asher lev | silent auction art gallery

Welcome to the

Pacific Theatre Community Art Gallery!

All of the art you see in this gallery was provided by artists and members of the Pacific Theatre community, who donated their time and talent to make this fundraiser happen.  All of the pieces seen are available in a silent auction that will take place at every performance of My Name Is Asher Lev, and will be monitored online here on our blog.  And you can make an electronic bid: just send an email with the amount of your bid and the painting's title to info@pacifictheatre.org. All bidding will close at 5pm on Monday February 28th.

Thank you to everyone who contributed!  Ladies and Gentlemen - the bidding is open.

ITEM #1

Title: Eden

Artist: Erin Mahoney

Materials: Acrylic on Wood; Size 20" x 16"

Bio: Pacific Theatre feels a lot like a second home to Erin. Last year at PT she played Rachel in Ron Reed's "Refuge of Lies" and the loud and quirky JoAnne Worley in Sarah Rodger's direction of Godspell. She is honored to be a part of this beautiful world of incredible theatre and outstanding artists.

LAST BID: Val L. - $45

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $50

ITEM #2

Title: Pity

Artist: Christie Maxson

Materials: Mixed Media Acrylic on Canvas; Size 12" x 16"

Bio: Christie is a multidiscipline artist based in Vancouver BC.  She is a BFA graduate from the University of Lethbridge and also a former Pacific Theatre apprentice. While she has exhibited visual works in Alberta, her primary love is theatre and she can generally be found applying her skills a little closer to the proscenium.

LAST BID: Scott T. - $50

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $55

ITEM #3

Title: Horizon

Artist: Rebecca deBoer

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 16" x 12"

Bio: Painting is one of many things that Rebecca dabbles in from time to time. A former staff member of Pacific Theatre (and still-current associated artist and fan!), she is pleased to be able to contribute in this way.

LAST BID: Karla F. - $300

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $310

ITEM #4

Title: Raindrops

Artist: Rebecca deBoer

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 16" x 12"

Bio: Painting is one of many things that Rebecca dabbles in from time to time. A former staff member of Pacific Theatre (and still-current associated artist and fan!), she is pleased to be able to contribute in this way.

LAST BID: Sharon T. - $210

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $220

ITEM #5

Title: Muirnin

Artist: Shalyn McFaul

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 12" x 16"

Bio: Shalyn has spent a good deal of time at PT after performing in a few Emerging Artist and being an Apprentice for the 2009/2010 season.  She continues to work in the PT  Box Office and Front of House and hopes to always call PT her home in one way or another.  These paintings came out of the idea of tattoos specific in nature to the area of the body they were on.  The 'muirnin' painting has a quote from a poem by Samuel Lover. The M in muirnin is pronounced as a V, and translates to mean 'beloved'.

LAST BID: Diana S. - $30
NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $35

ITEM #6

Title: Tattoos: feet, hand, and back

Artist: Shalyn McFaul

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas Board; Size: Hand 12"x6"; Back 6"x6", Feet 6"x6"

Bio: Shalyn has spent a good deal of time at PT after performing in a few Emerging Artist and being an Apprentice for the 2009/2010 season. She continues to work in the PT  Box Office and Front of House and hopes to always call PT her home in one way or another. These paintings came out of an idea of tattoos specific in nature to the area of the body they were on.

LAST BID: Phil M. - $30

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $35

ITEM #7

Title: He Planted

Artist: Kyla Ferrier

Materials: Acrylic on canvas; Size 12"x16"

Bio: PT Audiences last saw Kyla in Godspell, as Ruth Buzzi and Tiny Tim. She is honored to be able to contribute a painting for this production of My Name is Asher Lev. The story has taught her much about sincerity, and bravery.

LAST BID: Caleb & Wilma - $35
NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $40

ITEM #8

Title: Untitled 1

Artist: Jessica Howell

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 16"x12"

Bio: Jessica has been working as Pacific Theatre’s Technical Director for the last few years.  She is also a trained scenic painter, and is thrilled to be participating in this community art gallery.

LAST BID: Val L. - $50
NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $55

ITEM #9

Title: Untitled 2

Artist: Jessica Howell

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 16"x12"

Bio: Jessica has been working as Pacific Theatre’s Technical Director for the last few years.  She is also a trained scenic painter, and is thrilled to be participating in this community art gallery.

