January brings us the world premiere of Debt- the Musical at the Firehall Arts Centre. Debt is billed by its creators Leslie Mildiner and Todd Butler as a 90-minute musical satire exploring “the chaos, comedy and confusion created when the charge card creeps too high and the commercials keep saying buy-buy.”
Debt is directed by Donna Spencer, features choreography from Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, and stars Ellen Kennedy, Tom Pickett, Tracey Power, Andy Toth and Simon Webb.
The Firehall Arts Centre presents Debt- the Musical with preview performances from January 8 – 12, and opening Wednesday, January 13 – 30, 2010. Tickets are available online or by calling 604-689-0926.
Categories: Debt- the Musical · Firehall Arts Centre · Musical Theatre · Upcoming Shows · Vancouver
Tagged: Firehall Arts Centre, Tracey Power, Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, Debt, Debt- the Musical, Leslie Mildiner, Todd Butler, World premiere, Donna Spencer, Ellen Kennedy, Tom Pickett, Andy Toth, Simon Webb
Forbidden Broadway, the popular musical-theatre parody, makes its BC premiere in January. Fighting Chance Productions presents a best of version of Forbidden Broadway poking good-natured fun at shows like Wicked, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, and The Phantom of the Opera.
Forbidden Broadway is directed by Ryan Mooney, with musical direction by Sarah Jaysmith, and starring Andrea Bailey, Natalee Fera, Aaron Lau, David Nicks and Cathy Wilmot.
Fighting Chance Productions presents Forbidden Broadway from January 6 – 16, 2010 at the PAL Theatre, 581 Cardero St. Tickets are available online or by calling 604-684-2787.
Categories: Fighting Chance · Forbidden Broadway · Musical Theatre · Upcoming Shows · Vancouver
Tagged: Aaron Lau, Andrea Bailey, Cathy Wilmot, David Nicks, Fighting Chance Productions, Forbidden Broadway, Natalee Fera, PAL Theatre, Ryan Mooney, Sarah Jaysmith
Running different productions of the same musical within a relatively short period of time inevitably invites comparisons, for better or for worse. Having seen the TUTS production of Millie half a dozen times this past summer, I’m familiar with both the strengths and the weaknesses of the book and score. I had such high hopes for Gateway Theatre’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. On paper it shows so much promise, but ultimately falls short.
The cast of Gateway's Thoroughly Modern Millie.
There is a lot to like about this production. Choreographer Kennith Overbey has charged the dance numbers with an intense energy that truly carries the show. The freneticism of the love-wearied office pool as they tap out their frustrations in “Forget About the Boy,” was almost enough to make me forget some of the other flaws in this show.
Overbey makes excellent use of the incredibly strong male and female choruses. Among the standouts are Georgia Swinton, Damon Jang, Dimitrios Stephanoy, Meagan Ekelund and Doran Satanove. There is more than a hint of sex appeal in the alcohol-infused “The Nutty Cracker Suite,” which in less capable hands could have easily been boring and hackneyed. That same rawness is also welcomely present in the male chorus in “Long as I’m Here with You.”
The ten-piece orchestra is at the top of its game and brings the jazzy score to life, with what seems like minimal effort. Musical theatre companies around town should take note: cutting back on the size of pit orchestras and live accompaniment can exact a heavy toll on your show. That richness of sound can’t be replicated by other means.
Lauren Bowler (The Producers, Arts Club) is a strong actress and singer, but doesn’t come off as terribly likeable in the title role of Millie Dillmount. Her characterisation played like it was from a more serious show, not the one she was in.
Diana Kaarina (Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS) was reliably consistent in the role of Miss Dorothy, a role she honed in the US national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. I found myself wishing that Kaarina had been cast as Millie here, a role she completely owned at TUTS this summer.
Denis Simpson plays wealthy socialite and songstress Muzzy Van Hossmere in what appears to be incredibly bad whiteface. I was hoping for something special in Simpson’s two musical performances “Only in New York” and “Long as I’m Here with You,” and I was still waiting when the final curtain fell. The fault doesn’t lie with Simpson, but with the uninspired staging consisting of simply facing the audience head-on with limited movement and singing, à la high school.
I’ve seen Simpson dance and sing enough times to know that this wasn’t a case of a director staging around a performer’s weak spots. Whatever the reasoning behind this creative decision, the poor direction in these numbers pulled down the show’s energy.
The same barebones approach to staging also hurt the comedic number “They Don’t Know.” As the villainous Mrs. Meers, Irene Karas’ accent careered perilously close to the edge and her dragon lady was missing some needed bluster.
Mat Baker’s vocals and dancing were well-suited to the role of Jimmy Smith, but was otherwise bland and not particularly charismatic. On the other hand, Gaelan Beatty was perfectly charming as the somewhat pompous Trevor Graydon.
