Vancouver Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: Billie Eilish Unleashes her HIT ME HARD AND SOFT TOUR in Vancouver
by Alyson Eng - December 06, 2024

Ever since breaking into the music scene in 2015, Billie Eilish has become somewhat of a household name. Hitting commercial success with her debut single, “Ocean Eyes,” Eilish has taken the industry by storm with a discography of songs sporting catchy beats and meaningful lyrics....

Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON Triumphs with Bright Songs and Chaotic Energy
by Alyson Eng - November 17, 2024

It’s been roughly six years since one of the most outrageous Broadway musicals to exist graced the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Courtesy of Broadway Across Canada, THE BOOK OF MORMON returned to the Vancouver stage this week for a series of performances playing from November 12 to 17. A combination of b...

Review: TEMS Shines in Vancouver With her Powerhouse Vocals and Soulful Vibes
by Alyson Eng - September 27, 2024

Last weekend, Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer, TEMS, brought her “Born In The Wild” tour to a sold-out crowd at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC. With the release of her debut album, “Born In The Wild” in June of this year, TEMS brought many of the songs from this a...

Review: JERSEY BOYS Unpacks the Rhythm, Drama, and Hits of The Four Seasons
by Alyson Eng - September 16, 2024

JERSEY BOYS reinforces the transformative power of musical theatre. Extending beyond the confines of the traditional theatre experience, JERSEY BOYS stays genuine and authentic to The Four Seasons by digging deep into their story. Alongside the electrifying and dynamic musical numbers is raw emotion...

Review: Class is in Session with Theatre Under the Stars' SCHOOL OF ROCK
by Alyson Eng - August 17, 2024

SCHOOL OF ROCK was a fun musical to watch, perfect for a family night out to enjoy theatre. The show’s entertainment value was high leaving a lasting impression on the audience members in attendance. Appealing to both adults and children, SCHOOL OF ROCK will draw you in with its moments of humor and...

Review: Disney's FROZEN Brings an Enchanting Broadway Musical Experience to Vancouver!
by Alyson Eng - July 11, 2024

Currently touring across North America, FROZEN has finally reached Vancouver, BC with a run at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from July 9th to 21st. Featuring the well-known songs from the first FROZEN movie with a few dozen new numbers, the show was absolutely enchanting and filled to the brim with th...

Review: GUYS & DOLLS Combines High Stakes and High Notes in a Timeless Musical Masterpiece!
by Alyson Eng - June 07, 2024

This summer, the Arts Club brings the hustle and bustle of the streets of New York to the Vancouver stage! GUYS & DOLLS presented by the Arts Club in Vancouver helps us remember what it’s like to take a chance on both life and love. ...

Review: AVRIL LAVIGNE Kicks off her Greatest Hits Tour in Vancouver
by Alyson Eng - May 28, 2024

The first show of Avril Lavigne’s Greatest Hits Tour played last week at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC to a sold out crowd. With Vancouver being her first show of the new tour, the excitement was high and a strong sense of nostalgia lingered in the air....

Review: Anything Can Happen When MARY POPPINS Takes The Stage!
by Alyson Eng - May 03, 2024

Presented by Royal City Musical Theatre, MARY POPPINS brought the timeless tale to life in New Westminster’s Massey Theatre this week for their opening night. Bringing audiences into the world of imagination, MARY POPPINS kept the carefree whimsy and wonder of childhood alive. ...

Review: SEXY LAUNDRY Touches on Emotions Beyond the Bedroom
by Alyson Eng - April 23, 2024

Last week, SEXY LAUNDRY, a play about love and marriage opened at the Granville Island Stage in Vancouver. Presented by the Arts Club and written by local playwright Michele Riml, this contemporary Canadian comedy brought out all of the emotions in the audience ranging from laughter to tears....

Review: Transport Back to the '60s with the Lively Musical HAIRSPRAY!
by Alyson Eng - April 06, 2024

This week, the touring production of HAIRSPRAY presented by Broadway Across Canada made its stop in Vancouver. Playing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from April 2nd the 7th, the musical made an indelible mark in Vancouver theatre as a truly memorable and energetic show. ...

Review: CHOIR BOY Emerges With Soulful Acapella Music And A Poignant Coming-Of-Age Story
by Alyson Eng - February 12, 2024

CHOIR BOY is the latest musical to grace the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in Vancouver, BC. Presented as a co-production between the Arts Club and the Canadian Stage, this drama/musical will play from January 25th to February 25th....

