Trump offended by Hamilton actor’s “harassment” of Pence
Last night, Vice President-elect Mike Pence was met with boos and cheers when he attended a performance of the musical Hamilton on Broadway. After the performance, Brandon Victor Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr in the show, read a statement from the company that began,...
Peter Dickinson’s Long Division is trapped in its head
There should be laws—similar to child labour laws—that prevent the overworking of metaphors. Playwright Peter Dickinson buries the heart of his play, Long Division, beneath a series of monologues that declare and develop the metaphor of mathematics so academically...
Tommy: even harder to perform than it looks
The Who’s Tommy is beyond the abilities of this company. And that’s not a big knock on Renegade Arts; this material is ridiculously difficult. In this stage version of the story, which is based on The Who’s concept album from 1969, Tommy’s dad comes home from WWII, in...
Detroit: comedy of despair
In Detroit, Lisa D’Amour has created a kind of comedy of despair. It’s fueled by fierce, often futile, resistance. Ben, who has lost his job in banking, spends his days trying to build a website to sell his services to people who are scrabbling to get out of debt....
Now or Later: shiny but nonsensical
On its surface, Now or Later is a shiny political object. But, at least in this interpretation, the play doesn’t make sense. This mounting from Fighting Chance Productions is beyond timely. The story takes place on the eve of an American presidential election. We’re...
Kick yourself some Butt Kapinski
Leave a Comment This ain’t a review, see? It’s a tip. And, if you know what’s good for ya, you’ll act on it. Fast. In 2013, solo artist Deanna Fleysher brought Butt Kapinskito the Vancouver Fringe. It contained some of the best clowning I’ve seen. Butt, the title...
Bakersfield Mist: mediocre script, strong production
Bakersfield Mist is raucously funny sometimes and even moving in moments, but the script isn’t as smart as it pretends to be. LA playwright Stephen Sachs drew inspiration for Bakersfield Mist from real-life characters and events. The stakes are high. In the early...
Suitcase Stories (un)packs a punch
Sometimes, when you see a show, you know that an artist is offering you a personal gift. That’s what it’s like with Maki Yi’s Suitcase Stories. The script isn’t perfect, but both the play and production are important, skilled in many ways—and heartfelt. In her solo...
Empire of the Son also rises
I’m telling all the people I love most to see this show. Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Empire of the Son is exquisite. It’s also painstakingly honest. In his script, which Shigematsu performs solo, he explores his relationship with his father, Akira. In a talkback after the...
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