Monthly Archives: February 2012

Review: Visiting Mr. Green (Harold Green Jewish Theatre)

Legendary Theodore Bikel performs in Visiting Mr. Green at Toronto’s Jane Mallet Theatre

In my enthusiasm at the prospect of seeing Theodore Bikel onstage in Visiting Mr. Green, it’s possible that I may have gone on at length to my theatre-partner (and husband) about his myriad accomplishments: originating the role of Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music on Broadway, more than 2,000 performances in Fiddler on the Roof, television, films, folk music.

He’s a living treasure of theatre, with 68 years of performance in five languages under his belt. To the benefit of all, certainly including playwright Jeff Baron and costar Aidan deSalaiz, both of whom must understand how much they’ve been enriched by their association with Bikel in Visiting Mr. Green.

Continue reading Review: Visiting Mr. Green (Harold Green Jewish Theatre) →

Interview: Q and A with Dina Martina

Dina Martina is coming to the Flying Beaver Pubaret in Toronto

Because I haven’t seen Dina perform I’ve been reading about her in order to prepare for this. I’m struck by the contrast of the statements I found while doing my research. On the one hand, people clearly adore her. They call her a living legend. On the other hand, they follow the statement of adoration up with the statement that she has no talent.

An article by David Schmader, published in The Stranger, is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. He says:

DINA MARTINA is a living legend. Singer, dancer, raconteur, she is the quintessential post-postmodern celebrity, a one-woman Circus of the Stars. To those who have experienced the magic of Dina, she is a reason to live. To those who have not, she is nearly impossible to explain. … The primary fact that one must understand about Dina Martina — beyond her stature as a superstar entertainer without peer — is that she is in possession of not one shred of discernible talent or grace.

That brought two questions to my mind, first, ‘How does it make her feel?’ and second, ‘What can this performance possibly look like to have both statements made by the same reviewer?’ Continue reading Interview: Q and A with Dina Martina →

Announcement: Canadian Stage Announces 25th Anniversary 2012/2013 Season

Canadian Stage’s upcoming season brings you David Mamet, puppets, robots from Japan, and even Jason Priestley

Today Canadian Stage‘s Artistic and General Director Matthew Jocelyn announced its 2012/2013 season, the 25th anniversary of the company. “The productions and artists on our stages in 2012/2013 will explore some of the big questions about our human experience while pushing the boundaries of what live theatre can be,” said Jocelyn. “To mark our 25th anniversary, we’ve created a season that brings together the best in Canadian and international theatre and dance. The playbill features a mosaic of today’s most talented and thrilling artists.”

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Review: Dark Night Cabaret: Tales from a Suitcase (Acting Up Stage Company)

Laura Caswell’s musical theatre tunes and personal stories shine with honesty at Toronto’s Dark Night Cabaret

When Camilla Scott is now better known for hawking cosmetics in living rooms than performing, it is safe to say that there is no musical theatre star power in this country. It’s a shame because the spritely Laura Caswell would surely be one of Canada’s better-known performers. With a 1940s sensibility and a pippy, nearly clipped style, this is a girl who should be at least a few Dora Awards in.

Instead she is one of the performers for Acting Up Stage Company’s Dark Night Cabaret, running on the Mondays at the Berkeley Street Theatre when Caroline, or Change has its night off. Continue reading Review: Dark Night Cabaret: Tales from a Suitcase (Acting Up Stage Company) →

Review: A Really Bad Play (FroMast Productions)

A Really Bad PlayA Really Bad Play is actually really great and plays at The Pia Bouman School in Toronto

I can go on and on about plays I dislike, that are poorly executed, or just find awkward, but writing about a play I loved is probably one of the hardest things to do. This is the challenge I face now.

In this case the play was poorly executed – on purpose. A Really Bad Play (by FroMast Productions) was performed in a small theatre close to Dufferin and is about a play that is, well, really bad, written and executed by Mark Tipps (Daniel Stolfi). He appears to think that both he and the play are genius.

Continue reading Review: A Really Bad Play (FroMast Productions) →