TORONTO THEATER REVIEWS

Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's NEXT TO NORMAL is a Pulitzer prize winning and Tony award winning musical that continues to touch the hearts of many. The show about bipolar Diana Goodman and how her illness effects her and her whole family continues to touch peoples hearts. It takes a certain amount of ...

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE-arguably William Shakespeare's most controversial play, is being tackled this season at the Stratford Festival for the first time since 2007. Under the direction of (Artistic Director) ANTONI CIMOLINO, this production does not shy away from the controversial nature of many cha...

Soulpepper's production of Angels in America is a massive undertaking, their biggest show to date and incredibly ambitious. That said, it is a risk that appears to be paying off for the Toronto based company. The show is triumphant - a heartfelt examination of humanity, sickness, politics, AIDS and...

Director Chris Abraham's production of OTHELLO opened to thunderous applause at Stratford Festival's Avon Theatre. The audience appeared so enthralled by this production that its devastatingly tragic nature seemed to cling to patrons as they exited the theatre. Simultaneously; however, there was a p...

The Rascals are back together for the first time in forty years, and they're rocking Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre for the rest of the weekend with their unique blend of rock n roll, soul and cover classics. Produced by Steven Van Zandt and co-directed by Van Zandt and Marc Brickman, the show f...

When one thinks of Stratford Festival, they might think of the classic productions that are often staged to great acclaim; but it is important that audiences are also aware of the bold new productions that are premiering at the festival. THE THRILL by Judith Thompson is one of these plays and it cer...

No Strings Theatre's production of "Anne of Green Gables: The Musical" is an enjoyable night out at the theatre for families....

Tuesday night marked the opening of TAKING SHAKESPEARE at Stratford Festival's intimate Studio Theatre. This play, written by Canadian playwright John Murrell, and directed by Diana LeBlanc, tells the story of an unlikely bond that develops between a professor (Martha Henry) and a struggling univers...

With music by Galt MacDermot and book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, HAIR has been around for years. It's been around long enough to earn a Tony win for best revival, and take that revival on a tour. Wavestage's production of HAIR channeled everything audiences have come to know and lov...

It's Always You, a new musical being presented at the 'Best of Fringe' is a delightful and impressive new work by Canadian writers Dan Redican (book/lyrics) and Scott White (music). The show looks at the choices people make, and how they affect the outcomes of our lives....

Shakespeare's MEASURE FOR MEASURE gets a solid production at the Stratford Festival. Its message of mercy, justice and their relationship to pride and humility is clearly etched. Those who like the Shakespearean style of writing and plot development should be pleased with this staging....

Stratford's THE THREE MUSKETEERS is a melodramatic delight filled with swashbuckling action, farcical interludes, and bigger than life characters. It tells the triumphant tale of good winning out over evil. The production should delight those who want to escape the real world and live out the fantas...

Stratford Festival's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF leaves very few human emotions un-experienced by its characters and the audience alike. It explores: human values, happiness in everyday life, newfound love, fear of changes-big and small, the agony and frustration that comes from ignorance and ...

MARY STUART, directed by Stratford Festival Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino; explores the complex relationship between Queen Elizabeth I of England and her cousin Mary Stuart, the former queen of Scotland-and, and in the eyes of some, a more rightful heir to the English throne. The play was origi...

The Roundabout Theatre Company revival production of the hit 1940's musical Anything Goes opened this past Thursday night at The Princess of Wales Theatre, during one of the worst heat waves the city of Toronto had ever had. With ushers dressed in sailor uniforms and clever social media photobooths...

Theatre-goers are going to be intrigued and delighted by Stratford Festival's production of WAITING FOR GODOT-directed by Jennifer Tarver, and featured on-stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre until September 26th. Excellent direction by Ms. Tarver, perfect set design by Teresa Przybylski and lighting ...

AVENUE Q is quite honestly Sesame Street for adults. The Tony Award winning show is without a doubt worthy of it's award winning satus with it's quirky puppet characters, hysterically explicit music, and heart warming plot line. The Lower Ossington Theatre's production of the show encapsulates the m...

The 2013 Season of Drayton Entertainment's Huron Country Playhouse opens in a delightful way with Rodgers and Hammerstein's loveable classic: THE SOUND OF MUSIC! With some of the most beloved songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein repertoire performed beautifully, and a well-known story told with sp...

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 Nat...

CATS triumphs at the Panasonic Theatre, leaving audiences wanting more. This incredible new production with an all Canadian cast is a perfect night out for the entire family!...

The Stratford Festival's production of TOMMY was arguably one of the most highly anticipated shows of this season. It marks Des McAnuff's return to the festival and to the 'rock musical' genre, and also marks the twentieth anniversary of the original production. With a cast of some of Canada's bes...

The Stratford Festival kicked off it's 61st season with a 'original principles' version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, starring Daniel Briere and Sara Topham and directed by Tim Carroll. BWW was on hand to review the first show of the season....

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 c...

West Side Story at the Symphony is an incredible experience, combining the classic movie with a a score played live by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra....