PRODUCTIONS
How to Disappear Completely
In September 2000, Vancouver-based lighting designer Itai Erdal received a phone call telling him his mother had nine months to live. He promptly travelled home to spend every moment he could with his dying mother.
During that time, he shot hours of film and hundreds of pictures, documenting the final nine months of her life. In this deeply profound, surprisingly funny, and critically acclaimed work, Erdal demonstrates his approach to theatrical lighting while also reflecting on events that followed his mother asking him to take her life. This piece pairs the power of Erdal’s storytelling with the nuanced potency of stage lighting
(Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables, Mar. 15 - 21)
We Don't Talk About Book Club
4 Friends from college have a monthly book club, but does anyone ever really talk about the book? Perfectionist Stay at Home Mom (SAHM) tries her best to keep her friends together, and discuss new things, all while her family takes her for granted. After their fourth moves away, she works to find someone new; much to the chagrin of her most apathetic friend who never reads the book. The new member is young and very annoying, that is until the SAHM’s best friend arrives…
Drama unfolds, new friends are made and everyone discovers a little more about who they are and who they wish they were.
(Surrey Arts Centre, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey, Mar. 14 - 16)
(Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St, New Westminster, Mar. 20 - 23)
Lentement la beauté
For its 50th season, Théâtre la Seizième invites you to travel through time and rediscover some of its emblematic plays through a series of staged readings.
Comfortably settled in his career, his relationship, and his family, an ordinary man accidentally attends his first theatrical performance. The experience leads to a profound and intimate upheaval within him. Awestruck, he gradually transforms his perception of the world and those around him. What if beauty were what makes life worth living?
With part of the original cast reprising their roles, Lentement la beauté is a powerfully evocative dramedy that offers an inspiring reflection on the meaning of daily life and the awakening to art, and a marvelous tribute to the imagination and wonders of the world.
In French, with English surtitles.
(Alliance Française de Vancouver, 6161 Cambie St, Vancouver, Mar. 21, 7:30 p.m)
Children of God
A gorgeous, powerful musical about an Oji-Cree family whose children were taken away to a residential school in Northern Ontario.
The story of Rita, a mother who was never let past the school’s gate, and her kids, Tom and Julia, who never knew she came, pushes toward redemption. Children of God offers a blend of ancient traditions and contemporary realities, celebrating resilience and the power of the Indigenous cultural spirit. Inspired by First Nations music, Corey Payette’s moving score also includes echoes of provocative Broadway masterpieces such as Fun Home and Next to Normal.
(York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, Mar. 21 - 29)
Touchstone Theatre presents Behind the Moon by acclaimed playwright and novelist ANOSH IRANI
Touchstone Theatre is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Behind the Moon , a play by award-winning playwright and novelist Anosh Irani . Recently named the 2023 recipient of The Writers’ Trust Engel Findley Award for his exceptional contributions to Canadian literature, Irani’s newest play promises to captivate audiences with its powerfully moving exploration of human connection, belonging and the immigrant experience.
Set in a Mughlai eatery in Toronto, Behind the Moon delves into the intertwined lives of three South Asian men navigating their migration journeys in Canada. Directed by Touchstone’s Artistic Director Lois Anderson, the play centers on Ayub (Praneet Akilla ), the hardworking and lone employee at Mughlai Moon. Under the watchful eye of the restaurant’s owner, Qadir Bhai (Dhirendra ), Ayub devotes himself to cooking and cleaning while holding onto the hope of reuniting with his family still living in Mumbai. One fateful night, Jalal (Zahf Paroo ), a cab driver, walks into the restaurant, sparking a complicated friendship that disrupts Ayub’s delicate world and the buried truths that lie at its centre.
(Vancity Culture Lab, The CULTCH, 1895 Venables St, Vancouver, previews Mar. 27; Mar. 28 - Apr. 6)
Lapin blanc, lapin rouge
For its 50th season, Théâtre la Seizième invites you to travel through time and rediscover some of its emblematic plays through a series of staged readings.
A performer is standing on stage. They have just opened an envelope. They have never read the play inside and have no idea what is about to unfold. The first page of the text contains a list of instructions written by an Iranian playwright named Nassim. Nassim refused to perform his military service, and as a result, his passport was revoked. Unable to leave his country, he wrote this play to travel the world. Tonight, he speaks to you through the voice and body of a daring performer. Unpredictable and unforgettable, Lapin blanc, lapin rouge is a powerful tribute to the power of words.
In French, with English surtitles. May 23 - 24, 7:30pm.
(Studio 16, 1555 W 7th Ave, Vancouver, May. 23 - 24)
Studio 58 Presents: We Are Boy Band
Studio 58, the professional theatre training program at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College, presents We Are Boy Band. If you're a super fan of groups like One Direction, NSYNC or BTS, this show is not to be missed!
Boy bands are an industry that manufactures masculinity, popularity and desire - all to produce the next big hit. This devised piece follows a group as they strive for stardom and deal with the dark side of fame.
(Studio 58 at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College, 100 West 49th ave, Vancouver, Mar. 27 - Apr. 6)
Time of Your Life: A Funny Fundraiser
Join us for Time of Your Life, an improv comedy fundraiser for Presentation House Theatre!
What better way to say goodbye to our outgoing Artistic Director Kim Selody, and welcome in Keltie Forsyth to take his place, than to have their lives and careers re-enacted by improv comedians?
Everyone has a story — not everyone has to watch improvisors tell theirs back to them!
