Author: Richard Wolak

Straight White Men at the Gateway Theatre

Straight White Men at the Gateway Theatre

Posted by | Feb 9, 2020 | , |

In their Canadian Premiere, the cast of Straight White Men present a provocative comedy where three brothers return home for the Christmas holidays. Regressing to trash-talking and sibling pranks, they are caught off guard by a shift in the family dynamic, forcing them to examine the effects of traditional masculinity. Opening the show Raven John and Kim Villagente, they both talked about the show we were about to watch and then they were part of the show sitting back on each side of the stage where they set-up each scene. The show features an underlying message along with identities...

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Coloring at Chutzpah

Coloring at Chutzpah

Posted by | Nov 16, 2019 | , |

Last night, UNA Productions featured their Canadian premiere of Coloring by choreographer and Artistic Director Chuck Wilt at the Norman Rothstein Theatre as part of the Chutzpah Festival. Starting off with a bold statement, featuring a cellist dressed in drag (Stevie Rose aka Rose Nylons), it was elegant and beautiful. This episodic dance was inspired by themes of identity, unity and shown through queer histories, drawing inspiration from personal narratives and bodies of artwork from members of the LGBTQ community. Each work within the piece was unique providing elements of intrigue, movement and versatility. I loved the beginning almost...

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Washington State Winemaker Lunch at Eem Restaurant

Washington State Winemaker Lunch at Eem Restaurant

Posted by | Nov 13, 2019 | , |

While I was at Feast Portland this past September, I was invited to an industry event, celebrating three very different winemakers from Washington state paired with delicious Thai and Southern bbq. Each winery served up 3 flights of 3 different wines paired up with family style sharing dishes. 1st Course Brisket and Boudain and Thai Fried Egg Salad Field Greens with tamarind, shallot, toasted coconut, seasonal fruit — great flavours Brisket and Boudain and Thai Fried Egg Salad with jasmine rice and Thai herbs The wines presented for this course included from left to right AniChi Cellars 2018 Puck Albarino Frizzante...

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Sandra Bernhard at Chutzpah

Sandra Bernhard at Chutzpah

Posted by | Nov 13, 2019 | , , |

Funny lady Sandra Bernhard entertained the audience as part of her performance in the Chutzpah Fest on October 31 at the Vogue Theatre. Her show “Quick Sand” featured a three-piece band of musicians from Los Angeles who accompanied her on various tunes, amidst her comedic routine. I thought the first half of the show was more relatable to the audience, where the second half featured more jokes that would have resonated with an American audience far more. She talked a lot about her life, and told stories of the NY subway and people, and other actors, she opened up...

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Daniel Cainer Opens the Chutzpah Festival

Daniel Cainer Opens the Chutzpah Festival

Posted by | Oct 25, 2019 | , |

The 19th Annual Chutzpah! Festival opened last night with Daniel Cainer’s Gefilte Fish & Chips at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. The festival under the direction of Artistic Managing Director Mary-Louise Albert kicked off their month-long festival of music, theatre and dance. Multi award-winning, London-based songwriter, broadcaster and musical storyteller Daniel Cainer performed his internationally acclaimed Gefilte Fish & Chips for the first time in Canada. His show, Gefilte Fish & Chips is based on up-close-and-personal stories of what it’s like to be Jewish and British. Telling the stories of his family through music and song, Daniel entertained the audience...

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