Brent Hirose

Never stop creating!

Fri, 03 Feb 12 04:13:10 -0500

Hey there folks- Just wanted to drop a quick update on a few projects that have sprung up.

First and foremost, the first show of the Instant Shop Conservatory program has come upon us: Conservatory Live! I'm absolutely thrilled to bring my ensemble, punch.kick.duck to the stage. So far the workshops have been absolutely fantastic and I am equally excited to see what the other groups have to offer. There are two shows, both on Feb 12th at the Waterfront Theatre, and if you like Improv, you should probably be there.

Secondly, I'm quite pleased to announce that I've been cast as the lead in an upcoming short film Yung Men. It's a powerful, personal story and I'm honoured to be a part of it. Filming starts at the start of March and it looks like this project should be a blast.

Finally, just wanted to mention that I've got a few writing projects that are nearing completion, so hopefully I'll have more links and whatnot for those very soon. Hope everyone is enjoying the new year!

Project: Yung Men

Fri, 03 Feb 12 04:07:01 -0500

Yung Men is a heartfelt 17 minute family drama about Carl Yung coming home for Christmas after several years to an explosion of sibling resentment and ailing parents. He must make a choice: family or his new boyfriend?

The prospect of losing a parent is a frightening reality that many must face. Choosing family and personal commitments, especially at the holidays, brings up conflicting desires and emotions on all sides. At the core, Yung men is about a son returning home for Christmas and trying to make amends for not being there when it matter the most. - Jason Karman

Yung Men is set to film during the first week of March. Watch this space for more details.

Project: Instant Shop Presents: Conservatory Live!

Fri, 03 Feb 12 03:59:00 -0500

Sunday, February 12th at the Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC)

This night marks the first performances from all 6 of the winter 2012 Conservatory Ensembles. The ensembles have been working with Taz Vanrassel, Aaron Merke and Alistair Cook since the beginning of January to create 6 amazing long form performances. There will be two shows in one night so feel free to come out for both. BECAUSE YOU LOVE THE IMPROV!

The 7:30 show ---

PEP RALLY
Featuring: Jordan Moore`, Cameron MacLeod, Marcel Perro, Jeffery Sanders, Beth Garner, Megan Phillips, Joe Tucker, Tyler weber, Zoe Middleton and Rachel Smith.

BINGO INJURY
Featuring: Ryan Whyte, Emmelia Gordon, Jullian Kolstee, Zosia Cassie, Dejan Loyola, Michael Unger, Mathew Holloway, Dan Willows and Jordan Boivin.

PUNCH.KICK.DUCK
Featuring: Bradley Duffy, Michael DeMaria, Cameron Anderson, Chris Wilson, Naomi Vogt, Bryan Nothling, Allison Quiller, Brent Hirose, Allison Deal, Chip Ellis and Lauren McGibbon.

THE 9:30 show ---

DASHING ON THE ROCKS
Featuring: Nadiya Chettiar, Clifford Upham, Jim Miller, Michael Markowsky, Katie Coupland, Curtis Grahauer, Ayma Letang, Stephanie Tennant and Elinza Pretorius

ZAZU
Featuring: Erin Weber, Daniel Gordetsky, Jordan Binotto, Zach Wolfman, Mike Loder, Nigel Robinson, Taylor Boivin, David Carnegie, Max Montesi and Frances Breden.

THE MAYOR
Featuring:Ember Konopaki, Emmett Hall, Kaitlin Fontana, Nick Harvey-Cheetham, Nicole Passmore, Nima Gholamipour, Sarah Szloboda, Tom Hill, Tyler Cheyne and Warren Bates.

Tickets are only $8 and available through the performers or at the door.

You won't want to miss this show!

Web Projects

Fri, 20 Jan 12 04:03:56 -0500

Just a quick heads up here, since it's been a little while. I've been keeping busy the past little while, working on several writing projects and whatnot, but I've also got a few things that you, yes YOU, can check out right now.

The first one is my new webcomic, Bored At Work Comics, which I'm currently posting on tumblr. The setup is not ideal, but it's really easy to load out, so check it out.

I've also been posting the remaining Horrible Friends Podcasts, also on tumblr. They're pretty weird, but good fun if you can deal with the generally shitty audio quality. My next podcast project will avoid this, I swear!

Finally, I've started working on an e-novel, which I'm posting at my seldom updated writing blog, And Then He Tried To Write. The first chapter of David and Delilah, "Meetings", should be up now. Enjoy!

Going Ape

Wed, 21 Dec 11 03:40:08 -0500

Normally this space is used for theatre and film gigs, but I have been active as a writer over the past years beyond the various plays that I've talked about here. I'm part of a writer's group (albeit at a distance since moving to Vancouver) called The Sparkling Warewolves, I've got a couple of manuscripts in various stages of completion and there are a couple of articles I've been working on that will hopefully see the light of day on a couple of my favorite websites, Hardcore Gaming 101 and Cracked.com.

I've been working as a freelance writer on and off for years now, so it is with great delight that I can report having worked recently for a great young tech company here in Vancouver, A Thinking Ape. The guys at ATA are responsible for some very popular and successful iPhone apps, including Kingdoms at War, Future Combat, Gangs at War and Party in my Dorm. I just finished a freelance contract doing a whole bunch of writing for Party in my Dorm, and I think it will really kick the game up a notch and help things kick into the next level. This won't be my last work with ATA (if I have anything to say about it!) so watch this space for more. There is some exciting stuff coming down the line, and I'm working hard to be a part of it!

I'm also excited to be a part of the upcoming winter session of Instant Theater's conservatory program. This is a three month improv performance workshop that I'm incredible excited to be participating in. Alistair Cook, who runs the Instant Theatre, is a fantastic teacher (I checked out one of his classes back in November) and I'm a big fan of the work he does there. Since it's been a while since I got to throw down with The Horrible Friends, it will be very nice to keep my chops up and work with the improv scene on this side of the country.

Finally, on a much sadder note, I'd like to take this time to note the passing of Ken Peter, the executive producer of Winnipeg musical theatre mainstay Rainbow Stage. Ken has been a huge pary of Rainbow, and the Winnipeg theatre community at large for decades and his loss is something that wiill be felt all over the artistic community. I had the oppertunity to know Ken through my years of auditioning for Rainbow, the two shows (The King and I and Miss Saigon) that I performed with them and through the comraderie of the Winnipeg theatre community. He will be missed, and we are poorer for the lack of him. Rest in peace.

Changes & Updates, Coast Edition

Wed, 09 Nov 11 19:19:37 -0500

So it's been a while since the last update, but not for lack of activity. A few things to make note of, then back to work for me!

First of all, after much deliberation, I'm finally retiring Stupid Gumball Dispenser Productions. SGD has been my production company name since 2005 and has served me well over the past six years, taking my productions to New York, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Victoria, Ottawa, Saskatoon and Vancouver. Over the years the name has built up a bit of a following and my Fringe friends recognize it as my company. However, the name, while memorable, has been problematic for a while and sadly is not befit for grand applications and the like, so with regrets, the name has been retired.

In it's place, I'm proud to introduce Seismic Shift Productions, which will be my new production company name- With luck, Seismic Shift will be bringing Winnipeg my latest show next summer and re-mounting The Suckerpunch for the Calgary and Edmonton Fringe festivals. So, out with the old, in with the new and here's to a bright future!

