Enchanted April

Ok so who wants to go to Italy? I DO I DO!!! We went to a play last night and I tell you, it was semplicemente favoloso (simply fabulous)! It was about two women who are lonely and somewhat lost in their married life. They see this advertisement about a villa in Italy for rent and on a whim plan to go! They can't however afford the rent (60 pounds for one month - a castle even! This takes place in the time of WWI) so they put up an ad for two more ladies to come with. The mix of people turns it into a comedy - 2 married women, 1 young beautiful aristocrat, and one old (and strict) woman. It's really cute though the friendships that blossom, and the realizations about their lives that they make.

The lady who is the maid/cook at the villa was soooo adorable too. I didn't understand a word she was saying (she only spoke italian) but you got a pretty good idea ;) They had a lot of fun with it, that's for sure!! I really liked too the feeling I got from it. It reminded me that maybe I need to take a step back and take a break, so that I can fully appreciate everything in my life.

And speaking of appreciation - before the play Chad and I went to eat at The Vicious Circle. I love the place. Anyways, I had a martini, as usual (they have an amazing martini menu) and this time tried the Banana Split martini. WOW! I hope to perfect it so I can serve it to guests some day. Very good. And the food there is always so great. If you ever find yourself there, order the Thai Chicken Pizza. Well, I guess that's it until next month which - Beauty and the Beast. This one looks unreal!!! I can't wait :D

Theatre Calgary

As every other month, on the last Tuesday (in this case, today) Chad and I go to a play at Theatre Calgary. I decided to start writing about them because after every single one I walk away going, "Oh wow, i think that is my new favorite". It seems like they out do themselves every single time. And just when you think they can't do any better, they blow the audience outta the water.This season's opener was "The Wars" by Timothy Findley which is a fictional narrative of a young Canadian officer in WWI. It was really captivating as it hit on true emotions. It showed just how devastating war can be and how it can play on the mind.

The next play was "Vigil" by Morris Panych which was TRULY delightful. What was really captivating is that there is a cast of only two people but there isn't a moment that you lose interest. Their actions alone kept the story flowing. I think they managed to get the entire audience laughing, then crying, then laughing again, finishing up with the notorious 'i'm not sure if i'm laughing or crying but i'm about ready to burst' emotion. I definite must read if you can't see it.

And THEN came "A Christmas Carol" by the ever famous Charles Dickens. I have been to it now for the past 3 years in a row. Every year they add something new and it's incredible. If you look at the picture you get an idea of what the set it like. It's very mysterious and haunting. It really sets the mood for that era

And tonight it was "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder. What was so incredible about this play was the lack of props and absolutely NO set/scenery. but yet, there wasn't a moment that you couldn't picture the scene that they painted for you. You could see the stage hands waiting on the sides to move the few chairs around as needed, you could see all the lights, the mechanicals, the trap doors, everything. Even the ice cream parlor was made from a board balanced across the back of two chairs. You were carried through the entire production by the 'stage manager' played by our very own Dave Kelly. He was the narrator in a sense, filling in parts as necessary, whether it be the ice cream man or the minister at a wedding. The audience was part of the play and there was action happening all around. I really just showed every day life, but in a bold, matter-of-fact way that got you thinking and observing your own life.

So keep tuned because I will be going to "Enchanted April" the last Tuesday in February and then *drumroll* "Beauty and the Beast" at the end of March. yaaaay!!! :)