Jen Darbellay’s costumes are colourful and eye-catching, though a bit more variety would have been welcome. The scale of Drew Facey’s set properly conveys the height of the New York cityscape without dwarfing the actors.
All of the technical elements are there, but the show lacks heart. It should be full of humour and fun, but the quick pace of this staging seems to gloss over many of the best lines and scenes. That being said, the energetic choreography, top-notch orchestra, and strong chorus alone make Thoroughly Modern Millie worth the price of admission.
Gateway Theatre presents Thoroughly Modern Millie until January 3, 2010 at the Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-270-1812.
Categories: Gateway Theatre · Musical Theatre · Reviews · Richmond · Thoroughly Modern Mille · Vancouver
Tagged: Damon Jang, Denis Simpson, Diana Kaarina, Dimitrios Stephanoy, Doran Satanove, Drew Facey, Gaelan Beatty, Gateway Theatre, Georgia Swinton, Irene Karas, Jen Darbellay, Ken Overbey, Lauren Bowler, Mat Baker, Meagan Ekelund, Millie, Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS
Thoroughly Modern Millie opens at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond this Friday. Millie was already one of TUTS’ offerings this past summer, so it will be familiar territory for some.
Mat Baker and Lauren Bowler in Gateway Theatre's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Having really enjoyed seeing Millie at the Malkin Bowl, I’m eager to see how this production will compare. Starring Lauren Bowler, Mat Baker (Evil Dead, DSR), Diana Kaarina (Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS), Irene Karas, Minh Ly, Raugi Yu, Gaelan Beatty, and Denis Simpson.
Directed by Simon Johnston and assistant director Natasha Nadir, musical direction by Allen Stiles, choreography by Ken Overbey, set design by Drew Facey, costume design by Jen Darbellay, lighting by Ereca Hassell, sound design by Chris Hind, stage managed by Angela Beaulieu and assistant stage manager Jamie Tait.
Gateway Theatre presents Thoroughly Modern Millie from December 10, 2009 – January 3, 2010 at the Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-270-1812.
Categories: Gateway Theatre · Musical Theatre · Richmond · Thoroughly Modern Mille · Upcoming Shows · Vancouver
Tagged: Allen Stiles, Angela Beaulieu, Chris Hind, Denis Simpson, Diana Kaarina, Drew Facey, Ereca Hassell, Gaelan Beatty, Gateway Theatre, Irene Karas, Jamie Tait, Jen Darbellay, Ken Overbey, Lauren Bowler, Mat Baker, Minh Ly, Natasha Nadir, Raugi Yu, Richmond, Simon Johnston, Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS
By whatever name you may call them, grifters, scam artists, confidence men; they’re a familiar staple of the theatre. Think of Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, Rooster in Annie, or Harold Hill in The Music Man. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels follows this great tradition with an artful and comedic tribute to the art of the con. Lawrence Jameson, a successful high-end conman, competes with two-bit scammer Freddy Benson to see who can be the first to bilk a target out of $50,000, with the loser leaving town. The result is a ridiculous suite of harebrained and madcap schemes that translate perfectly onto the musical stage.
Josh Epstein, Elena Juatco and ensemble in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Vancouver Playhouse.
David Yazbek’s music and lyrics (The Full Monty) are fun and catchy and flow seamlessly with Jeffrey Lane’s book. The often crude and vulgar humour contrasts well with the upbeat score. “Great Big Stuff” has Freddy longing for all the modern trappings of success including mink tracksuits and hummers in his Hummer.
Andrew Wheeler’s Lawrence Jameson is narcissistically confident and plays well off of his co-star Josh Epstein (The Producers, Arts Club). Epstein, as Freddy Benson, is full of energy and has talent to spare but hasn’t completely made the role his own. Too often, the character seems underdeveloped.
Elena Juatco plays the accident-prone American Soap Queen, Christine Colgate, the unwitting mark in Freddy and Lawrence’s unscrupulous bet. Juatco is best known for making it into the top six of the second season of Canadian Idol and has since transitioned her talents to the theatre. Her singing voice is sweet and tender but at times its thinness threatened to give way. Ultimately it didn’t matter, as Juatco is consummately charming and radiates likeability from her first appearance to her final bow.
Gabrielle Jones, last year’s titular Drowsy Chaperone, commands attention as world-traveler Muriel Eubanks, one of Jameson’s earlier victims. Jones is a treat as always and shines in a side story involving David Marr (The Drowsy Chaperone, Playhouse) as Andre, one of Jameson’s accomplices. Marr’s deadpan delivery hits the mark every time.
