On Staging

• S3E27 - Sweeney Todd - Front Row Centre Players

  Discussion Opening May 15th and running through May 31st at the Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary, Front Row Centre Players presents Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, directed by Lindsay Kurtze. Kyle sits down with Lindsay on the day of opening to discuss the difficulties of putting up this gargantuan show, in size, scope, set and length and the difficulties inherent in presenting a modern American opera by a Community Theatre Company. Lindsay talks at length about the love of the show, the artform and what FRC has done to proudly bring this show before an audience. Tickets: https://www.artscommons.ca/whats-on/sweeney-todd-frc?hs_preview=OpSTSmgp-171519437223 About the Show: Innocence twists into vengeance on the cobblestone streets of 19th century London. Come along on a sophisticated, macabre, and uncompromising tale as Benjamin Barker, a barber, becomes Sweeney Todd, the demon butcher, and his landlady, the local pie proprietress, goes from making The Worst Pies in London to creating a culinary crime described only as God that's Good. This barbarous ode to vengeance accomplishes the rare task of offering intense drama, darkly side-splitting humour and a ripping musical score.

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• S3E26 - The McAdo - Morpheus Theatre

  Discussion Opening April 25th and closing May 10th at the Pumphouse in Calgary, Morpheus Theatre presents an adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's The McAdo, directed by Sean Anderson. Kyle sits down with Sean to talk about what this production means to him given that this is Morpheus' 30th season and his favorite of all of the G&S operettas. Tickets: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?page_id=7805 About the Show: It’s the show you love, in a brand new setting! The Mikado has been moved to the highlands of Scotland and becomes The McAdo. The McAdo, or “The Town of Ballydew”, a refreshing take on Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado, featuring all the music and dialogue you know and love, but with a wee Scottish twist… This new production relocates the beloved comic opera from Japan to a fictional clan in the Scottish Highlands, where warriors and clansfolk combat love, death and obscure laws. With joyous songs, Scottish dances and Highland-inspired dress, this is The Mikado as you’ve never seen it before. In this adaptation by Gilbert & Sullivan Austin, Gilbert’s libretto and Sullivan’s score has been kept virtually intact, while the costumes will reflect the Scottish moors. It’s a farcical tale of a wand’ring minstrel, a cowardly executioner, an iron-fisted ruler, and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre!

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• S3E25 - Guys & Dolls - Misfit Theatre

  Discussion Opening April 11th and running through April 18th at the Pumphouse in Calgary, Misfit Theatre presents Guys & Dolls directed by Jeremy Walker. Kyle sits down with Jeremy, Nimue Nova the choreographer and Donna Pearson, producer, to talk about the struggle in bringing this larger than life 1950s Broadway Musical to life. Tickets: https://www.morpheustheatre.ca/?page_id=7805 About the Show: A co-production between MisFit Theatre YYC and Morpheus Theatre It's time to roll and beat those dice as the beloved musical takes a bow! A screwball romantic comedy, Guys and Dolls takes us into the heart of 1950s New York, as imagined by Damon Runyon and scored by Frank Loesser and includes toe-tapping musical theatre classics including "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat" and "Luck Be a Lady". The story brings together a collection of colorful characters. First, there's Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight 'mission doll' out to reform the evil-doers of Times Square. Next up is Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love. Adelaide is a chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she's been engaged to the same man for fourteen long years. And last but not least there's her devoted fiance Nathan Detroit, desperate as ever to find a spot for his world-renowned floating crap game! Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.

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• S3E24 - The Horse and His Boy - Imagine Theatre

  Discussion Kyle sits down with Charlotte Loeppky and Harold Squire to discuss their creation of The Horse and His Boy for the stage for Imagine YYC Theatre opening April 4th and running through April 12th at the Lantern Church in Calgary. Tickets: https://www.ticketor.com/Account/Events?searchTerm=imagine%20theatre About the show: Far away from Narnia, across a vast desert, lies Calormen where the animals don’t talk, the rulers are tyrants, and poor boys like Shasta are slaves to mean old fishermen. But when a stranger’s mighty warhorse takes a chance and reveals to Shasta that he can talk, Shasta learns that not all is as it seems in Calormen. The Horse and His Boy is a grand tale of mistaken identity, escape, adventure, and self-discovery. Join Imagine Theatre at the historic Lantern Church in Inglewood as we follow Shasta and Bree on their journey to freedom!

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• S3E23 - Porcelain Dolls - Full Circle Theatre

  Discussion Opening March 27th and running through April 5th at the New West Theatre in Calgary, Full Circle Theatre presents Porcelain Dolls. Kyle sits down with director Danielle Baker and performer, co-writer and intimacy coordinator Gillian Klassen to discuss what it takes to present this original work for the second time after an 8 year gap and some integral re-writes to the production. Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/porcelain-dolls About the Show: Get ready for Porcelain Dolls, an all-new, reimagined version of the bold, original play that’s back with fresh dialogue, a new era, and the perfect cast to bring it all to life. Originally created in 2017, Porcelain Dolls has been completely rewritten to capture the dynamic energy and unique talent that Full Circle Theatre saw during last season’s auditions. Now reimagined and set in 2012, this production captures the unique energy of the era—before social media became ever-present, when a night out was just about being in the moment. This edgy and emotionally charged production immerses you in the women’s washroom at Sage nightclub, where friendship, love, grief, and life’s messy moments take center stage. As the characters deal with the chaos of a bachelorette party, secrets are revealed, emotions are laid bare, and everything changes. Prepare for a theatrical experience that’s funny, raw, and real. With stunning performances and a story that balances humor and heart, Porcelain Dolls explores the complexity of female friendships, examining how these relationships shape who we are and who we become.

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