What’s happening in Vancouver theatre in June

What’s happening in Vancouver theatre this June? We’re glad you asked!

Along with ongoing shows like Matilda the Musical and Cake, there’s the return of the hit Straight Jacket Winter as part of a theatre festival, a stage memoir of a punk rock/BDSM life lived, and a family drama set in South Africa. See below for more info.

rEvolver Festival 2019 (until June 2, Cultch, 1895 Venables St.)—The annual festival presents interdisciplinary productions by a mix of national and local Canadian artists including innovative and experimental solo and ensemble works. (Tickets: $22 regular/$15 low income/three-show pass: $51/Six-show pass: $96 at 604.251.1363 and thecultch.com)

The Cake (until June 8, Pacific Theatre)—”What a joy it is to have seen a show that I can wholeheartedly recommend!” writes Vancouver theatre critic Colin Thomas in his review of The Cake. In American playwright Beka Brunstetter’s torn-from-the-headlines play, Della is a baker whose beliefs are thrown into question when she’s asked to bake a cake for her best friend’s daughter. Della is overjoyed until she learns there will be not one bride but two. (Tickets at pacifictheatre.org)

Stephanie Elgersma, Erla Faye Forsyth, and Cecilly Day in Pacific Theatre’s The Cake. Photo by Javier Sotres.
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bare (until June 8 at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 949 49 Ave. W.)—Run by and for youth, Vancouver’s Eternal Theatre Collective’s previous productions include Seven Minutes In Heaven and 13. Its latest show is a production of bare, an Off-Broadway hit described in the press release as “a pop opera that focuses on coming out and growing up, told from the perspective of Catholic school students as they navigate the complexities of their own sexuality, identity, and future. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the story follows young lovers Jason and Peter as they struggle to be true to themselves, and to each other, in an environment where acceptance is not guaranteed.” (Tickets: $17-25 at eternaltheatre.com)

Matilda the Musical (until July 14, Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage)—Based on the Roald Dahl story, this is musical for the whole family. Local reviewer Janet Smith calls the show “hugely enjoyable.” (Tickets from $39 at artsclub.com)

New

Magnetic North Theatre Festival (June 1-9, Cultch)—Canada’s only national theatre festival, Magnetic North showcases contemporary Canadian theatre with shows, workshops, and symposia. Shows include Straight Jacket Winter, Oh What a Beautiful Morning, Chicken Girl, and Hive 2019 (one day only, at Presentation House Theatre). Other events include The Body Project, Culture Capital, Eloise and more. Visit magneticnorththeatrefestival.ca for more details and ticket info.

Stray (June 14-15 at Progress Lab 1422, 1422 William St.)—According to the media release, “Stray tracks Tanya Marquardt’s life from small-town Port Alberni BC to 16-year-old runaway and BDSM model to New York transplant, and her salvation in art and writing. Channelling Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe and David Wojnarowitz, each song careens you through Tanya’s chaotic years from 1992 to today: from life with her father, a travelling vacuum cleaner salesman, to suicidal tendencies, to falling for a girl, to falling for the writing life.” (Tickets: $22 at pitheatre.com)

Tanya Marquardt in Stray.

Hello and Goodbye (June 27th- July 6 at Studio 1398, 1398 Cartwright St. Granville Island)—A Room Somewhere presents South African playwright Athol Fugard’s play about an unsettling reunion between a brother and sister who have been separated for 12 years. The terrible family truths emerge in this drama about the plight of South Africa. The members of A Room Somewhere are both of South African descent. (Tickets: $15 General: $25 Student/Senior: $22 at brownpapertickets.com)

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