issue 09 / volume 41 a ras iN ne Heh Kickstarterin an athe bem We'reall in this together » New theatre company gains community Support Cheryl Minns Arts Editor Marts @theotherpress.ca Wwe Sharon Crandall started Two Monkeys Productions in January, she founded the company on the ideal that everyone involved in a Two Monkeys theatre production would have an opportunity to explore their talents and share their opinions. “Everybody is allowed and encouraged to contribute their ideas as well as their thoughts ona lot of things,” Crandall said. “I want to make sure that everybody’s voices are heard. That’s what Two Monkeys is all about.” For such a supportive group of people, it made sense to fundraise for their first show via Kickstarter where friends, Q to the project. “We had a lot of support from the community as well as people who are not in the city who are friends or family,” Crandall said. “This is Two Monkeys’ inaugural show, so we thought Kickstarter would be the perfect fit since this is going to be our kick-starter” Two Monkeys will be : performing Edges by Benj : Pasek and Justin Paul, a song : cycle about four young people : exploring coming-of-age : questions, such as making : friends online in the song “Be : My Friend (The Facebook : Song).’ The musical stars : Crandall, Devon Busswood : (Theatre Under the Stars’ Legally : : Blonde), Adam Charles (Arts : Club’s Hairspray), and Brandyn : Eddy (Arts Club’s Altar Boyz). “All of the songs in Edges : are from the perspectives of : different characters at different : points in time at different : ages telling stories that are : very relatable, heart-warming, : hilarious, touching—you'll : go from crying at one song to : busting your gut laughing at the : next,” said Matthew Fedorowicz, : the show’s associate producer : who managed the Kickstarter : campaign. family, and fans could contribute : The campaign had a funding : goal of $1,000, which would help : cover the various production : costs, such as the set, props, : theatre rental, insurance, and : more. The campaign received $500 in the first 24 hours and : reached the funding goal of : $1,000 in five days. It then : doubled that by receiving : over $2,000 from more than Image from Kickstarter.com : 30 backers by the end of the : campaign. “Tt was extremely successful. : So much support,” Fedorowicz : said. “We created a gusto for : people in the community here : in Vancouver. If you contributed : $50 or more, you got free tickets : to the show. So it is a reward for : people who are here to help fund and support us in the beginning : and then also come see the : show because they are officially : backing us in our production.” Crandall and Fedorowicz : have received a lot of positive : feedback on selecting : Edges as Two Monkeys’ first : show, especially since local : theatregoers’ have a current : interest in Pasek and Paul’s : works. Last December, Pasek : and Paul performed a concert of : their greatest hits at Waterfront : Theatre while their James and : the Giant Peach musical was : performed at Carousel Theatre. : Awkward Stage Productions will : be performing the duo’s musical : Dogfight at the end of April. In : November, the Arts Club will be : performing Pasek and Paul’s A Christmas Story: The Musical. Edges will run from April 1 : to wat Studio 1398 on Granville : Island. For more information or : to purchase tickets, check out : TwoMonkeysProductions.com arts // 9 Screenshot of ‘Uptown Funk’ via Youtube.com Who's ready for funk? » ‘Uptown Funk’ by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist Bu’ Mars could be considered the next James Brown given the similar sound and interesting dance moves Mars showcases in the music video of his and Mark Ronson’s hit song “Uptown Funk” from Ronson’s recent album Uptown Special. The music video begins with Ronson and Mars watching attractive women walk down the street, then dancing through the street in avery funky way with the band. They also get their shoes shined and their hair permed in the music video, concluding a1980s-styled nightclub. In the song, you hear the signature sound of funk, which combines soul with jazz and R&B to create a smooth sound. It’s reminiscent of the work of funk legends, : such as James Brown, Sly : and the Family Stone, and : Chaka Khan. There are also : classic funk dance moves in : the music video, including : a walking shuffle and jazz : hands. The camerawork in : the music video is amazing : as it cuts to various angles of : Mars, Ronson, and the band : dancing, as well as rotating : around while the group : dances. When the music video for : “Uptown Funk” was released : in November, it went viral : on the Internet and inspired : alot of people to imitate : and parody the dances in it. : It currently has more than : 400-million views on YouTube. with all of them performing in : The music video is also : part of the beginning of the : return of funk music. Thanks : to this song and music video, : we could see more songs : involving funk music being : released in the next few : months. Chairman of the Board: Story time » ‘Once Upon a Time’ game review Ed Appleby illustrator Millustrator @theotherpress.ca Fee Greek poets singing the songs of Odysseus to the poorly written Twilight fan fiction of today, storytelling has always been an integral part of the human experience. Now it is your turn, gamers. Once Upon a Time isa six players designed by Richard Lambert, Andrew Rilstone, and James Wallis, and published by Atlas Games in 1993. In the game, you are dealt several : story cards and one ending : card. Players use the story cards : to craft a tale until they are : interrupted or cannot continue. The game is won once a player : uses all of their story cards and : ends the tale in a way that makes : sense with their ending card. The experience of Once : Upon a Time really depends on : the players. Rule-minded players : : and hardcore gamers will find the open style difficult, whereas storytelling card game for two to : Creative types and children will : love the simple rules and the : creativity that flows from the : game. Many websites openly encourage having copies in : primary school classrooms to : help foster creativity in young : minds. I was delighted to discover : that Atlas has put out several expansions for Once Upon a : Time. You can now get cards that : expand the tales to include more knights, magic, and seafaring. There is also a supplemental ; Once Upon a Time Writer's : Handbook that guides you on how to use the game to help : craft your own literary works. If you are looking for a game : to play with artists or children, : or envision yourself stepping : into the shoes of the likes of : George R. R. Martin or Sir Terry : Pratchett, then I insist you : add Once Upon a Time to your : collection.