Dunce Upon a Time – The Broadway Chorus – Waterfront Theatre – June 12th to 15th, 2013

Posted on May 27, 2013 by LiveVancouver

Note: I perform in this community musical theatre show, so naturally I’m biased. This will be my fifth show with The Broadway Chorus and I couldn’t be happier to be able to play with this talented group of people every Tuesday night for rehearsals.

When I saw my first Broadway Chorus show, I was thinking there’s not a lot set (read:none), there’s a lot of familiar and catchy music from various musicals and pop culture and there’s a heckuva lot of people on stage singing and dancing at all times. But for me the big thing that stood out was they were all having a lot of fun and they were letting the audience in on their fun too. And that still shines through to today. You’re going to come out and we’ll do our best to make the smile on your face just a little bit bigger and get that foot of yours tapping along to the music.

Dunce Upon a Time is very, very loosely based on the wildly popular ABC TV series Once Upon a Time, only that we’re a bunch of people who have suddenly come to realize that we’re not who we think we are. I won’t spoil it for you but we’re definitely not fairy tale characters.

Dunce Upon a Time

June 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th (Wednesday through Saturday)
at 8:00pm (two acts – approx 2 hours with intermission)
at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island
just east of the Kids Market

For Jane and her life partner Brandon, the move to exclusive West Shaughnessy Dale seems too good to be true. It is. For behind the neighborhood’s idyllic facade lies a terrible secret … a secret so devastating that no one who discovers it will survive unscathed. Will they triumph over the unexpected, while breaking into song and dance at intervals to express emotions too strong to merely speak? Of course, it’s a Broadway Chorus show!

Our 26th Broadway Chorus production features songs from a variety of unexpected sources, from little known shows like Harold and Maude, Tony-winning hits like Book of Mormon or Once, and failed flops like Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

The Waterfront Theatre is at the South-West corner of Granville Island, near the Kids Market. Parking is free on the Island after 7:00pm (even in parkades!)

BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE:

Wednesday 8:00pm 12 June 2013

Thursday 8:00pm 13 June 2013

Friday 8:00pm 14 June 2013

Saturday 8:00pm 15 June 2013

Or if you’d rather not pay in advance, and tickets are still available, just come to the theatre after 7:00pm, and we’ll accept cash. See you then!

Electro Vaudeville Festival – April 12-13, 2013 – Grandview Legion 179

Posted on March 20, 2013 by LiveVancouver

Last year, Val (the organizer) kindly invited me to the first Electro Vaudeville Festival and for me this was quite the concept in partying. Firstly it was about the music, a swing sound fused with a more modern techno beat. And second, it wasn’t only a dance party, it was a show with performers, live music, a movie, vendors and a photo shoot. It had burlesque dancers, it had aerial silk dancers, fire breathers, swing lessons. Simply, it was a blast.

Well, it seems like a year has passed and through out the year Val’s held other similar fantastic Electro Swing Club Vancouver parties and events throughout the city. But now it’s time to bring back the full on Electro Vaudeville Festival!

The Festival format seems to have been extended this year as it’s going to be spread out over three sessions with unique entertainment for each one. Whatever session you get you and your friends to, make sure you dress up and be ready for a swinging good time. Or even better plan to go to all three!

If you’re not quite sure what to expect, you can check out his FREE Pre-Festival party at the Backstage Lounge on Friday night, where you’ll get a sampling of the type of talent that’s going to be available at the Fest.

Welcome to the Electro Vaudeville Fest!

A place where classy lasses and scruffy scoundrels alike come to enjoy a hoppin’, swingin’ good time on their feet.

Come jive to the vintage tunes and fresh modern beats of electro swing, jazz and blues performed by bands from across Europe and North America and let your heart lead you on a journey through time. But beware: you are certain to meet some exciting folks along the way! Burlesque and boylesque performers tantalize on-lookers. Gentlemen, take off your hats for the jaw dropping performances of acrobats. Give a holler for the cabaret performers, and a nod waaay up to the stilt-walkers.

Electro Swing is a new dance music sensation that has been quickly gaining momentum at a select few events this year. Old-school swing and jazz songs are revamped and revisited, wrapped up in sick modern beats and sultry bass lines. Past meets future in an exciting and unique way that’s sure to get your feet moving.
Our event welcomes one and all, ordinary and extraordinary. Only here can you meet a Victorian dandy, a 50′s style swing dancer and a dreaded belly dancer dancing together to the sweet rhythms of electro.

Dress up in your favorite Retro/Swing/Circus/SteamPunk/Victorian era influenced attire!

