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.
A funny thing happened on the way to Tarragon Theatre to take in Steven Gallagher’s first writing endeavour, Craplicker. I was struck with the fear that I would not be able to relate or even understand the subject matter. I was wrong.
Craplicker is the story of Josh as he deals with first times, first loves, coming out and even cancer. Played by Caden Douglas, Josh is a fully realized and enticing protagonist who is both beautiful and kind. He is surrounded by a gaggle of energetic, supportive friends.
Teaching Shakespeare is playing to sold out houses for a good reason. It’s a very funny, witty, well-acted show. I loved it.
Keir Cutler – who also wrote the show – is brilliant as a an example of how not to teach Shakespeare – in fact, how not to teach anything! I wish I could write this review in iambic pentameter as an homage to his performance.
Cutler uses the stage, striding back and forth, illustrating his points with broad hand and arm movements. The audience plays the part of the students – I got two correct answers – and learned a new word. Deracination.
Bosco and Jones is a show within a show musical about a ventriloquist and his dummy written by Brett McCaig & Racheal McCaig and composed by Scott White. It’s a lot of fun. I can see it working well in a broader venue than Fringe. (Mirvish, anyone?) I read on their site that this is an abridged version of the show, condensed to fit in a 60 minute timeslot.
I picked my fringe shows weeks ago and haven’t looked at the program since then so I had no idea what to expect.
If you like road trips, but hate to drive you can take a musical approach to adventure in Route 66: an American Guitar Trek. The famous highway, the inspiration for a song of the same name is the topic of this mostly musical piece.
I arrived at the Free Times Café on College Street a few minutes before the 7pm start time. As the lady led me inside she asked if I would like a drink (they didn’t serve anything during the performance) and told me he was waiting for me to start.
In which our intrepid reporter must solve the mystery of a magician-turned-physic, dodge the distractions of dames and meet his deadline.
By Dana Lacey
No, the play doesn't star Cary Grant. But it could have.
It was a sticky day, the kind that makes you long for winter’s cruel slap. Last thing i wanted to do was sit in a theatre with a bunch of bodyheat. Imagine my surprise when the show started with a cool, breezy jazz that calmed the senses while a fedora-wearing shadow clacked away on a typewriter. The shadow would soon emerge from behind the screen, now a zoot suit-clad investigative reporter-turned-entertainment columnist named Danny Bell. He’s about to watch his deadline whiz past him and his editor is breathing down his neck. Continue reading The Big Lie (Audeamus) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review→
Teaching Shakespeare