The final production of Neptune Theatre's 55th season is the worldwide musical (and feature film) phenomenon; MAMMA MIA!. Set on a remote Greek island during the summer of 2008, MAMMA MIA! tells the story of Sophie, a spirited bride-to-be who invites three of her mother's old flames to her wedding i... (more...)
The title role is one of the most challenging soprano roles in the repertoire. Lucky for the Canadian Opera Company, they have one of the world's greatest sopranos leading their cast - Ms. Sondra Radvanovsky.... (more...)
The word most-associated with Robert Lepage's THE NIGHTINGALE AND OTHER SHORT FABLES is 'magic'. And like 'magic,' you need to see it to believe it. Words simply do not do it justice.... (more...)
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 inspirationa... (more...)
Conductor Bramwell Tovey began the evening by saying, 'in light of the way things are… I want to give you permission to laugh.' It didn't take very long before the audience was in stitches with laughter. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra performed Leonard Bernstein's CANDIDE last weekend, accompanied b... (more...)
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 ... (more...)
Two of musical theatre's finest voices filled the Roy Thomson Hall last night at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's ON BROADWAY. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Stephanie J. Block joined Tony Award-nominated Canadian performer Ramin Karimloo and Steven Reineke, Principal Pops Conductor, in a night of Broa... (more...)
It's the type of humour that makes your gut ache from both laughter and contemplation. Second City is presenting their new mainstage revue, TITLE OF SHOW, a sketch comedy piece incorporating music, dance?, and of course, face-melting comedy. The ensemble tackles everything from Weight Watchers, to G... (more...)
This must be one of the prettiest shows for the stage. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, currently being presented at Mirvish, will have you shaking your head in wonder at Bob Crowley's imaginative set design and Christopher Wheeldon's breathtaking direction and choreography. The musical, inspired by the Academ... (more...)
'The world's best a capella and beatboxing show,' delivers less energy than you'd think. Touring North America, GOBSMACKED is a collection of mainstream hits all performed completely a capella - like a live version of 'Glee' with less musical theatre. Individually the performers are wonderfully tale... (more...)
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 au... (more...)
'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, desig... (more...)
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... (more...)
Slip into a painting. Slip into the life of a man. Slip into nature. MADE IN CANADA stimulates the imagination with a program of three invigorating Canadian ballets - Robert Binet's The Dreamers Ever Leave You, James Kudelka's The Four Seasons, and Crystal Pite's Emergence. This program offers somet... (more...)
'It's a dream come true,' says dancer Brendan Saye. Recently promoted to First Soloist, Saye will be making two role debuts this season with the National Ballet of Canada - the Lead Man in James Kudelka's 'The Four Seasons' (part of 'Made in Canada') and Prince Florimund in Rudolf Nureyev's producti... (more...)
Stop the world. COME FROM AWAY has come home. With a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, COME FROM AWAY is one of the biggest Canadian musicals of all time. For any of you thinking you'll miss the original cast - be anxious for nothing - the first Canadian cast does not disappoin... (more...)
In Mike Bartlett's play, Queen Elizabeth II has just died. As fascinating as it may be to imagine the future, Studio 180's production of KING CHARLES III, directed by Joel Greenberg, is a drab view of a very pessimistic future.... (more...)
If you've ever lost someone you loved, you know how uniquely devastating the experience can be. In Jordan Tannahill's stage creation, DECLARATIONS, we see the raw product of that pain delivered through the fascinating mind of Tannahill and his five dancers.... (more...)
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 ar... (more...)
I'll start by saying that LEAR was one of the most powerful theatrical experiences I've ever had. Led by a cast of Shakespeare professionals, with vast Stratford Festival experience, Groundling Theatre's production is a polished, compelling piece of theatre. Dropping 'King' from the title, LEAR expl... (more...)
Podium Concert Productions, led by producer Peter da Costa and music director Mark Camilleri, presents high-calibre concert versions of musicals. Their second production, NINE IN CONCERT, was just that, a mostly high-calibre production featuring a cast of prominent Canadian talent, and a rare opport... (more...)
I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees! screams the puppet with three puppeteers on their knees. Unlike the show, I won't spend this in rhyme - and I promise to not take as much of your time. THE LORAX, presented by Mirvish is vivaciously visual. Dr. Seuss's fictional world becomes livable with col... (more...)
When is the last time you've been awestruck? THE ILLUSIONISTS - LIVE FROM BROADWAY, presented by Mirvish, puts you face-to-face with seven of the world's greatest illusionists, as they deliver an extraordinary, hypnotizing stage show, exploring magic and trickery through the ages.... (more...)
Most people love jukebox musicals. Seeing some of the greatest hits from legends like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins performed live, creates a nostalgic experience that is undeniably entertaining. Unless you're not a fan of the jukebox style - and I should state that ge... (more...)
With a little creativity, anything is possible. Soulpepper's presentation of Bad Hats Theatre's PETER PAN is proof that imagination can push the limits of what is possible on stage. Set in the round, the wonderfully-clever production has chuckling adults and wide-eyed children all believing in fairi... (more...)
BWW Review: MAMMA MIA! at Neptune Theatre
BWW Review: Sondra Radvanovsky Reigns Supreme in the COC's ANNA BOLENA
BWW Review: COC's THE NIGHTINGALE AND OTHER SHORT FABLES is a Magical Night at the Opera
BWW Review: Your Kids Will Love ANNIE at Mirvish
BWW Review: CANDIDE at TSO Gives You Permission to Laugh
BWW Review: Musical Stage Company's FUN HOME is a Little Show with a lot of Heart
BWW Review: Broadway Stars Shine Bright in TSO's ON BROADWAY
BWW Review: Second City's THE BEST IS YET TO COME UNDONE Delivers Comedy that Packs a Moral Punch
BWW Review: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at Mirvish is the Gorgeous Show You Can't Miss
BWW Review: GOBSMACKED Has Impressive Parts but Struggles as a Unit
BWW Review: ANIMAL FARM at Soulpepper Uses Humour to Reel You In
BWW Review: Soulpepper's IDOMENEUS Resonates Through Jarring Storytelling
BWW Review: National Ballet Delivers Grand Spectacle with THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
BWW Review: National Ballet's MADE IN CANADA Fascinates with a Mixed All-Canadian Program
BWW Interview: A Season of Two Debuts for National Ballet's BRENDAN SAYE
BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY is a Triumph in Toronto
BWW Review: Studio 180's KING CHARLES III is an Underwhelming Think Piece
BWW Review: Multi-faceted Memories Create a Personalized Experience in DECLARATIONS
BWW Review: A DELICATE BALANCE at Soulpepper is Sophisticated Dysfunction at its Best
BWW Review: Powerhouse Performances Deliver a Riveting LEAR
BWW Review: Stars of Canadian Musical Theatre Shine in NINE IN CONCERT
BWW Review: First Act Soars, Second Act Bores in THE LORAX at Mirvish
BWW Review: THE ILLUSIONISTS Amazes with Diverse Magic
BWW Review: Drayton's MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Mirvish Drags Through the Hits
BWW Review: Bad Hats' PETER PAN at Soulpepper Inspires the Imagination