Sweeney Todd; Fighting Chance (Upcoming show)

Posted on September 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

Just in time for Hallowe’en comes Sweeney Todd, presented by Fighting Chance Productions. Director Ryan Mooney promises a fresh and sexy take on the Sondheim masterpiece and has set it in the round to bring the audience closer to the action.

 

Alex McMorran and Cathy Wilmot in Fighting Chance's Sweeney Todd.

 

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods) and book by Hugh Wheeler (A Little Night Music). Directed by Ryan Mooney (Hair, Fighting Chance), with musical direction by Vashti Fairbairn (Hair, Fighting Chance).

Starring Alex McMorran (The Wedding Singer, Fighting Chance), Cathy Wilmot (Forbidden Broadway, Fighting Chance), Arne Larsen (Rent, Fighting Chance), Sabrina Prada, Chris Harvey (Les Misérables, Arts Club), Krista Gibbard, David Nicks, Jeremy Hanlon-Fournier, Eric Alexander Steel (Hair, Fighting Chance), Laura Luongo, Lauren Gula, (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Gateway), Kate Leinweber, Reginald Pillay, Matt Hume (A New Brain, Pipedream), Nick Fontaine (Rent, Fighting Chance), Patrick Maloughney and Danielle Lemon.

Fighting Chance Productions presents Sweeney Todd from October 13 – 30, 2010 at the Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery, Vancouver. Tickets are available online or by calling 604-224-8007 ext. 3.

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The Park; Studio 58 (Upcoming show)

Posted on September 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Studio 58 presents original musical The Park, an updated and full-length version of the same-named one-act that debuted last spring.  The Park pits evil developers against idealistic environmentalists in a battle for Vancouver’s own Stanley Park.

 

Joel Ballard and Amy Hall-Cummings share a kiss in Studio 58's The Park.

 

Written by Benjamin Elliott, Anton Lipovetsky and Hannah Johnson.  Directed by David Hudgins, musical direction by Benjamin Elliott and Anton Lipovetsky, choreography by Kayla Dunbar and featuring drummer Spencer Schoening.  Set design by Bryan Pollock and costume design by Marina Szijarto. Starring Joel Ballard (Triple Sensation), Matt Beairsto, Paula Burrows, Mélanie Desbiens, Stephanie Elgersma, James Elston, Dustin Freeland, Amy Hall-Cummings, Caitlin McCarthy, Graeme McComb, Carlos Rodriguez, Gili Roskies and Kendall Wright.

Studio 58 and Langara College present The Park from September 30 – October 17, 2010 at Studio 58, Langara College, 100 West 49th Avenue. Tickets are available online or by calling 604-684-2787.

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13; Awkward Stage (Upcoming show)

Posted on August 28, 2010 | 1 comment

Evan Goldman is looking forward to turning 13 and his Bar Mitzvah when his parents divorce and his mother abruptly moves him from New York City to small-town Indiana.  Evan’s subsequent quest for popularity is the basic premise of the coming-of-age musical 13.  While 13 only lasted a few months on Broadway in late 2008, the cast recording has become a favourite on my playlist.


Boasting a teenage cast, band and technical crew, 13 makes its Vancouver premiere as part of the 2010 Vancouver International Fringe Festival and is the debut production from Awkward Stage Productions Society.   Awkward Stage’s mission is to “provide real life performance and production opportunities to youth in that awkward stage of transitioning to professional theatre.”  The show has also been double-cast with a senior and junior ensemble alternating performances.

Book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years). Directed by Cara Tench and Corwin Ferguson, with musical direction by Andy Toth. Starring Zach Wolfman, Alex Lara, Kristin Bunyan, Alyssa Baker, Quinn Cartwright, Ashlee Kim, Jonathan Hers, Morgan Roff, David Cohen, Dylan Sloane, Fiona McIntyre, Julia Di Spirito, Devon MacKinlay, Eric Dunnill, Jacob Wolstencraft, Yoav Lai, Kai Bradbury, Anna Sutela, Ginny Dunnill, Caitlin Carhoun, Julie Cooper, Katie Coopersmith, Brittany Gee and Maiah Fujino.

Awkward Stage Productions presents 13 from September 9 – 19, 2010 at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver. Tickets are available online.

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Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (Upcoming show)

Posted on August 26, 2010 | Leave a comment

Musicals are often adapted from other media. Movies, television shows, and even comics have provided inspiration for some of Broadway’s biggest hits (and flops).  So it’s really no stretch that the internet could eventually do the same.  Broadway West and Relephant Theatre present the Vancouver premiere of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.

Created and written by Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon, Joss Whedon and Zack Whedon, music by Joss Whedon and Jed Whedon.

Featuring Jon Lachlan Stewart, Shane Snow, Christina Hardie, Steven Greenfield, Jaclyn Rae, Anna Kuman, Kirk Smith, and Samantha Currie. Directed by Steven Greenfield, choreography by Shane Snow, and musical direction by Steven Greenfield.

Broadway West and Relephant Theatre present Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog from September 10 – 19, 2010 at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street, Vancouver. Tickets are available online.

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Little Women; Broadway Edge (Upcoming show)

Posted on August 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Local performing arts and musical theatre studio Broadway Edge presents Little Women, based on the classic Louisa May Alcott novel. Book by Allan Knee, music by Jason Howland and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein. Directed and choreographed by Diana Kaarina and musical direction by Richard Coombes.

Broadway Edge presents Little Women from September 3 – 5, 2010 at the Revue Stage, Granville Island, Vancouver. Tickets are available online.

