Thursday, June 24, 2010

godspell | laugh-in

Judy Carne & Billy Graham, March 31, 1969
Episode 40, second season finale

A very interesting moment occured at the very end of the show. Dan and Dick were talking to Billy Graham; Dan asked him what he said to young people and Billy quoted John 3:16. Then Arte appeared as Wolfgang in the bush. He turned to the camera and said, 'Very interesting...and very true. Think about it.' Then he nodded to the camera, turned back to his profile and the usual 'Schlatter-Friendly Productions' end credit appeared.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

aug 1-8 | glen workshop, santa fe

Note from Gregory Wilfe at IMAGE Journal about their summer arts workshops. Several friends have been there in the past, and all rave about it.

Dear Friends:

A few extra spots just opened up for this year's Glen Workshop, taking place in Santa Fe, August 1-8. It's not too late to sign up!

A limited number of places in the Poetry, Portrait Painting, Seminar, Film Seminar, and Play/Screenwriting workshops are currently available. Some on-campus housing is also available in dorm singles, doubles, and women's suites.

Go to the Glen Workshop website to find out more information. If you'd like to register, balances are due in total at this time so please give us a call at the office at (206) 281-2988. Available options change quickly, so keep checking back in the next few weeks.

Hope to see you there!

The Glen Workshop
August 1st - 8th, 2010
St. John's College,
Santa Fe, New Mexico
(206) 281-2988

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Godspell Band Feature: Michael Chang

Another profile on our fantastic band members, this time bassist Michael Chang is up!


An active member of the Vancouver music scene since the mid-90's, Michael has played a wide variety of music styles and formats, from hard rock to folk/pop bands, from a jazz quartet to a choir. His work in Vancouver has taken him to large music festivals with audiences in the thousands, to small, dark clubs on the downtown eastside, and everything in between. Now he's added musical theatre to his resume.

Inspired by a diverse array of music including rock, jazz, funk, and ska, Michael is at home on the guitar, bass, and keyboards as well as at the microphone. A songwriter to boot, he's currently writing and recording an album with his band Friends of Thieves where he's been exploring new sounds and new instruments, including mixing electronic music with rock instrumentation.

Check out his website to stay up-to-date on what he's doing: http://www.elchangomusic.com.

Jessie Awards 2010


The results are in! We had a spectacular night yesterday celebrating the excellent artistry, innovation, and beauty of the theatre in Vancouver. The PT family was well-represented among the nominees as well as the winner's circle.

First and foremost, we are THRILLED to announce that Naomi Sider won for her costume design for THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE! Her challenge was impressive: to create costume pieces that would realistically live in a dusty old spare room while still magically transforming the actors into lions, beavers, witches, and fauns - to name a few. Clearly, she met that challenge brilliantly! Congrats, Naomi!

Our girl Sarah Rodgers, who most recently directed GODSPELL for us got a well-deserved win for her direction of BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR. Anthony F. Ingram, who was most recently on the PT stage as Pastor Jake in REFUGE OF LIES and who will be directing next season's production of PLAYLAND won for his role in FROZEN. Also winning for his acting was Craig Erickson for his role in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

Finally, we would love to give a blog-hug to Kaylee Harwood who won the Most Promising Newcomer Award. She may not have yet taken on the PT stage, but as a TWU grad she is closely connected to the PT family and we couldn't be happier for her winning this special award. So well deserved!

Thanks to the Vancouver Theatre Sports League for hosting this wonderful night of celebration.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Godspell Production Photos!

Here's some production photos of GODSPELL taken by our wonderful lighting designer, Itai Erdal.

Julia Church as Lily Tomlin.

John Voth as Dick Martin and Joel Stephanson as Dan Rowen.

Shalyn McFaul as Eileen Brennan.

Party time!

Ron Reed as John the Baptist.



Friday, June 18, 2010

actor profile | Kirsty Provan

Three years ago, Kirsty Provan finished her Pacific Theatre apprenticeship playing Joseph in our Emerging Artist showcase production of Jason Sherman's REMNANTS: A FABLE. She headed directly into the actor training program at Studio 58, and graduated this spring. Here's a feature article on Kirsty from The Richmond Review (June 17, 2010)


AUDITIONS ARE PART OF HARD KNOCK LIFE
Hundreds of hopefuls come to Gateway Theatre
to land roles
in upcoming shows

by Matthew Hookstra

In the studio lobby of Gateway Theatre, Kirsty Provan finds a spot on the floor to stretch. She’s surrounded by other actors doing the same thing.

Some are nervously chatting, others are clutching papers, and all are waiting to be called by name.

