You Asked, and We Answered – New and Exciting Shows
for 2018 from Awkward Stage Productions
Vancouver’s theatre community is in for a treat – more new and exciting productions from Awkward Stage Productions Society (ASP)! Hot off the heels of their Pick-of-the-Fringe and Ovation Award winning 2017 production of Cry-Baby: The Musical, ASP has recently released the details of its 2018 season.
First up is
Smackdown! The 24-Hour Musical Contest.
Creation and Rehearsal period (6pm, March 31/18 to 5pm, April 1/18) at Arts Umbrella (Granville Island).
Final Performance (7pm, Sunday April 1/18) at Redgate Revue Stage (1601 Johnston St, Granville Island).
Smackdown! is an extraordinary event where five talented teams of performing artists, writers and musicians are given 24 hours to write, stage and perform a new musical. At stake are prizes, bragging rights and the grand prize that includes assistance from Awkward Stage Productions to develop their product. Tickets are available for the showcase of new works at The Redgate Revue Stage and also for 2-hour and 24-hour creation-period passes for people wanting to observe the creative process and all the drama that goes with it!
GET YOUR SMACKDOWN TICKETS HERE
The spring mainstage production is
MilkMilkLemonade
by Joshua Conkel.
May 23-26, 2018 at 8pm and an additional 2pm matinee on May 26/18.
CBC Studio 700 (700 Hamilton St, Vancouver).
This is a playful, outrageous and funny coming-of-age tale about sexual awakening, growing up gay, and what happens when your best friend is a chicken. Emory is an 11-year old boy who lives on a farm with his God-fearing, chain-smoking Nanna. His best friend is a depressed giant chicken who wants to be a stand-up comic. His favourite pastime is choreographing ribbon dances. Emory ‘plays house’ with Elliot, the 12-year old pyromaniac who lives down the road, and his greatest ambition is to be a contestant on a tv talent show.
MilkMilkLemonade is a painfully funny exploration of gender, sexuality, life, death and the need to dream up a world where you can be true to yourself. Features Seamus Fera in his Directorial debut
and Choreography by Erika Babins.
Get your MilkMilkLemonade TICKETS HERE
The fall mainstage production is the Canadian Premiere of
Jasper in Deadland
by Ryan Scott Oliver and Hunter Foster (presented as part of the Vancouver Fringe Festival).
September 6-15/18 (times vary, see Fringe program for details).
Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova St, Vancouver).
Jasper is lost in the living world. She’s failing classes, been kicked off the swim team, and her family is on the skids. Yet, in all the disappointment, Jasper has her best friend, Agnes. In one night of teenage passion, Jasper and Agnes consummate a years-long friendship. But in the morning Agnes is gone, telling Jasper to meet her at their cliff. When she arrives there’s no sign of her best friend, only a swirling vortex to another world in the water below. Jasper dives into Deadland.
More information and tickets will be available here in the summer: http://www.vancouverfringe.com/
New this year are two engaging and intimate cabaret-style performances featuring talented emerging Vancouver artists:
An Awkward Evening with Ali Watson
Thursday April 19/18 at 8pm (doors open at 7:30)
Redgate Revue Stage (1601 Johnston St, Granville Island)
An Awkward Evening with Synthia Yusef
Friday October 26/18 at 8pm (doors open at 7:30)
Redgate Revue Stage (1601 Johnston St, Granville Island)
More information and tickets will be available 4 weeks prior to the event date.
Continuing this year are the popular and ASP-original Fireside Chat series of discussions on relevant topics for young and emerging artists. More information is here: http://awkwardstageproductions.com/
And More…
With this 2018 programming, ASP continues its commitment to occupy the bridge space for young and emerging artists in the Vancouver theatre community. Andy Toth, Artistic Director explains, “The bridge space is the transitional time and place in an emerging artist’s career where they get experience, developmental opportunities and payment, so they can safely and confidently move forward in their theatre careers”.
“Vancouver theatre lovers and young theatre artists have much to look forward to in 2018 with Awkward Stage Productions,” says Barbara Gobis, Board Chair. “We are so pleased to be able to continue contributing to the future of Vancouver theatre.”
About Awkward Stage Productions Society:
Established in 2010, ASP is a theatre company dedicated to delivering high-quality, inclusive, relevant theatre programming; exciting audiences; and providing young and emerging artists with rewarding performance and production opportunities and mentorship. More information is here: http://awkwardstageproductions.com/about-us/the-company/
For more information, contact:
Andy Toth, Artistic Director, Awkward Stage Productions Society
Barbara Gobis Board Chair and President, Awkward Stage Productions Society