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Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Hot Dates: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

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

Hot Entertainment: Mythbusters

Adam Savage (left) and Jamie Hyneman, of Mythbusters

Could duct tape fix a plane that has been mauled by a bear? If a car is dangling precariously over a cliff’s edge, could the force of a pigeon landing on its roof send it plunging down the cliff? These are the types of questions that Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage have tackled in nine years of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel, busting more than 400 myths in the process. See the duo in two shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Jan. 22).—Sheri Radford

4 and 7:30 pm. $52.50-$98. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000.

Hot Entertainment: Sting

Singing sensation Sting

How better to celebrate a 25-year solo career than a North American tour? Catch Sting’s Back to Bass Tour, filled with stripped-down versions of all his hit songs, Dec. 8 to 10 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.—Sheri Radford

More information:

8 pm. $51-$151.50. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000.

Hot Entertainment: Roméo et Juliette Opera

Simone Osborne

Have ever two families feuded as much as the Capulets and Montagues? Canadian soprano Simone Osborne (pictured) stars as Juliette and Canadian tenor Gordon Gietz plays her star-crossed lover Roméo in this romantic French opera, Charles Gounod’s version of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy (Nov. 26 and 29, Dec. 1 and 3; Queen Elizabeth Theatre).—Sheri Radford

More information:

ROMEO ET JULIETTE (Nov 26, 29; Dec 1, 3). 7:30 pm. $35+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 604-683-0222. www.vancouveropera.ca

Hot Entertainment: Wen Wei Dance and Dance in Vancouver

Wen Wei Dance photo by Emily Cooper

Put on Your Dancing Shoes

Wen Wei Dance (pictured), the 605 Collective, the plastic orchid factory, MACHiNENOiSY and four other local companies take centre stage at Dance in Vancouver (Nov. 23 to 26; Scotiabank Dance Centre), a biennial event that shines a spotlight on contemporary dance in BC. Other types of dance featured this month: ballet, in 3Fold (Nov. 17 to 19; Queen Elizabeth Theatre), and flamenco, in Discover Dance! (Nov. 17; Scotiabank Dance Centre).—Sheri Radford

More information:

3 FOLD Ballet BC presents three works: Doppeling, choreographed by Simone Orlando; New Work, choreographed by Robert Glumbek; and Parole Sospese (Words Suspended), choreographed by Walter Matteini (Nov 17-19). 8 pm. $22.50-$70. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-2787.

DANCE IN VANCOUVER Experience the energy and innovation of contemporary dance as eight West Coast companies perform excerpts of new works and recent hits in four mixed programs (Nov 23-26). 7 and 9 pm. $28, s/s $20, double bill $44. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. 604-606-6400. Tickets 604-684-2787. www.thedancecentre.ca
DISCOVER DANCE! This noon-hour series showcases BC-based companies. Flamenco dance with Spanish Passion Productions (Nov 17). 12 pm. $10, s/s $8. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. 604-606-6400. Tickets 604-684-2787. www.the dancecentre.ca

Hot Entertainment: Yo Gabba Gabba!

Visit Gabba Land and dance your heart out with DJ Lance Rock and the rest of the gang. Just say the magic words and characters come to life to captivate kids—and young-at-heart adults—with upbeat music and singing. Catch this lively crew at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Nov. 11).—Jessie Colgan

More information:

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! 2 and 5pm. $24.50-$36.50. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000. www.yogabbagabbalive.com

Hot Entertainment: Play It Cool, Boy

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

Hot Entertainment: Beautiful Ballet

The National Ballet of Canada. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

The National Ballet of Canada has, for six decades, been touring the world, staging both classical and contemporary ballets. This month, the troupe presents three Vancouver premieres: The Second Detail, choreographed by William Forsythe; The Man in Black, by James Kudelka; and Emergence, by Canada’s own Crystal Pite. Catch these dazzling shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Sep. 23 to 25).—Sheri Radford

Hot Dates: Mamma Mia!