VAL FINAL 1-20%

For full schedule please visit
http://electrovaudevillefest.org/
we’ll sell tickets there as well.

Friday April 12 8pm – 2am

Swingrowers (Italy)
http://www.youtube.com/user/SwingrowerS

DJ Eliazar (Speakeasy/Montreal)

http://www.facebook.com/DjEliazar

Russell Bruner – Best Boylesque 2012 (Portland)

Blackberry Wood
http://www.facebook.com/blackberrywood

Bananafish Dance Orchestra (Nanaimo)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bananafish-Dance-Orchestra/137465812991777

Bizarriety ft. Neil E. Dee & Melody Mangler. Real thrills. Real Danger.

http://www.neiledee.weebly.com/

Burlesque
Roving Circus performers
Dance performances

Saturday April 13th 2pm – 6pm and 7pm -2am

Alice Francis (Germany)
http://alice-francis.de/

http://www.facebook.com/alicefrancismusic

Good Co (Seattle)
http://www.facebook.com/goodcomusic

Sepiatonic (Portland)

http://hungryoperamachine.wordpress.com/

The Creaking Planks
http://creakingplanks.com/

Russell Bruner – King of Swing and Gentleman Juggling (Portland)

Company B
http://www.companybjazz.com/

Super and the Get Hot
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.andreasuperstein.com%2F&h=dAQHfc03b

Bohemian Acro (Seattle)
http://www.bohemianacro.com/

Motown Burlesque – ‘Live music Burlesque from Blue Morris’ production of Motown Burlesque!’

Dezi Desire, Burlesque -”Have Dezi Desire seduce you in a performance following folklore as a succubus, but don’t worry… she just feeds off the energy of your applause”

Tap dance performances:
Hoofer’s Line (Danny Nielsen and VTDS)
Bouncing Back (VTDS)
Danny Nielsen solo
Mary Anne (VTDS)

Side show
Swing dance performance

Purchase your tickets online at Eventbrite

Tickets for Friday night show – $29 pre-sale, more at the door
Tickets for Saturday day show – $25 pre-sale, more at the door
Tickets for Saturday night show – $38 pre-sale, more at the door
Saturday full day pass – $53

No Minors/ 19+

The Girl in the Frame – Studio 1398 – Feb 13th to Mar 2nd, 2013

Posted on February 13, 2013 by LiveVancouver

Tonight I was supposed to go with a friend to the Museum of Vancouver’s opening night Sex Talk in the City. However, I chose to go see the preview of Intimate Theatre Productions sophomore show of The Girl in the Frame and boy am I glad I did, as it was a fabulously hilarious night.

Last year, I saw Intimate Theatre Productions first show “I Love You, Because” (which coincidentally I noticed is actually a line in this year’s show). I enjoyed that one and was wondering what they would do for their follow up. When I read the description of the show (below), I knew that Aaron Lau had made an excellent choice and that I had to go see it.

The story is a “what-if” scenario brought to life and explores it and skewers it at times. Who hasn’t wondered what being with an idealized stranger in a photo we’ve seen, would be like?

While the songs were not particularly that memorable but it doesn’t really matter as the musical aspect of it certainly accentuated and fit the fantasy element of the show very well. The singing and acting of this talented cast and crew easily earned the standing ovation they received tonight.

Old Spice guy is not in the fantasy guy in this show.

Not wanting to spoil any of the show, I will say that the casting for this show is quite spot on. It had me believing that these two fantasy characters were really fantasies brought to life. And as much as I had trouble taking my eyes off of Synthia Yusef’s character, even more so entertaining was Paul Alemeida’s run at the Old Spice guy. Yes, the pair are a little over the top, but that’s what made them so enjoyable. The “real” couple, played by Joey Herbison and Robyn Leigh Johnson, are characters that most people can relate to, if we aren’t parts of them already.

The set backdrop reminded me of the Animator’s Palate on Disney Cruise Lines where everything starts out in black and white with the apartment taking more colour as the show comes to life, so to speak. It was a simple, clever and effective use of stage scenery.

There’s a lot to love about this show and I heartily recommend it. I couldn’t stop laughing all the way through and with a smile on my face, I suspect that you will be too. If you don’t have Valentine’s plans, go see this show. And if you do, good for you, but go and see this show during this short two and half week run.

