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How to Fail as a Popstar

Showing on Feb 1-2

Playing at Performance Works

Created by Vivek Shraya, Commissioned and produced by Canadian Stage (Canada)

What a journey it’s been for Vivek Shraya: from burning aspiration to the edge of fame and many strange places in between. In this eclectic, rousing performance, the singer walks us through her life in showbiz. The journey starts humbly, with our young hero singing Hindu bhajans and R&B covers. Things escalate with teen competitions, a full-length album, and a move to Toronto on her way to—well, if not quite superstardom, then something more important: a reminder of what really matters in life.  

“Shraya may not have reached the top echelon of pop stardom, but sharing her persistence and self-discovery just might be a bigger gift. After all, these are the stories we rarely hear told.”

— NOW Toronto

Mixing anecdotes, movement, and music, Vivek offers a theatrical memoir scaled to precious personal dimensions. Casting a knowing eye backwards, she never ceases to entertain, and her insight into the pull of top-40 dreams is sharp indeed. Bittersweet yet triumphant, this is a wise, cathartic, and ultimately liberating pop odyssey. After the Feb 1st performance, you can register for the post-show talk presented with the Vancouver Writers Fest: “People Change: Vivek Shraya in Conversation with Marsha Lederman”.

Register for the post-show talk at https://writersfest.bc.ca/event/vivek-shraya

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Artist Bio

Vivek Shraya

Singer, actress, author, teacher, visual artist, theatrical performer—the multitalented Vivek Shraya is all these and more. Home runs she has hit include writing bestselling books (I’m Afraid of Men, The Subtweet), founding the publishing imprint VS. Books, serving as Grand Marshal in Toronto’s Pride Parade, and being nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. Vivek is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Calgary.

Venue

Performance Works

1218 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver

Showtimes

  • February 1: 7:30
  • February 2: 7:30

Runtime: 75 mins

Content Advisory

Some content advisory details, there may be flashing lights and loud music.

Tickets

Single Tickets: $29

There will be an Artist Talk after the Feb 1 performance in partnership with the Vancouver Writers Fest. Register at https://writersfest.bc.ca/event/vivek-shraya

 

Access

Icon signalling a low vision friendly performance

Low Vision Friendly / Introduction can be downloaded below

Written introduction for people who are blind or have low vision can be downloaded here:
as a pdf .
Meet Vivek and hear about all low-vision friendly shows
at VocalEye’s Almost Live Zoom event on January 19th at 6:30pm

See or download the visual story for this show.
The visual story has information and pictures to help people prepare for the experience or decide if this show is right for them.

Credits

A Canadian Stage Production.

COMMISSIONED BY Canadian Stage. Play and Original Songs WRITTEN & PERFORMED by Vivek Shraya. DIRECTED BY Brendan Healy. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (HIGH PERFORMANCE RODEO) Clare Preuss. CHOREOGRAPHED BY: WILLIAM YONG. SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER Joanne Yu. ORIGINAL LIGHTING DESIGNER C.J. ASTRONOMO. TOUR LIGHTING DESIGNER/OPERATOR Imogen Wilson. MUSIC COMPOSITION AND SOUND DESIGN BY James Bunton. STAGE MANAGER/TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/SOUND OPERATOR Adrian Whan.

SUPPORTED BY Toronto Arts Council, Government of Canada, Ontario Arts Council, and Government of Ontario.

 

Partners

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