Toronto Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 34

Review: 'Rent' - The Broadway Tour Hits Toronto
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - January 18, 2010

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)...

BWW REVIEWS: My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (Extended Again)
by Kelly Cameron - December 27, 2009

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...

BWW REVIEWS: Fiddler on the Roof with Harvey Fierstein
by Kelly Cameron - December 20, 2009

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!...

BWW REVIEWS: STUFF HAPPENS at the Royal Alexandra Theatre
by Kelly Cameron - December 10, 2009

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...

REVIEW: Alumnae Theatre's PALACE OF THE END
by Romina Oliverio - November 23, 2009

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 ...

BWW Review: Necessary Angel's Hamlet
by Kelly Cameron - November 22, 2009

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....

Review: 'Ruthless - The Musical' at Toronto Centre for the Arts
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - November 03, 2009

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. ...

Review: THE TOXIC AVENGER at The Music Hall on Danforth
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - November 02, 2009

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 ...

Review: 'Altar Boyz' at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - October 08, 2009

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.) ...

Review: 'The Facebook Musical'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - August 21, 2009

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. ...

Review: 'bare' at Hart House Theatre
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - July 22, 2009

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

Review 'A Class Act' at Toronto 's Civic Light Opera
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - June 03, 2009

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)...

Review: 'The Producers' at Stage West Dinner Theatre
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - June 03, 2009

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...

Review: Encore Entertainment's 'The Sunshine Boys'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - April 30, 2009

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

Review: 'Spring Awakening - Tour'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - March 22, 2009

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) ...

Review: 'Bonjour, la, Bonjour' at Theatre Erindale
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - February 06, 2009

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

Review: 'A Flea in her Ear' Amicus Productions
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - February 06, 2009

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

Review: 'Happy Days'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - February 06, 2009

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)...

Review: JERSEY BOYS at the Toronto Centre for the Arts
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - January 25, 2009

That roar you hear every night at around 10:30 is not the wind. It's the crowds cheering the new Canadian cast of Jersey Boys at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. This Tony-award winning musical sent it's touring cast here last August but demand was so great that when that cast moved on to their next...

Review 'A Streetcar Named Desire'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - August 29, 2008

Beautifully intimate staging of Tennessee Williams' classic drama is rewarding in so many ways. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Review 'Fourplay'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - August 29, 2008

Fly by Night Theatre presents a festival of four one-act plays. Two of the four are dazzling pieces and a third has promise in its premise. * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)...

Review: 'FOOTLOOSE'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - June 10, 2008

A new theatre company debuts in Toronto with a livele production of FOOTLOOSE. Though the show itself will never rank as a classic, it is entertaining. * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5) ...

Review: Civic Light Opera's 'Kismet'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - June 05, 2008

Civic Light Opera wraps up their season with a production of KISMET that is fast, funny and beautifully sung. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Review: 'My Fair Lady'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - May 15, 2008

A dazzling new production of Lerner and Loewe's Broadway classic relights the long dark main stage at Toronto Centre for the Arts. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)...

Review: 'An Italian Straw Hat'
by Mark Andrew Lawrence - May 15, 2008

Stage Centre Productions offers a lively, entertaining staging of the popular French farce. * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5) ...