I went into this production thinking "another pop rock musical, let's see what happens" but I was super pleased with the production. Awkward Stage productions have done this musical a great service by putting this all female cast together. They were strong and powerful. There were some teething problems and the live band was a bit loud, I couldn't hear the voices of the performers, but after the first 15 minutes it was superb. Funny and thoughtful, it gives you a sense of the what it feels like to go through a  journey of commitment and difficulty with relationships. The performance of this young company was beyond my expectations.

~ reviewed by Karen Flynn

Created - and recreated for every performance - by Jennifer Pielak and Peter Abando. Inside Voices was conceived by the two main performers as well as the Production Manager Alison Chisholm.

This is Improv on steroids as the performers create each performance anew based upon the "inside voices" that drive their responses, their actions, and spoken and sung dialogue. The premise of the piece is: "what happens if these inside voices were all let out to play as they wished."

Abando is a marvellous pianist who provides the moment-to-moment sound track throughout the show. Pielak is the one who provides most of the movement and spoken and sung words. (I am curious to know more about how the two communicate and influence each other as they focus on their internal dialogues.) Pielak becomes very child-like and playful through the hour long performance. Abando and the piano are props for her as much as they are cast members. The performers are both well trained, excellent actors and musicians and clearly know their craft.
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I found myself anticipating 'something' even while knowing that each performance would be unique and completely improvised. It must be habit, but once I settled into the flow and let go of expectation the play became joyful and almost meditative.  I recommend it for anyone interested in improv. For those who need structure, story arc, and narrative this will not likely work for you.

Inside Voices is playing at the Firehall Arts Centre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival.

~ reviewed by Evelyn McKelvie

~ reviewed by Brieanna Fiander

~ reviewed by Brieanna Fiander

~ reviewed by Mattias Martens

From the minute he takes the stage, Thomas Jones embodies Woody Guthrie right down to the swagger. This bioptic of Guthrie’s life follows this folk music icon all the way from childhood to the end of his life, and Jones’ has you singing along the entire way.
 
Jones’ exceptional singing voice is a pleasure to listen to, and expertly captures Guthrie’s style. But Jones’ talent becomes even more apparent as he flexes his vocal cords to speak for, and sing for, the other remarkable characters that appear throughout this one man show.
 
I have to admit that I was skeptical about whether or not I would enjoy the format of a one man show. But Jones’ really proved that one actor can use the entire stage in a way that keeps the audience interested, invested, and hooked into the story.
 
Be ready to get up close and personal with Jones’ and to make friends with others in the audience (or at least shake their hands). This show is well suited for music lovers of all ages. 

Woody Sed by Two Dollar Shows is playing at the Cultch Historic Theatre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe festival.

~ reviewed by Elizabeth Goode

Poly Queer Love Ballad created by Anaïs West and Sara Vickruck performed at Revue Stage is a beautiful, sweet show about two women trying to navigate a polyamorous relationship. As a musical, the music and songs intermixed throughout enhance the performance to create a special story that really hit home for me.

West and Vickruck have great chemistry together and you’ll feel for both of their characters as their relationship progresses. Through songs, poetry, monologues and costume changes they artfully build a queer romance that has its ups and downs. They handle the topic in a beautiful, sincere manner and highlight the importance of communicating your personal needs as well as listening to your partner’s needs and wants when building a relationship. I think anyone can appreciate the story West and Vickruck are telling, and I feel like queer women will find it especially resonating.

Poly Queer Love Ballad is playing at the Revue Stage on Granville Island 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival.

~ reviewed by Jenna Masuhara

Big Queer Filipino Karaoke Night! produced by Tender Container with Associate Producers Newworld Theatre and New(to)Town Collective is a queer, 19+ show that encourages singing, laughter and drinking!

Located at the XY, this cozy space invites audience members to feel like they are at an open stage Karaoke/stand up night where they become part of the show. Davey Calderon, the writer and performer of this one-person show artfully uses the entire bar space throughout his performance, mingling with audience members as he tells his story about his trip to the Philippines intermixed with Karaoke songs sung by both himself and volunteers from the audience. And while his interaction with the audience made it feel very personal, it did lead to some stage blocking problems, as he does have his back to the audience at certain portions of the show. Also, the lighting cues were a bit behind at times, but that should be improved as the show continues its run. Other than that it was a fun, energetic show.

All in all, Calderon strikes the right balance between funny, sweet, and authentic when telling his stories that make for an enjoyable performance and a safe space to display your vocal talents!

Big Queer Filipino Karaoke Night! produced by Tender Container with Associate Producers Newworld Theatre and New(to)Town Collective is playing at XY 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival.

Canadian politics has never been so exciting as when the cast of Trudeaumania re-enacts Pierre Trudeau’s time as Prime Minister of Canada. Trudeaumania is like Canada’s version of Hamilton for the States; the story of a man who greatly impacted Canada’s government and looked suave while doing it. 

Trudeaumania has everything a musical should have: great choreography complete with cheesy jazz-hands and a tap dance-off, three songs within the first ten minutes of the show, and great ear-catching music. The music explores several different styles including: tango, traditional, rap, rock’n’roll and the blues.

The small but super energetic ensemble makes the show! Each member plays several different roles featuring their excellent vocal and facial expressions. Playing at the Firehall Arts Centre in Gastown this show is a must-see, and you might even want to go back for more!

Trudeaumania by Walking Shadows is playing at the Firehall Arts Centre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival.

~ reviewed by Selene Dublanko

Direct Theatre Collective manages to interweave disturbing subject matter with playful moments without diminishing the significance of the message with Hysteria.  They take you into a future of what if's which prompt you to contemplate their individual accounts of #metoo perhaps along with your own or of loved ones. 

Although some of the content may be shocking, it isn't presented in an overly crude or vulgar way other than some coarse language which is noted in the program description.  Everyone left the theatre smiling which is an accomplishment considering the raw experiences that are shared.  Even if they don't overcome some of the missed cues they had on opening night the production will still provide audience members with some smiles if not laughs as well as some serious issues to consider. ​

Hysteria by Direct Theatre Collective is playing at the Cultch Historic Theatre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival.

~ reviewed by Karen Roller