LAST BID: Ursula K. - $40
NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $45

ITEM #10

Title: Dark Night Under Bright Lights

Artist: Natalie Condrashoff

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 16" x 12"

Bio: Natalie has worked with the Emerging Artist show as the Front of House Manager since 2007 and is a big fan of the theatre. Even though she is not an actor by trade she can be often convinced to "grace" the stage with her presence for improv or "24 hour" shows. "Dark Night Bright Lights" contrasts the hustle and bustle of the cars and lights on the streets compared to the cement buildings and darkening sky. It is like the roads are the life-force of the city, flowing like a river amongst stone.

LAST BID: Warren S. - $20

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $25

ITEM #11

Title: The Quacky Bard

Artist: Natalie Condrashoff

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas;

Size 12" x 16"

Bio: Natalie has worked with the Emerging Artist show as the Front of House Manager since 2007 and is a big fan of the theatre. Even though she is not an actor by trade she can be often convinced to "grace" the stage with her presence for improv or "24 hour" shows.

Otherwise she lives every little girl's dream working in a shiny office with a window and a desk in Burnaby by day and practicing Kung Fu by night. "The Quacky Bard" is inspired by an old comic strip called "Chick and Pig" she used to write in her lectures from 2001 - 2006 at UVIC. The chick had a penchant for dressing up in elaborate costumes despite a very serious demeanour and it seemed appropriate that he would only want to dress up as the great Bard to honour the theatre.

STARTING BID: $20

ITEM #12

Title: Indecisive Lighting Designer

Artist: Lois Dawson

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas;

Size 12" x 16"

Bio: Lois was the resident stage manager here at PT for three seasons and can still often be found bringing baked goods or hanging out with members of the staff. She likes bright, saturated colours in fine art & in lighting design. She is currently stage managing The Pillowman for Wild Geese Equity Co-Op at the Jericho Arts Centre.

LAST BID: Robyn R. - $45

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $50

ITEM #13

Title: Dancer

Artist: Linsy Rotar

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas

Bio: Linsy was born and raised in Prospect, Ontario; a small village west of Ottawa. She left to earn her BFA in Theatre Production at York University. She worked in various theatres around Ontario until she moved to Vancouver to apprentice at Pacific Theatre. Since then she has worked as a props builder and technician at many Vancouver theatres but still returns to PT as often as she can. She is also passionate about performing and teaching dance, and spends most of her free time doing so.

LAST BID: Jackie C. - $40

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $45

ITEM #14

Title: Dramedy Mask

Artist: Alison Chisholm

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas;

Size 12" x 16"

Bio: Alison first came to Pacific Theatre as an apprentice in 2006, but has since graduated into the role of administrator. While she loves her work behind the scenes, Alison still likes to dabble in art every now and again. In addition to performing on the Pacific Theatre stage in Sideshow and some Stones Throw productions, she loves to partake in paint and craft parties.

LAST BID: Jesse B. - $20
NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $25

ITEM #15

Title: Starry Night

Artist: Alison Chisholm

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas;

Size 12" x 16"

Bio: Alison first came to Pacific Theatre as an apprentice in 2006, but has since graduated into the role of administrator. While she loves her work behind the scenes, Alison still likes to dabble in art every now and again. In addition to performing on the Pacific Theatre stage in Sideshow and some Stones Throw productions, she loves to partake in paint and craft parties.

LAST BID: Cornelia R. - $40

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $45

ITEM #16

Title: Untitled

Artist: Ana Garza

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas;

Size 16" x 12"

Bio: Ana is "the new intern". She has a BA in International Relations, UBC Diploma in Art History and a special interest in the live performing arts. Her performing experience includes improv at The Second City's Training Center in New York City and a four-month season with Theatre of the Senses, a Barcelona based theatre company. As a personal commitment to persue a carreer in technical production, she collaborates in the production of the Arts Report, a CiTR's radio show and she started an internship at Pacfic Theatre. She is loving it.

LAST BID: Jackie C. - $70

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $75

ITEM #17

Title: Goldengrove

Artist: Diane Tucker

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 8" x 10"

Bio: Diane Tucker grew up a singing, acting and writing child in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her first book of poems, God on His Hands (Nightwood Editions, 1996) was shortlisted for the 1997 Gerald Lampert Memorial Award. Her second poetry book, Bright Scarves of Hours, was published by Palimpsest Press in September 2007. Her poems have been published in more than fifty journals in Canada and abroad. Her first novel, His Sweet Favour, was released by Thistledown Press in 2009. She crafts and paints to free herself from the endless run of words in her head.

