Theatre: 6 must-see plays to see in Vancouver in May
May marks the end of the season for many of the Lower Mainland's professional theatre companies. This month's best bets feature a couple of new Canadian plays, a pair of classic musicals, a recent smash musical, and work from one of the best playwrights in the English language. They also show the strength of several Vancouver companies outside the professional mainstream.
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Where: Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E. Cordova St.
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Zahida Rahemtulla has written a timely new comic drama set on the chaotic frontlines of the 2016 Syrian refugee crisis. Can three Vancouver hotel employees find homes for displaced Syrian families in a city with almost no rental vacancies? Derek Chan directs this joint production of the Firehall, Blackout Art Society and Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre. The Frontliners also plays at Coquitlam's Evergreen Cultural Centre, May 13-17.
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When: May 8-24
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Where: Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston St.
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Local indie company CTORA Theatre presents the best Broadway musical of all time (Leonard Bernstein! Stephen Sondheim!) in what looks like a mammoth production. Sayer Roberts and Cassandra Consiglio as Tony and Maria lead a high-powered cast of 27. Chris Adams directs, Kevin Woo conducts the 14-piece orchestra and Susan Ouellette recreates Jerome Robbins' original choreography on Brian Ball's expansive set.
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When: May 8-25
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Where: PAL Studio Theatre, 581 Cardero St.
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Along with Tom Stoppard, Caryl Churchill is Britain's greatest living playwright and perhaps its most challenging. Director Kathryn Bracht describes Churchill's 45-minute exploration of the art of dying as 'a surrealist meditation wrapped up in her crafty, clever dialogue.' London's Time Out called it 'a gaze into the face of death that will polarize the hell out of audiences.' A Western Gold production starring six of Vancouver's best veteran actors.
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When: May 9-June 8
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Where: Metro Theatre, 1370 Marine Dr. SW
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