" Soul Food"
Canadian Music & Arts Events
Update
February 2, 2003 edition - all theatre edition
To subscribe for regular email editions of the newsletter, contact Ron at: ron@ronreed.org
THIS TIME IN SOUL FOOD...:
1) Lucia Frangione's ESPRESSO at Pacific Theatre - held over
to Sat Feb 22
2) Vancouver Chamber Choir CANDLELIGHT & WINE: SWING LOW
- Sat Feb 1
3) KELLY JOE PHELPS @ Cap College - Sat Feb 1
4) IMAGO DEI worship service @ Fairview Baptist - Sun Feb
2 @ 7PM
5) LEFTOVERS & SIDE DISHES
C.A.S.T. Scene/Bible study, CAROLYN ARENDS on Roe v Wade,
Rahab, Lookout Gallery, Mars Hill, Regent summer school, Flicks,
Books & Culture, BCCN, Mamet quote
_______________________________________________________________________________
* SOUL FOOD *
1)
Pacific Theatre
ESPRESSO
by Lucia Frangione
Held over to Sat Feb 22
Box office (1-6PM weekdays): 604 731-5518
or order on the web at www.pacifictheatre.org
Content warning (see website for details)
"Reading through my notebook the morning after a performance has never
made me cry before. But Lucia Frangione’s new play, Espresso, is so full
of love, pain, and redemptive beauty that as I take in my hastily scrawled,
fragmentary records of its lyricism I can’t help but release my grief;
Frangione’s words help my heart shed some of its terrors once again.
And you know what? The show is really funny, too....
Espresso is one of the best scripts ever produced by a Vancouver playwright.
The two performers who play all of the roles in this production are absolute
knockouts. Their wit is enormous and the passion is deep....
This is the best show I’ve ever seen at Pacific Theatre. Espresso deserves
many, many more productions. Artistic directors from across the continent
should be flocking to Vancouver to experience it."
Colin Thomas, The Georgia Straight
http://www.straight.com/?defaultarticle=&defaultnode=10207&layout=227&pagefunction=Load%20Layout
"This is a great play, not just a good one, and I
suspect it will be studied and performed a lot in the future. It's quite an
amazing achievement, and you need to go see it. But don't wait: it will be
sold out soon."
Loren Wilkinson, Regent College
(Entire review available on request: just email me and I'll send you a copy.)
"ITALIAN-FLAVOURED CUPPA JOE BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL. Espresso is a remarkably
courageous play, a window into the restless soul of Frangione. Laid out for
all to see are the playwright's battles with her God. It takes your breath
away with its intensity. Funny and erotic, this Espresso will do much more
than just keep you awake. It's simply the most exciting work ever seen on
the Pacific Theatre stage."
Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Courier
http://www.vancourier.com/014203/entertainment/014203en2.html
"The written portrayal of Christ in the character Amante was truly astounding
for me - almost overwhelming. But also as a patient, supportive, but direct,
companion. It rang so true and so deep for me. In the second act where Nona
encounters Christ and rediscovers herself is one of the finest expressions
of evangelism.
"I could go on and on. But I am so happy to have seen THAT play on THAT
stage as it is the embodiment of what Pacific Theatre is - unqualified great
theatre drawing people towards a place of deeper meaning, but without crossing
the line into the stereotypical "christian realm". I am sure there
was great rejoicing in heaven. I'll be back!"
Rory Holland, audience member
"True to the Italian beverage after which it is named, Espresso is a
high-quality blend of bitter, dark comedy and subtle literary complexities
that pack a strong punch. Served straight up and full flavoured on this small
stage, Espresso already makes an excellent cup of theatre."
Alexandra Gill, Toronto Globe & Mail
http://www.globeandmail.com/thearts (and use the search engine to find ESPRESSO)
"CONGRATULATIONS!! What a beautiful, funny, powerful play you've created!
I'll be back to see it again. I encountered God through your work, and I'm
grateful. Thank you for the risks you've taken in doing this show. It is a
rich gift to all who see it."
Audience member (I didn't have time to get his permission to print this, so
I'll withhold the name for now)
2)
Vancouver Chamber Choir
CANDLELIGHT & WINE: SWING LOW
with Dee Daniels and the Miles Black Jazz Trio
Sat Feb 1 @ 8PM
Hotel Vancouver
Tickets are $48 per person, or tables of 10 for $428.
738-6822 for reservations and information.
www.vancouverchamberchoir.com
"Presented cabaret-style in the Hotel Vancouver’s beautiful Pacific
Ballroom in conjunction with the VCC’s annual fundraiser and includes
a reception of hors d’oeuvres and light desserts. Renowned jazz vocalist
Dee Daniels and the Miles Black Trio join the Choir in a selection of Spirituals
one of the most dynamic and beloved forms of the choral repertory. We’ll
be exploring the swing side of spirituals, so expect a lively evening!
Highlights include popular favourites: Plenty Good Room on the Glory Train,
Go tell it on the mountain, Wade in the water, Little David, Dry Bones, Deep
River, Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Amazin’ Grace, O happy day!
With special guest soloist Dee Daniels and the jazz trio of Miles Black (piano),
Ed Henderson (guitar) and Miles Hill (bass).
