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Please note that after 6 years of blogger lovin' we have officially decided to move our theatre blog to our official website! This is a wonderful milestone for us here at eap.

Our site: emergingartproductions.com

Preview: Everyday Anthems at World Stage

Opening tomorrow evening down at the Harbourfront Centre is another World Stage piece that sounds and looks absolutely delicious. Look for buoyancy and grace abound c/o choreographer Heidi Strauss. For more info please read the description below and for tickets please CLICK HERE!

Show Description:

Choreographed by rising star Heidi Strauss, along with text from playwright Brendan Gall, this new dance work explores anthems as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles, for things unrequited, for personal strength and belonging. An impassioned performance that poses questions around power, pride and unity in the face of difference.

Strauss’s first creation for Toronto Dance Theatre draws on the embodied histories of her performers to create a richly physical ensemble work.

Suggested age: all ages.

WORLD PREMIERE
Everyday Anthems
Toronto Dance Theatre (Canada)
March 6-9

Fleck Dance Theatre

Harbourfront Centre

Preview: Laws of Motion

Now playing in the east end is this little gem LAWS OF MOTION. It is generating a bunch of buzz and is getting some very strong reviews. Check out our preview below:

Show Description: 

A Small Elephant Co-op presents the Canadian Premiere of LAWS OF MOTION by ASHLIN HALFNIGHT & directed by CHRISTOPHER STANTON from March 1st-15th. The inaugural production at The JAM Factory Co. located in Toronto's Leslieville district.

In Ashlin Halfnight’s play LAWS OF MOTION the lives of eleven people are forever changed when the domino effect of one tragic incident touches each of them in surprising ways. 

"To every action there is always an equal and an opposite reaction." - Newton

VISIT: www.secureaseat.com for tickets!

Where: 2 Matilda Street Toronto, ON M4M 1L9

When: March 1st-15th 2013; Nightly at 8pm (Dark on Mondays)

How: Please email lawsofmotionplay@gmail.com; www.lawsofmotion.ca

This play contains coarse language. It is recommended for mature audiences. This is a Canadian Actors' Equity Approved Co-op.

Meet the cast:

CARLO - Carlos Diaz

ANNA/LONNIE - Caitlin Driscoll

MARKUS - Jeff Irving

JOLENE - Dani Kind

DOMINIC/GORDON - Peter Pasyk 

CHRISTOPHER/COOPER - David Tompa

SAMMY - Ewa Wolniczek

BELLA/FIONA- Kate Ziegler

 LAWS OF MOTION team:

Sound Design - Lyon Smith

Lighting Design - Sandra Marcroft

Set & Costume Design - Lindsay Anne Black

Produced by A Small Elephant Co-op Dani Kind & Kate Ziegler

More on the Director:

Christopher Stanton is a Toronto-based director, performer, writer, musician and sound designer. 

Spotlight on Japan

We are excited to see this piece this evening! It is getting great buzz!!

Luminato Announces 2013 Premiere Series

Press Release:

The Mark Morris Dance Group,

the classic Chinese tale Feng Yi Ting directed by Atom Egoyan

and an all-star birthday celebration for the legendary Joni Mitchell

PREMIERE SERIES TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 20!

Luminato today announced three extraordinary offerings of theatre, music and dance – two Canadian premieres and a world premiere – as part of the 7th Annual Luminato Festival running June 14 – 23, 2013. Packaged together as the Premiere Series, tickets go on sale March 20.

Three spectacular events, the series includes: the Canadian premiere of the MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP’S L’ALLEGRO, IL PENSEROSO ED IL MODERATO; the Canadian premiere of the classic Chinese tale FENG YI TING, an opera directed by ATOM EGOYAN; and JONI: A PORTRAIT IN SONG - A BIRTHDAY HAPPENING LIVE AT MASSEY HALL, an all-star birthday celebration for the legendary JONI MITCHELL. 

L’ALLEGRO, IL PENSEROSO ED IL MODERATO

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

Canadian Premiere, presented at the Sony Centre

Featuring the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir 

The Mark Morris Dance Group, one the most revered and highly celebrated modern dance companies in the world, will present Mark Morris’ “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” -- based on poems by Milton and paintings by Blake, and widely considered one of the great dance works of the twentieth century. New York’s Mark Morris Dance Group has earned international acclaim for a wide spectrum of productions in dance and opera. The troupe’s exquisite Handel-oratorio dance “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato,” first presented in 1988, is considered Morris' masterwork.

