Almost Famous as you’ve never seen (or heard) it before
An all-star cast of local actors give a new spin to a classic rock ‘n’ roll movie tonight (April 11) at the Rio Theatre (1660 E. Broadway).
Diana Bang (The Interview), Julia-Sarah Stone (TIFF Rising Star ’14), Erica Carroll (Supernatural), Kristin Lehman (Motive), Katharine Isabelle (Hannibal, Ginger Snaps), Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries), and Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls) are among the performers who are staging a live table reading of the Oscar-winning screenplay for Almost Famous. The twist: they’re all women.
The 2000 movie, written and directed by Cameron Crowe (Say Anything, Jerry Maguire), is set in the 1970s and follows cub reporter William Miller as he gets his first big paid gig covering a rising band named Stillwater for Rolling Stone Magazine. Along the way he meets Penny Lane and her group of Bandaids, and he learns to navigate the treacherous waters of truth, friendship and ethics.
Part of the cast of the Feminist Live Reading of Almost Famous, including Kimberley Starmer Sustad, Caitlin Howden, Julia Sarah Stone- Actor, Marci T House, Kisik Papamohtew, Kristin Lehman and Luey MaGuire.
Co-produced by Vancouver actress Ali Liebert, this is the first West Coast edition of Feminist Live Reads, a Toronto-based series created by writer/director Chandler Levack. The series’ aim is “to raise awareness of the disparity of roles available for women in film and television and to promote diversity in the entertainment industry.” An ensemble of female actresses is cast to perform film and television scripts, regardless of gender orientation, in front of an audience. Past performances have included Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs with Sook Yin-Lee and Mia Kirshner, and Entourage.
Tonight’s show starts at 7 p.m. and includes special guests and an all-female Stillwater cover band. Tickets are $15 at riotheatre.ca. All proceeds to go towards Girls Rock Camp Vancouver. All-ages balcony seating, 19+ main floor.