reviewvancouver: Previews Page

What begins as an ordinary parent teacher interview unravels into a gripping and raw confrontation between two women on the brink of disaster. One woman is fighting to protect her family. The other is fighting for the family she always wanted. A roller coaster ride about love, betrayal, and right versus wrong. Be warned: Sexual content, mature language

Dates and Venue June 22 – 24, 2017, 7.30pm & June 25 at 2pm | Old Auditorium , 6344 Memorial Road, UBC

A rich patron has commissioned a new opera from a brilliant young composer based on the Greek myth of Ariadne and has invited his friends to dinner for the premiere. No one has told the composer that his work will be followed by a comedy sketch performed by an Italian commedia dell’arte troupe and that the evening will end with an impressive fireworks display. When dinner runs late, the patron decrees that both the opera and the comedy sketch will be performed simultaneously.

Tickets $20- $41 available at www.ubcoperatickets.com, by telephone at 604.822.6725 or in person at the Old Auditorium Box Office.

Dates and Venue June 23 – 25, 2017, Fri - Sun at 7:30pm + Sat and Sun at 2pm | PAL Studio Theatre, 581 Cardero St.

Three upscale New York couples are invited to a 10th Anniversary Party, but when they arrive, the host and hostess are nowhere to be seen – and was that a gunshot one of them heard? Everyone is intent on making their point of view known as to what has happened. This, of course, leads to the confusion and hilarity of Rumors.

Tickets $27 + service fee at rumors.brownpapertickets.com or call by calling the Box Office at 604-363-5734

Turning Point Ensemble Meets Hollenbeck, Nachoff & Houle
Presented with TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival & Cultural Partner SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs

Dates and Venue Tuesday, June 27 & 28, 2017, 8pm | SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W. Hastings St.

Turning Point Ensemble goes fifth stream in a concert that brings to Vancouver three of the most innovative musicians crossing and eliminating the boundaries between jazz and new music – John Hollenbeck, Quinsin Nachoff and François Houle. This one-of-a-kind program presents all new work especially written for these three musicians and the Turning Point Ensemble.

Tickets $25 single tickets; $150 Dinner + Show package. Purchase at: www.eventbrite.com

Dates and Venue | June 29 – July 22, 2017, 7.30pm | The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau St., Granville Island

TheatreSports improvisers take a comedic look at what makes us uniquely Canadian – poking fun at the stereotypes of Canada and Canadians. Based on audience suggestions, the cast lampoon such Canadian ‘institutions’ as Heritage Minutes, the Mounties, winter, our hunky Prime Minister, hockey, lumberjacks or Timmy’s coffee to name only a few of the endless possibilities.

Dates and Venue June 27 to June 30, 2017 at 8pm; + July 1 at 2pm | Studio 16, 1551 W 7th Ave, Vancouver

At the height of WWII, German Physicist Werner Heisenberg paid a visit to his fellow scientist, the Danish Niels Bohr. They had once been mentor and student, partners, and peers, revolutionizing atomic physics together in the early 1920s. Eventually, the two ended up on opposites sides of a horrific world war. Witness the confrontation as Bohr, his wife Margrethe, and Heisenberg reunite in the afterlife to unravel the reasons behind that infamous visit. Watch as they re-examine their place in history, furiously question the ethics of science, and ultimately, interrogate the responsibility of scientists in our society.

Tickets $20 – June 27 performance at half price ($10). Purchase tickets online at brownpapertickets.com or at the Door (Cash only).

Dates and Venue July 8 – 17, 2017, 8pm; Sat, July 15 Matinee 2pm | Performance Works, Granville Island

The musical takes place in Los Angeles in the late 1940s. A New York crime novelist agrees, at the behest of a Hollywood producer, to adapt his latest novel into a screenplay but how much is he willing to sacrifice for a taste of fame and fortune? The wisecracking and quick-witted Detective Stone has a way with women but is forever haunted by the one who got away. This is a musical spoof of film noir crime novels and Hollywood’s treatment of writers.

