Live and in person at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, playing until Jan. 12, 2025.

www.mirvish.com

Book by John Logan

Based on the motion picture written by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce

Directed by Alex Timbers

Choreography by Sonya Tayeh

Musical supervisor, Co-orchestrator, Arrangements and Additional lyrics by Justin Levine

Scenic design by Derek McLane

Costumes by Catherine Zuber

Lighting by Justin Townsend

Sound by Peter Hylenski

Musical director, Andrew Graham

Cast: Andrew Brewer

Danny Burgos

Nick Rashad Burroughs

Christian Douglas

AK Naderer

Robert Petkoff

Adrianna Rosario

And a really large chorus.

Loud, over-the-top-dazzling, vibrantly performed and a story so flimsy it’s like tattered gossamer swaying in the breeze.

The musical Moulin Rouge, is to musical theatre what a Big Mac Meal is to nutritious food—it’s good for a momentary hit of adrenalin/sugar/salt that fools you into thinking there is substance there, but there isn’t. There is just the rush (with bloating) but no substance.

The show is set in 1899 in Paris at the Moulin Rouge and various other locations. The Moulin Rouge was the ‘notorious’ cabaret, the home of the cancan. John Logan’s book revolves around the love-story of Christian (Christian Douglas), a sweet song-writer and Satine (Arianna Rosario), the sensuous star of the Moulin Rouge. The conflict arises when the dastardly, but rich, Duke of Monroth (Andrew Brewer) wants Satine for his mistress. It’s understood that when Satine agrees The Duke will underwrite the failing Moulin Rouge. Harold Zidler (Robert Petkoff) the theatrical owner of the Moulin Rouge is desperate this arrangement goes through. There will be hell to pay if Satine refuses.

John Logan is a good writer who has done better work elsewhere. His book for Moulin Rouge is slight, with precious little character development, if any. For example, there is a character named Toulouse-Lautrec (Nick Rashad Burroughs) that bears no resemblance except in name to the noted French painter and a frequent patron of the Moulin Rouge. The story is stretched and could use tightening.

The gimmick to the show is that snippets of at least 70 rock songs from singers like Lady Gaga, Sia, Katy Perry and Adele to name a few,  augment the story and emotion slightly.  But they are the same up-beat tempo, and monotonous. The orchestra blares the music, and at one point the bass line is so loud and thumping one gets the sense that one’s internal organs are being rearranged because of the reverb.

Justin Townsend’s lighting is rock-concert-dazzling. Sonya Tayeh’s choreography is complex, lively and arresting. Alex Timbers’ direction/staging keeps everybody moving as if to suggest something is happening. The singing is strong. It’s not the kind of show where one actually would comment on the acting, which seems beside the point, while the frenzy of the piece is.

Moulin Rouge is as empty and bloating as a Big Mac Meal. Please pass the Rolaids.

Mirvish Productions present:

Plays until January 12, 2025.

Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes (1 intermission)

www.mirvish.com

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Heads Up for the week of Nov. 25:

Nov. 27-Dec. 15, 2024

TARRAGON THEATRE

CRAZE

Written by Rouvan Silogix and Rafeh Mahmud

Directed by Mike Payette

Out of the storm and straight into the inferno.

Two couples shelter from an epic storm for a late night drinking session where technological mayhem and sexual frivolity may turn into something more… At times surrealist, dangerous, and laugh-out-loud outrageous, Craze is sure to keep you right on the knife’s edge.

www.tarragontheatre.com

Nov. 28 – Dec. 29, 2024.

SOULPEPPER THEATRE

THE MASTER PLAN

Written by Michael Healey

Directed by Chris Abraham

A biting satire about the stunning failure to build a smart city in Toronto. Adapted from award-winning writer and The Globe and Mail journalist Josh O’Kane’s best-selling book  Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy, the play takes us behind closed doors and reveals the corporate drama, epic personalities, and iconic Canadian figures involved in the messy affair between Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto.   

www.soulpepper.ca

Friday, Nov. 29, 2024

Fleck Dance Theatre

Raven Mother

12:15 pm and 7:30 pm

(one of your last chances to attend the Fleck before it closes in March!)

The Toronto premiere of Dancers of Damelahamid’s most ambitious full-length work to date, Raven Mother, on stage November 29 at 12:15pm and 7:30pm at Harbourfront Centre’s Fleck Dance Theatre, presented by DanceWorks.

A celebration of the significant generational impact of matriarchs, performed to original music and live vocals, Raven Mother is an homage to the late Elder Margaret Harris, co-founder of Dancers of Damelahamid in 1967 and mother to the company’s Executive & Artistic Director Margaret Grenier. 

Raven Mother illustrates the vast impact Elder Harris imparted on the revitalization of Indigenous dance along the Northwest Coast, and the integral role of women in holding cultural knowledge, including song, dance, stories, and regalia making.

Many Canadians may not be aware of the Potlatch Ban that outlawed Indigenous cultural practices, including song and dance, on this land for nearly 70 years (from 1884 – 1951). The movement practices that ground Raven Mother were nearly lost, but are now experiencing a resurgence due to the strength and vision of Elder Margaret Harris.

