This week on the cheap theatre list we have a modern day adaptation Hamlet, an alternative Valentine’s comedic cabaret, a drama-dance piece and two festivals; the Winter Arts Festival and the Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times in Toronto and they are all under $20. 

HAMLET LIVE (Hamlet Live Team). Shakespeare’s tragedy is adapted to a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in this production that can be viewed live onstage or via computer live stream. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 11. $5-$40. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. hamletlive.com.

NO SWEETHEART REQUIRED (Cabbagetown Theatre Company). This alternative Valentine’s cabaret features comedy, dance, music and theatre by Kim Sprenger, Brent Barkley and others. Feb 9-14. $20, Thu & Mon $10. Whistler’s Grille, 995 Broadview. 416-653-5870.

RHUBARB FESTIVAL (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). The new works festival features plays, dance, performance art and more by Damien Atkins, Adam Lazarus, Natasha Mytnowych, the Independent Aunties, Cara Gee and others. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 19. $20 evening pass, Sun pwyc. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

THE GREAT MOUNTAIN by Tracey Power (Red Sky Performance). Drama, dance and movement are used to tell the story of a girl who discovers the power of nature and the importance of courage. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Feb 19. $15-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK THERE?! WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL (Back Burner Productions). Playwrights, musicians, comics, dancers, poets and others showcase their work, featuring Socratic Theatre Collective, Evelyne Russell, random acts of dance and others. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 18. $5-$10 sliding scale. Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen E. facebook.com/events/245691598839371.

How many times and in how many different places have you heard the phrase “To be or not to be, that is the question?” The words are spoken by Hamlet, the son of a murdered king, in what is probably Shakespeare’s most famous play, Hamlet. It has inspired so many cultural adaptations from the Lion King to an episode of The Simpsons, which surely means that most people have been exposed to this enduringly popular story.

Hamlet Live is an adaptation of original Hamlet (from the late 16^th or early 17^th century, depending who you ask), written in the Shakespearean language but with modern day costumes and a post-apocalyptic atmosphere. It’s written and performed in the same vein as the Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio version of Romeo and Juliet, which made it relatable to a 2012 audience.

I have never seen a Shakespeare play before. I’ve actually read Hamlet in high school, along with Shakespeare’s other more famous plays, but always had a teacher to guide me along or someone’s borrowed copy of Coles Notes to help get me by. I wasn’t sure how well I would fare or how much I would understand, but luckily had my English major roommate with me to consult in the case of a Shakespeare emergency.

In case you didn’t read Hamlet in high school, I’ll give you a very brief rundown of the story that is actually Shakespeare’s longest play. Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet, is murdered by his own brother, young Hamlet’s uncle named Claudius, who then goes on to marry the dead king’s wife, Gertrude. King Hamlet’s ghost appears to Hamlet, telling him to exact revenge on Claudius, thus beginning Hamlet’s slow descent into madness.

The cast of Hamlet Live did an excellent job of retelling this well-known story. They made it very understandable so that anyone could enjoy it, whether you were completely new to it (like I was) or a seasoned vet (like my roommate was).

My favourite actor was Ralph Small who played Claudius. He had such a commanding and lively presence while he was on stage that I could barely look away whenever he spoke. Scott McCulloch, who played Polonius, offered a great deal of comic relief in this tragic play, something that the audience thoroughly enjoyed.

What I liked most about this adaptation was the cast’s use of the stage. Characters would often enter, or exit, the stage past behind where the audience was sitting, making for a unique theatre experience. But perhaps the best part of all was the cast’s use of suspended pieces of fabric that hung from the ceiling. These long pieces of fabric were tied and knotted and the cast members would shimmy up them and perform elaborate acrobatic sequences that were mesmerizing to watch. Hamlet would knot and climb his way to the top and perch high above Claudius as he performed a monologue while Ophelia would use it one as a swing when she had begun to lose her mind.

The best use of these strands of fabric was a duel between Hamlet and Laertes, the son of slain Polonius who wanted to avenge his own father’s murder. Each actor tied themselves onto separate strands of fabric in positions that became increasingly difficult, with each being more impressive than the last. As they fenced from the air in unbelievable positions, I was beyond impressed by their strength and ability to deliver their lines while in such compromising positions!

I highly recommend seeing this play if you are able to. If you can’t make it to the theatre, the play offers a live stream that can be watched from your computer, truly making this a modern day experience that is completely unforgettable.

Details:
- Hamlet Live is playing at the Annex Theatre on 730 Bathurst
- The show runs from January 26 until February 11
- Ticket prices range from $5-$40
- Tickets are available online or at (416) 538-1772
Photo by Christos Tsirbas

Combining the extraordinary talents of two actors and one musician, The Double is a unique tale of one man’s struggle with his own personal identity and neurosis. Produced by the Dora Award-winning company TheatreRun, and based on an original adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novella, this highly impressive display of physical theatre is worth seeing even a second time.

Set in the intimate setting of Factory Theatre’s studio, the story opens with the charming narrator holding his upright bass, a unique instrument in itself. Played by Arif Mirabdolbaghi, an already young and well-established musician from Protest The Hero, the bass also acts as a female character, known to the audience as Clara.

As the story unfolds, we meet Mr. Golyadkin, played by the multi-talented Adam Paolozza, also the director and creator of the show. The opening scene in which Mr. Golyadkin creates the illusion of walking forward on stage, with effective lighting above, was just a taste of what the audience was going to be in for.

Adam Paolozza, clearly accomplished in the art of miming, was absolutely phenomenal in the role of Mr. Golyadkin. We feel his torment from the beginning right up until his downward spiral. At times heroic, at other times spineless, Paolozza creates for us in Mr. Golyadkin a very human character.

