Al Zylstra

After finishing up on one of my all time favourite shows: A Nice Indian Boy, I was looking forward to a long rest. Somehow, that didn’t happen…

This is going to be a great show and I am so happy to be working with one of my favourite directors – Miles Lavkulich. I am so looking forward to working on this show. If you see yourself as one of these characters, I urge you to come out to the auditions!

Last night was a truly special night. We had a great performance by the entire cast. They received a STANDING OVATION! Those always make me so happy to see.

To top it off, we had a very special visitor. A Nice Indian Boy is not only one of my all-time favourite productions, but it is also being made into a movie!

Last night, we had one of the actors who is in the movie grace us with her presence: Balinder Johal

What an incredibly charming woman. She loved our show and was gracious enough to join the cast on stage for some photos.

For those of you who live in the Lower Mainland, we have 5 more performances.

Get your tickets here

Last night was the first of two preview nights for my latest Stage Managing Project: A Nice Indian Boy. Suffice to say that the performances by all the cast were exceptional! I would like this opportunity to introduce you to them!

Sid Sharma – playing Naveen

Rajashree Iyengar -as Arundhathi

Yasmin Louisa Tayob – as Megha

Braedon Saucy – as Keshav

Ray Sihota – as Archit

This group have put together an amazingly funny, touching, romantic comedy that is among my favourite shows that I have ever stage managed.

I hope that anyone who reads this post and is able to come out see this show. You can order tickets here.

Hope to see you there.

Below is an article that was printed in the New Westminster Record. To say that I am pleased with the amount of press this show is getting is definitely an understatement

A Nice Indian Boy comes out in theatres in April but Vagabond Players are bringing it to the New West stage in February.

The latest show by the Vagabond Players hits the stage just ahead of the theatrical release of a movie based on the same story.

Vagabond Players are presenting A Nice Indian Boy by Madhuri Shekar from Feb. 13 to March 2 at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen’s Park.

“Naveen Gavaskar is a nice Indian boy who wants a traditional Hindu marriage to… another nice Indian boy. While his parents are busy trying to wrap their heads around this twist on tradition, his older sister returns home and drops a bombshell of her own,” said a synopsis of the play. “This comedy about love and marriage tackles the joys and chaos of family, whether gay or straight, arranged or not. Get ready for a heartwarming and hilarious ride through the ups and downs of modern relationships and timeless family expectations.”

Vagabond Players are thrilled to be bringing A Nice Indian Boy to the local stage, saying the script is funny, touching, heartfelt and real.

“The major theme of cultural blending is in the lives of everyone that lives in New West and beyond,” said a statement from Vagabond Players. “Each character is a unique blend of East and West; this facilitates great discussion about race, culture and how we all fit in.”

Vagabonds has noted the story also has a huge focus on family, as we try to support and help our family, we can accidentally push them away.

“The characters learn how to be a stronger family through the story, and this is the core of building a strong community,” said the statement. “This script provides an opportunity to reach out to new communities that can join our own, as well as give a voice to an underrepresented part of the theatre community and New Westminster. Truly a fantastic, fun script.”

A Nice Indian Boy is the third show of the Vagabond Players’ 2024-2025 season. A film by the same name, starring Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff, is set to be released in theatres in April.

Tickets for A Nice Indian Boy are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $17 for a group rate. They are available online or by calling 604-521-0412.

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Bev Pride, who is part of the Vagabond Players’ publicity team and is the costume mistress for A Nice Indian Boy, interviewed the show’s director, CK Kaur, about the production. Here is an edited version of their Q&A:

Where do you live?

I recently moved back to North Delta, B.C., where I grew up, though I have spent many years all over the Lower Mainland. I spent my single digits (childhood) in the vibrant multicultural Sunset neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC. I remember when the Punjabi Market was thriving on Main Street. I also lived on the North Shore for about eight years.

How did you come to direct this piece?

I was approached by the play reading committee, and when I read A Nice Indian Boy, it immediately resonated with me for so many reasons: as a second-generation Canadian with an Indian heritage, as a young woman in my 30s, I really connected with both Naveen and Arundhati. The humour, heart, and exploration of cultural identity spoke to themes I resonate with and am passionate about as both an artist and storyteller. 

