Rick Miller, one of Canada’s most noted and prolific solo performers, presents 25 years in 100 minutes in this innovative mixed-media work that weaves characters and events from 1945 to 1969. Miller guides us through over two decades of turbulent history in documentary-like style, mixing archival footage, personal stories, and spot-on impersonations of over 100 notable figures. BOOM breaks down misconceptions and stereotypes, and explores the legacy of the music and politics that shaped the generation of “boomers” coming of age in the post-war years.
Noting the strength of the play’s subject matter and style, PuSh Artistic and Executive Director Norman Armour says, “Mad Men’s Don Draper famously pitched that our lives are a carousel of memories and images. BOOM too is a carousel — one that could not be imagined without a century documented by the journalist’s trade, photography, broadcast media, and publications such as LIFE, Maclean’s, Rolling Stone, and the like.”
Arts Club’s Artistic Managing Director Bill Millerd adds, “Rick Miller is a virtuosic performer and creator with a wild imagination, all of which comes to life on stage in BOOM.”
“We toured BOOM around BC earlier in 2015, knowing we’d have to wait until 2016 before playing in the heart of Vancouver,” adds writer, director, and performer Rick Miller. “On a personal level, it’s my first show at PuSh, and a long overdue return to an Arts Club stage. Given how much the show has connected with Canadians thus far, I can’t tell you how excited we are about to have five explosive weeks in Vancouver.”
In 2015, BOOM toured to several theatres in BC, followed by extended runs at the Grand Theatre (London, ON), Belfry Theatre (Victoria, BC), Citadel Theatre (Edmonton, AB), Yukon Arts Centre (Whitehorse, YK), Neptune Theatre (Halifax, NS), Flato Markham Theatre (Markham, ON), and Carrefour International de Théâtre (Québec, QC)— BOOM’s French-language premiere. Following the 2016 Arts Club and PuSh co-presentation, BOOM will play the National Arts Centre (Ottawa, ON), Segal Centre (Montreal, QC), and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg, MB).
IN BRIEF: Arts Club Theatre Company and the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival present BOOM at the Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston Street)from January 14 to February 13, 2016. Monday–Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday & Saturday at 8 pm, and Saturday at 2 pm. Tickets start at $29, inclusive of taxes and fees. Call the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644 or visit www.artsclub.com.