Theatre Reviews

Reviews of theatre, dance, opera, comedy and festivals. Performances can be in-person or streamed remotely on the web for social-distancing.

Review: Angels in America (Soulpepper)

Soulpepper, Angels of America

Toronto’s Soulpepper presents Tony Kushner’s Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes

If I were to describe playwright Tony Kushner’s Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes in one word it would be “monumental”. All three definitions of the word apply to the work; “great in extent or size”, “great in importance”, but also “serving as a monument”. Angels in America is widely recognized as a landmark of queer theatre and one of the most important dramas of the late 20th century. Continue reading Review: Angels in America (Soulpepper)

Review: The Lover (Three Peasants Theatre)

Stephan Ermel as Richard, Nicole Buscema as Sarah in The Lover

Three Peasants Theatre presents Harold Pinter’s The Lover at Toronto’s Alumnae Theatre

Three Peasant’s Theatre transforms the Alumnae Theatre into a 1960’s suburban British homestead in Harold Pinter’s The Lover. Director Peter Wylde created a multi-layered production, casting talented actors and treating even comedic moments with severity and intention. Continue reading Review: The Lover (Three Peasants Theatre)

Review: Legally Blonde – The Musical (Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts)

Let yourself be entertained with Legally Blonde – The Musical, playing at Toronto’s Randolph Theatre

While I wasn’t expecting a night of supreme intellectual theatre going into the Randolph Academy’s production of Legally Blonde: The Musical, I also wasn’t expecting the off-the-chart level of energy and severe explosion of talent on stage on opening night.

I feel like this show might initially appeal to folks who’ve seen and enjoyed the film version (starring Reese Witherspoon), or folks who enjoy musicals. But even if you’re one of those ‘high-brow’ sort of theatre-goers, I’d still implore you to give this one a go, if only to see some rather spectacular choreography and some young actors who will probably make quite a dent somewhere in the biz in the future.

Continue reading Review: Legally Blonde – The Musical (Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts)

Review: Something Is Wrong (Naught Theatre)

something is wrong

Naught Theatre presents Something is Wrong at Toronto’s Pia Bouman Theatre

When Something is Wrong (playing at the Pia Bouman Theatre) works, it has some insightful and interesting things to say. At its best, it marries harsh but interesting politics with beautiful and significant movement, creating something far more appetizing and interesting than these component parts alone.

When it works.

Continue reading Review: Something Is Wrong (Naught Theatre)

Review: P-Dale Episode 4: Rise of Los Muchos (Unit 102 Theatre)

Serialized Parkdale comedy continues with Rise of Los Muchos, at Toronto’s Unit 102 Theatre

pdale4Rise of Los Muchos, the latest and fourth installment in actor-playwright Luis FernandesP-Dale set in Parkdale is out. Will the gang of friends and acquaintances explored in past episodes survive to the end of this one? Audiences can expect to find out in this generally funny, profane and engaging performance.

Continue reading Review: P-Dale Episode 4: Rise of Los Muchos (Unit 102 Theatre)