The Pearl Company

The Jillian McKenna Quartet: featuring Mike Malone with Adrean Farrugia (piano) & Ayman Boujlida (drums): August 31. Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00pm. $15 / $10 students/seniors/wage-challenged. After spending the past two years in New York City, Jill is back to lead her own project at home. Her band combines two of Hamilton’s finest musicians, Adrean Farrugia on the piano and Mike Malone on the trumpet, with award-winning, New York City-based drummer Ayman Boujlida. The evening will consist of two sets of both Jill’s original music, and some new takes on some old standards.
A great night of music with these truly talented musicians makes this an event you should not miss! “

Slaughterhouse-Five: August 16 – 19 / 23 – 26.  Doors: 7:30. Show: 8:00 $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged Based on Kurt Vonnegut’s classic novel, Slaughterhouse-Five introduces us to Billy Pilgrim, a man who becomes “unstuck in time” after he is abducted by aliens. In a plot-scrambling display of virtuosity, we follow Pilgrim simultaneously through all the phases of his life. Concentrating on his shattering experience as an American prisoner of war who witnesses the firebombing of Dresden, this satirical and horrifying anti-war story carries a unique poignancy — and humour. Directed by: Liam Grunté. Cast: Robert K. Brown, Vincent Perri, Brian Gilmour, Ciaran Neely, Theresa Noon-Hunter, Valeri Kay, and Shawn Callan as Billy Pilgrim. Stage manager: Anthony Colonello.

Frankenstein: August 3 – 5, 10 – 12. Doors: 7:30. Show: 8:00. (Except 2pm matinee Aug 12.) $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged.  A chilling new telling of a timeless story. The world premiere of this award-winning adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein hits The Pearl stage in early August.  Written by David Elendune, directed by Gary Santucci, this adaptation has converted the character of Clerval to a female actor.  Shelley, in the original, did not create a strong female character. This wonderful twist provides character development beyond the usual approaches, allowing for male- female sexual tension, failed role models and so much more. http://www.classicaltheatre.ca/
Reactions from the audience: “The Creature sent chills down my spine.” “Entire cast is fantastic!”  “Whenever I watch anything…I know it strikes a chord if I get chills. Tonight, that happened three times…!” “Unlike any version before it, Rod McTaggart’s performance as the creature will transfix you in your seats. Peter Anderson’s mixture of arrogance and horror perfectly balances his performance. …The set will transport the playgoer back in time; the steampunk props are perfect!”

Shari Vandermolen & David Brideau: Saturday May 5.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Shari Vandermolen is a renowned vocalist and award-winning performer in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area who has been entertaining audiences for 15 years with her Quartet, Trio or 5-piece band Quarter to Nine.  She is also the lead vocalist for the 10-piece jazz combo SwingLine.  On May 5th Shari brings her powerful and impressive vocal stylings back to the Pearl Company for a more intimate evening of song with jazz guitarist David Brideau, James Gannett on bass and Vince Waters on drums.  “…hear Vandermolen make jelly of your emotions with her voice and her art… one example is Stormy Weather… I barely weathered that storm intact.”  – View Magazine
David Brideau is a Canadian jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher who has been an active musician for over 15 years. A Hamilton native, and honours graduate from the Mohawk Jazz program, David has played all around the GTA with his own group, the David Brideau Trio and Quartet, as well as being prominently featured in groups with Michael Morobito, Amber-Leigh Palka, and Lauren Perreira among others. He studied under jazz greats Bob Shields, Pat Collins, Kim Ratcliffe, and Mark Ucci and is currently continuing his studies at McMaster University. David often composes his own standards, and released the sold-out EP “Addicted To You” in 2016. He is a recipient of the Dave McMurdo Music Bursary, the Antony Roberts Music Bursary, and the Richard Newell Memorial Scholarship.
Ticets: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/21098/