Sometimes, you just need a good laugh.
Onesies, presented by Daisy Productions, features four one-act comedies that tackle subject matter ranging from infidelity to being too attractive for your own good.
And with a spread this eclectic it doesn’t matter whether your comedic preferences lean more towards smart and sophisticated – or downright crude – you’re sure to see something that tickles your funny bone – even if just a little bit. Continue reading Review: Onesies (Daisy Productions)
In The Art of Building a Bunker, Adam Lazarus and Guillermo Verdecchia explore questions of sensitivity, political correctness and the socially acceptable through the scope of one man’s experience at workplace sensitivity training. This one-man show was previously introduced to the Toronto theatre scene in 2013 at the Summerworks Festival, now bringing a wry, poignant and frequently absurd sense of humour to Factory Theatre’s 45th season.
Lazarus is the “one-man” in question, embodying the tale of Elvis, a guy who has to suffer through the touchy-feely self-reflection of sensitivity training. Elvis can’t stand being there and makes this pretty obvious throughout the whole show through bursts of hilarious improprieties. Aside from Elvis, Lazarus channels the rest of the sensitivity training course participants including the leader, bringing to life a cast of fully realized kooky characters with only the nod of his head or the flick of his wrist.
Continue reading Review: The Art of Building a Bunker (Factory Theatre/Quiptake)
![implorante_3[1]](http://www.mooneyontheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/implorante_31.jpg)
We’ve all experienced that feeling of uncertainty around art. You stand in front of a work, and even though you know it’s good, you don’t know what to do. How to respond? Every now and then, however, you’ll find something that erases the question: You connect — deeply, almost painfully — and suddenly find that you can’t let go.
L’implorante, a collaboration between the well-known Toronto-based choreographer Sylvie Bouchard (co-founder of Dusk Dances) and Claude Guilmain (Le Théâtre la Tangente) currently showing at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, reaches out of the space where great art makes an unanticipated impact. Bouchard plays an unnamed choreographer who responds with unexpected force to a sculpture she finds in Paris, culminating in a moment of total identification and ecstasy.
Continue reading Review: L’Implorante & L’éternel voyage (Harbourfront Centre)
To me, the idea of women inviting their husbands to a meeting of their book club is both intriguing and hilarious. Luckily, playwright Bernard Farrell wrote a play based on this very premise – and although it is undoubtedly a comedy, it can also be considered an in-depth character study. The Toronto Irish Players opened their 40th season last night with Bookworms, which is now playing at the Alumnae Theatre.
For the past 11 years, the lovely ladies and gents of Les Coquettes have wowed and dazzled Toronto audiences with their signature blend of song-and-dance cabaret with tongue-in-cheek burlesque. Their performances taking up residence at Toronto’s Revival Club have sold out year after year and their Halloween and holiday spectacles have become a regular tradition for many.
And now with a bittersweet turn, the fine Coquettes have decided to hang up their garters and stockings with their final show in time for this year’s All Hallow’s Eve. As apropos to the troupe, they’ve decided to go out with a BANG!
With two final nights at the Revival and only four opportunities to see this troupe perform for the last time, be sure to grab your tickets as they’re selling out fast.
Continue reading Preview: Les Coquettes Bid Farewell with a BANG!