Co-performer Viktor Lukawski was just as brilliant. With his impeccable timing and delivery, Lukawski appears scene after scene transformed into various characters, each uniquely fashioned. His role as “doctor” had some of the most memorable moments. He and Paolozza had tremendous chemistry and the mastery of their crafts made for an engaging show from beginning to end.

The lighting design was highly effective, enhancing the various illusions on stage and adding to the jazzy and vaudeville-type atmosphere.

The set was simple, but who needs a set when you have masterful mime artists creating it all for you? This show was about the characters and its story, the interesting interplay between the music, and the remarkable acting performances.

This cast of three delivers a multi-disciplinary powerhouse performance. Deemed a dark, comedic satire, this world premiere of The Double, presented by TheatreRun, is one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen in while and definitely worth venturing out to see.

Details

-The Double produced by TheatreRun runs to February 19^th, 2012 from Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm at Factory Studio Theatre (125 Bathurst Street).

-Tickets cost $20 on Tuesday, $25 on Wednesday-Thursday and $28 on Friday and Saturdays with discounts available for students, seniors and groups. Pay What You Can on Sundays.

-Ticket Purchases can be done by calling the Factory Theatre box office at 416-504-9971 or online at www.factorytheatre.ca.

-More information is available at www.theatrerun.wordpress.com

Photo of Arif Mirabdolbaghi and Adam Paolozza taken by Lacey Creighton

I won’t lie, the show I was most hoping would be announced at today’s launch was The Book of Mormon. Obviously I was not the only one. It was the first show announced, and in the opening bars of the music, before a word was spoken, the audience erupted into cheers.

The Book of Mormon (brought to us by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park and Team America fame) will be playing at Mirvish in the coming year. There are a few other shows that I’m personally pretty excited about, like La Cage Aux Folles, and Honeymoon in Vegas.

Below you’ll find more details on the season, and some pictures from the launch to whet your appetite.

Jason Robert Brown treating us to a taste of Honeymoon in Vegas

I was a little surprised to be excited about Honeymoon in Vegas. It came from listening to Jason Robert Brown playing the piano and singing some songs we could expect from the show. It felt like old fashioned jazzy musical fun to me, which is the kind of thing I love.

Mr. Danza making me swoon, singing from Honeymoon

And, yes, I’d decided I wanted to see it *before* they announced the cast would include Tony Danza. That just sweetened the pot. Oh, and made my teenage-self squeal with delight. My 36 year old self couldn’t help noticing he’s even dreamier with salt and pepper hair. Plus, it turns out he can sing, which is a nice added bonus.

The theme this year seems to be musicals that were movies first.

Dorothy and Toto

One of the ‘movie first’ offerings is The Wizard of Oz. In case you’re thinking ‘yeah yeah, been there, done that’ this is the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice re-imagined version, not the standard stage version that’s been around forever.

This one will still have the songs you remember, but with some additional stuff, to make it more ‘stage friendly’. That translates to more big musical numbers, and songs for all the major characters. It probably also translates to a much more fun stage show.

In the ‘from movies’ category, there is also Backbeat, Flashdance, Sister Act, and of course, the aforementioned La Cage Aux Folles and Honeymoon in Vegas.

Sister Act Singers

In fact, of the eight shows on offer this season, only two of them do not have a companion movie. Those are The Book of Mormon, and the greatly anticipated new Canadian musical Bloodless, a Theatre 20 production directed by Colm Wilkinson.

I think this is going to be a pretty great season, might be time to snatch up your season subscription, even if it’s just to guarantee yourself a ticket to The Book of Mormon, which has been sold out on Broadway basically since it opened. It’s going to be a tough one to get a ticket for. Plus you’ll get the bonus of a bunch of other really great looking shows.

See the press release below for details on each show:

DAVID MIRVISH presents

THE 2012-2013 MIRVISH SUBSCRIPTION

THEATRE SEASON

6 Great Musicals

Canadian Premiere THE BOOK OF MORMON

North American Premiere BACKBEAT

Canadian Premiere LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

Canadian Premiere SISTER ACT

World Premiere HONEYMOON IN VEGAS

North American Premiere THE WIZARD OF OZ

Plus Bonus Shows –

FLASHDANCE and BLOODLESS

David Mirvish is delighted to announce the 2012-2013 Mirvish Subscription Theatre Season. The subscription season consists of six shows. In addition, there are two shows off-subscription that will be available to Mirvish subscribers on a priority basis and at special prices.

Background to the Mirvish Subscription

Mirvish subscriptions were first offered more than 40 years ago by “Honest” Ed Mirvish, soon after he bought the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The program has now grown to include three other magnificent theatres in downtown Toronto, in addition to the Royal Alex – the Princess of Wales, the Ed Mirvish, (formerly the Canon), and the Panasonic. The Mirvish subscription has become Toronto’s most popular entertainment choice and draws theatre-goers from all over Ontario and the United States. It’s now one of the largest theatre subscriptions in North America!

The 2012-2013 Subscription Season Shows

(in chronological order)

BACKBEAT

Directed by David Leveaux
Written by Iain Softley and Stephen Jeffreys
Based on the Universal Pictures Film

JULY/AUGUST 2012

DIRECT FROM LONDON

BACKBEAT is the story of how the Beatles ‘became’ the Beatles—when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe embarked on their journey from the famous docks of Liverpool to search for success in the seedy red light district of Hamburg.

The compelling triangular relationship between the band’s original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, the striking German photographer Astrid Kirchherr with whom he fell in love, and his best friend John Lennon, became an intrinsic part of The Beatles’ story—and put them on an unstoppable trajectory onto the world stage.

