Category: History

Tracey Power is the creative force behind the Firehall hit show Chelsea Hotel – the Songs of Leonard Cohen. She was one of the original cast members for Urinetown in 2006 and her ‘Little Sally’ performance deservedly won her a Jessie Awards nod. Critics have been raving about her performance this time round – “Using a squeezed, street-urchin voice, Tracey Power is perfect as Little Sally.” – Georgia Straight

What is Urinetown?
One of the funnest musicals I’ve ever been a part of. See it! Even if you think it sounds disgusting and weird. It’s the first show I ever saw in NY and it was one of my most memorable nights in the theatre.

Tell us about your character
Little Sally is extremely curious and the ultimate optimist. She would follow Bobby Strong to the ends of the earth and believes that love truly is, all we really need. She also has good taste in shoes.

What is your secret superpower?
Parallel Parking. Very handy when you live in the Westend. The incredible sense of pride that comes over you after a successful park job is actually a bit bizarre. What’s that all about?

When I’m rich and famous I’ll….
Travel the world! I’d also like to learn to play hockey and speak another language. I think I can fit that in.

What is your favourite expression for going to the toilet? 
I gotta take a whiz. Without a doubt.

Capitalism, socialism, totalitarianism, activism, realism, postmodernism. Choose an –ism and tell us why.
I’ll pick realism. It’s a good place to get back to when you have an active imagination.

What is the biggest environmental challenge we as Canadians face?
Global Warming will ultimately destroy the planet. It’s almost entirely the fault of human beings and there are huge steps needed to reverse it. The largest step being, there are still human beings who deny it’s existence. So I suppose THEY are ultimately the biggest environmental challenge. THEY who could make Urinetown a reality.
–

You can find Tracey on twitter @TeepTeep and on stage at the Firehall til November 29 in Urinetown: The Musical. Click here for more info and details on tickets. 

Urinetown: The Musical opened to a standing ovation and has already sold out three shows. Here’s what the critics had to say about the irreverent musical comedy that has been making everyone laugh out loud.

REVIEWS

“you’ll just laugh and laugh and laugh…. one of the best productions in Firehall history… Should be Number One on your ‘must see’ list. You just gotta go.” – Jo Ledingham, (of the Vancouver Courier)

“this satire set to music is sharp, funny and maybe even a tiny bit prophetic.” Vancouver Presents

“It’s a marvel to see this Broadway-scale musical performed on such a small stage… smart, sassy, and slightly off-kilter… a fine satire on the state of the water wars.” – Vancitybuzz

“Urinetown is fantastic–go see it!” – Beyond YVR

“Urinetown’s memorable songs, impressive dance numbers, and award-winning score will delight musical lovers, while its ironic humor and send-up of musical conventions will appeal to people who may not be fond of the form.” – PRISM Magazine

“I won’t be surprised if it will again win awards in the upcoming Jessies. It was superbly directed by Donna Spencer who also plays Ma Strong; the choreography by Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg was flawless; the set design by Ted Roberts was exceptional;  and Barbara Clayden’s costumes were to the T.” Reviewvancouver.org

“a hilarious satirical show that adults love, even though they are eons past their preschool bathroom-humour phase… electrifying… I loved everything about this show but as a dance addict, I have to give top billing to Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg’s stand-out choreography. Triple Wow!” Review From the House

“Urinetown is a satirical gem that pokes fun at politics, climate change, and (in the meta spirit) musical theatre.” – Lotusland Magazine

Urinetown runs til November 29. Click here for more info.

Monday November 3, 7pm
Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E. Cordova
FREE

JOIN US!

We invite you join us for our annual general meeting to celebrate another successful year for the Firehall Arts Centre. We will kick off proceedings with the meeting at 7pm sharp, accompanied by light refreshments.

All members have voting rights at the AGM – if you need to join or renew, you can do so in person at the door (membership is just $10). What we do genuinely wouldn’t be possible without you, our biggest supporters, so a huge thanks from all of us at the Firehall. We look forward to seeing you at the AGM!

