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A Van Sexy Date Pick: The Girl in the Frame, an Intimate Theatre Production at Studio 1398

February 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Photo by Coleen Whitfield from the 2011 Colorado Firefighter Calendar.

Photo by Coleen Whitfield from the 2011 Colorado Firefighter Calendar.

I’ll admit it.  As a woman, I can’t help, but smile at the suggestion of a fireman.  Not sure if this is due to the brainwashing of pop culture ideology, or the stereotype that fireman are buff (and look good with their shirts off), care about helping others, and are fabulous cooks.  I mean really, what woman wouldn’t smile at that!?! It is after all the female fantasy for a MAN!

Relationship fantasies is exactly the theme of The Girl in the Frame, which had it’s Canadian Premiere at Studio 1398 on Granville Island with Intimate Theatre Productions last week, just in time for Valentine’s Day.  I went to the Media Opening Night on the Friday with a gal pal.  Yes, it was indeed another dateless Valentines for me, and as such I have to say, this was the perfect piece of romantic comedy for the week ~ laughing at our relationship conundrums.  And I would harbour a guess that a couple in a long term relationship would have found this equally as amusing as my single self.

You see it played on the idea of our relationship fantasies actually coming true ~ would you pick the fantasy or real flesh and blood mate?  Just imagine that girl that perfectly cooked your favourite dinner every night, happily watched sports with you, and was picture perfect in the white sundress. Or the guy that happily cleaned the bathroom without being asked, fixed everything around the house, road a horse, and enthusiastically played out your fantasies in the bedroom … Not to shabby, huh!?!

 

The Girl in the Frame with Intimate Theatre with Studio 1398

 

Now, while admitting that I smiled from ear to ear at the introduction of the shirtless fireman, (and would very much appreciate a man to clean and fix), I was far more attracted to the ‘real’ man in the scene, the one that was a little bit of a nerd. Now, I know that was ultimately what the moral message of the play was, to show us that really it was people’s imperfections and quirks that we fall in love with, but this thought went through my mind immediately after the initial grin for the fireman.  Plus I have never cared for what in my mind’s eye, I see as artificial or manufactured beauty, and that was just it with the two fantasies, they looked manufactured (purposely so, I am sure).  Loved that they actually expressed this utter boredom and distaste for the ‘role’ they had to play in life, when talking with one another.  So either the play did a real good job of driving their moral message through, quite early in the play, or I secretly (or not so secretly) fantasize about nerds.  I suspect it’s the latter, as there is nothing that excites me more then a warm soul and creative mind.

A huge thank you to the cast and crew of The Girl in the Frame for helping me to realize my ultimate fantasy ~ Jeremy Desmon (Book, Music and Lyrics), Aarom Lau (Artistic Director), Chris Adams (Associate Producer and Sound Designer), Joey Herbison as Alex, Robyn Leigh Johnson as Laney, Synthia Yusuf as Evelyn, Paul Almeida as Tomas, Julia Tomaino (Director), Wendy Bross Stuart (Musical Director), Kim Rosin (Set Designer and Painter), Adam Volk (Lighting Designer), Chris Sinosich (Costume Designer), Tami Sinosich (Assistant Costume Designer), Christina Dao (Props Designer),  Melanie Thompson (Stage Manager), Chelsea Ramos (Assistant Stage Manager), Ashley Ho (Assistant Stage Manager), Jaime Kopeck (Assistant to the Director), Joey Herbison (Vocal / Dance Captain), Alex House (Head Carpenter), Neil Pickup (Trunk Painter), Megan Simpson (Marketing Director), and Jessica Stuart and Don Scott (Pre-Show, Intermission and Post-Show Music).

You can catch The Girl in the Frame now until March 2nd, 2013, with Wednesday – Saturday performances at 8 pm, and a special performance on Sunday February 24.  Get your tickets here!

