AUDITIONS FOR YOUNG MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMERSMarch 13, 2007Each year Acting Up Stage presents One Song Glory: the musicals of today and the stars of tomorrow, an evening of contemporary musical theatre performed by youth under the age of 19. This event showcases up and coming talent, offering them the opportunity free of charge to train with professional directors and musical directors before performing in a downtown theatre in front of an audience that includes casting directors, agents, and producers, who provide helpful tips to the young artists after the show. This year's Gala performance will take place on May 13th, and we are currently looking for talented performers to participate in this year's production.
Brian Francis brings THE CANADIAN COCONUT to TorontoMarch 8, 2007Brian Francis provides a fun filled evening as he stands and delivers his hour long Caribbean-Canadian flavor of stand up comedy. Following 2 successful productions, Brian brings his unique brand of humour to the stage of the Diesel Playhouse for the 3rd time. Featuring some great musical guests, Brian promises an evening of complete entertainment.
Review: THE DANISH PLAYMarch 7, 2007The Danish Play is back. Those who saw it in its original Toronto run five years ago already know it is a powerful piece. Those, like me, who are seeing it for the first time, are in for a real treat.
* * * * * (OUT OF FIVE)
CanStage presents THE ROCKY HORROR SHOWMarch 3, 2007- 'Let's do the time warp again!'
Cult figures, pop culture, crazy sing-a-long tunes are on stage when CanStage presents THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW starting March 23.
Review: GUYS AND DOLLSMarch 2, 2007Stage West Dinner Theatre offers GUYS AND DOLLS as their 99th production. It's a reasoably entertaining production but fails to show off this classic musical in the best light.
* * * (out of 5)
STAGE CENTRE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS DEATHTRAPMarch 2, 2007The fourth production in Stage Centre Production's 30th Anniversary season is Ira Levin's Deathtrap. Performances of this classic thriller run Thursday to Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm from March 8th to 24th at the Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Drive in Toronto.
Review: KING LEARFebruary 22, 2007New streamlined production of Shakespeare's tragedy is a great way to introduce the classic play to young audiences. * * * * * (OUT OF 5)
Review: WEST SIDE STORYFebruary 22, 2007This year marks the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents musical West Side Story. I don't know of that entered into the decision for Sheridan College to add the show to their line-up for this season or not. What I do know is that the production is for the most part, first rate! * * * * (out of 5)
This week on FRONT ROW CENTREFebruary 20, 2007If you enjoy music from Broadway and Hollywood, FOXY 88.5 FM (Toronto) has a full hour of it for you every Sunday night at 7 when Mark Andrew Lawrence presents FRONT ROW CENTRE. This week, Mark Andrew will be featuring the classic musical GUYS AND DOLLS by Frank Loesser. The program is also available through the website at www.foxy885.com.
Review: JERRY'S GIRLSFebruary 20, 2007The Civic Light Operea Company's celebration of the life and songs of Jerry herman provides a toe-tapping evening of show tunes.
* * * * (out of 5)
Canadian Premiere of Der Zigeunerprimas (GYPSY VIOLINS)February 14, 2007Toronto Operetta Theatre, Canada's premiere operetta company, is busily preparing to stage the Canadian premiere of Imre Kálmán's Der Zigeunerprimas, also known as Gypsy Violins, at The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts' Jane Mallett Theatre.
Theater Erindales hit production THIRTEEN HANDS Returns!February 14, 2007The Theatre Erindale production of Carol Shields' THIRTEEN HANDS broke all box office records for its time period. Now the show is being remounted - with most of the original cast and production team intact - for the Hart House Theatre Season on the downtown St. George campus of the University of Toronto.
Revew : THE MAID'S TRAGEDYFebruary 14, 2007It has taken nearly 400 years but The Maid's Tragedy is finally having its Canadian premiere, thanks to Theatre Erindale. * * * * (OUT OF 5)
Review: THE ODD COUPLE (Female Version)February 8, 2007Encore Entertainment has the perfect show to take the chill out of February. Their current offering, the female version of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple is a riotous production that keeps the theatre rocking with laughter from start to finish.
* * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)
Review: DEFYING GRAVITYJanuary 29, 2007The Mississauga Players have a must-see winner this time out with Jane Anderson's play, DEFYING GRAVITY.
* * * * 1/2 (OUT OF 5)
Mark Andrew Lawrence began his broadcasting career as music director for St. Catharines radio station CHRE. After six years there and eight years at classical station CFMX, he created FRONT ROW CENTRE to supply theatre reviews and articles to magazines, newspapers, and broadcasters across the greater Toronto area. Mark Andrew Lawrence maintains an extensive collection of over 3,500 Broadway show recordings in all formats (78 RPM singles, 45 RPM album, 10 & 12-inch Lps, and Compact discs) dating back to the early years of the 20th century.