By R. Paul Dhillon
VANCOUVER – Local South Asian actor Zahf Paroo is featured in the Touchstone Theatre and Patrick Street Productions’ new play The Best Laid Plans: a Musical.
The play premieres on September 19 and runs to October 3, playing at The York Theatre (639 Commercial Drive), Vancouver.
Based on Terry Fallis’ award-winning satirical first novel, the story takes place in and around Ottawa during the run-up to a federal election.
Daniel Addison, a speechwriter for the leader of the Liberal Opposition, is dropping out of politics for the relatively tame world of academe. Before Daniel can cast off politics once and for all, he’s given a Herculean task: find a Liberal candidate to run in an unassailable Conservative riding. Daniel convinces Angus McLintock, a crusty old Scot, to let his name stand in an election he’s sure to lose.
But their best laid plans go hilariously awry, as Fallis’ unforgettable characters sing us right off the stage and into Canada’s real federal election. The Best Laid Plans won the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour and CBC Canada Reads 2011.
Including Paroo(TV series Edgemont, Bombay Dreams), the project features ten of Vancouver’s finest performers; Patti Allan (The Idiot, Into the Woods) Shannon Chan-Kent (Saint Joan, Avenue Q), Meaghan Chenosky (Stationary: a Recession Era Musical, Killer Joe), Steffanie Davis (Legally Blonde, Titanic), Nick Fontaine (Avenue Q, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story), Gordon Roberts (The Music Man, Oklahoma!), Hal Wesley Rogers (Jesus Christ Superstar, Rent), Andrew Wheeler (Urinetown, Les Miserables), Katey Wright (The Light in the Piazza, Mary Poppins). Dramaturgy for this new work is by Touchstone’s Artistic Director Katrina Dunn, musical direction is by Jonathan Monro, and orchestration and music supervision are by Nico Rhodes. The project boasts a top notch team of designers: Drew Facey on set, Bradley Danyluk on sound, Adrian Muir on lights, Michael Sider on projection, and Jessica Bayntun on costumes.
Playing at The York Theatre (639 Commercial Drive), Vancouver
Begins – September 19 to October 3, 2015
Tuesday to Saturday 8pm, Matinees September 20, 27 & October 3 at 2pm
$19 Previews September 17 & 18 at 8pm
Tickets through The Cultch Box Office: 604-251-1363, http://tickets.thecultch.com
www.touchstonetheatre.com | www.patrickstreetproductions.com
