News From Around the Barrio

michael hughes, alana hibbert and michelle white

We’re going across the country for our News Around the Barrio this week.

We begin in Prince George, British Columbia where All Shook Up (by Joe DiPietro) plays at Theatre North West until December 10th (held over from the 6th due to popular demand). The cast features Toronto actors Alana Hibbert, Michael Hughes, Trish Lindström and Michelle White. Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, All Shook Up uses the music of Elvis Presley to tell the story of a guitar-playin’ roustabout whose sexy songs turn a dreary town upside down. Adults $28 plus tax, Students/Seniors $24 plus tax available at Theatre Northwest Box Office 250-614-0039.

In Calgary, Lunchbox Theatre presents the world premiere of Dream Vacation, a new musical by Jonathan Monro, which runs November 23 to December 23. Lunchbox Theatre’s world premiere of Jonathan Monro’s previous musical, With a Twist, garnered rave reviews and received Betty Mitchell Awards for Outstanding Sound Design or Composition, Outstanding Choreography or Fight Direction, Outstanding Musical Direction and the elusive Outstanding Production of a Musical in 2008, proving to be the company’s most acclaimed show of all time. In Dream Vacation, three people from the same advertising agency win dream vacations to sunny Mexico and are more than a little surprised as to how their holidays unfold when they are forced to share the same hotel room. Trying circumstances result in hilarity as the trio endure and come to grips with their expectations. Dream Vacation was developed through Petro-Canada Stage One Festival last season.
Dream Vacation features the A-list comedic and vocal talents of Kevin Dennis, Onalea Gilbertson and David Shelley. While director and choreographer Mark Bellamy, along with musical director Brent Rock, designers Amy Patterson, Becky Solly and Rebecca Toon, and stage manager Rikki Schlosser, transport the audience to the tackiest Mexician hotel room imaginable. Dream Vacation runs November 23 to December 23, Monday to Saturday at 12:10pm with ‘Happy Hour’ performances Friday at 6:10pm.
The world’s longest running lunchtime theatre, Lunchbox Theatre is a professional company that caters to downtown office workers over the noon-hour by producing six plays per year as well as the Petro-Canada Stage One Festival and the BD&P Emerging Director Program. Lunchbox Theatre recently relocated to a new theatre at the base of the Calgary Tower. For more information please call 403 265 4292 x 0 or visit http://www.lunchboxtheatre.com/home.html

In Edmonton, Fringe Theatre Adventures is excited to launch its 2009/2010 TransAlta Family Theatre Series (Westbury Theatre, TransAlta Barns, 10330-84 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta) with internationally acclaimed Green Fools Theatre’s presentation of Project: Whooping Crane. Project: Whooping Crane is an ecological puppet show about friendship, dedication, struggle and survival. Using life-size puppets, masks and music the Green Fools tell the story of the Whooping Crane – a symbol for endangered species everywhere – and their relationship to us all. Through scientific fact and an imagined dream world, the story follows the lives of two cranes: one taken from the wild and placed in a captive breeding program, the other born in captivity and released into the wild. In Canada, the Whooping Crane was once endangered to only 16 birds. Tireless experimental conservation efforts have brought the Whooping Crane back from the brink of extinction and have inspired the world. Project: Whooping Crane gently illuminates this dramatic global concern through a Canadian story that is accessible, emotional, uplifting and joyously entertaining. Project: Whooping Crane performance dates & times: Fri. Nov. 27 @ 7 pm. Sat. Nov. 28 @ 2 pm. Sun. Nov. 29 @ 2 pm. Fri. Dec. 4 @ 7 pm. Sat. Dec. 5 @ 2 pmSun. Dec. 6 @ 2 pm. Single ticket prices are $23.50 (Adults); $19.50 (Students/Seniors) and $12.50 (Children 12 & under). TransAlta Family Theatre Series Subscriptions are also available. For more information, contact the Fringe Theatre Adventures Box Office at 780-409-1910 or visit http://www.fringetheatre.ca/. SPECIAL OFFER: Present your Willy Wonka or Hansel & Gretel ticket and receive $5 OFF any Project: Whooping Crane performance. Offer valid on single ticket prices – in person sales only.

fiona reid, kenneth welsh, susanna patchouli

Also in Edmonton, as the month of November draws to a close, it is time for OH SUSANNA! SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28th @ 11 PM. VARSCONA THEATRE 10329-83 AVE. CANADIAN ACTING ICONS FIONA REID AND KENNETH WELSH TO GRACE THE VARSCONA THEATRE STAGE! As Old Man Winter closes his icy fist around Edmonton, what better way to chase your cares away than with a visit to the hilarious Euro-style variety spectacle, hosted by international glamour-gal SUSANNA PATCHOULI and her co-host EROS, GOD OF LOVE? Come for the laughs and music! Stay for the cocktails! Featuring the myriad talents of the Compania del Mambo, the scintillating sounds of the Oh Susanna! Jug Band, and a dazzling array of special guests, including members of local band The Wheat Pool, Calgary puppeteers The Green Fools, and the stars of the Citadel Theatre’s Rock ‘N’ Roll, Canadian icons Fiona Reid and Kenneth Welsh! Tickets are $10 (just $7 for Die-Nasty members/Teatro La Quindicina subscribers), and are only available at the box office, starting at 10PM. This is a night you’re not going to want to miss.

christian capozzoli

If you’re in Toronto, I am here to remind you that Monday means ProjecProject: the Improv stylings of such pros as Julie Dumais, Sean Tabares, Alex Tindal, Bob Banks, Sarah Hillier and sometimes: Mark Andrada. Today, Monday November 23rd, 2009, is ProjectProject’s big day: they have Christian Capozzoli from New York’s 4Track playing with them! Here is what has been said about Christian Capozzoli by those who know good Improv when they see it:

“Christian is the real deal. His teaching style gets to the heart of the matter and finds results, great results. He went to Harvard, this is Ivy league improv instruction. Learn the aerodynamics of yes from one of the best emerging minds in New York improvisation.”
– Alistair Cook, Artistic Director of the Vancouver International Improv Festival & !nstant Theatre
“I just did a week with Christian at VIIF 2009.When he references Tony Danza as it relates to offers and acceptance you’ll know it was worth it. Twofold.”
– Michal Grajewski, Ghost Jail Theatre & star of the Comedy Network’s House Party
“Christian’s work is inspiring. His emphasis on the group mind, rather than the individual’s, creates a positive workshop environment, resulting in an overall productive experience for those involved. His emphasis on building shared energy breeds positive, high energy, physical improvisation. I have seldom felt so lucky to have worked with an instructor, as I have with Mr. Capozzoli.”
– Amy Shostak, newly appointed Artistic Director of Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre
“Christian is unbelievable. He’s maybe the best improv teacher I’ve ever had. Plus what he teaches is helpful for writing sketch, if you happen to want to write sketch.”
– Mark Little, Picnicface / winner of the 2009 Great Canadian Laugh-Off
“Christian Capozzoli is a powerhouse of dynamic stylings. His performance and formats burst off the stage and grab you right where you giggle. His workshops will dare to you build scene tension, story and character to limits beyond limits you once thought only cartoons are capable of. This man is a master of theory and practise both, and a fantastic teacher.”
– Kirsten Rasmussen, Rapid Fire Theatre / woman of the world
“A close friend and respected improv colleague told me after we had just taken one of Christian’s workshops “I’ve never seen you be such a physical improviser!”. Never, she said. Christian took me back to the basics from the point of view of a veteran and made me remember and sharpen the most fundamental and important improv skills I thought I had forgotten.”
– Tim Daugulis, Ghost Jail Theatre / The Local Singles
“Capozzoli’s instruction is ideal for improvisers who need to examine (or reexamine) the importance listening to each other, point of view and heightening. Though these elements seem basic, in Capozzoli’s fast-paced workshop, you’ll ask yourself if you’ve actually been using these effectively. He’s incredibly intelligent and creative. Capozzoli uses memorable metaphors when discussing the improv art form so that complex improv theories are very accessible. Even in the shortest of workshops, you learn lots because he keeps you working, thinking, laughing.”
– Jess Grant, Big in Japan / WDWMKR
Here’s what you need to know: unit 102 (46 noble st.). doors @ 8:30pm. show @ 9pm. byob $5 18+

ron pederson

Hey, Halifax! Have you seen Extinction Song yet? It’s a great big howl of a hit, folks. Join Ron Pederson’s pajama party.

christian barry and anthony black

Lastly, if you’re in Halifax and looking for a swell time on Friday November 27th at 9pm, 2b Theatre Company is hosting a night out at Pacifico (Barrington Street at Salter) and is excited to be offering this as a great opportunity to those in the Halifax student and theatre communities! The idea behind this night is to bring together established theatre artists in Halifax with students and other young people interested in breaking their way into the Halifax Theatre scene in a relaxing and fun environment so that they can get to know one another on an informal basis. It will be a great chance for students to network with theatre professionals and for established artists to be introduced to young and enthusiastic new talents! The fundraiser is also a great deal! For $10 you will get cover (normally $6) and two drinks (usually about $5 each). If you are interested in getting a ticket please e-mail Emily Turner at emily.turner@dal.ca or Simon Bloom at swbloom@gmail.com.