Richard Greenblatt News

The 34th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards for the 2012/2013 season were handed out in a star-studded ceremony in Toronto on the evening of Monday, June 24 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts' Bluma Appel Theatre, hosted by the hilarious Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, Second City alumni and founding members of the National Theatre of the World.

New Hampshire and summerstock are pretty much interchangeable. Across the Granite State, theatergoers will find incredible options for live entertainment. One night they could be in an old barn, where the floors creek and an occasional bat will make its presence known. Then the next night, you're in a brand new, modern facility with air conditioning, comfy seats and a bar.

The National Theatre of the World is kicking off their first year as Soulpepper Artists in Residence with THE SCRIPT TEASE PROJECT, a week long engagement where they improv plays based on the first two pages of scripts written by famous playwrights. Made up of Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, The National Theatre of the World delights with their unique blend of improv, comedy and theatre coupled with current events and first rate audience engagement.

Albert Schultz, Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company today announced details of a three-year residency between Soulpepper Theatre Company and Toronto's masters of improvisation, The National Theatre of the World (NTOW).

Albert Schultz, Artistic Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company today announced details of a three-year residency between Soulpepper Theatre Company and Toronto's masters of improvisation, The National Theatre of the World (NTOW).

City Theatre announces all six plays lined up for its compelling 2013-2014 season, including a madcap family reunion; a sonic journey about symphony and sports; a soul-stirring drama that daringly reimagines an American icon; a provocative New York hit about what it means to hear and listen; a high-intensity drama that follows a moxie fighter pilot; and a kinetic, new play about relationships and fate.

At its annual meeting on February 10th, the Peterborough Players announced the lineup of plays (including some of their greatest hits) for its 80th anniversary season this summer; the election of new board members; and the winner of the Flanders Award for best equity actor of the 2012 season.

Blue Balloon Productions is proud to present a production workshop presentation of R-E-B-E-C-C-A, written and performed by Sara Farb. This unique solo piece is based on her sister who was born seven weeks prematurely in the month of May, and was diagnosed as mentally retarded at a very young age. The story centres on this real-life Rebecca, as well as on an alternate Rebecca - the one that might have been, had she been born in July - as they celebrate their respective 18th birthdays. These two Rebeccas, although universes apart, ultimately manage to find a connection and unite in a strange and powerful way.

A sell-out in 2010, Park Square Theatre brings 2 Pianos 4 Hands, the delightful play about two piano whiz kids with stars in their eyes, back to the stage for the holidays tonight, December 5-30, 2012. A side-splitting celebration of dreaming of greatness, 2 Pianos 4 Hands is a perfect show for the entire family, children ages 11 and older.

A sell-out in 2010, Park Square Theatre brings 2 Pianos 4 Hands, the delightful play about two piano whiz kids with stars in their eyes, back to the stage December 5-30, 2012. A side-splitting celebration of dreaming of greatness, 2 Pianos 4 Hands is a perfect show for the entire family, children ages 11 and older.

A sell-out in 2010, Park Square Theatre brings 2 Pianos 4 Hands, the delightful play about two piano whiz kids with stars in their eyes, back to the stage for the holidays December 5-30, 2012. A side-splitting celebration of dreaming of greatness, 2 Pianos 4 Hands is a perfect show for the entire family, children ages 11 and older.

Who has not worked hard to achieve a dream and later had to swallow the bitter pill of a dream lost? This authentic and original play charms its way into the heart of the audience, tickling their ribcages as skillfully as the actors tickle the keys of the two pianos.

Locals may best know Canada's exports in the oil and gas industry, in agriculture, and certainly maple syrup. In the entertainment sector we certainly love Martin Short or want to marry Ryan Gosling, but arguably the most successful Canadian export in entertainment is the international phenomenon 2 Pianos 4 Hands which, since its fledgling workshop days in 1994, has seen productions all over the world. Houston will be experiencing 2 Pianos 4 Hands for the first time at Stages this fall.

Locals may best know Canada's exports in the oil and gas industry, in agriculture, and certainly maple syrup. In the entertainment sector we certainly love Martin Short or want to marry Ryan Gosling, but arguably the most successful Canadian export in entertainment is the international phenomenon 2 Pianos 4 Hands which, since its fledgling workshop days in 1994, has seen productions all over the world. Houston will be experiencing 2 Pianos 4 Hands for the first time at Stages this fall.

Portland Stage Company concludes their 2011-12 season with a hilarious, heartwarming production about two pianists and their (mis)adventures en route to becoming musical masters of the 88 piano keys.

On December 6th The Canon Theatre was officially renamed The Ed Mirvish Theatre in honour of theatre impresario Ed Mirvish. Many of Canada's best and brightest talent were on hand for this historic occasion, where David Mirvish paid tribute to his father in a loving and moving ceremony. BWW was on hand to bring its readers pictures of the performance highlights, dignitaries and of course, the new theatre.

December 6th marked a historic day for both the city of Toronto and its theatre community as The Canon Theatre was renamed in honour of theatre impresario Ed Mirvish. Stars of Canadian theatre were on hand to pay homage to the man who spent the better part of fifty years giving Toronto wonderful theatre, and now the city says thank you with the unveiling of this landmark in his honour.

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.

2 Pianos, 4 Hands is arguably one of the most successful plays in Canadian theatre history, having played on 5 continents and in over 150 cities. The show returns home to Toronto after 8 years and opens at The Panasonic Theatre this Sunday. BWW sat down with creators Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt to talk about bringing the show home, the mass appeal of the production and the state of Canadian musical theatre going into 2012.