Reviews of productions based in Toronto – theatre includes traditional definitions of theatre, as well as dance, opera, comedy, performance art, spoken word performances, and more. Productions may be in-person, or remote productions streamed online on the Internet.
The Harder They Come, being presented by Mirvish Productions at the Canon Theatre, is based on the Jamaican movie of the same title that became a huge cult hit in the UK and North America. The movie, in turn, is based on the true story of Rhyging, a Jamaican singer cum folk hero.
Now, I haven’t seen the movie, so I can’t start pulling together comparisons, but what I can tell you is that the play, like the movie, is filled with fantastic music. This would technically be a musical, but the story is not told in song, it’s more a play where there is a lot of singing.
WatersEdge Production’s production of BARE. Heard of it? You will. But before you start hearing about it everywhere, let me tell you a little bit about my experience with this musical-pop-opera hybrid.
I fully expected Silverman to be far and away my favourite, but I have to say, it was Louis CK that blew me away. Seriously, I was laughing so hard I had tears pouring down my face. Why have I not heard more about this man? Seriously. I hurt from laughing so much, the man is *literally* painfully funny.
Last night I had planned a fun-filled evening with my laundry, and suddenly found out last minute that there were tickets available to the Just For Laughs All-star Gala event at Massey Hall, just one of many events going on for the Just For Laughs Toronto Festival this week. Normally I hate to rush, but having grown up watching and loving Just for Laughs on television I couldn’t resist trying. After a lot of running and a talk with a very helpful and forgiving festival employee, I finally managed to get in with about two minutes to spare. And I can safely say it was well worth the effort.
You know how sometimes you see an opening act at a concert, and you think “Wow, these guys are really good. Who even needs the main act?” And then actually you see the main act, and you’re like “Never mind. Yeah, this is what I paid for.” Head First is like that. The three pieces are all just fine separately, but the third piece so eclipses the ones before it that you feel a little bad for the other two. Fortunately, they’re all from the same company, so I don’t feel that bad for them.
