Brent Hirose

Upcoming Projects!

Mon, 25 Jan 10 17:44:17 -0500

As promised, new projects have been added to the site, all of which I'm quite excited about. Theatre by the River is gearing up for its production of Judith Thompson's Habitat, which promises to be a fantastic show. Further down the line, my new one man show When the Killer Mutant Lizards Attack is set for the Winnipeg fringe, with possible shows in Saskatoon, Edmonton and Victoria depending on my luck with BYOVs and waiting lists. Fingers crossed!

However, the big news right now is the upcoming (This Wednesday!) workshop production of the brand new original musical Neighbours, being produced by White Rabbit Productions. This workshop has been going on all through the month of January and all the performers are delighted to be a part of it. Personally, I've really had a blast working with the cast and creative staff- White Rabbit producer Jeff Kohut, dramaturge Carson Nattrass and writers Criag Cassils and Robin Richardson.

The workshop is taking place this Wednesday, 7pm at the Park Theatre. Tickets are $10 and it promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment. Hope to see you there!

Project: When The Killer Mutant Lizards Attack

Tue, 19 Jan 10 22:20:12 -0500

From Stupid Gumball Dispenser Productions comes Brent Hirose's latest one man show-
When the Killer Mutant Lizards Attack!

In the near future the city of Brighthope, population some six hundred thousand souls, is sudden attacked by a rampaging pack of gigantic killer mutant lizards, causing massive destruction in their wake. Then, mysteriously, they retreated back to the depths from which they came, never to be seen again. Now the stories of this national tragedy have emerged and will be told so that we might all learn the lessons we paid so dearly for when the killer mutant lizards attacked.

Coming off the success of last year's Life in a Box, WTKMLA is currently set to play at the 2010 Winnipeg Fringe festival, with possible performances at the Saskatoon, Edmonton and Victoria Fringe festivals, TBD. Watch this space for more information as it becomes availible!

Project: Habitat

Tue, 19 Jan 10 22:19:46 -0500

Habitat

by Judith Thompson, directed by Arne MacPherson

April 29 - May 8, 2010
Aqua Books - 274 Garry Street

Tickets $15 (regular) $10 (student/senior)
Pay What You Can Performances - April 29 (8pm) & May 1 (2pm)

Life is good for the residents of Mapleview Lanes ... until Lewis Chance buys a house on their street to open a group home for troubled adolescents.

Two worlds collide in Judith Thompson's disturbing look at our modern "not in my backyard" politics.

Project: Neighbours (Workshop)

Tue, 19 Jan 10 22:19:20 -0500

Neighbours is a story of fun. A story of community. A story of familiarity. And now it’s your turn to visit the neighbourhood!

See the staged reading of neighbours, the remarkable original musical by Manitobans Craig Cassils and Robin Richardson when White Rabbit Productions produces a workshop presentation of the show on January 27 at the Park Theatre.

Join boy-next-door Michael, his little sister Monica and the rest of their neighbourhood gang as they welcome and learn to accommodate Jill, the new girl in town.

There’s Michael’s best friend Jason – who is more interested in ants than playtime – and playground tormentor Ronald, always flanked by the always ambitious and game-loving Perry. Then there’s Queen Margie and her princesses Judith Ann and Helen Louise, who are determined to make the neighbourhood bow down to their rule.

But where does Jill fit in? Where do any of them fit in?

Take a glimpse into their neighbourhood and watch them learn about tolerance, friendship and family. Maybe even learn a thing or two about your own neighbourhood – all through the magic and wonder of a powerful, insightful script and catchy, fun original music!

Starring:
Wes Rambo - Michael
Stephanie Sy - Jill
Mallory Schellenberg - Monica
Nelson Bettencourt - Jason
Brent Hirose - Ronald
Connie Manfredi - Margie
Felicia Perron - Judith Ann
Robyn Pooley - Helen Louise
Sheldon Atts - Perry

Creative Team:
Craig Cassils - Composer, Co-Writer
Robin Richardson - Co-Writer
Carson Nattrass - Dramaturge, Co-Director
Jeffrey Kohut - Co-Director, Project Manager
Cary Denby - Band Leader, Pianist
James Reynolds - Drums
Rafael Reyes - Bass/guitars

________________________________________________________

This staged reading of neighbours, an original Canadian family musical by Craig Cassils and Robin Richardson, is the result of a two week workshop facilitated by acclaimed Actor/Director/Writer Carson Nattrass.

