The new theatre season starts to reveal itself this month with five must-see shows and a festival
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The fall theatre season is up and running this month with a glittering array of plays: New work from one of our best local playwrights, the manic energy of the Fringe, a crime caper, a couple of top-notch musicals, and a psychological thriller from New York.
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Running Wilde
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When: Sept. 4-27
Where: Jericho Arts Centre
Tickets and info: $15-$40 at unitedplayers.com
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John Lazarus was one of Vancouver’s hottest dramatists with plays like Dreaming and Duelling, The Late Blumer and Village of Idiots. After a detour to teach at Queen’s University, he’s back with a new comedy about Oscar Wilde’s misadventures in Canada for United Players and Western Gold Theatre. Conor Cavanagh plays the über-witty Wilde and blazin’ Bob Frazer makes a long-awaited return to the stage. Roy Surette directs.
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Sun Spots
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Vancouver Fringe Festival
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When: Sept. 10-20
Where: On and around Granville Island
Tickets and info: $20 at vancouverfringe.com
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In its 42nd year, Vancouver’s Fringe boasts more than 80 shows, a wild smorgasbord with something for every taste. At $20 per show, and some at half-price, it’s best just to dive in and binge. Among this year’s best titles: A Tampon, a Chair, and a Bride Walk onto a Plane; Brunch: The Musical; and The Last Cowboy (Hat Salesman). Free live music every evening and weekend afternoons on the covered patio.
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Heist
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When: Sept. 17-Oct. 18
Where: Stanley BFL CANADA Stage
Tickets and info: From $39 at artsclub.com
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The Arts Club opens its season with a heist caper from Calgary’s Arun Lakra that has been compared to Ocean’s Eleven. A group of brilliant thieves has planned the perfect crime. So what could possibly go wrong? Andrew Kushnir directs an A-list cast, including Charlie Gallant, Andrew McNee (straight from The Play That Goes Wrong), Patti Allan and Alexandra Lainfiesta.
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Avenue Q
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When: Sept. 18-Oct. 10
Where: Metro Theatre
Tickets and info: From $38 at metrotheatre.com
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I don’t believe we’ve seen this bizarre, profane, delightful musical since the sold-out Arts Club productions of 2013-14. A play with puppets for adults (think Sesame Street meets South Park), it features hot puppet sex and clever songs like It Sucks to Be Me, The Internet Is for Porn, and Everyone Is a Little Bit Racist. Directed by Chris King for Metro Theatre. Highly recommended.
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& Juliet
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When: Sept. 29-Oct. 4
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Tickets and info: From $111 at vancouver.broadway.com/shows/juliet/
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From the fine touring company Broadway Across Canada comes this popular jukebox musical fable about Shakespeare’s wife attempting to rewrite Romeo & Juliet so that Juliet doesn’t die. It features contemporary pop music by the likes of Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande and The Backstreet Boys. Book by David West Read, one of the writers for Schitt’s Creek.
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JOB
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When: Sept. 29-Oct. 11
Where: The Cultch Historic Theatre
Tickets and info: From $39 at thecultch.com
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In Max Wolf Friedlich’s taut drama, a young female tech worker makes an explosive visit to an older male crisis therapist after she has a breakdown. The play got strong reviews off- and on Broadway in 2023-24. This Vancouver premiere from The Search Party at The Cultch features two of Vancouver’s most fascinating actors, Brian Markinson and Elizabeth Barrett. Mindy Parfitt directs.
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