Revisit some unforgettable music history at Toronto’s Randolph Theatre

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is a great night you won’t soon forget. It is a celebration of Buddy’s life in particular, and life in general. If you like to smile, dance and clap, call a friend and make plans to head down to The Randolph Theatre in Toronto.

Buddy Holly was an amazing talent who took the world by storm, made it dance, and was killed way before his time. It wasn’t heroin or bullets that killed Buddy. He died in a winter plane crash while on a tour. He went on the tour to provide for his family. The play Buddy really brings this human side of Buddy Holly the person to life. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is a celebration of his life.

Eric Bleyendaal, who plays Buddy, certainly seems to understand that mountain of history. He brings the same self-confidence and conviction to his performance that Buddy brought to his music. He’s onstage most of the time acting, singing and playing guitar. His acting is great, as is his singing. His energy and charisma are enviable, even better than a shot of cappuccino! Continue reading Review: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Lower Ossington Theatre) →

From Press Release

Theatre Passe Muraille
2013/14 Season Announcement

On Monday April 8th, Artistic Director Andy McKim announced Theatre Passe Muraille’s 2013/14 season at the company’s annual fundraising gala event. The season presents a balanced approach of fresh new voices (Rob Kempson, Rosamund Small, Mitchell Cushman) and established theatrical  powerhouses (Louise Pitre, George F. Walker, Linda Griffiths). It also features more than a dash of song and dance.

TPM has always valued a variety of artistic voices and forms. Richard Ouzounian of the Toronto Star said, “Under Andy McKim, Theatre Passe Muraille has become the most totally eclectic theatres in town, offering a home to every kind of work imaginable…it makes for an explosion of joy like nowhere else.” This year the company has gone all out, presenting a new musical, a cabaret, an off-site production, a remount, a new comic drama, a youth theatre production, and a new play with both dance and music. All this in a way that is uniquely TPM. Continue reading Announcement: Theatre Passe Muraille 2013/14 Season →

Toronto’s Baroque opera company Opera Atelier brings Mozart’s The Magic Flute to the Elgin Theatre

Mozart’s The Magic Flute is one of the most popular and widely performed works in the opera canon. It’s no surprise that Opera Atelier, Toronto’s resident company specializing in Baroque operas, is closing their 2012-13 season with a revival of their production of the opera; their fourth Flute in 22 years.

The opera tells the story of Prince Tamino and his mischievous, wise-cracking companion, the bird catcher Papageno. The pair are set on a quest by The Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter Pamina who has been abducted by her arch nemesis Sarastro.

Continue reading Review: The Magic Flute (Opera Atelier) →

Soulpepper Theatre Company breathes bold and engaging life into their production of La Ronde in Toronto

My experience at this evening’s opening of La Ronde by Soulpepper at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts Theatre in Toronto`s Distillery Historic District definitely challenged any preconceived notions I had of Soulpepper’s usual mainstream productions. It is raw, provocative, shocking, stimulating and maybe at times, even jaw- dropping. Although there is no lack of sexual exposure in today’s world, seeing such content live, up- close and personal, is still surprising, which is what I’m sure was intended. Continue reading Review: La Ronde (Soulpepper Theatre Company) →

One woman takes on three generations in Shelley Marshall’s auto-biographical show at Toronto’s Alumnae Theatre

Hamilton native Shelley Marshall has had one hell of a life. Having survived two generations of mental illness and then a bout of her own that resulted in a suicide attempt and hospitalization – including days kept in solitary – Shelley found her freedom and passion through creation and comedy. Inspired by the words of one of her doctors and the show Who’s Line is it Anyway?, Shelley enrolled in Second City.

Hold Mommy’s Cigarette is an autobiographical one-woman show where Shelley takes on portraying her grandmother, her mother and her younger self, reliving her tumultuous past and emerging as the talented comedic artist she is today.

The performance starts out with, what I hope, is an exaggeration of Shelley’s grandmother in the 70s – ignoring the incessant phone calls, grumbling about the state of the nation while reading the paper, chain smoking, and yelling into the void at her unseen husband. What we learn about grandma is clear: she’s not easy to live with, has a homophobic streak, values old fashioned tradition, and sends a young Shelley out to buy her cigarettes.

Continue reading Review: Hold Mommy’s Cigarette (Shelley Marshall) →