Yoga Play | Gateway Theatre | February 7 – 16, 2019
Playwright Dipika Guha’s Canadian debut, Yoga Play, takes aim at corporate culture, the false authenticity of the yoga lifestyle, and cultural appropriation. The themes and comedic material are all stacked in favour a great play, but the narrative remains on the surface; instead of delving deeply into the issues this production takes a more slapstick approach that didn’t resonate with me.
Joni Mitchell’s songs are full of classic themes of love, environmental consciousness, and social justice. In this marathon musical, her songs have been updated and reimagined with new arrangements or musical styles, and sometimes with new narrative interpretations. Mitchell’s words still retain a great deal of relevance for today’s generation, and Circle Game reminds us of her wisdom.
Read more: Circle Game gives new life to Joni Mitchell classics
Dancing, delicious daal, and a damn good party. In Mrs. Krishnan’s Party, you aren’t just watching the fun; you’re part of it. Her boarder, James (Justin Rogers), has invited us all over to celebrate Onam. It’s a traditional Indian harvest festival that is, as James describes it, like Christmas, Easter, and Diwali all in one.
Read more: Mrs. Krishnan knows how to throw a damn good party
The Full Light of Day | Electric Company Theatre | Vancouver Playhouse | January 7 – 12, 2019
This is the most innovative piece of theatre I’ve seen in a long time. The integration of beautiful film elements, suspenseful plot, tense family dynamic, and brilliant cast made for a spectacular production. Ambitious and immersive, this is theatre that’s pushing the art form in new and exciting directions.
Mary (Gabrielle Rose) is an aging matriarch of a wealthy family who feels that she must face her husband’s corrupt past and reject it wholeheartedly before she dies. In an act of redemption, she banishes him from her deathbed and comes to terms with her self-imposed ignorance.
The Illusionists | Broadway Across Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre | January 15 – 20, 2019
It’s flashy, daring, it’s unexpected. The Illusionists live from Broadway combines five of the world’s top illusionists, each a specialist in their own area, as they join forces for this massive production. Colin Cloud brings his mind-reading prowess, Jonathan Goodwin is a daredevil who isn’t afraid of anything, An Ha Lim is the top manipulator in the world, Darcy Oake performs grand illusions such as disappearances and levitation, and Adam Trent is The Futurist specializing in creative, interactive magic.
Read more: The Illusionists prove seeing isn't always believing
It’s a Wonderful Life | Patrick Street Productions | Gateway Theatre | December 6 – 31, 2018
It’s difficult to remake a classic, especially a well-loved classic. There is the pressure to not stray too far from the original, yet the expectation to provide something new or to enhance the story or emotional impact in some way. Peter Jorgensen has adapted It’s a Wonderful Life as a big-band musical, and, while it’s a unique take on a tired classic, it doesn’t feel quite right.
Read more: Musical adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life has no wings
East Van Panto: Wizard of Oz | Theatre Replacement | The Cultch’s York Theatre | November 28, 2018 – January 6, 2019
Political jokes, silly costumes, and hyper-local content always make for a great time at the East Van Panto — but this year’s edition might just be the best yet. The re-written pop songs are hilarious, the set and props are spot on, and the jokes are full of local and political references.
Girl moves to new town. Girl meets boy. No…girl meets man. Man takes advantage of girl. Girl struggles to come to terms with this experience and, as an adult, is still affected by the abusive relationship and his power over her.
Emily Jane King plays Girl, the unnamed 14-year-old who falls for Ty (Isaac Mazur). As an adult, she (Lindsay Angell) runs into Ty (Ian Butcher) in a mall food court and decides to try and talk to him about what he did to her.
Read more: Mortified's unconventional setting provides an otherworldly backdrop to a difficult story
Empire of the Son | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre | Gateway Theatre | November 8 – 17, 2018
Tetsuro Shigematsu has created an autobiographical masterpiece that is a tribute to his father and a beautifully crafted piece of theatre about the power of family relationships.
He chronicles his life as one of five children, including a twin sister, who would all bathe together growing up on Montreal. He spent his teenage years as an anarchist skateboarder and had a complicated relationship with his father, Akira. Neither of them shared their feelings, but they usually came to a silent understanding. Although he vowed to be nothing like his father, he ended up on CBC radio, just as his father was.
Read more: Empire of the Son is a masterful, intimate story of the power of family relationships
With effusive energy and a playful sense of humour, this Australian troupe performed death defying feats and beautifully choreographed acrobatic sequences. A live band accompanied them with lively beats, and there was never a dull moment with a busy stage and jaw-dropping acts.
Read more: Backbone is a stunning display of gravity-defying acrobatics
