2010 was an entertaining year for Calgary. With dozens of local theatre companies, and multiple productions touring, it can be hard to decide
what to see. I certainly can't claim to have seen everything, but nevertheless here are some of my
favorites from 2010 (in no particular order).
Blind
Date
(High Performance Rodeo)
My favorite show of the year has to be Rebecca Northan's charming improvised show, in which she selects a man from the
audience and takes them onstage for a date.
So much in fact that after seeing it I immediately bought tickets for another
showtime. Since then it has had a successful run in Toronto, returned to Calgary
for an engagement in September, and ended the year with a critically acclaimed
run off-Broadway in New York. It has been wonderful to see one of our very own Calgarians create
something so special, and watch it succeed. If you missed it,
you really missed out.
The Last Stand To Reason (High Performance Rodeo)
It is difficult to describe exactly what this Rodeo show was. New Mexico comedy
duo The Pajama Men - Sehnoah Allen and Mark Chavez - effortlessly morphed
through different characters on what was effectively a train ride to hell. It was hysterically
funny, jaw droppingly shocking at times, and remarkable in how seamlessly each
became a different person by just changing voice, posture and mannerisms. The
pair had the audience in the palm of their hands.
10 Minute Play Festival (High Performance Rodeo)
This was one of the highlights of the theatre season. Participating Calgary theatre companies were given a prop, a line of dialogue, and 24 hours to create a show
lasting 10 minutes. Host Doug McKeag, whose energy and comic timing just
added to the evening, showed an amazing level of creativity. My personal
favorite was Rebecca Northan's piece; at one point, a character asks
why someone would lick their ass, and gets the response, "Why wouldn't you? It's
awesome." The short play will become the full length Kung Fu Panties
presented by Ground Zero Theatre this spring.
Billy
Twinkle: Requiem For A Golden Boy (ATP)
Ronnie Burkett's latest Theatre of Marionettes production was one of his most
personal. Having attended a script
reading in 2007, seen it's premiere in Edmonton in 2008, and again in 2010 at ATP, it had a personal connection for me as well. It is rare that a person gets to see a show's
growth in this manner so I have a soft spot for it. One is always in awe at how
he brings these characters on strings to life.
The Producers (Stage West)
I absolutely HATED The Producers when I saw the Broadway touring
production a few years ago, so I have to admit that I was dreading seeing it at Stage West. Much to
my surprise, the production ended up being one of my favorites of the year. I
am unsure what turned me off my first viewing, but the energy, dance numbers, and
characters at Stage West made this a tremendously fun evening.
Austentatious (Forte Musical Theatre Guild)
In a tiny theatre in the Epcor Centre, a bunch of Calgary's top musical theatre
performers put on a show about a show. Written by Calgary's Joe Slabe, the look
at a rag-tag group of actors trying to put together Pride and Prejudice
had the audience rolling with laughter. Whether the audience were actors themselves, or simply theatre
lovers, the show certainly struck a chord.
The Penelopiad (ATP)
Alberta Theatre Projects certainly kicked off the 2010/2011 season with a bang.
Written by Margaret Atwood, this story of The Odyssey was set from
the perspective of Odysseus' wife, Penelope. It was part ghost story, part historical tale, and all
excellent. The exclusively female cast featured many heavy hitters and set
the bar high for shows in Calgary this season.
Tuesday's With Morrie (Stage West)
It was a wonderful surprise to see
M*A*S*H* star Jamie Farr pull off a role as
difficult as the title character. Stage West took a serious turn away from
their signature musical/farce to offer this dramady about a successful sportscaster
rediscovering himself as he visits his dying college professor. By the end, there was not a dry eye
in the house. It was both sad and uplifting - just great theatre.
Seussical: The Musical (ATP)
The annual family holiday production at Alberta Theatre Projects has always
been one I look forward to.
Seussical: The Musical, featuring Dave Kelly
as The Cat in the Hat, was fantastic. Theatre is an escape, and escaping to the
world of Dr. Seuss with it's rhyme, vibrant colours, and over-the-top
characters made for a great evening of family fun.
Night At The Museum of Rock N Roll (Jubilations)
Night At The Museum of Rock N Roll was, in my opinion, the best show since
Pirates
of the North Saskatchewan II in 2009, and in my top five all-time favorites by the company. High energy, ridiculously fun, well written, and
featuring outstanding talent. Unlike the aforementioned shows that have
come and gone, you can still catch this one, as it runs until February 6
th.
Theatre has the ability to engage us in a way that movies and television cannot.
Each time I go to a play, I am so excited to see what unfolds. We have a vibrant
theatre community in Calgary and your support keeps it going, and lets people
chase their dreams. Whether community theatre, a Broadway show, dinner theatre,
or a major company, make a point of going out this year.