LAST BID: Val L. - $55

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $60

ITEM #18

Title: Untitled

Artist: Giovanni Mocibob

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas; Size 16" x 12"

Bio: Giovanni Mocibob recently moved to and now resides in Vancouver where he married the love of his life Holly.  He also moved here to pursue his career in film, tv, and theatre.  Giovanni is excited for his first professional stage production in Vancouver and looks forward to the many more opportunities.  Favourite past credits include the one man show Confessions of a Paperboy, Sancho in Man of La Mancha, as well as many other roles in We Won't Pay, Fiddler on the Roof, Village of Idiots, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Proposal, The Diviners, Godspell (Rosebud, AB).

LAST BID: Amy A. - $105

NEXT AVAILABLE BID: $110

My Name Is Asher Lev runs at Pacific Theatre until February 26

tickets | information

mar 11 - apr 2 | jesus hopped the 'a' train

“You afraid ta die cuz your ass know only two things gonna happen when you die; either nuthin’ or somethin’ bad!!! Ain’t no God, ain’t no light.” Angel Cruz

Rikers Island, New York. Two men sit in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. Lucius Jenkins is a serial killer who awaits execution. Angel Cruz, new to the prison system, stands accused of a murder he doesn’t believe was a crime. Each day, these two prisoners are allowed one hour of sunlight, and one hour of conversation. In their separate “cages” they challenge each other with thoughts on God, faith, repentance and death. One supposedly has found God, while the other needs to find himself. Compelling, gritty, harrowing and thought provoking, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train is an uncompromising drama about contradiction, contrition and hypocrisy.

The production, written by Stephen Adly Guirgis, first made a crater on the New York theatre landscape when it premiered in 2000 under the direction of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. The New York Times called it, “Fire-breathing. A probing, intense portrait of lives behind bars, it has the courage of its intellectual restlessness. Written in flame.”

Now under the direction of Jessie award-winning director Angela Konrad (Grace, Mourning Dove, Traveler In The Dark), Jesus hopped the ‘A’ Train will be leaving its mark on Vancouver’s Pacific Theatre’s stage.

When asked what attracted Konrad to the ‘A’ Train she shares, "It made me uncomfortable in the best possible way. Reading it, I was carried along by the characters' stories and challenged by their moral dilemmas. My favourite plays are those that make me think and make me feel, and this play definitely does both."

Michael Wipf, Co-Artistic Producer of Glass City Theatre, the company producing the show as a guest production of Pacific Theatre, says “This is a bit of a risky choice for audiences. It explores some issues of faith and forgiveness, and the gritty and sometimes grisly characters that propel the discussion forward are anything but 'God-like' or 'Christ-like.' It’s this contrast that makes ‘A’ Train so compelling.”

Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train stars Glass City Theatre’s Co-Artistic Producer Rob Olguin as Angel Cruz, Carl Kennedy as Lucius Jenkins, Kerri Norris as lawyer Mary Jane Hanrahan, Andrew McNee as prison guard Valdez, and Evan Frayne as prison guard D’Amico.

The production is stage managed by Christie Maxson with lighting and set design by
Itai Erdal. Costumes are designed by Sabrina Evertt, with sound design by Joel Stephanson. The production is proudly sponsored by John Fluevog Shoes

Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train runs from March 11th through to April 2nd. Tickets are $16.50 - $29.50 (not incl. HST). For more information contact Pacific Theatre at 604-731-5518 or visit the website

mar 5-19 | quiet in the land | gallery 7

Gallery 7 presents
as part of it's 20th Anniversary Season!!
Quiet in the Land
by Anne Chislett

March 4 & 5, 10 - 12, 17 - 19, 2011 @ 7:30 PM
Discount Matinees: March 5 & 12 @ 2:00 PM

A prodigal son story set in a Canadian Amish Community during WW 1, this play explores the complexities of tradition and faith in an ever changing world. Yock Bauman can't comprehend how his strict father can stand idly by while war rages on in Europe. Shunning the pacifist beliefs of his community, Yock enlists in the military where he soon becomes a hero to the nation, but an outcast to his own. Having been powerfully affected by the horrors of battle, Yock returns to his father but soon finds he has lost more than he could have imagined.

MEI Theatre
4081 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford

Tickets - House of James
2743 Emerson Street, Abbotsford
604-852-3701 or 1-800-665-8828

General tickets go on sale January 24, 2011

mar 4 | out of the mountain

Sandy Rosen sends this note: "I just wanted to invite you to our Grad Dance Production called Out of the Mountain coming up this Friday, March 4th at 7pm and 9pm - it is a fantastic collaboration of a live painter, an acoustic singer-songwriter and contemporary dance."

dance barn studio website

facebook

mar 6 | martyn joseph

The rarest of things, a musician beloved of the hard-core political folk music crowd who's unapologetic about his Christian faith. Huge stage presence, off-the-charts musical chops: there's a bit of Bruce Cockburn in the mix, a bit of Michael Hart, and all the echoes of those Welsh revivals and Welsh singers and Brit folk-revival passion. The guy is simply astonishing in performance.

