Toronto is home to Canada's most active English language theatre scene, considered to be the third largest centre for English language theatre in the world, behind New York and London. It also enjoys a lively performing arts scene that ranges from small, independent productions to the hosting of large, international acts.
Leaving the life of the American demimonde for anthropology, survivor guilt and Asian primates is a wild ride for Holly, the ex-showgirl turned wannabe ape rescuer. This detailed reading of Jenn Griffin’s play, The Long Call, directed by Heidi Taylor, IS a wild ride. Funny at times, touching, a little bit menacing—who is Jack, what does he really want, and how is this going to end? I found it really fascinating to be witness to the process of developing this play, as reportedly the actors had only finished a cold-reading, and sound design was ongoing improvisation during this performance....
The lights go down and Madonna's iconic Like a Prayer blasts over the speakers. Salvatore Antonio, in impeccable Madonna-inspired makeup screams out, “Get interpretive, bitches!” and the audience is on their feet; we obey his orders. At this point, we're about half-way through Truth/Dare, a tribute to the iconic documentary of Madonna's 1990-91 tour, and everyone is having a blast, lovingly milking the camp for all it's worth. I don't even like Madonna, so it took me half a song to realize that yes, I do in fact know the words to Papa Don't Preach, and oh hey, yeah Madonna...
Truth / Dare - check it out if you are that brave!
This dark and unsettling tale of revenge from writer/director Jason Maghanoy is not easy to watch, but impossible to look away from. Like Hannah Moscovitch's 2011 Summerworks entry, Little One, Ally and Kev's central characters are a sibling duo with some serious issues - with sister Ally harbouring the bulk of them.
From writer Nicolas Billon and directed by Ravi Jain, Iceland is set largely in a swank downtown Toronto condo and is structured as a series of three narrative monologues each delivered from a spot-lit chair.
Terre Haute marks a stark departure for director Alistair Newton and his company, Ecce Homo. Their trademark style of ironic white-faced cabaret that has served them well in previous Summerworks productions The Pastor Phelps Project and The Ecstasy Of Mother Teresa, is notably absent, replaced by simple and profound naturalism – a choice dictated in part by Edmund White’s dialogue heavy script.
The Canadian Opera Company launches their 2011/2012 season with a visually arresting and chillingly atmospheric production of Gluck’s bright and hauntingly beautiful Iphigenia in Tauris. Under the directorship of Robert Carsen and the baton of Pablo Heras-Casado, this Greek myth turned opera mesmerizes without relent.
Why can’t we just get along? It’s a question that seems to resonate loudly these days; whether it be an apt mantra in the ongoing struggle for peace between Israel and Palestine, a rallying cry for American moderates exhausted by bipartisan bickering in the chambers of congress, or more locally, the defining premise of a damn fine stage comedy presented by Soulpepper Theatre. Imbalanced comparisons aside...
Neil Simon has long been lauded as one of the great comedic playwrights of the last century, and with good reason. He cut his teeth in early television as a writer for Sid...
Hannah's Turn (on now as part of the SummerWorks Festival) sheds light on an intriguing and personal chapter of noted philosopher Martin Heidegger's life. More accurately it sheds light on his relationship with Hannah Arendt (Severn Thompson), Heiddegger's student, lover, and intellectual sparring partner. Although it is never explicitly spelled out in the program notes, it would not be a stretch to assume that the title refers to the fact that Heidegger (Richard Clarkin) overshadowed Arendt in terms of historical renown, and this is work is, in part, intended to give voice to his lesser known companion by placing...
Another modern adaptation of an ancient myth participating in this year's SummerWorks Festival, Hero and Leander drags the tragic tale of two mortal star-crossed lovers who defy the gods into the forum of the Broadway musical with flair and a generous dollop of popular appeal.
Fans of the Greek tragedy genre have a treat on their hands at this year's SummerWorks Festival: duelling adaptations of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, one titled Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, the other simply titled One. The good news for those who aren't fans of Greek tragedy is that both productions are modern, lively, and offer new twists on familiar dramatic material.