Directed by the award-winning David Leveaux, BACKBEAT features all-time rock ‘n’ roll classics including Love Me Do, PS I Love You, Twist & Shout, Rock ‘N’ Roll Music, Long Tall Sally, Please Mr Postman and Money—live on stage as performed by The Beatles.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Directed by Terry Johnson
Choreographed by Lynne Page

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012

DIRECT FROM BROADWAY

WINNER! 2010 TONY AWARD^® for BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL

WELCOME TO LA CAGE AUX FOLLES! Winner of three 2010 Tony^® Awards, including the award for BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL, this hilarious new production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES was the biggest hit of the 2010 Broadway season, leaving audiences in stitches night after night!

LA CAGE starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber, tells the story of Georges (George Hamilton), the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin (Christopher Sieber), who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges’ son brings his fiancée’s conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly! LA CAGE is a tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together… stay fabulous… and above all else, stay true to themselves!

With a glorious score of hummable melodies and a dynamite cast featuring the “notorious and dangerous Cagelles,” LA CAGE is an indisputable musical comedy classic… and this extraordinary new version shows you why!
 

SISTER ACT
Book by Cheri & Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Directed by Jerry Zaks
Choreographed by Anthony Van Laast

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012

DIRECT FROM BROADWAY

SISTER ACT is Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash! The New York Post calls it “RIDICULOUSLY FUN,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar^®-winner ALAN MENKEN (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, SISTER ACT is reason to REJOICE!
 

HONEYMOON IN VEGAS
Starring Tony Danza as Tommy Korman
Book by Andrew Berman
Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Directed by Gary Griffin
Choreographed by Denis Jones

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

WORLD PREMIERE

Get ready for Toronto’s biggest new jackpot! HONEYMOON IN VEGAS is an irresistible new musical comedy based on the hilarious film! It tells the story of Jack, a regular guy with an irregular fear of marriage. When his girlfriend Betsy puts the pressure on, Jack finally pops the question and they head to Sin City for a whirlwind wedding weekend! But the moment card shark Tommy catches a glimpse of the stunning bride-to-be, he challenges Jack to a “friendly” poker game that puts an unexpected – and uproarious – hitch in the nuptial plans.

Featuring a book by the film’s original screenwriter Andrew Bergman, a score by TonyAward^®-winner Jason Robert Brown (Parade) and direction by Gary Griffin (The Color Purple), this dazzling new musical has everything from showgirls to show-stoppers to a troupe of skydiving Elvises. Odds are you’re gonna love it!

THE WIZARD OF OZ
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E Y Harburg
Original Background Music by Herbert Stothart
Additional Music and Adaptation by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Additional Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by Jeremy Sams
Choreographed by Arlene Phillips

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

DIRECT FROM LONDON

“We’re off to see….”

The most magical adventure of them all.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the award-winning creative team that recently delighted Toronto audiences of all ages with the revival of The Sound of Music.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar^®-winning movie score, all the favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family

THE BOOK OF MORMON
Book, Music & Lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
Co-directed by Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw
Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw

 MAY/JUNE 2013

DIRECT FROM BROADWAY

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, “South Park.” Tony Award^®-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q. The musical is choreographed by Tony Award^® -winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony^® Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, Best Music (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Lyrics (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Director (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Actor in a Musical (Josh Gad) and Best Director (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker) and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Brian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus. Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus.

BONUS SHOWS – Save up to 45%

More Great Shows NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2012-2013 SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE

Every season we offer our subscribers extra attractions that are not part of the Subscription Package. But subscribers have the best access to tickets at the best prices!

FLASHDANCE
Book by Tom Hedley and Robert Cary
Music by Robbie Roth
Lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth
Directed and Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2012

PRE BROADWAY NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

The Mirvish Subscription Theatre season is honored to welcome home creative team members and Torontonians Tom Hedley, Sergio Trujillo and Robbie Roth with the North American debut of their new musical FLASHDANCE on its road to Broadway

FLASHDANCE tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of Alex Owens, a working-class girl from Pittsburgh with a dream of becoming a professional dancer. She works by day as a steel mill welder, and a bar dancer at night while aspiring to be accepted at a prestigious ballet academy. When Alex catches the eye of her boss Nick Hurley, their romance shows her the meaning of love and drives her ambition to pursue her dream.

The original Paramount Pictures film was a worldwide smash hit that became a pop culture phenomenon, grossing over $150 million and featuring a Grammy Award-winning soundtrack. FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL features a score including the hit songs from the movie, all of which became Top Ten hits on the radio around the world including the Academy Award-winning title song “Flashdance – What a Feeling,” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” “I Love Rock & Roll.” In addition to these hits, 16 brand new original songs have been written for the stage by Robbie Roth and Robert Cary.

FLASHDANCE features a book by Tom Hedley (co-writer of the original screenplay with Joe Eszterhas), and Robert Cary, music by Robbie Roth, lyrics by Robert Cary and Robbie Roth and direction and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis).

BLOODLESS
Book, Music and Lyrics by Joseph Aragon
Directed by Colm Wilkinson
A THEATRE 20 Production

BEGINS OCTOBER 2012

TORONTO PREMIERE

A morbidly entertaining new Canadian musical based on the true story of the West Port murders.

BLOODLESS marks the directorial debut of internationally renowned performer Colm Wilkinson and the launch production of Theatre 20’s inaugural season. A wickedly entertaining musical spectacle, BLOODLESS tells the true story of two 19^th century Irish serial killers who go into business selling corpses to anatomy schools in Edinburgh.

