The Dining Room
At PAL Studio Theatre until November 8, 2015
The Dining Room is a eulogy of sorts, not only for the dining room but also for bygone days.
Photo credit: Marlee Walchuk
Empire of the Son
At the Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch until October 24, 2015
SOLD OUT
Writer/performer Tetsuro Shigematsu (the self-confessed “trouble son” of Akira Shigematsu) did not have a very good relationship with his father but he’s making up for it now. Night after night in the Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch he admits he never said, “I love you” to his dad. He’s saying it now.
Tetsuro Shigematsu in Empire of the Son.
I WISH
At Presentation House until October 25, 2015
It’s hard to say how well I WISH will work with Grades 4-8, its target audience. Kids these days seem so sophisticated. But the goals of the show, featuring Jay Brazeau and Emilie Leclerc, are valuable.
Jay Brazeau as Leo in I WISH. Credit: Chris van der Schyff
Deux Ans de Votre Vie
At Studio 16 until October 24, 2015
Two words: complètement charmant.
Julie Trépanier as Chloe and Cory Haas as Jeremy in Deux Ans de Votre Vie. Credit: Emily Cooper
A Doll’s House
At Jericho Arts Centre until October 24, 2015
What strikes you right away is how modern A Doll’s House, written in 1879 by the great Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, feels.
Genevieve Fleming as Nora in A Doll’s House. Credit: Ryan McDonald
Smoke on the Mountain
At Pacific Theatre until November 1, 2015
Directed by Sarah Rodgers, this Midnight Theatre Collective Production is well done: good voices, sublime harmonies and a cast of a dozen all of whom play a variety of musical instruments including guitar, upright bass, piano, banjo, fiddle, spoons and washboard.
Lalainia Lindbjerg Strelau and Gordon Roberts in Smoke on the Mountain. Credit: Midnight Collective Theatre
The Waiting Room
At the Arts Club Granville Island Stage until October 31, 2015
Colorectal cancer are not two words with which you want to begin writing – or reading – a review. But The Waiting Room takes us far beyond a terrifying medical diagnosis into the realm of family, healing and hope.
John Mann (left) and Jonathon Young in The Waiting Room. Credit: Emily Cooper
Romeo + Juliet
At Studio 58 until October 18, 2015
I have met a lot of Romeos in my time. Let me re-phrase: I have met a lot of Shakespeare’s Romeos over the years. And I have never found one more winsome, brighter-eyed and more appealing than the one in Studio 58’s production of Romeo + Juliet. The role is played by a young woman (Camille Legg).
Camille Legg as Romeo and Adellah Furseth as Juliet in Romeo + Juliet. Credit: David Cooper
Are We Cool Now?
At The Cultch until October 10, 2015
Do yourself a favour and see Are We Cool Now? at The Cultch. Variously described as “an indie rock musical” and “an innovative rock music/theatre fusion” it’s all about being twenty-something and being in love. Or maybe not.
Penelope Corrin (as Penelope) and Ben Elliott (as Ben) in Are We Cool Now? Credit: Murray Mitchell
LOVE BOMB
At The Firehall Arts Centre until October 10, 2015
A love bomb sounds like something you wouldn’t mind having strapped to your chest. Not so.
Sara Vickruck as Justine in LOVE BOMB. Credit: Pink Monkey Studios