THEATREWORLD

Internet Magazine

INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND REVIEWS

CANADA

All information and Reviews (unless otherwise stated) kindly contributed by Christopher Hoile

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***PLAYING IN TORONTO IN MAY 2010***

 

---Larger Theatres---

  

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN  (opera) by Richard Wagner.  A Dutchman is cursed to sail forever until he finds true love.  In German with English surtitles.  To May 20.  Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231, www.coc.ca.  Timing: 2h20m. 

  

4 out of 5 stars.  [For the full review, contact c.hoile@sympatico.ca.]

 

FRANKENSTEIN  (drama) by Jonathan Christenson.  A stylized musical adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel.  To May 29.  Bluma Appel Theatre, 416-368-3110, www.canstage.com.  Timing: 2h40m.

  

IDOMENEO  (opera) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  The King of Crete must sacrifice the first person he meets on returning from Troy.  May 9-29.  Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231, www.coc.ca.  Timing:  

 

JERSEY BOYS  (musical) by Bob Gaudio & Bob Crewe.  A musical bio of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.  Booking to Jun 30.  Toronto Centre for the Arts, 416-644-3665, www.dancaptickets.com.  Timing: 2h45m.

 

4 out of 5 stars.  It’s only a tribute act disguised as a musical, but the faux Four Seasons are spectacular.  [For the full review, contact c.hoile@sympatico.ca.]

 

A JEW GROWS IN BROOKLYN  (musical) Jake Ehrenreich.  An immigrant family and one boy’s quest for the American Dream through baseball and pop music.  To May 16.  Panasonic Theatre, 416-872-1212, www.mirvish.com.  Timing: 1h30m.

 

MAMMA MIA!  (musical) by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.  A daughter wants to know which of her mother’s past lovers was her father.  To Jun 27.  Canon Theatre, 416-872-1212, www.mirvish.com.  Timing: 2h30m.

 

MARIA STUARDA  (opera) by Gaetano Donizetti.  Queen Elizabeth I loves the Earl of Leicester but suspects he has fallen for her rival, Mary, Queen of Scots.  In Italian with English surtitles.  May 1-30.  Four Seasons Centre, 416-363-8231, www.coc.ca.  Timing: 2h45m.   

  

3 out of 5 stars.  [For the full review, contact c.hoile@sympatico.ca.]

 

ROCK OF AGES  (musical) by Chris D’Arienzo.  In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl meets a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fall in love to the greatest songs of the ‘80s.  Booking to Sep 5.  Royal Alexandra Theatre, 416-872-1212, www.mirvish.com.  Timing: 2h20m.

 

 

---Smaller Theatres---

 

ALMOST, MAINE  (comedy) by John Cariani.  In the middle of winter Mainiacs fall in and out of love.  To May 15.  Tarragon Theatre, 416-531-1827, www.tarragontheatre.com. 

    

AURASH  (drama) by Bahram Beyza’ie.  The arrow shot by a simple stable-herd will determine a national border.  May 14-29.  Young Centre, 416-866-8666, www.moderntimesstage.com. 

    

THE CHESTER CYCLE  (mystery plays) by anonymous.  A performance of all 23 plays of the Chester Cycle of mystery plays based on eye-witnessed accounts from the 16th century.  May 21-24.  University of Victoria Campus, www.chass.utoronto.ca/~plspls.  

 

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN  (drama) by Ariel Dorfman.  A woman believes her husband’s friend was her anonymous torturer.  May 5-22.  Jane Mallett Theatre, 416-366-7723, www.stlc.com.

 

 

THE DREAM  (musical) by Brian Kennington.  A musical version of Shakespeare’s fairy play using the musical of Three Dog Night.  To May 8.  Walmer Centre Theatre, 647-702-6488, www.bearproductions.org.

 

DUET FOR ONE  (drama) by Tom Kempinski.  A psychiatrist helps a concert violinist struck down with multiple sclerosis.  May 27-Jun 20.  Tarragon Theatre, 416-531-1827, www.stagetoronto.ca. 