Nathalie Marrable co-choreographs with director Max Reimer and together they’ve done a good job making full use of the talented cast; though at several junctures the staging seemed confused and unfocused.
Director Reimer can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that his follow-up to last year’s smash success The Drowsy Chaperone is a hit. Reimer deserves considerable credit for injecting some much-needed life into the Vancouver Playhouse’s annual musical theatre productions, after a run of somewhat lacklustre shows in the years previous to his tenure.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is an uproariously-funny down-and-dirty outing packed with laughs and enough charm and talent to win over even the toughest of critics.
The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels until December 27, 2009 at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, Hamilton and Dunsmuir. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-873-3311.
Categories: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels · Musical Theatre · Reviews · Vancouver · Vancouver Playhouse
Tagged: Andrew Wheeler, Canadian Idol, Christine Colgate, David Marr, David Yazbek, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Elena Juatco, Freddy Benson, Gabrielle Jones, Jeffrey Lane, Josh Epstein, Lawrence Jameson, Max Reimer, Muriel Eubanks, Nathalie Marrable, The Drowsy Chaperone, Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre
While I’m a sucker for Disney musicals, after four straight years of Beauty and the Beast as the annual Christmas musical at the Arts Club, it was time for a change. This year’s holiday production at the Stanley is White Christmas, the 2004 nostalgia-laden stage adaptation of the 1954 Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye film.
The show’s book, by David Ives and Paul Blake, although only five years old, doesn’t stray too far from the original, nor does it attempt to insert any sort of modern sensibilities. If you’re searching for any overarching larger themes or social messages here, don’t bother. White Christmas is a throwback to a simpler time when pretty much any problem could be solved by simply mounting a Broadway-style revue. Is war getting you down? Facing foreclosure and financial ruin? Put on a show!
Monique Lund and Sara-Jeanne Hosie in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical. Photo by David Cooper.
In this instance, retired army buddies turned musical stars Phil Davis and Bob Wallace, played by Todd Talbot (Annie, TUTS) and Jeffrey Victor (Les Misérables, Arts Club), decide to help out their former commanding officer General Waverly. Waverly, as played by Réjean Cournoyer (Les Misérables, Arts Club), has sunk all of his money into a Vermont inn and is about to lose his shirt due to unseasonably warm weather and a lack of snow to placate the tourists.
Arts Club veterans Monique Lund (Beauty and the Beast, Arts Club) and Sara-Jeanne Hosie (Les Misérables, Arts Club) are sister act Judy and Betty Haynes who join forces, professionally and romantically, with song-and-dance duo Davis and Wallace.
Talbot and Victor have better onstage chemistry together than they do with Lund and Hosie respectively, which is perhaps a more unintentionally faithful following of the buddy-musical film genre than intended.
After playing Mrs. Potts for the past four Christmases in Beauty and the Beast, Susan Anderson easily breaks into her new role as busybody Martha Watson. Anderson takes the opportunity to show off her vocal and dance skills in “Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” and exceeds all expectations, in what should be a supporting role.
In an already markedly strong chorus, Jak Barradell, Jeremy Lowe and Laura McNaught stand out from the pack with their energy and charisma.
This show’s strength comes shining through in the big group dance numbers including “Let Yourself Go” and “I Love a Piano.” Valerie Easton’s choreography is a loving tribute to the old movie musicals that have long since fallen out of fashion, where dancers once hoofed and tapped energetically for the cameras, broad smiles not wavering for a single beat.
White Christmas is as warm and familiar as an old friend and seems destined to become another Arts Club holiday tradition.
Arts Club Theatre Company presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical until December 27, 2009 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-687-1644.
Categories: Arts Club · Musical Theatre · Reviews · Vancouver · White Christmas: The Musical
Tagged: Arts Club, Beauty and the Beast, Bing Crosby, Bruce Kellett, Danny Kaye, David Ives, Disney, Irving Berlin, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Jak Barradell, Jeffrey Victor, Jeremy Lowe, Laura McNaught, Monique Lund, Paul Blake, Réjean Cournoyer, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Stanley Theatre, Susan Anderson, Todd Talbot, Valerie Easton, White Christmas, White Christmas: The Musical
Local Disney and musical-theatre fans alike will be ecstatic to hear that Tony Award-winning musical Disney’s The Lion King will finally be coming to the Vancouver stage in July, 2010.
Broadway Across Canada offerings have been relatively sparse in our city over the past few years and hopefully this announcement signals the beginning of a turnaround in the national touring productions that stop in Vancouver.
Based on the blockbuster 1994 animated film of the same name, The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997 and promptly won a plethora of honours including six Tony Awards, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design by Richard Hudson, costume design by Julie Taymor, and lighting design by Donald Holder. The Lion King features an adapted book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi and a score by Elton John, Tim Rice, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.