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Events, Meeting Mr. / Ms. Right (or Right Now), Perfect Dates, relationships, Theatre, Vancouver Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Theatre That Makes You Think: Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione at Pacific Theatre

February 8, 2013 by 1 Comment

There are moments in Vancouver where I am seriously bowled over by the talent we have here.  Opening Night of Leave of Absence at Pacific Theatre was definitely one such night.  Phenomenal, sexy, laugh out loud funny, thought provoking and heart breaking. My date was balling by the end of it.  That is how emotionally charged it was.

 

Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione at Pacific Theatre until February 14th, 2013

Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione at Pacific Theatre until February 16th, 2013

 

In fact, he, Ian Alexander Martin, use to write theatre reviews, and Leave of Absence moved him so much that he felt the need to do a mini version of such on his facebook wall:

Thinking of seeing Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione at Pacific Theatre? DOOOO IT! Emme Rogers took me last night & one of us cried at the end {ahem}. I may be coming down with a cold. Yeah. That’s it. Yeah…

Entirely unrelated: Catholic High School was rough for me…

… followed by an actual review on blog ~ RE:VIEW ~ Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione with the lead in …

After a long absence from writing a theatre review, this was mostly written because I feel like I’m suffering an emotional hang-over after seeing it last night as Emme Rogers’ arm candy! Powerful, moving, and destined to be produced all over the fucking place. Go now! See this! Now! Don’t wait for final week: go now!

So who is the talent that so inspired Ian and I, and what is Leave of Absence about?  All start with the talent, especially as it allows me to shine a spotlight on a fellow Vancouver writer ~ Lucia Frangione. Lucia is a Vancouver-based writer, actor, and director, who has a reputation for creating thought provoking plays, like Espresso, which I haven’t seen, but have heard about from theatre lovers.  Critic Colin Thomas calls it “one of the best scripts ever produced by a Vancouver playwright.”  It also seems that many of Lucia’s work explores relationships within the Christian Church and finding one’s own spirituality, which certainly makes her a good fit for Pacific Theatre.  What I like about this aspect of her writing is that much of this in her work is questioning, showing the many layers and individuals within such a community, giving no particular answers, just many different perspectives and view points.  And I say this as someone that would call herself spiritual, but not religious.  In fact, I have at times been somewhat critical of organized religion, but then that is the beauty of Lucia’s work – she displays both the problems with organized religions, in her work, and the beauty.

 

The Cast of Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione

The Cast of Leave of Absence by Lucia Frangione (Craig Erickson, Lucia Frangione, Tom McBeath, and Karyn Guenther), as photographed by Emily Cooper.

 

Now on to the play itself, Leave of Absence …  Leave of Absence is a tale that is exploring relationships (and ultimately sexuality) in the Catholic Church in a very provocative manner, all told from the perspective of a woman.  What this is not, is a tale of the horrors of young boys getting taken advantage of in Catholic Church.  It does explore homosexuality, but rather through the eyes of a teenage girl coming to terms with her own sexuality.  We also explore sexuality through the eyes of a single Mom, a Catholic School Teacher, a recently widowed man, and a Catholic Priest.  For some the perspectives we see, and the ways in which this story of defining relationships and sexualities within the walls of a church that traditionally teaches repression, may be offensive, but for me it was laugh out loud funny, thought provoking, heart-breaking, and touching, with a definite shift between Act One to Act Two from amusing to heart breaking.  These are not superficial or one-dimensional characters, but rather complex ones, just as we all are in real life.  I especially loved Lucia’s depiction of her male characters, which while at first might portray quite a stereotypical light (purposely so, I am sure), we then see their many layers, that help us to better understand why they are behaving as they are.  I especially loved the Catholic Priest, who above and beyond anything else was represented as a man (rather than a man of the cloth), yearning for the fatherly love of a child and the husbandly love of a woman, all while struggling with his own faith and aspects of the Catholic Church that he himself could not and would not support.

While the focal point of the story was that of a teenage girl, struggling with her own sexuality and faith, I have admit that it was her character that I found the least interesting, perhaps because of the hard convictions of youth.  Her story, however, is a powerful one of bullying, and one that is so very important to be heard.  Bullying is not something to be taken lightly and something that as a society we need to put a stop to.

