[Re]View From The House: Metamorphoses
August 29th, 2008
Adapted by Mary Zimmerman from Metamorphoses, the Myths of Ovid.
Directed by Christine Willes
The Metamorphoses Company
Pacific Theatre
July31-August 16, 2008
Vancouver, BC: In the fifteen books of narrative poems that comprise Metamorphoses, the Roman poet Ovid wrote of the creation of the universe, and the mythology of the gods that played havoc with humankind: “I want to speak about bodies changed into new forms. You, gods, since you are the ones who alter these, and all other things, inspire my attempt, and spin out a continuous thread of words, from the world's first origins to my own time.” (tr. Anthony S. Kline).
Some of the stories are familiar to most of us. Midas whose touch turns everything to gold, Orpheus, who cannot resist the fatal backward glance, Phaeton, son of The Sun God, who can’t match his father’s power. Pandora and Narcissus. And even the horror stories such as the rape of Philomela by Teresias are familiar to Shakespeare fans who have seen Titus Andronicus, now at Bard on the Beach.
A Professor at Northwestern University who specializes in adaptation of literary texts for performance, Mary Zimmerman developed Metamorphoses originally as a student production. My son and daughter saw the original production of Metamorphoses directed by Zimmerman in New York a few years ago. They both raved about the production and still consider it a highlight theatrical experience. So when I saw that it was being staged here in Vancouver, I trotted down to Ticket’s Tonight at Burrard and W. Hastings to get myself a ticket and I am glad I did. What an interesting evening
Directed by Christine Willes
The Metamorphoses Company
Pacific Theatre
July31-August 16, 2008
Vancouver, BC: In the fifteen books of narrative poems that comprise Metamorphoses, the Roman poet Ovid wrote of the creation of the universe, and the mythology of the gods that played havoc with humankind: “I want to speak about bodies changed into new forms. You, gods, since you are the ones who alter these, and all other things, inspire my attempt, and spin out a continuous thread of words, from the world's first origins to my own time.” (tr. Anthony S. Kline).
Some of the stories are familiar to most of us. Midas whose touch turns everything to gold, Orpheus, who cannot resist the fatal backward glance, Phaeton, son of The Sun God, who can’t match his father’s power. Pandora and Narcissus. And even the horror stories such as the rape of Philomela by Teresias are familiar to Shakespeare fans who have seen Titus Andronicus, now at Bard on the Beach.
A Professor at Northwestern University who specializes in adaptation of literary texts for performance, Mary Zimmerman developed Metamorphoses originally as a student production. My son and daughter saw the original production of Metamorphoses directed by Zimmerman in New York a few years ago. They both raved about the production and still consider it a highlight theatrical experience. So when I saw that it was being staged here in Vancouver, I trotted down to Ticket’s Tonight at Burrard and W. Hastings to get myself a ticket and I am glad I did. What an interesting evening
[Re]View from the House: The World Goes 'Round
August 28th, 2008
Music: John Kander Lyrics Fred Ebb
Directed by Shane Snow
Choreography by Shane Snow & Melissa Young
Musical Direction Gordon Roberts
Another Musical Co-op
Pacific Theatre
till August 30th, 2008
Vancouver BC: Ahead of the last long weekend of summer, the fall theatre season is kicking into gear: opening night invitations in the inbox, program announcements and subscription tickets in the mailbox. But though you may be thinking ahead to September, do not miss a theatrical treat that is playing for only a few more performances including a matinee on Saturday. The talented actors, musicans and technical team of Another Musical Co-op provide a beautifully paced, high energy production that kept me entranced through both acts.
The World Goes Round: Photo: Courtesy Jessie van Rijn. Jennifer Neumann, Sarah Gay, Alison MacDonald and Timothy Gledhill performing Coffee in a Cardboard CupFirst performed in 1991 in New York, this piece is a musical revue made up of songs from the repertoire of Kander and Ebb so there is a mix of familiar tunes from well known works such as Cabaret and Chicago, as well as songs that are less well known or were completely new to me at any rate.
The intimate black box performance space of Pacific Theatre served this show well. Director / choreographer/ lighting designer and clarinet player, Snow, (talk about triple threat- this guy is a quadruple threat) made optimum use of the stage so that the audience on neither side missed anything. And these performers can project every kind of emotion whether harmonizing or singing solo, all the while moving energetically around. At times I was almost breathless watching them.