Richmond’s only professional live theatre company wrapped up its season months ago, but it’s already laying the groundwork for its next series of plays by lining up performers for five productions (the sixth comes with a cast).

“I think the night before any audition you don’t sleep,” says Provan, a 22-year-old from North Vancouver. “You’re dreaming about monologues and songs and that sort of thing.”

Provan, a recent Langara College Studio 58 grad, went to a general audition at Gateway and was called back to audition for a role in Annie, this year’s Christmas-season musical.

“It’s just such a fun show,” says Provan. “I’m enjoying musical theatre a lot more. I was really afraid of it when I started out, and then going through the training and doing a lot of musical theatre, you just get to be crazy and act like a kid.”

Minutes before being called into choreography, Provan focused on showing the director who she really is.

“I think that really separates you from everybody else. It’s partly the talent; it’s also just bringing a part of you that nobody else has.”

Kathleen Duborg, artistic associate at Gateway Theatre, says besides looking for actors who can take direction, a director looks for those with the energy and volume to project to a 500-seat audience. Directors will also say it takes a little je ne sais quoi.

“Every director is looking for the character to walk into the room,” says Duborg.

About 230 people auditioned for Annie, and half were called back for more consideration.

“What you want to do is see them with other actors to see how they relate. For example there’s Rooster and Miss Hannigan, who are brother and sister, and it gives you a better sense of timing and how they interact with one another,” says Duborg.

Duborg, who is also an actor and nominated for a Jessie Award this year, says as an actor, she works to manage adrenaline prior to an audition and to focus on doing the best job possible, knowing the job could easily go to someone else.

“As an actor and a performer, one of the things that I’m doing now almost subconsciously, I am trying to go into that room and do the best that I can. We call it leaving it in the room.”

For musical theatre auditions, there’s plenty of work that goes into the audition, given that the actors have to not only act, but also sing and dance. Actors need to rehearse lines, prepare their song, get ready to dance and prepare a scene.

For Gateway staff, Annie also brings auditions of another kind: dog owners lining up to audition their pooch as Sandy, the friendly stray dog befriended by Annie the orphan.

In the meantime, for Kirsty Provan, she hopes her Gateway audition—win or lose—is a stepping stone in an acting career.

“I never thought I’d end up auditioning for musical theatre, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m just going to be open to anything.”

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Godspell Band Feature: Michael LaRoy

Those of you who have already seen GODSPELL have no doubt been blown away by the wonderful music coming from our custom-built balcony. Here's the first in a series of features on these fantastic musicians: the guitarist in the bedazzled jacket, Michael LaRoy.


Inspired by legends of Canadiana Neil Young and the Tragically Hip, LaRoy is all about the song. Rather than focusing on creating a new sound, he is more concerned with the craft of songwriting itself. Drawing on the influence of acclaimed songwriters such as Ryan Adams and Ron Sexsmith, LaRoy is coming up with songs and melodies that can be dressed up in any fashion.

Coming out of a 3 year hiatus following the end of his previous band Laureate, LaRoy emerges with his debut EP Say Goodnight, to be released in June of 2010.

Recorded with The Left's Carl Davis, LaRoy's sound is reminiscent of Brit rock (think Keane, Travis), while touching ever so slightly on the twang of americana; this small collection of tunes can also fit nicely in with the mainstays of indie pop radio. Over the shimmering guitars and organs, the melodies and hooks are allowed to prevail. However, stripped down for a live performance, a guitar, banjo and double-bass would be just as appropriate to accompany these songs.

Folk, indie, country, rock - a good song is a good song, no matter the genre. At 26 years old, LaRoy is aspiring for great things. In for the long haul, he is only just beginning his journey.

Let the songs come.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Jun 19 | Sheree Plett

They're back at it!

If you missed the last time Sheree Plett played with Eisenhauer, or even if you didn't, then June 19th is a date to mark down & remember!!

As well as having a little baby, Sheree has a new full length CD...

The follow up to SHEREE PLETT'S acclaimed album 'RED CIRCLED HEART' is 'THE ROAD TO MY FAMILY' and is her third full length album. It may cause her patrons and fans to do a musical double take...swampy and spacious, raw and unsolicited, she draws us deep into her roots with her lively stories of nostalgia. Bring your spurs and holsters and be prepared to be wrapped in the warmth of her voice, the sweetness of her presence and the pure, raw musical joy of seeing both Sheree with husband and back up band EISENHAUER.

SHOUT OUT:
'Sheree Plett is far above and beyond the average ’girl with the guitar singer/songwriter' -DNTO, CBC radio 1

‘These two (Plett and husband) sing in folksy harmonies and Plett’s sweetly smoky voice is particularly pleasing’ -Georgia Straight.