(Presentation House Theatre, 333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, Apr. 1)
Frog Belly, Rat Bonr
Axis Theatre
By Timothy Basil Ering
Evergreen Cultural Centre presents, Axis Theatre’s Production of Frog Belly, Rat Bone, by Timothy Basil Ering. Incorporating beautifully handcrafted puppets and an original pop/rock musical score, Cementland comes to life as two enigmatic garbage collectors tell the story of a very special boy whose singular wish is to find a TREASURE!
One day, the boy discovers a rusty tin box packed with colorful envelopes and an old wrinkled note: “Put my wondrous riches into the earth and enjoy.” So the boy opens the envelope and tosses the contents – “hundreds of tiny gray specks” – onto the ground. Nothing happens! But night will come and the specks must be protected from junkyard thieves so the boy invents a guard… “he gathers wet smelly socks, moldy old pillow stuffing and scraggly wire bringing his creation, Frog Belly Rat Bone, to life.”
Frog Belly isn’t the sharpest, or the quietest, but it works. In time, Cementland blooms with beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables, and the junk pile of dark grays yields to an explosion of colour. With some strategy, strong communication, a lot of patience and goodwill, we can all grow wondrous riches, transforming dark surroundings into something beautiful.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
In the age of “looking down,” Axis draws young eyes up to engage them in interactive experiences that educate, inspire, and transform. Audiences experience smart, entertaining interpretations of traditional and cutting-edge physical theatre. Axis incorporates combinations of red-nose clown, mime, movement, mask work, puppetry, and improvisation to expand the meaning and impact of the stories presented. It is deceptively simple, completely fresh, and memorable.
Axis Theatre acknowledges that we live, work, and play on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples – sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations.
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE:
All tickets just $12, pay-more-if-you-can!
BOX OFFICE: 604.927.6555 | Open Monday – Saturday, 12 – 5PM
(Evergreen Cultural Centre, Apr. 5, 3:00 p.m)
The Knitting Pilgrim
by Kirk Dunn
The Knitting Pilgrim, featuring actor and knitter Kirk Dunn, is a multidisciplinary one-man show that combines personal storytelling, image projection, and three huge knitted panels that look like stained glass windows, to explore the connection amongst the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The play recounts Kirk’s fifteen-year artistic and spiritual journey of hand-knitting the ambitious project, and looks at why people struggle to get along today, the meaning of art, the hell of grant-writing and the power of love to overcome major obstacles (and minor mishaps).
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE:
Adults: $47 | Seniors: $40 | Students: $16
Save 20% with a Theatre Series subscription!
BOX OFFICE: 604.927.6555 | Open Monday – Saturday, 12 – 5PM
(Evergreen Cultural Centre, Apr. 8 - 12, 7:30 p.m + 3:00 p.m)
Upintheair Theatre Presents Dead Drone
Dead Drone is a new dark comedy written by David Mott that questions what it means to love in a dystopian digital age.
Upintheair Theatre presents the world premiere of Dead Drone – a groundbreaking speculative fiction play that delves into a future shaped by environmental collapse, digital obsession, and the struggle for connection. Dead Drone is a striking allegory that examines the impact of patriarchal hierarchies, digital consumerism, and societal control, questioning what it means to love in an age dominated by social media and substance dependence.
(Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Ave, Vancouver, Apr. 11 - 19)
Lxdy Parts: Babes
LXDY PARTS, a raucous celebration of the hilarious female-identified performers in our community from the deranged minds who brought you the award-winning comedy THE AFTER AFTER PARTY. LXDY PARTS: BABES is the newest instalment in their sold-out sketch show featuring true stories and special guests. Katey Hoffman and Cheyenne Rouleau are not the only babes anymore… Sketches and stories will be inspired by their new ridiculous roles as mothers.
(Vancity Culture Lab, 1895 Venables St, Apr. 16 - 19)
Dance Nation
An army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world.
In Clare Barron’s ferocious exploration of ambition and friendship these young dancers have more than pliés and jetés on their minds. With every step, they catapult towards finding themselves and unleashing their power. The winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Dance Nation is a raucous theatrical experience.
(York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, Apr. 23 - May. 11)
Love You Wrong Time
A hilarious, no-holds-barred song cycle featuring two friends looking for love while contending with the fetishization of Asian women.
Using music, true stories, bar games, and stand up, Maddie Bautista and Deanna H. Choi’s inventive, interactive show serves as a battle cry in the wake of mass violence against Asian femmes, creating a space for rage, grief, tenderness and ruthless comedy. It’s a good time, with teeth.
(Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables, May. 1 - 11)
Every Day She Rose
The personal becomes political in this collaboratively created work from Andrea Scott and Nick Green. After the Black Lives Matter protest at the 2016 Toronto Pride Parade, two best friends find their racial and queer politics aren’t as aligned as they first thought, and the playwrights behind them must figure out how to write about the fallout.
Every Day She Rose is a powerful exploration of white supremacy, privilege, and patriarchy in supposed safe spaces.
(Vancity Culture Lab, May. 1 - 11)
TOUCHSTONE THEATRE UNVEILS ITS 2024/25 SEASON WITH NEWLY APPOINTED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LOIS ANDERSON AT THE HELM
Today, Touchstone Theatre revealed its 2024/25 season programming, a captivating lineup featuring four works from Canada/Turtle Island that evoke myth and legend across cultural traditions to examine lived experiences of displacement, migration, settlement, home, and identity.
The season announcement comes with the news of Lois Anderson’s recent appointment as Touchstone’s Artistic Director, leading the company as it continues to explore the nature and purpose of theatre that reflects and amplifies stories from Canada/Turtle Island.
(The Cultch, Gateway Mainstage, PuSh Festival, various Vancouver and Richmond venues, 2024/2025 Season)
