With a reputation for continually providing Vancouver audiences with some of the most outstanding live theatre in the city, The Arts Club Theatre Company bring us the following exciting productions at The Stanley Theatre for their 2011/2012 Season:
The Penelopiad
By Margaret Atwood
The untold story of the original desperate housewife
A husband absent for twenty years, a sullen teenage son giving lip, tiffs with the mother-in-law—who wouldn’t be desperate? From one of Canada’s most acclaimed writers comes this fresh and witty retelling of The Odyssey myth. In Margaret Atwood’s contemporary interpretation, Penelope, the long-suffering wife of the hero Odysseus, finally gets to tell her side of the story.
Fun fact: Aberta Theatre Projects’ The Penelopiad (our show is based on their production, with the same creative team and Meg Roe reprising her role) was recently nominated for 9 Betty Mitchell Awards (Calgary Theatre Awards) including outstanding production.
Calendar Girls
By Tim Firth
The revealing true story
When middle-aged Annie Clarke loses her husband to leukemia, her best friend suggests a—ahem—cheeky new way to raise money for research. But their fellow Women’s Institute members balk at baring—well, almost baring—it all!
Gradually, though, these prim tea-and-crumpets ladies “of a certain age” come around and learn to delight in their newfound pluckiness and status as international sensations.
Fun fact: The play is based on the successful 2003 movie (based on the true story) which starred Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. Check out the trailer for it here.
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
A trivial comedy for serious people
What happens when two wealthy playboys—one in the city, one in the country—each pretends to be named Ernest so that he can behave recklessly without besmirching his reputation?
In this hilarious Oscar Wilde satire, arguably the wittiest play in the English canon, pandemonium ensues when the duplicitous duo find themselves together, both masquerading as the same person, with each wooing a different woman!
Fun fact: Our two Ernests will be played by Ryan Beil (Billy Bishop Goes to War) and Charlie Gallant (Black Comedy).
High Society
Music and lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Arthur Kopit
The swellegant screwball musical
Snappy dialogue and Cole Porter tunes—such as “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and “True Love”—abound in this sparklingly funny musical, based on The Philadelphia Story. Wealthy socialite Tracy Lord is planning a lavish second wedding, but which man will she marry? Her straight-arrow fiancé or the undercover reporter from the society pages or her dapper ex-husband? Needless to say, it’s complicated—and Tracy has only hours to sort it out!
Fun fact: In The Philadelphia Story, Tracy Lord was played by Katharine Hepburn. That movie was based on the play of the same name, which was written as a star vehicle specifically for Hepburn.
And the returning hits…
White Christmas: The Musical
Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin
Book by David Ives and Paul Blake
The musical you’ve been dreaming of
Your beloved holiday favourite is back! Make your days merry and bright by warming to this unforgettable musical about love and friendship. Based on the classic holiday film, this tap-dancing delight brims with tunes—including “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” and the ever-popular “White Christmas”—that will fill you with the joy of the season.
Fun fact: According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version of ‘White Christmas’ sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide. (Wikipedia)
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
By Alan Janes
The world’s most successful rock ‘n’ roll musical
“Oh, Boy! Buddy is a blistering winner…. Forget about feel-good. Buddy is feel-great, leaving its audience roaring for more”–Peter Birnie, The Vancouver Sun
Fun fact: This past June, a new album of Buddy Holly covers has been released. Called Rave On Buddy Holly, it features covers by artists such as Cee Lo Green, Paul McCartney, Patti Smith, and Florence and the Machine.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit:
Stanley Theatre
(Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage)
on South Granville
2750 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC, V6H 3J3
www.artsclub.com
Source:
New season – Stanley stage
Posted by Arts Club Theatre Company