3)
The Rogue Folk Club presents
KELLY JOE PHELPS
Sat Feb 1
Capilano College
990-7810
www.capcollege.bc.ca/theatre
Also check out his glorious blues-gospel acoustic guitar centred CD ROLL AWAY
THE STONE.
4)
Vancouver Artists Network
IMAGO DEI: Dialogues With Heaven
Sun Feb 2 @ 7PM
Fairview Baptist Church, 1708 W16 Ave, Vancouver
(between Burrard & Granville)
VAN is launching a monthly worship service with the arts as one of the vital
means of communication and interaction with the gospel. They will begin experimenting
with liturgies and enlisting the help of VAN members who wish to present their
artistic 'offerings' as part of a liturgical service.
CAROLYN ARENDS on Roe v Wade
Carolyn is becoming a regular columnist at Moody Magazine.
Here's a better link to The Butterfly Effect, her article on Roe v Wade;
http://moodymagazine.com/articles.php?action=view_article&id=1077
A NEW HEAVEN & A NEW EARTH
Lookout Gallery / Regent College, 5800 University Blvd, UBC)
Through Feb 4
http://www.gospelcom.net/regent/regentnew/events/lookout_gallery.html
Features the finalists in IMAGO's national Visual Art Competition,
including Erica Grimm-Vance's first prize winner "Only Say The Word."
http://www.imago-arts.on.ca/competition.htm
C.A.S.T.
Christian Actors Studying Together: a group of actors who
will be meeting regularly to do some scene study and Bible
study together. Sunday afternoons, 4-7PM at Pacific Theatre.
Contact KellyAnne Little at (604) 904-4151
or at lady_kas@hotmail.com
RAHAB - Director/Producer Needed
The Open Door ministry to single mothers is looking for a
director or producer to help them stage a production based
on the O.T. character of Rahab. Interested? Contact Jo Yule
at alexanderyule@shaw.ca
MARS HILL AUDIO JOURNAL
Bi-monthly interviews with smart Christians on arts & culture.
Free sample at http://www.marshillaudio.org/demotape/demotape.shtml
Regent College summer school 2003:
FAITH & THE WORLDS OF THEATRE
The Oregon Shakespearean Festival
Ashland Oregon
Jul 27 to Aug 2
224-3245
"Ancient theatre grew out of religious faith, and modern theatre
still engages and celebrates the fundamental mysteries of life--
love, death, laughter, loss, hope. . . . This course uses the Oregon
Shakespearean Festival, in Ashland Oregon, to explore those
worlds which good theatre creates. We will see five plays in all:
Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet,
and Richard II; Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, and August Wilson's 1990
Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Piano Lesson. Lectures and
discussions, by Regent professor Loren Wilkinson and playwright,
actor and direcor Ron Reed (founding artistic director of Pacific
Theatre in Vancouver) will examine both the themes and ideas
in the worlds of the plays, and the way those worlds are created
by the diverse arts and artists of one of North America's oldest and
most succesful theatre companies. "
"The week-long course will not only give Christians more to be
Christian with; it will help reconnect the world of drama with the life
of faith. (Members of the course will live and hold classes at the
Oregon Extension Campus in the Cascade mountains, descending
to Ashland to view the plays)."
FLIX
(no update this issue)
Very fine Peter Chattaway piece on THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST in the most recent
BOOKS & CULTURE. Same issue has a piece on FRIDA, which you can read at
the website - http://www.christianitytoday.com/books/features/arts.html. Peter's
article isn't available online, but you can get a free sample copy at http://www.christianitytoday.com/magsubs/index.taf?_function=start&cc=b_article.
Consider subscribing. / Saw GANGS OF NEW YORK Tuesday night, was left feeling
very much as I did in the wake of APOCALYPSE NOW. "The horror, the horror."
A brutal, immense film that seems to me continuous with the great works that
Scorsese and Coppola were turning out in the seventies. The film's loaded
with God Stuff, but it's very hard to pin down what it all may be saying -
in this case, I think it's worth mentioning that that's often true of great
art. Not for everybody - extreme violence. / SOUL FOOD reader Santosh Ninan
references Ecclesiastes in an email about ABOUT SCHMIDT, and I think that's
on the money. Nice tension in this film between heart and unsentimentality
- more heart than ELECTION, but it wasn't without a hard-won compassion for
its characters, even as it skewered them. / LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS,
FAR FROM HEAVEN, THE PIANIST, SPIRITED AWAY continue on local screens. Check
http://www2.mybc.com/movies/all_movies.html
for details.
ART QUOTE
SoulFoodie Thia Bodman sends us this memorable David Mamet quote, from WRITING
IN RESTAURANTS:
"In our world it is becoming harder and harder to communicate with each
other simply and honestly, on a gut level. Yet we still go to the theatre
to have a communion with the truth of our existence, and, ideally, we leave
it knowing that that kind of communication is still possible. The theatre
can put forth simple human values in hopes that the audience may leave inspired
to try to live by such values. Seeing an individual doing his best against
impossible odds and without regard to his fears allows the audience to identify
that very capacity within themselves. That iron will is the will of the actor
bringing not some "magnificent performance" to the stage, but his
own simple human values and the actions { he chooses}. When truth and virtue
are so rare in almost every area of our society the world needs theatre and
the theatre needs actors who will bring the truth of the human soul to the
stage."
