sets and costumes I’ve ever seen onstage. But the heart of this production is the masterful craftsmanship of director Kelly Robinson, and choreographer Joshua Beamish.
Read moreThe Book of Mormon sparkles with fresh, young talent and fun humour
The ensemble of The Book of Mormon. Photo credit: Julieta Cervantes
Our favourite Mormon boys and their pals are back in the Tony Award-winning musical comedy, The Book of Mormon, presented by Broadway Across Canada. This cheeky musical from the creators of South Park combines fun, adult humour with valid commentary and insightful perspectives on society – the perfect balance of lightheartedness and intelligence. And while this is the third touring production of the show, this version is as fresh as ever, pumped up with exciting, youthful talent.
Read moreFirehall Arts Centre opens season with exciting new work, Never Still
Dancer: Alexa Mardon; Photo Credit: Ben Didier
Water is life. We’re basically made of it. Our body composition is roughly 50 – 70% water. Water also covers 71% of the earth. We’re mysteriously connected to water – and that’s something that Vancouver’s Vanessa Goodman, artistic director of Action at a Distance Dance Society, explores in her new work, Never Still, which will open the Firehall Arts Centre’s 2018/2019 season on Wednesday, September 26.
Read moreEnsemble Theatre’s A Few Good Men keeps you on the edge of your seat
As a society, we tend to expect our summertime entertainment to be spectacular. Epic Hollywood adventure movies (I recently watched the new Jurassic World), large scale stage shows (I recently reviewed Les Miserables, Cinderella and 42nd Street, and concerts and music festivals (I might have been to a couple of EDM festivals) are the norm. And all of that is great. But we can’t count out the other end of the spectrum. For example, intimate plays with minimal actors, sets and costumes…that are very well done. And Ensemble Theatre’s production of the acclaimed play, A Few Good Men, is a small-scale show that blows you out of the water.
Read moreThe Dance Teacher is a dark tango of truths and lies
Tomo Suru’s The Dance Teacher, is an intriguing play that reads like a Gillian Flynn novel. If you’ve read any of Flynn’s work, or watched the film adaption of her story, Gone Girl, you’ll catch my drift. The Dance Teacher is a dark mystery that draws you in and keeps you hooked as piece the story together.
Read moreNew generation breathes fresh life into Theatre Under the Stars' fast-tapping 42nd Street
The Broadway musical 42nd Street has tapped its way to Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park. The Theatre Under the Stars production opened to an appreciative audience who enjoyed the tremendous efforts put forth by the popular theatre company, which is celebrating its 72nd season. And while 42nd Street doesn’t quite knock it out of the park, there’s some great talent on display.
Read moreDespite strong lead, Cinderella lacks TUTS's usual musical magic
With summer in full swing, many families and theatre fans will plan to visit Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park for Theatre Under the Stars’ annual Broadway musical offerings. But this year, audiences who have previously enjoyed the magical charm of fairy tale-inspired shows such as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins will be disappointed with this year’s production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. This production lacks magic and appeal, and is instead a weird concoction of strange costumes, set pieces, and directorial choices.
Read moreLes Misérables celebrates the spirit of humanity
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
The musical sensation, Les Misérables has arrived in Vancouver, and on opening night, it was clear the show’s messages of redemption and love remain timeless. Broadway Across Canada’s (BAC) production is a new re-staging of the Tony Award-winning musical, with revised orchestrations, and new lighting and set designs, to keep the show fresh and relevant to current audiences. What remains the same is the show’s gorgeous score, which is performed brilliantly by the cast and orchestra and the story’s integrity.
Read moreStephen King thriller Misery comes to the stage next month
Who is your ultimate fanboy or fangirl obsession? Ryan Reynolds? Taylor Swift? If they were in a car accident, would you come to their rescue? Would you bring them home and take care of them? Would you let them leave? Wow – did that just get creepy?Well, that’s the premise of Stephen King’s classic thriller, Misery. Also an Academy Award-winning film, Arts Club Theatre Company is bringing the stage version of Misery to the Granville Island Stage, and it’s guaranteed to give audiences a good scare.
Read moreLocally produced Leonard Cohen show to ignite passions one final time
Let’s face it, the dating world isn’t easy. Imagine if you had to scroll through all your Tindr matches and reflect on how each relationship panned out.In celebrating its 35th anniversary season, the Firehall Arts Centre has remounted Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen.
Read moreTheatre Preview: 'No Foreigners' hits back on impact of Chinese-Canadian immigration
The Cultch’s latest production is the world premiere of No Foreigners, about at the controversial issue of Chinese-Canadian immigration to Vancouver.This interdisciplinary work by local company Hong Kong Exile and Toronto-based fu-GEN Theatre, runs February 7 to 17 at the Vancity Culture Lab.
Read moreTheatre Review: Little Women shines bright with talent and heart
There’s a hidden gem shining brightly at the Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver. The show is Little Women: The Musical. But the shining gem is the magnificently talented cast and the wonderful care that has been taken by director Lalainia Lindbjerg and her creative team in bringing this show to life. And the star of the show, young Michelle Creber, delivers an exceptionally brilliant performance that should not be missed.
Read moreThe best holiday shows to check out in Vancouver this Christmas →
The holiday season has arrived and some familiar faces have returned to Vancouver’s theatre and arts scene. Whether you’re looking for some great entertainment to enjoy with your family, friends or significant other, here’s a rundown of some of the top theatre, dance and musical performances in and around Vancouver this holiday season. Cheers!
Read moreTheatre Review: 13: The Musical brings fresh verve to familiar teen archetypes →
Mean girls, jocks, freaks, and geeks—the struggles of adolescence always seem to come with these familiar characters. Bring on Tomorrow Co.’s production of 13: The Musicalintroduces us to a new generation of these archetypes in a story about the teenage fight for social acceptance and the true meaning of friendship. It’s also the perfect vehicle to showcase an impressive array of local teenage talents who individually and collectively deliver outstanding performances.
Read moreEnjoy some Disney magic in Stanley Park this summer →
From the sweeping cityscape of London, to the jazzy glitz of the roaring ’20s, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is bringing Broadway sizzle to Vancouver this summer.Considered a favourite annual tradition by many, TUTS presents full-scale Broadway musicals every summer in the majestic setting of Stanley Park. This year, TUTS is presenting the Disney classic, Mary Poppins, as well as the five-time Tony Award-winning show The Drowsy Chaperone.
Read moreBard on the Beach adds sexy Italian style to Shakespeare →
Get out the sunscreen, sunglasses and your fave summer attire, because Bard on the Beach is starting to heat things up. Celebrating its 28th season, this beloved Shakespeare festival, known for its fresh takes on the Bard’s classics, will be transporting audiences to Italy all summer long. All four of its headliner shows have been set in the land renowned for wine, art and romance. Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice and The Two Gentlemen of Verona will captivate audiences with passionate Italian flair.
Read moreTheatre Review: Hand to God is a sinisterly hilarious experience →
There’s always been something creepy about the puppet and puppet master relationship. For example, the concept of the ventriloquist dummy who gains a mind of its own has always been disturbing. But the idea of a boy whose hand puppet becomes possessed by the devil in a Texas church is next level creepy. Combine that frightening theme with outrageously sexual and contemporary humour and you have yourself a winning show.
Read moreOpera Review: Vancouver Opera’s Dead Man Walking is a riveting journey driven by artistic brilliance
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.
Read moreCurtain Up: First-ever Vancouver Opera Festival opens today
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.
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