El Jinete: A Mariachi Opera
Puente Theatre is gearing up to present the world’s first fully-staged mariachi opera, El Jinete (The Rider), Apr. 26-28 at the Metro Studio (1411 Quadra).
Writen and directed by Puente’s artistic director Mercedes Bátiz-Benét, El Jinete is based on a mariachi song of the same name about a lone rider, mortally wounded, in search of his lover, paralleling the myth of Orpheus as he crosses the Rio Grande from Mexico into the U.S.A.
The creative team — with video projection by Jamie Nesbitt, lights designed by Itai Erdal, sound design by Chris Hind, and costumes by Florence Barrett — was inspired by vintage black and white Mexican cinema.
The cast features Alex Alegría as El Jinete, Alexandra Wever as Valentina, and Mario Sota as El Malo.
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $20/15 at ticketrocket.org or 250-590-6291. M
Hannah Georgas
Fresh off a performance at this year’s Juno Awards where she earned nominations for Songwriter of the Year (alongside winner Leonard Cohen) and Alternative Album, Vancouver’s Hannah Georgas is back in town — this time playing a headlining set at Upstairs Cabaret.
Georgas released her latest, self-titled, album late last year, featuring a fresh new-wave, synth heavy pop sound, thanks in part to producer Graham Walsh (Holy Fuck).
Twenty-nine-year-old Georgas has been touring non-stop since her album was released, opening for Mother Mother, alongside Kathleen Edwards and with Victoria’s Aidan Knight. She’s looking forward to a headlining set where she can showcase the new album with a full band.
Georgas lived in Victoria from 2003-2005 as she studied social sciences at UVic.
Opening the show is Vancouver’s The Belle Game, Thurs., April 25 at Upstairs Cabaret. Doors at 8pm. $18. M
Better Living at Langham Court
Lagham Court Theatre brings another disfunctional family to the stage with Better Living, from George F. Walker’s East End Plays series which explores the dreams and disappointments of everyday people living on the fringes of urban society.
Better Living takes us behind the scenes of a family in distress as single mother, Nora (M Award nominee-Lorene Cammiade), has to make room around her youngest daughter, Gail (Aisling Goodman), as eldest daughter Elizabeth (Kate Harter) and middle daughter Mary Ann (Michelle Mitchell) move back in. And this coupled with the surprise return of Nora’s ex-husband, Tom (Wayne Yercha), who believes they need to prepare for a looming apocalypse.
Director Wendy Merk (Ghosts of the Plaza) says if you “love a good laugh with a bit of thought behind it, enjoy seeing your crazy neighbours satirized a bit [or] like your theatre with a bit of a bite,” then you’ll love Better Living.
Opening Thurs., April 25 at 8pm and running Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm until May 17. M
Derwin Blanshard
Join Victoria’s classiest talk show host Derwin Blanshard for the eighth installment of his Extremely Classy Sunday Evening Programme, 8pm at Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad).
This month’s show features CBC Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald, Sasquatch hunter Dave Hill B.Sc., comedian Shane Priestly and music by MD Wren and the Sick Kids, and a whole lot of funny, funny people. Tickets are $15 or $12 for the overly dressed. M
CCPA Season finale
The Canadian College of Performing Arts closes out its 15th anniversary season with the Broadway hit musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm at the McPherson Playhouse. There is also a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets start at $32 and are available at rmts.bc.ca or by phone at 250-386-6121.M
Fashion Machine
Would you let kids dress you? Theatre SKAM is hosting a one-night preview of Fashion Machine, 6:30pm Sun., April 28 at Open Space (510 Fort), where five audience members will have their outfits completely remodeled by kids while the rest of the audience watches. Tickets are $15/12/10 and are available at ticketrocket.org or by phone at 250-590-6291. M