Dates and Venue June 1 – September 23, 7.30pm + Sat & Sun matinees at 2pm | BMO Mainstage, Vanier Park

It’s Italy in 1959, and a group of actors and filmmakers are celebrating the wrap of their latest movie. Movie stars Beatrice and Benedick are drawn to each other but refuse to admit it, and Hero and Claudio’s marriage plans are about to be sabotaged by a journalist’s mean-spirited scheme. Cue the paparazzi, then a faked death, and la dolce vita threatens to become not so sweet; but with a script full of surprises, love can still triumph before the credits roll.

Dates and Venue June 8 – September 22, 7.30pm + Sat & Sun matinees at 2pm | BMO Mainstage, Vanier Park

A husband’s fierce jealousy is the trigger for a magical and moving tale, set in Sicily and Bohemia, which begins with a cruel punishment and ends with a miracle. King Leontes believes his wife, Queen Hermione, has been unfaithful to him with his best friend, so he puts her in prison and orders that their newborn baby be abandoned in the wilderness. Sixteen years later, across the sea, two young people fall in love and their union becomes the catalyst for reunion, redemption and a family’s healing.

Dates and Venue June 22 – September 16, 7.30pm + Sat & Sun matinees at 2pm | Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre

A deeply fascinating study in contrasts, Shakespeare’s timeless drama, set this season in modern-day Venice, exposes the consequences of how we treat outsiders in our midst. Portia and Bassanio discover true love but the merchant Antonio and the moneylender Shylock are driven by prejudice and the craving for revenge, as they move ever closer to a devastating judgement day.

Dates and Venue June 29 – September 17, 7.30pm + Sat & Sun matinees at 2pm | Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre

Valentine and Proteus are best friends with an awkward problem – they’re both in love with Valentine’s girlfriend Sylvia. And it gets even trickier – Proteus already has a girlfriend of his own. Shakespeare’s early romantic comedy is a lively riff on friendship, love and loyalty with the bonus of two very funny clowns plus a dog that just might steal the show!

Tickets $21 - $59. Call the Box Office at 604.739.0559 or purchase online at https://bardonthebeach.org

Ensemble Theatre Festival

Dates and Venue July 7 - August 18, 2017 | Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery Street, Vancouver

A Prayer for Owen Meany by Simon Bent

Seeming anti-hero Owen Meany is an oddity who charms an East Coast community as he grows up during the turbulent post war period in the 50s and 60s. He is remarkable on many levels, but especially as he sees himself as an instrument of God after he is involved in a tragedy which he believes was his fault. It speaks to social justice and the notion of fate, and is an exploration into organized religion and its inherit hypocrisy.

In the Next Room by Sarah Ruhl

Set in a spa town close to New York in the late 1800s—it was a time of Victorian societal repression that coincided with dramatic technological change. Inspired by Rachel P. Maines’ The Technology of Organism, the play is based on historical medical procedures that may seem both quaint and quizzical, yet the themes remains relevant today. A multi-layered and nuanced character study, In the Next Room explores professional and personal relations between men and women with a strong streak of female solidarity.

Master Class by David Pownall

An anteroom in the Kremlin. 1948. The Soviet Musician's Union Conference in Moscow. Stalin is formulating his policy for the Arts in The Soviet Union and summons Shostakovich, and Prokofiev, the leading Russian composers of the day, in order that he can discuss, with the aid of his Cultural Minister, Zhdanov, their place as artists in Soviet society. Needless to say, the discussion is conducted on Stalin's terms - but with a course that is far from predictable.

Tickets $30 & 25 (Previews $20). Three-show pass + all special events: $75; Noon Sunday Readings: $15; 11th Hour Cabaret: $10; All above include service charges and taxes. Purchase online: ensembletheatrecompany.ca Pay-What-You-Can Wednesdays at the door only.

Theatre under the Stars

Mary Poppins

Dates and Venue July 7 – August 18, 2017 at 8pm | Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, 610 Pipeline Rd.

Mary Poppins, one of the most popular Disney movies of all time, captures hearts in a whole new way. The irresistible story and unforgettable songs are back, as everyone’s favourite nanny swoops in to teach the Banks family a lesson or two about love & imagination. Alternates nightly with The Drowsy Chaperone.

The Drowsy Chaperone

Dates and Venue July 8 – August 19, 2017 at 8pm | Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, 610 Pipeline Rd.