This step marks the latest in White Rabbit's 3 year journey towards producing the musical in full in September of 2010.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the first public reading of neighbours are available for $10 or $30 for a family pack of four. Email info@whiterabbitproductions for tickets or reserve then online at
http://www.whiterabbitproductions.ca/neighboursreadingtix.html

Projects Online

Mon, 14 Dec 09 19:12:17 -0500

I've been working on getting some more content up for the site, along with several writing projects, all of which have taken a considerable ammount of time. Sadly, it's going to take some more time still so until then this page will remain lamentably out of date. In the mean time however, I do have several links to work that I've done that is now availible on the internet for the enjoyment of all.

First things first, there is Space Knights, a pilot that I recorded a few minor character voices for. This week it is online at thedetour.ca, where Teletoon viewers can vote on their favorite shows out of ten pilots. If enough people vote, it will get made into a series, so check it out!

Then there is the latest (and last) episode of the first "season" of Radio Free Krakow- This episode takes place directly after the first episode, where I was featured off screen. Now, you get to actually see myself and my lovely opposite Laura Olafson. Check out Lifeforce TV for the episode!

Then we have an older one: My special guest appearance on the holiday show for The TV Fun Clubs No Budget Show. The next episode due out is my guest appearance, although it probably won't be finished for a while. In the meantime, you get this.

So there you have it. Check out those links and hopefully the next time you check out this site there will be plenty more to see!

Updates

Wed, 09 Dec 09 19:26:16 -0500

They're coming, and sooner rather than later. Thanks for patience!

Keeping Busy!

Wed, 23 Sep 09 01:08:26 -0400

Well, it has been a while now since I've posted here. I've had quite a few things keeping me busy since returning from Edmonton. Along with the whole getting-my-life-back-in-order thing, I've been lucky enough to have plenty of small gigs thrown my way. I did a reading of a fantastic play "Next Fall" for Manitoba Theatre Center, surrounded by many great local actors. daCapo have been kind enough to throw various voice acting gigs my way, and now I have a reading coming up for FemFest- The info is all posted over in the projects sidebar.

Quick aside: in case you're interested, my drunk driving commecial can still be found over yonder.

Project: 2009 Fem Fest: One Night Stand

Wed, 23 Sep 09 00:55:38 -0400

Sarasvàti Productions and FemFest present

ONE NIGHT STAND
Experience the future of local theatre

Instant gratification, immediate feedback. Selected readings from new works in progress by Manitoban playwrights. A chance to experience the future of local theatre.

Plays by:

Loretta Basiuk — Payoff
Muriel Hogue — Scar Tissue
Anita Lebeau — Coats
Anne Nesbitt — Grey Owl Pilgrim of the Wild
Talia Pura — Confessions of an Art School Model, too

Featuring: Dorothy Carroll, Donna Fletcher, Ti Hallas, Brent Hirose, Talia Pura and Martin Wilson

Tuesday, September 29 at 8:30 pm
Tickets $10

CANWEST CENTRE FOR THEATRE AND FILM

(AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG, 400 COLONY STREET)
www.sarasvati.ca
204.586.2236

Reviews and Thanks

Sun, 16 Aug 09 00:09:31 -0400

The Edmonton Fringe continues, and the first review for Life in a Box is in: Four Stars from Vue Magazine! What a fantastic way to start a festival. I had a wonderful opening house: Hopefully that will carry on to my following performances!

I did not print programs for my run in Edmonton, mainly to cut costs, but that unfortunately leaves many people without the proper thanks. So, if you've seen the show in Edmonton and want to know who deserve some extra kudos according to me-

Matthew Tenbruggencate, for his direction, patience and friendship.

James Firby for his fantastic (and quick!) poster designs.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church for some last minute rehearsal space.

Gay Maddin and Gerry Gallant, my fantastic billets and partial set providers.

Jennifer Hirose, Derek Leenhouts, Dora Carroll, Kathryn Ball, George McRobb, Alan MacKenzie and Audra Leosky for support, help and labour. You guys rule.