In Raven Mother, Harris’ spirit lives on, not only in the embodied narrative, but in the dancers themselves, who carry their grandmother’s vision forward for future generations to come. Performers include Harris’ daughter Margaret Grenier, and grandchildren Nigel Baker-Grenier and Raven Grenier, as well as Margaret’s niece Tobie Wick and daughter-in-law Rebecca Baker-Grenier. 

For tickets and further information, visit: danceworks.ca

Nov. 29, 2024

Talk is Free Theatre, Barrie, Ont.

Madame Minister

Adapted by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman

Directed by Layne Coleman

Madame Minister Adapted by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman From “The Cabinet Minister’s Wife” By Branislav Nusic Directed by Layne Coleman

This is a New Work/World Premiere. It is an adaptation of a Serbian black comedy. The story is about a wife who is treated poorly by the community until she becomes the wife of the Cabinet Minister, at which point the tables are turned.

www.tift.ca

Heads Up for the week of Nov. 25:

Nov. 27-Dec. 15, 2024

TARRAGON THEATRE

CRAZE

Written by Rouvan Silogix and Rafeh Mahmud

Directed by Mike Payette

Out of the storm and straight into the inferno.

Two couples shelter from an epic storm for a late night drinking session where technological mayhem and sexual frivolity may turn into something more… At times surrealist, dangerous, and laugh-out-loud outrageous, Craze is sure to keep you right on the knife’s edge.

www.tarragontheatre.com

Nov. 28 – Dec. 29, 2024.

SOULPEPPER THEATRE

THE MASTER PLAN

Written by Michael Healey

Directed by Chris Abraham

A biting satire about the stunning failure to build a smart city in Toronto. Adapted from award-winning writer and The Globe and Mail journalist Josh O’Kane’s best-selling book  Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy, the play takes us behind closed doors and reveals the corporate drama, epic personalities, and iconic Canadian figures involved in the messy affair between Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto.   

www.soulpepper.ca

Friday, Nov. 29, 2024

Fleck Dance Theatre

Raven Mother

12:15 pm and 7:30 pm

(one of your last chances to attend the Fleck before it closes in March!)

The Toronto premiere of Dancers of Damelahamid’s most ambitious full-length work to date, Raven Mother, on stage November 29 at 12:15pm and 7:30pm at Harbourfront Centre’s Fleck Dance Theatre, presented by DanceWorks.

A celebration of the significant generational impact of matriarchs, performed to original music and live vocals, Raven Mother is an homage to the late Elder Margaret Harris, co-founder of Dancers of Damelahamid in 1967 and mother to the company’s Executive & Artistic Director Margaret Grenier. 

Raven Mother illustrates the vast impact Elder Harris imparted on the revitalization of Indigenous dance along the Northwest Coast, and the integral role of women in holding cultural knowledge, including song, dance, stories, and regalia making.

Many Canadians may not be aware of the Potlatch Ban that outlawed Indigenous cultural practices, including song and dance, on this land for nearly 70 years (from 1884 – 1951). The movement practices that ground Raven Mother were nearly lost, but are now experiencing a resurgence due to the strength and vision of Elder Margaret Harris.

In Raven Mother, Harris’ spirit lives on, not only in the embodied narrative, but in the dancers themselves, who carry their grandmother’s vision forward for future generations to come. Performers include Harris’ daughter Margaret Grenier, and grandchildren Nigel Baker-Grenier and Raven Grenier, as well as Margaret’s niece Tobie Wick and daughter-in-law Rebecca Baker-Grenier. 

For tickets and further information, visit: danceworks.ca

Nov. 29, 2024

Talk is Free Theatre, Barrie, Ont.

Madame Minister

Adapted by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman

Directed by Layne Coleman

Madame Minister Adapted by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman From “The Cabinet Minister’s Wife” By Branislav Nusic Directed by Layne Coleman

This is a New Work/World Premiere. It is an adaptation of a Serbian black comedy. The story is about a wife who is treated poorly by the community until she becomes the wife of the Cabinet Minister, at which point the tables are turned.

www.tift.ca

Nov 28 to Dec 21, 2024.

Theatre Orangeville, Orangeville, Ont.

Sleeping Beauty… A Fairy’s Tale

by Debbie Collins & David Nairn

Directed by David Nairn.

From their website: “Remember when you were little and your parents would read you a good old-fashioned fairy tale?

Ahhhh, the good old days . . .

We take this well known story, fracture it, then put our own topsy turvy spin on it.

You will NEVER hear this tale told as we will tell it!

A pandemonium-packed panto for the whole family to love! You’ll be dancing and singing in your seats! You will boo the villain and cheer for the hero! You will laugh till your face hurts”.

www.theatreorangeville.ca

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A Shameless Plea for CIUT.FM 89.5

Hi Folks,

Nov.18-24, 2024 is CIUT FM’s Fall fundraising drive. This is my shameless plea to donate to keep the only independent radio station in Toronto going that covers the arts unlike any other outlet. The mainstream media has drastically cut down its arts coverage. Not CIUT FM. On my show, CRITICS CIRCLE, Saturdays from 9 am to 10 am, we do theatre and film reviews every week, plus interviews. I review theatre around the city and the province. We give voice to those who need to be heard. Our shows are all volunteer. Please go to https://ciut.fm to donate, noting CRITICS CIRCLE and donate so we can continue to provide needed arts coverage.