“L’Allegro is one of the most important modern dances…performances are by definition a great occasion.”– The Wall Street Journal

FENG YI TING

DIRECTED BY ATOM EGOYAN • starring Sichuan Opera star SHEN TIEMEI

Canadian Premiere, presented at the MacMillan Theatre

Co-produced by Lincoln Center Festival, Spoleto Festival USA and Currents – Art & Music

Sung in Mandarin Chinese with English and Mandarin surtitles

As interpreted by Guo Wenjing, one of China’s most respected contemporary composers who fuses Chinese and Western classical styles, and directed by celebrated film and theatre director Atom Egoyan, “Feng Yi Ting” explores the epic tale of Diao Chan (Shen Tiemei), one of the fabled Four Beauties of ancient China, whose seductive charms ignite an empire-threatening rivalry between ruthless warlord Dong Zhuo and the brave general Lu Bu. With set designs by Tony-winning Derek McLane, lighting by Matt Frey, costumes by Han Feng, projections by Cameron Davis and video by Hong Kong–based visual artist Tsang Kin-wah, “Feng Yi Ting” premiered at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina and played New York’s Lincoln Center Festival to rave reviews this past summer.

“A brilliant morsel of theatrical art, flamboyantly conceived and compellingly staged.” – The New York Times 

JONI: A PORTRAIT IN SONG - A BIRTHDAY HAPPENING LIVE AT MASSEY HALL

Two Nights Only!

From “Both Sides Now” and “Blue” to “Court and Spark” and "Coyote," the work of Joni Mitchell continues to inspire and delight generations of listeners. Joni remains one of the world’s most embraced, lauded, and prolific singer-songwriters and visionary artists. When eight-time Grammy winner Joni Mitchell was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, the Grammys called Joni’s music “a powerful influence on all artists who embrace diversity, imagination, and integrity.” To celebrate both her artistry and upcoming 70th birthday, Luminato brings together an all-star lineup of musicians and vocalists interpreting the songs of this brilliantly original artist. Confirmed performers include: Grammy, Tony and Academy Award-winner Glen Hansard (Once); acclaimed singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright; and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell. The complete line-up to be announced. Musical direction and arrangements provided by drummer/bandleader Brian Blade along with pianist/composer Jon Cowherd. Band to include musicians Brian Blade, Melvin Butler, Jon Cowherd, Bill Frisell, Jeff Haynes, Mark Isham, Chris Thomas and Marvin Sewell. Produced by New York-based live music producer Danny Kapilian.

“She is in possession of one of the most extraordinary song catalogs of the past half-century.” — The New York Times 

The 2013 Luminato Premiere Series:

Mark Morris Dance Group • L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato

The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East

June 21 – 23, 2013 – Three Performances Only!

Friday and Saturday @ 7:30PM • Sunday @ 3PM

Presented by TELUS

Major Media Partner: Toronto Star

Feng Yi Ting 

Directed by Atom Egoyan

MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queens Park

June 20 - June 22, 2013 – Three Performances Only!

Thursday – Saturday @ 8:00 PM

Joni: A Portrait in Song - A Birthday Happening Live at Massey Hall

Massey Hall, 178 Victoria Street

June 18 and June 19, 2013 – Two Performances Only!

Tuesday and Wednesday @ 7:30PM

Presented by Sun Life Financial

With support from Slaight Music

The 2013 Premiere Series packages range from $154.50 to $349.50 (inclusive of HST and facility fee; plus applicable service charges) for three evenings of theatre, music and dance.

Advance Premiere Series Purchasing Opportunity

Monday, March 18, 2013, 12noon

Visa Infinite® cardholders and E-Newsletter Subscribers: Online at visainfinite.ca or 

by phone at 416-368-4TIX(4849)

Official Premiere Series Public On Sale

Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 12noon

Online at luminato.com or by phone at 416-368-4TIX(4849)

Single tickets will be available beginning April 20, 2013, 12noon.

For more information, visit www.luminato.com

Preview: pomme is french for apple

Our favourite show of 2012 and one of our favourite shows ever produced is back and opening this weekend at the Young Centre. In the dead of winter we need this incredibly charming and delicious piece of theatre to inspire some warmth and deep belly laughs. YOU MUST check this out!

Show Description:

First workshopped at the Young Centre before winning Patrons' Pick and Best of Fringe at the 2012 Toronto Fringe Festival, pomme is french for apple is a fresh, funny, and irreverent look at womanhood in all its glory: its perils, its pleasures and all kinds of madness in between. Comprised of a fast-paced series of vignettes, the show is a vaudevillian and distinctly West Indian exploration of the absurdity of women’s lives in settings as diverse as the islands, downtown Toronto and southeast London. pomme is french for apple is created and performed by Liza Paul and Bahia Watson, recipients of the 2012 RBC Footprint Award, presented by Obsidian Theatre, for their contribution to the arts. Mature content.

pomme is french for apple 
Featuring Liza Paul and Bahia Watson
Tickets: $15 - 30
For tickets please CLICK HERE!

