At Little Mountain Gallery until August 30, 2014
Sometimes a play comes along and I have no idea whom it’s for: kids, young adults, grownups or boomers. Mr. Marmalade is one of these. It’s billed as a dark comedy but it’s far too sad to be funny.
Jay Clift and Christine Quintana in Mr. Marmalade. Credit: BeattyOei Photography
At the Jericho Arts Centre until August 16, 2014
The Normal Heart is an awkward play probably because the intended hero – the playwright himself – is both heroic and anti-heroic. But it is undeniably faithful to the period fraught as it was with panic and pain.
Matthew Bissett, Rebecca Walters, Daniel Meron and Kazz Leskard. Credit: Matt Reznek
At the Jericho Arts Centre until August 13, 2014
If I were Irish I would either hate The Cripple of Inishmaan because it feeds into so many clichés or I would love it because it feeds into so many clichés.
Max Wallace as Cripple Billy in The Cripple of Inishmaan. Credit: Matt Reznek
At Theatre Under the Stars until August 23, 2014
Is it legal to be as multi-talented as Jocelyn Gauthier? She can sing, she can dance and she’s got moves that keep you watching her every second. Try to tear your eyes off her: it’s possible, but not for long.
Jocelyn Gauthier as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Credit: Milan Radovanovic.
At Bard on the Beach until September 17, 2014
Usually I’m not concerned about whether a play attributed to Shakespeare was actually written by Shakespeare. Cymbeline, however, does make one wonder. “A tragedy gone right” is how some have described it – although all that’s tragic about it is its potential for things to go wrong. But they don’t; they go very, very right.
Bob Frazer as Iachimo in Cymbeline. Credit: David Blue
At Bard on the Beach until September 19, 2014
SFU Professor Emeritus Malcolm Page, referring to another critic’s review of Equivocation, said it all: “A smart play for smart people.”
Gerry Mackay and Bob Frazer in Equivocation. Credit: David Blue
At Bard on the Beach until September 18, 2014
The Tempest is like a storm at sea: a calm ocean suddenly whipped by wind into fierce whitecaps. But, once past, the towering waves, their fury spent, become a smooth and sparkling expanse.
Allan Morgan as Prospero in The Tempest. Credit: David Blue
At the Arts Club Granville Island Stage until August 2, 2014
“Goodness, gracious/great balls of fire”. Nostalgia being what it is, Red Rock Diner will be a winner for the Arts Club.
Zachary Stevenson as Val in Red Rock Diner. Credit: Emily Cooper
At Bard on the Beach until September 20, 2014
What a dream of a Dream! Take your teenagers. Take your out-of-town guests. Directed by Dean Paul Gibson, it’s a summertime frolic in a land of fairies. And it’s beautiful.
Kyle Rideout as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
At the Firehall Arts Centre until June 14, 2014
“So, what’s your sign?” That’s a question that sends me running to the other side of the pool party where they’re probably talking about the price of housing in Vancouver.
Emma Slipp and Sebastian Kroon in The Concessions. Credit: Tim Matheson