Reminiscent of Sweeney Todd, this raucous, eerie tale of deceit, murder, and mayhem is told in memorable song, macabre humour, and compelling lyrics.

2012-2013 MIRVISH SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW ON SALE

The six-show package is priced at only $129 to $589.

Phone 416-593-4225 or 1-800-771-3933

Subscription Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Online: www.mirvish.com

Already covered by MoT

A BRIMFUL OF ASHA by Asha and Ravi Jain (Why Not Theatre). An Indo-Canadian man discovers that his Indian vacation is actually a wife-seeking scheme by his parents. Previews Jan 24-25. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 18. $18-$22, stu/previews $15-$19. Tarragon Theatre, ExtraExtra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

ALL IN THE TIMING by David Ives (Down n’ Out Productions). This collection of six one-act plays emphasizes theatrical invention, word play and humour. Opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 12. $55 (includes dinner), mat pwyc (show only). Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. 416-597-0227 ext 2.

**CAROLINE, OR CHANGE by Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori (Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre). A black maid and the son of her Jewish employer struggle with extraordinary life changes in this musical. Previews Jan 21-22. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 12. $32-$45. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, actingupstage.com. 

CRUEL AND TENDER by Martin Crimp (Canadian Stage). A general fighting a war in Africa sends a local woman back home to his pampered wife in this modern update of Sophocles’ Trachiniae. Previews Jan 21-25. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 18. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

DRACULA – A LOVE STORY by Sharyl Hudson (Brant Theatre Workshops). Follow actors through the castle’s historic halls in this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel. Opens Jan 20 and runs to Feb 11. $34-$66. Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. 647-725-1822, casaloma.org.

**KIM’S CONVENIENCE by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). A Korean family in Toronto struggles with a bitter past and reconciliation. Previews Jan 12-18. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 11. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

LOVE FROM AFAR by Kaija Saariaho (Canadian Opera Company). A 12th-century French troubadour has a long-distance love affair with a woman in Tripoli through a pilgrim who takes their messages back and forth. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 22. $12-$318. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

**PENNY PLAIN by Ronnie Burkett (Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes). A reclusive old woman’s sanctuary is disrupted by a chaotic outside world. Previews Jan 20-22. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 26. $38-$55, previews $30. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

**THE BLUE DRAGON by Robert Lepage (Mirvish). The life of a Canadian expat living in Shanghai is turned upside down by two women in this multilingual dance-theatre piece. Previews Jan 10. Opens Jan 11 and runs to Feb 19. $25-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. mirvish.com.

THE GOLDEN DRAGON by Roland Schimmelpfennig (Tarragon Theatre). A restaurant’s kitchen staff help an illegal immigrant search for his lost sister. Previews Jan 10-17. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 19. $20-$51. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com. 

THE WHO’S TOMMY by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff (UC Follies). A traumatized boy discovers his talent for pinball in this rock musical. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 11. $25, stu/srs $15. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

**TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). A passionate woman is caught in a web of corruption, lust and betrayal in this Italian opera. Opens Jan 21 and runs to Feb 25. $12-$318. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca. 

VISITING MR. GREEN by Jeff Baron (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). A court orders a young executive to visit an elderly widower after he nearly runs him down in his car. Previews Jan 28-30. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 18. $39.50-$69.50. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, hgjewishtheatre.com.

And the rest…

A NEW HOPE by Shelley Hamilton and Stan Christie (Shelley Hamilton Productions). Hamilton performs her solo play about the first African-Canadian communities in Canada in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Arts Fund. Opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 26. $25. ING Direct Café, 221 Yonge. 416-826-6855.

AT THE WRECKING BALL V Ambitious Enterprises presents short works by Kate Holden & Joshua Van Tassel, Julia Male & Zazu Myers, Jacob Niedzwiecki and others. Feb 9-12. $15, stu/srs $12. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-988-8462, thewreckingball.wordpress.com.

BE MEIN VALENTINE! (Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque). The troupe performs a show in the tradition of Weimar Republic Berlin with Boylesque T.O. and others. Feb 10. $25-$30.Gladstone Hotel, Ballroom, 1214 Queen W. bemeinvalentine2012.eventbrite.com.

BETWEEN A WORD AND A THOUGHT: SONGS BY ZACHARY FLORENCE (Acting Up Stage Dark Night Cabaret Series). The works of Zachary Florence are performed by Thom Allison, Eric Craig, Sara Farb, Gabi Epstein and Susan Henley. Feb 6 at 8 pm. $20. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, actingupstage.com.

DANCES OF OFFERING Pegasus Studios presents dance by Janice Pomer, Nicola Pantin, Lisa Weiler and others to benefit the Paediatric Ambulatory Clinic at Toronto East General Hospital. Feb 12 at 5 pm. $35, child $25. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. dancesofoffering.myevent.com.

DIVISADERO: A PERFORMANCE based on the novel by Michael Ondaatje (Necessary Angel/the Film Farm). A family is forever changed by a violent event in this musical adaptation about memory, identity and love. Previews Feb 8. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 26. $25-$35, preview $10, Sun pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, necessaryangel.com.

FUNKYLAND (Famous People Players). The blacklight theatre company presents a twist on Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Apr 28. $62, srs $56, child $40 (includes meal). 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

GOLDILOX & THE BEARS by Sue T Plyte and Dave B Harris (Nags Players). This English-style pantomime tale is loosely based on the children’s story. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 11. $10-$20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 647-338-6247, nagsplayers.com.

HAMLET LIVE (Hamlet Live Team). Shakespeare’s tragedy is adapted to a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in this production that can be viewed live onstage or via computer live stream. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 11. $5-$40. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. hamletlive.com.

