Toronto Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 27

BWW Review: WICKED Continues To Amaze Audiences 9 Years After Toronto Debut
by Alan Henry - September 05, 2014

One can't help but leave the Ed Mirvish Theatre on a high after a performance of 'Wicked,' a musical now in its 11th year on Broadway. The Wizard sings a tune in the show which begins with 'I am a sentimental man,' and as I watched him call the guards just before Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) takes fli...

BWW Review: 'A TENDER THING' Fizzles and Frustrates
by Catherine Kustanczy - August 20, 2014

Ben Power's 2009 play A Tender Thing is a creative re-imagining of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, with the two title characters as older figures in a lifelong relationship. Soulpepper Theatre Company's current production (on at the Young Centre through October 1st) features real-life couple Joseph ...

BWW Reviews: Stratford Festival's 'THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM'
by Lauren Gienow - August 18, 2014

THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM, directed by Stratford Festival Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino opened to raucous laughter and thunderous applause Friday night at the Stratford Festival. With a cast like this, I would not expect anything less. This fun and thoughtful restoration comedy by George Farquhar, pr...

BWW Reviews: Stratford Festival's 'ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA'
by Lauren Gienow - August 16, 2014

William Shakespeare's ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA opened on Thursday night at Stratford Festival's Tom Patterson Theatre. Last performed at the festival in 2003, this production stars Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh as the famed Roman General and Queen of Egypt, respectively. Directed by Gary Griffin...

BWW Reviews: 'TARTUFFE' Sparkles With Comedy And Drama
by Catherine Kustanczy - August 15, 2014

Underneath the riotous comedy of Moliere's 1664 play Tartuffe is a tough family drama examining ideas of trust, power, and hypocrisy. Soulpepper Theatre Company's new production (on now through September 20th at the Young Centre) underlines these themes while providing plenty of laughs and a smart, ...

BWW Review: Do You Hear The People Sing? Drayton's LES MISERABLES Shines
by Mary Alderson - August 13, 2014

The classic story turned epic musical has finally made its way to Grand Bend's Huron Country Playhouse. Based on Victor Hugo's novel, LES MISERABLES follows the life of prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, who was thrown in jail for stealing a loaf of bread for a hungry child....

BWW Reviews: KING JOHN Impresses at the Stratford Festival
by Roy Berko - August 07, 2014

King John, who reigned as the monarch of England from 1199-1216, was the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the father of Henry III. The Shakespearean script concerning his reign is one of the true history plays by the Bard and is one of only two of his plays, the other being 'Richard II,...

BWW Reviews: Stratford Festival's A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Chamber Play
by Lauren Gienow - August 02, 2014

From the moment the Stratford Festival production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: A CHAMBER PLAY begins, it is clear that it will be an experience unlike any production of 'Dream' you have ever seen before. In fact, it will likely be a new experience to most Stratford Festival audiences....

BWW Reviews: 'NO CHANCE IN HELL' at the Best of Fringe is Heavenly
by Alan Henry - July 17, 2014

I am a huge fan of the Toronto Fringe Festival! It's a great platform for new shows to be presented to audiences. Some get picked up for the Mirvish Season - or by other theatre companies, and one has even made it all the way to Broadway (The Drowsy Chaperone.)...

BWW Reviews: Wavestage's LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL
by Brittany Goldfield Rodrigues - July 15, 2014

When you think pink, law, and music, it's hard to not think of LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL, the show based on the modern classic film of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon. The musical adaptation of the story features just as much sass and quirkiness, but just a little bit more singing and danc...

BWW Reviews: Drayton Entertainment's 'DAMN YANKEES'
by Mary Alderson - July 10, 2014

Huron Country Playhouse has a heart-warming home run hit with Damn Yankees, now on the main stage. This little-known Broadway musical dates back to 1955, and while you might not be familiar with the show, you will certainly recognize some of the tunes. Based on the Faustian legend about a German sch...

BWW Reviews: Theatre20's 'COMPANY' Hits Most of the Right Notes
by Alan Henry - June 29, 2014

Theatre20's production of COMPANY is now playing at the Berkeley Street Threatre in downtown Toronto, and the production - which opened on June 27 hits most of the right notes, but I found it to be lacking the finesse it needed to be the first class production it had the potential to be. The story s...