Directed by Shane Snow
Choreography by Shane Snow & Melissa Young
Musical Direction Gordon Roberts
Another Musical Co-op
Pacific Theatre
till August 30th, 2008
Vancouver BC: Ahead of the last long weekend of summer, the fall theatre season is kicking into gear: opening night invitations in the inbox, program announcements and subscription tickets in the mailbox. But though you may be thinking ahead to September, do not miss a theatrical treat that is playing for only a few more performances including a matinee on Saturday. The talented actors, musicans and technical team of Another Musical Co-op provide a beautifully paced, high energy production that kept me entranced through both acts.
The World Goes Round: Photo: Courtesy Jessie van Rijn. Jennifer Neumann, Sarah Gay, Alison MacDonald and Timothy Gledhill performing Coffee in a Cardboard CupFirst performed in 1991 in New York, this piece is a musical revue made up of songs from the repertoire of Kander and Ebb so there is a mix of familiar tunes from well known works such as Cabaret and Chicago, as well as songs that are less well known or were completely new to me at any rate.The intimate black box performance space of Pacific Theatre served this show well. Director / choreographer/ lighting designer and clarinet player, Snow, (talk about triple threat- this guy is a quadruple threat) made optimum use of the stage so that the audience on neither side missed anything. And these performers can project every kind of emotion whether harmonizing or singing solo, all the while moving energetically around. At times I was almost breathless watching them.
Work in Progress: Via Beatrice – an operetta in development
August 18th, 2008
It is always a privilege to get a peek into the creation of a new work, and then, hopefully, to see a full production of the finished version. That’s why it is so interesting to see the staged readings of scripts that are work-shopped at Playwrights Theatre Centre, for example. It’s sort of like being allowed to read an early draft of the newest novel by your favorite author, and get a glimpse into the way he/she thinks creatively
Only better, because with a play, you can see the ideas brought to the work by multiple artists – the writer, the dramaturge, the director and sometimes composers or choreographers, as well as admire the way experienced actors can bring characters alive while still reading their lines.
In Development: Actors Marco Soriano, Lucia Frangione, Laura Di Cicco after the readingThis Saturday, Fugue Theatre held a staged reading of Via Beatrice, a new operetta being workshopped under the direction of Chris Gerrard-Pinker, at the Playwrights Theatre Centre. The story of Beatrice Cenci, who in sixteenth century Rome, was executed with her stepmother and brother for the murder of her abusive father, has inspired novels, plays and operas. But for this interpretation, Fugue artistic director, Laura Di Cicco, wanted a feminine perspective and actor/playwright, Jenn Griffin’s script provides just that.
Only better, because with a play, you can see the ideas brought to the work by multiple artists – the writer, the dramaturge, the director and sometimes composers or choreographers, as well as admire the way experienced actors can bring characters alive while still reading their lines.
In Development: Actors Marco Soriano, Lucia Frangione, Laura Di Cicco after the readingThis Saturday, Fugue Theatre held a staged reading of Via Beatrice, a new operetta being workshopped under the direction of Chris Gerrard-Pinker, at the Playwrights Theatre Centre. The story of Beatrice Cenci, who in sixteenth century Rome, was executed with her stepmother and brother for the murder of her abusive father, has inspired novels, plays and operas. But for this interpretation, Fugue artistic director, Laura Di Cicco, wanted a feminine perspective and actor/playwright, Jenn Griffin’s script provides just that.[Re]View from the House: Annie Get Your Gun
August 13th, 2008
Annie Get Your Gun: Meghan Anderssen as Annie Oakley Photo by Tim MathesonAnnie Get Your GunMusic and lyrics by Irving Berlin
Original Book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields revised by Peter Stone
Directed by Shel Piercy
Music Director Wendy Bross Stuart
Theatre Under the Stars
Malkin Bowl , Stanley Park
Till August 15, 2008.
Meghan Anderssen as Annie Oakley
Photo by Tim Matheson
Vancouver, BC: It’s already midway through August, the end of summer is in sight and there are only two more performances of Annie Get Your Gun. So if you have not been down to Malkin Bowl to watch Annie Oakley (Meghan Anderssen) hitting her targets shooting backwards, upside down and blindfolded – get your tickets fast - you don’t want to miss this delightful production.
Tonight, to celebrate Annie’s 148th birthday (yup, she was born on August 13th 1860) TUTS have a special treat for the audience. Leon Bibb, who was in the cast of the original 1946 Broadway production starring Ethel Merman, will be at the performance and giving a pre-show talk about this.
Anderssen sparkles as Annie. She can’t read but she is tops at “doing what comes naturally.” She may be unschooled in society dress and manners but she is a quick learner who cleans up “mighty purty” when she encounters the World Champion Shooter, Frank Butler, played by the ever-so-smooth, honey-voiced, Warren Kimmel.