Martyn Joseph
March 6, 2011 @ 8pm | $30/$27
Capilano University Performing Arts Theatre, North Van

Hailing from Cardiff, Wales, Martyn Joseph pulls no punches with his passion-driven rootsy rock. He has been compared to the likes of Springsteen, Knopfler and Dave Matthews, but make no mistake, Joseph is an original and has built a reputation on giving what many have described as the best live music experience of their lives. He has depth with his wonderful narrative lyrics that pull you into his stories, not to mention his powerful vocal pipes and deft guitar playing. As a solo performer, Joseph brings you completely into his world and always bares his soul giving 1000% percent. Don't miss this uniquely talented singer-songwriter who definitely has a great message and always delivers.

"Passion-driven rootsy rock with wonderful narrative lyrics that pull you into his stories, not to mention his powerful vocal pipes and deft guitar playing."

Fundraising Campaign: 110% RAISED!!!! 24 hours and 54 minutes before our deadline

Updated Friday February 27 at 11:06 pm...

WE'RE DONE!!!!

We told you at the end of November that we needed money to see us through to the end of February. A rather daunting $56,000.

By the end of December, you'd sent us over $35,000.  Staggering.  And we knew we could go ahead with our production of My Name Is Asher Lev.  

By the end of January, another $10,000.  

But by February, it had slowed to a trickle.  A few more gifts as we hit the last week of February, but it wasn't looking like we'd make that last five grand.

Until I drove up to my house Friday night, and my next door neighbour waves me over. Marty, from Long Island. He's sitting in his car: that's where he goes to smoke. He rolls down his window. "Ron, get over here. I gotta tell ya something." Imagine Julia Mackey as Jake Spleen.  "Get in."  I got in.  "I'm going to give you five thousand dollars."

He didn't know anything about our deadline. He didn't know anything about our campaign. He's just my neighbour. All he knows is, I run a theatre, he's never been there, but he knows theatres need money. 

I told him it was a miracle, if he didn't mind me saying. I told him five grand was pretty much exactly how much money I needed to reach the $56K I had to raise in the next three days.  And he goes, "Yeah, something told me I was s'posed ta give it to ya.  Five thousand."    

So how's that for a dramatic finish?  Got me thinking about the Christmas movie I thought about many times in December, as your gifts kept arriving.  No, not How The Grinch Stole Christmas.  Another one.

So I came in and put on the last chapter, and thought about George Bailey, and what makes a man wealthy.

Thanks.  Merry Christmas, everyone.

Ron "George Bailey" Reed

PS Sunday afternoon, an email from some other PT friends. They're sending $5000. Wow.

PS Here's how it played itself out...

200 + 200 + 25 + 100 + 18 + 12.56 + 480.5 + 100 + 50 + 25 + 5000 + 400 + 50 + 5000 + 500 + 150 + 150 + 150 + 35 + 50 + 100 + 50 + 20 + 200 + 50 + 250 + 150 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 25 + 20 + 100 + 100 + 20 + 2000 + 1000 + 25 + 20 + 25 + 25 + 30 + 1000 + 25 + 150 + 50 + 40 + 27 + 100 + 50 + 100 + 10 + 100 + 50 + 250 + 30 + 1000 + 1000 + 2000 + 250 + 25 + 10 + 25 + 11.50 + 6 + 100 + 300 + 4325 + 250 + 100 + 100 + 1000 + 150 + 100 + 100 + 20 + 50 + 40 +20 + 200 +50 + 40 +100 + 47.01 + 50 + 400 + 1000 + 10 + .66 + .48 + .45 + .96 + 100 + 20 + 500 + 50 + 500 + 150 + 100 + 500 + 1200 + 1000 + 300 + 50 + 5 +250 + 300 + 300 + 75 + 300 + 150 + 200 + 100 + 100 + 200 + 25 + 5 + 500 + 1000 + 50 + 500 + 10 + 40 + 40 + 100 + 50 + 300 +250 + 5 + 200 + 100 + 101 + 25 + 20 + 200 + 1000 + 50 + 150 + 70 + 20 + 50 + 20 + 80.75 + 20 + 5 + 50 + 500 + 50 + 20 + 1500 + 250 + 250 + 25 + 40 + 200 + 144.15 + 72.08 + 192.50 + 1500 + 100 + 50 + 100 + 20.72 + 25 + 100 + 10 + 25 + 50 + 100 +100 + 200 + 500 + 10 +5 + 50 + 50 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 50 +25 + 60 + 30 + 5000 + 5000 + 1100 in bids on our Silent Auction Art Show in the lobby = $61,476.32!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And, as before, heartfelt thanks to everyone who has donated so far. We have the best audience in the world!!!