...and check out the
BC Christian News Event Calendar
nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight,
got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight...
bruce cockburn
THIS TIME IN SOUL FOOD...:
1) Lucia Frangione's ESPRESSO at Pacific Theatre - held over
to Sat Feb 22
2) 1-Act Play Festival at GALLERY 7, Abbotsford - Feb 6-8
3) First CAST Meeting to study Bible and acting at Pacific Theatre
- Sun Feb 9
4) The Lesson at TRINITY WESTERN - Feb 12-15
5) GALLERY 7 Make-up workshop - Feb 13
6) KYLE RIDEOUT plays Hamlet at Studio 58 - Feb 23
7) Providence College seeks Theatre Arts professor
8) Chattaway, Reed, etc on Best Flicks Of 2002
9) Leftovers & Side Dishes
CAROLYN ARENDS on Roe v Wade, Lookout Gallery, Mars Hill,
Regent summer school, astronaut quote, BCCN
* * * * * *
1)
Pacific Theatre
ESPRESSO
by Lucia Frangione
Held over to Sat Feb 22
Box office (1-6PM weekdays): 604 731-5518
or order on the web at www.pacifictheatre.org
Content warning (see website for details)
Yet another rave, this time from Peter Birnie at the Sun;
"Lucia Frangione is blessed as both a writer and actress. Superb direction
by Morris Ertman and strong support for Frangione by her only other cast member,
Todd Thomson, help an already fascinating play become a must-see event. Frangione
has one hell of a gift for writing comedy, and we've seen her act it to equal
effect in Pacific productions of HOLY MO! and CARIBOO MAGI. With this intensely
autobiographical new work she reaches the next level of complexity, mixing
broad laughs with Rosa's struggle to understand what it means to love a man
and/or love Jesus. In no way do I hesitate recommending this hot, strong dose
of great theatre."
And excerpts from the others...
Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight
"One of the best scripts ever produced by a Vancouver playwright....
The performers are absolute knockouts. ...The best show I've ever seen at
Pacific Theatre. Espresso deserves many, many more productions. Artistic directors
from across the continent should be flocking to Vancouver to experience it."
http://www.straight.com/?defaultarticle=&defaultnode=10207&layout=227&pagefunction=Load%20Layout
Loren Wilkinson, Regent College
"A great play, not just a good one... An amazing achievement, and you
need to go see it. But don't wait: it will be sold out soon."
(Entire review available on request: just email me and I'll send you a copy.)
Jo Ledingham, Vancouver Courier
"Bold and beautiful... Remarkably courageous... It takes your breath
away with its intensity. ...The most exciting work ever seen on the Pacific
Theatre stage."
http://www.vancourier.com/014203/entertainment/014203en2.html
Rory Holland, audience member
"Almost overwhelming....one of the finest expressions of evangelism....
The embodiment of what Pacific Theatre is - unqualified great theatre drawing
people towards a place of deeper meaning."
Alexandra Gill, Toronto Globe & Mail
"A high-quality blend of bitter, dark comedy and subtle literary complexities
that pack a strong punch. ...An excellent cup of theatre."
http://www.globeandmail.com/thearts (and use the search engine to find ESPRESSO)
2)
Gallery 7 Theatre Company presents...
The Third Annual One Act Play Festival
Feb 6-8
Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church, Abbotsford
Join Gallery 7 for their third annual one act play festival featuring two religious plays written by Earl Reimer. Running February 6 - 8, 2003 at 7:30 PM with an additional matinee on Feb. 8, 2003 at 2:00 PM, the festival promises to be an entertaining and thought-provoking night out for the family and/or church group.
Relationships and integrity are at stake in our first play, The Trembling Clay, a dramatic story of a newly hired pastor and his wife's struggle through fast-mounting tensions in their church. A timely look at what happens when those in a position of church leadership fail, the play attempts to portray the pain and conflict that occurs in such circumstances, and the healing and forgiveness that should follow.
The second play, The Long Road Home, dramatizes the conflict and tension that ensue when an errant son returns home after a season of wild living and squandering his inheritance. Based on Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son, the play demonstrates that no matter how far we have strayed or how badly we have failed, we can always return to the Heavenly Father who warmly takes us back with open arms of love, forgiveness and restoration.
To reserve tickets on line, please click here: http://www.gallery7theatre.com/season/boxoffice.html
3)
C.A.S.T. (Christian Actors Studying Together)
Sundays 4-7PM
Pacific Theatre rehearsal hall, 1440 W12 Ave
(except for Academy Award Sunday, Mar 23)
KellyAnne Little has sent me the finalized information about CAST, a brand new weekly group for individuals who want to study the bible and acting. CAST is designed for people who are pursuing a professional career in acting, but KellyAnne adds; "That said, anyone who is interested is welcome to join C.A.S.T., however, a high degree of commitment to be present at the weekly group is expected."
The first hour of each CAST meeting (4pm 5pm) is Bible study, working from a study guide called "Master Class," created by two California actors specifically for actors to study the bible from an acting perspective. There are 22 studies in the Master Class study guide. As the authors have granted permission for the guide to be copied the only charge will be for photocopies. After a 15 minute "intermission," participants will change their focus to building their craft: there will be information provided on different vocal, movement, and acting techniques, and the actors may choose to discuss, or practice, these techniques, or they may choose to partake in scene study. Those who wish to present scenes will be asked to sign up in advance, allowing for the next meeting to be planned accordingly. Feedback on scene work is provided by the other members of the group.
