Review - A Man For All Seasons & Colm Wilkinson at the Broadway Cabaret Festival
by Kristin Salaky
- Oct 23, 2008
It's perfectly understandable if years from now, or maybe fifteen minutes after leaving the theatre, the only thing you clearly remember about the Roundabout's new production of A Man For All Seasons is Frank Langella's extraordinary performance as the highly-principled Chancellor of England, Sir Thomas More, who refused to support Henry VIII's wish to separate from the Vatican and form the Church of England in order for him to divorce the aging Catherine of Aragon and wed Anne Boleyn in hopes of their union producing a son and heir. Not that director Doug Hughes' sturdy mounting of Robert Bolt's 1960 historical drama doesn't contain fine work from the rest of the ensemble, but in a play where the central figure so dominates the proceedings - especially with this production's removal of the narrator/commenter character known as The Common Man - Langella linguistically feasts on the dense, wordy text and gracefully conveys the complexities of a family man who refuses to betray his conscious, no matter the cost to his loved ones or his own head.While Bolt leans on portraying More a bit more on the saintly side than reality dictates, Langella never strikes a false note as he spares philosophically with the self-involved king (Patrick Page), the slickly elegant Spanish ambassador (Triney Sandoval) and the arch Oliver Cromwell (an almost dastardly Zach Grenier). His distain for the corruption of the men surrounding him is expressed by both roaring bursts and faintly exasperated glances. To see the actor's transformation of More from a righteous lion to a fragile, quietly defiant prisoner in the Tower of London, awaiting execution, is a heartbreaking experience. Also very touching is the work of Maryann Plunkett as his long-suffering but devoted wife.
Review - A Man For All Seasons & Colm Wilkinson at the Broadway Cabaret Festival
by Kristin Salaky
- Oct 23, 2008
It's perfectly understandable if years from now, or maybe fifteen minutes after leaving the theatre, the only thing you clearly remember about the Roundabout's new production of A Man For All Seasons is Frank Langella's extraordinary performance as the highly-principled Chancellor of England, Sir Thomas More, who refused to support Henry VIII's wish to separate from the Vatican and form the Church of England in order for him to divorce the aging Catherine of Aragon and wed Anne Boleyn in hopes of their union producing a son and heir. Not that director Doug Hughes' sturdy mounting of Robert Bolt's 1960 historical drama doesn't contain fine work from the rest of the ensemble, but in a play where the central figure so dominates the proceedings - especially with this production's removal of the narrator/commenter character known as The Common Man - Langella linguistically feasts on the dense, wordy text and gracefully conveys the complexities of a family man w
'We Will Rock You' Announces Extension Until 5/11
by BWW News Desk
- Mar 12, 2008
After playing more than one year of performances at Toronto's Canon Theatre, We Will Rock You announces its final extension through May 11, 2008. The new and final block of tickets will go on sale Sunday March 16, 2008.
What's HOT In Toronto: A Quick Look at What's On Stage
by Craig Brockman
- Dec 24, 2007
Toronto loves its theater and always has a diverse selection available throughout the year. This winter theatergoers to Broadway's north is no exception with such musicals as 'Sweeney Todd' (an international Tour featuring Judy Kaye alongside revival cast member's Lauren Molina and Benjamin Magnuson), Queen's jukebox spectacle 'We Will Rock You', Dirty Dancing' and the holiday appropriate, 'White Christmas' which features several well-known New York based performers such as (married in real life) leads Kate Baldwin and Graham Rowat.
We Will Rock You Extends Again in Toronto
by Mark Andrew Lawrence
- Aug 8, 2007
The 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.
Review: WE WILL ROCK YOU
by Mark Andrew Lawrence
- Apr 29, 2007
When the show rocks, it really rocks. When it talks, it becomes embarrassingly amateurish.
* * 1/2 (out of five)
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