When the musical Hair opened 50 years ago, it made a real splash. A sexy, psychedelic, energetic show about young people seeking freedom and love at a time of huge political unrest. Unfortunately, Hart House’s production fails to transport you to that moment. Though littered with a number of good performances and cameos, the performance […]
Bright, wondrous, and bubbly, Seussical, is an odd little show, but one that is filled with positivity and happiness. This enthusiastic group of performers throw everything at the production, and I’d challenge anyone to leave the theatre without a massive grin on their face. Littered with playful and uplifting songs, the musical mixes a number […]
With new theatre, it is sometimes tricky to differentiate between what comes from the original writing and from the production you are viewing. After all, such an early incarnation of a musical will have very few, if any, comparisons by which the production itself can be directly judged. With Hadestown, the two are even more […]
Part cabaret, part musical, Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens is a rowdy sci-fi romp — reminiscent of what a lovechild between Rocky Horror Picture Show and Barbarella would look like. Having been reproduced in both the US and in the UK, this Toronto iteration by Small but Mighty Productions serves it well, though the […]
As part of the Fall 2018 programme, the Lower Ossington Theatre has mounted The Producers! Any chance to see this show in any form should be taken – totally hilarious, pithy, and self-referential, it’s a wonderful show for those well versed in Musical Theatre. However, the nature of the show itself is also great for […]
Watching Mirvish’s production of Ain’t Too Proud was an absolute joy. I am a bigtime Motown music lover, and was so excited for the evening of music and to learn even more about “The Life and Times of The Temptations”. My Motown mix is the most frequently played playlist in my home: its use is […]
A bold new rock musical that brings a contemporary feel to the story of the Bronte sisters, this is a fun and smart piece of work that doesn’t shy away from experimental ideas, and while still a little rough around the edges, is an admirably successful piece of work. There are many parts of this […]
The Music Man The best production at the Stratford Festival this year is an incredibly dated musical with a couple good (not great) songs and a story made of truly silly stuff. But there’s a reason Stratford asks so much of Donna Feore every season- basically handing her their full musical slate and saying “go, […]