On The Boards This Week: Nov. 28 - Dec. 4

Another On The Boards brought to you by your guest host. This week, we're kicking it off with a bang - Riffs, a collection of five short new pieces, straight from those sharp shooters at the Lyric Stage Project. In the interest of full disclosure, our man Simon is the author of one of those works and a founding member of the company; meaning, of course, that I'm biased, and also meaning that you are guaranteed a brilliant night of theatre. The first in a seasonal series, Riffs was inspired by Simon's challenge to the company members to go out and write a play. They did. Electric, original, charged - Riffs goes up this weekend at 8pm at the Lyric School in Gastown. 604.685.0752 for reservations.

The totally unofficial theme this week appears to be guerilla style theatre - in, out, with no fancy pants website to muck up the whole process. It's all very underground. Fighting Chance Productions presents Catholic School Girls at Havana Theatre Nov. 27 - Dec. 1 at 8pm It's a tale of four young knee-socked girls growing up in 1960's Yonkers. I can't be the only one already pondering the possibilities for punning around the word Yonkers and catholic school girls...Email fightingchanceproductions@hotmail.com for more info.

And on the totally opposite end of the spectrum, it's that time of year again - Christmas joy arriving in a tidy theatrical bundle. There are not one but two versions of It's a Wonderful Life opening this weekend: the more traditional fare at the Arts Club Granville Island Stage, and a one-man show entitled This Wonderful Life (see? totally different!) at Pacific Theatre. 'Tis the season for pre-packaged joy, and once again, full disclosure: I love each and every holly jolly filled drop.