Review: The Drowsy Chaperone Tour Hits TorontoSeptember 29, 2007The The Drowsy Chaperone tour opened in Toronto this week to rave reviews. Don't miss this final chance to see Bob Martin as The Man in the Chair.
* * * * * (OUT OF FIVE)
Review: The PillowmanSeptember 28, 2007Martin McDonagh's disturbing play is given a frighteningly intense production by Canadian Stage Company.
* * * * 1/2 (OUT OF FIVE)
Review: The Winslow BoySeptember 28, 2007The Village players offer a fine production of Terrence Rattigan's 1936 play.
* * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)
Review: Funny BusinessSeptember 18, 2007Office politics, Industrial shows, TV Reality shows and corporate team building exercises are just some of the targets in Funny Business, a new musical that attracted great acclaim earlier this summer at The Fringe Festival. It's called FUNNY BUSINESS. And it is very funny.
* * * * (OUT OF 5)
Review: As Thousands CheerSeptember 12, 2007Toronto's Civic Light opera Company offers Canadian premiere of Irving Berlin & Moss Hart's depression era revue.
* * * * (OUT OF 5)
(Reviewed September 7, 2007)
We Will Rock You Extends Again in TorontoAugust 8, 2007The hit Toronto production of WE WILL ROCK YOU has now extended to November 4, 2007. The new block of tickets will go on sale Saturday August 11, 2007.
Mack and MabelJune 29, 2007The Shaw Festival offers the Canadian premiere of the troubled Jerry Herman-Michael Stewart musical. Performed by an outstanding cast, this 1974 flop has turned into the hit of the season at Shaw.
* * * * (OUT OF 5)
Our TownJune 29, 2007Soulpepper's Dora award winning production is remounted for a most welcome extended run. This achingly beautiful restaing of teh Wilder classic is not to be missed.
* * * * * (OUT OF 5)
Evil Dead the MusicalJune 29, 2007Great cast and energetic production make this return engagment a hit.
* * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)
CamelotJune 29, 2007CAMELOT SHOWING ITS AGE
Theatre Review by Mark Andrew Lawrence
* * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)
Company Theatre's 'Marion Bridge'May 11, 2007 Vivid characterizations coupled with an effective minimalist staging cuts right to the heart of Daniel MacIvor's funny, touching play, Marion Bridge.
* * * * * (out of 5)
Nightwood Theatre's 'Crave'May 11, 2007What can be said about a play that is both hauntingly audacious and boringly pretentious all at once? Nightwood theatre's enigmatic production of Sarah Kane's play Crave is the sort of production that will alienate some and fascinate others, but it achieves one of the main objectives of good art: it makes you think.
* * * (out of 5)
Review: BLOOD BROTHERSMay 2, 2007Toronto's Encore Entertainment presents a minimalist staging of Willy Russell's popular musical.
* * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)
Review: THE MERRY WIDOWApril 29, 2007Bright and bubbly, sly and smart, this Toronto Operetta Theatre production is loaded with heart!
* * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)
Review: WE WILL ROCK YOUApril 29, 2007When the show rocks, it really rocks. When it talks, it becomes embarrassingly amateurish.
* * 1/2 (out of five)
Mark Andrew Lawrence began his broadcasting career as music director for St. Catharines radio station CHRE. After six years there and eight years at classical station CFMX, he created FRONT ROW CENTRE to supply theatre reviews and articles to magazines, newspapers, and broadcasters across the greater Toronto area. Mark Andrew Lawrence maintains an extensive collection of over 3,500 Broadway show recordings in all formats (78 RPM singles, 45 RPM album, 10 & 12-inch Lps, and Compact discs) dating back to the early years of the 20th century.