I've also been very busy getting into the acting scene in Vancouver- I just recently finished shooting a student film Confinement and have just been cast in Restaurant, both parth of the Emily Carr Film Program. It's been busy!

Project: New Show (Winnipeg)

Mon, 03 Oct 11 18:08:36 -0400

Seismic Shift (Formerly Stupid Gumball Dispenser) Productions Presents: A new show, to be premeired at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. The writing process for this show has begun, so watch this space for more details as they arrive.

Fringe Postmortem

Mon, 03 Oct 11 16:33:32 -0400

It's been a few weeks now, but the Vancouver Fringe has come and gone and with it comes the end of the 2011 Fringe Tour. The reason I've been behind in mentioning this is that I have been very busy, finishing my re-location from Winnipeg to Vancouver. I'm finally set up now, in my new home, with all my gear unpacked and organized and now I have a little bit of time to reflect on the end of the tour.

First of all, Vancouver was a great time: I managed to sell out several shows and continued to get great reviews: Kathleen Oliver from The Georgia Straight said “Hirose gives his characters richly detailed material... delivers it all with charm and virtuosity”. All in all, it was a great festival, especially for my first shot at a brand new city and I'm excited to do it again.

And so ends my tour- I just finished filing away all my paperwork so everything is pretty fresh in my mind. June 16th-September 18th- That's 92 days on tour, five cities, 52 shows performed in (including The Suckerpunch, Can't Get Started, The Horrible Friends World Tour and one off performances in The Canuck Cabaret, Spin the Rascal, The Ottawa Cabaret, Spoof Night and Mr Kinski's Cabaret Of Bullshit) and a whopping 125 shows seen- And that doesn't include shows I saw multiple times like The Birdmann, The Animal Show, The Progressive Polygamists, Things That Never Happen and more... although it does include the THREE seperate productions of Noah Casey's Playing for Advantage. I saw/was in an average of two shows per day and that includes the days spent traveling, a two week break between Ottawa and Winnipeg and another two weeks in Europe: That's a whole lot of theatre!

I didn't print programs for most of my tour, so many people have gone without proper, formal thanks, so I'll take this opportunity to do so. The Suckerpunch was my most successful creation to date and I owe that to many, many people: These are some of them.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in the creation process of this show- Arne, Ray, Heather and Charlene, who were around and a great influence in the early days, writing while on tour this winter. My usual crew of writing and theatre helpers: Cory Wreggitt in particular for his constant good advice and for being a strong wall to bounce ideas off of. But also Erinn, matt, Mel, Dora, Derek, Firby, Seb and all the rest I'm forgetting.

Theatre by the River for helping foster my growth as an artist and providing a playground for my work. The Manitoba Association of Playwrights for being a great source of inspiration and for all the help on the previous shows upon which this play was built. Also, a huge thanks to the teaching staff and participants in the 2011 National Voice Intensive who helped break me down and build me back up, in the process drastically changing and improving my process in creating and performing the play. Robyn Thomas gets extra kudos for very valuable feedback and encouragement when I didn't think the play was going to ever get off the ground.

To my billets and family, who have given me incredible support and a place to lie my head at the end of the day: This couldn't happen without you, nor would I want to do it. Mom, Dad, Uncle Zero, Mel & Matt, Dennis, Tyler, Ruth & Matt, Robin & Diane: You gave me a base of operations from which I could concentrate on making my show the best it could be. My techs were also instrumental in making my show as good as it was, so many thanks to Vincent, Andrew, Guifre, Steve & Graeme: I walked in with a script and some CDs and you made my show work. (Also Libid and Arlo! Karen! My many house managers and volunteers whose names have been lost to time & beer! You guys rule too!)

And lastly, my touring friends & fellow performers. Holy crap, you guys were and are a constant source of inspiration and I love you all. Mikaela, Nancy, Katie, Rob, Sharon, Paul, Jay, Ryan, Peter, Chris, Andrew S, Blue, Jayson, Amy J, Amy W, Anne, Rose, Ben, Bremner, Hope, Jodi, Mike, Dave, Emmelia, Pippa Nathan, Charlie, Jen J, Darren, John, Jem, Rob, Cameryn, Andrew W, Andrew B, Jer, Chelsea, Ingrid, Shane, Trent, Alyssa, Jen, Barry, Sam, Tom, - I'm randomly naming people off the top of my head, and I'm missing tons: You are all awesome and made this fun in the good times and the bad. Crap, I'm going to miss you all tons until we meet again. Let's make it soon, okay!

The Vancouver Fringe

Thu, 08 Sep 11 05:45:07 -0400

THE SUCKERPUNCH IS COMING TO VANCOUVER -

★★★★★ (Uptown Magazine, Planet S)
★★★★ (Winnipeg Free Press, Saskatoon Star Pheonix)
Vancouver Fringe Media Release
Media Image 1
Media Image 2

And so here we are, the final festival of the 2011 Fringe tour, the Vancouver Fringe!

Victoria was a fantastic time, as expected, and much fun was had by all. On top of that, The Suckerpunch continued to get great reviews:

Monday Magazine raved: "One word for The Suckerpunch: Wow." and recommended that "Do yourself a favor and go see this show"

Culture Vulture Victoria reviewed every show in the festival! Of The Suckerpunch, they said "Funny, touching and sharp, The Suckerpunch will catch you off guard."

Blogger BloodyUnderrated gave the show a rave review as well and included it in his top five shows of the festival. High praise indeed!

The show opens September 8th, 8:30pm!

Victoria and Vancouver

Mon, 22 Aug 11 12:58:16 -0400

So, after a quick trip to Europe the final leg of the tour: The Victoria and Vancouver Fringe Festivals!

Some quick links for media:
Victoria Fringe Media Release
Vancouver Fringe Media Release
Media Image 1
Media Image 2

A few more links for Suckerpunch coverage:

CFCR in Saskatoon declared The Suckerpunch to be one of the top five shows of the festival, and discussed it over the air which can be heard here. Quotes include: "A Vonnegut-ian premise... one of those shows where everything just works."

Victoria blogger Janis Lacouvee has posted her "away" picks for the Victora fringe, which includes The Suckerpunch. She was at the opening performance and declares that the show is "not to be missed!"

The Craig, the Victoria Fringe's audience review forum is now up, and Suckerpunch reviews can be read over here.

More coverage on the show is to come, including a review in the upcoming edition of Monday Magazine- Check this space for more as it becomes availible, or follow the Victoria fringe happenings on twitter under the hashtag #yyjfringe. Cheers!

Thanks Saskatoon! (From Europe)

Fri, 19 Aug 11 10:57:28 -0400

A quick post here, to belatedly thank Saskatoon for being a great city and festival. The Suckerpunch went fantastically, with ever increasing crowds and great response. On top of that, the festival was a real joy with many great fellow performers, a spoof night to absolutely die for and a closing night party that left the city as a ruined husk, hopefully to recover in time for next year's festival.

Media of note from the festival: Planet S magazine featured a FIVE STAR review of the show over here, while Heather Morrison, fellow Fringe performer, maintained a great blog for the magazine, with great entries like this one.

The Saskatoon Star Phoenix was also kind enough to give me a great FOUR STAR review here, describing the show as a "truely rich Fringe expirience." Can't argue with that!

All of this has been so belated because I'm currently in Scotland, on a two week time out from Fringe to tour around and visit family in Europe. I'm having a great time, but am also getting back into work mode because I'm less than a week away from opening The Suckerpunch at the Victoria Fringe, which will be followed immediately afterwards with a run at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. This wild summer of touring continues! Thanks for checking in and being a part of it!

