A Tale of Two Shows

If you enjoy great theatre, this week is for you!  There are two great productions heading our way, both debuting mid-week.  The Saint John Theatre Company kicks off their 09-10 season with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and KHVS is putting on a fall musical, the student/staff production of Jesus Christ Superstar!

I am very disappointed to have to miss the first of the two, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  After joining the SJTC last year as “Roxie Hart” in Chicago, as well as participating in second stage activities and this summer’s Theatre on the Edge, I have really gotten into the high calibre productions.  Hubby and I have bought a season subscription the last few years, which is an amazing deal for great professional theatre.  This season is as exciting as the last, with plays that rely heavily on talented male leads (shows 2 & 3 are Frost/Nixon and musical The Producers).   

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the stage adaptation of the famous 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stephenson.  “Something dark is haunting London. Doctor and scientist Henry Jekyll has stumbled upon a potion that allows him to transfigure – into the violent and secretive Mr. Edward Hyde. The doctor revels in the freedom of his second identity, but when the murder of a prominent politician is attributed to the remorseless Hyde, Jekyll’s relationship to the madman is called into question. As Jekyll’s alter ego slips further into depravity, the doctor begins to lose control…”  Bone chilling and bound to be an amazing performance by their lead actor!

Don’t shed a tear for my misfortune, though.  The reason I have to miss the play is that I am performing in the musical!  I am a huge fan of all things musical theatre, and when Suzanne Yerxa gave us teachers the opportunity to participate, I jumped at the chance.  I am excited to be waiting anxiously in the wings alongside my students for the opportunity to sing and dance.

Jesus Christ Superstar is not for all audiences.  The rock opera turned musical, by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, highlights the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus Christ.  The story “is based on St John’s Gospel account of the last week of Jesus’ life, beginning with the preparation for Jesus’ and his followers’ arrival in Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion.”  The show is high energy and sure to please, especially with performances by KVHS VP Peter Atkinson (Priest), Physics teacher Paul Dunnet (King Herrod) and English teacher John Frank (Pontius Pilate), however, there are some disturbing scenes.

Wish me a broken leg and get your tickets to both shows before its too late!

This Week in Saint John (Nov 9-15)

I hope you all have full bellies and great memories from last week’s CHOP CHOP and entertainment line-ups.  This week Saint John is continuing with the fun…

• Girls Night Out w/entertainment by Dave Myles (Mon 9, Opera Bistro, 6:30-10:30pm – $30)
• Tim Isaac Auction (Tue 10, SJ Trade & Convention Centre, 11am-3pm – Free)
• Remembrance Day Ceremonies (Wed 11, Harbour Station, 10:15am – Free)
• Remembrance Day at the Museum (Wed 11, NB Museum, 12:00-5:00pm – museum admission) Free admission for veterans and their families.
• SJ Sea Dogs vs. Baie Comeau (Thu 12, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16)
• Dan Hill w/ Jessica Rhaye (Thu 12 & Fri 13, The Blue Olive, 9pm)
• Exhibit Opening: Jim Stackhouse – 30 yrs of painting (Fri 13, Peter Buckland Gallery)
• Cosmos for a Cause: Cocktail Party & Jewelery Extravaganza (Fri 13, SJ Trade & Convention, 5-8pm – $40 Fundraiser)
• Buddy Wasisname, The Two Five Tour (Fri 13, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $21-$31)
• Signal Hill (Fri 13 & Sat 14, O’Leary’s Pub, 9pm – regular cover charge)
• Pre-parade party (Sat 14, Market Square Atrium, 1-4pm – Free)
• 57th Annual Santa Clause Parade (Sat 14, Uptown Saint John, 6pm – Free!)  Bring your non-perishable food items for the Saint John Food Bank!
• A Really Big Shew! (Sat 14, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $35-50)
• SJ Sea Dogs vs. Bathurst (Sat 14, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16)
• The Free Press w/ Telfer (Sat 14, The Blue Olive, 9:30pm – $5)
• La Tour Baroque Duo (Sun 15, Saint John Arts Centre, 2-4pm – $5-$15) www.earlymusicstudio.ca

Enjoy!