Why this story? Why do you feel this story needs to be told?

We need more intersectional stories. That is the reality of the contemporary urban world we live in – especially the Lower Mainland. I grew up seeing and believing in a multicultural society where communities are made of all types of people: immigrants, second-generation, multi-generation, Indigenous, transnational, etc. Love and family are universal stories, and it is imperative for the health of a strong, thriving, connected community to see it through different colours. This story is a bridge between cultures, generations, orientations, and languages. We all deserve to be seen and have our stories celebrated.

How is the experience working with new actors/theatre? Were you surprised by anything as you worked through this process?

I love working with actors. As I am primarily working from an acting background, I feel excited to be at the other end of the director/actor dynamic. This is a fresh experience for me to work with fellow actors in a new capacity. My actors all come from a broad range of experience and training, but the common denominator, the factor that makes all the difference, is their dedication to growing their skillset and exploring their character in service to the story. I am inspired by every rehearsal to see how carefully they cultivate their characters and relationships with each other. It is truly a magical experience. 

What do you want audiences to take away after seeing the play?

I want audiences to feel connected – to themselves, to each other, to their communities, and maybe even to people they never imagined they had anything in common with. 

What are the challenges, and what is working really well?

The biggest challenge has been balancing humour with the deeper emotional beats of the story. What’s working well is the cast’s chemistry – they’ve truly become a family on stage, which enhances the authenticity of the play.

Do you consider yourself an advocate for live theatre? What’s the best way to advertise live theatre?

Absolutely. Live theatre creates an unparalleled sense of community and connection. The best way to advertise it is through storytelling – showcasing the impact it has on audiences, whether through social media, local partnerships, or community outreach.

Why should Gen X, Y, and Z see live theatre?

Live theatre offers a break from screens and allows for real, shared experiences. It’s immersive and immediate, reminding us of the power of human connection. Plus, it’s a space to see stories that reflect our diverse world and spark important conversations.

Community is important – how does this experience speak to this?

This production has been a celebration of community from the start. From the diverse cast to the collaborative process, it’s about coming together to tell a story that feels personal and universal. It’s a reminder that community isn’t just where we live –it’s the people we choose to share our lives with.

Today marks the 68th time the earth has revolved around the sun! I am the luckiest Frelling Human (yes, frelling is a word – if you ever watch “Farscape”, you will know what it means!) around.

Alex makes me laugh, makes me smile at nothing in particular, makes me cry and makes me feel all the BIG emotions that one is supposed to feel when they are so much in love that it can hurt to breathe sometimes. To this day, I am still in awe of him….

Happy Birthday, Babycakes!

2024 – wow! We hardly knew you. We woke up on January 1, took a hot minute to get used to writing “2024” on all my reports and cheques (yes, I still use cheques!), blinked and wham!!!! December jumped up and down screaming that they were here! I didn’t even have time to catch my breath!

It has certainly been an eventful year, to say the least!

Update: Alex and I have been struggling with a very nasty cough / upper respiratory infection and so as a result, all of our Christmas Plans have been canceled. We will be staying home and snuggle in bed with Phantom and Beau.

January

That sort of sums up how we felt about 2023!

The weather in January was COLD!!! Beau and Phantom revelled in frolicking in the snow for about 10 minutes and then it was time to come home and cover up in warmed towels!

So, of course, this meant we had to get them new winter coats!

I began rehearsals on one of my all-time favourite shows: Next Fall

More about this amazing show later… Suffice to say, I loved working on this show. I worked on it once before at Vagabond Players back in 2020. The week before we opened, COVID hit and we had to cancel the show. To this day, it is one of my biggest regrets in my involvement in community theatre.

This is also the month that Alex began working with his exotic plants from South Africa!

February

February was a very busy month. Rehearsals for Next Fall were three times a week – driving from home to Deep Cove

I would drive from my place to New Westminster and pick up Wayne, our Director and then drive to Nanaimo Skytrain Station to pick up two of our actors and then drive to North Vancouver to the rehearsal space! An hour’s drive each way. Quite the distance. Worth every minute!