THEY ARE:
Sheree Plett- vocals, guitar
Jeremy Eisenhauer- vocals, guitar
Kenton Weins- drums
Chris Lemky- bass


Saturday, June 19, 2010
8:00pm - 11:30pm
Siobhan's place : Alley Pad Studio
1747 East Hastings Street *back lane entrance ONLY*
south side of Hastings, between Commercial Drive & Salsbury, closer to the latter.

DOOR: 8pm
SHOW: 9pm
COVER: $10
BAR: yes!
MERCH: yes!

CHECK OUT:
myspace
eisenhauermusic
facebook

ALLEY PAD STUDIO is a converted factory housing a 1700 square foot studio in the Commercial Drive hood where art, music & friendship prosper! Stay tuned for the monthly home concert series, film nights & more!

Responses to GODSPELL


"We really enjoyed the production. The actresses playing the Joanne Whorley and Goldie Hawn parts really nailed it!!!! Well done. Jesus was very good as well; such a beautiful voice. We are old enough to remember Rowen and Martin's Laugh In, so enjoyed all the odd little things from the show. Thanks again for another amazing season." - facebook

"We went. We saw. We liked." - facebook

"Fantastic production. Really enjoyed and thought the cast was perfect!" - email response

"Godspell was a hoot! Kept me laughing and engaged the whole time, I loved it. Have a great rest of the run!" - facebook

"Blessed is the inventive Sarah Rodgers for she has taken Godspell, an already irreverent musical based on the gospel according to Saint Matthew, and really socks it to us by placing it within an episode of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in." -Mark Robins, Gay Vancouver

"Erin Germaine Mahoney really socks it to us with 'Turn Back, O Man'--an exhortation to 'forswear' our 'wicked ways.' Bratton sweetly renders Christ's desire to 'Save the People,' and the ensemble numbers are big and happy. Katherine Gauthier sparkles throughout as ditzy Hawn." -Jo Ledingham, The Vancouver Courier

"The choreography, singing and stage scenography were absolutely outstanding. In particular, I found Rodgers’ intermixing of Laugh-In with the Gospel According to St Matthew extraordinarily seamless. In reinventing Godspell for modern audiences, Rodgers provides her actors with an opportunity to create new storylines and build caricatures of characters that would otherwise be perceived as too solemn." Raul, Hummingbird604

"I particularly enjoyed Kyla Ferrier’s work as Ruth Buzzi’s hair-netted character Gladys, and as Tiny Tim. Ferrier taps into the essence of these figures as well as mastering their external behaviour. Tim Bratton sings well and makes a reasonably humble Jesus. John Voth catches a good portion of Dick Martin’s goofy charm, and “On the Willows”, his melancholy second-act duet with Joel Stephanson’s Dan Martin, is a musical highlight." - Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight

"Godspell seems to be one of those musicals that can be adapted to suit any venue and almost any fashion style, surely a strong testament to its universal appeal. By midway through the second act, I didn’t even notice how incongruous it was to see Dan Rowan and Dick Martin (Joel Stephanson & John Voth) serving wine at the Last Supper dressed in tuxedos." John Jane, Review Vancouver

"That was one of those most entertaining nights I've had in a long time. You made me cheeks hurt from laughing, and my heart ache with your passion and love and openness." - email

"Smiles indeed! The genius stroke of setting Godspell on the Laugh-In stage creates a fresh playground for humour and retrospective that the director and cast draw us onto. Verrry Eeen-ter-es-ting, and a must-see!" facebook

"Great music and a fun setting, yet still brings the real story alive. Well done." facebook

"Jen Williams' face hurts from Godspell at Pacific Theatre! Most wonderful! Jen urges you to take in this wild and wooly "Revised Version" twist on what is a truly groovy early 1970's musical. It's Godspell meets the late 1960-early 1970s TV comedy sketch show "Laugh In"-----Why can't life be like this version, musical all the time? o Joy divine!" facebook

Friday, June 11, 2010

to June 19: Chickens at Gallery 7


Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts proudly presents

Chickens
by Lucia Frangione

June 4 & 5, 10 - 12, 17 - 19, 2010 @ 7:30 PM
Discount Matinees: June 5 & 12, 2010 @ 2:00 PM