Thanks. Lynn

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Live and in person at the Streetcar Crowsnest, Carlaw and Dundas St. Playing until December 15, 2024

www.crowstheatre.com

Written by Michael Ross Albert

Directed by Paolo Santalucia

Co-set designer, Ken Mackenzie

Co-set designer, Sim Suzer

Costume designer, Laura Delchiaro

Lighting designer Christian Horoszczak

Sound designer, Olivia Wheeler

Cast: Aurora Browne

Sergio Di Zio

Izad Etemadi

Peter Fernandes

Veronica Hortiguela

Amy Matysio

Gregory Prest

Fiona Reid

Steven Sutcliffe

Sophia Walker

Gregory Waters

An ambitious play and production focusing on trying to buy the last affordable house in Toronto, that spirals out of control of focus, after what should be an intermission, and almost gets back that focus at the end.

The Story. Eleven ambitious people are involved in a bidding war for the “last affordable house in Toronto.” There are four real estate agents, their clients and one reluctant seller who has to share the profits of the sale with her step-mother, who she doesn’t like and vice versa. Each participant has their own agenda and nefarious ways of working the system to get the house. Mayhem ensues.

The Production.  Co-set designers Ken Mackenzie and Sim Suzer have designed  a sprawling set of the living room-kitchen of this well-appointed house that will give the audience ‘house envy.’ Food is being laid-out for the real-estate agents and their clients to soften them up as they explore the house.

Sam is a new real estate agent and this is his first showing of a house. Sam as played by Peter Fernandes is always watchable. Sam is always thinking on his feet and his feet are always moving, in this buoyant, nuanced, yet driving, performance. His partner in this endeavor is Greg (Sergio Di Zio), a former actor, who is there to see that Sam is ok in his first showing. Greg, as played by Sergio Di Zio is intense and attentive. Blayne (Aurora Browne) is a combative agent, who takes charge and takes chances. As played by Aurora Browne, Blayne is always in charge and dangerous. Patricia (Sophia Walker) is a real estate agent who have been cut loose by her sister and real estate business partner, and now Patricia is struggling to make a deal. She needs this chance to sell this house. While Patricia is knowing, Sophia Walker plays her with grace, integrity and imbues her with character.  

The possible buyers are just as varied: Donovan (Ezad Etemadi) and his partner Ian (Steven Sutcliffe) want the house because Donovan has fallen in love with the garden, although for Ian, parking will be an issue; Lara (Amy Matysio) who is pregnant and her husband Luke (Gregory Prest) bicker about money—he won’t ask his rich parents for any to buy the house; Miriam (Fiona Reid) is a widow who appears ditzy; and Charlie (Gregory Waters) is a model/body-builder/Instagram star. Add to this mix is June (Veronica Hortiguela) who is half-owner of the house and has just returned from Berlin where she has been living, to come into the hell of seeing the frenzy to sell the house. She and Sam have known each other a long time.

Each character brings their baggage, issues and private stories to the mix. Playwright Michael Ross Albert has fleshed out each character, revealing more and more layers as we go along. Michael Ross Albert’s dialogue is brisk, funny, clever and knowing about the real estate world. He introduces complications that could affect the house’s value seamlessly.

Director Paolo Santalucia stages the action to ramp up as matters get more and more tense, so that the action is a swirl of activity of characters coming in, going up the stairs and down, into and out of the back yard and various other places of interest.  The staging is accomplished to be sure. But watching it becomes a blur. Listening to it, as the volume gets louder and louder with each character who needs/wants to make their points, also overwhelms. Ya know what happens when one is being yelled at relentlessly? One stops listening. In the theatre, not listening is not a good thing. Theatre is life lived on purpose. One has to decide what information to keep and what information to cut.

Act I goes on and on. The pace and volume ramp up until a startling moment when everything goes haywire. This is a perfect place for an intermission. The audience needs it, not just to recover from all that angst but to pee! But the play goes on for more complications and even a more startling moment and then there is intermission. I think that has to be rethought. The air has gone out of the room after the first reasonable place for an intermission.

And one of the characters has an inside edge on the bids because they will be on the person’s cell phone. Other characters know it and so one character gets into a tussle for the carry-all with the cell phone. The character with the inside edge clutches the carry-all for most of the scene. But then there is more angst elsewhere and the carry-all is placed waaaay over there in the kitchen, unprotected, and the owner of the carry-all is waaay over there in the living room. And yet no one quietly goes over to the carry-all and gets the cell phone. I think this is a missed step of playwrighting and direction.

Comment.  Playwright Michael Ross Albert has fashioned a lively play, rich with implications, humour and wit. He has captured the cut-throat world of real estate made more vicious because of the rarity of the property and therefore the intensity of the bidding. Director Paolo Santalucia has directed and staged a production that goes like the wind, leaving everyone breathless. But the play needs a revisit to judiciously, ruthlessly edit improbable revelations (you get rid of a character to go on an audition? Really?)  so that the play is on track to the point and not going off into philosophical, esoteric, personal history tangents, that detract from the point.