My fantastic fellow touring artists: Anne, Jayson, Hanna, Becky, Rob, Ryan, Amy and many many more- We're in this together and I couldn't ask for better partners in crime.

Finally, my family and friends, without whom I might be able to do all this, but would be far too lonely doing so. Love you all.

Edmonton Fringe Adventures!

Wed, 12 Aug 09 14:14:40 -0400

Finally, the Edmonton Fringe Festival is here! I'm in Edmonton right now, starting my exhaustive publicity campeign in efforts to drum up interest in my production of "Life in a Box". If you're here because of any of that, please find more info at the projects link on the right.

For this year's festival I'll be doing two things in case you want to join me on my Edmonton Fringe Adventures. I'll be blogging on my personal blog, as well as twittering with @BrentHirose. Feel free to follow either one and join my challenges and triumphs!

Happy Fringing!

A Friendly Reminder

Sat, 25 Jul 09 15:19:22 -0400

The Winnipeg Fringe is almost at a close: Today there is a 9:15 performance of Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare and tomorrow again at 2:30, along with the final performace of Life in a Box at 8pm! Please come on down and finish off the festival right!

A Busy Summer!

Tue, 07 Jul 09 15:27:30 -0400

Well Saint Joan has come and gone. While the houses were not as large as we might have liked, I think everyone involved was very happy with our receptive audiences and positive critical feedback and are all excited for Theatre by the River's next show, Habitat. Currently our funding is up in the air, so while we hope to do the show in October, nothing has been set in stone.

So, with Saint Joan out of the way, what is next? Why, it's the WINNIPEG FRINGE FESTIVAL! As per usual, I'm working myself off my feet, with two shows this year: Joseph Aragon's Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare and my own brand-spanking-new one man show, Life in a Box. Bloodless will be playing at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, while Life in a Box is playing at the Conservatory. For more info, check out the project links over to the side. As well, I've recently been accepted to the Edmonton Fringe Festival next month, where Life in a Box will perform at Planet ZE- Again, I've updated the project page to include all the details. What can I say, I'm super excited to take the show on the road!

Last but not least (and chronologically, first!) I should throw a shout out to the Attic Players in Calgary, who are performing Identity.com, my two-hander about love in the digital age for Ignition Theatre's inaugural Bohemian Rhapsody Festival in Red Deer Alberta from July 8th-11th. Check out the Attic Players on facebook for more info.

Well, that's all for now. See you at the Fringe!

Countdown to St. Joan!

Sun, 14 Jun 09 23:05:47 -0400

Hey folks: St. Joan opens this Thursday- Call 770-0093 to reserve tickets! The show is going great and will be great times. If you want more info, check out the project page for it. Actually, the information for my upcoming Fringe plays has also been loaded, so check that out as well. Hope to see you all at the theatre!

Project: Life in a Box

Sun, 14 Jun 09 23:03:16 -0400

Geoffrey, a misanthropic office clerk, becomes obsessed with the story of Brian, a young boy raised in a sealed chamber, safe from the hostile world outside. Manic reporters, renegade cops and self-absorbed siblings collide as Geoffrey’s pursuit threatens to unravel his own life.

A brand new one-man show from Brent Hirose, directed by Matthew Tenbruggencate.

The show was originally performed at the 2009 Winnipeg Fringe Festival and was very well recieved both critically and commercially. Media responses include:

“Hirose is a gifted and compelling actor” – CBC Manitoba
“an unconventional and exceptional drama… Hirose is a dynamic performer” – Uptown Magazine
"Four Stars!" - Hot103

The show then played at the 2009 Edmonton Fringe Festival and received more great reviews.

“a touching and funny play all about what happens when the stories we've created won't stay on the page. ****” – Vue Magazine

All in all, a fantastic run! Thanks to all who saw it!

Project: Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare

Sun, 14 Jun 09 22:38:32 -0400

Up the close and down the stair,
A but-and-ben with Burke and Hare.
Burke’s the butcher,
Hare’s the thief,
Knox the boy who buys the beef.

