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A Thousand Splendid Suns by Ursula Rani Sarma, based on the book by Khaled Hosseini

Dates and Venue September 12 – October 13, 2019; Tue–Thu at 7:30pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, Wed at 1:30pm, and Sat & Sun at 2pm | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.

In this sweeping tale set in war-torn Afghanistan, two women’s lives intersect through fate. The unlikely but extraordinary friendship of Laila (Anita Majumdar) and Mariam (Deena Aziz) helps them cope with the tyranny and tumult of life in 1990s Kabul—and leads them to an unforgettable act. A Thousand Splendid Suns, based on the best-selling novel by the author of The Kite Runner, is a haunting yet hopeful story that illuminates the strength of the human spirit.

Tickets from $29 at artsclub.com or the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644

Dates and Venue September 13 – October 5, 2019, 8pm Wed-Sat (2pm Sat matinees) | Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave.

Isabelle Arc knows what her teenage daughter Joan needs: discipline, a loving husband, and to stop communing with God. As Joan hurtles toward her destiny as the Maid of Orleans, Isabelle must care for the extraordinary child who belongs not just to her, but to all of France.

Tickets $20-36.50 (taxes not incl.) call 604.731.5518 or visit pacifictheatre.org

A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love.

Programme Bekah Simms’ Is it now? (World Première/VSO Commission); Schubert’s Orchestral Songs; Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Titan

The VSO’s 101st Season opens with Canadian international diva Adrianne Pieczonka singing Schubert’s orchestrated lieder including Der Erlkönig (The Elf King) paired with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 Titan. Maestro Tausk starts with a new work commissioned from Juno-nominated Bekah Simms, a fresh Canadian talent, to open the season.

Tickets $16.25 - $90 (subscriber, senior, and student discounts available) available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO Customer Service at 604.876.3434

Arts Club Theatre Company
The Birds & the Bees by Mark Crawford

Dates and Venue September 26–October 26, 2019; Tue–Thu at 7:30pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, Wed at 1:30pm, and Sat & Sun at 2pm | Granville Island Stage

The Birds & the Bees follows Sarah, a turkey farmer, who has split up with her husband and moved in with her mom, Gail, a beekeeper. Add in Earl the flirty neighbour and Ben an eager young graduate student, and you have the perfect breeding ground for unlikely attractions. Set in adjoining bedrooms, The Birds & the Bees is a Canadian comedy about love, lust, beekeeping, and the artificial insemination of turkeys.

Tickets from $29 at artsclub.com or the artsclub.com Box Office at 604.687.1644

This season’s Tea & Trumpet Series features a tour of the great musical capitals of the world, beginning with an invitation to a stroll through the streets of gay Paris with music of Offenbach, Bizet and more.

Tickets $28.50 & $44 (subscriber, senior, and student discounts available) available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO Customer Service at 604.876.3434

Dates and Venue October 17, 19, 24 at 7.40pm & October 27 at 2pm | Queen Elizabeth Theatre

La Traviata was last performed eight years ago at Vancouver Opera. This perennial favourite has been given a brand-new look and features a terrific cast. In an unprecedented collaboration, five Canadian opera companies have joined forces to produce lavish sets and costumes inspired by the decadent music hall scene of 1920s Paris. Violetta, a famous Parisian courtesan who is consumed both by love and a life- threatening illness, is sung by Canadian Emily Dorn.

Hiroshi has only a year left to live. During that time, he must somehow get his daughter Maya to leave her bedroom, something that hasn’t happened in over half a decade. She is hikikomori, an extreme recluse, who spends all her time in Virtual Reality, alone. Kuroko is a darkly comedic family drama about an agoraphobic daughter’s quest to find out the truth about her family.

ONGOING

Flamenco Rosario
Vancouver International Flamenco Festival

Dates and Venues September 13 - 29, 2019 | Vancouver Playhouse, Scotiabank Dance Centre, Roundhouse Centre, Waterfront Theatre, St James Community Square, Vancouver Public Library

Flamenco Rosario holds a mandate to develop dance, music works and dance artists, in both the authentically traditional and contemporary innovative styles of Flamenco. The company shares its passion for flamenco’s raw, emotional power and disciplined musicality through performances, workshops and professional training across Vancouver. Featured performance this year: Manuel Liñán in Baile De Autor (dance of the author) at the Vancouver Playhouse Saturday, September 14 at 8pm

Admission – many events free. For details on ticketed events GOTO: http://www.vancouverflamencofestival.org/

2019 Vancouver Fringe Festival

When and Where September 5 – 15, 2019 | Revue Stage, Performance Works, and the Waterfront Theatre, all situated on and around Granville Island; some shows are presented at the Cultch

Vancouver Fringe Festival program guide is now available. The “Fringe” is an annual celebration featuring Mainstage shows plus unique site-specific theatre where artists stage their work in the nooks and crannies of Granville Island. The Festival also offers the Phillips Fringe Bar, workshops for artists and TheatreWire.

Tickets go on sale in August online at: tickets.vancouverfringe.com/
Single tickets will be available during the festival for pick-up or purchase in person at the Fringe Box Office for cash, Visa, and MasterCard, or at the venue starting 45 minutes before the performance.

United Players
A Tender Thing by Ben Power

Dates and Venue September 6 – 29 Thurs through Sun 2019, 8pm (matinees Sun Sept. 15, 22 & 29 at 2pm – no eve. Perf.) | Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery

What if Romeo and Juliet didn't die in that double suicide in the Capulet family vault? Instead, they lived into old age, their dazzling love to endure a more commonplace tragedy? Ben Power uses Shakespeare's timeless poetry to create a new, deeply romantic and powerful play, and a strikingly different love story.

Tickets $23 - $29 available on line at www.unitedplayers.com or at the door.

Bard on the Beach

Coriolanus by William Shakespeare

Date and Venue August 21 – September 15, 2019, 7.30pm evenings + 2pm weekend matinees | Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre, Vanier Park

Political warfare – and war within a family – drive Shakespeare’s compelling story of the ruthless fighter, Coriolanus, as she fights for honour without compromise. With themes of pride and arrogance at its core, Coriolanus examines what it means to be loyal to a parent, to a leader and to a country – and how those choices can redeem or destroy us.

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Date and Venue June 5 – September 21, 2019, 7.30pm evenings + 2pm weekend matinees | BMO Mainstage, Vanier Park

The ‘spaghetti western’ is the inspiration behind this hilarious Wild-West love story, where two fierce kindred spirits finally meet their match in each other. Petruchio, the sharpest-shooting cowboy in the West meets Kate, the prickliest gal in Padua, and their throw-down contest of wills and wits will leave you laughing out loud as they bicker and battle their way towards a splendid, healing love.

Shakespeare in Love by Marc Norman & Tom Stoppard, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall

Date and Venue June 12 – September 18, 2019, 7.30pm evenings + 2pm weekend matinees | BMO Mainstage, Vanier Park

Young Will Shakespeare has writer’s block. The deadline for his new play is looming and he’s in desperate need of inspiration. And then he finds his muse – Viola. She’s Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing to appear in his next play. Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms but their road to romance runs into plenty of complications, from nefarious schemers to overheated backstage theatrics.