THEATRE

ARTS Actor relishes opportunity to create controversy on-stage

by Charlie Smith

Kerry Sandomirsky jumped at the chance to be in Jason Sherman’s Ominous Sounds because the play goes straight to the heart of contemporary cultural conversations. Photo by David Cooper.

Veteran Vancouver actor Kerry Sandomirsky knows as well as anyone that the theatre world is in flux. Plays that were once perdirected by Surette at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria. “First of all, Roy casts well,” Sandomirsky says. “I don’t mean that in a selfformed on stages without a second thought are now scrutinized for anything that smacks of racism, sexism, ableism, or any other ism.

This has presented opportunities for some actors. But it has also left others who have worked in theatre for years wondering about their place if more roles are reserved for those with lived experiences similar to their characters.

“We’re similar to some of those Chekhovian characters looking around bewildered and thinking, ‘What now?’” Sandomirsky tells the Straight by phone. “So the new world is emerging but the oldies are left standing, saying, ‘What stories are we allowed to tell?’”

That’s the premise of Jason Sherman’s Ominous Sounds at the River Crossing; or, Another Fucking Dinner Party Play, which Touchstone Theatre will premiere this month. Directed by Roy Surette, it features Kerry Sandomirsky, Monice Peter, Alex Poch-Goldin, Allan Morgan, Nicola Lipman, and Angela Chu as actors in a play.

Sandomirsky’s character decides that she’s had enough of performing in “dinner plays”, which generates an emotional discussion about storytelling, inclusivity, and cultural appropriation.

“You want to feel that the work you’re doing is relevant to the cultural conversation of the moment, which is why I jumped at this,” Sandomirsky says.

In Ominous Sounds, she’s reviving a character that she played more than two decades ago in one of Sherman’s earlier plays, Patience. That version was also aggrandizing way. He assembles a good group of people—good-hearted as well. He creates warm rooms, so you feel you have permission to explore a play like this.” She describes Sherman, a Governor General’s Award winner, as an incredibly intelligent writer who can make audiences squirm in discomfort while still retaining a great deal of heart in his plays. “That’s what makes it pleasurable,” Sandomirsky says. “It works on so many different levels.” Plus, she notes that Sherman listens to suggestions from the cast and is willing to rewrite dialogue if a good case can be made for doing that. At the same time, she says that he presents different perspectives in Ominous Sounds, which has the potential to ignite fiery debates among theatregoers after the lights go up. Or even before that occurs. “I hope some people walk out,” Sandomirsky admits. “You know, that’s a really ridiculous thing to say.” But then she adds, “Oh, what a great thing to be in a play that, hopefully, will engender [such a] response.” Sandomirsky is no stranger to controversy. In David Hare’s Skylight, she says, she could feel the audience detesting her character’s point of view on opening night. Some even verbalized their feelings inside the theatre. “I think Jason is going to tap into the same kind of thing,” Sandomirsky says. g

Touchstone Theatre presents Ominous Sounds at the River Crossing; or, Another Fucking Dinner Party Play at Performance Works from March 6 to 13.

MAR

Prokofiev & Grieg

Fri, 7pm | Orpheum

4 The next generation of symphony stars! Conductor Anna Rakitina leads an exciting performance featuring two beloved works: Grieg’s Peer Gynt, and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2. Ms. Rakitina is a Dudamel Fellow at the LA Philharmonic, and the current Associate Conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She will be joined on the Orpheum stage by violinist Blake Pouliot, twice featured on the CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians under 30” list.

Anna Rakitina

Hear it. Feel it.

• Steven Page

Taron Egerton as Elton John

Christopher Gaze

MAR

Steven Page with the VSO

12/13

Sat, 8pm | Orpheum Sun, 7pm | Orpheum

Acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Steven Page returns to the VSO for a heartfelt performance of his solo works as well as iconic hits from his Barenaked Ladies days, as only he can sing them.

MAR

Rocketman Live in Concert

18/19

Fri & Sat, 8pm | Orpheum

The critically acclaimed film Rocketman charts the legendary life and music of Elton John. See award-winning actor Taron Egerton take on the lead role, singing his way through Elton’s success with hits such as Your Song, Tiny Dancer, I’m Still Standing and many more. The VSO plays the score live!

Rocketman contains some mature themes and situations. Parental discretion is advised. ©2019 Paramount Pictures PRESENTATION LICENSED BY

MAR

The Magic Toyshop

Thu, 2pm | Orpheum

24 This delightful ballet score by Ottorino Respighi was inspired by a set of Rossini piano pieces. Discover a charming and near “perfect” set of dances and tunes made famous by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

VancouverSymphony.ca 604.876.3434

MAR 12, 13 VSO POPS SERIES SPONSOR MAR12 VSO POPS CONCERT SPONSOR MAR 18 & 19 MAR24 TEA & TRUMPETS SERIES SPONSOR

BROADCAST MEDIA PARTNERS MEDIA SPONSOR Concert programs are subject to change at any time.