'a' train | apprentice notes 1

Grettings Soul Fooders.

Evan Frayne here , your friendly neighborhood apprentice! We have probably spoken on the phone or you've listened to me do the Front of House speech before one of the shows at PT this season. But for everyone else I haven't met, greetings.

I am one of the cast in Jesus Hopped the "A" Train and we are coming to the end of our first week of rehearsals. After the first read, we spent a couple of days doing table work which means we go through the play scene by scene and talk about the characters, ideas, images and actions of the play. Angela Konrad(the director) has been a great facilitator of discussion and is turning out to be one of the most collaborative directors I have worked with.

I'm struck by the depth of the characters in "A" Train. Each one of them has a compelling, justified argument for what they think and do. I find myself agreeing in one moment with Angel, the young man accused of shooting a man, and in the next, completely discounting his arguments as naive.

Another great discovery is the conflict within each of these people. I play Charlie D'Amico, Riker's Island prison guard who befriends convicted killer, Lucius Jenkins. At one point, Charlie has to take a hard look at this "friendship" he has developed. Is it right, is it good, can he live with himself having been changed by his relationship with this man?

Let me know if you have any questions about the play, or our rehearsal process. I'll be dropping in periodically to post so please leave your questions or comments below. I'd love to hear if you've read the play or seen it on stage somewhere.

That's it for this apprentice note, see you next time!

stephen remembers david

At Monday's table reading of Stephen Adly Guirgis'  Jesus Hopped The 'A' Train, I noticed the dedication at the front of the script...

And I remembered part of Butch Honeywell's monologue from the end of The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot...

A little later I'm sittin' on the couch when this girl -- my future wife -- she just comes up to me by herself and she says: "I saw you in that play the other night. You made me cry".... Two days later, we went out on a date....On the way back, I was driving her home, and we passed by this house where my friend Dave Hoghe used to live who had died ... I hadn't been by his house since he passed. The family didn't live there no more. But when I saw the house, I got struck with this feeling, and I asked her if she wouldn't mind if we just pulled up in front of that house and just sat for a moment. She said; "Sure". So I parked, and we just sat in the car for a while. Quiet. Not sayin' nothin. And before I knew it, Mister Iscariot, I was tearing up -- cuz this kid, he had been a real good friend of mine, ya know -- and then, I just started crying, Mister Iscariot, I couldn't help myself and I couldn't shut it off. And I was real embarrassed, and she just, she just held me while tears and snot and whatnot just poured outta me and on to her little white sweater... And she didn't mind about that ... She didn't mind at all ..."

feb 23 | lookout gallery reception

feb 18-20 | tom pickett | east end blues

Beloved PT company member Tom Pickett (Playland, Driving Miss Daisy, Master Harold & The Boys, more) is part of the cast of what looks to be a wonderful show this weekend by our friends at Vancouver Moving Theatre. Denis Simpson was one of the creators of the show before his passing last fall: Pacific Theatre audiences will remember him from The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.

Come and hear two of Vancouver’s finest gospel and blues singers in East End Blues and All That Jazz. This Black History Month celebration of the life and times of the Downtown Eastside’s historic black neighbourhood is a tribute to the contributions that African-Canadians have made, and continue to make, to the cultural and social fabric of our city.

Join us on a musical tour: walk down memory lane to the Fountain Chapel – heart and soul of the historic community; jive at the legendary Harlem Nocturne, drop into fine eateries such as Vie’s Chicken and Steak House and the Country Club; and reflect on the elusive Hogan’s Alley – bulldozed by the installation of the Georgia Viaduct in the early 1970’s.

The Gibson Family were the proprietors of the Country Club, while Thelma, Len and Chic Gibson danced and sang in just about every club in the East End, from the Smilin’ Buddha and the Mandarin Gardens to the Harlem Nocturne.

"In good times and in bad, music provided the courage and strength to make life more pleasant for everyone. We sang sorrow songs and social songs, freedom songs and glory songs and most of all we sang the blues."

Singers Candus Churchill and Tom Pickett, pianist/musical director Bill Costin and bass player Timothy Stacey are sharing the stage with Master of Ceremonies, the well known Downtown Eastside raised actor Chic Gibson, and his sister, guest singer Thelma Gibson.