Potash Corp Fringe, Week One!

Thu, 28 Jul 11 17:07:03 -0400

(To media looking for information regarding the Potash Corp Fringe production of The Suckerpunch, there is the link to your right and these links here: Media Release, Media Image 1)

And so the Potash Corp Fringe Festival in Saskatoon is underway, last night being the preview evening, a highly attended night where all 37 shows featured in the festival had a chance to show off a two minute snippet of their production, hopefully convincing the hundreds of Fringe diehards in attendance to circle and not cross of thier entry in the Fringe program. As a performer it was a blast to participate in (if somewhat of a stressful lead up- When they say two minutes, they MEAN two minutes!) but overall I think the whole event went off without a hitch and here's to a great festival to come!

Good bye, Winnipeg Fringe

Tue, 26 Jul 11 18:54:46 -0400

Well, another Winnipeg Fringe has come to an end. I can't rest at all- I'm on my way down to Saskatoon to continue on with The Suckerpunch and couldn't be happier to keep the fringe train rolling. However, I would like to take a moment to talk about how great a festival I had this year. Not only did I perform with The Suckerpunch, Can't Get Started and The Horrible Friends: World Tour! But I also managed to perform with the Crosseyed Rascals in the dark rascals show and enjoyed watching my fight choerography come to life in Rogue Cop and Illuminati 2.

There was also some great critical love: Suckerpunch got five stars in Uptown magazine and four stars in the Winnipeg Free Press along with some sell out crouds. Horrible Friends got four stars in the CBC and several glowing blog reviews. Even the fight choreography got a shout out in several reviews for Rogue Cop and Illuminati, both of which did quite well. All in all, it was a fantastic festival.

So, thank yous. Thank you Matt Tenbruggencate and Mel Marginet, for giving me a place to stay that was right around the corner. Without that, I don't know if I would have had the energy to keep going through to the second weekend. Also, much thanks for the feedback on my first run out of Ottawa. Thanks to Anne Wyman, Mrs Wyman and Tom X. Chao for all the support in the run of Can't Get Started. Also thanks to Shelby Bond and Robyn Slade for the outside eyes and very useful feedback. Extra shout-outs to Anne again for being incredibly easy to work with and maintining cool under the fire of getting a show ready for prime time in the tightest turn-around. And then, there are the Horrible Friends. Obviously, Shawn Kowalke and Luke Falconer deserve a mention, but they are jerks and I am a horrible friend, so screw them. On the other hand, Alan Mackenzie, George McRobb, Ed Cuddy and Veronica Ternopolski are all wonderful folks who were great fun to play with and filled out the cast wonderfully.

Thanks to all the Rascals, past and present, for a great jam and a really fun time. Thanks to my techs- Libid, Andrew and Arlo, all of whom are amazingly supportive and made the shows work. To the people behind the Jennys, the Midnight Cabaret and the Jenny Awards. The Horrible Friends walked away with a Jenny this year and that's always a great feeling. Fringe staff and voluenteers, all of whom were essential to the festival, and therefore the amazing time I had during it. And of course, all of my family, friends and partrons who came out to support my shows, who laughed, who cried, who clapped and who paid to see me tell my tails. I owe you much, but thankfully also owe my creditors less thanks to your timely intervention. What say we do it all again next year?

Now, see you in Saskatoon!

The Winnipeg Fringe Approaches!

Thu, 07 Jul 11 20:56:10 -0400

Three shows this year, which can all be found on the sidebar to the right. See you at the festival!

Project: Can't Get Started (Winnipeg)

Sat, 02 Jul 11 13:14:10 -0400

A festival favorite all over North America, Can't Get Started is New York Playwright Tom X. Chao's examination of one lonely man's (Tom X Chao) attempt to smash the preciousness of theatre while possibly attempting to woo Sarah, the actress helping him in his mission. Will Tom find true love? How long can Sarah put up with this guy? Unendurable loneliness has never been funnier!

Starring Brent Hirose as Tom X. Chao and Anne Wyman as Sarah

Can't Get Started was perfomed at the 2011 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

Artist Bios-

Brent Hirose (Tom) is a critically acclaimed actor, writer, singer, director and voice over artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Most recently he performed all over northern Manitoba for the 2011 Munsch Holiday show The Paper Bag Princess and More, presented by Prairie Theatre Exchange. Prior to that he performed his one man show When the Killer Mutant Lizards Attack and Unequal Harvest by Geoff Hughes at the 2010 Victoria Fringe Festival. Along with Can 't Get Started, at this years' Winnipeg Fringe, Brent is performing in The Horrible Friends: World Tour! with his improv group The Horrible Friends as well as The Suckerpunch his one-man sci-fi drama which is touring across Canada this summer on the Canadian Fringe circuit. His plays have been nominated for numerous awards including Best Original Script at the Pumphouse Theatre's One Act Play Festival (for Identity.com) and The Harry Rintoul award for best new Manitoba play (for The History of Theatre, with Matt Tenbruggencate and Mel Marginet). He is a former board member of the Manitoba Association of Playwrights and a three time winner of the Carol Shields Festival Instaplay competition.

Anne Wyman (Sarah) got her start in the world of fringe at the tender age of fifteen, appearing in Fantasy Theatre’s Hansel and Gretel. Since then, Anne has been involved in nearly ten fringe production, including co-authored (with Ryan Segal and Brigette DePape’s) Stuck, Sterling Lynch’s Tangelico, Jayson Mcdonald’s The Last Goddamn Performance Piece and a six city fringe tour of her solo show, Chris Craddock’s pornStar. Anne has also toured GreenKid’s Ebb&Flo: The Watercycle, and has appeared in both the SAFE Work Manitoba campaign and the Just Slow Down ad campaign. Anne teaches drama at Manitoba Theatre for Young People and is the production manager of the D’n’D improv show and the Manitoba Improv League.

Tom X. Chao (playwright) is a playwright and performance artist based in lower Manhattan. His performance career began at Dixon Place in 1997. Two of his earliest works were presented by HERE: his solo show, The Negative Energy Field (February, 1999), and a one-act tragicomedy, The Universe of Despair, in HERE's American Living Room festival (Summer, 1999). Recently, he presented a work in the NY One-Minute Play Festival (2010). Chao presented Callous Cad at Dixon Place in December, 2009, where he was named an artist-in-residence. He wrote and appeared in The Alternative Lifestyle Fair for the Ontological Theater's Tiny Theater festival (2008). The Peculiar Utterance of the Day: Live on Stage, in the 2007 Frigid Festival, was based on his audio podcast. In 2006, he presented his comedy, Can’t Get Started, at the Edmonton fringe festival. Chao toured with his "greatest hits" show, Freak Out Under the Apple Tree, to the Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg fringe festivals in 2005. Chao's comedy Cats Can See The Devil was selected by editor Martin Denton for the print anthology Plays and Playwrights 2004. Chao previously held a residency at the Horse Trade Theatre Group. He has staged original pieces at the invitation of P.S.122, Surf Reality, Dixon Place, Confluence Theatre Company, and The Brick Theater, among others. He has presented comedic monologues and sketches at numerous New York City venues, most recently at Under ACME, the Asian American Writers' Workshop, and 17 Frost. Several excerpts from his scripts have been reprinted in monologue anthologies. In addition, he has released a CD of original songs, The Only Record. Recently he was a featured guest on PBS's Asian America.

