I Love Artists

The Whole Bible. On Stage. In Two Hours.

The Arts Engine brings their production of The Big Picture to King’s University College this week. It’s a chance to see a well reviewed theatre production from a group of contemporary Christian artists. It’s a chance you might not want to miss.

The Edmonton Journal has a preview up which you can find online here … http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/Tale+Picture+redefines+stage+chutzpah/6154954/story.html

Here is a summation from the info sheet I received from Kings;

The Big Picture by Toronto playwright Dennis Hassell, is a stirring, epic theatrical encounter with God’s relationship to humankind as it is told in the tales of the Christian Bible. The compelling, human side of these foundational stories of western culture comes to life as an ensemble cast of five multi-talented performers enacts them with expert versatility – Adam and Eve, Abraham and Isaac, Joseph and his brothers, David and Bathsheba, right through the gospel of Jesus Christ and beyond.

And here are the details;

Tags: Kings University College, The Arts Engine, the bible, The Big Picture, theatre

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Wishbone Theatre Brings Bashir Lazhar to Alberta Ave

Anyone planning to join Edmonton’s Arty Social Club this Thursday evening for live improv already knows there is no shortage of great theatre on Alberta Avenue. But if you needed a reason to believe, boy do I have one for you.

My friend (I love it when I can say that) Michael Peng stars in Bashir Lazhar, a play produced by his Wishbone Theatre company, and until now performed overseas and in Ontario. It’s a great chance to catch great theatre in a great, local venue, The Avenue Theatre.

I’ll let Michael take it from here, with his original email …

My theatre company, wishbone theatre, thought it would be prudent to take advantage of our recent international (UK, Edinburgh) and sell-out (Kitchener) successes and remount “Bashir Lazhar” here in Etown. Then we get to put it to bed for awhile (I promised Kate…). We’ve chosen to run it at The Avenue Theatre on 118th Ave. next weekend, Oct.12-15th @ 8pm and Oct. 16th @ 2pm. Nicola Elbro is joining me on stage for this run – she’s a gifted actor and a wonderful human being!

It was important for us to tell this story in the place where many new Canadians choose to settle when they come to Edmonton. Our goal has been to strengthen connections we made with the immigrant community in 2009 and to invite even MORE people to meet Bashir. To that end, on Saturday (the 15th), we’ve planned a series of discussions and workshops on themes raised in the play – namely justice, tolerance, education and artistic expression. More details will be forthcoming on those ancillary events. Keep your eyes glued to our facebook page:www.facebook.com/wishbonetheatre

There are only 5 shows at The Avenue Theatre and seating is limited, so if you didn’t get a chance to see Bashir two years ago at the Fringe, or you’ve seen it but you want to reacquaint yourself with this moving production of a rich and very rewarding play (made more resonant by the changes taking place in the Arab world), we hope to see you at the show.

Attached please find a poster advertising the show. Send it to your co-workers. Your mother. Your taxi driver. We want as many as possible to experience the beauty of Bashir. Tickets are available online at http://www.tixonthesquare.ca/event/run/detail/463/ or at TixOnTheSquare: (780) 420-1757.

Did you catch this exciting bit?

“on Saturday (the 15th), we’ve planned a series of discussions and workshops on themes raised in the play – namely justice, tolerance, education and artistic expression.”

I’m thankful to Michael for bringing this to us, hope I can make it out, and I hope to see you there, too.

Tags: avenue theatre, Bashir Lazhar, michael peng, theatre

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Good Theatre from Beckett and Michael Peng

Our good friend Michael Peng is involved in yet another eTown theatre production, and we have a chance to see it until the end of this weekend. Here is the word from Michael.

Hey to all, and I hope you’re wearing your woolies right now (too personal, perhaps…?). Just a quick email to say we’re entering our final week of “Beckett’s Shorts,” a delightfully absurd little collection of short plays by the grand poobah of the (post)modern theatre. The plays are very rarely produced – you won’t have seen anything quite like them before. Shows tonight through Saturday at 7:30pm, with a matinee on Saturday at 2pm as well. At the Varscona Theatre on 83rd Ave. Tickets available online (http://www.tixonthesquare.ca/event/run/detail/277/) or at the door.

Tags: beckett, michael peng, theatre, varscona theatre

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