The Matchmaker of Montréal an Interview

by Richard Wolak on May 17, 2013

Matchmaker_new_small

Can you describe your view of the production of The Matchmaker of Montréal?

My next challenge was to write pure fiction, where there is no prior body of knowledge to fall back on. I admired the work of Oscar Wilde and the methods of Shaw. So I studied their techniques, and decided to write an Oscar Wilde-type play: using caricatures to amuse and make a commentary on society. So “Matchmaker” is the first such attempt. Now in Vancouver, the concierge in our condo in Coal Harbour challenged me to write a play about a concierge. So I obliged him, and this is doubly interesting because it enables me to describe the diversity in Canada, how one city Vancouver is so different from Montreal, which is so different from Toronto.

This trilogy is really about Canada, and each is based in one of these three cities. The third will be “The CEO of Toronto”. The themes in these plays are universal, and they draw on my experiences living in these cities.

How long did it take the playwright to write this theatrical play?

Initial draft – 6 weeks. Revised over the last 2 years

What do you want your audience to take away from this production?

Satire on our money culture.

Tell our readers about the lives of both Elise Fortin and matchmaker Martha Boisvert

Elise leaves her middle-class husband to find a rich man. Martha runs a matchmaking business in Montreal. Both are women who take charge of their destiny, but one is principled, the other is not.

How long has your production been planned to be performed at the Firehall Arts Centre?

Three weeks of rehearsals (only one in the Firehall), 2 weeks of performances in the Firehall.

If there is one thing you want the audience to grasp from your play what would it be?

Women are achieving success and are no longer victims and can successfully be satirized

The Matchmaker of Montréal by Shaul Ezer (Matchmaker Productions) plays at the Firehall Arts Centre May 23-June 2

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My Turquoise Years

by Richard Wolak on May 6, 2013

My Turquoise Years

My Turquoise Years is the story of a girl growing up in Canada in the years after the war – a story that many Canadians growing up in the 60′s could easily relate to.

The main character, a teenager named Marion (Bridget Esler), tells her story of growing in Cordova Bay in a rather disfunctional family. In fact, her family is not a typical family at all – much of her growing up is marked by the notably distant relationship of Marion with her mother, Nancy, whom has built a very independent life abroad and well away from her daughter. This distance has awaken in Marion feelings of indifference towards her mother.

This odd relationship leads Marion to move with her aunt Elsie (Wendy Noel) and uncle (Peter Anderson), who act as her de-facto mother and father. However, when the couple hear the news of the upcoming visit of Nancy to Canada, they pressure Marion into accepting Nancy and her family reality with arms wide open, which causes in Marion a series of internal conflict and leads to extravagant, yet comical situations.

This play is based on the real story of author Marion Farrant, which adds a plenty of detail to the storyline. Also remarkable is the fact that the play makes use of vintage props and scenarios, which adds to the setting and reality of the story and  allows the audience to immerse themselves in an era where a few had the opportunity to grow and enjoy.

Members of the cast cast include David Marr, Wendy Noel, Dawn Peten, and Michael Rinaldi. This production is directed by Rachel Ditor.

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Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata thru May 18

by Richard Wolak on April 25, 2013

Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata

On Tuesday night I saw this show for the 2nd time, having seen the premiere last year, it was one that I had to see again, it is a must see. Telling the tale of the Craigslist ads in song and comedy, I could relate and the majority of the audience could relate as well. Just spending a few minutes on Craigslist randomly checking the ads in Vancouver as well as in other cities reveals story after story. With awesome music, a great cast and a well- designed set, this production is a hit, and I hope it makes it to Broadway someday soon.

The cast is all the same as last years show except for one of the leads which is now being performed by Actor Josh Epstein who sings and entertains throughout the show.

Your personal ads, set to music! Irregular hats for cats, mounted lobsters, autographed copies of the Bible: this new work from composer Veda Hille and the CBC’s Bill Richardson explores what humanity has to offer and turns it into sidesplitting musical fare. Who wouldn’t want a broken time machine, for free? Come and take a look at the vagaries and intimacies of the internet. Featuring the original songs “300 Stuffed Penguins,” “Chilli Eating Buddy,” “Decapitated Dolls,” and more.

With more than 700 local sites in 70 countries, and over 20 billion page-views and 50 million new ads posted monthly, Craigslist has become a treasured online locus where we are sanctioned to share our needs, wants, and offerings. Hille describes it as “the mass of humanity pressed against the glass,” offering a forum that is simultaneously anonymous and incredibly public. After its smashing debut as part of Twenty-Minute Musicals at Club PuSh in 2009, Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata returns as a full-fledged production with 80 heartfelt minutes of quick-witted spoken text and song.

Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata is the brainchild of two of Vancouver’s most beloved cultural icons.