The Bidding War is an ambitious play by a gifted playwright, directed with spirit by a knowing director. The whole cast is terrific. But there are aspects of the play that need to be edited or cut and the production needs to tone down with more nuance and attention to details. Still, it’s worth a visit to Crow’s Theatre.  

Crow’s Theatre presents:

Plays until Dec. 15, 2024.

Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (1 intermission)

www.crowstheatre.com

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A roundup of late reviews-comments of shows that have closed at the Shaw Festival for this season. Apologies for the procrastination.

Candida

By Bernard Shaw

Directed by Severn Thompson

Set by Michelle Tracey

Costumes by Ming Wong

Lighting by Louise Guinand

Original music and sound by Thomas Ryder Payne

Cast: Damien Atkins

Sochi Fried

Claire Jullien

Ric Reid

Johnathan Sousa

Sanjay Talwar

Candida is a play about love, marriage, devotion, domesticity and an exalted idea of love.

From the programme: “The story revolves around the character of Candida who finds herself caught between two men in a fierce battle of ideals for her affection. Her husband James offers a faithful domestic love, while the young poet Eugene’s romantic devotion is all-consuming. Ultimately, Candida’s own radical brand of love surprises them both.”

Bernard Shaw does go on and on in his musings and philosophizing, doesn’t he? Director Severn Thompson directed an earnest production. Most of the performances were of “another time.” Sanjay Talwar as Rev. James Mavor Morell was stodgy, very proper and tried to be an example of the proper, devoted husband. Johnathan Sousa as Eugene Marchbanks, the Reverend’s rival for Candida’s affections, was broody, impetuous and ‘knowing’ because the dialogue said he was. I found Claire Jullien as Miss Proserpine Garnett, a bit over the top with her efficiency and secret but obvious pining for the Reverend. But Sochi Fried as Candida was terrific. Effortless in her grace, wisdom and ability to know both men instinctively. While most of the performances were stuck in the sense of a museum, Sochi Fried as Candida breathed fresh air and light into the character. Wonderful work from Sochi Fried.

Snow in Midsummer

By Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig

Based on the classic Chinese drama The Injustice to Dou that Moved Heaven and Earth by Guan Hanqing

Directed by Nina Lee Aquino

Set by Camellia Koo

Costumes by Joanna Yu

Lighting by Michelle Ramsay

Original music and sound by John Gzowski

Cast: Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster

Cosette Derome

Manami Hara

Eponine Lee

Richard Lee

Michael Man

John Ng

Travis Seetoo

Donna Soares

Jonathan Tan

Kelly Wong

Lindsay Wu

The story follows a child bride turned widow, Dou E, who is wrongly convicted of crimes by a corrupt court official. Before she is executed, the widow puts a curse on the village.

While director Nina Lee Aquino’s production was provocative, creative and impressive with some of the imagery, such as a torrent of locusts dropping from the sky, I found the complicated story incomprehensible at times.

Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Human Heart

By Reginald Candy (Damien Atkins)

Based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Directed by Craig Hall

Set by Ken MacKenzie

Costumes by Hanne Loosen

Lighting by Bonnie Beecher

Projections  by Cameron Davis

Original music and sound by John Gzowski

Cast: Damien Atkins

Deborah Castrilli

Rais Clarke Mendes

Nehassaiu deGannes

Sochi Fried

Claire Jullien

Michael Man

Ric Reid

Johnathan Sousa

Sanjay Talwar

Sophie Walker

Kelly Wong.

Fine and quirky performance by Damien Atkins. Dreary, plodding production.

The production takes place in London and Switzerland from November to December 1891.

It seems that Sherlock Holmes (a serious, stoical Damien Atkins) is missing and presumed dead. The play recaps the many and various details of past cases and suspects to find the truth. Did Holmes finally meet his match in the dastardly Moriarty? Holmes did meet his intellectual equal in Moriarty but did he meet the man who would overcome him? There are lots of questions; activity; concerns by the always loyal Dr. Watson (a solid Ric Reid). While Moriarty is a character in the play, he is not listed in the cast of characters so he ‘must’ be in disguise and I won’t reveal it, although the actor playing him is listed. Now that should confuse some folks alright.

Ken MacKenzie’s set was the most sparce, empty setting of Sherlock Holmes’ dwelling I’ve ever seen. You could do ballroom dancing in the huge expanse of his living room and not knock anything of a table. There were a few nick knacks, let alone little furniture, but lots of empty space.

There was some effort to hide the identity of the playwright, Reginald Candy. But the play is so complex with red herrings one lost interest or cared who the writer really was. It’s Damien Atkins and he is a fine playwright, elsewhere.