 

Karyn Guenther and Craig Erickson fighting back against bullying, as photographed by Emily Cooper.

Karyn Guenther and Craig Erickson fighting back against bullying, as photographed by Emily Cooper.

 

My accolades to the entire Cast & Crew ~ Maria Russell as Martha, Tom McBreath as Father Ryan, Karyn Guenther as Blake, Lucia Frangione as Greta, and Craig Erickson as Leap ~ Playwright Lucia Frangione, Director Morris Ertman, Dramaturg DD Krugler, Composer Jim Hodgkinson, Set Designer Drew Facey, Costume Designer Sydney Cavanagh, Lighting Designer Lauchlin Johnston, Sound Designer Jeff Tymoschuk, Stage Manager Jethelo E. Cabilete, Assistant Stage Manager Michelle Harrison, Assistant Costume Designer Catrina Jackson, Properties Manager Linsy Rotar, Technical Director Jess Howell, Head Electrician Kougar Basi and Venue Tech Denis Pimm. You told this story brilliantly, with a great deal of respect and care for the content.

I highly encourage you to catch Leave of Absence before it wraps on it’s Premiere run. It runs until February 16th, 2013, Wednesday – Saturday nights at 8 pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2 pm.  Tomorrow’s (Saturday February 9th) matinee should be extra interesting as it is followed by a Panel Discussion on Sexuality, Spirituality and Bullying at 4 pm, featuring Robin Perry of QMUNITY, Denis Benoit of Dignity Canada, and Lucia Frangione the Playwright, and moderated by Caroline MacGillivray of Beauty Nights.  Get your tickets by clicking on this link.

Enjoy!

 

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Events, relationships, Theatre, Vancouver Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Van Family Date Pick: Pacific Theatre’s Touring Show of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

December 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

For those of you that have been reading here for awhile, you’ll know that my love of the theatre was fostered at an early age, thanks to my grandparents and parents, who were huge supporters of the theatre and the arts.  As a result, I was absolutely thrilled to take two of my nieces to the theatre for the first time a few weeks back. In a day and age when I think many North American kids are spoiled with too much stuff, outings like this (and books and money to their education funds) is exactly the type of present I like to give my nieces.  I’d rather create memories of experiences together, than to add to the pile of gluttony.

 

Mack Gordon and Kaitlin Williams, as Peter and Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.Photo by Michael Julian Berz.

Mack Gordon and Kaitlin Williams as Peter and Lucy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Photo by Michael Julian Berz.

 

Not only was I taking my nieces to a play, for which I was so excited about, but it was the play of a story that was ever so special to me.  So what was the play, you ask?  Pacific Theatre’s Touring Production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis ~ a story I dearly love.  Now I know that some criticize this story for religious undertones from Christianity, but get over it people, whether Christian or not, this is simply a good story.  And for me, this was the story that finally got me excited about reading to myself, overcoming previous obstacles with dyslexia.  After finishing this book, I voraciously took on the rest of the Series, not noticing any of the religious undertones in those books either.  The reality of a good read though, is it weaves in elements from history and cultures around the World.  Just look at many a great author, like Susan Cooper (who weaves tales around Druids) or Philip Pullman (who includes many religions in his tales, with a clear agnostic bent) ~ these are simply good stories that encourage us to think and learn about others.  Just as I think it is wrong of certain, hard core religious groups to burn JK Rawlings’ Harry Potter Series, so too do I think it is wrong to damn stories, such as CS Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardobe, for it’s religious symbolism. We don’t after all do that with classic tales, like that of King Arthur.  Besides which, books should be about learning and exposing oneself to different ideas, to get us thinking.  Thinking though, that as it is the exceptionally good stories, like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Harry Potter, that illicit fear from others, that should be taken as a compliment to the author, as clearly others fear that they are change makers.

