Inside Vancouver

Award-winning musical Spitfire Grill at Pacific Theatre, through Oct 27

by Remy Scalza in Entertainment on October 13, 2012

Photo credit: Francesca Albertazzi

When it comes to live theatre in Vancouver, much of the spotlight goes to heavy hitters like the Arts Club and Bard on the Beach (and, until recently, Vancouver Playhouse). But drama buffs know that there’s an entire network of smaller, intimate theatres operating largerly under the radar – from the Cultch to the Firehall Arts Centre and tiny Pacific Theatre in the Granville Rise neighbourhood. While productions may be more modest at these theatres, production value is anything but.

I stopped by Pacific Theatre for the first time this week to take in their latest musical, the small-town drama Spitfire Grill (running through Oct. 27). The theatre can be a little hard to find, tucked away next to a seniors centre on 12th Avenue. Pacific Theatre bills itself as “community-minded professional theatre,” and the venue has a grassroots, community feel. Everyone inside seemed to know each other – staff, performers and patrons. Inside, a small lobby leads to a very unique 126-seat, alley-style theatre. The north and south wings are completely separated by a ground-level stage in the middle.

The Spitfire Grill, adapted from the hit 1996 film, traces the life of an ex-prisoner who relocates to a small midwestern town in the hope of starting a new life. She gets a job at the grill – the town’s only restaurant – and quickly discovers that everything is not as perfect as it seems. Continue reading:
Award-winning musical Spitfire Grill at Pacific Theatre, through Oct 27

Chelsea Hotel featuring the songs of Leonard Cohen at the Firehall Arts Centre Sept 28-Nov 3

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on September 27, 2012

Rachel Aberle, Steve Charles, Benjamin Elliott, Marlene Ginader and Lauren Bowler. Photo credit – David Cooper

Leonard Cohen casts a big shadow in Canada. Novelist, poet, singer, survivor and sex symbol, the craggy old Montrealer is the country’s Dylan.

The master is back on tour for a new album, Old Ideas, with a Vancouver show Nov 12 at Rogers Arena. However, for those who can’t wait, the Firehall Arts Centre is bringing back its hit show Chelsea Hotel, which features a number of Cohen’s best-known songs interpreted by a cast of talented musicians/actors.

But there’s a story, too.

Continue reading:
Chelsea Hotel featuring the songs of Leonard Cohen at the Firehall Arts Centre Sept 28-Nov 3

Zombie Fighting on the Streets of Downtown Vancouver, Oct 13-31

by Remy Scalza in Events on September 18, 2012

Photo credit: The Zombie Syndrome from the Virtual Stage

Are you ready to save Vancouver from a deadly zombie invasion?

Just in time for Halloween, a new attraction turns the audience into zombie fighters on the streets of Vancouver. Described as an “interactive, site-specific theatre adventure,” the Zombie Syndrome puts you in the starring role in a quest to conquer the undead.

Here’s how it works. The exact starting point of the show remains a secret until the day before, when ticket holders receive a phone call from a character in the story with instructions on when and where to meet.

Once assembled at the secret rendezvous point, you and your zombie fighting colleagues are briefed on the outbreak of a deadly virus that reanimates the dead. Continue reading:
Zombie Fighting on the Streets of Downtown Vancouver, Oct 13-31

The 28th Vancouver International Fringe Festival

by eliannalev in Events on September 4, 2012

A still from Vancouver International Fringe Festival performance Plasticity Now

The word “fringe” can refer to the uncommon, unconventional and extreme. And while the 28^th annual Vancouver International Fringe Festival may feature performances that fall into those categories, there is still guaranteed to be something that appeals to everyone’s edgy side. After all, there will be 754 performances by 97 groups over 11 days. In total, there are expected to be 30,000 attendees. That’s a lot of uncommon, unconventional and extreme theatre-goers, which goes to show that sometimes the abnormal is the norm.

Continue reading:
The 28th Vancouver International Fringe Festival

1-Act Theatre Fest Coming to Vancouver, June 14-15

by Remy Scalza in Entertainment on June 12, 2012

Like theatre but got a short attention span? This festival is for you.

The Cultch in Vancouver is hosting a unique one-act theatre fest June 14-15. For $18, you get four mini plays back to back – with all the action and drama condensed down into a single act each.

I think this is brilliant. The traditional, three-act play is a cultural pillar that goes all the way back to Aristotle – but lots of people are intimidated by the length. With so many other entertainment options out there – 3D movies, HD TV, YouTube – asking an audience to sit through two intermissions is a tall order.

Enter the one-act play. Think of it as a short story. You get all the climax and character and tension – but none of the tedious lead up and resolution of a three-act play. Here’s what’s in store at the 1-Act Festival. Continue reading:
1-Act Theatre Fest Coming to Vancouver, June 14-15