This year SummerWorks Theatre Festival saw itself in the midst of controversy due to government cutbacks. Despite that, the festival ran quite smoothly and theatre fans partook in many of shows.

Here are my three favourite shows…

Keith Wyatt, Amber Borotsik & Mark Jenkins

ONE
Company: REDtoBLUE Performance
Playwright: Jason Carnew
Director: Eric Rose
Cast: Amber Borotsik, Cole Humeny, Kristi Hansen, Keith Wyatt, Associate Lighting Designer/Stage Manager: Lester Lee, Sound Designer: Matt Waddell, Production Design: Snezana Pesic.

Synopsis: This a visually re-imagining of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth that follows the desperate journey of Philistine; a librarian whose devoted search for a lover ‘lost at sea’ takes her beyond the living world and into the strange and all-consuming world of the dead.

Why I like it: Everything about this show just flows so well. From the lighting, the acting, the dancing, the set and sound; it is seamless. The only one my friends and I agreed was worthy of a 5/5 rating.  The use of lighting along with sound evokes the mood of the story.  I particularly enjoyed watching Borotsik’s (Philistine) performance; every way she moved conveyed her anguish for her lost lover, George played by Humeny. The whole cast worked quite well together and it was a treat to see their use of the whole stage and also props throughout the performance. One is a virtual voyage into a world full of darkness yet full of hope at the same time. A total treat for the senses; kudos to all involved in the project!

Paloma Nuñez & Juan Carlos Velis

THE INTRUDER
Company: Alameda Theatre Company
Playwright: Amaranta Leyva
Director: Marilo Nuñez

Cast: Michelle Arvizu, Paloma Nuñez, Juan Carlos Velis; Production Manager: David DeGrow; Set and Costume Designer: Andjelija Djuric; Lighting Designer: Trevor Schwellnus; Sound Designer: Edgardo Moreno; Stage Manager: Fiona Jones; Associate Production Intern: Sigrid Velis

Synopsis: Catalina’s parents have recently divorced. Her world is turned upside down with the abrupt entry of her mother’s new boyfriend, the man she calls “The Intruder”. Catalina launches an investigation to find out what dark secrets are hidden behind this man’s charming presence. What she finds is a journey into the puzzles of identity and the true meaning of family.

Why I like it: This play is told from Catalina’s point of view… a child whose age we do not know but who shares with us her concerns, her anger and her questions using puppets to represent her parents and “The Intruder.” Nuñez is the highlight of this well-written and directed play. The audience quickly embraces her as Catalina and shares her frustration as well as her fears and doubts. The play clearly tells the story from a Latin American experience. Nonetheless, the story can easily translate to other cultures. Many families deal with separation, conflict and immigration struggles and this play highlights all of these and more.

S. Lindner, J. Moss & C. Murphy

LONG DARK NIGHT
Producer: Sarah Olmstead
Playwright/Director: Mark Shyzer
Composer and Musical Director: Jeff MacLean

Cast: Sonia Lindner, Jessica Moss, Colin Murphy, John McNeill, Julianna Ozorio; Lighting Designer: Oz Weaver; Stage Manager: Lynda Yearwood; Costume Designer: Jadranka Mandi

Synopsis: A film noir musical comedy set in the red light district of an anonymous city, Long Dark Night follows one night in the life of philandering alcoholic private detective Skip Tracer as he becomes entangled with the beautiful but dangerous Femme Fatale.

Why I like it: The show’s warning read: “Foul language. Gun Play. *Word play.” And these are great phrases to summarize it. This play was full of witty lines, funny lines and some great songs. A friend and I checked out this show later at night and what a neat surprise. A strong cast but the best lines, the best songs and really, the best performance credit goes to Ms. Moss. She steals the show from her first lines; her timing is en pointe. The rest of the cast also keeps the pace well and make the show feel like it’s less than its 75 minutes. From beginning to end, this show is just fun!