 

Mack Gordon and Kaitlin Williams as Lucy and Mr. Tumnus.Photo by Michael Julian Berz.

Mack Gordon and Kaitlin Williams as Lucy and Mr. Tumnus.
Photo by Michael Julian Berz.

As I previously mentioned, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe for me is simply a beloved story that got me excited about reading, that I was excited to share with two kids I loved.  This did mean though that I had high hopes and expectations from the play, as I have been disappointed before by seeing childhood stories I have loved on the stage or the screen.  I am pleased to say that Pacific Theatre did not disappoint in their telling of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It was a delight, providing for a fantastic experience for both me and the girls!

One of the amazing things about this production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was that the whole story was told from just the perspective of two characters ~ Mack Gordon and Kaitlin Williams playing the parts and telling the tale through the eyes and minds of a more grown up Peter and Lucy.  This worked out brilliantly well, giving the play the innocent feel and wildly imaginative nature of a tale told by two children.  My utmost of respect and compliments to Mack and Kaitlin, who not only did a brilliant job of playing Peter and Lucy, but that of each of the other characters they described too ~ both from Narnia and the world of humankind.  Wow!

That ‘Wow!’ is equally meant for the clever minds behind the scene too, who made this production seem so seamless ~ Director Kerri Norris, Stage Manager Laura McLean, Set Designer Omanie Elias, Lighting Designer Lauchlin Johnston, Costume Designer Naomi Sider, Sound Designers Corina Akeson and Jeff Tymoschuk, Technical Director Jess Howell and Production Manager Frank Nickel.  I always love how cleverly they use the space of Pacific Theatre’s two sided stage, which in this case created the warmth of the room where the wardrobe sits, while so believably opening my mind’s eye up to the various settings in the World of Narnia. And my compliments on the brilliant use of the coats in the wardrobe (along with the actor’s voice and body language) to instantly shift between characters.  All so very clever and most enjoyable to watch.

 

Kaitlin Williams and Mack Gordon, as Lucy & Mrs. Beaver, as photographed by Ron Reed.

Kaitlin Williams and Mack Gordon as Lucy & Mrs. Beaver, as photographed by Ron Reed.

 

If you want to catch Pacific Theatre’s Touring Show of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe this Holiday Season with loved ones, you’ll want to be quick about it, as it is only on for two more nights at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam ~ tonight (December 21, 2012) at 8 pm and tomorrow (December 22, 2012) at 4 pm. To get your tickets, call contact the Evergreen Cultural Centre at 604-927-6555.

And not to worry, if your weekend is too crazy just now, you will be able to catch this Show again in April, with performances April 21-27, 2013 at the Presentation House Theatre (604-990-3474) in North Vancouver, and April 28th-May 4th, 2013 at Kay Meek Centre (604-913-3634) in West Vancouver.  Teachers can also contact Pacific Theatre to make a personalized bookings for their class, including post-show talkbacks, workshops with the actors, backstage tours, and teacher resource guides. Simply contact Kaitlin at 604-731-5483 or kaitlin@pacifictheatre.org for more information.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Kisses,

Emme  xoxo

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Events, Perfect Dates, relationships, Theatre, Vancouver Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story with Fighting Chance Productions

December 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

What would you do if invited on a rainy Vancouver night, down a back alley, into the lives of two serial killers?  Normally run like Hell to the nearest police station.  If the invite, however, comes from Fighting Chance Productions to the latest creation directed by Ryan Mooney, I’ll admit curiosity superseded better judgement, at least in this gal. Now, I’m not completely without caution and better judgement, to air on the side of self-preservation, I was sure to invite a date that I could outrun, just in case I needed a decoy.