CAST was founded with two scriptures in mind: Phillippians 2:6-8 and Hebrews 10:25. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more information contact KellyAnne Little at (604) 904 - 4151 or e-mail her at lady_kas@hotmail.com
4)
TWU Drama presents
THE LESSON by Ionesco
Feb 12 - 15 at 8PM - four performances only!
Freedom Hall, RNT Building, Trinity Western University, Langley
513-2058 to reserve
"Every language is, in fact, just a manner of speaking."
Trinity Western University Drama presents Ionesco's "comic drama" The Lesson. This landmark of the absurdist theatre explores the relationships between professor and student, reason and knowledge, words and power in a way that is thought-provoking,funny and more than a little disturbing. Starring Dan Amos as The Professor, Christy-Lynne Guthrie as The Pupil and Sharon Garrard as The Maid.
For more info contact Angela Konrad, director, (angelak@twu.ca)
5)
Gallery 7 Theatre Company presents...
INTRODUCTION TO MAKE-UP PRODUCTION
Thu Feb 13 at 7PM (3 hour session)
Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church, Abbotsford
Perfect for all drama practitioners, this workshop will deal with basic, but effective stage make-up techniques. Demonstrations on how to age actors and to build scars & wrinkles will be included in the course as well.
For a printable workshop registration form, please click here: http://www.gallery7theatre.com/workshops/workshops.html
6)
Studio 58 presents
HAMLET
through Feb 23
257-0366
www.langara.bc.ca/studio58
Nice write-up in BC Christian News this month about Kyle Rideout, who plays the lead. "Rideout, who attends Central Heights Church in Abbotsford, finds it exhilarating to work in a primarily secular field. The theatre scene, he says, is 'difficult and exciting at the same time.' He welcomes the opportunity to communicate with non-believers. 'My pastor once said: "God createdbaseball players to talk to other baseball players." And he created actors to talk to other actors.' Faith, he says, 'actually makes it a lot easier to be an actor. I don't have to be concerned about whether I'll be successful or not, because I can leave it up to God. Whatever happens after HAMLET is up to Him.'"
Complete article at http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0203/arthamlet
7)
PROVIDENCE COLLEGE
Theatre Arts Professor position available
Providence College is an inter-denominational, evangelical Christian College whose mission is to educate students as Christians at a university level to think, live, and serve effectively in the church and in society. Providence College invites applications for the following faculty positions. Successful candidates will be fully supportive of the college's mission, philosophy, Community Life Commitment, and Statement of Faith and be committed to integrating faith with learning.
Theatre Arts: Successful applicants will have at least an M.F.A. in Theatre, or other related degree; experience in teaching at an undergraduate level; and strong skills and experience in several aspects of the production of in artistically excellent Christian Drama such as writing, producing and acting. As the one responsible for our established Drama major, he or she will direct dramatic productions on campus and on ministry tours and be involved in the development of our new theatre facilities.
This professor will teach subjects such as Beginning and
Advanced Acting, Introduction to the Theatre, Drama in Ministry, Directing
and Stage Management, Stagecraft and Production, Playwriting, Directing, and
History of Theatre. In addition, this department is in charge of a major production
and a drama touring group. In light of such a large assignment, we are looking
for someone who has both an interest in working with college age students
and sufficient training and experience to anchor our drama program.
Further College information may be found at http://prov.ca.
Inquiries and requests for an application packet should
be directed to :
Dr. Antoinette van Kuik, Vice-President for College Academics
Providence College, Otterburne, Manitoba R0A 1G0
Tel: 204-433-7488 ext. 241 * Fax: 204-433-7158
E-mail: Antoinette.vanKuik@prov.caAntoinette.vanKuik@prov.ca
The closing date for completed applications, including curriculum vitae, official transcripts, and the names of three references is March 4, 2003. All full-time positions will commence August 1, 2003, subject to final budgetary approval. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
8)
TOP TEN FLICKS OF 2002
Chattaway, Reed and others
BC Christian News just published the Top Ten Films list
of movie critic and Soul Foodie Peter Chattaway. His list;
1 - The Believer
2 - Punch-Drunk Love
3 - The Son's Room
4 - Adaptation
5 - The Two Towers
6 - Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
7 - Insomnia
8 - Comedian
9 - Iris
10 - Mostly Martha
He points out that his list is limited to films that played for at least one
week in Vancouver last year, and draws attention to some other fine films
that didn't quite meet that qualification; The Pianist, 25th Hour, Minor Mishaps,
Songs From The Second Floor, The Man Without A Past and Trembling Before G-d.
The last of these is currently in theatres here, and the paper promises a
review at www.canadianchristianity.com, though I couldn't find it - however,
there are plenty of good Chattaway reviews of 2002 flicks; The Two Towers,
Evelyn, The Way Home, Harry Potter, The Believer, Signs, Road To Perdition,
Minority Report, About A Boy, Star Wars II, Baran and Spider-Man. And you
can check out his Top Ten article in full at...
http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0203/arttop
(By the way, Inside sources also reveal that, after publishing this list,
PC regretted not having included The Gleaners And I. Also, Peter has a very
fine piece on The Man Without A Past in the most recent BOOKS & CULTURE.
