The Cultch Historic Theatre until October 23, 2022
If ever a play screamed out for audience intervention, Bad Parent is one. And in removing the fourth wall and having the actors, Raugi Yu and Josette Jorge, address the audience directly, playwright Ins Choi leaves the door wide open for us to jump in and holler, “Nooooooo” or “We hear you” or “Hang in there.”
Josette Jorge as Norah/Nora and Raugi Yu as Charles/Dale in Bad Parent. Credit: Dahlia Katz
At Pacific Theatre until October 15, 2022
“Between goodness and me, there is a country highway running past an orchard. Wanting to be good is wanting to get to an apple tree to pick an apple while I’m on the other side of the highway.” This is how Fanny Britt’s play, set in 2018 in the fictional village of Bienveillance in rural Quebec, begins.
Charlie Gallant as Gilles Jean in Benevolence. Credit: Moonrider Productions
At Jericho Arts Centre until October 2, 2022
Under the direction of Sarah Rodgers, newly appointed Artistic Director of United Players, this is a tight team of highly experienced as well as not-so-experienced actors – all women – and playwright Ray Kennedy has written a colourful vehicle for each of them.
Evangela Kepinski as Louise and Allyson Riley as Margaret in The Thursday Night Bridge Circle. Credit: Nancy Caldwell
Bard on the Beach until September 24, 2022
Catch this Bard on the Beach production while the moon is full and think on Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers who wonder if it is the lark or the nightingale singing. If the nightingale, they have more minutes to be together in Juliet’s bedchamber; if the lark, Romeo must flee. Parting, Shakespeare tells us, is such sweet sorrow.
Ghazal Azarbad as Juliet and Daniel Fong as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Credit: Emily Cooper
Theatre Under the Stars until August 26, 2022
Imagine trying to break into the biz when Shakespeare’s plays were selling like hotcakes at the Globe Theatre day after day. Attempting to get a play in edgewise was next to impossible – or that’s the idea behind Something Rotten, now playing at the Malkin Bowl. You don’t have to know anything about Shakespeare to enjoy this laugh-out-loud spoof at the expense of the Bard.
Daniel Curalli as Will Shakespeare in Something Rotten. Credit: Emily Cooper
Theatre Under the Stars until August 27, 2022
TUTS is a package. Popcorn, hot chocolate or coffee or wine, porta potties, maybe a picnic dinner by the Rose Garden before the show, mosquito repellent, blankets, all that singing, all that dancing and moonlight through Stanley Park’s towering trees. What’s not to love?
Danny Malena as Galileo in We Will Rock You. Credit: Emily Cooper
Bard on the Beach until September 24, 2022
A Midsummer Night’s Dream shows us the stages of love, from puppy love to mature love; unexamined infatuation to carefully-considered partnering. And this production is so pretty!
Sarah Roa as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Credit: Emily Cooper
Bard on the Beach until July 17, 2022
I loved Harlem Duet. The script is honest and sad, sometimes funny and often poetic. It’s deeply political as well as deeply personal.
Donald Sales as Othello and Marci T. House as Billie in Harlem Duet. Credit: Emily Cooper
At Waterfront Theatre until July 1, 2022
Directed by Shelby Bushell for Ensemble Theatre Company as part of ETC’s two-play festival, strong performances and an interesting idea make Marjorie Prime worth a visit – especially if, like Marjorie, you’re keeping up with and curious about where technology is taking us.
Gai Brown as Marjorie in Marjorie Prime. Credit: Emily Cooper
Jericho Arts Centre until June 26, 2022
Directed by Keltie Forsyth and Louisa Phung for United Players, this is a tight, talented cast, perfectly equipped to handle the rapping and singing, the comedy and the drama. It’s a personal best for Chris Lam, as Quang, in a role in which he can really spread his wings.
Chris Lam as Quang and Alison Chang as Tong in Vietgone. Credit: Nancy Caldwell