 

 

Both my date and I were glad we threw caution to the wind though, as we were rewarded by a phenomenally well told and acted story in a curious new theatrical space in town.  Starting with the space, as it was admittedly most interesting and the first thing that struck us upon arriving ~ the new theatre in question, is called Renegade Studios, which is rather fitting given the nature of this inaugural production in the space. This curious of theatres is actually an old warehouse space, entered through a back ally between 1st Ave and 2nd Ave by Main St., barren yet adorned with all sorts of curiosities on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. Turns out, this was due to it being the old prop warehouse for the Playhouse. Having been warned to dress warmly, I rather enjoyed this space, I’d only advice you to bring your own seat cushion.

As for the play itself, Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story performed by Fighting Chance Productions is the Canadian Premiere of a musical by Stephen Dolginoff based on the true story of 1924 thrill killers Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. For the Criminal Minds fans out there, this tale has all the makings of a CBI Investigation with what appears to be a pair of serial killers in the making.  Just the thrill one would expect to get when wandering down a dark alley on ‘a dark and stormy night’.

 

 

In all seriousness, a thrill is indeed what actors Braedon Cox as Nathan Leopold and Michael Gill as Richard Loeb gave us.  Despite being in a sparsely decorated space, that set the tone for the starkness of a prison, these two men brought a series of spaces and emotions to live before our eyes through their adept ability to tell a story. Just be warned this is no comedy and will (with compliments to the men on the stage) strike a cord and impact your emotions (or at least they did for me and in ways that I didn’t imagine). Disturbingly I found Richard Loeb reminded me, with his manipulation of Nathan Leopold of a past lover I am embarrassed to have had. Watching his sexual cues, I was reminded of why I’d fallen hard in lust and how terribly destructive it had been to me, yet I still could not help but feel a certain arousal at watching Richard’s all too familiar advances, and I’ll admit it, I did ogle his fine posterior with a smile more than once during the performance. I shudder that a creature like that could still evoke feelings of desire in me. Especially as I listened to the lines Richard Loeb used to lure the kid he killed into his vehicle. His lines were all too real and well acted out. One line in particular hitting a cord in me and taking me back to the age of 16 and a snowy walk home.  A snowy walk home that nearly ended up being my last.  That was the day I had a very scary awakening to the fact that I was not invisible and that I should listen to my inner alarm bells, as I ended up in the vehicle of a man using a line that echoed in this play.  I was lucky. I got out of that car unharmed, but I definitely lost my innocence that day, and my blood still runs cold whenever I think about it.  Marveled at how these actors took me there in a second.

This play was exceptionally good and worth seeing, but I do have to warn you it is not for everyone.  Had this play been about Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka (two serial killers that taken girls my age from near me when I was a teenager), I would not have been able to watch this, as that story still strikes too close to home for me. My absolute respect and compliments to the cast and crew: Braedon Cox as Nathan Leopold, Michael Gill as Richard Loeb, Ryan Mooney Directing, Mika Laulainen Assistant Directing, Alison Dalton Music Directing and Erin Walker Stage Managing.  My particular respect to Ryan Mooney, who was rehearsing and directing this play, while acting in a particularly funny comedy of errors (Lend Me A Tenor at the Metro Theatre) at the same time.  Now that is range.  Most impressive Ryan!

You can still catch Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story tonight (Saturday December 1, 2012) and tomorrow night (Sunday December 2, 2012) at 8 pm at Renegade Studios.  Get your tickets here.

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A Van Sexy Date Pick: Lend Me a Tenor at the Metro Theatre

November 24, 2012 by 1 Comment

It has been a number of years now that I have been attending plays at Vancouver’s Metro Theatre, and I must admit to being a bit of a fan of the theatre.  For me, entering this theatre always feels like I am being welcomed into the arms of a beloved old friend.  This made being at the Metro for the theatre’s 50th Birthday that much more meaningful, and after all the speeches and accolades were given, so commenced the theatre’s 471st production, Lend Me A Tenor.  471 productions!!!  Can you imagine?  Just wander up the stairs to the theatre’s second floor lounge and you’ll have a little help, with pictures of the theatre and it’s productions dating back to beginning.  Quite a wonderfully, enchanting history to view!