BWW Reviews: The LOT's 'SPAMALOT' is Full of Humour, Enthusiasm and Quirky Fun
by Brittany Goldfield Rodrigues - June 24, 2014

SPAMALOT may be based on the Monty Python film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but the musical differs greatly from the film on which it is based. While both the musical and film have hilarity in common, the story's transition onto stage provides some interesting differences. The musical, which pre...

BWW Reviews: Stratford Festival's HAY FEVER
by Lauren Gienow - June 26, 2014

Following up on the success of last season's production of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, the Stratford Festival is presenting another Noel Coward favourite this year. HAY FEVER recently opened at the Avon Theatre, and judging from the raucous laughter it produced from the opening night audience, it i...

FFT Productions Presents Kimberly Roberts as Judy Garland in THE GET HAPPY HOUR WITH JUDY Tonight
by BWW News Desk - June 24, 2014

Spend an evening with Judy Garland, America's Sweetheart, as she tells of the TV show she'd preferred to have done. Get to know again the Judy everyone loves, without all the booze and drugs. Share songs, laughs, and tears with Judy as portrayed by Kimberly Roberts, a Vanity Fair featured Garland do...

BWW Reviews: A Split Decision for Soulpepper's TWELVE ANGRY MEN
by Catherine Kustanczy - June 18, 2014

The celebrated 1957 film 12 Angry Men is a drama that began its life on television as part of a CBS series, Studio One, where it premiered in 1954. The work, penned by ex-serviceman Reginald Rose and inspired by his direct experience as a juror, went on to win an Emmy, and in its later form, an Acad...

BWW Reviews: 'SOUTH PACIFIC' at the Huron Country Playhouse
by Lauren Gienow - June 15, 2014

Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical SOUTH PACIFIC (book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan) is currently playing at Drayton Entertainment's Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, Ontario, under the direction (and choreography) of MICHAEL LICHTEFELD and it is an absolute delight!...

BWW Reviews: 'Stones in Her Mouth' Is Powerful, Provocative Theater
by Catherine Kustanczy - June 14, 2014

Stones in Her Mouth is a powerful theatrical experience that examines and explores women's lives. Brought to life by an ensemble of ten Maori women, the production, recently part of Toronto's annual Luminato Festival, has been feted worldwide since its premiere in 2013. As its choreographer Lemi Pon...

BWW Reviews: THE PHILADELPHIA STORY at the Shaw Festival
by Mary Alderson - June 13, 2014

The Philadelphia Story, on stage at the Shaw Festival, takes the audience back to 1939, to the wealthy who have survived the Great Depression. Survived? It looks like they flourished! The audience applauds the luxurious set as the curtain is raised. Everything is gold, silver and white - a lavish gr...

BWW Reviews: ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS at Stratford
by Mary Alderson - June 07, 2014

Yes, Alice, there is another world on the other side of that mirror...and it's made for kids! In an effort to reach out to families and little children, Stratford is offering something to keep the attention of the 12 and under crowd. Big colourful costumes, zany situations and audience participation...

BWW Reviews: 'Cinderella' Dazzles With Beauty
by Catherine Kustanczy - June 05, 2014

The National Ballet's popular production features dazzling sets, eye-popping costumes, and wondrous choreography....

BWW Reviews: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Stratford Festival, is a Wild Ride
by Lauren Gienow - June 02, 2014

Director CHRIS ABRAHAM's production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at the Festival Theatre is sure to be the most talked-about production at Stratford Festival this season. This, in itself is a huge feat, as this season is full of brave and exciting productions. Not all of the talk will be positive (t...

BWW Reviews: Stratford Festival's MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN is an Important Play to See
by Lauren Gienow - June 01, 2014

MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, Directed by MARTHA HENRY, and set in the 30 years war that ravaged 17th century Europe, is as moving, upsetting, and as politically relevant as ever…which is likely exactly what playwright Bertolt Brecht intended when he initially wrote it as a response to the Second...

BWW REVIEWS: Stratford Festival's Man of La Mancha is the Perfect Escape
by Lauren Gienow - May 31, 2014

The theme this season at the Stratford Festival is Madness: Minds Pushed to the Edge and when it comes to choosing a musical to fit this theme, there is quite possibly no better choice than MAN OF LA MANCHA....

BWW Reviews: 'Physical Thinking' Soars And Inspires
by Catherine Kustanczy - May 29, 2014

The National Ballet of Canada opens its summer season with a mixed programme of twentieth century works....