MEI Theatre | 4081 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford

tix | 604 852-3701 or 1 800 665-8828

If it's possible for life to imitate art, is it also possible for life to imitate the chicken coop? Facing bankruptcy and the loss of his prairie farm, Pal risks nearly everything, including his family, by focusing on raising a flock of exotic chickens. Meanwhile, in the barnyard, where life in the coop strangely parallels the plight of their human characters, a gaggle of hens and roosters scratch out a living producing eggs and contemplating the big questions of poultry life. Written by one of Canada's up-and-coming major playwrights, this is a hilarious musical-comedy that will have you laughing and pondering all night long.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

jun 11 | diane tucker reading


The Writer’s Studio Reading Series

Join us for an evening of early summer fun with the written word with the following authors: Kagan Goh, Aileen Penner, Chris Hellewell, Liz Lemure, Cullene Bryant, Eufemia Fantetti, Sarah Turner, Jocelyn Pitsch, Diane Tucker and GUEST AUTHOR: Fiona Tinwei Lam.

The Writer’s Studio Reading Series is now heading into its 7th year. The series continues to provide a monthly venue for Writer’s Studio students, alumni and Vancouver writers of all ilk and genres to come and read their works to an audience of attentive listeners.

THIS EVENT IS BY DONATION. No one is turned away. What’s not to love?

FICTION POETRY NON FICTION

TWS Reading Series
Friday, June 11th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm
@ Take 5 Café
429 Granville Street
(at West Hastings)

For more information, please contact Eufemia Fantetti at twsread@sfu.ca

Monday, June 07, 2010

Jul 1-24 | Adam Bergquist, TWELFTH NIGHT

Longtime PT company member Adam Bergquist is featured in our mainstage season opener this fall, THE BUSY WORLD IS HUSHED. But it's not only the hushed world that's busy - Adam's also playing Sebastian in this summer production of TWELFTH NIGHT, with Tariq Leslie (12 ANGRY MEN, PRIVATE EYES) in the director's chair...


TWELFTH NIGHT
July 1-24
Jericho Arts Centre

What You Will Equity Co-op is pleased to present one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies: Twelfth Night. Mistaken identity and gender confusion all figure actively in this Twelfth Night, set in the Victorian Era and an llyria that evokes the British Columbia of the 1890's. Twelfth Night runs July 2 to July 24 at The Jericho Arts Centre.

Twelfth Night starts with a stormy night and a shipwreck, followed by cunning capers, concealments and mistaken identities: all resulting in a love tangle to rival no other, and a whole heap of mischief and mayhem in Shakespeare's most captivating comedy. To anyone who has experienced the suddenness of love, Twelfth Night will always resonate.

“Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies, and with good reason,” says Tariq Leslie, director. “It’s a rich delicious jewel, full of love and light, which also pierces with exquisite agony. Twelfth Night explores love in all its touching and absurd extremes; love that is exotic and familiar, and aching with desire.”

Twelfth Night opens Friday, July 2nd at 8 pm, and runs through until Saturday, July 24 (Mondays and Tuesdays dark). There will be two previews: June 30 and July 1, all tickets for these shows are $1. Regular tickets are $20, or $15 for Seniors, Students, Equity and UBCP, and are available though Tickets Tonight: www.ticketstonight.ca, or 604.684-2787, or through Jericho Arts Centre: (604) 224-8007 www.jerichoartscentre.com. Wednesdays are pay-what-you-can, available at the door, cash only. There will be only one matinee: Tuesday, July 6 at 2pm. All performances take place at the Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery St.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Ongoing BC Arts Cuts: Alliance Advocacy Chair Sandra Garossino Responds

In case you thought the worst was over...
Re: Arts Festivals Cut Off From Gambling Funds--Vancouver Sun, May 29, 2010

On Saturday, May 29, the Vancouver Sun published a comprehensive report of major, though unannounced, changes to the administration of gaming funds in British Columbia, which are administered by Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman (Arts festivals cut off from gambling funds / A7).

As a result of its own fiscal choices, the B.C. Liberal government is now forced to siphon funds from large and small social profit (non-profit) groups at the heart of British Columbia communities, large and small.

Government Policy Diverts Gaming Dollars Away from Charities

The purpose of Minister Coleman's changes to gaming eligibility criteria is not to make any positive change. The minister knows, as we know, that only a minute fraction of applicants will meet the new, only partially disclosed, eligibility criteria. The few that do qualify will only be eligible for tiny grants.

The real outcome is the diversion of gaming revenues away from the charitable purposes they were intended to support and into unspecified non-charitable government projects.

Damaging Dominoes

The damage does not end with gaming cuts alone. . . .