 

FAITH HEALER  (drama) by Brian Friel.  Three characters tell conflicting versions of the same story.  To Jun 4.  Young Centre, 416-886-8666, www.soulpepper.ca.  

 

FEATURING LORETTA  (comedy) by George F. Walker.  Newly widowed Loretta is pregnant by her cheating dead husband’s best friend.  May 1-Jun 6.  Factory Theatre, 416-504-9971, www.factorytheatre.ca.    

  

FRAGMENTS DES MENSONGES INUTILES  (drama) by Michel Tremblay.  The parallel lives to two boys--one living in 1957, one in 2007.  In French.  To May 15.  Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs, 416-534-6604, www.theatrefrancais.com.  

 

3 out of 5 stars.  [For the full review, contact c.hoile@sympatico.ca.]

 

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS  (drama) by David Mamet.  The cut-throat world of Chicago real estate agents fighting for commissions.  To Jun 5.  Young Centre, 416-886-8666, www.soulpepper.ca.  

  

THE GREAT WAR  (comedy) by Michael Hollingsworth.  The death-throes of British Canada during the First World War.  To May 30.  Cameron House, 416-703-1725, www.videocab.com.

 

HANA’S SUITCASE  (drama) by Emil Sher.  Children at a Holocaust Centre in Tokyo try to discover who the girl was who owned the suitcase in an exhibit.  To May 21.  Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 416-862-2222, www.lktyp.ca.  

 

4 out of 5 stars.  [For the full review, contact c.hoile@sympatico.ca.]

 

HAPPY DAYS  (comedy) by Samuel Beckett.  A woman goes about her day buried up to her waist in sand.  May 7-29.  Theatre Passe Muraille, 416-504-7529, http://passemuraille.on.ca.   

 

IF WE WERE BIRDS  (drama) by Erin Shields.  A re-imagining of the tragic myth of Procne and Philomel.  Apr 14-May 23.  Tarragon Theatre, 416-531-1827, www.tarragontheatre.com.   

 

4 out of 5 stars.  [For the full review, contact c.hoile@sympatico.ca.]

 

LARGER THAN LIFE: THE MUSICAL  (musical) by Vanessa LeBourdais and S.G. Lee.  Five women sing the praises of been pleasingly plump.  May 21-Jun 12.  Factory Studio Theatre, 416-504-9971, www.ghostlightprojects.com.

 

THE LAST FIVE YEARS  (musical) by Jason Robert Brown.  A husband and wife recount their life together from opposite perspectives.   May 7-23.  Toronto Centre for the Arts, 

 

MAMMA’S BOY  (comedy) by Randie Parliament.  Children compete to become their parents‘ favourite.  May 21-Jun 12.  Factory Studio Theatre, 416-504-9971, www.ghostlightprojects.com.

  

THE MARKET  (drama) by Bobbie Del Rio.  Four twentysomething stock brokers crash the market on purpose to make $14 billion.  May 6-23.  270 Adelaide St. East, www.bobbydelrio.com.  

 

9 PARTS OF DESIRE  (drama) by Heather Ruffo.  Nine Iraqi women talk about their obsessions.  May 19-23.  The Theatre Centre, www.seventhstageproductions.com.  

 

PU-ERH  (drama) by Norman Lup-Man Yeung.  A son returns to his much-changed Chinese-Canadian family.  May 6-15.  Theatre Passe Muraille, 416-504-7529, http://passemuraille.on.ca.     

 

ROCK N’ ROLL HEAVEN  (musical) by Diane Dupuy.  Elvis and Jacko meet in heaven to create a black light musical.  May 1-Jul 31.  Famous People Players, 416-532-1137, www.fpp.org.   

  

LA SAGOUINE  (drama) Antonine Maillet.  A salty old scrubwoman tells five stories about her life.  May 14-Jun 5.  Berkeley Street Theatre, 416-368-3110, www.pleiadestheatre.org.

  

THE SECRET WORLD OF OG  (opera) by Dean Burry.  Pierre Berton’s beloved children’s book comes to life as a children’s opera.  May 5-9.  Enwave Theatre, 416-366-0467, www.canadianchildrensopera.com.