HUGHIE by Eugene O’Neill (The Alley Theatre Workshop). A night clerk at a NYC hotel hears a small-time hustler’s tale of woe in this one-act play. Previews Feb 7. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Mar 3. $25, stu/srs $20. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988.

ILOVE – A ROMANTIC DOT COMEDY Second City presents a comedic play about relationships in the age of social networking. Mon 8 pm. $12. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

IN THE HEIGHTS by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes (Dancap Productions). Theatre, music and dance are used to tell the stories of residents of a hip Latino neighbourhood in NYC. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 19. $51-$165. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.

JAMRA Harbourfront Centre, Arabesque and Small World Music present a contemporary production inspired by the dances of the nomadic peoples of Egypt, Turkey, North Africa, Iran and Lebanon. Feb 9-12. $35-$45, srs $30-$40, stu $15. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, arabesquedance.ca.

KICKSTART: 6 CHOREOGRAPHERS PUSHING BOUNDARIES Canasian Dance Festival presents new works by Emily Cheung, Susan Lee, Hiroshi Miyamoto, Tomomi Morimoto, Meena Murugesan and William Yong. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 11. $22, stu/srs $18. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-504-7529, canasiandancefestival.com.

LATIN LOVE VALENTINE CELEBRATION (Aluna Theatre). This funder for an upcoming project features music, dancing, finger food and more. Feb 10 at 7:30 pm. $35-$40. Lambadina, 875 Bloor W. 416-536-2148, alunatheatre.ca.

LOVE LETTERS Vanessa Young and PSE present choreography by Pastel Supernova about heartache, lust, bisexuality and more. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 9. $25-$60. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas W. loveletters.pastelsupernova.com.

MAN 2 MAN by Kwame Stephens (Hart House). A confident man in his 20s meets a man in his 40s who is coming to terms with his sexuality. Feb 7 at 7:30 pm. Free. Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. harthouse.ca/student-engagement/man-2-man.

MARATHON ’33 by June Havoc (Ryerson Theatre School). Fading celebrities and the jobless looks for cash prizes at marathon dance competitions in the 1930s. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 15. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

NO SWEETHEART REQUIRED (Cabbagetown Theatre Company). This alternative Valentine’s cabaret features comedy, dance, music and theatre by Kim Sprenger, Brent Barkley and others. Feb 9-14. $20, Thu & Mon $10. Whistler’s Grille, 995 Broadview. 416-653-5870.

POTTED POTTER by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner (Starvox Entertainment/Potted Productions). Clarkson and Turner use costumes, props and music to perform all seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes. Previews Feb 11-12. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 4. $29.95-$99.95. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 1-800-461-3333, mirvish.com.

PVT. WARS by John McLure (Red One Theatre Collective/Hinson’s Radio Co-op). Three Vietnam vets at an army hospital discuss their physical and emotional wounds. Previews Feb 8-9. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 19. $20. Studio 561, 561 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

RHUBARB FESTIVAL (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). The new works festival features plays, dance, performance art and more by Damien Atkins, Adam Lazarus, Natasha Mytnowych, the Independent Aunties, Cara Gee and others. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 19. $20 evening pass, Sun pwyc. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

SALVATION (Les Coquettes). The cabaret theatre company presents burlesque, music and more about the agony and ecstasy of romance. Feb 12 at 7 and 10 pm. $15-$35. Revival, 783 College. lescoquettes.com.

SANCTUARY SONG by Abigail Richardson-Schulte and Marjorie Chan (Theatre Direct). This opera for young people looks at the journey of an Asian elephant from captivity to freedom. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 20. $10-$20 (ZooCheck benefit $50-$100 at zoocheck.com).Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie. 416-537-4191, theatredirect.ca.

SPRING ’12 MAINSTAGE REVUE Second City presents previews of the upcoming revue, featuring a collection of sketches, songs and improvisations. Tue-Sat 8 pm (plus Fri-Sat 10:30 pm), Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

SUMMERTIME IN FEBRUARY (The Theatre Elusive). Sage Tyrtle, Marilla Wex, Alex Nursall and other performers tell stories in this benefit for LGBT Youth Line Ontario. Feb 11 at 8 pm. $tba. 1078 Dovercourt. thetheatreelusive.com.

THE DOUBLE by Fyodor Dostoevsky (TheatreRUN). A man tries desperately to fit in with a grotesque society in this multidisciplinary adaptation. Previews Feb 2. Opens Feb 3 and runs to Feb 19. $20-$28, preview/Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971,theatrerun.wordpress.com.

THE GOD OF HELL by Sam Shepard (Unit 102 Actors Company). A small-town couple’s peaceful life is undone by a friend in trouble and a patriotic stranger in this post-9/11 tragic farce. Feb 1-11. $12-$15 (email unit102tix@gmail.com for adv tickets). Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. unit102theatre.com.

THE GREAT MOUNTAIN by Tracey Power (Red Sky Performance). Drama, dance and movement are used to tell the story of a girl who discovers the power of nature and the importance of courage. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Feb 19. $15-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

THE MAN OF MODE by George Etherege (George Brown College Theatre School). This Restoration drama satirizes the behaviour of the libertines, courtiers and wits of 17th-century London. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 18. $18, srs $12, stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666.

THE RAG BAG CABARET (Rachelle Elie). This evening of comedy, burlesque, music, dance and circus arts features Sandra Shamas, Les Coquettes, Elie and others and will raise funds for vocational training for women in Kenya. Feb 9 at 8 pm. $20. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. 416-531-5042, crowningmonkey@yahoo.ca.