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The Fantasticks; Playhouse (Upcoming show)

Posted on August 20, 2010 | Leave a comment

The Vancouver Playhouse opens its 48th season with world’s longest-running musical The Fantasticks.

 

Simon Bradbury, Christopher Gaze and Steve Maddock in The Fantasticks at the Vancouver Playhouse.

 

Book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt. Directed and choreographed by Max Reimer (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels , Playhouse), with musical direction by Bill Sample (Beyond Eden, Playhouse). Set design by David Roberts, costumes by Christine Reimer, and lighting by Gerald King.

Starring Steve Maddock (Beauty and the Beast, Arts Club), Colin Sheen (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Playhouse), Bree Greig (Bat Boy, Patrick Street), Mark Burgess (The Drowsy Chaperone, Playhouse), Andy Toth (The Full Monty, Patrick Street), Christopher Gaze (Bard on the Beach), Simon Bradbury (Oliver!, Playhouse) and Jeff Hyslop (The Music Man, Playhouse).

The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company presents The Fantasticks from October 2- 23, 2010 at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, Hamilton and Dunsmuir.  Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-873-3311.

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Grease; Broadway Across Canada (Upcoming show)

Posted on August 12, 2010 | 1 comment

That original high school musical, Grease is the word once again.  After a drought of touring productions in Vancouver in recent years, Broadway Across Canada has a steady stream of Broadway shows heading our way.  Up next: Grease.  The current production includes songs from the original stage production as well as popular hits from the movie version, including “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Grease,” and “You’re the One That I Want.”
Book, music, and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, with additional songs by Barry Gibb, John Farrar, Louis St. Louis and Scott Simon. Directed by David John O’Brien, choreographed by Joyce Chittick.  Set design by Tony Award winner Derek McLane, costume design by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz and lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner.

Starring Tony nominee Eddie Mekka, Alyssa Herrera, Matt Nolan (Grease: You’re The One That I Want), Patrick Cragin, Audrey Filson, Kelly Teal Goyette, Patrick Joyce, Alicia Kelly, Brad Lawson, Ashley Rubin, Lauren Elaine Taylor, Lauren Turner and Marc Winski.

Broadway Across Canada presents Grease from October 26 – 31, 2010, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 600 block Hamilton St, Vancouver. Tickets are available online or by calling 604-280-4444.

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39… and Ticking!; Full Figure Theatre (Upcoming show)

Posted on August 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

Full Figure Theatre presents the locally-developed musical 39… and Ticking! Written and directed by Sharon Heath, this clown musical deals with issues of dating, aging, raising kids and procreating.

39… and Ticking! made its world premiere last October in Burnaby and is being remounted this summer for Vancouver audiences. Featuring music composed by Ted Hamilton and Joan MacLean, with musical direction by Bill Costin and choreography by Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg.  39… and Ticking! stars Joan MacLean, Lisa Beley, Lisa Bunting and Cheryl Mullen.

Full Figure Theatre presents 39… and Ticking! from August 3 – 8, 2010 at the Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery St, Vancouver. Tickets are available online or by phone at 604-224-8007.

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Lion King cast members host benefit for local HIV/AIDS groups

Posted on July 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

Cast members from the touring production of the smash hit The Lion King are raising money for two local HIV/AIDS groups with the special one-night-only revue Le Jazz Hot.

Developed by Vancouver local and Broadway entertainer Ian Yuri Gardner, the show will feature Wendy Bollard and international and Broadway talent including Vusi Mhlongo, Kendra Moore, LaShonda Reese, Sophia Stephens, Omari Tau, Frank Wright II and other members of Disney’s The Lion King.

Le Jazz Hot will feature solo and ensemble music, dance and audience interactive numbers in a setting of a 1930s/40s speakeasy. Door prizes will include tickets to The Lion King at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Funds raised will benefit Youth Community Outreach AIDS Society and the National Congress of Black Women Foundation in Vancouver.

Youth Community Outreach AIDS Society is Canada’s first youth-driven organization leading the HIV and HepC movement through peer education, support, and shared leadership. YouthCO was formed in 1994 to address an identified need for youth-specific HIV/AIDS services and has been providing peer support and education throughout Vancouver and British Columbia, Canada.

The National Congress of Black Women Foundation is a registered charity that promotes and facilitates leadership development, cultural awareness, health and education programs for black women and their families through funding and research. The NCBWF works in partnership with other organizations and individuals who support the goals and objectives of reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS infection and enhancing the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Disney’s The Lion King plays until August 8, 2010, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 600 block Hamilton St, Vancouver.

Le Jazz Hot plays for one night only on Monday, July 26, 2010 at 7 pm at the Revue Stage, 1601 Johnston Street, Granville Island. Tickets are $30.00 and are available online or by calling 604-629-8849.

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The Last Five Years; Stone’s Throw (Upcoming show)

Posted on July 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Jason Robert Brown’s semi-autobiographical The Last Five Years plays for a short run this week at Pacific Theatre.  It’s the story of a 5-year relationship told in an unconventional way. The woman’s point of view is told backwards from end to beginning while the man tells his side of the story from beginning to end.  The two meet only once in the play, in the middle at their wedding.

Written by Jason Robert Brown (13, Songs for A New World). Directed by Heather Teeter, musical direction by Dave Rosborough, and lighting design by Jin Kim. Featuring Shalyn McFaul and Joshua McFaul.

The Last Five Years, presented by Stone’s Throw Productions, runs from July 14 – July 17, 2010 at the Pacific Theatre, 12th and Hemlock, Vancouver.  Tickets are available online or by calling 604-731-5518.

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