This soul-stirring evening of gospel and blues, jazz and memories was created by Denis Simpson and Vancouver Moving Theatre’s Savannah Walling, assisted by Mr. Leonard Gibson and with contributions by Chic and Thelma Gibson.

The late Denis Simpson, was a multi-talented artist and activist, with career highlights including; starring in the Broadway Production of Jesus Christ Superstar, singing with The Nylons, hosting the children’s TV series The Polka Dot Door, winning a Dora Mavor Award for his performance in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and a Jessie Award for his show Denis Anyone? Chic, Thelma and Leonard Gibson grew up in the Downtown Eastside to become accomplished artists, performing in Vancouver’s first live television show Bamboula, and touring internationally and across Canada. They have won awards for their contributions to the black community and achievements in the performing arts. Dancing professionally on local stages at the age five, the late Mr. Leonard Gibson became the first black dancer in Canada to train in classical ballet and choreographed and taught across North America and Europe.

my name is asher lev | audience response

MY NAME IS ASHER LEV has opened and the reviews are pouring in!  We'd love to hear your thoughts as well - post a comment below, on our website, or facebook wall.

"Thank you for Asher Lev. I thought it was one of the best productions I have seen for a long time. Like so many, I too, read the novel 30+ years ago and it stayed with me till today. Your production was a synthesis of everything that is good about theatre - a rare case of the wonder full agreement of actors, script and audience working together in seamless harmony. My congratulations to Morris for his admirable leadership in forging the alchemy required for the designers, actors and technicians to exceed all expectations. Bravo. With respect and admiration, Simon Johnston (Artistic & Executive Director, Gateway Theatre)

"Thank you for creating this wonderful production of My Name is Asher Lev. It was a perfect evening of theatre - a touching, funny, disarmingly honest performance by all three actors. I am coming back this week to see it again." | Sally McLean, email

"I am a huge fan of the books by Chaim Potok (The Chosen and My Name is Asher Lev) and I loved both the book and the play adaptation of the latter. I have always admired how the productions staged at Pacific Theatre brilliantly creates a bigger world in a small space. Such creative challenges must be a treat for the production staff :) My Name is Asher Lev was extremely well acted by all three actors. Special mention to Mr. Nathan Schmidt whose fluid transition to various male characters in a continuous scene makes you forget that they are being played by one actor only. That takes a lot of focus and attention to the characters distinct details. I highly recommend this moving and intelligent play. | Karlo Santos, email

"The play’s surprisingly visceral power is also very much due to the work of director Morris Ertman and his strong and supremely talented cast. ... My Name Is Asher Lev is a triumph on the stage." | Steven Schelling, The Westender

"My Name is Asher Lev shows considerable intelligence and honest emotionality. ... The playwright, as well as this production, presents Asher’s formative relationships with passion and delicacy. Nathan Schmidt plays a number of characters, including Asher’s furiously intelligent father, a rambunctious uncle, and the crusty Kahn. Impressively, Schmidt disappears into these roles. And there is no more transparent actor in town than Katharine Venour. Her portrait of Rivkeh is skinless—and moving. In his Vancouver debut, Giovanni Mocibob, a recent arrival from Alberta, commands the stage as Asher." | Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight

"All the male roles--Aryeh Lev, the Rebbe, Kahn--are excellently portrayed by Nathan Schmidt by simply removing a hat or putting on a prayer shawl. ... Katharine Venour portrays the women, including Asher's long-suffering mother and the chic gallery owner with an artistic prodigy on her hands. Venour, as always, is compelling: a quiet, sorrowing mother modestly dressed in headscarf and somber garb and Anna, quick and assertive in her little hat, bright green suit and fur stole." | Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Courier

"The production, My Name is Asher Lev, was outstanding......very powerful. And the acting was excellent. My husband and I have been recommending the play to our friends." | Anita Bowes, email

‎"Yesterday evening my friends and I attended My Name is Asher Lev. On behalf of my friends and myself I want to say how excellent the production was. From the moment the play started until it's ending we were totally engaged with the characters." -audience email

"i was so, so impressed with this show. man, i'm always amazed at what you folks can make me believe in that little space. this show should receive an award for its amazing set design as well as its acting. that was just brilliant." facebook

"I was very deeply moved by the play. Also, I invited my brother (and partner) from Edmonton to come and see the play on the next weekend. We discussed it. The play’s script, artistic set design and use of props and theatrical devices were all very good but I think that it was good because the drama of the conflict and the believability of the characters was so thorough." | Ed Konrad