Get tickets for performances running now thru May 18, 2013

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Dancing with the Stars: Ballroom with a Twist May 8

by Richard Wolak on April 25, 2013

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is excited to present Ballroom with a Twist, a critically acclaimed international dance production conceived and choreographed by ABC-TVs Dancing with the Stars’ Louis van Amstel, one night only on Wednesday, May 8th, 8pm at the Orpheum Theatre.

This ground-breaking show, starring Dancing with the Stars pros Anna Trebunskaya, Jonathan Roberts, and Ashly Delgrosso Costa, So You Think You Can Dance finalistsRandi Lynn Strong, Legacy, and Jonathan Platero and American Idol finalists Gina Glocksen and Von Smith, pushes the boundaries of ballroom dance, infusing it with the energy and intensity of the latest contemporary and hip-hop styles. Ballroom with a Twist is an evening of entertainment for the entire family, highlighted by stunning costumes, magnificent music and breathtaking performances by the extraordinary professional dancers and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

Anna Trebunskaya and Jonathan Roberts are two of the world’s top dancers, and veterans of multiple seasons of Dancing with the Stars – with Anna being most recently featured in last season’s Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars cast. Anna has danced in ten seasons of Dancing with the Stars and partnered with football star Jerry Rice, model Albert Reed, actor Steve Guttenberg, UFC fighter Chuck Liddell, US Olympic Figure Skating Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek, football quarterback Kurt Warner, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, TV personality Carson Kressley, Jack Wagner, and Drew Lachey. Jonathan danced in seven seasons of Dancing with the Stars. His partners included model Rachel Hunter, journalist Giselle Fernández, activist Heather Mills, entertainer Marie Osmond, tennis pro Monica Seles, pop singer Belinda Carlisle, and Grammy® Award winning artist Macy Gray. He now travels around the world coaching and choreographing at dance studios, events and TV shows like So You Think You Can Danceand Dancing with the Stars.

Tickets: $25 – $88

 Available online at www.vancouversymphony.ca or by calling VSO customer service at 604.876.3434

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John Ferrie – Red Skies

by Eddie Tafber Art

Tweet John Ferrie’s love for Vancouver is the keynote of his newest painting collection, appropriately named “Red Skies”. He presented it at his studio on East 2nd Avenue, with the attendance of friends, onlookers, art lovers, and media representatives. The collection consists of several pieces depicting some of Vancouver’s most prominent landmarks, all of which [...]

Written by: Eddie Tafber on March 20, 2013.
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How has my Love Affected You

by Eddie Tafber Theatre

Tweet It’s difficult to describe Marcus Youssef’s latest play, “How has my love affected you”, in simple words. It is at times a hard to digest set of stories, sometimes with a funny twist, and having occasional (and unpredictable) ups and downs. At the end of the day, the mix of emotions reflects appropriately the [...]

Written by: Eddie Tafber on March 11, 2013.
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Vancouver Opera’s The Magic Flute March 9-17

by Richard Wolak Music

Tweet With a limited run of 6 performances, Vancouver Opera presents acclaimed production of The Magic Flute. This innovative production transforms the Queen Elizabeth Theatre into a timeless Coast Salish realm. Conceived with the guidance of First Peoples’ Cultural Council and an advisory group of First Nations artists, and incorporating words from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. [...]

Written by: Richard Wolak on March 4, 2013.
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Boeing Boeing

by Richard Wolak Theatre

Tweet Nicola Lipman (playing the Maid). Photo by David Cooper. Taking in opening night, I found myself laughing throughout the Arts Club Theatre Company’s clever production where Bernard (Jonathon Young), a successful architect in swinging sixties Paris, is even more successful with the ladies. In fact, he juggles the hearts of three air hostesses who [...]

Written by: Richard Wolak on February 8, 2013.
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Interview with Mary-Louise Albert

by Richard Wolak Dance

Tweet Mary-Louise Albert is in her ninth year as the Artistic Managing Director the Chutzpah! Festival and the Norman Rothstein Theatre. Mary-Louise joined me for lunch recently at Vancouver FanClub. Mary-Louise has danced professionally for over 17 years and has worked with the Judith Marcuse Dance Company, the Karen Jamieson Dance Company and the Anna Wyman Dance Theatre, [...]

Written by: Richard Wolak on February 7, 2013.
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Sisters

by Eddie Tafber Theatre

Tweet On the night of February 1st, 2012, the Gateway theatre presented the worldwide premier of playwright Simon Johnston’s play “Sisters”. This work, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s play by the same name, is characterized by an uneasy storyline that touches elements of cultural differences, social status, and political ideologies. Set in the early 20th [...]

Written by: Eddie Tafber on February 2, 2013.
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