TORONTO THEATER REVIEWS

Patty Jamieson, Jacquelyn French and Jeff Lillico head a superb cast in a ravishingly beautiful production of The Light in the Piazza playing a limited 3-week run at the Berkeley Street Theatre. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Shaw's classic play is given a fine revival by Stage Centre Productions. * * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)...

Caryl Churchill's once daring play has lost some of its edge over the past three decades, but thanks to a terrific cast and solid direction, it still entertains. * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)...

Dixie Longate brings her Tupperware Party to Mississauga sending the crowd in the RBC Theatre at the Living Arts Centre into fits of uncontrollable laughter. Dixie - we love your cups! * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Senior students at University of Toronto's Erindale Campus Theatre program tackle Richard Wilbur's translation of Jean Racine's 17th Century play and come up with a powerful production. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Theatre Unlimited offers a generally fine community production of the classic Arthur Laurents-Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim musical Gypsy - but undoes it but cutting the final scene!! * * 1/2 (out of 5) ...

Some high-energy performers backed by a terrific band make the new revue at Stage West Dinner Theatre an enjoyable if somewhat overpowering smorgasbord. * * * (out of 5)...

The Broadway Tour of Rent provides Toronto audiences with a fairly close facsimile of the true original - as opposed to the hand-me-down tours that have previously played the city. The show, however, remains problematic. * * * 1/2 (out of 5)...

My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding was the surprise smash hit at last year's Toronto Fringe Festival, and has been wowing larger audiences at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto for the last few months. It was recently announced that the show will be brought back in February for another extensi...

The Farewell Tour of the classic Fiddler on the Roof lands in Toronto this month at the Canon Theatre, just in time for the holiday season. With seasoned veteran Harvey Fierstein in the lead role and a strong ensemble cast, this is a perfect holiday treat!...

The critically acclaimed Studio 180 Production of David Hare's Stuff Happens gets its shot at the big time this month at Mirvish's Royal Alexandra Theatre. Playing until December 23rd, this powerful play about the political events surrounding September 11th and the US led invasion of Iraq is a surp...

As theatre patrons somberly filed out of Alumnae Theatre's production of 'Palace of the End', it seemed as if the air had been sucked out of the small studio theatre. Not only had we experienced a phenomenal work of playwriting staged by a stellar production, but we had been on the receiving end of ...

Described as a 'radical re-visioning of one of the world's greatest plays', Necessary Angel's Hamlet had its opening on November 19th at The Harbourfront Centre's Enwave Theatre. Dark, visceral, sexual and violent, this is truly a unique departure from the classic Bard tale....

Encore Entertainment's first show of the season is a winner, the very funny - and at times quite campy Ruthless. Thanks to a terrific cast and brisk pacing, the laughs never let up. ...

Dancap scores another Toronto victory with the hilariously over-the-top camp musical 'The Toxic Avenger.' Production values are Broadway caliber for this off-Broadway show, and with a top-notch cast headed by Louise Pitre, Evan Alexander Smith and Brittany Gray, the show should continue ricking The ...

Altar Boyz has been extended one more week at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show now closes October 18. (Ruthless will open there the following week.) ...

A new musical opened in Toronto for a limited run this week, and the score reveals a major new talent. Jonathan Blankenstein, though still a University student has created the book, music and lyrics for The Facebook Musical. It?s onstage in the Berkeley Street upstairs theatre through Saturday. ...

Canadian premiere of this cult musical proves to be a generally solid production. Expect sold out performances as word gets out on this one. ...

The Civic Light Opera Company's Toronto premiere production of A Class Act affords a chance to get to know some of Ed Kleban's catalogue. It is a catalogue filled with eloquent songs, and production that is exceptionally well acted and sung. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Stage West Dinner theatre offers a downsized version of the Tony winning Broadway hit. Where it works it is due to the strength of the material and the commitment of the performers. The result is still funny and entertaining, but will leave some wondering what all the hullabaloo was about when the s...

Encore Entertainment's staging of Neil Simon's hit comedy delivers teh laughs without neglecting the play's melancholy subtext. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Arriving in Toronto the day before spring, the Tony winning musical Spring Awakening will please the devoted coterie of fans, but those familiar with Frank Wedekind's original play will find the musical adaptation is decidedly inferior. * * * (out of 5) ...

Michel Tremblay's dark portrait of a dysfunctional family is geven an excellent student production at Erindale. * * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)...

Amicus productions have come up with A Flea In her Ear that tickles the funny bone. * * * 1/2 (out of 5)...

A bland, empty show trying to cash in on the popularity of the TV series. Even Fonzie's die-hard fans will be disappointed. * (out of 5)...