xTouchstone Theatre and Patrick Street Productions
The Best Laid Plans: A Musical based on the novel by Terry Fallis, music and lyrics by Benjamin Elliott and Anton Lipovetsky

Dates and Venue September 19 to October 3, 2015 Tues –Sat 8pm (Matinees September 20, 27 & October 3 at 2pm) | York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Reviewer Ed Farolan

This was a good show and opening night got the audience standing in ovation during curtain call. Everything about this musical worked: the songs, the dancing and the acting. The storyline was excellent and just the right timing for elections coming up on October 19. The story takes place in a ryding close to Ottawa during and after a federal election.

The match-up of Touchstone and Patrick worked really well with Katrina Dunn as the dramaturg and Peter Jorgensen as the director. The actors are seasoned veterans in the Vancouver scene: Patti Allan, Andrew Wheeler, Gordon Roberts--names we hear time and again in shows here in Vancouver through the years.

Vern Thiessen's book adapted from Terry Fallis' novel was innovative. Before the play started, Katrina Dunn said that Fallis, who was present on opening, was there every step of the way helping out in the production. The music and Lyrics by Benjamin Elliott and Anton Lipovetsky were outstanding.

Kudos to the creative team and the cast for a fabulous production!.

© 2015 Ed Farolan