I also had the dubious honour of two non-speaking roles. I got to play a a delivery man and a hospital orderly!

March

The show opened in late March and it was AWESOME!

April

I didn’t get a chance to do much in April other than learn to appreciate the majestic beauty of Deep Cove where the show took place.

April was also the start of planting season for Alex

Nothing like a giant ceramic frog with plants streaming out of its mouth!

May

May was when we did more work around the house. We refinished the deck with a new colour. We bought new furniture to contrast with it. Couldn’t be happier with the results

Alex also started working on the back yard. As you can see, the boys seemed to like the results.

June

June brings on the Dragon Boat Festival! This festival was, unfortunately, my last one. I found that it was becoming too much work for me. So, I decided it was time to hang up my Stage Manager’s hat on this festival.

This was also the month where Alex was able to showcase his favourite flowering plants

July

July 1 was our annual neighbourhood meet & greet. We invited neighbours from our park to come and join us for laughs, food and drinks.

August

In August, I received a package from one of my favourite cousins in The Netherlands. She found a whack of pictures of my family.

September

September was when we were supposed to go to visit Alex’s family in the Maritimes, but, alas that didn’t happen. Instead, I chose to work on a new play: Mauritius! What an amazing experience

This show was unlike anything I had ever done. The cast was amazing. The story was so intriguing, and we had so much fun. I wish more people would have seen it.

October

October was another hectic month. Debbi retired and it left a void in my work life. I no longer had her to work with. But, I still talk to her almost every couple of days and we have some great laughs at all the things that we have done over the years.

November

I got to play Santa for the 10th year for the IRIS Children’s Christmas Party. What a blast! Phantom and Beau even like to get in on the action!

November was also our Staff Christmas Party –

We even had Debbi back for a last hurrah!

December

Last but not least, I have begun production on my newest project: A Nice Indian Boy

Rehearsals have started and it is going to be a great show!

From Alex and myself, we wish you all a happy holiday and a great New Year

October 4, 2024 – This day is bitter-sweet for me. My boss, Debbi – who I have talked about A LOT on this site came to the decision that, after almost 20 years with our employer, it was time to retire. It was not unexpected but still filled me with a low-grade sense of dread. We have worked together at at least 5 different companies in the last 45 years and each time we found ourselves in the same organization, we knew that we would kick ass!

Here’s to her Happy Retirement!

21 years ago today, Alex and I walked down the aisle and became wedded husbands!

Way, way, way back in 1986, I had just moved to British Columbia and was managing the Pet Store at Lougheed Mall. The store was a basic disaster. Messy, unorganized, and I discovered that I had no staff other than one full time and one part time. This was going to be a challenge!

So, I asked my one full time employee, Brody, if he knew of anyone who was looking for work. Sure enough, he suggested a friend of his, Elaine. He told me she was smart, funny and a hard worker. I told him to have her come in for an interview.

The next day, in walked this vision: here was this striking young woman wearing a leather skirt, fishnet stockings and the coolest leather jacket I had ever seen. She introduced herself and I stammered something incoherent. Eventually, I managed to tell her that we should go for a coffee so we could talk in private.

The interview was over in less than 5 minutes – I knew that I had to have her work with me! She was funny, passionate, intelligent and made at least 6 puns in the space of 5 minutes! Everything I was looking for!

That was the beginning of a friendship that has lasted over 35 years! She is one of the most multi-talented people I know. My admiration for her is only surpassed by my love for her! https://elainemiller.com

Elaine is my closest friend, my confidante and so much more!

Elaine, for the last 10 years has been the owner / operator of a small consignment store specializing in Motorcycle Gear / Leather Jackets / Boots / Fetish Gear. She ran it very successfully. But, all good things must come to an end. Elaine has now retired! I am so happy for her (and a little bit jealous).

Happy Retirement!

Last night was our first Preview Night. It is the first time our cast has performed in front of an audience. It went so well! I am so proud of this cast! I encourage everyone to come a check out this amazing production.

I was lucky enough to have a good friend, Jeremy come by and take a bunch of shots! He is a great photographer!