THE SOAPS The National Theatre of the World presents a weekly improvised soap opera. Thu 8 pm. Pwyc. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. thenationaltheatreoftheworld.com.

THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE by Charles Busch (Amicus Productions). A depressed woman is roused by the arrival of a childhood friend, who then becomes an unwanted permanent houseguest. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 11. $20, stu/srs $18. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-860-6176.

**WAR HORSE based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford (National Theatre of Great Britain/Mirvish). An English boy sets out to find his horse after it’s sold to the cavalry and shipped off to France during WWI. Previews Feb 10-27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Jun 30. $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK THERE?! WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL (Back Burner Productions). Playwrights, musicians, comics, dancers, poets and others showcase their work, featuring Socratic Theatre Collective, Evelyne Russell, random acts of dance and others. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 18. $5-$10 sliding scale. Dominion on Queen, 500 Queen E. facebook.com/events/245691598839371.

YOU WON’T BE HERE (TOMORROW) by James Fanizza (Theatre In Spite Of). Workshop performance of a drama about two estranged sisters who reunite after one of them quits rehab. Feb 10-12. $20. Odyssey Studio, 636 Pape. info@theatreinspiteof.com.

ZERO HOUR by Jim Brochu (Lia and Danna Matthow). This solo show looks at the art, humour, temper and wit of Jewish artist Zero Mostel. Previews Feb 8. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 11. $59-$69.50. Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 1-855-985-2787, zerohourshow.com.

ZONE by Marcel Dubé (Théâtre français de Toronto/Théâtre la Catapulte). A group of young criminals mix love, dreams and violence in 50s Montreal. Previews Feb 1-2. Opens Feb 3 and runs to Feb 12. $33-$57, srs $28-$57. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*

Just in time for Valentine’s Day – a love story that “has crossed oceans of time to find you”, set in no better backdrop than Toronto’s own castle, Casa Loma. It is dark, gothic and eternally beautiful; it is the story of Dracula re-imagined by Sharyl Hudson for Brant Theatre Workshops. Hudson takes the classic Bram Stoker masterpiece and brings it to life utilizing the stunning rooms of the first and second floor of Casa Loma.

As a long-time fan of the traditional vampire story, one that the literary geniuses of Bram Stoker and Anne Rice breathed life into, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to attend this performance. The perfect accompaniment would be to attend this performance at Casa Loma, an attraction I had only previously gone to once when I was a lot younger and which my boyfriend Bob hadn’t seen before.

The play follows Bram Stoker’s novel almost perfectly. It’s the story of Prince Vlad Dracul, a Romanian warlord who renounces God and the Church after his beloved wife commits suicide at the wrongful news of his death. He is reborn a vampire and many years later is captivated and enthralled by a woman, Mina Harker, who he is certain is his wife reincarnated. In order to bring his love into his eternal existence, he sets upon separating Mina from her own true love Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer, by first calling him away to Transylvania and imprisoning him then commencing on a path of seduction and terror to win Mina over.

A good portion of the story is told over a series of flashbacks in the form of letters and journal entries from both Mina and Jonathan, expertly and seamlessly brought to life by this incredible cast. The cast in question is a star-studded ensemble that includes Paul Amato as Professor Van Helsing, John Tench as Dracula, Brock Johnson as Doctor Seward, among others.

I must say hats off to this entire cast who throw themselves into this performance in many ways. Not only is the performance highly and physically active with much of the cast running around to make cues throughout the rooms and halls with some getting shot at and also having to deal with that odd element of ushering the crowd from room to room, but as well performing operatic songs both accompanied and a cappella of a calibre I haven’t heard in a long time. The songs written for the show by Bill Sewers are remarkable, captivating and incredibly haunting. A few standout vocal performances include Emily Wick (who plays Lucy Westenra), Elizabeth Rose-Moriss (as Mina), and Dracula’s Brides (Heather Chwastiak, Chrissi Chau, and Charly Buck).

I must also give accolade to Paul Amato who pulled off one of the better portrayals of Professor Van Helsing I’ve seen since Sir Anthony Hopkins took the role in the 1992 movie, Dracula.

Considering the full scope of the performance, I have to mention a bit of the staging elements that I felt could have been tighter. During the opening and closing scenes done in the parlour, with the cast in different parts of the room, often behind the crowd, it was a bit difficult to hear the dialogue and slight microphone amplification could have helped. Bear in mind that as you travel through the castle during the performance, your standing position in the different rooms (and you will be standing throughout a good portion of the show) may determine how well you see the performance.

It’s a theatrical experience unlike any you’ve experienced before. A classic story brought to life in a setting that is surreal – bringing you right into heart of the story, this rendition of Dracula is not one you will soon forget. For a truly unique Valentine’s Day experience, make this performance part of your evening.

Details

- Dracula: A Love Story is playing at Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace) on February 3-4, 10 and 13-14.
- A special Valentine’s Day package is included with the shows on February 13 and 14, with the addition of champagne and Carpathian chocolate fountain.
- Tickets are $34 and $66 for the Valentine’s Day special and can be purchased by calling 647-725-1822.

Photo of Paul Amato as Professor Van Helsing by Sharyl Hudson

It’s All In The Timing at Toronto’s historic Campbell House Museum

Campbell House Museum is a venue that is ripe with possibility. The Georgian-style home is serving up a delectable dinner theatre with All in the Timing, which also serves as part of Toronto’s Winterlicious celebration.

All in the Timing is a series of 5 sketches/short plays , all written by playwright David Ives. Campbell House teamed up with Down n’ Out Productions to make this rare dinner theatre experience happen downtown.