"Pacific Theatre has done it again, giving us another little gem of a play. ... I was completely caught up in this battle between these two immovable forces - the implacable demand of the father that his son value faith over art, and the inescapable drive of the son to follow his creative drive. It is a heart-wrenching play, beautifully done and well worth seeing." | Gillian Lockitch, Review From the House

"My Name Is Asher Lev continues in the tradition of Pacific Theatre to bring its audiences shows that are spiritually uplifting." | John Jane, Review Vancouver

"Growing up I never had the opportunity to read Potok’s novel, but through this stage adaptation it is easy to see how it could have had a profound effect on any young man (or woman) struggling with their own questions about life. And while I may be too old now for the story to have that same effect, My Name is Asher Lev still managed to touch me, knowing that my struggle to find my own answers was worth it. Such is the power of passion. Such is the power of life." | Mark Robins, GayVancouver.net

"wow -that was awesome tonight! i was spellbound and hardly moved an inch the whole way through. this story hits home." Bev, facebook

"Just returned from the show. Just excellent, in all aspects. Simple but dramatic staging, well performed. And character development, which is why the theatre. Thank you!" | John Goodwin, facebook

"All in all, My Name is Asher Lev is yet another strong example of work from Pacific Theatre, and I’d recommend you check it out." | Darren Barefoot, darrenbarefoot.com

"Last night I saw this brilliant performance at the Pacific Theatre, this moving story had the audience focussed on the 3 actors who played multiple characters." | Richard Wolak, Taste and Sip

"Wonderful production of Asher Lev, well done Giovanni and welcome to the Vancouver theatre scene. Wonderful performance Kathryn as always. The "model" scene was very creatively and sensually done, very tasteful!! Thank you PT for another wonderful evening of theatre." | Fiona Topp, facebook

"Minimalist sets and strong performances make Asher Lev @PacificTheatre surprisingly stong! Go see it! http://pacifictheatre.org/" | @WEVancouver, twitter

"Brought the family to see Asher Lev tonight. Just about the best thing I've seen at Pacific Theatre. Magnificent storytelling, wonderful actors. Great directing and lighting, perfectly scored music. I felt like the audience was participating in a living painting. So moving that a couple of times I just wanted to break down crying. But I didn't as I thought I might disrupt the play with my nose-blowing." | Ruth Dallas Rich, facebook

"Want to sense the tension between being who you are as artist, and what is expected? Must see My Name is Asher Lev @PacificTheatre" | @RoseMariArt, twitter

"@PacificTheatre a standing ovation for #mynameisasherlev! #ilovetheatre #WOW" | @JustinneRamirez, twitter

"Saw Asher Lev yesterday… it’s been a very long time since I’ve been so moved by theatre. All three characters were amazing in their emotional range — Nathan, though, was especially brilliant. It took me a few hours post-performance to regain my equilibrium, and I am left pondering themes of love, acceptance, and the resilience of the human spirit…" | sheila, website comment

"Get your tickets for My Name is Asher Lev! It was amazing!! Go see it now!" | Vanessa Hui, facebook

My Name Is Asher Lev runs at Pacific Theatre until February 25

tickets | information

feb 18/19 | twu + vso | bach b minor mass

TWU Choirs perform with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bach & Beyond - Bach Mass in B Minor
February 18 & 19, 2011
8:00 pm

"one of the most moving and beautiful testaments of faith ever set to music"

Bramwell Tovey, Conductor
Trinity Western University Choirs
Laura Whalen, Soprano
Susan Platts, Mezzo-Soprano
Colin Ainsworth, Tenor
Gregory Dahl, Baritone

tickets

asher lev | book giveaway

This Wednesday, February 16th we'll be giving a copy of the book MY NAME IS ASHER LEV by Chaim Potok away to an audience member!

The giveaway will be chosen via a random, pre-show draw - no fuss, no muss.  If you haven't got your ticket yet to see MY NAME IS ASHER LEV then don't miss this chance to double your Asher-exposure!

For more info or to book tickets, call our box office at 604-731.5518 or book online.

MY NAME IS ASHER LEV closes Friday, February 26th.

feb 28 | phoebe macrae recital | twu

Quests: Scenes for Solo Voice
Feb 28 | 8pm
Trinity Western University

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. For more information, visit the TWU website.

Acclaimed soprano performs one-night concert at TWU
Nuns, kings, and comic strips inform an evening of unforgettable music in Quests: Scenes for Solo Voice.

On February 28, Trinity Western University presents acclaimed soprano Phoebe MacRae in a performance of dramatic works for unaccompanied voice. A guest artist concert hosted by TWU’s School of the Arts, Media and Culture, the evening unites music and theatre in a diverse program spanningpieces from the 12th Century to the present.

