Catalyst Theatre’s brings a gothic tour de force to Edmonton audiences, playing until April 18 at the Timms Centre for the Arts.
Director Jonathan Christenson, a former St. Albert resident, has rehauled and reworked Frankenstein<,>, the Mary Shelley adaptation of a man who overextends his reach by creating new life, one that ultimately repels him.
Since the musical’s inception in 2007, over 25,000 patrons in western Canada have caught a glimpse of it. Critics describe the stylized lyrical adaptation as a blend of Alice in Wonderland and Cabaret to Phantom of the Opera and Into the Woods.
“It’s a very interesting piece, quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen before,” says Christenson, who has brought back the original cast. It includes Sarah Machin-Gale, daughter of Charles Gale, an Anglican minister appointed Director of Community Services in 1976.
But the real star of the award-winning show is Brenda Gerecke’s ethereal paper-based costumes and props that lend the tableaux a storybook quality.
Tickets are $32 to $40. Call 780-420-1757 or purchase online at www.tixonthesquare.ca. Recommended ages are 12 and up.
Three insurance policies. Three drowned brides.
In the Citadel Theatre’s latest production, The Drowning Girls, this Edwardian period piece has all the signposts of a mystery thriller. Instead it’s more of a howdunit.
Directed by Charlie Tomlinson, this slick production resurrects the true to life story of George Joseph Smith, a man who took out insurance policies and killed his wives.
Written by Beth Graham and Daniela Vlaskalic, two Edmonton playwrights in the middle of developing a national presence, The Drowning Girls first premiered at the 1999 Edmonton Fringe Festival and was later resurrected by Bent Out of Shape Productions in 2008.
Now in the middle of a season-long tour, The Drowning Girls has played in Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and Saskatchewan.
It is now running at the Citadel until May 2. Tickets are $45 to $55. Call 780-425-1820 or purchase online at www.citadeltheatre.com.
The Blues Emporium has been flogging its versatile brand of blues for more than a few years and the four-piece band makes a much anticipated appearance at LB’s Pub this coming Friday.
There’s Gerry Pearson, a blues harmonica player for 40 years who has been influenced by the likes of Little Walter, Paul Butterfield and James Cotton.
Instead David Nobes (guitars/vocals) started cranking out the blues at 14 in bands in Australia, the United Kingdom and now counts Stevie Ray Vaughn as a major influence.
Randy Forsberg, an R&B/blues/Motown/funk bass player, has shared the stage with names such as Chilliwack, Prism, Jeff Healey and April Wine.
And last but not least is St. Albert drummer Mark Ammar, who is strongly influenced by exotic Arabic drumming and who has put his talent towards reviving the blues jam scene in a variety of local watering holes.
LB’s is at 23 Akins Drive and the Blues Emporium start gigging at 9:30 p.m.