Timing itself is a big part of this production as scenes are punctuated by a series of “dings” from a service bell. It was clever from a production that could use only the light dimmers and the furniture around them. I was surprised by how much the house was made to accommodate the performance rather than the other way around.

I was under the impression that the show was to begin at 7:30 but it was 8 minutes before 8:00 before it actually got going. There were also major pauses between each piece as the actors set up. So this was now a show that was two hours long after a lengthy dinner and was fighting itself with 10- or 15-minute gaps between scenes. The good news was this crowd had a few glasses of wine and cared less about the content and more about the laughs, although the numbers of participants seemed to diminish as the night grew on.

So rather than being one cohesive narrative, it was a series of short scenes and, due to this, it resembled more of a sketch comedy type of show then an actual play. My date Mia and I quite enjoyed the staging.

The first scene was called “Sure Thing” and it was a scene about a young man and woman meeting for the first time. It relied heavily on the aforementioned service bell. Each misfire by the man or woman caused the bell to ding and the players jump back to the moment before the misstep. Mia loved this clever staging in this scene and so did I. There was a good amount of quick precision here that served the scene. I was surprised by the amount of swearing for a dinner theatre in this scene and the ones that followed.

The next scene was in the living room area, a piece called “Variations on the Death of Trotsky.” Here, 1940s author Leon Trotsky, with an axe in his head, learns about the misfortune of his own death. This scene was the most absurd (kind of reminiscent of the work of Sam Shepard) and for that reason I think it was my favourite.

The next piece was called “Words, Words, Words” and Mia and I each found this our least favourite. It was a musing on writers as performing monkeys. I kind of felt like it was a piece about writers, for writers. Which I guess means I should of liked it but the feeling for me felt more like, “Yeah…I get it.” The reference jokes felt dated.

Mia’s favourite scene was the next one, entitled “Philadelphia”. She liked the idea that each city has a feel and that you can carry that feeling around in your life. At about this point in the show, I was desperately craving some Canadian content in such a historical place and instead, I had young actors imitating American accents. A cute idea in theory, but the scene itself didn’t do much for me.

The final piece was cleverly written and the strongest. It was a great testament to the amount of work and preparation an actor does! Called “The Universal Language,” it was 20 minutes performed entirely in gibberish. But it was a very precise gibberish and the audience was blown away by the actors’ detail and precise timing. Definitely an impressive ending for the evening.

I loved the idea of this show and I really want to commend the cast and all those involved in making it happen. I just didn’t love the content itself. It felt very early nineties to me. For all of the creative possibilities of the space, the show itself felt a bit tired and uninspired. I really wanted it to work, but it just didn’t quite for me. There just was nothing fresh about this piece.

The real star of this piece is the museum itself and I have to say it overshadowed the play. I’m so bummed because I wanted to love it more. But if you want to do an American play from 20 years ago, why do it here? If your aim is to create a dinner theatre environment at Campbell House, why not complement the rich Canadiana atmosphere with work from Norm Foster or Sharon Pollock? Or if you want slightly absurdist comedy from the 90s that is easily staged, Daniel MacIvor’s got tons.

I just left feeling that this play didn’t deserve such a great Canadian historical landmark. That said, it is a wonderful reason to visit one of Toronto’s most intriguing and historical spaces and clearly creates a good night out. That is surely worth the price of admission.

Details:

Runs to Feb 12. Door opens at 6:00 pm for dinner at 6:30 pm;
evening ends about 8:30 – 9 pm
$55 including HST and gratuity
Tickets available by telephone: 416-597-0227 ext 2

The heartbreaking story of Matthew Shepard is told in The Laramie Project at Toronto Centre for the Arts

Matthew Shepard was found tied to a fence post in rural Wyoming, face caked with dried blood.

Under his eyes, some of the blood had washed away – it appeared as though Mr. Shepard had been crying, a witness noted.

The Laramie Project – playing until February 5^th at the Toronto Centre for the Arts – attempts to put the kidnapping and beating that left Mr. Shepard for dead into some context.

The “project” that the title refers to, is the personal reporting, including an exhaustive number of interviews with the residents of Laramie, Wyoming, by nine members of the Tectonic Theatre Project. Led by Moises Kaufman, they went to Wyoming, shortly after the death of Mr. Shepard.

Around that time, the attack on Mr. Shepard was getting national attention.

 And in the Encore production, the show opens with a video clip projected on a screen behind the actors of network coverage of the story. It ends with a heart-rending statement from Matthew’s parents, read by a doctor attending to their son.

Though I had seen The Laramie Project once before, I don’t remember being so close to tears so often.

There is, for example, a scene in the first half of the show in which the discovery of Mr. Shepard on the fencepost is described, that had me holding my forehead.

It was genuinely overpowering, at times.

And then, in the second half of The Laramie Project, which runs nearly two-and-a-half hours with an intermission, the medical updates that punctuate the action had me gritting my teeth with sympathy.

“They’re pretty good for amateurs, aren’t they?” said the woman beside me, her arms crossed, when I asked her opinion of the performance.

Amateurs?

“Yeah – look at in the credits, it says what their day job is,” she replied, then abruptly turned to chat with a clutch of women beside her.

Amateur is definitely not how I’d describe the acting. But, she was right: the performers do have other jobs. Aaron Sidenberg, for example, is a police officer and travel salesman. Mario D’Alimonte, the director, is a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Other members of the cast, all of whom play multiple parts in The Laramie Project, include: Alison DeGrazia; Derick Evans; Lucy Everleigh; Avra Fainer; Graham Fleming; Monique Renaud; and Luke Slade.

Merle Garbe is credited as the producer and, Linda Ramsay as stage manager.