Robbing graves for medical science is backbreaking work. So why dig up corpses when you can create your own? A brand new musical by Joseph Aragon.

www.whiterabbitproductions.ca

This show played at the 2009 Winnipeg Fringe Festival, winning Best of Fest for the venue, the Canwest Center for Performing Arts. It also won Joseph Aragon his second Harry Rintoul award. The cast was as follows:

Derek Leenhouts	as	William HARE

Murray Farnell	as	William BURKE

Heather Jordan	as	MARGARET Hare

Felicia Perron	as	HELEN McDougal

Brent Hirose	as	THOMAS Warton Jones

Bob "perkins" Hopkins	as	Sir William RAE

Mitch Krohn	as	Dr. Robert KNOX

Simone Pamplin	as	MRS. LAWRIE

Kami Desilets	as	JANET Brown

Dorothy Carroll	as	MARY Paterson

Andrea Houssin	as	ABIGAIL Simpson

Joshua Bouchard	as	JAMIE Wilson

Sheldon Atts	as	William FERGUSSON

Bernie Pastorin	as	Chief Constable BLACKWOOD

Keri-Lee Smith &	as	CHORUS
Dexter Barcellano	as	CHORUS

Crew

Sharon Bajer	-	Director

Joseph Aragon	-	Writer and Composer

Simon Miron	-	Assistant Director

Julian Vanderput	-	Musical Director

Jeff Kohut	-	Project Manager

Ken Perchuk	-	Technical Director

Kathryn Ball	-	Stage Manager

Ray Padua	-	Production Assistants
Annette Kohut
Alana Penner

Julie Horbal	-	Media

Ryan Schultz	-	Digital Media

In The Works:

Fri, 08 May 09 16:47:47 -0400

Woah, it's been quite a while since I've posted here, which is not an indication of lack of work, but rather the opposite. Over the past little while I've filmed commercials for Breakfast Television, Apprenticeship Manitoba and an anti-drunk driving campeign, as well as done the prep work for what is coming up now: Theatre by the River is producing George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, which I will be acting in, as well as two upcoming Fringe plays: My own "Life In a Box" and Joseph Aragon's new musical "Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare". Anyway, I'm just catching you up: More information soon!

Project: Saint Joan

Mon, 18 Aug 08 00:34:29 -0400

SAINT JOAN

by Bernard Shaw

Directed by Debbie Patterson

June 18-20, 24-27
8PM
June 20 & 27
2PM

Theatre de la Chapelle
825 St. Joseph St
St. Boniface

Who was Joan of Arc?
Warrior or temptress?
Strategist or schizophrenic?
Hero or fanatic?

A political thriller exploring the relativity of truth and the temptation of idealism.

Tickets are $10

Seating is limited, reservations strongly suggested

Call 943-9573 or e-mail theatrebytheriver@gmail.com to secure your seat

By Donation performances: June 18th (opening night) & June 20 (matinée)

Project: Billy Bishop Goes To War

Fri, 01 Aug 08 18:46:07 -0400

Billy Bishop Goes to War

Written and Composed by John Gray with Eric Peterson
Directed by Rod Beifuss
Starring Brent Hirose and Patrick Keenan

Our young, Owen Sound boy must "fight! fight! fight!" for King and Country in the dog fights of World War One. Kill the enemy at all costs because that's what he's trying to do too! The madness of war meets the music of vaudeville in the crown jewel of Canadian theatre.

This show was performed from Oct 29th to November 14th at the Ellice Cafe and Theatre to great reviews in Uptown Magazine and the Uniter-

Uptown

"B+

Anchored by the pleasantly capable performance of Brent Hirose, Theatre by the River's production of Billy Bishop Goes to War is a puzzling pleasure.

Billy Bishop... is the kind of play one expects to be relegated to community theatre revues or seniors' homes. Chronicling the story of the Canadian World War I pilot hero, it's a quaint musical that could easily dismissed as old-fashioned nostalgia with little to offer audiences in the 21st century.

In some ways, this may be true. While Billy's story itself is classic - ne'er-do-well young man finds meaning in fighting the war and becomes a hero in the process - its execution is sometimes belaboured and trite. No matter the talents of wonderful local musician Patrick Keenan, whose perfectly coifed hair and moustache could have him walking straight out of a Jeeves and Wooster caper, the musical component of the show is sometimes just plain exasperating. Although there are some genuinely fun musical moments such as the rousing Empire Soire, the music tends to make the show a bit too cloying, despite its serious subject matter.

