Theatre in Calgary helping your VD
The ‘Flec picks the best theatre Calgary has to offer to celebrate Valentine’s Day
Leah Fink
Staff Writer
To some, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love and the relationships we value the most. For others, it is merely a “corporate holiday” designed to make us spend money on chocolates and flowers and make faux-romantic gestures just because of the date.
Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no arguing that Valentine’s Day is upon us. And what better way to celebrate — or loath — Valentine’s Day than taking in some of Calgary’s theatre culture? Regardless of which camp you occupy, Calgary has a myriad of theatre events to offer. For that reason, The Reflector gives you a list of the best way to make the most of Feb. 14.
Love V-Day
What says romance on Valentine’s Day like taking your special someone out to the theatre? And what better production than Romeo and Juliet…but with New York gangs. West Side Story is the classic Shakespearian love story retold in New York in the mid 50s, where the feuding ‘families’ are two opposing gangs: the locals and the Puerto Ricans. Amidst the racial and social tension, Tony and Maria meet and, of course, fall in love.
Illustration: Hannah Cawsey
This critically acclaimed musical is full of some amazing songs such as “I Feel Pretty,” “Tonight” and “America.” With something for everyone, whether it be street fighting or singing, this love story will pull on your heartstrings. Going to see West Side Story won’t even break the bank with tickets starting at $35. The show starts at 8 p.m at the Jubilee Auditorium.
If Broadway isn’t quite your thing, you may also want to check out Cinnamon Heartbreak Cabaret. Returning for its third Valentine’s event, the night features a theatrical performance, belly dancing, the Rhinestone Affair Burlesque troupe and a performance from the up-and-coming Calgary band Locomotive Ghost. The night features a bit of something for everyone, while also remaining easy on your wallet.
Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. at
The Cat ‘n Fiddle Pub.
Hate V-Day
If watching mushy romantic stuff is the last thing you want to do on Valentine’s Day, but you still want to get out, why not check out the story of a grisly death and a haunted mill? Vertigo Theatre’s current production, The Huron Bride, will give you just that. Based on a haunted mill in Ontario in the early 1800s, the story follows Hazel, recently arrived from Europe, as she starts work at her cousin’s mill. But there is a dark history that she doesn’t know about and a ghost who definitely doesn’t want her there. You won’t be thinking much of romance as you hope what is happening is only a story, and that you will be safe in the audience…
Illustration: Hannah Cawsey
Don’t want romance? Don’t want horror either? How about comedy?
Loose Moose Theatre is a great please to enjoy some high quality improv. They run two shows on Friday nights: Maestro Improv and Past Your Bedtime. The former is a show where the audience votes between performers on who does the best improv scene. The losers are eliminated until only the maestro of improv is left.
In the latter, Andrew and Renee of Loose Moose Theatre tells stories — but with a twist; it may be a touch of danger or a twist of fate. As a result, every night ends differently. Maestro Improv is $12 for students and starts at 8 p.m., and Past Your Bedtime is $10 and starts at 10:30 p.m.