The nitty gritty

Notice of Annual General Meeting for The Firehall Theatre Society

Notice is hereby given of the 2014 Annual General Meeting of the
Firehall Theatre Society.
WHEN: Monday November 3, 7pm
WHERE: Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E. Cordova
WHAT: Firehall Theatre Society Annual General Meeting

We are delighted to be working with Sean Heather and his crew at the Heather Hospitality Group this season. Sean is a Firehall patron and big supporter of the arts and local community events. He opened his first pub, the Irish Heather, back in 1997 and now runs a series of successful bars and restaurants in downtown Vancouver. Look out for Heather Hospitality’s delicious catering at opening nights throughout our upcoming season. Plus, if you fancy a pre-theatre dinner or an after show drink, they’ll be offering 10% off food items to Firehall ticket buyers before your show and $5 Irish Coffee and Irish Whiskey as post show nightcap. Heather restaurants close to the theatre are The Irish Heather (a traditional Irish pub with hearty gastropub faire), Salt Tasting Room (an excellent curated wine list & tasting plates) & Bitter Tasting Room (an intimate bar with an unrivaled craft beer selection). See below for details. Note, all restaurants take reservations and you just need to show your ticket or will call confirmation to get the discount.

Bitter Tasting Room

16 West Hastings Street
(604) 558-4658
Tuesday – Saturday 5 PM – midnight

Located 650 meters from the Firehall (7 minutes’ walk) | Google Maps link

This little place has a jaw-dropping craft beer list, with friendly service and a wonderful dinner menu. It’s close to the theatre; a great spot to grab a pre-show pint!

DISCOUNT! Present your ticket or email confirmation for 10% off.

Salt Tasting Room

45 Blood Alley
(604) 633-1912
Mon – Thu 5 PM til late
Fri – Sun Noon til late

Located 650 meters from the Firehall (7 minutes’ walk) | Google Maps link

This sister restaurant of Bitter Tasting Room is a star of Gastown (plenty of 5 star reviews on Yelp and Urbanspoon), with a friendly and knowledgeable staff, a wonderful wine list, and a tight, well-composed tasting menu of charcuterie and cheese plates. This is THE spot to go for a great glass of red before the show – only a few minutes’ walk from the theatre!

DISCOUNT! Present your ticket or email confirmation for 10% off.

The Irish Heather Gastropub

212 – 214 Carrall Street (on the other side of Carrall)
(604) 688-9779
Open daily 11:30 am – 2 am

Located 550 meters from the Firehall (6 minutes’ walk) | Google Maps link

This happens to be one of the few Irish pubs in Vancouver proudly owned and operated by Irish people! They serve up all the traditional Irish staples: a properly-poured pint of Guinness, bangers & mash, pot pies, and chips with curry sauce. Since opening in 1997, this restaurant has become wildly popular, and has since become the very successful Heather Hospitality Group. A great place to sit and enjoy some honest-to-goodness comfort food.

DISCOUNT! Present your ticket or email confirmation for 10% off.

Great news! Canadian comedy icon Bruce McCulloch is returning to Vancouver for the launch of his new book about his rabble-rousing ‘young punk’ days in Cowtown and growing up to be a (big) Kid in the Hall. What’s equally exciting about Brucio coming to town is that it’s led us to join forces with the wonderful folks at The Cultch. That’s right, for the first time EVER in Firehall history, we will be co-presenting a show with The Cultch at the newly re-appointed York Theatre in East Van on October 27.

To celebrate the launch of the new book, McCulloch is appearing for a special one-night-only performance of Young Drunk Punk, which sold out its entire run and attracted wildly enthusiastic standing ovations and rave reviews at the Firehall in January. It seems fitting that two East Van cultural institutions are working together to ensure that as many fans as possible can check out this biting, hilarious and darkly surreal night of comedy in the more roomy York Theatre.

Showcasing his signature wit, Young Drunk Punk chronicles McCulloch’s journey from his wild early days as a ‘young punk’ in 80’s Alberta, to his flannel plaid days in 90’s Toronto, to becoming a ‘pajama-clad dad’ in the Hollywood Hills.

Whether you are a fan of Brucio’s Kids in the Hall wacky brilliance, or have gotten to know him through his recent TV appearances in Arrested Development or Death Comes to Town, this intimate live show is essential viewing for those of us who have been young, drunk and a little punk at some point in our lives.

Young Drunk Punk is on Monday October 27 at the York Theatre. McCulloch will be signing books following the show.

TICKETS are $42 regular or $65 for a book/ticket/beer package – includes a ticket, copy of Let’s Start a Riot (HarperCollins) & a beer. Available from thecultch.com | 604-251-1363. You must be 19 or older to attend this event.

>Read more

Welcome to the Firehall’s 32nd season! We have an eclectic line up of distinctly Canadian stories that span cultures and internationally recognised dance stars. The smash hit Urinetown: The Musical returns with an all-new production, while last season’s Jessie-nominated hit PROUD is back for an election-year encore. You’ll also see popular Firehall performers in brand new productions – Kayvon Kelly is back in his original new play My Rabbi (plus a short Christmas run of Chelsea Hotel) and look out for TJ Dawe’s collective collaboration, PostSecret: the Show.