This Week in Saint John (Nov 2-8)

ALRIGHT!  A great week on the way…

NOVEMBER 1-7
Chop Chop Festival for Foodies in Uptown Saint John
The fine chefs of uptown Saint John are chopping up their best…the wine is fine, the lunches are delish, the dinners are divine…and don’t forget the ‘just for this occasion,’ Chop Chop Plate!  All week participating establishments will be offering unique specials daily. Experience something new and fabulous each and every day! For more information: (506) 633-9797 www.uptownsj.com

• Diary within my Head/Lysistrata (Mon 2, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $25)  www.clydeawray.com
• CCI Packing & Shipping 2-day workshop (Tue 3 & Wed 4, New Brunswick Museum, 9am-5pm – $95 members-$110 non-members)  Lunch & refreshments included.
• CHOP CHOP meets SIP SIP – Food & Wine pairing course with Craig Pinhey (Tue 3, Happinez Wine Bar, 7pm – $50 + HST)  Limited seats (20) available, confirmed upon payment 634-7340/ info@happinezwinebar.com
• John McDermott (Tue 3, Imperial Theatre, 7:30pm – $40)
• Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Halifax Mooseheads (Wed 4, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16)
• All you can eat rib night! (Wed 4, Boilerworks, all night)
• Nikkie Gallant & Ryan Leblanc (Wed 4, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $15-$24)
• Open Mic. with Sean Roach (Wed 4, O’Leary’s Pub)
• Dance Quest 2009 (Thu 5, SJ Trade & Convention Centre,
• Rose Cousins w/ Royal Wood (Thu 5, The Blue Olive, 8pm – $20)
• Beer 4 Iguana (Thu 5-Sat 7, O’Leary’s Pub – Main Stage, 9pm – regular cover charge)
• Opera NB presents: Topsy Turvy – A night of Gilbert & Sullivan (Fri 6, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $10-$37)
• The Carson Downey Band (Fri 6, The Blue Olive, 9:30pm – $10)
• PRINCESS ST. GRAND RE-OPENING! (Sat 7, Princess St., All day – FREE!)  Opening ceremony @ Saint John Theatre Co.  at 12pm. www.uptownsj.com
• IKEBANA: The art of Japanese flower arranging (Sat 7, Saint John Arts Centre, 10-11:30am – $40)
• Dinner with Queen Victoria’s Parlour Magician (Sat 7, Tanner’s Home Inn – 190 King St. East, 7pm – $80/couple) 
• Shakespeare Society presents A Renaissance Feast (Sat 7, Delta Brunswick Hotel – Trinity Royal Room, 7-10pm – $60) Register @ www.saintjohnshakespeare.ca.   
• SJ Sea Dogs vs. Rouyn-Noranda (Sat 7, Harbour Station, 7pm – $10.50-$16) 
• Emm Gryner (Sun 8, The Blue Olive, 8pm – $15)

This Week in Saint John (Oct 26-Nov 1)

Halloween week.  It is sure to be a scream! 

• Introduction to wine course w/ Peter Smit (Mon 26, Happinez Wine Bar, 7-9:30pm – $35+HST)  Register @ 634.7340
• Meet the Artist: Clyde A. Wray – poet & playwrite (Tue 27, Saint John Arts Centre, 12-1pm – BYOLunch)
• Opera 101 ‘Listen & Lunch’ (Wed 28, Saint John Arts Centre, 12:10-12:50pm – Free.)
• The Emperor – Symphony NB (Wed 28, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $10-$40)
• Spook Trail (Thu 29, Kennebecasis Valley High School, 6:30pm – $2/trail fundraiser)
• Shakin (Thu 29, O’Leary’s Pub, 10pm – regular cover charge)
• CS High (Fri 30, Water Street Dinner Theatre – Steamers, 6:30pm – $39.95)
• David Copperfield Live (Fri 30, Harbour Station, 6pm and 9pm – $59.50-$75.50)
• Legends of Country Music (Fri 30, Imperial Theatre, 7:30pm – 20$)
• Animal Rescue League’s Halloween Howler Dance (Fri 30, Royal Canadian Legion West Branch #69, 8pm-12am – $10 fundraiser) 
• Stephanie Mainville (Fri 30, The Blue Olive, 9pm – $15, $18 at the door)
• PRIDE Halloween Dance (Fri 30, The Armories – 60 Broadview Ave – South End, 10pm-2am – $5)
• Tradition (Fri 30 & Sat 31, O’Leary’s Pub, 10pm – regular cover charge)
• Old Thomas & the Little Fairy (Sat 31, Imperial Theatre, 2pm – $14)
• Fiesta Latina! (Sat 31, Taco Pica – 96 Germain St., all evening)
• 2nd Annual Haunted Halloween Cruise (Sat 31, Voyager II – Saint John Marina, 9-11pm – $30)
• Halloween Party! (Sat 31, The Blue Olive, all night)
• Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon Classic Albums Live (Sun 1, Imperial Theatre, 8pm – $38)
• The Australian Pink Floyd Show (Sun 1, Harbour Station, 7:30pm – $49) 
• Chop Chop 7 Day Festival for Foodies (Sun 1 – Sat 7, www.uptownsj.com for all participating venues)