 

THE SOUL OF GERSHWIN  (musical) by Joseph Voss.  George Gershwin narrates a musical portrait of the times in which he lived.  May 1-9.  Winter Garden Theatre, 416-872-5555, www.hgjewishtheatre.com.   

 

STITCH  (opera) by Juliet Palmer and Anna Chatterton.  An a cappella opera for three women and sewing machines about working women.  May 26-30.  The Theatre Centre, 416-538-0988, www.theatrecentre.org.

 

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT  (drama) by Daniel MacIvor.  A journey deep into the heart of the Kingdom of Kevin with an astrologer, a lawyer, an absent father and many others.  To May 8.  Berkeley Street Theatre, 416-368-3110, www.canstage.com.

 

3 out of 5 stars.  [For the full review, contact c.hoile@sympatico.ca.]

 

WAITING FOR THE PARADE  (drama) by John Murrell.  The lives of five Canadian women on the home front in World War II.  To May 29.  Young Centre, 416-866-8666, www.soulpepper.ca.  

 

THE WEDDING SINGER  (musical) by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.  In 1985 a jilted wedding singer takes revenge.  To Jul 4.  Stage West, 905-238-0042, www.stagewest.com.

 

WHO AM I THIS TIME? / LONE STAR  (comedy) by Kurt Vonnegut / James McLure.  A double-bill of two American comedies.  May 19-30.  Tarragon Theatre, 416-531-1827, www.tarragontheatre.com.  

 

WHERE’S MY MONEY?  (comedy) by John Patrick Shanley.  A look at marriage, relationships and infidelity in the lives of six 30-somethings.  May 13-30.  Pia Bouman Studio Theatre, 416-504-7529, www.artsboxoffice.ca.   

 

WINGED  (drama) by David Tomlinson.  The relationships between fathers and sons, friends and lovers, predator and prey.  To May 8.  DeLeon White Gallery, 416-669-9285, www.whetstoneproductions.com.  

 

 

***PLAYING ELSEWHERE IN ONTARIO IN MAY 2010***

 

*Barrie*

RED FIGHTIN’ BLUE  (musical) Grant Tilly.  A group of left-wing activists infiltrates a Christian Republican fundraiser.  May 6-15.  Foxx Lounge, 705-792-1949, www.tift.ca.

 

*Brampton*

THE COLOR PURPLE  (musical) by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray.  The inspiring story of a woman who triumphs over tremendous odds to find joy in life and her true inner beauty.  May 18-23.  Rose Theatre, 905-874-2800, www.myrosetheatre.ca.

 

*Drayton*

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL  (musical) by Peter Barcocchini.  A male jock and female bookworm gets the leads in the big school show.   To May 15.  Drayton Festival Theatre, 1-888-449-4463, www.draytonentertainment.com.  

 

*Gananoque*

THE 39 STEPS  (comedy) by Patrick Barrow.  Four actors present a stage version of the Hitchcock film classic.  May 13-Jun 12.  Thousand Islands Playhouse, 613-382-7020, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.

 

*Hamilton*

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW  (musical) by Richard O’Brien.  Brad and Janet’s car breaks down near the castle of the transvestite Dr. Frank N. Furter.  To May 30.  Theatre Aquarius,  905-522-7529, www.theatreaquarius.org.  

 

*Kingston*

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING  (drama) by Joan Didion.  A woman struggles to make sense of life following the sudden death of her husband.  To May 8.  Grand Theatre, 613-544-2021, www.theatrekingston.com.  

 

*LONDON*

LEGENDS  (musical) by Alex Mustakas.  A revue of the hits of the 1950s to ‘70s.   To May 22.  Grand Theatre, 519-672-8800, www.grandtheatre.com.  

 

*Niagara-on-the-Lake*

The SHAW FESTIVAL 2010:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 1-Oct 31 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two hours south from Toronto.  For tickets and information phone 1-800-511-7429 or visit the website at www.shawfest.com.

 

--At the Festival Theatre--

AN IDEAL HUSBAND  (comedy) by Oscar Wilde.  A mysterious woman from the past threatens the career and marriage of a government minister.  Previews from Apr 9, runs May 26-Oct 31.

