Toronto Review: 'The Ward Cabaret' at Harbourfront Centre Theatre

  • Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic

My formative years in education were spent outside the city of Toronto in Oshawa. Today, the GTA (Greater Toronto area) encompasses Oshawa but, back in the 60s and 70s, a trip to Toronto was something unique and considered a novelty to do on a weekend or during the week.

For this reason, I knew very little history about the city of Toronto; however, a terrific sounding production of ‘The Ward Cabaret’ is now onstage at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre which I heartily recommend seeing before it closes December 22. I had no idea what to expect on this bitterly cold night I attended, but am I ever pleased I took the opportunity to learn a bit more about the history of Toronto while listening and hearing some amazing singers and actors perform a fascinating story.

‘The Ward’ encompassed the now vanished slum neighbourhood of Yonge, Queen, University and College Street. According to “The Ward”, a book edited by John Lorinc, Michael McLelland and others, this area was home to Chinese, African, Jewish, Italian and Irish immigrants in the early 19th and 20th centuries. In his Programme Note, David Buchbinder (who conceived, co-directed and developed this show) writes, “these immigrants started businesses and religious institutions, learned English, hawked newspapers, ran speakeasies, restaurants and laundries. They also started local theatres and generally tried to fit in.”

Mr. Buchbinder also stated these immigrants were dynamic and colourful people who were trying to find their way in this new world of Canada and Toronto which they now called their home. Some happy stories, some sad; nevertheless, these immigrants left many cultural treasures of stories, songs, music and traditions.

And this production truly lived up to what Mr. Buchbinder had written. From my seat, the instrumentalists sure looked like they were having a great time as there were smiles all round. The wise choice in the diverse casting of six professionally solid actors/singers was a sheer delight from start to finish as each held his/her own in some challenging vocal numbers. In Act 1, Jeremiah Sparks’ rendition of ‘I’m Coming Home to Canada’ was a truly touching and poignant highlight for me. Derek Kwan’s ‘Meeting at West River’ Cantonese opera selection was compelling to hear.

In Act 2, Kaisha Lee’s sultry performance of St. Louis Blues was a knockout, and the sound of the applause at the end of her number reinforced it even further. It has been years since I’ve heard barbershop singing, and ‘I Open My Mouth to the Lord’ was captivating to hear and to listen to every single lyric and word sung.  Heavenly!

Victoria Wallace’s set design reminded me of the traditional cabaret like settings. A piano was down stage just off centre to the right. Behind the piano was a raised platform where the vocalists and instrumentalists played. Stairs on stage left lead to a second walkway above the stage which I didn’t even notice until the performance began. Every inch of space on the stage was used effectively to create this feeling of claustrophobic and cramped quarters of The Ward.  Earth colour, dark overtones nicely enhanced the individual characteristics of each performer.

Simon Rossiter’s sharp lighting design focused my attention immediately to the story or moment highlighted.  Monica Dottor’s choreographic movement added even further enjoyment to the story.

FINAL COMMENTS: An entertaining and informative presentation. David Buchbinder and Leah Cherniak’s nuanced direction of the actors and singers thankfully never ventured into the melodramatic.

I’m sure all of us have heard of ‘Toronto The Good’. ‘The Ward Cabaret’ showed that, throughout its history, Toronto did not always live up to this label. The goodness came later with the stories, music, songs and traditions that continue to be celebrated.

Running time approximately 2 hours with one interval.

THE WARD CABARET

Runs to December 22 at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto. For tickets, call the Box Office at 416-973-4000 or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com.

Producer: David Buchbinder; Co-directors: David Buchbinder and Leah Cherniak; Writer: Marjorie Chan; Stage Manager: Kai-Yueh Chen; Technical Director: Yehuda Fisher;

The Ward Cabaret Company: David Buchbinder, Aviva Chernick, Jacob Gorzhaltsan, Cara Krisman, Derek Kwan, Kaisha Lee, Michael Occhipinti, Cynthia Qin, Louis Simao Mitch Smolkin, Jeremiah Sparks

Photo Credit of the Ward Cabaret Company by Ed Hanley