Arts briefs: Langley Players comedy held over

If laughter is the best medicine, a good dose of it is available locally in the Langley Players’ production of Self Help, a comedy about actors turned self-help gurus specializing in relationships.

It’s all fun and games until their own relationship takes a dive and leads to hilarity for the audience.

The play has been so popular with guests that it has been held over for three more performance dates: Feb. 19, 20, and 21 all at 8 p.m.

Mary Renvall, member of the Langley Players Drama Club board noted that the excessive laughter from audiences is “music to our ears.”

She added that the pace of the show is tight and the laughs come fast from the one-liners.

“From the start, the cast all had a pretty clear understanding of the theatre and rehearsal process,” Renvall said. “While building the show, they came prepared, they had analyzed the text and were developing their characters very quickly.”

Renvall even noted that the cast and crew couldn’t resist a few “over-the-top knee slappers.”

Other dates may have limited availability of seats and those interested should check www.langleyplayers.com, Brown Paper Tickets, or call 604-534-7469.

Escape from Happiness

The next performance from the Langley Players Drama Club has been chosen and actors have been cast for the show Escape from Happiness.

Watch for this black comedy which revolves around a dysfunctional family in an equally dysfunctional neighbourhood, written by Canadian playwright George F. Walker.

It will be directed by Helen Embury and produced by Leslie Gaudette.

Langley actors who have been cast include Philip Hale, Mike Busswood, Joanna Williams, and Shane Rochon.

Local dancers go to stars

Langley dance studio, Fusion Force, will be in the showcase of A Night of Stars at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster on Saturday at 8 p.m.

The showcase features amateur, semi-professional, and professional performances by B.C. dance companies, singers and musicians.

The event is in support of the Backstage Youth Performers Society, an organization to help youth participate in the arts.

Tickets for the New Westminster performance are under $25 and are available at www.masseytheatre.com. For those looking for a complete evening out, the pre-show reception is $20 and offers wine, beer, appetizers, desserts, and a silent auction.

NYC

Langley artist Gina Kling has a show in New York City’s Limner Gallery opening this Friday.

Kling has a show entitled Small Works which runs until Feb. 21.

“I always want to strive to produce my best art work possible – artwork that is unique to me with my style stamp on it” Kling said.

“I want my clients to love what they buy and know that my art is an investment. I take what I do seriously and want to represent my city of Langley well.”

In addition to the New York show, she’s got works at various Metro Vancouver galleries and is part of the Federation of Canadian artists show on Granville Island. She donates some of the proceeds from sales of prints of her works.