Topdog/Underdog examines sibling rivalry with a twist

An upcoming play refers to one of America’s most divisive presidents, and no, not Donald Trump: Abraham Lincoln. Suzan-Lori Park’s play Topdog/Underdog, presented by the Seven Tyrants Theatre, is a two-person drama focusing on two brothers named Lincoln and Booth and runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 3 at Studio 1398. Director David Newham says…

The past comes back to life

On Nov. 5, the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre will welcome the Re-Enactors, an award-winning heritage performance group that showcases many of Surrey’s early settlers from the late 18th to early 19th centuries. The performance`s main character, Zennosuke Inouye, was a Surrey business man, World War I veteran and the only Japanese-Canadian war veteran…

Chinese opera still relevant

Vancouver Cantonese Opera chose the challenging musical Reunion at the Moon Pavilion and artistic director Rosa Cheng hopes the accessible and engaging work resonates with local audiences. The opera will be performed at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby(Sept. 16, 7 p.m.). Reunion at the Moon Pavilion is a love story that had been…

Feeling at home with Portuguese Buns

While Portugal shares similarities with other Latin countries in Europe such as Italy and Spain, Sandra Medeiros says it is unique in its own right – Portugal winning this year’s Euro Cup certainly helps. “You usually don’t hear a lot about Portugal or its events in the city – it’s so nice because Portugal gets…

West Side Story: a classic tale with modern relevance

For Alexandra Lainfiesta, a recent grad of Studio 58, the decision to move to Canada from Guatemala to pursue the performing arts was a ‘click away.’ The actress, who plays Anita in Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) upcoming production of West Side Story, chose Vancouver as a place to study acting and pursue a career…

Solo performer tackles issues of mixed identities and Aboriginal values

With the upcoming National Aboriginal Day on June 21, Quelemia Sparrow’s solo performance, O’Wet/Lost Lagoon, sheds light on issues that Aboriginals still face through a theatrical interpretation of her personal experiences. O’Wet (pronounced as oh-wee) denotes propelling a canoe. The word is also connected to a shaman’s canoe ride to the land of the dead…

Theatre serves as platform for youth issues

Now in their 15th year, Some Assembly Theatre Company is bringing their newest play, Missing From Me, to the stage. In coordination with the Roundhouse Youth Theatre Action Group project (RYTAG), the play features youth thespians from various cultures who hope to raise awareness about issues that youth face, through theatre. Valerie Methot, co-founder, executive…

Jonathan Goldstein: comedian or humorist?

Jonathan Goldstein is an author, scribe and storyteller. With the accelerating growth in the podcast industry, he’s found a niche in writing and producing podcasts. Goldstein’s gravelly voice stands out on shows like CBC’s WireTap and This is America. The Source caught up with Goldstein on the phone from Brooklyn, New York, to get a…

“Doost” (Friend): Initiating spiritual conversations on stage

Neworld Theatre founder Camyar Chai will be returning to the stage this month to co-direct Doost (Friend). As part of its’ 20th anniversary celebration, Neworld Theatre will be showcasing three presentations at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre (The Cultch). Doost explores the mystical traditions of Sufism through music, poetry and dance. Chai explains that Sufism…

Huff Stuff: Darkness and humour inhabit a dream world

It’s all about the tough stuff, or Huff stuff, for playwright and performer Cliff Cardinal. Solvent abuse, sexual abuse and suicide are featured in his second play Huff, a story about what he feels young First Nations are going through. But Cardinal wants to let the audience have their own interpretation. “I think that First…

Vocal Art-thropology

Anthropologies Imaginaires, an avant-garde experimental vocal show by musician Gabriel Dharmoo, was awarded Best International Production at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival in 2015, and is now being presented at the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival from Feb. 1–2. “Anthropologies Imaginaires is a live art and vocal performance,” says Dharmoo, composer, improviser and researcher of ethnomusicology.…

Comedic social study of refugees in Canadian culture

Social Studies, a comedy play written by Trish Cooper and presented by the Firehall Arts Centre, takes on topics that address Canadian values and culture through the story of a Sudanese refugee who is adopted by the Wilson family of Winnipeg. Although inspired by her own family’s background, the play and the story’s reality differ…