Complete article here

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

June 10-19 | Herr Beckman's People

Remember Anthony F. Ingram's beautiful work as Pastor Jake in REFUGE OF LIES? He's keeping in touch with his Mennonite roots in Touchstone Theatre's production of HERR BECKMAN'S PEOPLE. Dawn Petten, who took our stage in THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT will be performing alongside Anthony.

Dawn Petten and Bill Marchant - Photo by Emily Cooper

Art, war and the politics of culture collide in Sally Stubbs' poetic and moving account of a family's legacy of beauty and brutality. Returning to the city she ran from decades ago, Anna forces her family to answer tough questions about their past. While her mother plays a private concert, history unravels and she is confronted with a moral dilemma of her own.

The World Premiere of Herr Beckmann's People is presented by Flying Start - a partnership of Playwrights Theatre Centre and Touchstone Theatre giving a stage to new professional playwrights.

Sally Stubbs is an award-winning playwright and teacher-director, a performer who loves to clown and an eternal student who is now completing a graduate degree in writing at the University of Victoria. Sally's scripts include Wreckage (Scirocco Drama), Faroland, Centuries, Eyes. Two, She'll To The Wars, Home Movies and Spinning You Home, which she has begun to adapt as a novel for young adults. Herr Beckmann's People has been selected for the 8th International Women's Playwriting Conference in Mumbai, India.

Katrina Dunn directs Anthony F. Ingram, Bill Marchant, Dawn Petten, Donna Carroll White, and Christine Willes. Set design for Herr Beckmann's People is by Christopher David Gauthier, lighting design by Adrian Muir, costume design by Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh, and sound by Jeff McMahan. Dramaturgy of Herr Beckmann's People is by Martin Kinch.

Herr Beckmann's People runs from June 10 - 19 (Tues - Sat 8pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 4pm) at the PTC Studio, 1398 Cartwright Street, Granville Island with Opening Night on Friday, June 11 at 8pm. Tickets are $22 adults and $18 seniors/students from Tickets Tonight at 604-684-2787 or visit www.ticketstonight.ca.

GODSPELL costume renderings

Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes at the costume renderings for GODSPELL. All designed by Carmen Alatorre.

Pamela Austin/Kaitlin Williams

Lily Tomlin/Julia Church

Judy Carne/Diana Squires

Jo Ann Worley/Erin Mahoney


Goldie Hawn/Katherine Gauthier

get mad at sin | off off broadway


Not Exactly Preaching to the Choir
Theatre review by Jason Zinoman, New York Times, June 2 2010

A basement theater in Long Island City is an unlikely place to see a miracle. But the Lord — and Off Off Broadway — works in mysterious ways.

At the Chocolate Factory, one of the most vital arts organizations in Queens, Jimmy Swaggart has returned to life. That Southern evangelist is technically still alive, but since he was caught patronizing a prostitute in 1987 and then weeping his way through an abject apology, some believers lost faith in him and many others viewed him as a joke.

In meticulously recreating one of Mr. Swaggart’s early 1970s culture-war sermons (from a vinyl record) in “Get Mad at Sin!” Andrew Dinwiddie reintroduces us to a gifted orator, compelling performer and thunderous moralizer in his prime. It’s a surprisingly generous act of resuscitation.

Strutting back and forth on a pink carpet, kicking up his legs and swooning at his own rhetoric, Mr. Dinwiddie as Mr. Swaggart breaks into a sweat but never loses his cool. He tosses in theatrical pauses and even some slang to attack the evils of homosexuality, premarital sex and acid rock. Mr. Dinwiddie’s powerful voice contains the echo of the great Baptist preachers as well as a breathy rumble that approaches the erotic.

But this is no Reverend Billy-like satire featuring winks at the hipster crowd or political cheap shots. The director, Jeff Larson, lets this fascinating historical document, which diagnoses a culture lurching toward oblivion, speak for itself, absent biography, context or comment. It’s an interesting strategy and emphasizes the stemwinder as a work of theater.

When inveighing against the evils of pop music, Mr. Swaggart (a cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis) seems to be aping Mick Jagger, providing a reminder that great public performances of all kinds often share certain qualities. Mr. Swaggart had incredible timing as well as rhetorical cleverness: as much as he lambasted show business, he knew that a Patsy Cline reference could capture an audience’s attention.

It’s doubtful that any of those listening left the theater and threw out their miniskirts to avoid the sinful repercussions, but the sound of the audience during the performance did tell a story. Early snarky titters gave way to reverent silence. Listen closely and you might have heard a kind of conversion.

“Get Mad at Sin!” continues through Saturday at the Chocolate Factory, 5-49 49th Avenue, Long Island City, Queens; (212) 352-3101; chocolatefactorytheater.org