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

Hot Dates: Wicked

June 1 to 26

Wicked photo by Joan Marcus

It’s not easy being green. Just ask Elphaba, a smart, fiery girl whose father despises her for her emerald-green skin. Ultimately labelled the Wicked Witch of the West, she is, in truth, a rebel against the corrupt Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This spellbinding musical explores the friendship between misunderstood Elphaba and beautiful, popular Galinda, who later becomes Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. See for yourself why this show has won a Grammy and three Tony Awards, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: La Traviata

La Traviata photo by Richard Termine

According to popular legend, after the March 1853 opening night of his opera, Verdi wrote to his secretary-pupil Emanuele Muzio: “La Traviata last night, fiasco. Is it my fault or the fault of the singers? Time will tell.” Whether or not the story is true, time has definitely proven Verdi’s work to be a masterpiece. Catch a performance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Apr. 30 to May 12).—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Fancy Footwork

Flying feet at Riverdance

Experience the rich history of Celtic culture without leaving the city as family-friendly Riverdance (Apr. 5 to 10) pays homage to its Irish roots. Take in traditional stepdancing numbers featuring Caterina Coyne and her dance team as they move at lightning speed in astounding synchronization. To keep the audience on its toes, the touring troupe incorporates flamenco and American tap dance into the elaborate routines. Catch every leap, hop, jump and jig at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.—Dylan Martin

Hot Entertainment: Legally Blonde

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

Hot Entertainment: La Clemenza di Tito

La Clemenza di Tito photo by Ken Howard

A great ruler finds power in clemency instead of revenge. The message of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera is just as relevant in the 21st century as it was back in 1791, when the musical genius composed this powerful work, in the final months of his short but prolific life. Vancouver Opera presents a lavish production at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Feb. 5, 8, 10 and 12).—Sheri Radford

Weekend Roundup, January 14th to 16th

Friday: Be wowed by Shen Yun Performing Arts' colourful production

Friday, January 14th
Get a glimpse into the diverse 5,000-year history of China courtesy of Shen Yun Performing Arts. The talented troupe brings its mix of dance and theatre to the Sony Centre stage tonight and throughout the weekend.

Best known as Full House dad Danny Tanner and the original host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, Bob Saget brings his hilarious (though notoriously uncensored) stand-up routine to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Itching for even more comedy? Don’t miss your last chance to catch A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Stephen Sondheim’s gleeful musical about a Roman slave attempting to earn his freedom.

Saturday: Yuck it up with Rod Beattie in Wingfield: Lost & Found

Saturday, January 15th
The uproarious comedy show Wingfield: Lost and Found plays tonight at the Panasonic Theatre. This latest in Rod Beattie’s series of “Walter Wingfield” shows sees the character—a stock broker turned farmer—battle obstacles in search of a new water source during a drought.

Mickey Mouse and the rest of the Disney gang wheel into Toronto with Mickey’s Rockin’ Roadshow. On stage this weekend at the Rogers Centre, the production features all of your ‘toon favourites, including Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and many other special guests!

Tokyo Police Club invade the Kool Haus tonight for an all-ages concert. The Newmarket natives play upbeat indie-rock songs that are sure to get you dancing.

Sunday: Crowd the Berkeley Street Theatre at a performance of Ruins (photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

Sunday, January 16th
Pay heed to the struggles women must go through in times of strife—the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Ruined makes its Toronto premiere tonight at the Berkeley Street Theatre.

It’s had a successful run, but inevitably, the Next Stage Theatre Festival closes today at the Factory Theatre. All eight of the fest’s acclaimed independent productions are on stage today. The first show, Eating with Lola, starts at 3 p.m.

For anyone who’s planning a wedding—or those who simply love to live vicariously through the bride and groom—The Wedding Show at the glamorous Carlu offers everything from gowns to invitations. Experts are on-site, too, to help you with everything you’ll need for the big day.

Hot Date: Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly photo by Tony Lyon

The Scottish comedian/actor has played everything from a hitman to Queen Victoria’s servant-turned-companion to a collar-wearing pet zombie, and he’s regularly voted one of the most popular comics in Britain. See “The Big One” for yourself at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Nov. 25 to 26), but be ready for ribald humour peppered with f-bombs.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Blast from the Past

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

Hot Date: Disney’s The Lion King

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

May Hot Date: Madama Butterfly

Puccini's Madama Butterfly comes to Vancouver May 29. Photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

Even those who aren’t theatre aficionados have heard of Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece, which Opera America ranked number one on the list of North America’s most-performed operas. See for yourself why this story has survived for more than a century when Vancouver Opera presents the timeless, tragic tale of Cio-Cio San and her beloved American soldier, B. F. Pinkerton. At the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (May 29 to Jun. 10).—Sheri Radford

May Hot Date: Eddie Izzard

Comedian Eddie Izzard is in Vancouver May 21 and 22

Though the charming British actor and activist once completed 43 marathons in 51 days, he’s better known for his rambling stand-up comedy crammed with non sequiturs, surreal historical musings, pop-culture references and verbal jabs at hecklers. At the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (May 21 and 22).—Sheri Radford