Last night I went to see Soulpepper’s production of “Of the Fields Lately”, playing at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, and from the opening scene I was absolutely hooked.
Every once in a while, as theatre patrons, we are fortuitous enough to see a perfect combination of actor and role. I firmly believe that Kenneth Walsh was born to play Jacob Mercer. As a character full of temper and mood swings, it’s a tough part to maintain audience sympathy. However, Walsh is perfect, and I don’t use that word lightly. His charm and sincerity breaks our hearts as he attempts to navigate the world around him.
Maybe it was the set adorned with a buffalo-themed throw, cowboy hat and totem pole, but I had a feeling I Am Not Neil Young at Holy Joe’s was going to be a source of great cheese. I wasn’t disappointed. I am Not Neil Young offers 60s ballads, group participation and Frank Wilkes with a huge, infectious smile who, after introducing himself, says ‘This is a story about transformation. But who will be transformed? You and or me?” So who is Frank Wilkes? He certainly isn’t Neil Young, but if you close your eyes while he’s singing it’s hard to tell the difference. Continue reading Toronto Fringe Review – I Am Not Neil Young – Holy Joe's→
It’s Just a Phase was a pretty great show to start the festival with. I’m never envious of the first show of Fringe, especially not on the first day of Fringe. So, the fact that I enjoyed this performance bodes well for It’s Just a Phase, since it’s only going to get better from here.
Go see My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding playing at Bread and Circuses. It’s fabulous. Don’t take my word for it. Here’s what people were saying as they left the show today –
“That was fabulous”
“Best thing I’ve seen in years”
“This is going to be sold out”
“Great show! It’s going places”
Be sure to check out Singularity of Being, playing at Tarragon Theatre for Fringe. “Loosely” based on the life of Stephen Hawking, the play follows the life of Roland Mathers as he grows from a bored student with big ideas (“Einstein gave us the map…I can’t wait to fill it in.”) to a fully paralyzed and utterly famous shit disturber. It’s a story about man against god, a cosmic chess game neither wants to quit (the tag line: what price would you pay to see the face of god?) Continue reading Toronto Fringe 2009 – Singularity of Being – Tarragon→