—————————————————————————————————

The Girl In The Frame ~Experience Your Fantasies In Real Life~
Book, Music & Lyrics by: Jeremy Desmon

Tickets are available here at Brown Paper Tickets

In this new & quirky four-person musical, a tiny New York apartment gets even smaller as a young couple’s wildest fantasies come to life. A hunky fireman, and the seductive “girl-next-door,” burst to life from a store-bought picture frame and turn one couple’s cold feet into a fun and sexy parable of modern love.

Alex and Laney (Joey Herbison & Robyn Leigh Johnson, respectively), two quirky young urbanites in love, are engaged to be married but they can’t seem to set the date. In a spur of magical happenstance, enter their ideal fantasies in Evelyn (Synthia Yusuf) and Tomás (Paul Almeida) and a hilarious situation.

As this bizarre foursome become roommates and the lines between reality and fantasy continue to blur, Alex and Laney must fight to see beyond their fairy-tale notions of romance and discover the wonder and beauty in the everyday imperfections of love.

Director: Julie Tomaino (appears courtesy of the Canadian Actor’s Equity Association)
Music Director: Wendy Bross Stuart

Alex: Joey Herbison
Laney: Robyn Leigh Johnson
Evelyn: Synthia Yusuf
Tomás: Paul Almeida

Set Design: Kim Rosin
Lighting Design: Adam Volk
Sound Design: Chris Adams
Costume Design: Chris Sinosich
Assistants to the Director: Alison Roberts, Jaimie Kopeck
Stage Managers: Chelsea Ramos, Christine Fannon Bird, Ashley Ho
Managing Artistic Director: Aaron Lau

THE GIRL IN THE FRAME previews on February 13th & 14th. (The 14th will be a special Valentine’s Day show where there will be free champagne and a long stemmed rose for every woman in attendance!)
Official Opening Night and Media Evening on February 15th.
Performances Wednesday to Saturday until March 2nd.
Special Industry Night & Cancer Research Benefit performance on Sunday, February 24th with complimentary refreshments & silent auction.
All performances begin at 8pm, Doors at 7pm

Parking on Granville Island is free after 7pm.

Running Time: 110 minutes, two acts

Evil Dead: The Musical – Waterfront Theatre – Feb 14th-16th, 2013

Posted on February 6, 2013 by LiveVancouver

Evil Dead the Musical

No plans for Valentine’s? Here’s one of the most unusual shows you can take your loved one to. Either that or check out Burlesque Duos at the Rio Theatre.

Where to begin on this one….. Just go see it! The movie Warm Bodies did well at the box office this weekend. They’re calling it the first Rom-Zom, but no…. this is the first one and it came out long before.

Back in Halloween 2009, I took a chance on this show and went to go see it at the Vogue Theatre. Having never seen the Bruce Campbell movies source material and hearing about a splatter zone, I was intrigued but no idea what I was getting myself into. I figured, how bad could it be? It turns out it was so much fun that I ended up going back to see a competing production that had almost overlapping dates at the Norman Rothstein Theatre.

Since the source is B-movie material, it can get as campy as it wants and it does so very professionally. The music, the set, the acting all are just a perfect blend of musical theatre comedy gold. How many shows can get away with a male tango done to a song called “What the f@ck was that?” Then there’s the somewhat familiar but uniquely their version of the Time Warp, called “Do the Necronomicon.” I watched the movie afterwards and was surprised at how very faithful the musical was to the film. And like Xanadu the Musical that came afterwards, how much better and funnier it is than the source.

I can’t say it enough, just go see it. And wear a white in the Splatterzone.

Five college students spend the weekend in an abandoned cabin in the woods, accidentally unleashing an evil terror. In this comedic take on 1980s horror franchise, characters and demons sing and dance to songs written specifically for the musical. And, as in the films, Ash is there to dish out his various one liners and fight the never ending demons.

The musical takes creative liberty with the plot line of the movies, mixing together the characters and concepts of all three, as well as changing sequences for the sake of the stage and comedic intent.

Burlesque Duos – Rio Theatre – February 14, 2013

Posted on February 6, 2013 by LiveVancouver

What to do for Valentine’s Day, especially, if you don’t have that someone special in your life at this time. Well, if you’re not going to to the Evil Dead: The Musical splatter zone, the next best thing is to go see some Burlesque Duos. (or do both, Evil Dead: The Musical runs on Feb 15th and 16th, as well, but Burlesque Duos is one night only!)

Once again, April O’Peel has assembled her friends which are many of Vancouver’s finest and entertaining burlesquers and paired them up in combinations that haven’t been or rarely seen before. And it’s at the Rio Theatre, which just acquired the doors from the now closed Ridge Theatre.

