Annapurna is the 10th tallest mountain in the world. It also ranks as one of the most dangerous.
Sharr White's play Annapurna, a major Shadow Theatre production opening at Varscona Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 19, borrows from this concept of danger.
Director John Hudson reunites long-time Shadow Theatre performers Coralie Cairns and Shaun Johnson as former lovers in this 90-minute production.
Johnston, best known as the crusty, but compassionate patriarch on CBC's Heartland, takes on the role of Ulysses, a down-on-his-luck cowboy poet.
Emma, who left him in the middle of the night 20 years ago, has tracked him down, living in the mountain wilderness of Colorado.
She finds him hooked up to an oxygen tank cooking sausages in the buff and their reunion is packed with razor-edged honesty and sharp wit. As they come to understand what drove a wedge between them, they are more drawn to each other.
Tickets range from $20 to $33 to pay-what-you-can at the Saturday, Jan. 21 matinee. Call 780-420-1757 or tixonthesquare.ca.
Phoenix Tales Productions, a new pop-up children's theatre in St. Albert, is mounting Legally Blonde Jr. on Jan. 18 and 19 at the Arden Theatre.
An offshoot of Richard Fowler School's volunteer-run drama program, it now coaches 22 actors from grades 8 to 10 from various schools across the city.
The musical follows Elle Woods, an ultra-fashionista blonde who enrols in the Harvard law program to impress a snobbish school boyfriend, Warner, who dumped her.
With the help of a friendly classmate Everett, and a spunky hairdresser Paulette, Elle tackles stereotypes and snobbery and discovers her natural calling.
The musical stars Nolia Jarvis (Elle), Mason Kidney (Emmett), Jillian Callbeck (Paulette), Thomas Receveur (Warner) and Trey Maruyama (Professor Callahan).
Showtimes are 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. both days. Tickets are $15 at the door. Each ticket purchase receives a $10 Famoso Pizza gift certificate.
