Tag Archives: Musical

When It’s Not Two Frozen for Arendelle’s Future

30 Nov

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Mild Spoiler Alert

“Show Yourself” may not be the definitive musical number to inspire in Frozen 2. Unlike the first film with its spectacular set pieces, this sequel tries too hard to offer refreshing ideas. It’s tough to outdo “Let it Go” because of its many meanings. This sequel at least delivers a story which answers a few questions, has a cultural sub-context which will definitely be of debate for years to come, and looks at how this kingdom continues to survive.

The expected economic examination is ignored. Instead, we find Elsa (Idina Menzel) acting a little off lately. In the side-lines, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) is trying to figure out the perfect moment to propose to Anna (Kristen Bell). As the trailers have shown, the Queen of Arendelle must heed the siren’s call.

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Starry Starry Skies Productions’ Gets Buffie with this Vampyre Slayer Parody!

19 Oct

nullLocation:
Sunset Labs
400 Herald Street
Victoria, BC

Remaining Shows:
Oct 19, 25 & 26, 7pm

For tickets, please visit Eventbrite.

Not every television show from the 90s (or present) can pull off a musical without imitating another. Often, it explores the innermost problems of the protagonist(s) while the antagonist acts as a supernatural force to ‘assist.’ Joss Whedon‘s “Once More With Feeling” in Buffy the Vampire Slayer set a precedent for future producers to consider. Xena: Warrior Princess is very notable. From the past 10 years, The CW’s Supernatural saw the Winchester brothers happening on a stage show version of themselves. In The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, they had to sing as it helped them reveal hidden feelings to loved ones. ​Starry Starry Skies Productions‘ Buffie the Vampyre Slayer Parody stays true to theme and also showcases the wonderful singing talents from the Capital region.

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[VFF2019] Beware of What 13 Dead Dreams may Come!

30 Aug

nullLocation:
Metro Studio Theatre
(Fringe Venue 3)
1411 Quadra Street

Remaining Shows:
Aug 31 05:30 pm
Sep 01 02:00 pm

13 Dead Dreams of “Eugene” could not be any more timely. Hot on the heels of the cinematic adaptation of Scary Tales to Tell in the Dark, Fringe theatre goers can have the thrill of experiencing a shadow play and trying to solve a mystery in the grand tradition of Alfred Hitchcock‘s best whodunits (the poster design is heavily inspired from Vertigo) and Man Ray‘s surrealist works. Technical spoiler alert: most of the projections are common objects that show creators Erika Kate MacDonald and Paul Strickland found in the kitchen. This duo offers a song and dance in between separate narratives such as “Water Under the Bridge” and “Mummy of Sabina, Ohio.”

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[VFF2019] Quoth the Raven, Nevermore! The Musical Returns to Victoria

24 Aug

nevermoreLocation:
Metro Studio Theatre
(Fringe Venue 3)
1411 Quadra Street

Remaining Performances:
Aug 25 08:15 pm
Aug 28 05:45 pm
Aug 30 10:45 pm
Aug 31 09:30 pm

It’s very rare for me to get to see Nevermore put on by different theatre companies. It was first performed back in 2009 by Catalyst Theatre in Alberta and since then, other versions have popped up. Both gained accolades. Back in 2011, Urban Arts (defunct now) offered a Halloween thrilled spectacle recounting the life of Edgar Allan Poe. This company got permission to perform in the old courtroom in Bastion Square–the oldest part of Victoria–to give this show a special ambience different from a stage production. Because of the set, the life and times of this seminal poet, madman and architect of the macabre was center stage; audiences had the freedom to be either courtroom visitors watching or jurors waiting to cast a verdict on this person’s life.

At Intrepid Theatre‘s Metro Theatre, the 2019 Victoria Fringe Festival version has the benefit of proper stage lighting and a misty setting to give the performance a different vibe. It was more gothic. This version by Hapax Theatre stars Elliott James as Poe, Sasha Moriarty-Schieven as the Mother, Keeley Teuber as Muddy, Lara Hamburg as Elmira, Abby Corpus as Virginia and Ingrid Moore the Whore. Watching the ghosts this author faced as they descended upon him was thrilling. This setting gave a different point of view; we are looking through the looking glass at what Poe faced. Torment came at him in many directions, including us as one spirit appeared mid-audience and descended onto the stage. The people he saw were indeed etheric.

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