Rock of Ages photo by C. Scott Suchman
When aspiring rock star Drew meets aspiring actress Sherri, their love is as formidable as a 1980s power ballad. Rock of Ages is sweet, silly and superfluous, but it’s also one heck of a fun Broadway musical, filled with songs by the likes of Journey, Bon Jovi and Styx. Catch all the big hits—and big hair—at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (May 8 to 13).—Sheri Radford
The cast of Cats
April 10 to 15
Get ready for a whisker-twitching good time as Cats leaps onto stage for an unforgettable performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Rollicking characters bring T.S. Eliot’s whimsical poems to life in the only North American production endorsed by Webber. The record-breaking show is one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals, and timeless hits such as “Memory” still cause goosebumps.—Caitlin Dawson
February 8 to 12
Beauty and the Beast photo by Joan Marcus
The beloved Broadway musical rolls into town this winter, filling the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with tunes such as the toe-tapping “Be Our Guest,” the heart-wrenching “If I Can’t Love Her” and the unforgettable title song. Catch Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere, Cogsworth and all your other favourite characters in this tale as old as time.—Sheri Radford
W-F 7:30 pm; Sa 11 am, 3:30 and 8 pm; Su 2 and 7:30 pm. $25+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000. www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca
photo by Joan Marcus
DECEMBER 6 to 24 The life of Dewey Phillips, one of rock ‘n’ roll’s pioneering disc jockeys, inspires a story of fame, forbidden love, and a rousing new style of music in Memphis. Follow the intertwined paths of a white radio DJ and a black club singer through the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, where the sounds
of soul, gospel, and rhythm and blues fuse together to create the anthems of a young generation poised to confront racial segregation in the American south. The 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Memphis also features a Tony Award-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Christopher Ashley directs the show, in Toronto for a limited run, while former Jersey Boys choreographer Sergio Trujillo crafts the musical’s exhilarating dance routines. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Tuesday to Sunday, $51 to $180; call 416-644-3665 or click here for showtimes and tickets.
Sahr Ngaujah stars as Fela Kuti in Fela! (photo by Monica Carboni)
OCTOBER 25 TO NOVEMBER 6 Fela Anikulapo Kuti has been described as Che Guevara and Bob Marley rolled into one. A fitting description, as throughout the 1970s and ‘80s Kuti utilized his big band–styled music as a conduit for scathing critiques targeted at the oppressive military regimes in his native Nigeria. The creation of his unique sound and the story of his activism are showcased in Fela!, the hit Broadway musical now on stage in Toronto for a limited engagement. Featuring lively performances, electric choreography by Bill T. Jones, and Kuti’s legendary brand of Afrobeat—a fusion of jazz, funk, rock, and African chants and rhythms that he created with drummer and comrade Tony Allen—this Tony-winning production offers a powerful political statement backed by some of the 20th century’s most vital music. Canon Theatre, Tuesday to Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. and
8 p.m., Sunday 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., $35 to $130; call 416-872-1212 or click here for tickets.
Photo courtesy Central City Opera
Start snapping your fingers: the Jets and the Sharks are back and ready to rumble in Leonard Bernstein’s beloved Broadway musical West Side Story (Oct. 22 to 29). Hearts skip a beat as Tony and Maria profess their undying love in “Tonight” and tears fall during Maria’s rendition of “A Boy Like That.” So choose your side and remember: “When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way!”—Jennifer Patterson
More information:
West Side Story (Oct 22-23, 25-29). $35+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 604-683-0222.
www.vancouveropera.ca
Mamma Mia!
August 16 to 21
More than 45 million people have already seen this hit Broadway musical, which just might be the happiest show ever produced. Filled with ABBA’s hits—everything from “Does Your Mother Know?” to “Dancing Queen” to “Take a Chance on Me”—it gets toes tapping and audiences smiling. Experience it for yourself at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and don’t even try not to sing along.—Sheri Radford
Legally Blonde photo copyright 2010, Carol Rosegg
It’s not easy being blonde. Just ask sorority girl Elle Woods, whose boyfriend dumped her in order to find someone more studious. To win him back, she enrolls in Harvard Law School. The story started life as a novel, morphed into a movie, then became a Broadway musical filled with colourful numbers such as “Omigod You Guys.” Catch all the fun at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Mar. 1 to 6).—Sheri Radford
Eddie Mekka as DJ Vince Fontaine in Grease
If the name Eddie Mekka sounds familiar, you probably grew up watching Laverne & Shirley. Although Mekka appeared on TV shows such as The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Moonlighting and The New Rockford Files, he’s best known as Shirley Feeney’s on-again-off-again boyfriend Carmine “The Big Ragu” Ragusa, a dancer/singer who spent the entire run of Laverne & Shirley striving toward his big break on Broadway. Now Mekka joins the Broadway Across Canada production of Grease as DJ Vince Fontaine. Catch his performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Oct. 26 to 31).—Sheri Radford
Be prepared for a spectacular performance of Disney's The Lion King in Vancouver. Photo by Joan Marcus copyright Disney
It’s been a smash hit on Broadway, running for years and scooping up the lion’s share of Tony Awards. Now Vancouver finally gets to experience “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and all the other toe-tappingly great songs by Elton John and Tim Rice in this popular musical based on the equally beloved animated movie. At the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Jul. 13 to Aug. 8). Hakuna matata.—Sheri Radford
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