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Critic's picks: Chemainus Theatre's Glory; Derek Edwards at the McPherson Playhouse; and Serena Ryder at the McPherson Playhouse

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Glory, a new production at Chemainus Theatre, is based on a real-life women's hockey team from the 1930s, Ontario's Preston Rivulettes. HANDOUT

GLORY

Where: Chemainus Theatre, 9737 Chemainus Rd.

When: Friday through Oct. 9

Tickets: $25-$62 from the Chemainus Theatre (250-246-9820) or tickets.chemainustheatrefestival.ca

Why: This award-winning triumph from Comox playwright Tracey Power is based on the real-life Preston Rivulettes, an Ontario women’s hockey team from the 1930s that is considered the best in history. The production, first mounted in 2018, premieres at the Chemainus Theatre this week after a two-year postponement, with Power on-board as choreographer. She uses the sport as a vehicle for dance and physical theatre. The set is simple yet spectacular, with a miniature rink and imitation ice allowing the actors to mimic the team’s on-ice exploits.

DEREK EDWARDS

Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Sq.

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $57 from the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or rmts.bc.ca

Why: Toronto funnyman Derek Edwards was headed to Vancouver Island for a string of dates in April, which were eventually cancelled due to illness. The veteran stand-up comic, with 30-plus years in the business, is back on the road with the In Praise of the Ostrich tour, named for his head-in-the-sand nature when it comes to the Internet and all-things pandemic-related. Professional but plainspoken is what audiences can expect from Edwards at the McPherson playhouse tomorrow. He also performs tonight in Nanaimo (at The Port Theatre), Saturday in Courtenay (Sid Williams Theatre), and Sunday in Campbell River (Tidemark Theatre).

SERENA RYDER

Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Sq.

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $56 from the Royal McPherson box office (250-386-6121) or rmts.bc.ca

Why: Singer-songwriter Serena Ryder is touring Canada in support of her emotional new album, The Art of Falling Apart, which won the 2022 Juno Award for adult contemporary album of the year. She’s on Vancouver Island for five dates to celebrate the record, on which she sings: “If the weight’s too heavy, let it break your heart/That’s how you learn the art of falling apart.” Heavy stuff, but Ryder imbues the songs with a sense of hope. In addition to her nearly sold-out show at the McPherson Playhouse on Saturday, she performs Friday in Campbell River (Tidemark Theatre), Monday in Nanaimo (Port Theatre), Tuesday in Duncan (Cowichan Performing Arts Centre), and Wednesday in Courtenay (Sid Williams Theatre).

mdevlin@timescolonist.com