That article isn't available online, but you can get a free sample copy at
http://www.christianitytoday.com/magsubs
- consider subscribing.)
For what it's worth, I'll give you my own Faves Of 2002
list - an outstanding year for movies, by the way. I don't see as many movies
as our friend Peter, but of what I saw, the films I really got excited about
were;
1 - Italian For Beginners
2 - Punch-Drunk Love
3 - Far From Heaven
4 - Adaptation
5 - About Schmidt
6 - The Believer
7 - Gangs Of New York
I also loved A Walk To Remember, but mostly because I watched it with my sixteen year old daughter who made me see it because it was her favourite movie - huge subjectivity factor there, but I'm quite willing to defend its strengths, along with Roger Ebert who said that the film provides "a reminder that one of the pleasures of the movies is to meet good people." Several others I liked a lot, but not enough to distinguish them on a year-end list; Spider-man, The Ring, DogTown & Z-Boys, Road To Perdition, About A Boy, Bowling For Columbine.
If that's not enough to sate your list lust, Jeffrey Overstreet (a very perceptive Seattle reviewer who puts together the weekly Film Forum column for CT Online) published his own faves and surveyed those of a number of other Christian film critics. Check it out at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/101/42.0.html
And if you're insatiable, I'll add that I know a geek who
compiled the year end top ten lists of all the critics he recognized (29 of
them, Christian or not) and came up with a list of the most critically acclaimed
movies of the year. In case you're interested...
1 - Far From Heaven
2 - Y Tu Mama Tambien
3 - About Schmidt
4 - Talk To Her
5 - The Two Towers
6 - Adaptation
7 - Spirited Away
8 - Gangs of New York
9 - Punch-Drunk Love
10 - Bowling For Columbine
11 - The Pianist
12 - Fast Runner
13 - The Hours
14 - About A Boy
15 - Chicago
16 - Minority Report
17 - Road To Perdition
18 - The Quiet American
19 - Catch Me If You Can
20 - Rabbit-Proof Fence
21 - Italian For Beginners
22 - Morvern Callar
23 - Auto Focus
24 - Thirteen Conversations About One Thing
25 - Spider-Man
Okay, enough of that.
CAROLYN ARENDS on Roe v Wade
Carolyn is becoming a regular columnist at Moody Magazine.
Here's a better link to The Butterfly Effect, her article on Roe v Wade;
http://moodymagazine.com/articles.php?action=view_article&id=1077
A NEW HEAVEN & A NEW EARTH
Lookout Gallery / Regent College, 5800 University Blvd, UBC)
Through Feb 4
http://www.gospelcom.net/regent/regentnew/events/lookout_gallery.html
Features the finalists in IMAGO's national Visual Art Competition,
including Erica Grimm-Vance's first prize winner "Only Say The Word."
http://www.imago-arts.on.ca/competition.htm
MARS HILL AUDIO JOURNAL
Bi-monthly interviews with smart Christians on arts & culture.
Free sample at http://www.marshillaudio.org/demotape/demotape.shtml
Regent College summer school 2003:
FAITH & THE WORLDS OF THEATRE
The Oregon Shakespearean Festival
Ashland Oregon
Jul 27 to Aug 2
224-3245
"Ancient theatre grew out of religious faith, and modern theatre
still engages and celebrates the fundamental mysteries of life--
love, death, laughter, loss, hope. . . . This course uses the Oregon
Shakespearean Festival, in Ashland Oregon, to explore those
worlds which good theatre creates. We will see five plays in all:
Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet,
and Richard II; Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, and August Wilson's 1990
Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Piano Lesson. Lectures and
discussions, by Regent professor Loren Wilkinson and playwright,
actor and direcor Ron Reed (founding artistic director of Pacific
Theatre in Vancouver) will examine both the themes and ideas
in the worlds of the plays, and the way those worlds are created
by the diverse arts and artists of one of North America's oldest and
most succesful theatre companies. "
"The week-long course will not only give Christians more to be
Christian with; it will help reconnect the world of drama with the life
of faith. (Members of the course will live and hold classes at the
Oregon Extension Campus in the Cascade mountains, descending
to Ashland to view the plays)."
Suggested reading: David Mamet, WRITING IN RESTAURANTS;
Tillyard, THE ELIZABETHAN WORLD PICTURE; Frederic Buechner,
TELLING THE TRUTH: THE GOSPEL AS COMEDY, TRAGEDY &
FAIRY TALE. We'll also be viewing Shakespeare films by directors
Trevor Nunn, Baz Luhrmann and Franco Zeffirelli.
ART QUOTE
Turns out the David Mamet quote last issue wasn't from WRITING IN RESTAURANTS,
as I told you, but from Mamet's introduction to "A Practical Handbook
for the Actor" by Melissa Bruder et al. Thanks, Thia, for setting me
straight on that!
This week, a timely quote about passion and risk sent from Molly Lyons (A
Most Notorious Woman, dir The Foreigner, The Clearing), who herself knows
something about both - as do most artists! It's from former space shuttle
Commander Mullane, speaking of what it takes to be an astronaut:
"The fear of not making the trip far exceeds the fear of not surviving
the trip.
For all astronauts, it's a passion, it's in the blood, something one has to
do.
