Last week I met Mister Fantastic, standup comic and the pride and joy of Laval Charles Daghlian. He was performing at a comedy night presented by the Knights of Pythias in Côte Saint-Luc.
From a very young age, it has always been Daghlian’s purpose to make people laugh, whether at school, family events or talent shows. He got his first professional opportunity at the age of nine when he co-hosted one of the French galas at the Just for Laughs Festival. While completing a degree in film production, his passion for stand-up comedy was reignited. He has become a regular on the local Montreal comedy scene for almost eight years now, performing at various venues multiple times all week long, in English, French, Spanish and Armenian! He also produces and hosts a monthly show, Laval’s Got Jokes, at the House of Jazz Laval, which has been running for over thtree years. He tours regularly out of town, on stages and mics all over Canada, the US and even the Caribbean.
You can check out his next Laval show on Tue. May 6 (doors open at 7 pm) at the House of Jazz (1639 Bd de l’Avenir). Daghlian asks this question: “Why have to endure the traffic, construction, pot holes, parking meters, and chaos of downtown Montreal, just for a laugh? Laval’s got jokes too!”
The evening will feature professional comics Dustin Searcy, Olivia Beneroche, Daniel Carin, Renzel Washington and Luke Lyndale, a dynamic live band called Cobra Kai and a beautiful cabaret atmosphere. You can also sip on crafted cocktails, enjoy a delicious meal, and soak in the vibes — for a comedy experience like no other. Daghlian is the host.
Tickets are available at www.misterfantastic.ca
John Kovac
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS: The Lakeshore Players Dorval will present their spring production of “Murder on the Orient Express ’’ May15 and then May 20 to 25 at Lakeside Academy (5050 Sherbrooke in Lachine). Based on Agatha Christie’s timeless classic, this stage adaptation by Ken Ludwig brings the thrill of a whodunit to life with dazzling characters, clever twists, and an unforgettable conclusion. This production features 11 fabulous actors, including Hampstead’s very own star thespian John Kovac and six ensemble members. Under the creative direction of Philippe Gobeille and assistant director Léonard Châteauvert, the cast will bring you aboard the luxurious Orient Express for a journey filled with mystery, intrigue and suspense. Liana Cutler and Rebecca Cavanagh co-produce the show, highlighting the collaborative spirit of Lakeshore Players Dorval. This fall Lakeshore Players Dorval will celebrate their 60th year of producing quality community theatre.
Performances are May 15 (7:30 pm), May 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 at 7:30pm, with matinees May 24 and 25 at 2 pm
For ticket information call 514-631-8718 or reserve online here.
Kevin Ledo, Multicaf Executive Director Jean-Sebastien Patrice, Carmelo Blandino and Kirsten McCrea pose in front of their mural.
MULTICAF FUNDRAISER: In celebration of MultiCaf’s 35th anniversary, Board President Sam Scalia will be hosting an exciting art auction and comedy event at his Hilton Garden Inn Midtown on Decarie on Wed. May 21. The artists are creating a beautiful mural which will be auctioned at the event. This marks the third year of the event, but this time, they are going bigger with two comedians—Alonzo Bodden and Tom Green. The artists are: Carmelo Blandino, former professor at Dawson College for 20 years and event honorary chair; Melissa Delphinto; Kevin Ledo and Kirsten McCrea.
The mural will consist of 12 integrated panels, each measuring four by four feet, forming a final piece spanning 24 feet wide by eight feet high. These panels will be auctioned to support MultiCaf’s mission of providing food assistance to families and individuals in Côte-des-Neiges through their sustainable approaches. See this video report from my visit. Check the description for ticket information,
AT ALL COSTS: Qu4tre par Quatre Films proudly has announced that Joseph Hillel’s film At All Kosts premiere will premier on May 2 (6:30 p.m.) at the Cinéma du Musée. The director and personalities from the Haitian community will attend the screening. A Q&A will follow it. Written, directed and produced by Hillel, At All Kosts takes us to Haiti, at a time of cholera and gangs, where artists choose the living arts to resist. Despite hunger and fear, they show the dignity and courage of a people. Their stories are interwoven between fiction and reality. Theater is everywhere: in the street, in vodou, in politics. Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Joseph lives in Montreal. He writes, directs and produces documentary films on art. Among these are Ordinaire ou Super (2004), a look at the work of architect Mies Van der Rohe; Karsh Is History (2009), a portrait of renowned photographer Yousuf Karsh. Ayiti Toma (2013) is a journey into the rich history and culture of Haiti. Rêveuses de villes (2018), introduces us to four great architects, inspiring pioneers. At All Kosts is in the original French and Creole, with English and French subtitles. With the exceptional participation of Néhémie Bastien, Erthon Edmond, Nathania Péricles, Guy Régis Jr, Schneiderson René, Staloff Tropfort, Youyou and the much-lamented poet Frankétienne.