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO AT BURLESQUE DUOS

This Valentines Day at the Rio Theatre will witness never seen before Burlesque duets featuring eight of Vancouver’s top teasers. Celebrating partnership and feminine creativity, Burlesque Duos are a perfect way for singles and couples alike to celebrate Valentines Day!

Commissioned by producer/performer April O’Peel, Burlesque Duos will see new works featuring pairings from eight of Vancouver’s Burlesque elite. Artistic freedom reigns as these terrific twosomes take to the Rio Stage for one night only.

“ The Burlesque scene in Vancouver has something very special to offer in that it sees a lot of collaboration between its performers. Lots of other locations don’t see that as much due to lack of reasonable space to perform in. There literally is only room on stage for one performer at a time. I wanted to offer a venue for performers, who might not otherwise get a chance to work together, the opportunity to create something” - April O’Peel (producer and performer)

Featuring fantastic new pairings between

CHERRY ONTOP and MELODY MANGLER,
BURGUNDY BRIXX and NICKY NINEDOORS,
LOLA FROST and BLOODY BETTY
as well as APRIL O’PEEL and MISS FITT.

This legendary lineup features internationally recognized performers whose titles range from “Most Comedic” to “Sizzlin Striptease.”

The group has established themselves not only as world class Burlesque performers but also as respected teachers, costumers, playwrights, performers and producers. If just one of these dynamite performers is enough to stop a room, take a moment to imagine these creative couplings!

Show happens February 14th at the Rio Theatre; Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm.

Tickets$15 in advance online, $20 at the door. For more info please visit:
http://www.aprilopeel.com/

Pop Up Dances 2013 – Granville Island – Feb 23 & 24

Posted on January 29, 2013 by LiveVancouver

Pop Up Dances 2013

Date/Time: February 23 & 24 from 12pm-5pm
Venue/Location: Granville Island Net Loft (starting point)
Ticket: This is a free event!
This year’s Pop Up Dances on Granville Island is curated and hosted by the aging chorus girl turned relationship councillor, Gloria (Kat Single-Dain), of the famed show Gloria’s Happy Hour Revue, which has just travelled to New York City earlier this year! Gloria will be joined by her oldest friend (who she has also known the longest), the ever-lovable Harold (Aaron Malkin), and this hilarious couple will lead you on a tour of Granville island, where stories of love and life in the entertainment world of the past come to life.

Featuring original dance pieces by Troy McLaughlin, Caroline Liffman and Lina Fitzner, the 605 Collective, and Kat Single-Dain. Each tour will be one hour, on the hour, a true ‘happy hour revue’ with tap dance, contemporary dance, swing dance, chorus line and a gorilla.

Up Your Puppet! – Puppet Slam – Sideshow Studio – Jan 31, 2013

Posted on January 29, 2013 by LiveVancouver

With Avenue Q coming to town in the Summer, I think it’s time to warm myself up with some adult content puppetry! Hopefully we’ll see more of these puppet slams in the future, they look like a blast

UpYourPuppet sideshow

Up Your Puppet! Cabaret of Performing Objects will be happening in Vancouver B.C. on Thursday January 31st at Sideshow Studios!
15 West 2nd Avenue (at Ontario).

It will be an evening of high-quality short form adult puppetry. Not for the kiddies. booyeah!

contests! hilarity! grit! beauty! joy! a puppet dance party!

with…
Mind of a Snail
Sandy Buck
Olivier Duveau
Fernado y Rosalinda
Chuck the Ventriloquist
Moth Orbit Object Theatre
Carnival Sized Cinnamon Hearts Theatre
Q&A with Stumpy the tree stump
…and more!

plus: The Fungineers ~Puppet DJ Set

Paragon, the CyberUnicornTron, is the Fungineers’ super star puppet DJ puppeteer. Packing fuzzy friends and flipping styles and records like pancakes, his robot-monkey unicorn beabtox MC / DJ skills scratch across countless sparkly fresh dimensions and genres, mixing Fungineer original tunes, fancy freestyles and party rockin flavours that tickle your ears and elbows to smile.

The Fungineers are a super group of magical weirdoes whose job is to make Life more Fun. Based at the Funderground Station, an underground complex of kooky caves located somewhere in the Pacific Northwest of the Planet, the Fungineers’ mysterious fate is to make music, videos, costumes and endless Fun things for you.

Check out videos and music and more at www.fungineers.com

doors and puppet crafting at 7
show at 8
$15

info:
http://upyourpuppet.wordpress.com/

upyourpuppet@gmail.com

What’s a puppet slam?
http://puppetslam.com/