Burnaby stars shine at Theatre Under the Stars

AbhinayaNatesh anatesh@burnabynow com

A debut, a comeback and a musical virtuoso the Burnaby representation is strong at this year’s Theatre Under the Stars productions

The much-awaited summer season ofTheatre Under the Stars (TUTS) is back at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl until Aug. 26 with two heartfelt musical comedies: The Prom and Roald Dahl’s MatildaThe Musical, celebrating love, acceptance and inclusion

And taking the helm in these musicals as cast, crew and ensemble members are Burnaby residents Isabelle Morris, Harold Perdomo and Sean Bayntun

Conceived from Roald Dahl’s iconic storytelling, Roald Dahl’s MatildaThe Musical has been a Broadway classic for years.

The story, set in a small English village, follows Matilda, a brilliant little girl with a lively imagination, who uses her storytelling ability and magical powers to “fight for the right to be a little bit naughty”

Isabelle will be taking on the role of Alice (Matilda’s classmate) in the musical

For the eight-year-old student at Holy Cross Elementary School, this role will mark herTUTS debut.

“I really wanted to become a famous actor when I grew up,” she said. “There were auditions for this play, and I thought, this is gonna be my chance.”

Isabelle first fell in love with musical theatre after seeing a live performance of Hamilton She noted she’d underestimated the level of work this needed.

“I didn’t know it’d be this much work,” she said “I’m really tired now that we’re doing tech and our rehearsals end (late at night), it’s really tiring ”

But, ultimately, it is fun, she added

The Prom is a heartfelt comedy about four downon-their-luck Broadway actors who attempt to come to a small-town teen’s rescue after her prom gets cancelled, and their journey to finding their “place to belong ” Burnaby-based Sean Bayntun is taking the lead as the music director for the show.

The musician, who got his introduction to musical theatre through aTUTS production 20 years ago, described the music in The Prom as eclectic

“You’ve got … Fossetype jazz, an almost Rodg- ers and Hammerstein-esque old musical theatre numbers to Joni Mitchell and even full-on synthesizer dance party (numbers),” he said.

“There are definitely some really kind of tragic, heart-wrenching moments in the show, but the music always has sort of a bit of a smile on its face

“It’s got a lot of hope in it The lyrics in the songs tend not to go towards despondency, and instead, they always feel like they’re looking towards the light, and I think that’s sort of the idea … that things can get better and that things should get better if we continue to work on them,” he added.

The musical also casts Burnaby actor Harold Perdomo as an ensemble member.

The Prom role marks a TUTS musical comeback for Perdomo

After experiencing burnout when he was 24 (in 2006), Perdomo said he wanted to come back to the musical industry as he felt he had a lot of unfinished business with his time with music.

“I kind of always felt like I had more to say,” he said, and hisTUTS summer gives him a chance to do that “It’s an incredible opportunity to live the dreams that I had when I was a kid ”

Watching the play Hamilton on Disney Plus and seeing people of colour perform was a huge factor in his coming back to musical theatre, he noted

“The Prom is such a special story,” he said. “And I think that if you can reach just one kid and tell them that they’re OK just the way that they are, that’s really what the whole point of it is ”

The two shows run until Aug. 26 on alternating nights For tickets and further information, visit tuts.ca.

It’s time to celebrate Pride in Burnaby and feature the diversity of the localTwo-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual/aromantic, plus (2SLGBTQIA+) community

Come out and revel in fantastic entertainment, including live music, drag, comedy and more.There will be activities and educational booths for the whole family

An hour before the festival starts, you can head to Civic Square at 11 a.m. for a Move and Groove free outdoor Zumba class for all ages and abilities, hosted by Burnaby Pride and Arc’teryx Metrotown – with a prize for Best Pride Outfit

WHEN: Saturday, July 22 from noon to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Burnaby Civic Square (6100 Willingdon Ave.)

COST: Free, for more information see www.burnabypride.com

Burnaby is bringing live music to public spaces all over the city this summer, and you can find two shows this Friday at Fraser Foreshore Park From noon to 1 p m , listen to J D Miner’s original songs about “boats, trains, coffee (and some women too), old cowboys and plenty of old-time foot stomping instrumentals.”Then, from 1:15 to 2:15 p m , singer-songwriter Norine Braun will play her ethereal music inspired by forests and the natural world.

WHEN: Friday, July 21

WHERE: Fraser Foreshore Park (7751 Fraser Park Dr.)

COST: Free

As part of BurnabyVillage Museum’s new South Asian exhibition, you can join KirtanVancouver at the museum for an evening of musical meditation

Kirtan is “the ancient practice of call and response chanting, combining mantra and music to open one’s heart It takes a minute to learn, and makes you feel good just as fast,” states the event’s website

Anyone can join, as long as you bring your voice and an open mind

Event organizers recommend bringing your own cushion for comfortable floor seating and a water bottle to stay hydrated.

WHEN: Saturday, July 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Burnaby Village Museum (6501 Deer Lake Ave.)

COST: Free, register in advance by calling 604-2974565 and use booking reference “Kirtan at the Museum” or 703801

Time to rock your heart out at Great Bear Pub’s Sunday karaoke night hosted by Burnaby All Stars Karaoke. It’s not just rock ’n’ roll, it’s all genres and all the fun

WHEN: Sunday, July 23 from 8 to 11:45 p.m.

WHERE: Great Bear Pub (5665 Kingsway)

COST: Free admission

Deer Lake Gallery’s new exhibition, Breakdown Buildup, spans large abstract landscapes, like those by artist BilianaVelkova, to small 2D carved prints by Erika Mashig, to little 3D monochromatic characters and hazy landscapes by Sunshine Frère.

The artists question and visualize the relationships between collapse and resilience, and ask “How can we adapt to life within this new era of unpredictability?”The exhibition runs to Aug 20

You can visit the exhibition’s opening reception on Thursday, July 20 at 6 p.m.

WHEN: Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Deer Lake Gallery (6584 Deer Lake Ave.)

COST: Free, donations accepted

Compiled by LaurenVanderdeen