Sigma Acapella
Arts Umbrella- Jack and Darlene Pool Theatre
1400 Johnston St.
March 18- March 29, 2024
$25 for seniors and students
$30 for general admission
Tickets reserved by ticketowl.io.
An evening on Granville Island is always a delight, especially when going to see an original show; a musical, at that. I was kindly welcomed and directed up to the third floor, where the Jack and Darlene Pool Theatre is found. There is handicap accessibility via the elevator, which will take you directly to the doors of the theatre’s house.
SIGMA ACAPELLA is an original musical about a faltering frat house who unite with a group of rejected theatre students in order to save their fraternity from the wicked Dean of Administration, who has plans of demolishing their fraternity house. The writer and producer (Annahis Basmadjian) has clearly fallen in love with all of their characters, no matter their capacity within the show; and a fine array, which makes the
diversity of the surprisingly large cast and ensemble enjoyable to experience. I was impressed by the ability to have such a large ensemble move about so swiftly and thoroughly about the stage. And that includes a four-piece band upstage. Though there are several characters within the show, they have done a fine job of disguising themselves as cameo parts; though at times, it is almost impossible not to notice a specific character in a cameo part, this also feels to be a fun intention by the director.
I was immediately met with excitement by an enthralling overture/ prologue. It was captivating and had me prepared and excited. The four-piece band and the composer have a great ability of capturing the characters’ tones. Every character has an identifiable sound but not a “theme.”
As I left the theatre that night, the fellow exiting audience members were singing the songs that they had just heard and had a clear memory of the lyrics and melodies. A memory like this shows the intelligence of a fine lyricist(s) and composer(s).
The actors connect well and it seems that they have been having a great time with this project. When I watch a show and I see that the performers get on so well, it is mere proof that this has been an act of love for all of them and within this production, that shows.
The villains are hilarious and fantastically positioned within their blocking for their introductory scene. Pavo Schimmer is a phenomenal actor with the most brilliant timing and receives an appropriate demise. The fellow villains are sycophants but all with their own distinctive character.
Mentionable standouts of the production are the actors who play “The Nobodies”, a group of creatives, shunned from society. Their introduction had me howling. The comedic timing between actor Samuel Fraser and Juliana de Mederios had me excited for what was next to come. Katrina Tietz has an amazing theatrical presence and an energy that boosts a scene to where it needs to be; her ability to switch from the opposition at first to an ally is believable and wonderful to watch. Blake Sartin I found to be the absolute standout. He embodied the character with a stage presence that felt undeniable. Sartin has the ability to believably shift emotions. And a voice that can level octaves so swiftly, he belongs on Broadway. It’s a true joy watching him perform. Justin Low feels as if he will be our lead at first and rightfully so; he commands the stage quite well and is a skilled guitarist; giving the band a rest while he strums live on stage and singing. Our lead, Nathan Mannion Haastrap, is a fine actor who sings well but paces about the stage when delivering lines, which is quite distracting. A fine actor whom I am sure we will all happily see more of future productions. James Penco, playing a cameo, does a fine job of portraying the “moronic frat” type we would all expect from a film like “Animal House.” Another significant standout for me was Stacy Albrecht- an outstanding performance in her dual roles. I don’t believe that I have been so convinced by a villain in ages. We are also blessed with a last-minute appearance of a character who has been aforementioned throughout the show. The actor (Heller) certainly does not disappoint.
This is one of the most copacetic casts I have seen on any stage. It is blatantly evident that everyone loved their time working on this production and working with one another.
Act one does run longer than it should. I found myself ready for a stretch far before the interval’s call. The amount of scene changes are vast for any production. Though they are done professionally and swiftly, they feel unnecessary; If a show exceeds more than nine scene changes throughout two acts, the audience becomes disengaged with the story; which was a negative result. Though everyone was singing the songs on the way out, I heard a couple of audience members say that they, “didn’t remember the story line.” The harmonies of the voices are at some times exactly where they need to be and at others, not the best; as if the actors are competing for their sound.
The choreography is well done and creative with usage of props throughout. I do feel a lot of steps were used too often and seemed a tad cliche but at others, it was brilliant and unpredictable. The entrances and scene changes are perfectly done- there was not one single moment of dead air (which is very impressive for opening night). Excite yourselves for a fun and well-choreographed fight scene in act two.
I was most impressed by the composer’s, writer’s and lyricist’s ability to construct an entire “musical” within a musical in 6 minutes; and it was fantastic. An entire story which is being built through the show is comprised within six minutes and brilliant scene changes throughout to have it flow together perfectly. Fine musical composition by Sebastian Ochoa Mendoza and Samuel Gilmore (guitarist). Selene Dublanko, the gifted choreographer. Lead by the brilliant Kate Ely, the director.
A concession is available at the far left of the reception area, which will also lead you to the gender inclusive washrooms. Traditional concessionary items are offered for decent prices.
And you can bring your drinks in with you (but please be careful and mindful of the space).
I strongly recommend coming to this production of Sigma Acapella at the Arts Umbrella- Jack and Darlene Pool Theatre. The curtain is at 7 pm and it runs for 2 hours and 50 minutes with a fifteen minute intermission in between. The production closes on March 29, 2024. On with the show!
