Eagles put a spell on Edmonton
What a minute! How did Vince Gill wind up doing so much heavy lifting as the newest member of the Eagles in Edmonton on Tuesday night? No offense to Vince Gill. He’s a great guitarist and songwriter. One of country music’s finest. Helluva singer, too. Got that high, lonesome voice. But is he worthy to […]
REVIEW: Tragically Hip ballet an elemental triumph
Alberta Ballet artistic director Jean Grand-Maître has made a reputation for himself with his signature portrait ballets. In 2017, they did Gordon Lightfoot’s Our Canada. Prior to that: k.d. lang, Elton John and Sarah McLachlan. And now, it’s a wrap for a triumphant sold-out run of No Dress Rehearsal, This Was My Life – the […]
Terry and the Dog intense, disquieting, touching
A man sits on his porch and waits for his dog to come back to life. “Buddy” is dead – and not for the first time. His master Terry is pushing at the outer edges of middle age, and is a recovering alcoholic. Twice before in a drunken stupor he has accidentally killed Buddy – […]
Shania Twain still the one in Edmonton
It’s always a double bill of sorts whenever a Shania Twain show rolls into town – usually a toss-up between her lengthy tresses and telltale leopardskin wardrobe. This time, it wasn’t just the eyes focusing on the still-svelte 52-year-old songstress. Ears were perked up to see how her reconstructed larynx could withstand the punishment of […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Morris before us
The city was all abuzz back in 2010-11 when local Jeff Morris released his debut album, Original Songs on a Borrowed Guitar. He got mentions in press both near and far, and was nominated for an astounding six Edmonton Music Awards in 2011, including Best Live Performance, People’s Choice, Best Album and Best Single. Fast […]
PLAYBOT: Refugees find love in Canada
Canada has always welcomed refugees – and the nation is better for it. The new people just have to get used to the frightful weather. Before the poor Syrians, there were Jews fleeing persecution in Romania 100 years ago. Some of them settled in Canada – and so here is the tale in a concert-theatre […]
Young Frankenstein: It’s alive! It’s alive!
Except for the venerable Walterdale Theatre, ELOPE Musical Theatre may be the oldest amateur theatrical production entity in Edmonton. For 35 years the company has been scouring the community for talent, holding auditions and mounting productions of Broadway musicals. In the past few years they have featured such shows as Guys and Dolls, Sweeney Todd […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Never the Shania Twain shall meet
Nobody should care what Shania Twain says about Donald Trump. Ditto Kanye West or Roseanne or any other celebrity. We didn’t buy their records or watch their television shows for their political opinions. That’s what Fox & Friends is for. (For a highly scientific analysis on how artists can ruin their art by talking too […]
Fly Me to the Moon a grand tall tale
We are quite familiar with the works of Irish playwright Marie Jones. She had a huge success a few years back with Stones in His Pockets the story of a couple of sad sack extras in a major movie being shot in Ireland. There have been, at least, two productions staged in Edmonton. Jones is […]