PREVIOUS PRAISE:

"New York playwright Tom X. Chao certainly deserves a lot of respect just for finding a new take on the “smart, misunderstood, antisocial guy wonders why girls don’t like him” premise. . . . It’s self-referential in a surprisingly funny way. . . . It’s very clever, thought-provoking, at points very funny. . . . If you’re like me, and you like your Fringe shows extra-fringey, you’ll probably thoroughly enjoy Can’t Get Started . . . "
--CBC Manitoba (Winnipeg, previewed in Ottawa)

"Sharp comedy. . . . Sparkling dialogue, provocative debate and rich comic setups--unlike nerdy Tom, this play can't lose." **** (Four out of five stars)
--Wnnipeg Sun

"It must be said that New York writer Tom X. Chao is a magnificently sick man . . ." (Four planet rating)
--Planet S (Saskatoon)

"Playwright Tom X. Chao's little gem is a definite sleeper hit."
--Toronto Sun

"A personal story of heartbreak from playwright Tom X. Chao. . . . His brainy banter . . . is entertaining . . . including a hilarious puppet show between geometric shapes which has 'no allegorical content'."
--Eye Weekly (Toronto)

"Can’t Get Started . . . never takes itself too seriously and winds up as an insightful peek into a generation plagued by inertia . . . [Z]anier moments such as a weird puppet show-within-a-show and some really funny ethnomusicology jokes help enliven the show’s existential . . . angst."
--Winnipeg Free Press

The End of the Ottawa Fringe

Sun, 26 Jun 11 14:09:44 -0400

(Pictured: Titania Levy, Myself, Al Connors and Mikela Dyke. Photo credit: Andrew Alexander)

And so tonight the Ottawa Fringe comes to an end. While there is still one final performance of The Suckerpunch to come and of course the final night of partying to be had, I'm going to take this moment to thank all the wonderful performers, volunteers and of course patrons who have made this festival so much fun to be at. Hopefully I'll be back soon!

A few more review highlights:

The fine folks at Yay or Nay Reviews managed to see The Suckerpunch and posted their video here- (Spoiler warning: Yay!)
The Ottawa Citizen weighs in over here.
Also, mad fringe blogger Visitorium managed to catch the Suckerpunch on day six of the festival.

That last link actually brings up an interesting point that I havn't really discussed much here, but bears mentioning: The Suckerpunch is, as of this writing, still evolving as a show. In fact, that is why I wanted to take it to a festival before Winnipeg, to give the show a chance to find its legs and for any kinks to be worked out. Thankfully, I'll have some time to workshop and rework elements before the Winnipeg festival begins and will hopefully be able to continue to fine tune the show as the tour continues.

Anyway, time to get off to the festival for the final day: There have been so many good times: The Bareknuckle Debate, Secret Cabaret, guest slot on Canuck Cabaret and a late night Chat with Cat, not to mention many, many late, late nights with the wonderful performers at the festival. Ottawa, let's burn it down tonight!

Project: The Horrible Friends: World Tour! (Winnipeg)

Mon, 20 Jun 11 15:03:35 -0400

The Horrible Friends are on tour! (It's still a tour with one stop, right?)

Shawn, Luke and Brent are hilarious improvisers, here to make you laugh while making each other cry. Come see them turn improv upside-down as they do anything to entertain you, to amuse you and to hurt each other's feelings.

After all, they are The Horrible Friends.

The Horrible Friends: World Tour! played at the 2011 Winnipeg Fringe Festival in a fantastic run, featuring special guests Alan Mackenzie, George McRobb, Ed Cuddy and Veronica Ternopolski.

Reviewers had this to say:

""If you have an irrepressible urge to pummel a Fringe performer onstage, this is definitely the show for you.

The Horrible Friends will go to great lengths to get you to laugh. If you tell them you had Eggos for breakfast, they'll come up with a story involving a demon in the closet and a kid with no friends. If you throw a fairy tale and a movie title at them, they'll invent a very funny sketch about Jack and the Inception, "a film about a boy who climbs a beanstalk...or does he?" And you definitely won't be able to keep a straight face when they stick paper notes on their shirts and let you wollop them with a plastic bat 'til one of the notes falls off.

FOUR STARS"

-CBC

""...a very entertaining show. Shawn, Luke, and Brent had the whole audience laughing many times, even reducing some to tears."

-Ignite107

"Another newer local improv troupe has popped up, but this group is bucking the current trend of long form improv and is sticking with the good old fashioned improv games. The group has three main performers, though they invite additional guests from other shows to join from time to time. The show I attended had two members of Improvision joining as guest performers. I attended an evening show with a rowdy crowd which makes a good recipe for laughs. Right off the bat, the first suggestion was “penis”. It ended up being that kind of a show, but who doesn’t appreciate a little toilet humour mixed into their improv. The performers were quick witted and a number of great scenes unfolded. The games were fast and funny and were interspersed in between a long form improv scene that ran the length of the show, divided up into four or five parts. In the end, they wound everything together perfectly, wrapped it with a bow, and kept the audience laughing until the last second. This new troupe looks like they’ll be one to watch and this show is definitely worth checking out. "

Winnipeg Theatre

"Venue 7's, "The Horrible Friends: World Tour!" came as a surprise to me. I somehow had been clueless to the fact that this is a 3-man improv show but soon became one of my favourite improv groups that I've seen so far. Horrible is not the right word to describe this show, but is definitely the right word for how these friends treat each other as plastic bat beatings soon become part of the hilarities to follow in the show. Audience participation is of course in no shortage here as members from the audience get a couple hits with the bat to decide what kind of improv we will be seeing and as in any other improv show, yelling out suggestions. One things that really stood out to me in this show is that you are really paying to see 2 SHOW IN ONE! I won't explain that too much, so please go find out for yourself! Deviously funny group, fun times and highly recommended."

Hot 103 Live

The show also won a much-coveted Jenny award. The fact that Shawn is the MC seven years running has nothing to do with that at all, we're sure. Turns out we can be Horrible People too!

Thanks to everyone who came out, with a possible exeption to the people who hit us with the bats. We kid, we kid.

For more on the Horrible Friends, check out their website.

Notes From Ottawa

Mon, 20 Jun 11 14:54:32 -0400

(Media looking for more information on the Ottawa Fringe production of The Suckerpunch:

The Media Kit , Media Image 1, Media Image 2.)

Hey folks- It's Monday in Ottawa which means that the first weekend has come and gone from the Ottawa Fringe Festival. So far it has been a fantastic time, seeing shows, meeting up with old friends and making new ones. The Suckerpunch has three performances in the history books and has been quite well received. Here are some notes and highlights so far:

First of all, I did a quick interview with 25 Hours Ottawa which you can find here. I actually did this interview from Vancouver, so it was nice to come in town and have a little bit of press arrive before me.
Ottawa Xpress included me amongst such Fringe powerhouses as Rob Gee and Jimmy Hogg in it's article Freaks and Funnies, although it is unclear which one I'm supposed to be.
Speaking of powerhouses, "The Suckerpunch, Brent Hirose's one-man sci-fi drama, is a testament to his reputation as a fringe powerhouse", according to my review over at Fully Fringed, a blog whose mission is to review every show in the festival- They're doing a bang up job so far!
Finally, I've got my first (hopefully of many) audience reviews up on the official fringe site.