The production is directed with a plodding, glacial pace devoid of imagination, by Craig Hall. It was so tedious that by the time one got to the final supposed suspenseful drawn out moment, one was exhausted and was tempted to say, “Hurry up, I want to go home.” It reminded me of the story, apocryphal (?) of a terrible production of The Diary of Anne Frank. In the final moments of the play when the Nazis rushed into the building where the Frank Family was hiding,  a frustrated audience member was alleged to have yelled out, “They’re in the attic!”

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Live and in person at Young Peoples’ Theatre, Toronto, Ont. Running until Dec. 30, 2024

www.youngpeoplestheatre.org

Book by David Greig

Music by Marc Shaiman

Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman

Based on the novel by Roald Dahl

Songs from the motion picture by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

Directed by Thom Allison

Musical director, Jeannie Wyse

Choreographer, Allison Plamondon

Set by Brandon Kleiman

Costumes by Ming Wong

Lighting by Jareth Li

Sound by Brian Kenny

Projections by Laura Warren

Joy with a pinch of bitter sweet. Goodness, kindness and humanity are championed along with imagination.

The Story. Willie Wonka, a reclusive eccentric candy-maker has decided he has to pass on his candy factory to the next generation, so he leaves his factory in disguise to find that perfect person. He opens a candy store in the ‘outside world’ full of his many and various creations.

One day Charlie Bucket comes into the store, curious about the candies. Charlie comes from a terribly poor family. The few pennies he has are used to buy food for his single mother and both pairs of grandparents. The food is usually best-for-the-trashcan-vegetables that he buys from Mrs. Green, a greengrocer.

Willie Wonka has created a contest. Inside five of his famous Wonka Bars is a gold ticket that entitles the person finding it to a tour of his chocolate factory. Willie Wonka urges Charlie to buy one. Charlie says he will, on his birthday. Four of the five tickets are already found by obnoxious, greedy, selfish children. One remains to be discovered. Will Charlie get lucky and find it?

The Production. Director Thom Allison continues to go from strength to strength. His direction of La Cages aux Folles this past season at the Stratford Festival is an example of a vivid imagination and a huge beating heart (I regret that time again got away from me and I have not reviewed it yet—it closes after being extended Nov. 17). In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Thom Allison and his design team have envisioned a world of vivid colours, patterns, designs and characters. Brandon Kleiman’s set has created a psychedelic world, set in Toronto (the CN Tower is front and center)  of shimmer, neon colour, and eye-popping stimulus. Ming Wong’s creative, witty costumes add to that whimsy, especially the polka dotted Ooma Lumpas, a group who dispense with annoying children. And Laura Warren’s arresting projections complete the picture. Allison Plamondon’s choreography provides a regular swirl of activity.

Thom Allison has found the perfect Willie Wonka in Michael Therriault. Michael Therriault is agile, energetic, committed and watchful as Willie Wonka. His singing of “Wonka’s Welcome Song” (The Candyman) sets up the audience for what is to come—easily digestible tunes with some barbed lyrics thanks to the music of Marc Shaiman and the lyrics of Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. It would be helpful if the volume of the orchestra was dialed down a bit so we could hear the singers sing the lyrics clearly.

Breton Lalama as Charlie is a wide-eyed, kind soul. He is always curious, enthusiastic about his discoveries, resourceful and self-less. Charlie is a young man who always thinks of others. While the other kid-characters think only of themselves, are selfish, greedy and malicious, Charlie imagines treats that others would like. He thinks of the perfect candy for his mother and then a different one for each grandparent. It’s Charlie’s imagination that also sets him apart, his need to fill a blank page with ideas.

There is a scene when Charlie (Breton Lalama) shows compassion and understanding in that selfish world of spoiled children and Therriault looks at him, standing some distance away, and there is such quiet joy in Willie’s reaction, you knew that Willie found his perfect successor.   

While the musical captures that larger than life fantasy world of the movie, director Thom Allison establishes and centers the beating heart of the work by adding touches that speak volumes about how Charlie Bucket and his family love each other. Mrs. Bucket (a gracious Zorana Sadiq) is always embracing him, encouraging him. When Mrs. Bucket has to go to her night job, she leaves by touching each of the grandparents who are sleeping. It’s a small gesture, but a gesture of love.

There is a lot of talent on the stage. Nick Boegel is a sullen, dangerous Mike Teavee; David Lopez brings out the goofiness of Augustus Gloop; Caitlyn Macinnis is demanding and petulant as Veruca Salt (I love that Roald Dahl has named her after a wart); and Ruth Acheampong plays the gum-chewing, self-absorbed Violet Beauregarde. Jacob Macinnis plays Mrs. Gloop with joy, yodeling and a soprano voice, and then there are the other characters Jacob Macinnis plays with distinction, detail and wit.  

Comment. Roald Dahl, who wrote the children’s novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on which the film and this musical are based, is no stranger to the darker side of childhood. There is always some sinister presence in his children’s books. In Matilda, about a curious little girl who loves to read, all the adults, except one, are horrible. Her parents are despicable and there is a vindictive bully of a teacher who bedevils Matilda. Only a kind teacher cares for her. In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it’s the children who are horrible: greedy, selfish, self-absorbed and sociopathic. The parents don’t know how to handle them and let them have their way. If there is a happy ending, it’s very hard won. And his adult short stories are downright malevolent. It’s fascinating journeying through Roald Dahl’s world of children’s books and then adult books.