Young Centre for the Performing Arts
50 Tank House Lane
Distillery Historic District
Toronto, ON M5A 3C4

The 34th Rhubarb Festival is on....

For two weeks, over 100 local and international artists transform Buddies in Bad Times Theatre into a hotbed of creativity and experimentation, sharing new ideas in contemporary theatre, performance art, dance, and music with adventure-loving audiences. This year's Festival Director Laura Nanni brings you some great entertainment and thought provoking theatre. Here are a few stills from some of the highlighted shows this year.  

Fay Slift and the Three Bears
 Ladybear Extraordinaire Fay Slift stars as Goldilocks in a high-drag, choose-your-own-adventure take on this familiar fairy tale.

created and performed by Trixie & Beever with John Paul Kane and Kaleb Robertson | directed by Lindsay Barton | choreographer / outside eye Kitty Neptune | costume design Atom Cianfarani | make up design and photography David Hawe | set and prop design Nina Bunjevac.

 And Dirty Plotz  a one-night only event TONIGHT.  An ensemble of female performers take on the historical exclusion and erasure of women in art and social justice movements.

curated and hosted by Alex Tigchelaar | featuring Jess Dobkin, Christine Pountney, Keisha Scott, Laura Kane, Hoa Nguyen and Zoe Whittall | choreography by Cat Nimmo

 

 Also, Graceful Rebellions is on this weekend.
 Meet Laily, Wazma, and Zenat. Each have a story to tell. Each suffer for joys divine and destructive and all have much to lose. Can an Afghan woman gain power under the rule of man?

written and performed by Shaista Latif | directed by Evalyn Parry | YCU Director Evalyn Parry
image by Kai Wa Yapp

You should also check out All The Ladies. This visceral dance performance builds and deconstructs ideas of femininity inside the frame of an all-female fight club.

choreography by Sasha Kleinplatz | interpreters Kelly Keenan, Rosie Cantin and Angie Cheng

Disco Hospital where you can experience a new queer shamanism in this performance ritual that combines therapeutic touch and sonic therapy. Participants are invited to bring an offering in exchange for this experience. Disco Hospital  is part of the one-to-one series which are held off-site at 519.

artist and clinical sonician Andrew Zealley.

These are just a few of the shows and events going on at Buddies over the next two weeks.  Be sure to check out the whole first week schedule here, and next week's schedule here.  Rhubarb is not like other festivals. There are plenty of different ways to see performances, you rarely see only one show, you’re travelling from place to place, and you often end up seeing something you never expected. Here’s a handy cheat sheet to help you decide what you want to see, and explain how you go about seeing it – all of the headings refer to the colour-coded bars you see in the show descriptions

Week One & Week Two Programs. These 12 shows run for an entire week, Wednesday to Sunday evenings, in one of the two performance spaces at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. At any given point, there are shows happening in both spaces, so when you arrive at the theatre pick the show you want to see first, and 30 minutes later when it’s done you can either stay where you are or move to the other space for your next performance. A $20 Evening Pass gets you in to the entire night of programming.

Special Presentations. These shows are special events that happen after the regular program for one or two nights only. Admission to Special Presentations is included in your Evening Pass.

Mobile Works. These are special performances designed for public spaces, and happen in various locations around the city. The location of each performance is included in its show listing above, and some of them either travel or take place outside so remember to bundle up. All Mobile Works presentations are free.

The One-To-One Performance Series. These are intimate performance designed for a single performer and one audience member at a time  – they all take place offsite at The 519 Church Street Community Centre. When booking your ticket, think of it like making an appointment: you can call ahead to our box office to schedule your personal time with an artist, or you can drop in to The 519 and see what’s available (a certain number of tickets for every performance will be held for drop-ins). Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can.

Young Creators Unit. These are 30 minute solo performances from four emerging voices that have been mentored through our Queer youth Arts Program. Performances take place every Saturday and Sunday beginning at 6PM. Each weekend features two different artists and your ticket gets you in to both performances. Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can.

Finally, a special note. The Faroe Islands will also be taking place offsite at The 519. While not a One-To-One performance, it is staged in an intimate environment for 10-15 people per show. Tickets to this Special Presentation are Pay-What-You-Can.