Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People/Citadel Theatre – Chan and Walsh’s The Forbidden Phoenix

reviewed by Paula Citron
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The Forbidden Phoenix
Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Book and lyrics by Marty Chan
Lyrics and music by Robert Walsh
Directed by Ron Jenkins
Starring Richard Lee, Lori Nancy Kalamanski, Michael Dufays, Nadine Villasin and Shannon Kook-Chun
At LKTYP until Mar. 11
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There is a show at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People that is bound to please both adults and youngsters. The musical The Forbidden Phoenix is a co-production with Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre and was created and is performed by western talent. The score by Marty Chan and Robert Walsh is tuneful while the direction by Ron Jenkins is eye-popping as is Leslie Frankish’s lovely sets and costumes.

The absorbing story follows the Monkey King and his new friend the Phoenix, as the Monkey King fights two different villains – the Empress Dowager in the East and the war lord Horne in the west. The show has been staged as Peking Opera which includes all the exciting acrobatics and physical turns. The cast is literally made up of singing and dancing gymnasts.

Children of all ages will love the fast paced action and the poignant story line.

The Forbidden Phoenix continues at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People until Mar. 11.