How to Fail as a Popstar
Stage play · Debuted
Illuminating, raw, honest and hopeful, How to Fail as a Popstar is Vivek’s debut theatrical work, chronicling her journey to “not quite” pop music superstardom. A reflection on the power of pop culture, dreams, disappointments and self-determination, this astonishing performance is a triumph in finding one’s authentic voice.
Now available: a print edition from Arsenal Pulp Press, with colour photographs and a new foreword and afterword.
- Play and original songs written and performed by Vivek Shraya
- Composition by Vivek Shraya & James Bunton
- Directed by Brendan Healy
- Set and costume designer: Joanna Yu
- Lighting designer: C.J. Astronomo
- Associate lighting designer: Imogen Wilson
- Sound designer: James Bunton
- Choreographer: William Yong
- Photography by Heather Saitz
- A Canadian Stage production
A smart, funny portrait… and worth seeing.
How to Fail as a Popstar is a qualified success.
Shraya may not have reached the top echelon of pop stardom, but sharing her persistence and self-discovery just might be a bigger gift. After all, these are the stories we rarely hear told.
Shraya scores a big success.
A moving tale that any person who’s struggled to achieve their dreams can easily relate to, and Shraya has a certain magnetism to her performance that keeps the one-woman show moving fluidly.
Vivek Shraya is such a charming presence, sings beautifully and certainly has a facility with lyrics, that she draws in her audience… One thing is for sure—this show is a winner.
You leave feeling all the feels.
One of the most vulnerable things I’ve seen onstage.
Featured
- The Best Toronto Stage Shows to See in February 2020
(NOW Toronto) - Things to Do in Toronto This Week
(The Star) - Best Music of 2020
(NOW Toronto) - Things to Do in Vancouver This Week
(Vancouver Magazine)
More Press
- Intermission Magazine
- The Globe and Mail
- NOW Toronto
- Herizons
- Avenue Calgary
- CBC News
- HuffPost
- The YY Scene
- Calgary Herald
- More with Anna Maria Tremonti
- CBC Radio
- The Globe and Mail
- Intermission
- NOW Toronto
- The Social
- The Star (2, 3)
- CBC Arts
- Daily Xtra
- q (CBC Radio)
- Yohomo
- Cityline
- Chosen Family
- The Georgia Straight
- Vancouver Magazine
- The Globe and Mail
- The Tyee
- The Ticket
- Montreal Gazette
Productions
- Queer Performance Camp (2023) · La salle Multi – Méduse, Quebec City · Info
- Queer Performance Camp (2023) · La Chapelle Theatre, Montreal · Info
- Ontario tour (2022) · Multiple venues, Across Ontario
- Belfast International Arts Festival (2022) · The MAC, Belfast · Info
- Festival Theaterformen (2022) · LOT-Theater, Braunschweig · Info
- Mois Multi (2022) · Salle Multi, Quebec City · Info
- Queer Performance Camp (2022) · La Chapelle, Montreal · Info
- Intrepid Theatre, Victoria (2022) · Info
- PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (2022) · Performance Works, Vancouver · Info
- World premiere production (2020) · Berkeley Upstairs Theatre, Toronto · Info
- High Performance Rodeo (2020) · Engineered Air Theatre, Calgary · Info