I was terrified on the lift off the first time, the 2nd time and the 3rd time.
And each time, I wanted to go anyway."
+ + + + + + +
1) Gallery 7 Theatre's YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU - opens
Friday!
2) BLUE IN THE DOOR auditions, PT apprentice-directed one-act
3) PLAYLAND at Pacific Theatre - until April 2
4) Beautiful House presents LIVE MUSIC FOR YOUR SOUL - Mar
8
5) Reel Light presents DARYL BENNETT - Mar 10
6) THE SON at pacific cinematheque - starts Mar 14
7) BRUCE MARCHFELDER at Regent Summer School - starts Jun
30
8) Leftovers & Side Dishes (with "Best Before"
dates)
Arts & Peace Festival (expires 03/08), CAST Meetings (no expiry date),
Regent summer school (good until July if refrigerated), Movie Snacks
and Side Dishes, BCCN
9) Spring Arts Camp - volunteers needed
* * * * * *
1) Gallery 7 Theatre Company presents...
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU
By Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
March 7 & 8, 13 15, 20 22, 2003 @ 7:30 PM
Matinees: March 8 & 15, 2003 @ 2:00 PM
Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church, Abbotsford
www.gallery7theatre.com for information
and directions
Fireworks are ablaze in this quirky comedy from the Pulitzer Prize winning
writing team of Hart and Kaufman. All is happy bliss in the Vanderhof household
until Alice becomes engaged to a wealthy stockbroker’s son. Suddenly,
Alice is forcing the family to be the people they’re not in order to
make a good impression on her future in-laws. What follows is a hilarious
and touching theatrical experience where comic chaos reigns and where the
more important and treasured aspects of life come into focus. A great evening
out for the entire family, this production returns after its first run on
our stage in 1997.
To reserve tickets on line, please click here: http://www.gallery7theatre.com/season/boxoffice.html
* * * * * *
2) Auditions: BLUE IN THE DOOR
Pacific Theatre apprentice project
Amie Rashe is currently an apprentice at Pacific Theatre, and she'll be directing
a new one-act for a spring project. She has roles for six men. The show will
be performed as late-night "after show" performances during the
run of GOD'S MAN IN TEXAS.
If you think you might be interested, contact Amie at carrots18@hotmail.com
or 604.731.5483 (Pacific Theatre)
Here are a few notes she sent along; "The show is called "Blue in
the Door," and the author is Luke Schelhaas, who has written some very
successful short films, and has also written for the television show "Touched
by an Angel." If you are available and interested in participating in
this project, please contact me this week to set up an audition, the earlier
the better, just so we can get the ball rolling. Also, please pass the word
along to anyone you know who may be interested in auditioning for this one
act. Phone or email me if you have any further questions. Thank you for you
time, and consideration! I am looking forward to hearing from you!"
* * * * * *
3) A Blind Deerhunter Equity Co-op at Pacific Theatre...
PLAYLAND by Athol Fugard
Through Mar 2
Box office (1-6PM weekdays): 604 731-5518
or order on the web at www.pacifictheatre.org
Very strong language
"Forgive me or kill me. That's the choice you have."
New Year’s Eve, 1989. Two South Africans, a black security guard and
a white soldier, meet at a travelling amusement park. A powerful exploration
of guilt, damnation and absolution in post-Apartheid South Africa. Truth,
reconciliation and and "the mystery of repentance in the human heart"
(Fugard).
http://www.pacifictheatre.org/playland.html
Powerful script. Tom Pickett is at the top of his form. Further comments I
will leave to others...
Peter Birnie, Vancouver Sun
"As we saw in an equally powerful Pacific Theatre production of Athol
Fugard's MASTER HAROLD & THE BOYS a couple of years ago, he's a white
playwright whose ability to convey character transcends any racial boundaries....
Paula Miodownik's outstanding design decision is a single strange gateway,
an entrance to the park wrapped in cheap lights and propping up a tinny speaker.
When Playland opens for the night, Michael Dickinson's lighting sprays the
theatre with gaudy colours and Amos Hertzman's clever soundscape offers a
carnival barker (the voice of Charles Brink) whose muffled entreaties seem
to symbolize the distance of dreams. It's cheap, gaudy and perfect. See this
outstanding little show and support an Equity co-op production, one of those
hybrids that seek to create work for artists when they're between gigs on
Stargate SG-1 or Outer Limits. Tom Pickett and his colleagues are to be commended
for this initiative."
Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight
"Do you find South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission an almost
incomprehensible miracle of civilized behaviour? I do. But Athol Fugard's
Playland, which is his first postapartheid script, makes the urgent necessity
of that political strategy much more understandable by placing his country's
struggle with its near past in the context of a single human relationship.
Playland contains just two characters: Martinus Zoeloe, a black watchman at
an amusement park; and Gideon Le Roux, a white former border guard who has
killed and counted the corpses of dozens of SWAPO freedom fighters.... The
catharsis...is moving. The resolution of their conflict manages to be hopeful
without being dishonest: it demonstrates the sheer practicality of acceptance,
if not complete forgiveness. Thank God Nelson Mandela was around to provide
an inspired vision for his benighted country."
