Pool (No Water) is a “haunting and darkly amusing tale” on the Toronto stage

Pool (No Water) is perhaps the type of story that speaks to me most deeply. It seduces, cleverly—almost covertly—draws you in and then, once you feel safe and invested, demands your complicity in thoughts, feelings and actions that are, on the surface, deeply repugnant. At the Citadel Theatre, Cue6 is offering a very special gift to the Toronto theatre scene: their vibrant and compelling production of Mark Ravenhill’s fascinating play.  Continue reading Review: Pool [No Water] (Cue6) →

If you’re into rock musicals, then you’ll be excited to hear one of the big ones, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, is being put on by Hart House Theatre (7 Hart House Circle)  until October 7. It’s an energetic, emotional romp that I recommend checking out.

This production was actually my introduction to Hedwig and the Angry Inch. It’s one of those shows that I’ve always known of but never had the chance to see. I’m thrilled that I finally got that chance. It’s a rock musical that flits between high-energy, passionate songs, and sombre, soulful storytelling. Continue reading Review: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Hart House) →

Steven Elliott Jackson’s transcendent new play The Seat Next to the King is remounted in Toronto

The Seat Next To The King, a new play by Steven Elliott Jackson and directed by Tanisha Taitt, is a powerful piece of theatre exploring race, sexuality and the “differences” that make us all the same.

I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about The Seat Next To The King recently especially after it’s successful run in the 2017 Toronto Fringe Festival. I had really high hopes for it’s new incantation at The Theatre Centre, produced by Minmar Gaslight and can safely say that my hopes were met last night — perhaps even exceeded. Continue reading Review: The Seat Next To The King (Minmar Gaslight) →

Britta Johnson’s musical Life After brings a cast of incredible performers to the Toronto stage

Britta Johnson’s musical, Life After, co-produced by The Musical Stage Company, Yonge Street Theatricals and Canadian Stage, opened at the Berkeley Street Theatre on Thursday. It’s a strong production with powerful music and a really contemporary feel while at the same time giving a nod to traditional musicals.

My daughter Megan came with me. I love going to shows with her. I’m all about what I feel and think after a show. Meg knows why she feels and thinks it. Articulating the ‘why’ is my challenge. We both really enjoyed the show. The audience joined us in weeping, a lovely change for me, but it’s not all tears, there’s lots of laughter. Continue reading Review: Life After (Canadian Stage, The Musical Stage Company, and Yonge Street Theatricals) →

Toronto’s Factory Theatre opens its season with Anita Majumdar’s play The Fish Eyes Trilogy

Anita Majumdar is a force to be reckoned with in The Fish Eyes Trilogy, the one-person show she’s written, choreographed, and is performing at Factory Theatre. You’d need an oil tanker, not a fishing boat, to hold the amount of ferocity she brings to playing three teen girls (and a host of other minor characters) living in Port Moody. Told almost as much through dance as through voice, The Fish Eyes Trilogy probes into the tender places where racism and misogyny burrow into adolescent sexuality, with complex psychological repercussions.

Continue reading Review: The Fish Eyes Trilogy (Factory Theatre/Nightswimming) →