Toronto Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 16

BWW Review: The Magic Was Still Very Much Alive at HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN IN CONCERT
by Taylor Long - May 21, 2018

Nothing brings people together quite like Harry Potter. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) joined the Amadeus Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers to present the third chapter of the Harry Potter: In Concert Series - HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN IN CONCERT. Beyond hearing the enchanting ...

BWW Review: AFTER THE BLACKOUT at Soulpepper
by Isabella Perrone - May 20, 2018

AFTER THE BLACKOUT began as a testimonial play but developed into a dramatic, rich collection of stories told by a great ensemble....

BWW Review: MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at Soulpepper
by Isabella Perrone - May 20, 2018

A layered stage and stellar cast bring dimension to Soulpepper's production of MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM. Directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, this adaptation of August Wilson's 1982 play follows an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago where the music takes a back seat to discussions of race and ...

BWW Review: MAMMA MIA! at Neptune Theatre
by Chelsey Robichaud - May 15, 2018

The final production of Neptune Theatre's 55th season is the worldwide musical (and feature film) phenomenon; MAMMA MIA!. Set on a remote Greek island during the summer of 2008, MAMMA MIA! tells the story of Sophie, a spirited bride-to-be who invites three of her mother's old flames to her wedding i...

BWW Review: Sondra Radvanovsky Reigns Supreme in the COC's ANNA BOLENA
by MacKenzie Holland - May 07, 2018

The title role is one of the most challenging soprano roles in the repertoire. Lucky for the Canadian Opera Company, they have one of the world's greatest sopranos leading their cast - Ms. Sondra Radvanovsky....

BWW Review: COC's THE NIGHTINGALE AND OTHER SHORT FABLES is a Magical Night at the Opera
by MacKenzie Holland - May 03, 2018

The word most-associated with Robert Lepage's THE NIGHTINGALE AND OTHER SHORT FABLES is 'magic'. And like 'magic,' you need to see it to believe it. Words simply do not do it justice....

BWW Review: Your Kids Will Love ANNIE at Mirvish
by Taylor Long - May 01, 2018

Puzzle pieces cover the stage, invoking a sense of kid-centric wonder in Mirvish's ANNIE. With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas Meehan, ANNIE has stood the test of time as one of musical theatre's most beloved shows. Mirvish's production keeps the inspirationa...

BWW Review: CANDIDE at TSO Gives You Permission to Laugh
by Taylor Long - April 30, 2018

Conductor Bramwell Tovey began the evening by saying, 'in light of the way things are… I want to give you permission to laugh.' It didn't take very long before the audience was in stitches with laughter. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra performed Leonard Bernstein's CANDIDE last weekend, accompanied b...

BWW Review: Musical Stage Company's FUN HOME is a Little Show with a lot of Heart
by Taylor Long - April 22, 2018

The Musical Stage Company has done it again. FUN HOME, presented as part of the off-Mirvish subscription series, is a testament to the power of effective musical theatre. With its gripping exploration of a dysfunctional family struggling with identity - internally and externally - a book and lyrics ...

BWW Review: Broadway Stars Shine Bright in TSO's ON BROADWAY
by Taylor Long - April 11, 2018

Two of musical theatre's finest voices filled the Roy Thomson Hall last night at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's ON BROADWAY. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Stephanie J. Block joined Tony Award-nominated Canadian performer Ramin Karimloo and Steven Reineke, Principal Pops Conductor, in a night of Broa...

BWW Review: Second City's THE BEST IS YET TO COME UNDONE Delivers Comedy that Packs a Moral Punch
by Taylor Long - April 11, 2018

It's the type of humour that makes your gut ache from both laughter and contemplation. Second City is presenting their new mainstage revue, TITLE OF SHOW, a sketch comedy piece incorporating music, dance?, and of course, face-melting comedy. The ensemble tackles everything from Weight Watchers, to G...

BWW Review: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at Mirvish is the Gorgeous Show You Can't Miss
by Taylor Long - April 03, 2018

This must be one of the prettiest shows for the stage. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, currently being presented at Mirvish, will have you shaking your head in wonder at Bob Crowley's imaginative set design and Christopher Wheeldon's breathtaking direction and choreography. The musical, inspired by the Academ...

BWW Review: GOBSMACKED Has Impressive Parts but Struggles as a Unit
by Taylor Long - March 25, 2018

'The world's best a capella and beatboxing show,' delivers less energy than you'd think. Touring North America, GOBSMACKED is a collection of mainstream hits all performed completely a capella - like a live version of 'Glee' with less musical theatre. Individually the performers are wonderfully tale...