* * * * * *
4) Beautiful House Productions presents
LIVE MUSIC FOR YOUR SOUL: NeNah Barkley / Hejira
Sat Mar 8
Hudson's Landing Pub (1041 SW Marine, under the Oak Street bridge)
"Along with substance for your belly [they have good food] here's some
substance for your soul. If you like intellectually stimulating music by some
of Vancouver's fineset independent musicians. Check it out and spread the
word. Admission is FREE. Beautiful House plans to be back to its regular form
of live music and multi-disciplinary art at the Marpole Curling Club later
this spring.
9:00 pm - Lisa O'Neill [irish-canadian acoustic folk]
10:30 pm - Jack Harlan [folk noir]
By the way, the newly renovated Hudson's Landing Pub is what used to be called
Marpole's Flying Club.
* * * * * *
5) Reel Light presents
DARYL BENNETT
Mar 10 at 7:30
Broadway Church
Daryl Bennett will share from his experience as a Vancouverite now living
in L.A. and writing movie scores for film.
* * * * * *
6) Pacific Cinemateque presents
THE SON
Friday, March 14 -- 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 15 -- 9:30 pm
Sunday, March 16 -- 7:30 pm
Monday, March 17 -- 9:30 pm
Wednesday, March 19 -- 7:30 pm
Peter Chattaway writes about this recent Beligian offering from the Dardenne
brothers, "It's pretty much a must-see for Christian film buffs, at least
those who can handle foreign films of the shaky-hand-held-camera variety....
I'm glad I went into the theatre knowing almost nothing about the film; the
story doesn't really make its premise clear until about half-an-hour in, but
I liked the way it kept you in suspense and teased you with little hints up
to that point.... It's pretty powerful while it lasts, and it's got a fair
share of Christian symbolism."
I'm not going to provide a whole lot more information about the movie, mostly
because I don't want do know anything more than I already do - if ignorance
was bliss for Mr C, it'll do for Mr R. I'll be there on the fourteent.
If you do want a bit more to go on, check the Cinematheque website, where
they say...
"The Son puts its confrontational, claustrophobic naturalism to profound
metaphoric purpose, emerging as a deeply moving parable about good, evil,
and the possibility of grace." http://www.cinematheque.bc.ca/new_european.html#1
* * * * * *
7) Regent College summer school 2003:
READING FILM: A THEOLOGICAL APPROACH
Bruce Marchfelder
June 30July 11, 6:309:30 pm
At last fall's Regent film forum, Bruce Marchfelder (Directing
department, Vancouver Film School) showed himself to have
both a sharp eye for film and a passionate heart for God. Wish
I could be at his film course this summer. Maybe you'll just have
to go in my place.
Here's the formal description of the class; "In this course, we will
examine the stylistic elements of film and relate them to theological
ideals and concepts in an effort to understand the potential of this
powerful and influential form of media as a vehicle for communicating
Christian values. The objectives of the class are three-fold: (1) to
provide an introduction to the history of cinema, studying the great
auteur directors (e.g., Hitchcock, Lang, Weir); (2) to teach students
the language of film, equipping them with tools necessary to analyze
and critique film; and (3) to intelligently evaluate the work of established
filmmakers who are attempting to integrate theological ideas within
their work. Filmmakers who attend will be given an opportunity to
explore a personal aesthetic that further develops their professional
skills while incorporating a powerful and compelling Christian
worldview. Maximum enrollment: 30 students.
* * * * * *
8) LEFTOVERS & SIDE DISHES (Expiry dates in brackets)
Arts & Peace Festival
Feb 24 - Mar 8
University College of the Fraser Valley,
Ethical Addictions and Legal Grounds Coffee House, Langley
Previously a summer gig, in conjunction (contrast?) with the Abbotsford Air
Show.
Art work: Gerry Thompson and the AMAZING Gathie Falk. Poetry: Patrick Friesen
and Robin Matthews. Movie: SAFE HAVENS documentary.
http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0203/artarts
http://www.mcc.org/bc/peace/
C.A.S.T. (Christian Actors Studying Together)
Ongoing : Sundays 4-7PM
Pacific Theatre rehearsal hall, 1440 W12 Ave
(except for Academy Award Sunday, Mar 23)
CAST is designed for people who are pursuing a professional career in acting,
but KellyAnne adds; "That said, anyone who is interested is welcome to
join
C.A.S.T., however, a high degree of commitment to be present at the weekly
group is expected." 4:00-5:00, Bible study from "Master Class"
study guide.
5:15-7:00 Acting workshop including information on different vocal, movement,
and acting techniques, plus scene study.
KellyAnne Little: 904-4151 / lady_kas@hotmail.com
Regent College summer school 2003:
FAITH & THE WORLDS OF THEATRE
Loren Wilkinson & Ron Reed
The Oregon Shakespearean Festival
Ashland Oregon
Jul 27 to Aug 2
224-3245
"Ancient theatre grew out of religious faith, and modern theatre
still engages and celebrates the fundamental mysteries of life--
love, death, laughter, loss, hope. . . . This course uses the Oregon
Shakespearean Festival, in Ashland Oregon, to explore those
worlds which good theatre creates. We will see five plays in all:
Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet,
and Richard II; Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, and August Wilson's 1990
Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Piano Lesson. Lectures and
discussions, by Regent professor Loren Wilkinson and playwright,
actor and direcor Ron Reed (founding artistic director of Pacific
Theatre in Vancouver) will examine both the themes and ideas
in the worlds of the plays, and the way those worlds are created
by the diverse arts and artists of one of North America's oldest and
most succesful theatre companies. "
"The week-long course will not only give Christians more to be
Christian with; it will help reconnect the world of drama with the life
of faith. (Members of the course will live and hold classes at the
Oregon Extension Campus in the Cascade mountains, descending
to Ashland to view the plays)."