For all of Willy Wonka’s reclusiveness, he knew his way around childhood and how to spot a mean kid and the one who could be a kindred spirit.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a whirlwind of fun; a show with a sweet message and just enough tartness to make you sit up and notice.

Young People’s Theatre presents:

Plays until Dec. 30, 2024

Running time: 75 minutes (no intermission)

www.youngpeople’stheatre.org

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I’m doing four lectures on the Roots of Toronto Theatre at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre beginning Nov. 25 and every Monday after that until Dec. 16.

Details below. Please register. It will be fun and informative to know where our theatre companies etc. began.

Setting the Scene: The Roots of Toronto Theatre
Guest speaker: theatre critic Lynn Slotkin
Uncover the vibrant and diverse roots of the Toronto theatre scene! Learn about touring productions to established venues like The Royal Alexandra, Elgin/Wintergarden and O’Keefe Centre, the 1960s explosion of groundbreaking companies Toronto Free Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, Tarragon and Factory, and independents who gave voices to specific communities like Nightwood and Obsidian Theatres, Buddies in Bad Times, and Native Earth Performing Arts. What were some seminal Canadian plays? How are these companies today? Join us in-person, on Zoom simulcast, or register to receive the recordings!
Mondays: November 25; December 2, 9 & 16
1:00-2:30pm
Miles Nadal JCC
Series: $50; drop-in: $16

Register here. For registration assistance, please call 416-924-6211 x0 or email help@mnjcc.org

https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/shop/programs/103384?subCategoryIds=5317945 this registration link is for both in person and virtual options.

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Time got away from me (alas a regular occurrence) and I’m posting these late.

Grand Theatre, London, Ont.

Closed Nov. 2, 2024

As You Like It

By William Shakespeare

Directed and adapted by Daryl Cloran

Choreographer, Jonathan Hawley Purvis

Set by Pam Johnson

Costumes by Carmen Alatorre

Lighting by Hina Nishioka

Sound by Owen Hutchinson

Cast: Henry Beasley

Tyler Check

Nadien Chu

Jennifer Copping

Daniela Fernandez

Jeff Irving

Alexandra Lainfiesta

Anton Lipovetsky

Matthew MacDonald-Bain

Jenny McKillop

June Mirochnick

Naomi Ngebulana

Troy O’Donnell

Jan Alexandra Smith

Isaiah Terrell-Dobbs

Leon Willey

Jacob Woike

Director/adaptor Daryl Cloran has created a lively, joyful, tune-filled production of Shakespeare’s comedy of love and familial friction. It’s an inspired move to include songs of the Beatles to add to the mood, attitude and story. The songs are listed in order of performance but the surprise and humour are how a song augments a scene or expands a character. The cast sings the songs and they are a talented group. 

There is a carnival atmosphere at the beginning of the production with Touchstone (Leon Willey) acting as a lively master of ceremonies, rousing the audience, joking with them and getting them primed for the comedy of the show.

A large boxing/wrestling ring dominates stage. Charles the wrestler (Jacob Woike) is taking on all challengers. Orlando (a boyish, lanky Jeff Irving) is the least likely opponent. He seems slightly built next to the beefed-up Charles. The “choreography” of the wrestling is terrific. It’s realistic, athletic and often breathtaking in its intricacy.

The play is mainly the developing love between Orlando (Jeff Irving) and Rosalind (Daniela Fernandez). Both handle the language beautifully. As Rosalind, Daniela Fernandez is confident, feisty and presents a woman in control, who has had to fend for herself. Jeff Irving plays Orlando as a young man who is in love with Rosalind but conflicted about how to go about wooing her should have the chance.

Jan Alexandra Smith is the most lively Jacques I’ve ever seen, although she handles the language with ease.  Nadien Chu as both Dame Frances and Dame Senior (a change of gender for this production) differentiates both parts with creativity and verve. Wonderful work here.

I loved the carnival atmosphere of the whole production. Adding the music of the Beatles is an inspired move. The Beatles also adds to the buoyancy of the production.  

I also have to say, that if you stumble on pronouncing “Haudenosaunee” and other Indigenous names and make a joke of it in the Land Acknowledgement, as Leon Willey did as Touchstone, then apologize or don’t do the Land Acknowledgement. Not nice.

The production closed Nov. 2, 2024.

Interior Design

At Tarragon Theatre, Extraspace, Toronto, Ont.

Extended to Nov. 17, 2024.

Written by Rosa Laborde

Directed by Kat Sandler

Set and costumes designed by Shannon Lea Doyle

Lighting by Imogen Wilson

Sound by Maddie Bautista

Cast: Sara Farb

Rong Fu

Anita Majumdar

Meghan Swaby

Who can explain why people are friends? Who can explain why conservative Justice Antonin Scalia and liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg were fast friends since they were worlds apart in their politics and attitudes? And while the four women in Interior Design, Rosa Laborde’s latest play at the Tarragon Theatre, have been friends for more than 30 years, you have to wonder why, since their personalities are so different, if not challenging.

