Theatre

Vancouver’s Pacific Theatre has announced it will open its 2010/2011season on September 24th with the gay themed The Busy World is Hushed.

For a group of actors that would only be a glimmer in their parent’s eyes during the 1960s, the energetic cast of Fighting Chance Productions’ Hair captures the free-spirited, counter-culture hippie movement with alarming ease and literally bare it all in this ambitious show.

Dave Deveau could just have easily called his Tiny Replicas, tiny reflections, as he holds up a mirror to his own life (and that of his partner Cameron Mackenzie), providing us with a very personal glimpse into queer baby making that is both touching and funny.

Bard on the Beach completes this year’s history cycle with its production of Henry V, and while for me not as strong as its counterpart Falstaff, it still entertains and primes us well for next year’s final installments.

Absolutely!  Go see Disney’s The Lion King.  But you have to make me one promise!

The rain fell in Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl last night during the Theatre Under the Stars production of Singin’ in the Rain but it was through a little theatre magic and not because of our unpredictable Vancouver weather.  And while this second show of TUTS' 64th season can't quite live up to its source material, the cast works hard to entertain.

Cameron Mackenzie and Dave Deveau want children.  Three in fact.  And they aren’t afraid to let Vancouver audiences know it as they present Deveau’s Tiny Replicas, with partner Mackenzie directing, as part of the inaugural Neanderthal Arts Festival beginning July 21st.

With three productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the Vancouver area in less than a year, there is always the chance local theatre-goers might be just a little tired of this coat of many colors. But thanks to an amazing performance by Erik Ioannidis and as diverse a cast as any you will see on any Vancouver stage, the Theatre Under the Stars production currently on stage at Malkin Bowl manages to breathe some new life into this ubiquitously produced musical theatre staple.

For seven years actor Omari Tau has been traveling North America as Banzai, one of the trio of hyenas in Disney’s The Lion King. As the show makes its way to Vancouver this week we find out that, contrary to the character he plays, there is nothing remotely villainous about him.

Who would have guessed that nearly three hours of Shakespeare, in a tent, could be so much fun!  But fun is exactly what I got (and a whole lot more) from the Bard on the Beach presentation of Falstaff now playing under the Studio Stage tent in Vanier Park through September 22nd.