Without further ado, we give you our 2014-2015 Season. With so much fantastic theatre and dance to choose from, the best way to experience our season and save is with a discount season pass. Single tickets are also now on sale for Fall shows.

2014/2015 SEASON

MY RABBI – October 7-18 

The Vancouver premiere of a new play by Kayvon Kelly (Chelsea Hotel) and Joel Bernbaum (Home is a beautiful Word) about friendship, faith and family.

WAG – October 21-25

A comedy of tragic proportions by Denise Clarke. ‘Wag is many things — a meditation on life, a storytelling dance piece, and a waltz party — but ultimately, it’s good fun.’ (Calgary Herald)

URINETOWN: the Musical – November 1-29

The Jessie Award winning smash hit musical comedy returns. One of the Firehall’s most popular productions ever!

THINGS NEAR AND FAR – December 3-6

An evening of bold, new dance that spans three generations of creative experimentation. Featuring Choreography by Josh Martin and Tedd Robinson and performances by Ziyian Kwan, Ron Stewart & Anne Cooper.

CHELSEA HOTEL – December 2014

The sold-out Firehall production inspired by Leonard Cohen returns for a limited Christmas run. Featuring six artists playing seventeen different Instruments in an eclectic cabaret of loves won and lost.

KAYAK – January 8-17

Alley Theatre’s production of brilliant emerging Vancouver playwright Jorden Hall’s smart and funny play about the ways love and absurdity get tangled up in ecological ethics.

POSTSECRET The Show – January 2015
A Firehall Arts Centre production of the play inspired by Frank Warren’s internet phenomenon postsecret.com. A visual, auditory and emotional journey through the beauty and complication of our deepest fears, ambitions, and confessions. This production is a collective collaboration by Justin Sudds, Kahlil Ashanti, TJ Dawe & Frank Warren.

NTU, SKWATTA – February 11-14

Experience the riveting mastery of the incomparable Vincent Mantsoe and his Afro-fusion dance, which mixes traditional African dance and contemporary Western street styles. These two solo pieces draw you into the poverty stricken world of South Africa’s squatter camps.

MADE IN CHINA – Feb 18-21

Wen Wei Dance weaves together dance, music and storytelling to explore the shared identity of three Canadian artists of Chinese heritage and their evolution as contemporary international artists.

RIBCAGE: THIS WIDE PASSAGE/THORAX – Dates TBC

The startling true story of Esther Brandeau, a woman from Jewish French Basque country, who arrives in 18th Century Quebec City as a male labourer. A bold, little-know Canadian tale by urbanink productions about displacement, prejudice & identity.

THE VILLAGE – Dates TBC

A one-woman show by Canadian artist Tina Milo, whose Serbian heritage infuses this unique and darkly humorous fusion of music, physical theatre & film. Part-autobiography, part universal tale, this is a story all women and mothers will relate to.

PROUD – April 4-25, 2015

The popular comedy about Canada’s Prime Minister returns. Michael Healey’s sexy, cheeky and surprising play will have you rolling in the aisles – regardless of your politics.

GOD AND THE INDIAN – May 2015

A First Nations woman confronts a priest for answers about her dark residential-school past. A Firehall production in association with Native Earth Performing Arts of Drew Hayden Taylor’s unflinching and heartbreaking play.

BC BUDS, Firehall Spring Arts Festival – May 2015

The 11^th edition returns to fill the Firehall with music, dance, theatre and the unexpected.

Season passes are now on sale online or by calling 604-689-0926. Click here to find out more about pass options and prices.

To see the 2015 BC Buds program click here.

May 7 – 11,  2014 – FREE

Join us for  four jam-packed days of site-specific music, dance & theatre creations at the Firehall this Spring!

READ SHOW DESCRIPTIONS 

Both critics and fans are in stitches of laughter over the Firehall’s satire of Canada’s Prime Minister, Proud. Check out what people have been saying about Michael Healey’s play, which runs til April 26.

“Comic gold… brimming with gags … it’s a real pleasure to be able to laugh at Canadian politics in the theatre.” – Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight

Proud runs til April 26 and tickets are $15 – 30, with Pay-What-You-Can performances on Wednesdays at 1pm. Click here for ticket info.

David C Jones Interviews Craig Erickson & Emmelia Gordon about Proud

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_au7xA_yTA