Review: Seussical (Young People’s Theatre)

Seussical, YPT

Seussical is a bold, colourful, fun show for kids and adults alike, on stage in Toronto

Young People’s Theatre’s (YPT) current production of Seussical was a luminous, high-energy romp that delighted young children and grandparents alike. The story by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty amalgamates the story lines of Horton Hears a Who and Horton Hatches the Egg, beloved classics by Dr. Seuss. The show is filled with lively dances, accessible chorus numbers, and Seussian props and costumes. Continue reading Review: Seussical (Young People’s Theatre) →

Playlistings in Toronto for the week of November 21st

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of November 21st.

This week’s selections truly run the gamut! From a Game of Thrones inspired burlesque, to foul-mouthed French woodswomen, to Korean and Chinese “comfort women” during WWII, to the teen angst of the Snoopy crew. Thankfully — as always — we have an editor on hand to gently suggest a few shows that caught their eye. Our Managing Editor Wayne is here to pick out a few that caught his eye in red text? Check them out below the cut:

Continue reading Playlistings in Toronto for the week of November 21st →

Review: Apollo and Daphne / Enoch Arden (Toronto Masque Theatre)

jwoodley

Double-bill Apollo & Daphne / Enoch Arden features “immensely talented” vocalists in stories about lost love

Apollo & Daphne / Enoch Arden is a double-bill being put on at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse by the Toronto Masque Theatre company this weekend only (Nov 17-19). It features some very in-demand Canadian performers and has raised the bar for this fairly green reviewer.

This is probably the most uncertainty I’ve had going into a production since I started with Mooney this past summer. I honestly had no idea what to expect, but was more than pleased with what I found. Continue reading Review: Apollo and Daphne / Enoch Arden (Toronto Masque Theatre) →

Review: It’s (Kind Of) A Love Story (Tree Of Life Theatre)

cast_photo

Toronto show has potentially great actors lost in “deeply flawed” writing, and reinforces stereotypes

It’s (Kind Of) A Love Story, produced by Tree Of Life Theatre rankled me right away , as it opens with a scene of pure fatphobia. Michael (JaeMoon Lee) is joking to his best friend Alison (Ellie Posadas) about his desire to become “morbidly obese”, which goes on for what felt like five minutes. Thankfully, it elicited no laughs on opening night, as it is far from funny to stigmatize a particular body type. Continue reading Review: It’s (Kind Of) A Love Story (Tree Of Life Theatre) →

Review: The Realistic Joneses (Tarragon Theatre)

jenny_young_patrick_mcmanus_tom_barnett_susan_coyne_in_the_realistic_joneses_photo_by_cylla_von_tiedemann_-_3The Realistic Joneses is “funny” and “quirky”, on stage at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto

The opening night of Will Eno’s The Realistic Joneses, currently at the Tarragon Theatre, had me laughing with its quirky dialogue, feeling for its desperate characters, and wondering exactly how many words make up a life. Judging by the triple-encore ovation at its conclusion, I would hasten to guess everyone else in the Tarragon Mainspace enjoyed it as well.

Continue reading Review: The Realistic Joneses (Tarragon Theatre) →