Suggested reading: David Mamet, WRITING IN RESTAURANTS;
Tillyard, THE ELIZABETHAN WORLD PICTURE; Frederic Buechner,
TELLING THE TRUTH: THE GOSPEL AS COMEDY, TRAGEDY &
FAIRY TALE. We'll also be viewing Shakespeare films by directors
Trevor Nunn, Baz Luhrmann and Franco Zeffirelli.
===
AUGUSTA
Saturday, March 8
9 pm - midnight
Cafe Montmartre
4362 Main Street (@ 28th Ave)
Vancouver, BC
Karen Parent is known to many of you as a very fine singer-songwriter. Some of you know her as Dolly in the original production of TENT MEETING. Anyhow, she joins with husband Jason Dionne (that amazing bass player who accompanied her a year ago at PASSION) and drummer Darren Schoepp under the name "AUGUSTA," performing original music. Their friend Nenah Barkley will be opening for them.
MOVIE SNACKS
I contacted Pacific Cinemateque, and they think it's highly likely they'll
be bringing the Tarkovsky retrospective here in June!!!! Including the new
print of ANDREI ROUBLEV, which is on the very top of my Lifetime "To
See" List - my two most reliable movie-recommenders (one a writer, the
other a choral conductor) both rate this their Number One Flick Of All Time,
so how about that? Follow it up with the Marchfelder movie madness at Regent
in July, your soul will be stuffed. / Jeffrey Overstreet's fab Film Forum
(an email newsletter he does for CT Online - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/109/41.0.html
) references a new review of TO END ALL WARS, which I've been eagerly awaiting
since it was profiled in Books & Culture last summer ( http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2002/004/1.6.html
). And that current review cites a release date of Feb 28 2003. So maybe we'll
finally get a gander at this one. Couldn't be more timely. / Peter Chattaway
passes along the news that his beloved THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST is promised
this spring, so there's one to watch for as well. ( http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/na.cgi?film/past
) / As for what's currently on our screens which might contain traces of Soul
Food, check out THE SON (described above, Pacific Cinematheque) or ABOUT SCHMIDT
at Fifth Avenue, maybe Graham Greene's THE QUIET AMERICAN or GODS AND GENERALS
(not the first Civil War film with a running time almost as long as the original
events, but probably the first to be released with an accompanying Bible study).
Other fab films currently on our screens include FRIDA (at the Hollywood 7:30
tonight), THE PIANIST at the Fifth Avenue, TALK TO HER is at Tinseltown.
+ + +
SPRING BREAK ARTS CAMP -
spring, 2003 - Greater Vancouver, BC, Canada
Volunteers needed
We're having a spring break arts camp coming up during Spring Break for youth ages 12-25. The purpose of this arts camp is to equip young people to effectively minister visually to kids in your community . We'll also be taking applications from any youth interested who would like to participate in an Xtreme team for a couple of weeks this summer. You'll definately want to get as many of your young people out as possible as it will be a great time of training in areas that can really impact the artistic/visual side of reaching your kids/youth. I've included the proofs for our flyers and poster just for you to see. They're at the printers as we speak and will be mailed to you on Wed of next week.
In prep for the camp, I'm wondering if you know of anyone
gifted in the following areas who can perhaps help us for an hour or two during
our time:
Set Design, Art (drawing, painting), Script Writing, Acting, Video Making,
Power Point, Sound Tech, Lighting Tech, Creating Song Dramas, dance (mostly
hip hop, jazz or lyrical)
With the set design and art: what we have in mind is this: we want to give
the kids a concept of creating a skatepark for a drama. So we need someone
to lead this workshop who could faciliate kids creativity in this area. Creating
sketches, creating cardboard skate ramps, etc to use on stage.
For Script Writing: we will have already mapped out the
issues, characters, senarios of the script, but we need someone to help faciliate
and direct the youth in creating a script.
Acting: we're looking for someone who's got a bit of drama experience and
can lead kids in theatre sports and acting warm up, coaching in stage presence.
Perhaps taking the youth through a script and how to project, block etc.
With video making: do you have anyone who could help the youth make a video?
They would need to bring video editing equipment to the church.....
With Power point and flash: we need someone who could walk the youth through
how to do a cool power point or flash presentation to a song with pictures
etc.
Creating song dramas is anyone who's got creativity and a great imagination.
Dance: is anyone who is able to capably teach dance as well as dance well,
but be sensitive to go step by step for beginners.
We preferably need people who are willing to do this on a volunteer/experience gaining basis.
If you have any questions, give me a call on my cell or
email me!
Connie Jakab 307-5477 / rcjakab@telus.net
SIDE DISHES
(No particular Soul Food content)
Just to be clear. The drug problem is Chet's, not Susie's.
...and check out the BC Christian News Event Calendar.
Lots more good stuff there this month!
http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?events#anchor485008
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