 

Nothing quite like the attention of two ladies! Wouldn’t you say Ryan Mooney? Photographer: Brian Campbell

 

Of all the productions that I have seen at this beloved theatre over the years, I can quite honestly say that this one, Lend Me A Tenor, was my most favourite. And I am not just saying that, because I know two of the leads, Steve Dotto and Ryan Mooney (although admittedly, it was a thrill to see them both on stage). No, I was using an external gauge too, in the form of my date.  He had met Steve before, but that was only very briefly.  Here was his reaction with the close of each curtain, no exaggeration: “Man, this is good!” “Wow! Steve is fantastic. So funny.”  My date had been to a few plays at the Metro Theatre with me, and we agreed that this was hands down the best, most enjoyable, and strongest cast (all of them, not just Steve and Ryan) we’d seen at the theatre. Well done!

 

Must thank photographer Brian Campbell for this picture of Steve Dotto.

 

Lend Me A Tenor for those unfamiliar with the production is a comedy of errors, set around the behind the scenes drama of the open night to an opera, by internationally acclaimed playwright, Ken Ludwick.  It is a most hilarious production, especially when performed with the comedic timing and strength of this cast. Bravo to Ryan Mooney as Max, Jenna Grubaugh as Maggie, Steve Dotto as Saunders, Joel D. Montgrand as Tito Merelli, Anita Reimer as Maria, Bon Dos Remedios as the Bellhop, Kathryn Stewart as Diana and Val Dearden as Julia.   I can’t remember whether or not the cast received a standing ovation, but if they did not, they most certainly deserved one.

 

Remind me not to piss Steve Dotto off. Photographer: Brian Campbell

 

Now something not everybody appreciates, but I feel must be pointed out, is to make a great Show on the stage, a tremendous amount of work has gone in behind the scenes.  And really it is all the behind the scenes work that has brought this theatre to it’s 50th birthday and 471st production. Without this, I would likely not have been sitting in the theatre for this auspicious occasion. I take my hat off to the behind the scenes crew of this delightful production ~ Catherine Morrison (Director, Set Designer & Sound Designer), Heather Stewart (Producer), Ann G. Fisher (Vocal Coach), Anthony Stonechild (Stage Manager), Deborah Watts (Assistant Stage Manager & Backstage Crew), Les Erskine (Technical Director, Set & Lighting Designer), Zoe Watson (Costume Designer), Rob Walters (Make Up & Hair), Colleen Shook & Devon Busswood (Properties & Backstage Crew),  Dwayne Campbell (Head Carpenter), Tracy-Lynn Chernaske (Set Decorator & Scenic Painter), Sean Ullmann (Wardrobe Manager), Brian Campbell (Photographer), Steve Dotto (Publicity), Linda Sharp (Publicity Artwork), and Johnny Duncan (Program Compiler). Fantastic job everyone!

 

The cast & crew of Lend Me A Tenor at the Metro Theatre, as photographed by Brian Campbell.

 

With one week left of performances, you don’t want to miss Lend Me A Tenor, especially as it is not too often that you get to see Steve Dotto on his knees before Ryan Mooney!  Catch it at the Metro Theatre Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 pm until December 1st, 2012, and this Sunday (November 24th) at 2 pm. Get your tickets here. (Oh and Thursday nights, the theatre offers a discount.)

 

Now, if I can only figure out a way to get Steve Dotto to get on his knees before me??? Photographed by Brian Campbell.

 

Also be sure to mark your calenders with the Metro’s great 50th Anniversary Season ~ Johnny Duncan’s Mother Goose (December 14, 2012 – January 5, 2013), Neil Simon‘s Barefoot in the Park (January 12 – February 9, 2013), Dame Agatha Christie‘s Murder on the Nile (February 16 – March 16, 2013), Philip King‘s See How They Run (March 23 – April 20, 2013), and Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit (May 4 – June 1, 2013).

Hope to see you at the theatre!

Emme  xoxo

Filed Under: All the Gossip, Events, Perfect Dates, relationships, Theatre, Vancouver Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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