Review: "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom" at Soulpepper
In the early 1980s, African-American playwright August Wilson began writing what would become known as his Pittsburgh Cycle, a series of ten plays —each set in a different decade of the 20th Century — telling stories about the Black experience in America. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom tackles the 1920s. Ma Rainey was an early Blues singer who earned the title “Mother of the Blues” and who, decades after her death, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is mainly through Ma Rainey’s session musicians that much of the story of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is told.
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Review: "Maggie & Pierre" at Tarragon Theatre
In this one woman show, Kaitlyn Riordan plays Henry, a reporter who investigates the global fascination around one of Canada’s most iconic prime ministers and his flower child wife. She then segues fluidly and naturally between two radically challenging performances as a bombastic and pompous Pierre Elliott Trudeau and his insecure and, at times, unstable wife, Margaret Sinclair.
I never saw Maggie & Pierre with Linda Griffiths when It premiered in Toronto years ago. I did not want to miss this opportunity again.
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Review: "DISSIDENTS" at ARC
Once the performance began, it became apparent why the headphones were necessary. The conversations between Him, Her and the Other One were so quiet and subdued, and the headphones allowed us to hear these conversations. A clever technique as I felt at times that I was eavesdropping.
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Review: "Fun Home" by The Musical Stage Company as part of the Off Mirvish Series
I must admit that I knew nothing about Fun Home, so I had to do some online research, scan the Mirvish press release, and read the programme. Based on the graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel, Fun Home is the recipient of several awards including 5 New York Tony Awards (Best Musical in 2015). In 2006, The New York Times named Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic as one of the best books of the year. It was created from memories of Ms. Bechdel’s childhood and the detailed journals she kept since age 10 growing up in rural Pennsylvania before and after her father’s suicide.
We see Alison at three distinct stages in her life throughout this production. In the present she is 43 years of age, a lesbian cartoonist, and struggles to understand the complex relationship she had with her deceased father. Alison grew up in a funeral home while trying to deal with her sexual awakening, and with the secrets her father faced before his death.
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Review: "CATEGORY E" at Coal Mine Theatre
Anna Treusch has created a institutionalized, claustrophobic, wire caged set design highlighted effectively by Gabriel Cropley’s stark, blinding white lighting design. I felt an immediate sense of dreaded foreboding in looking at the set from the intimate ‘theatre in the round’ audience seating. There are two uncomfortable looking cots on stage in opposite corners of the room with a bookcase centre, stool and a wheelchair in the other corner of the room. It appears there are two letter sized children’s drawings adorning the back wall.
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Review: “Once On This Island” at the Red Gate Revue Stage
If you’re looking for a fairytale musical featuring powerful dance, emotional song, and an incredibly talented cast, “Once On This Island” at the Red Gate Revue stage is an excellent production to see!
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Review: "Les Misérables" at Theatre Smith-Gilmour
I thought I had my fill of LES MISERABLES, but Theatre Smith Gilmour’s production left me with a fresh appreciation for this timeless tale of redemption, forgiveness, compassion and love. A truly remarkable evening nicely spent at the theatre. Don’t ‘mis’ out on this LES MISERABLES.
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Review: "Animal Farm" at Soulpepper
Some momentary glimpses into oppressive societal norms make this ‘Animal Farm’ noteworthy but, given our current Canadian political climate today in our own country and south of the border, this story should spark more discussion on the political spectrum and it doesn’t.
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Review: "he who falls (celui qui tombe)" at Canadian Stage
The pacing of this taut production is dizzyingly tight. At times, it was terrifying to watch as I held my breath and wondered if any would fall accidentally from the teetering and tottering playing space. Rest assured, these performers functioned as a true ensemble of players who have been well trained. To watch this performance was a joyful reminder from years ago when I attended the circus as a child with my family. I had no idea of the artistry involved in circus performance as the programme states ‘the performer [is] a vector of the forces that pass through him and is driven and penetrated by forces that he interprets.’
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Review: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" at Oshawa Little Theatre
Artistic Director/General Manger of Theatre 3x60, Carey Nicholson, is not one to shy away from Mr. Wasserman’s challenging script and its hard-hitting social issues as they appear even more relevant today in the uncertainty of our world. Along with many dedicated behind the scene volunteers led by producer Liz Pask and stage manager Amanda Klein, Ms. Nicholson handles confidently the reins as director of this gritty, visceral and raw Cuckoo’s Nest, now playing at the Oshawa Little Theatre.
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Review: SOULPEPPER’S GIFT OF ‘A DELICATE BALANCE’ WARMLY RECEIVED
To paraphrase Linda Loman from DEATH OF A SALESMAN, ‘attention was certainly paid’ on this sold out opening night performance of Edward Albee’s A DELICATE BALANCE. When Acting Artistic Director Alan Dilworth entered the stage and thanked us for attending, the theatre roared with thunderous audience approval for him and for this production under these most egregious and difficult circumstances in the last several weeks.
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Review: GROUNDLING’S "LEAR" IS MOST DEFINITELY A SOMETHING, AND NOT A NOTHING
To see actors who have been well trained in the performance of classic live theatre is indeed a most thrilling experience for any audience. To see actors who understand clearly the intricate nuance of the Bard’s works is an opportunity not to be missed. I had never heard of Groundling Theatre Company before, and when I read they were performing Shakespeare’s LEAR (a personal favourite of mine) I did not want to miss this production.
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