There is more to come yet as well: shouldyouseeit.com, a local group of video bloggers/reviewers have done an interview with me that should be up some time this week along with a video review. I've also had reviewers in from the Ottawa Citizen, Winnipeg Free Press and CBC Winnipeg. The Winnipeg reviews should be out at the start of the festival and hopefully the Citizen review should be out in the next couple of days.

For those of you who happen to be at the festival, please, check out as many shows as you can. I've all ready managed to squeeze in 7: Dying Hard (written and performed by the fantastic Mikaela Dyke), Pick Your Path (by Ray Besharah and Matthew Domville of G-Men Defectives), Callaghan! (improv by the hilarious Sex T Rex), Playing for Advantage (another funny and poignant show by Black Sheep Theatre), Old Legends (a touching sophomore effort from James FitzGerald), Double Yellow Line and Roller Derby Saved My Soul (a marvelous solo-show debut for Nancy Kenny), and there are many more shows I'm dying to catch before the end of the festival. I also have another couple of Ottawa Fringe appearances in the works- This Thursday I'll be one of the performers featured in the Bareknuckle Debate, starting at 4 in the coutryard. Also, it looks like I'll be doing a show in the Canuck Cabaret, appearing as one Richard B. Manly. Should be fun!

P.S. - For those of you on Twitter, check out the #ottfringe hash tag: A great way to hear what the buzz is around the festival!

The Sucker Punch in Ottawa

Fri, 10 Jun 11 04:21:40 -0400

With the Voice Intensive wrapping up, it's time to look to the (very near) future where my latest play, The Suckerpunch, will be making it's debut. I'm incredibly proud of the play, as I think it is the best I've written yet and will be a fun challenge to perform. As of this writing, I'm only a week away from the first show. Yipes!

Media folks looking for more, might I suggest:

The Media Kit
Media Image 1
Media Image 2
(Photo Credit: James Firby)

As per usual, for more information, you can always check out the link to the side.

The National Voice Intensive

Fri, 10 Jun 11 04:13:57 -0400

Just a quick post here to mark the end of my participation in Canada's National Voice Intensive. (Don't let the name fool you, non Canadians can attend too!) The last five weeks have been, appropriately enough, intense but also incredibly rewarding and while I don't think I'll be able to come back right away, I certainly intend to come back and do the intensive again, as do most of the participants that I've talked to.

The practice I've learned here is a truely wonderful thing and recommended for any actor (or anyone who can stand being around actors and learn a sonnet, monologue and scene over five weeks) who is interested in exploring their craft.

Many thanks to the wonderful instructors: David, Judith, Brad, Cindy, Dale, Ian, Gail, Gerry, Garry, Lisa and the associates David, Pat and Ruben. And then there are the participents, who I could name but not only would that take a long time, but it would not say enough about all the wonderful expiriences I've had with you. Let's stay in touch! All of you have been wonderful and I hope to work with you all again soon.

This is also a good place to mention and thank both the Winnipeg Arts Council and the Manitoba Arts Council who supported my attending the Voice Intensive with professional development grants. If I retain but a small portion of what I've learned here, it will have been money and time more than well spent.

"Cool breath dropping in, turning warm inside and coming up warm." - David Smuckler

Project: The Suckerpunch (Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Victoria, Vancouver)

Tue, 22 Mar 11 14:53:16 -0400

A new technoloy allows you to go back in time five seconds, just long enough to undo a ill-timed comment or misthought action. If you could take it back, would you? And what would the consequences be? A brand new one-man sci-fi drama performing all around Canada on the 2011 Canadian Fringe Tour.

The Suckerpunch is currently set to play at the Vancouver Fringe Festival at the following dates and times:

Venue: Origins Organic Coffee (1245 Cartwright St. on Granville Island)
Thusday, Sept 8th 8:30
Satuday, Sept 10th 9:15
Sunday, Sept 11th 3:30 AND 9:15
Wednesday, Sept 14th 7:15
Friday, Sept 16th 10:15
Saturday, Sept 17th 9:15
Sunday Sept 18th 2:45

Tickerts are $10 during the week or $12 on the weekend, including HST, and can be bought at the door OR in advance (with a $3 surcharge) at https://tickets.vancouverfringe.com/

PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS:

The Suckerpunch was performed successfully at the Ottawa Fringe where it gained the following praise:

“A testament to [Hirose's] reputation as a Fringe powerhouse... enthralling”
--FullyFringed.ca

“A darn good actor”
– Ottawa Citizen

“It feels like you're watching a fully cast... he is an amazing performer”
- Yay or Nay Reviews

It was then performed at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, where critics continued to rave about the show and it received sell out crowds:

"Hirose is a superb performer"
-CBC

" a thought-provoking concept... FOUR STARS"
-Winnipeg Free Press

"This powerful, brilliantly performed jewel knocks the air clean out of us in startling fashion...Don’t miss this one for the world. FIVE STARS"
-Uptown Magazine

The show then moved to the Potash Corp (Saskatoon Fringe) where it continued to gain praise:

"Brilliantly performed and thought provoking... a truely rich fringe expirience. FOUR STARS" - The Saskatoon Star Phoenix

The tour continued on to the Victoria Fringe Festival, where reviews continued to laud the show:

"One word for The Suckerpunch. Wow. ... Do yourself a favor and see this show." - Monday Magazine

"Funny, touching and sharp, The Suckerpunch will catch you off guard" - Culture Vulture Victoria

(Photo Credit: James Firby)

Project: Illuminati: The Musical (Winnipeg)

Tue, 22 Mar 11 14:51:08 -0400

Kiss the Giraffe Productions is pleased to announce the return of this smash hit musical by Joseph Aragon!

16 actors, 64 characters, and one... big... secret! Join a scientist, a conspiracy theorist, a journalist, and a homeless woman as they journey to discover the secrets of an ultra-powerful secret society!

This musical comedy played to sold-out crowds at its Winnipeg Fringe Festival premiere in 2005.

Tickets only $10 in advance or at the door. Seating is limited and there are only THREE shows, so don't miss out! Reserve your tickets early by sending an email to heather@ktg.ca, or by calling 227-1820.

Showtimes:
Tuesday April 26, 8:00 PM
Wednesday April 27, 8:00 PM
Thursday April 28, 8:00 PM

And watch for Illuminati 2... the conspiracy continues at the 2011 Winnipeg Fringe!

Proceeds go to support this not-for-profit local theatre company's 2011 Fringe Festival production.

Cast (and just some of their roles!):

Stephanie Sy as Crazy Ethel
Tim Bandfield as Arthur Grainger
Lisa Tjaden as Liz Dixon
Tim Magas as Dexter di Nardi
Kami Desilets as Echelon
Curtis Lowton as Senator Rush
Brent Hirose as Perry the Producer/The Pope
Heather Madill Jordan as The Overseer
Keri-lee Smith as Martha/Rourke
Julie Horbal as Reba
Owen Suppes as Zeke
Dora Carroll as the Elder
Kendra Jones as Monica
Carly Winthrop as Clementine
Renell Doneza as Maxwell
Peggy Hamilton as Senator Barry/Dave
Matthew Legace as ensemble and ASM

Direction by Kami Desilets, based on the original direction of Leif Clarke
Fight Direction by Brent Hirose

A Tour Comes to An End

Sat, 19 Mar 11 14:56:05 -0400

Well, after 3 months of hard work, travelling all over Manitoba and a grand total of **99** performances, The Paper Bag Princess & More is finally wrapped up. It was an incredible expirience and much thanks have to go out to Charlene, Heather, Ray and the whole team at Prairie Theatre Exchange for making the hard parts as painless as possible and the fun parts a total blast.