And while, by the end of the first act, you were wishing writers John Gray and Eric Peterson (now most famous for playing Oscar on Corner Gas) weren't so enamoured with including one more bloody song, the second act pulls up its socks (not to mention the pace) once Billy becomes a high-flying ace.

With its exploration of heroism, colonialism and the horrors of war, Billy Bishop... touches on timeless topics that its one-person format manages ably, and Brent Hirose is pleasingly adaptable, playing 17 different roles in the show, including a sweet Everyman touch as Billy. The resonance of the themes explains why we still find the show on the stage today, and Peterson and Gray have captured an important piece of Canadian history that could otherwise easily fall into the hazy mists of the forgotten.

Despite its sometimes painful devices (the full-circle moment when Billy and his son head to World War II is awfully obvious, even if it is true-to-life), there is something to the down-home Canadian earnestness of the show that just can't be denied. It may be difficult to draw parallels to modern life in the play's old-fashioned-ness, but that does not make the story irrelevant.

And, much like the release of Passchendaele, renewing interest in the horrifying conditions of World War I, a time in which men were sent off into the mud and muck on horseback, should not be dismissed as quaint entertainment - nor should the dream of a young man to fly above it all.

Billy Bishop Goes to War is an entertainingly honest and heartfelt chapter in the Canadian theatre cannon, despite its limitations.
— Barb Stewart"

The Uniter
"Four Stars out of Five

A Haunting and Poignant Portrayal

For another week and a half, local history buffs and avid theatre-goers alike can enjoy the opportunity to see one of Canada's landmark plays performed at Ellice Cafe and Theatre.

Billy Bishop Goes to War tells the World War I flying ace's story as he enlists, goes overseas to fight and eventually returns home.

Likely Canada's greatest hero of the Great War, Billy Bishop was matchless in the skies. He was decorated with medals and served as an inspiration to all on the side of the allies. His journey was one of incredible triumph, of overcoming countless odds and crushing adversity, albeit not without its share of controversy.

His legend continues to live on through the play, and so it is fitting that the show runs through Remembrance Day. Some part satire, some part realism, and completely tragic, the tale of Billy Bishop shouldn't be forgotten anytime soon.

Featuring Brent Hirose as the lead and 17 other characters, Billy Bishop Goes to War is an astounding one-man show sure to have a successful run. Hirose and pianist Patrick Keenan make a remarkable team on stage.

Presented by Theatre by the River, the play's opening performance was an absolute smash. From the soliloquies, to the music and vocals, and even the lighting, everything was brilliantly spot-on.

Hardly a minute into the opening number, I already had goose bumps. Hirose's portrayal of Bishop is haunting and poignant, which is to say nothing of his excellent abilities to master multiple characters. Everything about the play did justice to its weighted history.

Take a classic work of Canadian drama, drawn upon the experiences of one prodigious Canadian war hero, and put it together with the extraordinary talents of Hirose and others, and it all makes for one exceptional theatre-going experience. Billy Bishop Goes to War is undoubtedly a must-see for the Winnipeg theatre community this fall.

- Jennifer Pawluk The Uniter (Nov 6, 2008)"

Project: Paper Jack

Tue, 08 Jul 08 18:38:02 -0400

Hidden at the base of the mountains lies a tiny village that harbors a fantastic secret. But now a young girls love threatens to reveal the mystery of Paper Jack...

Written by: Shawn Kowalke

This show premiered at the 2008 Winnipeg Fringe Festival with the following cast and crew:

Directed by: Brent Hirose

Featuring:
Sheldon Atts
Matt Brault
Kami Desilets
Shawn Kowalke
Derek Leenhouts
Raymond Padua
Chelsea Rankin
Keri-Lee Smith

Produced by: Todd Tichon
Music by: Joseph Aragon
Stage Managed by: Kathryn Ball

Project: Identity.com

Fri, 27 Jun 08 18:16:53 -0400

Michael is a twenty something stuck in a dead end job with no romance on the horizon. Emily is his estranged former best friend, still trying to find the right job and the right guy. Identity.com is the latest social networking website, promising to show its members "who they are, on the net!". Michael needs to remake his life, and he thinks he's found just the right tools...

From the writer of Jesus Christ, I'm Sorry (Best of Fest '06), One Last Thing and The History of Theatre comes this funny, sexy and outrageous comedy that examines friendship, love, dating and the digital world.

Written by Brent Hirose