Cylla von Tiedemann News

Puzzle pieces cover the stage, invoking a sense of kid-centric wonder in Mirvish's ANNIE. With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, ANNIE has stood the test of time as one of musical theatre's most beloved shows. Mirvish's production keeps the inspirational story and the hummable tunes - but offers a weird production concept that spends the entire show fighting itself.

The Musical Stage Company has done it again. FUN HOME, presented as part of the off-Mirvish subscription series, is a testament to the power of effective musical theatre. With its gripping exploration of a dysfunctional family struggling with identity - internally and externally - a book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, and music by Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Shrek The Musical), FUN HOME packs a punch. It may be the biggest show in the Musical Stage Company's history, but FUN HOME is really an intimate story about love and acceptance.

This Sunday, April 22nd, will mark the cinematic release of the 2017 Stratford Festival production of TIMON OF ATHENS - One of Shakespeare's later plays, for which productions are not nearly as common as some of Shakespeare's other stories. Directed for the stage by Stephen Ouimette, and directed for the screen by Barry Avrich, TIMON OF ATHENS is a story of a man who gives generously but does not pay close enough attention to his own debt. When the collectors come calling, Timon's friends do not show up for him like he did for them. This betrayal drastically changes his worldview and sends him into a tragic, reclusive life. Joseph Ziegler, who portrayed Timon in the production, was kind enough to chat with Broadway World about bringing this play to the big screen.

David Mirvish's presentation of The Musical Stage Company's production of FUN HOME has had its run extended by two weeks. The show will now play until Sunday May 20, 2018 at the CAA Theatre.

The Musical Stage Company production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, FUN HOME is now on stage and plays through May 6th, 2018 at the CAA Theatre.  

Performances for The Musical Stage Company production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, FUN HOME begins tonight and plays through May 6th, 2018 at the CAA Theatre.  

Young People's Theatre (YPT) proudly presents the World Premiere of Risky Phil by the award-winning playwright Paula Wing. This comedy-drama about fathers and sons will be presented on the Mainstage from April 9 to 27.

I would watch a Ravi Jain directed production of the phone book. ANIMAL FARM, presented by Soulpepper, is an adaption of George Orwell's famous novel by Canadian playwright Anthony MacMahon. Jain and MacMahon design a campy, satirical world for the farm animals, using humour as a reel to hook the audience into deeper discussions about humanity and society. It's persuasive, troubling, and honestly funny.

'That's not what happened.' Soulpepper's IDOMENEUS tells the story of a famous Greek myth - but plays with the mode of storytelling to create something remarkable. Roland Schimmelpfennig's modern play comes to life in a timeless zone of monochromatic universality in Alan Dilworth's production, designed by Lorenzo Savoini. Using a chorus of voices, the narrative weaves between past and present, fact and fiction - presenting themes that resonate not only within the world of Soulpepper, but within the world at large.

Tchaikovsky's exquisite score meets Nureyev's exhilarating choreography in a sensational grand ballet experience. The National Ballet of Canada brings back their celebrated production of Tchaikovsky's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, choreographed by the late Rudolf Nureyev. A dancer himself, Nureyev's creative stamp on the piece expands the already technically challenging choreography originally created by Marius Petipa - adding depth to the Prince's role with variations of amplified difficulty. Even the most ardent ballet critic is sure to be impressed by the extreme athleticism required to dance this production.

THE SECRET GARDEN by Paul Ledoux, adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Directed by Allen MacInnis. Featuring Simon Bracken, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Natalia Gracious, Dan Lett, Sarah Mennell, Jake Runeckles and Benjamin Sutherland.

Compared to the in-your-face absurdity of November's 'The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?' A DELICATE BALANCE displays a softer, more subtle Albee without softening the devastating impact. Directed by Diana Leblanc, Soulpepper's production simmers-exploring dysfunction through the lens of characters that are grounded in reality.

MR. SHI AND HIS LOVER, a new take on an old love story, manipulates perception in a tale of perception manipulation. Through seven non-linear scenes, performed in Mandarin with Chinese and English surtitles, MR. SHI AND HIS LOVER integrates a mix of introspective arias and narrative songs. The themes and boundaries of love are explored in an exploration of music that is difficult to pin down. Is it an opera? Or is it more of a musical?

Uncertainty, or the state of being uncertain, involves not being able to clearly identify or define something. Simon Stephens' HEISENBERG thrives on uncertainty. Using physicist Werner Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle as the underlying theme, Canadian Stage's Canadian premiere production fuses science and love in a hard-to-follow tale of opposites attract.

The mind is a fascinating, terrifying and often incomprehensible place. The National Ballet of Canada's production of John Neumeier's NIJINSKY explores the mind through the lens of one of the world's most famous ballet dancers, Vaslav Nijinsky. Neumeier's skilled theatricality encompasses the piece, informing the set, costumes and choreography - creating a work of art that is deliriously captivating.

A lesson in what not to say at a dinner party, Mirvish's presentation of Ayad Akhtar's DISGRACED is tense and unsettling. Originally a production from the Hope and Hell Theatre Company, director Robert Ross Parker discusses the play as having 'the power to make us uncomfortable.' Certainly true. As the play dove into controversial discussions of identity politics, gasps were audible all around.

'You don't understand,' repeats Martin. You'll have to see it to really understand. Soulpepper presents Edward Albee's shocking Tony Award-winning play, THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? (2002) Featuring an outstanding cast, including Soulpepper's Artistic Director, Albert Schultz, this production is proof that tremendous performances can sell any subject matter - no matter how taboo.

Young People's Theatre has become known for their joyous Holiday shows and this season's offering couldn't be better!

David Mirvish has just announced the return of DISGRACED to the Panasonic Theatre for a strictly limited encore engagement, November 11 to 26, 2017.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the company's upcoming tour to Paris with performances of Nijinsky, a ballet by John Neumeier.