It’s a show that really hit me hard. And on that basis, I’d recommend it.

Details

– The Laramie Project is playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (5040 Yonge Street)
– Remaining performances are Saturday, February 4^th at 7:30 and Sunday, February 5^th at 1:30
– Tickets cost between $28.00 and $29.50
– Tickets are available at the box office, or by calling 1-855-985-2787

The Canadian Opera Company’s production of Love from Afar was a decadent feast for the eyes, rich with highly evocative contemporary music. This 21^st century opera was written by Kaija Saariaho of Finland and is the COC’s first mainstage production written by a female composer. The opera has received a great deal of critical acclaim and has quickly become one the most performed operatic works of this century.

The COC’s production is directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, who is most known for his direction of the Cirque du Soleil production Corteo and the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Torino Olympic Games. His background in this type of spectacular direction was very evident in this production.

The use of aerial acrobatics was one of the most visually arresting and stylish features of the production. Acrobatics on the stage, often accompanied by the use of flowing, colourful pieces of fabric, were also used throughout the show.

The acrobats represented the spiritual or symbolic selves of the three characters in the piece. The gorgeous costumes and magnificent set were also of vital importance to the visual magic and elegance of this piece. This was certainly one of the most visually captivating productions I have ever seen.

I was unfamiliar with the music of Kaija Saariaho prior to seeing this opera but I will definitely familiarize myself with her work now. From the first strains of the overture she managed to draw the listener into a world that was fantastical, idyllic, and foreboding; brilliantly capturing the themes of the opera. The story is set in medieval times and contemporary harmonies were artfully interwoven with medieval melodic motifs and flavour.

This production also featured an all-Canadian cast and it was inspiring to see and hear the level of talent this country has to offer. The renowned Russell Braun’s delightfully robust baritone voice is always a pleasure. His vocal talent is certainly matched by his dramatic flair and graceful command of stage movement.

Soprano Erin Wall, in addition to having a colourful and nuanced tone, also has remarkable agility. She executed some truly amazing pianissimos which remained light and free while reaching every corner of the venue. Achieving this effect is certainly not as easy as she made it sound.

Mezzo-Soprano Krisztina Szabó has a remarkable ability to manipulate the colour and timbre of her voice and I especially appreciated the chesty edge she made use of in her particularly low pitches.

From my perspective, the story was the weakest aspect of this production. Admittedly this is based largely on personal bias. I always have a hard time buying the profound love between two people who have just laid eyes on each other, which is a feature of many operas.

In this work, the audience is asked to buy into the love between two people who have never actually met and have only heard about one another via the tales of a mysterious pilgrim. This was a pretty tough sell for me; I guess I’m just not that kind of romantic.

My companion felt that the story lacked action but he was so enamoured by the astonishing beauty of the artistic direction that issues with the narrative became trivial. I think this would likely be the experience of many attendees of this show. I cannot praise the talent of the composer, director, singers, orchestra and acrobats enough; I walked out of the theatre wishing I had a photographic memory.

Details
- Love from Afar is playing at Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St. W.) until February 22, 2012.
- Performance dates and times are:

• Sat. February 4, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
• Wed. February 8, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
• Fri. February 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sun. February 12, 2012 at 2 p.m.
• Tues. February 14, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
• Sat. February 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
• Wed. February 22, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

A Brimful of Asha at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre is a true story about the misadventures of being set up by Indian parents

A Brimful of Asha is not so much a play but more like the sharing of a story. Walking into the theatre feels like walking into someone’s house. Ravi and Asha Jain, the mother and son who share their story, welcome us into their home. They shake everyone’s hand as they come in, introduce themselves and in true Indian fashion promptly offer you a samosa.

Within a couple of minutes I knew that this show would have no middle ground for me. I would either love it or hate it; I’m glad to say I did indeed enjoy it.

The story itself is not new to me. Being of Indian descent I am all too familiar with parents trying to set their children up and see them all married and settled down before it’s “too late”, whatever that means. The pressure is on and relatives all over the world make it their personal business to play matchmaker. When it’s not happening to you, it’s hilarious!

The story follows Ravi’s journey, a Canadian-raised Indian boy, who goes back to India with plans of backpacking across the country with his friend Andrew. Little did he know that he would be ambushed with proposals every step of the way.

I thought it was funny because it’s so true of the culture; I’ve seen stuff like this play out in life and I can relate to the story. There was a multicultural audience at the show and most people seemed to enjoy it and were laughing throughout. I think that was because they really made the show relatable to everyone. Canadians can relate to Ravi and his mindset, while South-Asians definitely can see where Asha is coming from and the two of them together butting heads is quite entertaining. And you walk away with some insight into a different culture.

My show partner didn’t enjoy the show as much and said she started to lose interest as the story just seemed to drag on long after the point had been made. There was also no element of surprise. But I have to say, it’s not that kind of show. It’s meant to be amusing and casual banter and not really a showy theatrical production.

Asha, who is not a trained actress, is Ravi’s real-life mom. The show has such an honest and open air about it and she is so adorable that the audience fell in love with her instantly. Together they’re a great team and if you get a chance you should go check out this show.

It was a full house the night I attended so get your tickets early and don’t worry about the seats. The theatre is set up in such a way that every seat has a truly great view.

Details

- A Brimful of Asha is playing at Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgman Ave) till February 19, 2012
- Shows run Tuesday to Sunday at 8pm, with an additional matinee on Saturday at 2:30pm
- Ticket prices range from $18 – $22
- Tickets are available online or through the box office at 416-531-1827

Photo of Asha and Ravi Jain by Erin Brubacher