Mark Andrew Lawrence

GUYS AND DOLLS, the mainstage musical at the Shaw Festival this summer offers an enjoyable, tightly paced staging that gives audiences a chance to revisit one of Frank Loesser's most sparking scores. Of the four leading players, two give well-developed performances but are unbalanced by the other coupel who lack the necessary 'chemistry.' * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

Angelwalk Theatre, joining forces with the Koogle Theatre Company of Burlington, is reviving I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. It remains a crowd-pleasing delight thanks to the four vibrant performers who take us on a tour of the little moments in life to which we can all relate. In a series of vignettes we follow couples through the trials and tribulations of dating, marriage, raising a family and growing older.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's final show, The Sound of Music, has always had a reputation for being overly sentimental and unbearably sweet. Yet, as originally written, the show has much more of an edge. The Civic Light Opera Company has gone back to the original script by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse and it is very effective when done with straight-forward sincerity, as it is here. * * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)

Angelwalk Theatre in association with Winnipeg Studio Theatre are presenting the Canadian premiere of Adam Gwon's musical ORDINARY DAYS. After a successful run in Winnipeg the show has opened at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. With a terrific cast and excellent musical direction this should be on your must-see list!

The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a dazzling new production of the 1996 musical RAGTIME that makes a case for the show as a great American musical. A terrific cast wins standing ovations nightly at the Festival Theater where the show plays until October 14.

Each season Toronto's Civic Light Opera Company revises and revives failed and forgotten shows from Broadway's past. This year it's the 1969 Jerry Herman musical DEAR WORLD based on the Jean Giraudoux play THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT. Barbara Boddy and David Haines lead the cast in making the case for this much neglected show.

Although they created many popular comic operas, the backstage relationship of W.S.Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan was anything but light-hearted merriment. The story of their tumultuous partnership is the focus of Ian Taylor's play Tarantara! Tarantara!, currently being presented by Stage Centre Productions at Fairview Library Theatre until May 19.

A strong trio of leads ushers us into the world of Don Quixote as The Alexander Singers present the Tony-award winning musical MAN OF LA MANCHA at York Woods Library Theatre until May 13.

"Humans are territorial," states one character midway through the second act of CLYBOURNE PARK. That simple line sums up one of the key ideas at the heart of this Pulitzer Prize winning play by Bruce Norris. The play is being given its Canadian premiere in a brilliant production by Canadian Stage Company and Studio 180.

Amicus Productions concludes their 2012 season with a magical and enjoyable rendering of the Craig Lucas play PRELUDE TO A KISS.

There was almost as much drama involved in getting Curtain Call Players' spring production of the musical MISS SAIGON to opening night as there is in the show itself. The recent strike by Toronto Public Library staff locked the company out of their usual venue Fairview Library Theatre. Fortunately, at the very last minute the troupe was able to make arrangements to present the show at Glen Rhodes United Church. For the run of this show teh venue has been dubbed the Rhodes Avenue Theatre.

A dazzling revue of songs by the two Stephens - Sondheim and Schwartz - performed by an enthusiastic cast.

Angelwalk Theater has come up with a real gem with the romantic musical comedy I Love You Because. The show, playing in the cozy Studio Theater in the Toronto Center for the Arts boasts a top-notch cast, fluid direction, a tuneful score and clever, insightful lyrics.

Strong leading performances, some tasty production values and well executed effects help compensate for many of the deficiencies in Shrek The Musical. The show is another sad reminder of how Broadway is currently bereft of creativity and imagination. Shrek is derivative drek. * * (out of 5)

Familiar songs and some lively performances make the production of ALL SHOOK UP at Stage West Dinner Theatre a frothy entertainment. * * * * (out of 5)

Three items to note about Encore Entertainment's production of The Laramie Project: 1. Arrive early - evening performances begin a 7:30 and matinees at 1:30. 2. Plan to stay after the show for the talk-back with cast members. 3. Bring lots of Kleenex…you will need it! * * * * * (out of 5)

It is always great when the performers on stage are having such a good time that those watching can't help but get swept up in the fun, and that is exactly what happens in Curtain Call Players' tightly-paced production of Hairspray, making it a joy from start to finish. * * * * 1/2 (out of 5)

When Two Pianos Four Hands premiered at Toronto's Tarragon Theater in 1996 it struck an immediate chord with critics and audiences that still resonates in this latest remount, which opened at the Panasonic Theatre for a limited engagement playing until November 20.

Encore Entertainment presents an original revue built around a variety of show tunes and exploring the modern day stresses of love, marriage and family life. Featuring songs the scores of HAIR, WICKED, GUYS AND DOLLS, COMPANY and many other shows, LOVE AND OTHER STRESSES offers a program of sparkling entertainment.

Tony nominated for his performance in FELA! Sahr Ngaujah stars in the touring production, which will play at the Canon Theatre October 25 to November 6.