Sophie (Sara Farb) is a life coach who is recently divorced and lives in a new condo with her kids. Olivia (Rong Fu) is a documentary film maker who seems cranky all he time. Cecilia (Anita Majumdar) is a woman with ever changing jobs/hobbies/projects. Presently she sells beauty products and her friends are perfect customers and perhaps a bit miffed at being used. Maya (Meghan Swaby) is a marketer/publicist.

There is a gathering of the four of them in Sophie’s condo. Olivia is the first to get there. We learn the reason is an intervention and Olivia thinks it’s for Cecilia. Finally, the group will tell Cecilia to back off with her foisting her products on them. In fact the intervention is for Olivia because she’s negative, depressing and they feel something is not right. The friends meet to work this out.

Rosa Laborde is a fine playwright. Her dialogue is bright, smart and sings. Her writing shows a strong sense of character and in these four women we have four distinct  people. Sophie is world-weary, perhaps from establishing her new home with her kids after her divorce. Maya loves the camaraderie of the group and is eager to please. Olivia is a challenge with her negativity and despair. And Cecilia is so pre-occupied with every new hobby, project she seems blinkered. They are all tech savvy, and wired to every kind of group chat.

Interior Design is wonderfully directed by Kat Sandler, herself a gifted playwright who knows the ins and outs of a laugh line and a dart to the heart. The cast is terrific and knows how to throw a ‘look’ or reaction that adds buoyancy to any joke. And while it’s certainly heartening that the friends are from different ethnicities, it’s not made into something notable in the dialogue. It’s just a natural thing that these four women met as young girls in school and stayed together. The interesting thing about these women is that Rosa Laborde has written them with their annoying traits writ large. So I wonder why they are friends at all? Perhaps more explanation is needed round them out and explain what bumps they all endured along the way in order to make the play stronger.

Tarragon Theatre presents:

Extended to Nov. 17, 2024.

Running time: 90 minutes (no intermission)

www.tarragontheatre.com

Acis and Galatea

Opera Atelier Presents:

The Elgin Theatre, Toronto, Ont.

Played Oct. 24-27, 2024.

I saw the last performance. The place was packed.

By G.F. Handel

Conducted by Christopher Bagan

Directed by Marshall Pynkoski

Choreographed by Jeannette LaJeunnesse Zingg

Set and costumes by Gerard Gauci

Lighting by Kimberly Purtell

Cast: Meghan Lindsay

Blaise Rantoanina

Antonin Rondepierre

Douglas Williams

Plus Artists of Atelier Ballet, Tafelmusic and The Nathaniel Dett Chorale

The shepherd Acis (Antonin Rondepierre) is in love with the goddess Galatea (Meghan Lindsay). It’s an unlikely union but in mythology and art anything is possible. As with all Opera Atelier productions, the look of it is sumptuous and exquisite. From the lush set design of Gerard Gauci to his elegant costumes, there is a richness and sophistication to the whole endeavor. The piece is beautifully choreographed by Jeannette LaJeunnesse Zingg with poses and dance being true to the Baroque era. Ms Zingg consulted paintings and references to those times to be as true to the form as possible. Marshall Pynkoski has directed this with his usual attention to detail. One moment in particular captured the rapture and intoxication of love between Acis and Galatea. They had just kissed passionately and longingly. They separated from the embrace and Acis (Antonin Rondepierre) leaned against the wall, his head flipped back on it, and then he slowly slid down the wall to sit on the ground, exhausted. Galatea (Meghan Lindsay) was as overcome as she sat and slumped on a ledge. Wonderful!

As usual I will not comment on the music, singing or dance because that is not my vocabulary. Seeing these productions is always an education in exquisite art and the focus, integrity and devotion needed to produce it.

Opera Atelier presented:

THE LATE MR. FEYDEAU!

A very short run that closed Oct. 27, 2024.

Théâtre français de Toronto Presented, at the Berkeley Street Theatre, Upstairs, Toronto, Ont.

Closed Nov. 3, 2024.

Written and directed by Sébastien Bertrand

Set and lighting by Glenn Davidson

Costumes by Michelle Tracey

Soundscape and composition by Keith Thomas

Cast: Mathieu Bourassa

Stephanie Broschart

Mickael Girouard

Patricia Marceau

Francois Macdonald

Adam Paolozza

Sébastien Bertrand has written a lively, fresh take on the farcical world of a Georges Feydeau vaudeville. It’s set in a sanitorium where Georges Feydeau is suffering from delirium. He also thinks he is dying so he is contemplating that. He is surrounded by people either posing as someone else or are who they say they are, and that’s astonishing too. There is a martini-drinking woman who may or may not be Mme. Currie; a very efficient man who may be a doctor or not; a harried man who is a doctor, and his fretting partner; there is a petulant ex-wife. Emotions run high. Humour does to. The nature of comedy and the world is given a quizzical look. The cast was fine. The set by Glenn Davidson of Feydeau’s room, elegant, beautiful, and calming in 1921, is just exquisite.

Bravo to Théâtre français de Toronto for the special glasses in which you can read the English translation on the lenses, rather than having to trust the surtitles to be properly readable. Wonderful experience.  