Ticket info
Here is the trailer: https://vimeo.com/jhillel/atallkosts-trailer
Ellen David
FOR THE PLEASURE OF SEEING HER AGAIN: The 56th season at Centaur Theatre celebrates the most iconic Montreal playwright Michel Tremblay in a brand-new production of For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again translated by the Governor General’s Award-winning Linda Gaboriau , May 13 to June 1. Featuring the luminary actors Ellen David and Emmanuel Schwartz and directed by the esteemed Alice Ronfard making her Centaur Theatre debut, this production celebrates the collaboration between the French and English communities that Centaur Theatre makes possible.
“I am so honoured to be able to invite Alice Ronfard to Centaur Theatre to direct Michel Tremblay’s iconic play about his mother,” said Eda Holmes, Artistic & Executive Director, Centaur Theatre. “She is one of Quebec’s most renowned directors and brings a long creative relationship with Tremblay’s work, which will reveal it to our audience in a whole new way.”
Tremblay is a master storyteller whose works have redefined Quebec theatre and resonated with audiences worldwide. For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again is a touching and witty homage to Tremblay’s mother, a strong-willed and charismatic woman whose passion for storytelling and fierce wit ignited his love for literature and theatre.
This heartfelt play offers a glimpse into the unique relationship that inspired Tremblay to become the celebrated artist he is today. Set against the backdrop of working-class Montreal in the 1950s and 1960s, the story is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Through Tremblay’s dialogue, masterfully translated by the acclaimed Linda Gaboriau, the play takes the audience on an emotional journey filled with laughter, nostalgia, and the bittersweet difficulty of living with those prickly characters we can’t help but love.
The English-language premiere of this contemporary classic of Quebec drama took place at Centaur in 1998, and the production was hugely popular, going on to tour Canada and the United States.
This play not only celebrates a cornerstone of Canadian theatre but also highlights the significance of translating Quebecois works for English-speaking audiences, an effort that enriches the cultural dialogue between Quebec and the rest of Canada. With the help of a talented creative team, the production provides a rare opportunity for English-speaking audiences to experience the emotional depth and theatrical brilliance of a classic Quebecois piece, making it one of the must-see shows of the season.
Ticket info here
CE SOIR: After making waves on the Latin-Urban-Rap scene with their explosive energy, Sonido Pesao is back stronger than ever with Ce Soir, the first single from their upcoming album set for release in Fall 2025. Artist Carlos Guerra directed the video for the song.The song seamlessly blends Spanish verses with a French chorus, capturing the late-night wanderings of those who, night after night, bar after bar, app after app, still hope to meet the right person. A unique fusion of Kizomba and guitar riffs inspired by Cumbia Villera gives this track a distinct identity.This first single sets the stage for an album that promises to push genre boundaries while staying true to Sonido Pesao’s signature style: a masterful mix of rap, Latin rhythms, and urban influences, rooted in the raw energy of Montreal’s streets.Formed in 2016 in Montreal, Sonido Pesao blends Latin-Urban-Rap influences into a powerful and hard-hitting sound. Inspired by the cultural diversity of its members and the raw energy of urban neighborhoods, the band delivers an electrifying live experience that transcends borders.Winners of the Syli d’or, Prix de la Diversité, and Latin Awards Canada (Best Urban Group 2023), Sonido Pesao captivates audiences with thought-provoking lyrics and an irresistible groove. Balancing street realities with high-energy celebrations, their music hits hard and leaves no one indifferent.
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