Toronto Theatre Reviews

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.

LuminaTO 2009 – Nevermore, The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe

by Sam Mooney

nevermore-cast

The house lights were still up when Catalyst Theatre’s Nevermore, The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, started at the Winter Garden Theatre last night. It took the audience a couple of seconds to realize and to settle down but once they settled they were hooked. Nevermore was co-commissioned by LuminaTO as part of their celebration of Edgar Allan Poe and last night was the Toronto Premiere.

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LuminaTO 2009 – 5 O'Clock Bells

By Sam Mooney

5-o'clock-bells

Go see 5 O’Clock Bells!

Tonight I saw the Toronto Premiere of 5 O’Clock Bells, a one-man, eight (or 9, maybe even 10 – I lost count) character play written and performed by Pierre Brault about the life of jazz guitarist Lenny Breau.

I loved it.  I was literally buzzing when I left the theatre – still am.  Best 75 minutes I’ve spent in a while.

Before tonight I knew nothing about Lenny Breau.  His name was familiar but I couldn’t remember where I knew it from.  My son-in-law reminded me that Randy Bachman refers to him often – “the great Lenny Breau” – on Vinyl Tap.  It didn’t matter than I knew nothing about Breau’s life or music,  5 O’Clock Bells stands on it’s own.

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