The Drowsy Chaperone, full of song and dance, is a Canadian musical parody that whisks audiences away on a Jazz Age journey of love, laughter, and libation. Alone in his modest, one-bedroom apartment, a musical theatre fan puts on his treasured cast recording. As the record spins, the characters of a fictitious 1928 musical spring to life – filling his living room with all manner of movie stars, gangsters, divas, and more. Alternates nightly with Mary Poppins.

Tickets $30 – $49 Early Bird tickets are now on sale at: www.tuts.ca/tickets or call 1-877-840-0457

Broadway Across Canada - A Cameron Mackintosh Production
The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Date and Venue July 12 – 23, 2017 Tues – Sat evenings at 8pm, Sunday evenings 7:30pm with 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday | The Queen Elizabeth Theatre

With newly reinvented staging and scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Tickets prices start at $37.50 and go on sale now. To purchase, visit www.ticketmaster.ca or call 1-855-985-5000. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 1-800-889-8457. More info: http://vancouver.broadway.com/

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Dates and Venue July 13-16, 2017, Thurs night & Sat & Sun 10am to 11pm | Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver

Around 60 music acts with roots in 20 countries, ten states and nine provinces and territories will perform on seven day and evening stages over the festival weekend. The festival starts on Thursday night, July 13 with a free concert in the park. This year's lineup includes a number of acclaimed artists well known to fans of great music, including: Billy Bragg and Joe Henry, Shawn Colvin, Kathleen Edwards and Barenaked Ladies.

Info/Tickets Purchase online: www.thefestival.bc.ca or call 604-602-9798

Dates and Venue June 16 - July 1, 2017 | Coast Capital Playhouse, White Rock

In this comedy two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing Scenes from Shakespeare on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an ailing old lady is about to leave her fortune to her two long-lost English relatives, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved family members.

Tickets $22 - Wednesdays and Previews are $10. Seniors and students are $19. Group rates are available. Contact boxoffice@whiterockplayers.ca for more info.

The Queer Arts Festival, Vancouver’s annual artist-run, multi-disciplinary festival, according to the Melbourne Herald Sun is one of the top five festivals of its kind worldwide. Since 2008 it has been an essential platform of the avant-garde, presenting challenging work that pushes boundaries and stimulates dialogue.

Arts Club Theatre Company
Bittergirl: The Musical book by Annabel Fitzsimmons, Alison Lawrence, and Mary Francis Moore, music by Bob Foster

Dates and Venue June 15 – July 29, 2017, Mon–Thurs at 7:30pm, Fri & Sat at 8pm, Wed at 1:30pm, and Sat at 2pm | Granville Island Stage

Bittergirl is a cathartic musical charts the romantic breakups of three women and the antics that ensue. Sixties girl group music “Be My Baby,” “And Then He Kissed Me,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” and “Where Did Our Love Go?” provide the perfect backdrop for the bittergirls’ journey back to happiness. Who knew getting dumped could be so much fun?

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

Dates and Venue June 1 – 25, 2017, Thur – Sat at 8pm; Sun matinee at 2pm | Bernie Legge Theatre, New Westminster

Charley’s rich Aunt, Donna Lucia, is visiting from Brazil and the timing couldn’t be better. Her presence as a chaperone will allow Charley and his friend Jack to ask their respective true loves, Amy and Kitty, for their hands in marriage. But time is ticking, so where is Charley’s Aunt? On learning she will be delayed by several days, they blackmail their eccentric friend, Lord Fancourt “Babbs” Babberley, to save their romantic plans and pose as Donna Lucia.

Arts Club Theatre Company
Million Dollar Quartet book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
Inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins

ONE WEEK ADDED!

Dates and Venue May 11 – July 16, 2017, Mon – Thurs 7.30pm, Fri & Sat 8pm, (matinees on Wed at 1.30pm, and Sat at 2pm) | Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage

Inspired by true events, this jukebox musical takes you into Sun Records Studio on December 4, 1956, to witness the famed recording session that brought together rock and roll legends Presley, Cash, Lewis, and Perkins—for the first and only time. Experience all the hits that made icons what they are today. Hear: “That’s Alright,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and more!

Tickets start at $29, inclusive of taxes and fees. Call the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644 or visit www.artsclub.com