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.
By Sam Mooney
Have you ever noticed that plays based on actual events are always heartbreaking? The Making of St Jerome from eastBoundplayers playing as part of the Next Stage Festival is no exception. The most heartbreaking thing about the play is that there are no answers, not even to the most basic question. Why?
Continue reading Next Stage Festival – The Making of St. Jerome – eastBOUNDtheatre
By Sam Mooney
The Red Queen Effect – from Seventh Stage Productions – is playing as part of the Next Stage Festival. Sometimes I’m a bit slow on the uptake. It took me till the end of the play to realize that ‘the red queen effect’ must refer to running in place as fast as you can just to stay in place.
There was a lot of running, but it seemed to me this Alice did get where she wanted to go. Or at least she managed the first leg of the trip.
Continue reading Next Stage Festival – The Red Queen Effect – Seventh Stage Productions
What are the different ways of dealing with grief? Buried, now playing at the Next Stage Theatre Festival, explores just that.
The play begins with the funeral of the family matriarch Jean, and continues with the days following it as her family tries to cope in their own ways. One daughter, Rachel, over-sentimentalizes; another daughter, Anne, micromanages. Bill, the father of the family, can’t remember what has happened at all because of his struggle with Alzheimer’s. Continue reading Next Stage Festival – Buried – Theatre Awakening
By Sam Mooney
How is it that I’ve never seen Chris Gibbs until now? He’s very funny, a bit weird, definitely quirky, and incredibly entertaining.
His show – Like Father Like Son? Sorry – is part of the Next Stage Festival running until January 17th.
According to the blurb Like Father Like Son? Sorry “… playfully explores the fears, worries and surprises of being a new father, and the absolute terror of wanting to be a good one.” But this one-man show (it says “one-man show creator” in the blurb so I figure I can say it here,) is about so much more than fatherhood.
The show opens with Chris channelling Marlon Brando as Jor-El – Superman’s father. He comes back to Superman and other super heroes at various points in the 95 minute show. Some of his lines are almost throw-aways, if you aren’t paying attention they’re gone and you find yourself thinking, “Wait! I missed that. Go back!”
Continue reading Next Stage Festival – Like Father Like Son? Sorry – Chris Gibbs
By Crystal Wood
Just East of Broadway, playing at the Next Stage Theatre Festival, is a play that doesn’t take itself too seriously. This, I think, is both its strength and its weakness.
In the grand tradition of Fringe Festival spoof musicals, Just East of Broadway takes all the old musical conventions and runs with them – from the fighters who become lovers, to the little theatre company that could, to a bumbling henchman out to thwart the leading man. Rex Maverick (played by Cory O’Brien) is a washed-up Hollywood star who is shipped off to small-town China to star in a play that might be his last hope for a comeback. Let the laughs ensue. Continue reading Next Stage Festival – Just East of Broadway – Gig Productions