Browsing “The Stage”

Left to Right: Jamie Konchak, David Rhymer, and Denise Clarke.
Photo courtesy of One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

“What sort of shows do you take me too?” my date asked me jokingly (and somewhat awkwardly) as we watched three ladies on stage strike seductive poses across black leather couches.

But it wasn’t, um, that sort of date.  Rather, I had taken him to a local musical, Songs from Nightingale Alley, performed this past April by One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre (OYR).  I figured the show was a good pick for a quality night out – OYR had a good reputation, I’m a sucker for musicals, and, well, they promised the audience chocolate.

And did I ever pick right.  I absolutely loved Songs from Nightingale Alley – and not just because we got the chocolate.  The premise of the show was unusual – it was a performance of songs written by David Rhymer, using lyrics he had been collecting for years, “gathered from obscure books in libraries or discovered in dusty bookstores.  They are over 200 years old,” Rhymer explains in the program.

Most importantly, “they are, for the most part, songs written by and about prostitutes,” says Rhymer.

Hence the saucy singers sprawling across leather couches.

A month later, I was still thinking about the show – it had really stuck with me.  I think it had to do with how the performers truly brought the characters to life.  They gave me a sense of what it was like to be a prostitute two centuries ago – something I have, frankly, never thought about.  Unexpectedly, many of the songstress’ stories, their emotions, and their adventures closely resembled the mainstream contemporary love drama with which we are all familiar.

When I heard that OYR was planning to build on Songs from Nightingale Alley, I contacted Denise Clarke, the show’s Director of and one of its three singers.

C.I.A.: I absolutely loved Songs from Nightingale Alley.  Tell me about how you’re planning to build on it.

Clarke: Well, the show is not broken, as you know.  The audience really seems to like the format – including my introduction at the top, and the salon feel we created in the Big Secret Theatre.

What we’re going to do is fatten up some of the work you’ve heard.  Read more

I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend doing what you love. Did you get a chance to take in any awesome art? Well, there’s plenty more where that came from. Here’s your Arts Round Up this week, Calgary.

GO SEE THIS PLAY: Perhaps one of the most intriguing shows of the season, Ganesh Versus The Third Reich runs this week only at Theatre Junction GRAND. Performed by a mixed-abilities cast, the show is a play-with-in-a-play featuring two distinct stories – one about Ganesh returning to reclaim the Swastika from Nazi Germany and one about a young man inspired to create this play about Ganesh while over coming personal obstacles to do so.
Photos by Jeff Busby courtesy of Theatre Junction GRAND

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The first thing I noticed upon arriving at my table for Stage West’s current production of Chicago wasn’t the aroma of the mouthwatering buffet or the interesting people around me.

No. It was the stage.

An arch of metal, bars and dramatic lights. It was so captivating even my husband took notice.

“Isn’t that cool,” he commented. “I wonder how they built it.”

After attending countless plays as my “plus one” this was the first time he ever commented on the set design. And he was fascinated. All through dinner he kept looking at it, making remarks about the design, the colour and the like.

Even at intermission, after the show stopping numbers of All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and We Both Reached for the Gun he was still in awe.

DYNAMIC FRAME: The intriguing set design adds and frames the action in Stage West’s production of Chicago, especially in the Cell Block Tango where the performers dance with moving prison bars – a mesmerizing feat.
Photo courtesy of Stage West Calgary

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What a wonderful weekend. I spent it doing my favourite things – seeing awesome theatre, gardening and taking photos. And with a forecast of spring temperatures the whole week, you really should get out there too. So here’s your Arts Round Up to help you decide what to do.

ART ON STAGE: Alberta Theatre Projects always produce amazing plays, like RED running until May 18. Here Allan Morgan (as Mark Rothko) and Braden Griffiths (as Ken) get their hands, heads and just about everything else dirty for one of the most dynamic scenes in the theatre I have ever witnessed. It’s truly fantastic on stage!
Video courtesy of ATPinteractive via YouTube

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When I think of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra a pretty clear vision automatically pops to mind – shining brass, rhythmic movement of bows, the classics reverberating upwards from the stage and Ode to Joy always seems to be playing.

It’s a pretty standard image and partially right but not that simple as I learned earlier this week.

CPO’s Music Director Roberto Minczuk             Photo courtesy of Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

I got a chance to sit down with CPO’s Director of Artistic Planning Heather Slater and she’s super excited about what’s coming up. Yes there’s a performance of Ode to Joy – an annual staple of the orchestra – but there’s so much more.

In fact, there’s so much awesome happening Heather didn’t know where to begin.

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As I was putting together this week’s story I was astonished at how much mind boggling awesome there is in this city. From powerhouse plays, to sweet exhibits, to active discussions on the future of art in our communities. Here’s your Arts Round Up, Calgary!

UNDER THE GUN: Paul Welch plays transvestite Charlotte von Mahlsdorf and 35 other characters in Third Street Theatre’s beautiful presentation of I Am My Own Wife, running now until May 4 at the EPCOR CENTRE’s Motel.
Photos by Amy Jo Espetveidt, Quadrophonic Image

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It seems to me that being insanely busy is a growing trend in Calgary’s arts community and that’s a good thing! And here’s some more awesome to add to this week’s calendar. Here’s your Arts Round Up this week, Calgary.

A FANTASTIC WRAP TO A FANTASTIC YEAR: Last week I got to see the final presentations of the year from University of Calgary’s Department of Dance in their awesome Dance@Night performance. Senior students in the Choreography and Performance Concentration, including Emily Mills and her piece Galleries (above), got a chance to show of their works. Some even got a chance to work with renowned choreographers Peggy Baker and Davida Monk (below in The Ionian Enchantment). Well done dancers. Well done indeed.
Photos by Amy Jo Espetveidt, Quadrophonic Image

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What’s new? Bunches and bunches. What’s exciting? Where to begin? Here’s your Arts Round Up for this week Calgary.

WILD WILDE: Local community theatre group, Gas & Light Productions, presents Lady Windermere’s Fan running this weekend at the Joyce Doolittle Theatre. The group has been busy rehearsing and perfecting the classic piece written by Oscar Wilde and it looks like a great chance to see engaging community theatre in the heart of Calgary.
Photos by Heather MacDonald, courtesy of Gas & Light Productions

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Did you have a great Easter weekend? Did you enjoy the spring like weather? How many of you took in some of the awesome happenings around the city? Well, that was just a start. The whole city is buzzing with art full activities. Here’s your Arts Round Up this week, Calgary.

SEE IT BEFORE YOU MISS IT: Sara Girletz’s We’ll never run dry of love or anything closes this week, giving you only a few more chances to see this quirky, nostalgic and awesome installation at the Art Central Studio Loop (100 7th Ave SW).
Photo courtesy of Calgary Allied Arts Foundation

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