Broadway Across Canada presents Disney’s The Lion King from July13– August 8, 2010, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 600 block Hamilton St, Vancouver. Ticket prices range from $26.50 to $98.50 and go on sale in March of 2010.
Categories: Broadway Across Canada · Musical Theatre · The Lion King · Theatre News · Touring Shows · Upcoming Shows · Vancouver
Tagged: Broadway Across Canada, Disney, Disney's The Lion King, Donald Holder, Elton John, Garth Fagan, Hans Zimmer, Irene Mecchi, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Richard Hudson, Roger Allers, The Lion King, Tim Rice, Vancouver Musicals
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels begins previews at the Vancouver Playhouse this Saturday with an official opening next week.
Artistic Managing Director Max Reimer hopes to continue his winning streak after last year’s hit The Drowsy Chaperone brought new life to, and with it higher expectations for, the Playhouse’s annual musical offering.
Directed by Max Reimer, with musical direction by Steve Thomas and co-choreographed by Reimer and Nathalie Marrable, the musical version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is based on the 1988 film of the same name.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels stars Josh Epstein (The Producers, Arts Club) as Freddy Benson, Andrew Wheeler as Lawrence Jameson and Elena Juatco (Canadian Idol) as Christine Colgate and an ensemble including Danny Balkwill (Thoroughly Modern Millie, TUTS), Tyson Coady (A New Brain, Pipedream), Brennan Cuff, Kazumi Evans (West Side Story, RCMT), Gabrielle Jones (The Drowsy Chaperone, Playhouse), Kiara Leigh, David Marr (The Drowsy Chaperone, Playhouse), Katie Murphy, Jaclyn Rae, Colin Sheen and Debbie Timuss (The Drowsy Chaperone, Playhouse).
The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from November 21- December 27, 2009 at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, Hamilton and Dunsmuir. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-873-3311.
Categories: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels · Musical Theatre · Upcoming Shows · Vancouver · Vancouver Playhouse
Tagged: Andrew Wheeler, Brennan Cuff, Colin Sheen, Danny Balkwill, David Marr, Debbie Timuss, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Elena Juatco, Gabrielle Jones, Jaclyn Rae, Josh Epstein, Katie Murphy, Kazumi Evans, Kiara Leigh, Max Reimer, Nathalie Marrable, Playhouse, Steve Thomas, The Drowsy Chaperone, Tyson Coady, Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre
Christmas is coming early to Vancouver this year. The Arts Club production of White Christmas begins previews tonight and opens officially November 18th, 2009.
Based on the 1954 musical film starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen, the stage version debuted in 2004 with a book by David Ives and Paul Blake and music by Irving Berlin.
Todd Talbot, Laura McNaught, Jeffrey Victor, Sara-Jeanne Hosie in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of White Christmas. Photo by David Cooper.
Starring Sara-Jeanne Hosie (Les Misérables, Arts Club), Monique Lund (Beauty and the Beast, Arts Club), Todd Talbot (Annie, TUTS), Jeffrey Victor (Les Misérables, Arts Club), Susan Anderson (Beauty and the Beast, Arts Club), Réjean Cournoyer (Les Misérables, Arts Club), with Robert Allan, Jak Barradell (Altar Boyz, Arts Club), Darren Burkett (A Chorus Line, RCMT), Adam Charles (A Chorus Line, RCMT), Anna Kuman (A Chorus Line, RCMT), Jeremy Lowe (Les Misérables, Arts Club), Kristie Marsden (Company, Arts Club), Marianne McCord, Laura McNaught (A Chorus Line, RCMT), Keri Minty (A Chorus Line, RCMT), Shane Snow (The Full Monty, Patrick Street), Fiona Vroom, Mark Weatherley, and Rachael Withers (Les Misérables, Arts Club).
Arts Club Theatre Company presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical from November 24– December 27, 2009 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-687-1644.
Categories: Arts Club · Musical Theatre · Upcoming Shows · Vancouver · White Christmas: The Musical
Tagged: Adam Charles, Anna Kuman, Arts Club, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Darren Burkett, David Ives, Fiona Vroom, Irving Berlin, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Jak Barradell, Jeffrey Victor, Jeremy Lowe, Keri Minty, Kristie Marsden, Laura McNaught, Marianne McCord, Mark Weatherley, Monique Lund, Paul Blake, Rachel Withers, Réjean Cournoyer, Robert Allan, Rosemary Clooney, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Shane Snow, Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Stanley Theatre, Susan Anderson, Todd Talbot, Vera-Ellen, White Christmas, White Christmas: The Musical