But, there is no time to rest on my laurels: The future is very busy indeed. First of all, Kiss the Giraffe Productions, in preperation for the 2011 Winnipeg Fringe Festival is remounting the 2005 Fringe hit Illuminati: The Musical in which I will be repriseing my role of Perry/The Pope, but also taking over the duties of Fight Director. The show goes up at the end of April, and as per usual more information can be found in the projects link to the side.

I'm also pleased to annouce that I've been accepted into the 2011 Canadian National Voice Intensive program in Vancouver. I'll be heading down there with a posse of fellow Winnipeggers and am looking forward to the intensive 5 week conservatory program. All that leaves now is lots and lots of prep work. Better get to it!

Project: Clued-In (Calgary)

Thu, 04 Nov 10 13:43:47 -0400

Written by Brent Hirose

You are cordially invited to the estate of Mr. Body for the gathering of the decade! Join such luminaries as internationally known artist Ms. White, esteemed scholar Professor Plum, sultry socialite Ms. Scarlett, war hero Colonel Mustard, fashion fixture Ms. Peacock and Mr. Green who is probably known for something or other. It will be a party to die for!

Based on the phenomenally successful board game Clue, Clued-In is a brand n...ew mystery-comedy that throws the audience head first into the intrigue and gets them to ask: Whodunit?

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PRODUCTION IS RATED PG

Produced/Directed by Allister Denton
SM/Assist. Directed by Shelby Reinitz

Cast:

Jeeves - Faith Amantea
Mr. Body - Rick Borger

Col. Mustard - Shea Christie
Mr. Green - Matthew McDonald
Ms. Peacock - Elizabeth Payne
Ms. Scarlet - Kayte Parnell
Ms. White - Shanna Hedley
Prof Plum - Tony Norman

CLUEd In ran November 4-20, 2010 at the Easterbrook Theatre.

Project: The Paperbag Princess & More (Winnipeg & Rural Manitoba)

Tue, 02 Nov 10 17:06:04 -0400

Based on the stories by Robert Munsch, Adapted by Kim McCaw

Featuring Brent Hirose, Ray Strachan and Charlene Van Buekenhout

December 18, 2010 - January 05, 2011

Preview - December 18, 2010

Another holiday season, another high-energy, madcap presentation of the stories of Robert Munsch as live theatre by Prairie Theatre Exchange. This year, we're bringing back some classic Munsch -- including Thomas' Snowsuit, I Have to Go, Andrew's Loose Tooth, and everyone's favourite feisty heroine, The Paper Bag Princess -- along with a new sure-to-be-a-favourite, Put Me in a Book! This is a holiday tradition that can be enjoyed by kids, parents and grandparents -- no gift wrap required!

Choose from a variety of assigned seating and rush seating shows. Check out our Pajama Parties – early evening performances followed by cookies and milk afterwards (pajamas & teddy bears welcome!).

Family Four-Packs: $40 (assigned seating shows)
$32 (rush seating shows)

Individual Tickets: $12 (assigned seating shows)
$10 (rush seating shows)

Family Fun Days: December 18 (1 & 3 pm) & December 19 (3 pm) -- $5 per ticket (maximum of 6 tickets)

Daycares -- please call our box office for special group pricing (942-5483)

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

(A) - Assigned seating (R) - Rush seating (P) - Pajama Party

^{No performances on December 24, 25, 26 31 or January}¹

^{D A T E}	^{T I M E}	^{S T A T U S}	^{T I M E}	^{S T A T U S}
^DEC.18	^{1PM (A)}		^{3PM (A)}
^DEC.19	^{3PM (A)}
^DEC.20	^{1PM (R)}
^DEC.21	^{1PM (R)}
^DEC.22	^{1PM (R)}
^DEC.23	^{1PM (A)}		^{3PM (A)}
^DEC.27	^{3PM (A)}		^{7PM (A) (P)}
^DEC.28	^{1PM (R)}		^{3PM (A)}
^DEC.29	^{1PM (A)}		^{3PM (A)}
^DEC.30	^{1PM (A)}		^{3PM (R)}
^JAN.2	^{3PM (A)}		^{7PM (A) (P)}
^JAN.3	^{1PM (R)}		^{3PM (A)}
^JAN.4	^{1PM (A)}		^{3PM (R)}
^JAN.5	^{1PM (A)}		^{3PM (A)}

For tickets, please click here.

Project: The Horrible Friends: For the First Time, For the Last Time (Winnipeg)

Tue, 02 Nov 10 17:02:32 -0400

The Horrible Friends present their first and possibly LAST show!

Yes, the Horrible Friends, last seen at the Winnipeg Fringe in Deadliest Improv Warrior and unbeaten at the Free Laughs Series Cage Match are reading to show the world what they've got!

Brent Hirose is skipping town so he, Luke Falconer, Shawn Kowalke and special guest Alan Mackenzie are going to rock your socks off with some amazing improv comedy. Short form! Long form! Medium form? You might just have your mind BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS.

All this for only $5!

The Exchange Community Church

75 Albert St

Project: The Weirdest One In The World (Winnipeg)

Mon, 14 Jun 10 16:51:07 -0400

Do you ever feel that you’re the weirdest one? Martin sure does. That’s why he takes a trip to NORMAL - a village somewhere between here and there and not of this world. It turns out NORMAL is not exactly what it’s cracked up to be. A new original musical about being yourself, liking to be yourself, and being anything but normal.

Great for kids, awesome for families.

Book by Cory Wojcik
Music and Lyrics by Angus Kohm
Directed by Cory Wojcik
Choreography by Laura Kolisnyk
Stage Manager Jane Buttner

Starring

Andre Gomes
Jessica Gomes
Brent Hirose
Laura Kolisnyk
Davide Montebruno
Stefanie Wiens

Performed at the 2010 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

“Local playwright Cory Wojcik has hit the nail on the head this year with his musical comedy that celebrates being different. A really solid, well-rehearsed cast, including Winnipeg favorite Stephanie Wiens as a loopy Queen Normal, have no problem pulling off this well-written, beautifully told tale of a boy and a princess who both think the grass is greener on the other side until one villainous Prime Minister Sinister, played by Davide Montebruno, shows them both what the other side actually looks like.

Hats off to Angus Kohm for writing a fresh and funny musical score that, during the opening performance, had a packed audience of kids and adults alike singing along to the catchy lyrics "it's only weird until somebody says it's art.

****"
-CBC.ca

Project: Unequal Harvest (Winnipeg & Victoria)

Thu, 08 Apr 10 23:13:48 -0400

"Gripping and heartbreaking in equal measure, an urgent and compassionate call to understand the real lives and people behind the appalling statistic of a billion people going hungry."

-Raj Patel, author of 'Stuffed and Starved'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 2008, three non-profit organizations; The Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the Manitoba Food Charter and Winnipeg Harvest, resolved to draw attention to the Global Food Crisis by commissioning Winnipeg playwright Geoff Hughes to write and direct an original work. “Unequal Harvest” debuted before an enthusiastic Winnipeg audience on World Food Day, October 16.

Unequal Harvest was work-shopped into a two-person show with dramaturge by Ellen Peterson and The Manitoba Association of Playwrights. Now in 2010 the show is appearing in the Ottawa, Winnipeg and Victoria Fringe Theatre Festivals hoping to encourage debate around the topic of how to deal with the ever-growing numbers of undernourished people.

