Kelly Cameron - Page 9

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 60th Season opening week wrapped up on Saturday night with the debut of The Matchmaker, a comedic tale by Thornton Wilder that has never before been presented by The Festival. Funny, touching, witty and poignant, the show both delighted and surprised. Bolstered by an incredibly talent cast, beautiful set design and inspired direction, The Matchmaker is shaping up to be the can't miss show of the summer.

The Toronto Festival of Clowns kicked off today, and popular clown Foo is back with an original one-clown musical. Performed entirely in a made up language, Saucisse: A Foo Musical examines many different themes through the art of clown. Foo spoke to BWW about the stigma that surrounds clowns, the unique nature of her show and the music behind the nose.

The winners of the second annual Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards are in, and BWW is thrilled to bring its readers the entire list. Stand-outs include The Toronto Fringe hit Kim's Convenience (now playing for a second time this season at Soulpepper) and Atomic Vaudeville's Ride the Cyclone. The awards were determined by critics from The Globe and Mail (J. Kelly Nestruck), The Grid (Martin Morrow), National Post (Robert Cushman), NOW Magazine (Glenn Sumi) and the Toronto Star (Richard Ouzounian).

It's safe to say that Stratford has another musical hit on their hands in 42nd Street, a toe-tapping gem of a show that showcases the incredible performers involved in the company this year. The show also marks the return of Cynthia Dale to the Festival after a five year absence. Featuring an incredible live band, brilliant choreography, gorgeous costumes and one of the most hard-working ensembles you will see on stage today, the show is a reminder of what classic musical theatre should be.

Summer is here, and with it comes one of the best times of the year for theatre lovers - Festival season! With the hot weather comes the opening of the region's world renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival and Shaw Festival, as well as The Toronto Fringe, Shakespeare in High Park and many other summer stock productions that keep any theatre goer busy on those long summer nights. BWW is thrilled to present its readers with Top 5 Summer Picks for various regions across Canada and the United States, and here are the top 5 for Toronto.

Much Ado About Nothing kicked off the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 60th Season Monday night, and is pleasantly about a lot more than the name might suggest. With stunning performances from Ben Carlson and Deborah Hay as well as a solid supporting cast, gorgeous set and beautiful music the show was a delight for all ages. A great introductory Shakespeare piece, Much Ado is one of those rare pieces that should please Shakespeare buffs and first-timers alike.

The 60th Season of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival opened last night with Much Ado About Nothing, but there was definitely something special happening in this gorgeous town. BWW was on hand for all the festivities, and we are thrilled to bring our readers photos from opening night.

The National Theatre of the World is embarking on their second outing of The Script Tease Project all week long at Passe Muraille Backspace. With ten new playwrights, the trio of Matt Baram, Ron Pederson and Naomi Snieckus are ready for a whirlwind week of improvisation and comedy. BWW spoke with Naomi about the challenges of improvisation, the playwrights they're using this year and the supportive nature of the Toronto theatre community.

One of Toronto's favourite musicals bursts back onto the stage this month, as Theatre Sheridan graduates transfer their much loved production of RENT to The Panasonic Theatre. Originally presented last year at the Sheridan campus in Oakville, the show is bigger than ever, and full of heart.

This past Friday Canadian favourite Rebecca Caine returned to Toronto for a very special performance at The Green Door Cabaret. She was joined by special guest Byron Nease, up from Los Angeles for one night only to perform for the first time together since their days in the Original Canadian Cast of The Phantom of the Opera. It was a magical night, and a great start to the Green Door Cabaret's upcoming season.

The world renowned Bolshoi Ballet returned to Toronto this past week for the first time in 33 years and took to the stage at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts to perform the perennial classic Swan Lake. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers these exclusive photos from the gorgeous production.

Shameless! For a Cause is a special cabaret fundraiser happening this weekend at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. The brain child of Ari Weinberg, the evening aims to raise money for LGBTQ youth initiatives while bringing together some of our country's best and brightest for an evening of song and laughter. Set to perform are Sharron Matthews, Michael Hughes, casts of Theatre Sheridan's RENT and Dancap's West Side Story and more. Ari Weinberg sat down to talk with BWW about the event, the charities and why it means so much to him.

Theatre Sheridan's production of Rent was extremely well received last year when it was presented at the school, and tonight it opens in Toronto at The Panasonic Theatre, which the entire graduating class taking part. I spoke with three of the young stars about what the experience has been like so far, their love of the musical Rent and what advice they have for the next generation.

West Side Story is arguably one of the most well known and beloved musicals of all time, and Toronto audiences have a chance to see this gorgeous new production for the next four weeks. Featuring some original Spanish dialogue and gorgeous sets and costumes, the show is fresh, energetic and yet timeless at the same time.

Gruesome Playground Injuries has its Canadian premiere today, and BWW is talking to stars Peter Mooney and Janet Porter about the show, their own personal love lives and of course, matters of the heart.

Bring it On: The Musical wraps up its current tour in Toronto next month, opening May 3rd at the newly named Ed Mirvish Theatre. BWW spoke with Tony Award Winning composer Tom Kitt about what it was like working with fellow Tony Award Winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, composing for cheerleaders and how we can engage young people in the arts.

It was announced today in a story by The Star's Richard Ouzounian that Aubrey Dan was no longer involved as producer in the upcoming Prince of Broadway, and that there were not plans for future Toronto shows beyond the 2012 Season. Dancap Productions has been producing commercial theatre in Toronto since 2007, when it exploded onto the scene with a strong freshman season. Shortly thereafter the company produced the Canadian production of Jersey Boys, which ran for two years and played to over two million people. Since Jersey Boys closed Dan has faced an uphill battle, and has made the decision that 2012 will be the company's final season.

The Melville Boys is Panfish Productions' second offering, and showcases the popular Norm Foster Canadian work in a new way - pairing emerging talent with established artists and producers to help develop the next generation of leaders in Toronto's theatre community. The show run until April 28 at the Alumnae Studio Theatre. Check out our excusive production photographs below.

BWW is thrilled to bring its readers exclusive photos of the 2012 Canada Show Choir Championships which took place in Toronto last weekend.

Next to Normal had its Canadian premiere last summer when the 1st National Tour came through Toronto with Tony Award Winner Alice Ripley reprising the role of Diana. Now, the show is getting its own all Canadian production in Winnipeg as the Manitoba Theatre Centre takes on the story. BWW is thrilled to be able to bring its readers this first look at the Canadian cast.