BWW Review: ANIMAL FARM at Soulpepper Uses Humour to Reel You In
by Taylor Long - March 20, 2018

I would watch a Ravi Jain directed production of the phone book. ANIMAL FARM, presented by Soulpepper, is an adaption of George Orwell's famous novel by Canadian playwright Anthony MacMahon. Jain and MacMahon design a campy, satirical world for the farm animals, using humour as a reel to hook the au...

BWW Review: Soulpepper's IDOMENEUS Resonates Through Jarring Storytelling
by Taylor Long - March 15, 2018

'That's not what happened.' Soulpepper's IDOMENEUS tells the story of a famous Greek myth - but plays with the mode of storytelling to create something remarkable. Roland Schimmelpfennig's modern play comes to life in a timeless zone of monochromatic universality in Alan Dilworth's production, desig...

BWW Review: National Ballet Delivers Grand Spectacle with THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
by Taylor Long - March 11, 2018

Tchaikovsky's exquisite score meets Nureyev's exhilarating choreography in a sensational grand ballet experience. The National Ballet of Canada brings back their celebrated production of Tchaikovsky's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, choreographed by the late Rudolf Nureyev. A dancer himself, Nureyev's creative...

BWW Review: National Ballet's MADE IN CANADA Fascinates with a Mixed All-Canadian Program
by Taylor Long - March 06, 2018

Slip into a painting. Slip into the life of a man. Slip into nature. MADE IN CANADA stimulates the imagination with a program of three invigorating Canadian ballets - Robert Binet's The Dreamers Ever Leave You, James Kudelka's The Four Seasons, and Crystal Pite's Emergence. This program offers somet...

BWW Interview: A Season of Two Debuts for National Ballet's BRENDAN SAYE
by Taylor Long - February 25, 2018

'It's a dream come true,' says dancer Brendan Saye. Recently promoted to First Soloist, Saye will be making two role debuts this season with the National Ballet of Canada - the Lead Man in James Kudelka's 'The Four Seasons' (part of 'Made in Canada') and Prince Florimund in Rudolf Nureyev's producti...

BWW Review: COME FROM AWAY is a Triumph in Toronto
by Taylor Long - February 18, 2018

Stop the world. COME FROM AWAY has come home. With a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, COME FROM AWAY is one of the biggest Canadian musicals of all time. For any of you thinking you'll miss the original cast - be anxious for nothing - the first Canadian cast does not disappoin...

BWW Review: Studio 180's KING CHARLES III is an Underwhelming Think Piece
by Taylor Long - February 17, 2018

In Mike Bartlett's play, Queen Elizabeth II has just died. As fascinating as it may be to imagine the future, Studio 180's production of KING CHARLES III, directed by Joel Greenberg, is a drab view of a very pessimistic future....

BWW Review: Multi-faceted Memories Create a Personalized Experience in DECLARATIONS
by Taylor Long - February 02, 2018

If you've ever lost someone you loved, you know how uniquely devastating the experience can be. In Jordan Tannahill's stage creation, DECLARATIONS, we see the raw product of that pain delivered through the fascinating mind of Tannahill and his five dancers....

BWW Review: A DELICATE BALANCE at Soulpepper is Sophisticated Dysfunction at its Best
by Taylor Long - January 30, 2018

Compared to the in-your-face absurdity of November's 'The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?' A DELICATE BALANCE displays a softer, more subtle Albee without softening the devastating impact. Directed by Diana Leblanc, Soulpepper's production simmers-exploring dysfunction through the lens of characters that ar...

BWW Review: Powerhouse Performances Deliver a Riveting LEAR
by Taylor Long - January 14, 2018

I'll start by saying that LEAR was one of the most powerful theatrical experiences I've ever had. Led by a cast of Shakespeare professionals, with vast Stratford Festival experience, Groundling Theatre's production is a polished, compelling piece of theatre. Dropping 'King' from the title, LEAR expl...

BWW Review: Stars of Canadian Musical Theatre Shine in NINE IN CONCERT
by Taylor Long - January 14, 2018

Podium Concert Productions, led by producer Peter da Costa and music director Mark Camilleri, presents high-calibre concert versions of musicals. Their second production, NINE IN CONCERT, was just that, a mostly high-calibre production featuring a cast of prominent Canadian talent, and a rare opport...

BWW Review: First Act Soars, Second Act Bores in THE LORAX at Mirvish
by Taylor Long - December 18, 2017

I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees! screams the puppet with three puppeteers on their knees. Unlike the show, I won't spend this in rhyme - and I promise to not take as much of your time. THE LORAX, presented by Mirvish is vivaciously visual. Dr. Seuss's fictional world becomes livable with col...