Production closed Nov. 3.

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Live and in person at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, Ont. Presented by David and Hannah Mirvish with Disney Theatrical Group. Playing until April 27, 2025 so far.

www.mirvish.com

Zama Magudulela as Rafiki: photo by Matthew Murphy

Music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice

Additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, Hans Zimmer

Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi

Adapted from the screenplay by Irene Mecchi & Jonathan Roberts & Linda Woolverton

Directed by Julie Taymor

Choreographed by Garth Fagan

Music supervisor, Clement Ishmael

Music director, Sean Mayes

Scenic design by Richard Hudson

Costume design by Julie Taymor

Lighting design by Donald Holder

Mask and puppet design by Julie Taymor and Michael Curry

Sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy

Cast: Salvatore Antonio

Jewelle Blackman

Lisa Michelle Cornelius

Joema Frith

Simon Gallant

Will Jeffs

Nendia Lewars

Zama Magudulela

Ira Nabong

Erick D. Patrick

Trevor Patt

Camille Eanga-Selenge

Brian Sills

David D’Lancy Wilson’

Thrilling. Breathtaking in its invention, creativity and artfulness. Theatrically dazzling. Its heart beats loudly.

The Story. This Disney musical is of course based on the Disney animated film about a young lion cub named Simba who learns the hard way how to be king of his kingdom. First, he has to deal with the death of his father Mufasa because he is convinced he is responsible and so he runs away. Then there is Simba’s power hungry, evil uncle Scar, not to mention a pack of hideously laughing hyenas that keep rearing their ugly heads. Simba eventually must face his demons and fight for what is rightfully his and save his community.

The Production. I envy any kid or adult who is seeing this magical show for the first time. This will hook them for a life of going to the theatre. Director Julie Taymor’s direction, staging, her vivid imagery, creative costume design, and evocative puppetry and mask work (with Michael Curry), are eye-popping.

The first 10 minutes of the show are particularly striking in establishing the tone and intension for the rest of the musical.  The curtain rises slowly at sunrise. Rafiki (Zama Magudulela) the Xhosa speaking mystical female elder mandrill (female in the musical for more balance, as opposed to male in the film) gives the thrilling clarion call for the animals and birds of Pride Rock to gather. Those strong notes of attention from Zama Magudulela as Rafiki just grab one’s heart and squeezes it. This leads into the song “The Circle of Life.” The gathering is to celebrate the birth of Simba (Ira Nabong), the son of Mufasa (David D’Lancy Wilson) and Sarabi (a regal Lisa Michelle Cornelius). The animals and birds are depicted by the most evocative puppets and costumes. That and the combination of the music and lyrics by Elton John, Tim Rice, Lebo M., Mark Mancini, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer make that vision just irresistible.

The yellow and orange backdrop of the sky shimmers and slowly rises revealing the sun. The head of a giraffe peaks out from the wings stage left to see what’s going on. And then the giraffe enters, tall, graceful, majestic, commanding and a puppet. Finding the person ‘in’ the puppet working the legs makes the discovery more dramatic. The antelope follow, then birds circling above. Your imagination is swimming with the sight of so much wildlife. And then director Julie Taymor goes for the gusto—a huge elephant lumbers down the house left aisle with other wildlife on the far-right aisle as they climb onto the stage. Knowing the timing of when to raise a backdrop, coupled with the appearance of the animals and how to distinguish their movements and then to use the aisles for a complete effect, displays a stunning sense of theatricality and musicality.

Mufasa is played by David D’Lancy Wilson, who gives a commanding performance of a leader who does not need to bellow. This Mufasa calmly tries to be the example of a king that his son needs to follow. Mufasa tries to teach Simba that he must be fair to all the animals and birds. He must be measured in his dealings and brave and trusted in his behaviour.  Simba—a wonderful, impish Ira Nabong—is headstrong and impetuous. Mufasa tries to staunch that.

Scar (played wonderfully by Salvatore Antonio, as smooth talking and seductive) is Mufasa’s jealous, vindictive, evil-minded brother. He feels he should be the heir to Mufasa’s ‘throne’ and not Simba. And aligns himself with the hyenas, the enemy of the lions and uses every underhanded means possible to take control and make the jungle great again.

There is comic relief from Timon the meerkat played with enthusiasm by Brian Sills and the sweet but flatulent Pumbaa, the warthog, played by Trevor Patt. Their rendition of the buoyant “Hakuna Matata,” has the audience swaying to the music.

The whole production is a feast for the eyes and ears. The singing is resounding, although at times it was hard to hear the lyrics clearly because the intensity of the orchestra drowned out the singers too often.

Comment. Our present world has informed The Lion King.  The message of the show–that good triumphs over evil—is terrific. It’s been a rule of literature, theatre, the arts and life since forever. But after Tuesday, Nov. 5 2024, that message seems almost old fashioned, quaint. Waiting for Simba to return…..

David and Hannah Mirvish in association with Disney Theatrical Group present:

Playing until at least April 27, 2025.

Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (1 intermission)

www.mirvish.com

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