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.
Toronto playwright Jeff Ho adapts the Sophocles play for young audiences
Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre is ending its 2018-19 season with the world premiere of Antigone: 方, a contemporary adaptation of the Sophocles play by Jeff Ho, a Toronto-based playwright originally from Hong Kong. Recommended for audiences aged 12 to 18, you may be wondering how it’s possible to make an ancient Greek tragedy relevant to a contemporary, young audience. Ho approached the adaptation from a surprising angle and the results are brilliant. Continue reading Review: Antigone: 方 (Young People’s Theatre)→
A gripping, new, Canadian production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is now on stage in Toronto
Next To Normal is a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a suburban family’s struggle with a mother’s mental illness, as well as a critical examination of psychiatry and psychopharmacology. It’s an intelligent, hard-hitting drama that also happens to be a rock musical featuring a big, bold contemporary rock score with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. Mirvish is currently presenting a new production of the show by The Musical Stage Company in Toronto at the CAA Theatre. Continue reading Review: Next To Normal (The Musical Stage Company/Mirvish)→
The Canadian Opera Company brings a perfect interpretation of Verdi’s Otello to the Toronto stage
Canadian Opera Company’s current production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello is the perfect interpretation of this well-known tale for 2019. The original story by Cinthio on which Shakespeare’s play is based was meant as a cautionary tale on the perils of interracial marriage and miscegenation. This production of Verdi’s opera, directed by David Alden comes across as the story of an unscrupulous man fueled by vengeance and racism using his foe’s internalized racism to manipulate him and bring about his demise. Continue reading Review: Otello (Canadian Opera Company)→
Greg Campbell’s one-man play is a celebratory, gay coming-of-age story now onstage in Toronto
Out, by Greg Campbell and presented by Big Bappis Productions, now playing at Buddies in Bad Times, was a hit of the 2016 Fringe Festival, where it was chosen for Best of Fringe. It’s Campbell’s one-man, gay coming-of-age story (coming of gayge?) from 1977, as teenaged Glen attends Vanier College, hangs out with high school best friend Mario and college buddy Dimitri, and, dreaming of The Village People, attends the Gay Pride parade in NYC while satirizing anti-gay activist Anita Bryant. Continue reading Review: Out (Big Bappis Productions)→
A new play by Rouvan Silogix taking on white supremacy in Canada is now on stage in Toronto
I want to say that Blood + Soil by Theatre ARTaud playing at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace is one of my favourite plays I’ve seen this year. The mixture of absurdity, pointed commentary, and stellar performances makes for an unforgettable evening. It also makes for a show with intense imagery, uncomfortable truths, and questions of innocence.
Toronto playwright Jeff Ho adapts the Sophocles play for young audiences
A gripping, new, Canadian production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is now on stage in Toronto
The Canadian Opera Company brings a perfect interpretation of Verdi’s Otello to the Toronto stage
A new play by Rouvan Silogix taking on white supremacy in Canada is now on stage in Toronto