Performed by Kami Desilets and Geoff Hughes in Ottawa and Winnipeg, Brent Hirose will be assuming Mr. Hughes’ part for the run of the show in the Victoria Fringe Festival.

Venue 3 – Wood Hall, VCM (907 Pandora)

$11 regular /$9 student & senior • Advance $13/11

Thu Aug 26, 7:30
Sat Aug 28, 10:00
Sun Aug 29, 3:30
Mon Aug 30, 8:00
Fri Sep 3, 11:30 pm
Sat Sep 4, 4:00

Fringe Link

Project: When The Killer Mutant Lizards Attack (Winnipeg & Victoria)

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

Eventually the inevitable happened: the Killer Mutant Lizards attacked, decimated the city and mysteriously disappeared. The survivors resume their lives, but must ask: Why? How? And will they return?

A new one man dark comedy by Brent Hirose.

Originally performed at the 2010 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

****1/2 stars – Filipino Journal

“Well-written and aptly acted… B+” Uptown Magazine

“Sharp and clever, and Hirose hits it just right” Winnipeg Free Press

“sharp writing, deep thinking, and first-rate acting” CBC.ca

Now set to play at the 2010 Victoria Fringe Festival

Venue 4 – St Andrew’s School Gym (1002 Pandora)

All Seats/Door $11 • Advance $13

Sat Aug 28, 5:00
Sun Aug 29, 10:00
Wed Sept 1, 9:30
Fri Sept 3, 6:00
Sun Sept 5, 7:15

Fringe Link

The show will also be re-mounted for a one-night performance in Winnipeg at Aqua Books (274 Garry Street) for the Best of Fest holdover series, October 6^th at 7:30.

Project: Habitat (Winnipeg)

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

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.

Uptown Magazine

A-

Theatre by the River offers up a thoughtful production of Judith Thompson's Habitat

In this beautifully written and thoughtfully crafted production, Canadian playwright Judith Thompson and local company Theatre by the River consider a basic yet important element of our lives: our home. Following the struggle to establish a youth group home in a rich Toronto neighbourhood, Habitat shines a light onto the lives, for better and worse, of those on both sides of the contentious issue.

Raine (Megan Herkert) is a teenage girl living in Toronto whose mother has died and whose father lives outside the city with a hated other woman. Raine has nowhere to go and much anger to contend with, and ends up one of the new home’s inhabitants. There, she becomes friends with Sparkle (Brent Hirose), a troubled 18-year old man-child who is seemingly incapable of telling the truth of his life, even to those he holds dear.

Lewis (Matt TenBruggencate) is the one person on the side of these lost souls, determined to make them a home in a beautiful neighbourhood. Largely driven by tragic events in his past, Lewis refuses to give up the fight for these children, who, as he says, we have all failed.

Margaret (Carolyn Gray) is an aging neighbour of the new group home, herself nursing the wounds of her own tragedyy. She bonds with Raine yet remains terrified of the group home and its inhabitants. Janet (Lisa Nelson), is Margaret’s daughter, a lawyer whose liberal values compel her to give lip service to the right for the group home to exist, but who ultimately leads the fight against it.

The lives of all of these characters are carefully woven together by Thompson, who draws from their most elemental feelings and relationships — the love of mothers and children, family, and their own sense of place and belonging — to create complex and fascinating people who are terribly fallible. But in their own faults and confusion, we discover their true humanity

In a wonderfully inventive stage — a triple-set tableau spanning the length of the room — Theatre by the River offers Thompson’s work a fitting home of its own: simple, yet surprisingly effective.

The cast is also up to task for this often harrowing work. Herkert is mesmerizing as Raine, embodying all of the anger, confusion and pain of a young girl who is ultimately transformed by the events of her life. The rest of the cast is equally strong and affecting as all of these souls are thrown together to bash out their own confusion. And although the play’s length threatens to drag it down occasionally, the actors never waver in their commitment to it.

Thompson has anchored Habitat in breath, our most basic human element. This comes as no surprise in a work which unlocks the key to our most basic human need. In Thompson’s hands, the journey home may not always be easy or comfortable, but it is essential.

- Barb Stewart

Winnipeg Free Press

4 STARS

Habitat skilfully unpacks family baggage

Habitat opens with the sound of a woman's laboured, raspy breathing

It's a death rattle. This mother in her 40s is about to expire from cancer.

Her 16-year-old daughter, Raine (Megan Herkert), just wants to get her hands on Mom's bank card so she can buy some jeans. "I don't even have anything to wear to your funeral," gripes the appallingly selfish teen.

The kid ditches her mom with "See you when I see you." The play asks, with compassion for every viewpoint, why it's so difficult for us to "see" -- that is, understand, value and accept.

The next time we meet Raine, she's been placed in a group home for troubled teens that's just opened on Maple View Lanes, an exclusive street populated by wealthy professionals.

Kudos to the small but discerning company Theatre by the River for mounting the first local production of this layered, thoughtful 2001 work by Toronto dramatist Judith Thompson (The Crackwalker, White Biting Dog).

The five-actor Habitat opened Thursday in the intimate upstairs space at Aqua Books. It's presented in blackout scenes effectively connected by moody cello interludes played by Natanielle Felicitas.

The fringe-like venue is far from ideal in terms of sightlines. But director Arne MacPherson makes skilful use of the long, shallow performing space so our imaginations fill in two homes and a park, as well as unseen characters.

Habitat is built around the battle between a social worker who is passionately determined to give neglected teens a family-like home, and intolerant, change-resistant neighbours who fear crime and lowered property values.

But on a more profound level, it's about family, especially the primal, complex relationships between mothers and children -- lifelong dances of adoration, criticism, contempt, disappointment, guilt, care-giving and misunderstanding.

Thompson, a mother of five, has penned dialogues and monologues that are stunningly honest about mother-child psychology.

Margaret (Carolyn Gray) is an elderly widow on the street. Her daughter Janet (Lisa Nelson) is raising her own kids a few doors away. There's all sorts of baggage here, with Margaret disapproving of Janet's feminism and law career, and Janet agreeing to lead a lawsuit against the group home to win her "mummy's" approval. Meanwhile, Margaret and the angry Raine form a surrogate mom-daughter bond.

In a powerful, taboo-smashing monologue that would probably only be written by a female playwright, Janet confesses that as her children became pre-teens, she began to dislike them.

Over at the group home, gay social worker Lewis (Matt TenBruggencate) makes phone calls to his own mom and reveals in a wrenching monologue the long-ago incident that compels him to nurture unwanted kids.

Sparkle (Brent Hirose), a morally hollow teen, is the sad example of the damage that results from a lack of a primary bond.

Thompson includes a few heavy-handed political speeches and overdoes her attempt to make Maple View Lanes a microcosm for human-rights issues, unwisely drawing analogies to Nazi Germany

But each character emerges as a rounded, flawed human being. The actors rise to the work's challenge. TenBruggencate is the standout, giving the social worker a chipper exterior and a haunted, aching, rage-filled interior.

Thompson's poetic images are rich and rewarding, particularly the use of breathing as a sustained metaphor.

As worried parents we check on our babies' breathing; as adult children we keep vigil as our mothers breathe into life's final passage.

The play circles back to place Raine at her mom's bedside once again. The journey is well worth taking.