Review: CHRISTOPHER Brings the “A Beautiful Live” World Tour to Vancouver!
by Alyson Eng - February 05, 2024

To celebrate the success of the music from the Netflix film, 'A Beautiful Life,' musician CHRISTOPHER embarked on a world tour to bring its music to his fans across the world. The “A Beautiful Live” world tour began last September and will continue its North American leg this year starting in San Di...

Review: MEAN GIRLS Makes 'Fetch' Happen in Vancouver For the First Time
by Alyson Eng - January 28, 2024

MEAN GIRLS couldn’t have come to Vancouver at a better time. Donning the same iconic story and famous one-liners used in the 2004 cultural touchstone movie, MEAN GIRLS is everything you would expect and more, all wrapped up in a Broadway musical form....

Review: DISNEY ON ICE brings a Whirlwind of Magic and Fun to Vancouver with FROZEN & ENCANTO!
by Alyson Eng - November 28, 2023

Last week, audiences that attended DISNEY ON ICE: FROZEN & ENCANTO had the opportunity to experience all of that and more. The ice-skating spectacle played at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver last week and was a transformative show that captured the hearts of all that attended. ...

Review: Shania Twain Ends QUEEN OF ME Tour in Vancouver!
by Alyson Eng - November 24, 2023

Beginning in April of this year, Shania Twain began her 5th headlining concert tour. Named the “Queen of Me” tour after her most recent 6th studio album of the same name, this was Shania’s return to the stage after nearly five years....

Review: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL Brings the Magic of Dr. Seuss from the Page to the Stage!
by Alyson Eng - November 18, 2023

Dr. Seuss’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL played its opening night performance on November 14th at The Centre in Vancouver. The musical will be in town until Saturday November 18th playing a total of 5 performances....

Review: ELF: THE MUSICAL is a Heartwarming and Spirited Spectacle Based on The Well-Loved Holiday Movie
by Alyson Eng - November 14, 2023

This holiday season, ELF: THE MUSICAL has taken centre stage. Presented by the Arts Club from November 2nd to December 31st, the quirky and energetic musical based on the hit 2003 American Christmas comedy movie, Elf, starring Will Ferrell, is guaranteed to amp up the holiday spirit in audiences nig...

Review: Wait for Your Turn to See HADESTOWN in Vancouver
by Alyson Eng - November 10, 2023

HADESTOWN, the multiple Tony Award winning Broadway musical finally made its way to Vancouver this week. Asserting its dominance amongst the rest of the theatre scene in the city, HADESTOWN presented a tragic, thought-provoking love story that sparked the attention of audiences near and far. ...

Review: Feed Us More of Arts Club's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS!
by Alyson Eng - September 22, 2023

A flower shop, a love story, and an anthropomorphic, carnivorous plant … this peculiar, yet intriguing combination from the Arts Club’s latest musical was the perfect recipe for one of the best shows to grace the Vancouver stage this year....

Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD Puts the Spotlight on the Passion and Soul of The Temptations
by Alyson Eng - September 17, 2023

On September 12th, AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS presented by Broadway Across Canada premiered at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. Playing a total of 6 shows with the last being on Sunday September 17th, the touring production of AIN’T TOO PROUD brought the energy, ...

Review: Disney's ALADDIN Pulls Out All the Stops for an Exhilarating Musical Theatre Experience!
by Alyson Eng - July 31, 2023

Last week, the North American tour of Disney’s ALADDIN gave its first knock-out performance in Vancouver! With its dazzling dance numbers supported by a plethora of special effects, the show did not hold back on any aspect from start to finish. The show played Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre fro...

Review: MATILDA THE MUSICAL Luminates the Vancouver Stage This Summer!
by Alyson Eng - July 28, 2023

Another great musical has stepped onto the Vancouver theatre stage this summer. Busting at the seams with energetic dance numbers, upbeat songs, and comedic moments, Theatre Under the Stars’ latest musical leaves audiences wanting more. MATILDA THE MUSICAL presented by Theatre Under the Stars will p...

Review: Summer Nights Belong to Theatre Under the Stars' THE PROM!
by Alyson Eng - July 17, 2023

This year, Theatre Under the Stars will be playing 2 shows over the course of the summer, one of them being the Broadway musical, THE PROM. THE PROM opened on Tuesday July 11th and will play at Vancouver’s Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park until August 25th alternating nights with Theatre Under the Star’s...

Review: CATS is the Latest Musical to Prowl Onto the Vancouver Stage
by Alyson Eng - May 27, 2023

At some point in their lives, most people have heard of the musical: CATS. Whether it’s because of its unique costumes or iconic songs, CATS will always be a Broadway classic. This week, Broadway Across Canada and Troika Entertainment brought the musical to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre....