A racy morality play without musical interludes graces the stage at Toronto’s Young Centre for the Performing Arts

Spring Awakening is a great choice for a collegiate theatre program production; most of the young people thinking mostly about success at school, sex, and growing up get to play… young people thinking mostly about success at school, sex, and growing up. For sure the text requires them to dig in a little, but it’s typically forgiving.

Continue reading Review: Spring Awakening (George Brown Theatre) →

Revisit some unforgettable music history at Toronto’s Randolph Theatre

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is a great night you won’t soon forget. It is a celebration of Buddy’s life in particular, and life in general. If you like to smile, dance and clap, call a friend and make plans to head down to The Randolph Theatre in Toronto.

Buddy Holly was an amazing talent who took the world by storm, made it dance, and was killed way before his time. It wasn’t heroin or bullets that killed Buddy. He died in a winter plane crash while on a tour. He went on the tour to provide for his family. The play Buddy really brings this human side of Buddy Holly the person to life. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is a celebration of his life.

Eric Bleyendaal, who plays Buddy, certainly seems to understand that mountain of history. He brings the same self-confidence and conviction to his performance that Buddy brought to his music. He’s onstage most of the time acting, singing and playing guitar. His acting is great, as is his singing. His energy and charisma are enviable, even better than a shot of cappuccino! Continue reading Review: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Lower Ossington Theatre) →

From Press Release

Theatre Passe Muraille
2013/14 Season Announcement

On Monday April 8th, Artistic Director Andy McKim announced Theatre Passe Muraille’s 2013/14 season at the company’s annual fundraising gala event. The season presents a balanced approach of fresh new voices (Rob Kempson, Rosamund Small, Mitchell Cushman) and established theatrical  powerhouses (Louise Pitre, George F. Walker, Linda Griffiths). It also features more than a dash of song and dance.

TPM has always valued a variety of artistic voices and forms. Richard Ouzounian of the Toronto Star said, “Under Andy McKim, Theatre Passe Muraille has become the most totally eclectic theatres in town, offering a home to every kind of work imaginable…it makes for an explosion of joy like nowhere else.” This year the company has gone all out, presenting a new musical, a cabaret, an off-site production, a remount, a new comic drama, a youth theatre production, and a new play with both dance and music. All this in a way that is uniquely TPM. Continue reading Announcement: Theatre Passe Muraille 2013/14 Season →