MacRae, a UBC alumna with a Master of Music (Opera), was instrumental in the selection of the repertoire. “What inspires me about this collection of works are the pervasive themes of quest…for power, for love, for enjoyment,” reflects MacRae. “The material sheds light on the human condition with pieces chosen for their beauty, tragedy, comedy, and even absurdity. It has the potential both to challenge and confirm your concept of what music is.”

“TWU has a long-standing commitment to guest artists,” says Associate Professor of Music Allan Thorpe, D.M.A., “In this concert we are also proud to premiere the work of SAMC composer David Squires, Ph.D., Come Away, his piece inspired by the Song of Solomon and originally written in 1977, has been revised with a new text especially for this performance.”

The medieval work on the program is Ursula Antiphons by Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a nun who is one of the earliest women composers identified by name. Among the evening’s contemporary works, Cathy Berbarian’s Stripsody is known for its unusual notation. The piece owes its title to the comic strip style that the score emulates. Consider it the “graphic novel” of the evening.

Rounding out the program are an excerpt from Hommage à T.S. Eliot by Sofia Gubaidulina, Récitation 3 by Georges Aperghis, and excerpts from Love Songs by Ana Sokolovich.

chaim potok | paintings

Brooklyn Crucifixion

These paintings by Chaim Potok can be found at the Chaim Potok website

The Spectrum Blog

The late Jewish writer Chaim Potok (1929-2002) is probably best known for his novels, many of which explore the struggle to reconcile religion and modernity. Potok was raised as an Orthodox Jew and was ordained as a Rabbi. In his lifetime, he wrote nine novels, three children's books, and numerous stories, plays, and articles.

Potok is arguably best known for his novel, The Chosen, which was made into a film and a Broadway play. My Name is Asher Lev, which Potok called his most autobiographical novel, is the struggle of a gifted artist torn between his art and his orthodox traditions that reject art. In the front of this book is a quotation from Picasso: "Art is a lie which makes us realize the truth."

Potok was an accomplished painter, in addition to being a writer and a Rabbi. In a fascinating intersection between art and life, Potok himself created "Brooklyn Crucifixion," a painting central to the heartrending climax of My Name is Asher Lev. "Brooklyn Crucifixion" (shown at left) hung in Potok's home. (Click on thumbnail to view larger image.)

And in case you haven't read the compelling story that is My Name is Asher Lev, here's how it begins:

My name is Asher Lev, the Asher Lev, about whom you have read in newspapers and magazines, about whom you talk so much at your dinner affairs and cocktail parties, the notorious and legendary Lev of the Brooklyn Crucifix.

I am an observant Jew. Yes, of course, observant Jews do not paint crucifixions. As a matter of fact, observant Jews do not paint at all--in the way that I am painting. So strong words are being written and spoken about me, myths are being generated: I am a traitor, an apostate, a self-hater, an inflictor of shame upon my family, my friends, my people; also, I am a mocker of ideas sacred to Christians, a blasphemous manipulator of modes and forms revered by Gentiles for two thousand years.

Well, I am none of those things. And yet, in all honesty, I confess that my accusers are not altogether wrong: I am indeed, in some way, all of those things.

Potok asserted that the conflict between tradition and modernity is constant and that the tension between religion and art is lifelong. His personal struggle seems apparent in "Brooklyn Crucifixion." And yet despite this seemingly agonizing struggle, Potok remained active as an artist/writer and engaged in the religion of his upbringing until his death in 2002.

My Name Is Asher Lev runs at Pacific Theatre until February 25

tickets | information

asher lev | book covers

By now you've seen the beautiful artwork for PT's production of MY NAME IS ASHER LEV all over town, or so we hope.  Before it was a theatre poster, of course, Asher was a book cover.  Here's a collection of the various cover art for MY NAME IS ASHER LEV through the ages.

For reference, here's the artwork created for us by Kolke Design:

And now... the books!

My Name Is Asher Lev runs at Pacific Theatre until February 26

tickets | information

mar 10 - apr 9 | joy kirkwood | place des arts

Note from Joy Kirkwood: "I noticed your current show Asher Lev and as a visual artist and a person of faith it is a favourite book of mine. I’m planning to see the play. I also have an upcoming art show at Place des Arts in Coquitlam. While not overtly spiritual I feel my beliefs are woven into the fabric of my work and it is a show that would appeal to families. In the last weekend there will be a family day activity that ties into my work as well." 

asher lev | more photos