 

THE WOMEN  (comedy) by Clare Booth Luce.  When a Manhattan socialite finds out her husband is cheating, her friends are no help at all.  May 12-Oct 9.  

 

--At the Court House Theatre--

THE CHERRY ORCHARD  (drama) by Anton Chekhov.  An aristocratic family seems unable to face unpleasant financial realities.  Previews from Apr 20, runs May 27-Oct 2.  

 

--At the Royal George Theatre--

HARVEY  (comedy) by Mary Chase.  The loveable Elwood Dowd has as his best friend an invisible six-foot rabbit.  Previews from Apr 1, runs May 29-Oct 31.

 

ONE TOUCH OF VENUS  (musical) by Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash.  A statue of Venus comes to life in Manhattan and falls in love with a barber.  May 16-Oct 10.

 

*Orangeville*

ED’S GARAGE  (comedy) by Dan Needles.  Ed is a former farmer, part-time mechanic and full-time mystic who helps people with their problems.  May 6-23.  Theatre Orangeville, 519-942-3423, www.theatreorangeville.ca.

 

*Ottawa*

BLOOD BROTHERS  (musical) by Willy Russell.  Twin boys are raised in differently--one as rich, one as poor.  To May 15.  The Gladstone, 613-233-4523, http://thegladstone.ca. 

 

CIELS  (drama) by Wajdi Mouawad.  Five government agents monitoring telephone calls try to decipher an enigma.  In French.  May 11-22.  National Arts Centre,  613-947-7000, www.nac-cna.ca.

  

FACTS  (drama) by Arthur Milner.  A Palestinian inspector and an Israeli detective try to solve the murder of an American archeologist in the West Bank.  To May 2.  Irving Greenberg Theatre, 613-236-5196, www.gctc.ca.

    

*Pickering*

NUNSENSE II: THE SECOND COMING  (musical) by Dan Goggin.  The sisters present a thank you concert for their supporters.  May 7-Jul 10.  Herongate Barn Theatre, 905-472-3085, www.herongate.com.

 

*Port Dover*

RACE DAY  (musical) by Norm Foster and Steve Thomas.  A look people spending a day at the races.  May 25-Jun 12.  Lighthouse Festival Theatre, 519-583-2221, www.lighthousetheatre.com. 

 

*St. Catherines*

THE LOVE LIST  (comedy) by Norm Foster.  May 27-Jul 4.  Port Mansion Theatre, 905-934-0575 x226, www.portmansion.com.  

 

PLAZA SUITE  (comedy) by Neil Simon.  Three vignettes of couples occupying a suite at the Plaza Hotel in New York.  To May 16.  Port Mansion Theatre, 905-934-0575 x226, www.portmansion.com. 

 

*Stratford*

The STRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2010:

The plays run in repertory from April 10-Oct 31 in Stratford, two hours west from Toronto.  For information and tickets phone 1-800-567-1600, visit the website at www.stratfordfestival.ca.

 

--At the Festival Theatre--

AS YOU LIKE IT  (comedy) by William Shakespeare.  Rosalind and half the court flee her oppressive uncle to find love in the forest.  Previews from Apr 30, runs Jun 7-Oct 31.

 

KISS ME, KATE  (musical) by Cole Porter.  The bickering of husband-and-wife co-stars threatens to sabotage a new musical.  Previews from Apr 10, runs Jun 8-Oct 30.  

 

--At the Avon Theatre--

EVITA  (musical) by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.  A poor girl rises in power to become the First Lady of Argentina.  May 28-Oct 30.

 

PETER PAN  (drama) by J. M. Barrie.  A boy who never grows old whisks the Darling children off to Never-Never-Land.  Previews from Apr 16, runs Jun 12-Oct 31.  

 

--At the Tom Patterson Theatre--

JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS  (musical) by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman. A revue of the songs of Belgian troubadour Jacques Brel.  May 14-Sep 25.

 

THE WINTER’S TALE  (drama) by William Shakespeare.  Leontes suddenly becomes jealous of his wife Hermione causing her death and that of her son.  May 27-Sep 25.

 

 

For more details or individual advice/help - email: GPowner@aol.com