- Alison Mayes

CBC Information Radio

I did get to see the show on the weekend, and highly recommend it. Top-notch performances from the five-person cast; taught direction from Arne MacPherson; and a script that dances between dark humour, heart-breaking tragedy, and probing social commentary. It's a very impressive production of a superb piece of theatre - as entertaining as it is provocative.

- Joff Schmidt

Project: Neighbours (Winnipeg)

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.

Project: 2009 Fem Fest: One Night Stand (Winnipeg)

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

Project: Life in a Box (Winnipeg & Edmonton)

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 (Winnipeg)

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

Project: Saint Joan (Winnipeg)

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

SAINT JOAN

by Bernard Shaw

Directed by Debbie Patterson

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.
St. Joan was performed at Theatre de la Chapelle in Winnipeg from June 18th-20th and 24th-27th.
Reviews included:

"Winnipeg's fringe festival is still a month off, but a local production of Saint Joan that opened Thursday feels like a fringe drama come early...

Marginet has the right fresh-faced look for Joan, the medieval teenage warrior who is convinced that God has empowered her to lead the demoralized French army to victory over the English.

Striding boldly around, slapping the arms of the male characters to whom she is supposed to defer, Marginet conveys Joan's brash impudence and innate smarts. She is less successful at giving layers to the maid's religious fervour/possible madness and making us believe in her direct pipeline to Heaven.

TenBruggencate proves he's got the classical chops and bearing to carry off the haughty archbishop and the ruthless Earl of Warwick. Brent Hirose skilfully finds the comedy in the contrasting roles of the wimpy Dauphin and a rabidly vengeful chaplain. In an intriguing bit of gender-blind casting, Megan Herkert summons the gravitas of the Inquisitor.

As a British critic noted about a recent revival of Saint Joan, "rhetoric is out of fashion." Shaw's long, cerebral arguments about the nature of heresy and the power of the Church and aristocracy, versus the individual and the rise of nationalism, largely freeze out the emotional engagement that today's audiences tend to seek.

Fortunately, director Debbie Patterson gives the show energy, earthy humour and a strong undercurrent of attraction between Joan and military leader Jack Dunois, ensuring that it never becomes a stiff talkfest.

Staging the dream epilogue, in which the characters reunite after death, as a giddy pyjama party is an inspired choice, returning the characters to a state of childlike grace. Shaw's compassion toward all the players in Joan's politically charged execution proves to be more affecting than anything that's gone before."

-Winnipeg Free Press

"

Uptown Magazine

B+

A Haunting and Poignant Portrayal

George Bernard Shaw's fascinating take on the life of Joan of Arc is in capable hands at Theatre by the River. The young theatre company, along with veteran director Debbie Patterson, brings heartfelt vigor and joy to this production, and the enthusiasm is infectious.

With much the same zeal as Joan herself, the cast of Saint Joan embraces its roles with fervour. Following the events leading from Joan's appearance at the Castle of Vaucouleurs, where she convinces the oh-so-skeptical military captain Robert de Baudricourt of her quest to lead the French to victory over the English invaders and to crown the Dauphin king, to her death (and a bit beyond), Saint Joan is an appealing, although sometimes slow-going, work.

As Joan, Mel Marginet wonderfully embodies the bright-eyed single-mindedness of a young girl on a mission from God. Marginet's Joan is an earthy, infectiously likable creature whose certainty makes her impossible to refuse. Her strong performance is a delight to behold.

Although this is a very serious tale, including Shaw's exploration of nationalism, and religious and political intolerance, the cast and director allow plenty of room for humour. Brent Hirose's Dauphin (Charles VII) is a comically pathetic and spineless ruler, and Luke Friesen offers some fine physically comedic turns as a steward and page.

All in all, the wonderfully costumed cast is up-to-task, especially for the lighter side of the work. But when the text focuses on the political or religious maneuverings behind Joan's back, the work starts to drag. And with a running time of two-and-a-half hours, this Saint Joan would be improved by a stronger take on these scenes. The actors don't quite hold the audience's attention as intently as they should and the production loses some of its steam.

- Barb Stewart"

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

Production History:

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

Directed by Darcy Fehr
Starring Gwen Collins and Brent Hirose
Media by Aaron Zeghers

Reviews for this production included:

“A must see!” - WinnipegOnstage.com

Another production was subsequently mounted (after significant re-writes) by the Attic Players for the inaugural "Bohemian Rhapsody" festival in Red Deer Alberta with the following cast and crew:

MICHAEL/ANTHONY Matt McDonald

EMILY/GLORIA Shelby Reinitz

Directed by Kayte Parnel
Stage Managed by Michelle Ang.

This production was then re-mounted for the Pumphouse Theatre's One Act Play Festival where it was nominated for Best Original Script.

Brent Hirose

Never stop creating!

Project: Yung Men

Project: Instant Shop Presents: Conservatory Live!

Web Projects

Going Ape

Changes & Updates, Coast Edition

Project: New Show (Winnipeg)

Fringe Postmortem

The Vancouver Fringe

Victoria and Vancouver

Thanks Saskatoon! (From Europe)

Potash Corp Fringe, Week One!

Good bye, Winnipeg Fringe

The Winnipeg Fringe Approaches!

Project: Can't Get Started (Winnipeg)

The End of the Ottawa Fringe

Project: The Horrible Friends: World Tour! (Winnipeg)

Notes From Ottawa

The Sucker Punch in Ottawa

The National Voice Intensive

Project: The Suckerpunch (Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Victoria, Vancouver)

Project: Illuminati: The Musical (Winnipeg)

A Tour Comes to An End

Project: Clued-In (Calgary)

Project: The Paperbag Princess & More (Winnipeg & Rural Manitoba)

Project: The Horrible Friends: For the First Time, For the Last Time (Winnipeg)

Project: The Weirdest One In The World (Winnipeg)

Project: Unequal Harvest (Winnipeg & Victoria)

Venue 3 – Wood Hall, VCM (907 Pandora) $11 regular /$9 student & senior • Advance $13/11 Thu Aug 26, 7:30 Sat Aug 28, 10:00 Sun Aug 29, 3:30 Mon Aug 30, 8:00 Fri Sep 3, 11:30 pmSat Sep 4, 4:00 Fringe Link

Project: When The Killer Mutant Lizards Attack (Winnipeg & Victoria)

Project: Habitat (Winnipeg)

Habitat

by Judith Thompson, directed by Arne MacPherson

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

Uptown Magazine

Theatre by the River offers up a thoughtful production of Judith Thompson's Habitat

Winnipeg Free Press

Habitat skilfully unpacks family baggage

CBC Information Radio

Project: Neighbours (Winnipeg)

Project: 2009 Fem Fest: One Night Stand (Winnipeg)

Project: Life in a Box (Winnipeg & Edmonton)

Project: Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare (Winnipeg)

Project: Saint Joan (Winnipeg)

Uptown Magazine

A Haunting and Poignant Portrayal

Project: Billy Bishop Goes To War

A Haunting and Poignant Portrayal

Project: Paper Jack

Project: Identity.com

Venue 3 – Wood Hall, VCM (907 Pandora)

$11 regular /$9 student & senior • Advance $13/11

Thu Aug 26, 7:30
Sat Aug 28, 10:00
Sun Aug 29, 3:30
Mon Aug 30, 8:00
Fri Sep 3, 11:30 pm
Sat Sep 4, 4:00

Fringe Link

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