Author Archive
Review: Amelia: Musicals That Fly (Theatre 20)
By Winston Soon
Last night I attended a fundraising concert for fledgling theatre company Theatre 20. Amelia: Musicals that Fly was a staged reading/singing of the story of Amelia Earhart and how she rose to fame as the great female pilot of the ‘20s and ‘30s.
I am interested in any piece from this time period and I loved how when walking into the Panasonic Theatre, big band music was playing from what actually sounded like an old phonograph. My date Ryan was excited too as he loves all things musical, and it is exciting to see something fresh and newly written and performed.
Review: Kathy Griffin at the Sony Centre
By Winston Soon
It’s a beautiful Sunday night and I’m walking into the Sony Centre to see Kathy Griffin brought to Toronto by Live Nation . I am surrounded by two demographics – aging suburban women in heels and conservatively dressed gay men. I fall into one of these demographics. I’ll let you decide which one.
All the people in Kathy’s life make the supporting characters of her narrative of “Life on the D-List” – the Emmy winning show that is in its 6th and final season. It is doubtful that anyone in this crowd wasn’t already a fan of Griffin and this show but, just as a recap, a screen comes down with a nice “best of” reel as well as other moments from Griffin’s life.
And that’s why we are here – to hear about her life. Griffin’s act consists mainly of outing celebrity behaviour and we feel like we are privy to her gossip and her smack talk. Read the rest of this entry »
Review: The Price (Soulpepper)
By Winston Soon
Anyone who says there is no good theatre in Canada has never been to a show at Soulpepper. The caliber of show is equivalent to any play you will see on Broadway – from the house itself to the set to the acting. Last night I went to see Arthur Miller’s The Price with my good friend Joe – a writer and huge Miller fan. Honestly, I’m somewhat ashamed to say, I felt more like I was catching a great show in NYC than in the Distillery District. This was a nice reminder as to how good theatre can be in Toronto.
Like my date, I have long appreciated Arthur Miller’s better-known works, like The Crucible and Death of a Salesman that are oft studied and performed. This piece was new to me though and it was written in 1968, much later in his life than his more famous work. Read the rest of this entry »
White Rabbit, Red Rabbit (Necessary Angel and Volcano Theatre Co) 2011 SummerWorks Review
By Winston Soon
At the heart of Nassim Soleimanpour’s White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is a cry for help. Necessary Angel and Volcano Theatre have brought this ground-breaking show to Toronto as part of this year’s SummerWorks festival. It features a new, completely unrehearsed performance each night by a new actor. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t completely happy to walk into the drippingly hot Theatre Centre and discover that I would watch the phenomenal Eric Peterson play the role. Read the rest of this entry »
Waterfront: The Blessing (Les Nouvelles Theatre) 2011 SummerWorks Review
By Winston Soon
Waterfront: The Blessing may not be a family show but it is definitely a show about family. In particular, it is about the lifelong relationships of siblings. I would recommend anyone who has had to deal with family rivalry and death to see Les Nouvelles Theatre’s Waterfront: The Blessing at this year’s SummerWorks. It is a very relatable show.
Leah Jane Esau has written a two hander and we get to meet brothers Jeremy and Ed directly following the death of their father. Despite a water influenced theatrical device (used for changes of scene and thought) this show is very down to earth. It is impossible not to get drawn into the relationship of these brothers. Myself, I have two siblings and I felt it impossible not to reflect on my relationships with both throughout this piece. Read the rest of this entry »
Freda & Jem’s Best of the Week (Fine and Thompson Presents) 2011 SummerWorks Review
By Winston Soon
When I found out I would be reviewing SummerWorks shows, I raced to make sure I was the first in line to dibs this one. The program for Freda and Jem’s Best of the Week reads like a list of Canadian theatre All-Stars and it is impossible not to imagine this show as well conceived and beautifully executed play. I was not disappointed. It is not one well known theatre company that made this show happen but rather is presented as “Thompson and Fine Presents” (meaning the writer and director). It’s a show that claims to shine a light on “dyke moms, queer spawn and butch/fem interplay”. I would say that is pretty accurate. Read the rest of this entry »
The Intruder (Alameda Theatre Company) 2011 Summerworks Review
By Winston Soon
The Intruder is the latest piece from Alameda Theatre Company’s writer in residence, Amaranta Leyva. It is a charming show that feels particularly suited for Theatre for Young Audiences as it deals with issues both political and personal through the eyes of a young girl. It is one of the SummerWorks plays that endures the heat, humidity and, on the night I was there, the insects of the Factory Studio Theatre. Read the rest of this entry »
Elora Gorge (The Room) 2011 SummerWorks Review
By Winston Soon
Walking into Elora Gorge, my first SummerWorks show this year, I’m not sure what was higher; my expectations or the temperature in the sweltering Theatre Centre. There has been a bit of buzz around this show and for good reason. It features some remarkable talent both on and off the stage. The Room has created a piece that feels ethereal and tricky. The staging is beautifully creative, the acting is great, and Christopher Stanton’s writing is a waterfall stream of conscious from the voices that make up the small town of Elora. After this show, you’ll probably not think of Elora the same way again! Read the rest of this entry »
Review: Next To Normal (Dancap Productions)
By Winston Soon
Last night I went to see Next to Normal at the Four Seasons Centre, brought to Toronto by Dancap. I feel lucky to have experienced this show as did my date, Wayne (managing editor for Mooney on Theatre). If this is all you read of this article then let me get this out of the way now – do what you have to do to see this production.
Reason #1: You’ll get to see the same performance that won lead Alice Ripley a Tony two years ago. Reason #2: This show is truly special. Reason #3: There is none of that “making fun of musicals” shtick here that has invaded nearly everything to hit Broadway and beyond in the last decade. A welcome change for this writer. Dear audience, welcome to the return of the earnest musical.
Oh, Raven!! (Land of the Young) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review
By Winston Soon
Walking into the perfectly air conditioned Palmerston Library Theatre and the set of Land of the Young’s “Oh, Raven!!” seems magical. It is a sort of enchanted forest with trees and an older hollowed out tree lying downstage. The music sets the right tone of enchantment and the kids get excited. A perfect beginning to a FringeKIDS show.