The City of Vancouver is well-known for being the backdrop in many a Hollywood feature for both the big and little screen. However the a longstanding entertainment heartbeat resonates throughout the City in the form of live theatre.
The Arts Club Theatre Company, now in its 44th season runs two theatres year-round; one on Granville Island and the other being the historic Stanley Theatre up on South Granville, only a short walk or bus ride away.
This season the Arts Club is presenting The Producers, which was an amazing theatre-going experience that I was able to take in Sunday afternoon. The wit and satirical Broadway genius of the Mel Brooks musical was presented in hilarious harmony.
The all-star Canadian cast included Jay Brazeau, who has starred in productions across the country, Josh Epstein who has two Jessie nominations under his belt, and the biggest treat for me was witnessing Jackson Davies as “Franz”.
Davies is well known for his character “Constable Constable” on Canada’s longest running drama, The Beachcombers and is a BC Entertainment Hall of Famer. Dolled up in lederhosen while frolicking and prancing around the stage with a German accent, Davies’ performance was priceless.
The Producers will run until July 13th although we can expect much more from the Arts Club during the 2008-2009 season, which will even include a production of Les Miserables.
Vancouver is a city that many love to get out to enjoy, complimenting sunny Sunday afternoons with strolls along the Sea Wall. With so much exciting (and local) talent on stage, a theatre matinee should not be overlooked as the City’s live scene is filled with star power.
Live theatrical performances in Vancouver this summer:
- Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo, (June 12 to July 20th)
- Monty Python’s Spamalot (July 3 to July 27th)
- Bard on the Beach, featuring Twelth Night, King Lear, The Tempest and Titus Andronicus (May 29th to September 27th)
- Theatre Under the Stars, featuring Jesus Christ Superstar (July 9th to August 16th) and Annie Get Your Gun (July 10th to August 15th)
- Arts Club Theatre Company, The Back Kitchen Release Party (June 19th to August 2nd)
- The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, starting the 2008-2009 season with Frost/Nixon (September 13th to October 4th)
GUEST BLOGGER: Rebecca Bollwitt has been blogging about Vancouver since 2004 on Miss604.com, co-hosting two podcasts since 2005 and in 2008 she co-founded sixty4media, a social media consulting firm.