The Calgary Theatre Scene

I've been doing some virtual digging on Calgary attractions over the past few days in preparation for a short trip this coming weekend, and I've discovered that Cowtown has a more expansive theatre scene than I knew about. While not exactly surprising given their bursting population and opportunity for corporate sponsorship, the city has a fair variety of theatre offerings.

I don't think I'll have time on this trip to catch any shows, but there are a few companies I will be keeping my eye on:

• Lunchbox Theatre: like a cross between Shadow Theatre and Teatro La Quindicina, they recently mounted a production written by Aaron Sorkin. Reason enough to visit.
• Morpheus Theatre: produces Gilbert & Sullivan operettas ("It came from Penzance!"), and contemporary plays, such as the upcoming adaptation of Tuesdays with Morrie.
  
• One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre: purveyor of edgy, experimental theatre, they organize the annual "High Performance Rodeo" festival, which this year featured a musical entitled Five Hole: Tales of Hockey Erotica. Enough said.
• Theatre Calgary: collaborates often with its Edmonton-equivalent, The Citadel Theatre. But on second thought, it may be a better idea to watch a Citadel production first. Of the two though, Theatre Calgary has a slicker website.
  
• Vertigo Theatre: now this, Edmonton doesn't have - mystery theatre on a grand scale. At least, not without the song and dance Jubilations would infuse. Not only does Vertigo offer the opportunity to uncover the forensic realities of a show, but the upcoming Shear Madness even allows for audience input to solve the whodunit!
  

I will continue to be a cheerleader for Edmonton theatre, but perhaps it is time to take off my partisan blinders and open up to the exciting theatrical developments down south.