Wayne Leung (1981-2019)
Wayne was the Managing Editor of Mooney on Theatre from 2012 - 2019 and will be sorely missed. His death from an apparent heart attack was a loss not just to Mooney on Theatre, but also to the Toronto Theatre Community at large. You can read our publisher Megan Mooney's tribute to him here here.
Wayne was a writer, editor and corporate communications professional who was thrilled to be a part of the Mooney on Theatre team. Wayne loved theatre ever since his aunt brought him to a production of Les Misérables at the tender age of ten . . . despite the fact that, at that age, the show’s plot was practically indiscernible and the battle scenes scared the bejeezus out of him. Wayne’s current list of likes ran the gamut from opera, ballet and Shakespeare to Broadway musicals, circus and Fringe theatre. Outside of the theatre Wayne’s interests included travel, technology and food.
An ancient secret language and political intrigue; Eventual Ashes presents its new show Hiding Words (for you) by Gein Wong at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre
Nushu is a writing system developed in ancient China possibly as far back as 400 AD. Based on a simplified version of Chinese characters, Nushu was hidden in embroidery patterns and was developed as a means for Chinese women of the time to communicate despite the fact that they were forbidden from formal education.
Cirque du Soleil presents Amaluna in Toronto’s Port Lands through November 4, 2012.
It’s that time of year again, the circus is in town! And by “circus” I of course mean Cirque du Soleil. The theatrical circus empire from Quebec has once again brought its familiar blue and yellow big top to the Toronto Port Lands to present the company’s 32nd show, Amaluna.
The Second City Toronto opens its fall 2012 mainstage show.
Founded in Chicago in 1959, the Second City is a storied comedy institution. Its illustrious list of alumni includes Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Dan Akroyd, Gilda Radner, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Mike Myers, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carrell and Tina Fey.
Once again this year the SummerWorks Performance Festival features a mix of daring, provocative, challenging, thought-provoking and controversial theatre and once again the Mooney on Theatre team has reviewed all 45 theatre shows* in the festival.
If you’re looking for a place to start, check out our SummerWorks primer and then see the following list of recommendations for SummerWorks shows that our staff think you should take your grandma to see this weekend.
Mooney on Theatre Staff Picks – 2012 SummerWorks Performance Festival
Since its inception three years ago, SummerWorks’ Musical Works in Concert has provided a platform and audience for emerging musical theatre creators to showcase their works in-development.
Musical Works in Concert are the musical theatre equivalent of a staged-reading of a play; the actors sing standing behind music stands, a live band accompanies them but there are no costumes and only minimal scenery and lighting, the director (Adam Brazier) sits off to the side of the stage and reads stage directions aloud. While we’re not seeing a finished product it’s an amazing opportunity to get a peek at a new piece while it’s just starting to take form. Continue reading Through The Gates (Musical Works in Concert) 2012 SummerWorks Review→
Once again this year the 
Since its inception three years ago,