Opening this Week

Hello from Africa! Here is the listings of theatre openings for this week in Toronto! Some really exciting shows are beginning previews over the next week, including - Doubt, House of Many Tongues and A Beautiful View.

A Beautiful View by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). Two women reconnect over years after a romantic encounter at an airport bar. Previews Apr 28. Opens Apr 29 and runs to May 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $35-$45, students/seniors $30-$35, preview $20, Fri rush $15. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Bedbound by Enda Walsh (MacKenzieRo). A father and daughter struggle to coexist in a tiny home in this Irish play. Opens Apr 30 and runs to May 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30. $20, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, mackenziero.com.

Big Ideas (Alumnae Theatre). The company presents works-in-progress by Flora Danziger, Lucy Brennan, Jordan Hall and others. May 2 from 12:30 to 5:30 pm. Free. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Bio Boxes (Theatre Replacement). This collection of performance installation pieces is presented to one audience member at a time. Opens Apr 29 and runs to May 2, Wed-Sat 2:30 to 4:30 pm and 7:30 to 9:30 pm. 3 for $15; 6 for $25. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-534-9261, theatrecentre.org.

Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin (Shaw Festival). A corrupt tycoon's scheme to educate his girlfriend backfires in this comedy. Previews May 5-22. Opens May 23 and runs in rep to Nov 1. $30-$110; special mats srs $40, stu $25. Festival Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.

Bye Bye Birdie by Michael Stewart, Lee Adams and Charles Strouse (Living Arts Centre). This Broadway musical is based on the life of Elvis Presley. May 6 at 7:30 pm. $25-$65. 4141 Living Arts. 905-306-6000.

Cleansing Of Constance Brown by Stan's Cafe (Harbourfront World Stage). This fusion of installation and theatre features various scenarios enacted in a corridor. Opens May 5 and runs to May 9, Tue 8 pm, Wed-Fri 6:30 and 9 pm, Sat 2 and 8 pm. $40. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Doubt, A Parable by John Patrick Shanley (Canadian Stage Company). A feisty nun suspects a priest of improper conduct at a 60s Bronx Catholic school. Previews May 4-6. Opens May 7 and runs to May 30, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$90, limited rush and Mon pwyc. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canstage.com.

House Of Many Tongues by Jonathan Garfinkel (Tarragon Theatre). An Israeli general deals with his rebellious son and a property dispute with a Palestinian man. Previews Apr 29-May 5. Opens May 6 and runs to Jun 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $32-$38, students/seniors $20-$27, previews $19, Fri rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

I, Claudia by Kristen Thomson (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). Thomson stars in the Crow's Theatre production of her solo show about a young girl dealing with adolescent and family troubles. Previews Apr 24-29. Opens Apr 30 and runs to May 23, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat and Wed 2 pm. $25-$35, students $20; rush $20 (students $5). 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

The Marriage Of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland (AfriCan Theatre Ensemble). The spider/man storyteller Ananse decides to auction his daughter in this West African play. Apr 30-May 3, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $15. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, africantheatre.org.

A Midsummer Night's Dream adapted by Benjamin Britten (Canadian Opera Company). The operatic version of Shakespeare's play is performed in English. Opens May 5 and runs to May 23, May 5, 8, 13, 19, 21 and 23 at 7:30 pm, May 10 at 2 pm, May 16 at 4:30 pm. $60-$290, youth $30-$98. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
A Moon For The Misbegotten by Eugene O'Neill (Shaw Festival). Economic and emotional tensions develop between a woman, her father and their landlord. Previews Apr 28-May 22. Opens May 23 and runs in rep to Oct 9. $30-$110; special mats srs $40, stu $25. Court House Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.

Poems From A Love Triangle by Bill Gilliam (Music Gallery). Based on the poems of WR Rodgers, this performance features music and poetry staged as a radio drama. May 2 at 8 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. 197 John. musicgallery.org.

Rock.Paper.Sistahz 8 (bcurrent). The festival of works by black women includes art, dance, spoken word, theatre and more by Isidra Cruz, Kanika Ambrose, Maxine Marcellin and others. Opens May 4 and runs to May 31, various dates, times and venues (see website). Pwyc-$18, pass $50. 416-707-0330, bcurrent.ca.

Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. (Randolph Young Company). This all-ages musical based on the cartoon series teaches math, grammar, science and more. Opens May 1 and runs to May 10, Fri-Sat 7 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 11 am and 3 pm. $20. Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-872-1111, randolphacademy.com.

Shakespeare Series (Classical Theatre Project). This play series features Macbeth (Apr 24), Romeo & Juliet (May 8) and Hamlet (May 22). Opens Apr 24 and runs to May 22, Fri 8 pm. $20, stu/srs $25, all three $39. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-915-6750, classicaltheatreproject.ca.

The Show Us Yours Series (Ten Foot Pole Productions). Three Fringe plays – Balls by Rob Salerno, Giant Invisible Robot by Jayson MacDonald and The Sputniks by Elison Zasko – are performed. Opens May 5 and runs to May 17, Tue-Sat 8 or 9 pm, Sun 2:30 or 3:30 pm (see website for specific times for each play). $19, passes $29-$38. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, tenfootpole.ca.

Wood update!!!!!!!! And Check Out our Friends

Fall 2009 is already starting to look exciting for us here at Emerging Art Productions. It looks like EAP may be able to get Wood off the ground, in a special showcase early in the fall. This, despite being disappointed in our grant efforts. Because of our continued passion and commitment, some new energy and advice looks like it will pay off. Of course everything is preliminary at this point but we are very hopeful. And we will be sharing production information as it develops. So keep looking here for audition and performance information.

Lately, we have been looking to expand our network, and learn as much about the local theatre scene as possible, and our efforts have not gone unrewarded. And we are very excited to see that other groups and individuals here in Toronto are also developing new musical theatre, and cabaret projects. We are supper excited about all the dynamic stuff happening. Sometimes economic downturn and shifts in market can provide amazing and unexpected opportunities for creative ventures. And being a new face on the scene EAP is amazed and encouraged by the supportive energy. So thank you to the readers and supporters. And keep checking in on us to see what we and others are doing around the city. Just a quick plug for a few local friends with upcoming events.

Sharron's 'Spring Forward' Party!
TWO NIGHTS!
Friday April 24th &
Saturday April 25th
Tallulah's Cabaret @ Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
12 Alexander Street
Toronto
Call 416 975 8555 for Tix ....they are $20.00

Acting Up Stage
Presents a tribute to Paul Simon
April 20, 2009
Bathurst Street Theatre
8pm

And as always every Monday
Ms. Jenni Burke hosts Curtain's Down at Statler's
starting at 9pm. On Church north of Maitland... come one come all

If you would like to be included in our updates email justinhaley.eap@gmail.com or me liza.eap@gmail.com

West Side Story - Stratford

EAP is super excited to be heading out to Stratford today to catch an early performance of West Side Story. I am bringing a friend of mine who has never West Side before and I am super excited to get her reactions, as well as see this production. For more information on West Side and the Stratford Festival click here. And be sure to check back to read my thoughts on the show.

Happy Easter from EAP

Liza rocked the house

As promised I wanted to follow up about Liza's show at Roy Thompson Hall. First, she started on time, and was in top form. Unfortunately for me, because the price of tickets was astronomical, well at least for me, I saw mostly Liza's back for the first act, but what a back. She really was in good form, and seemed really, genuinely glad to be in Toronto. Her pantsuits, of course she wore pantsuits, were fierce, sparkly, and divalicious.

Now I will say that Liza's voice is not what it once was, but she is such an incredible performer, and she know how to manipulate the music and give her old standards a new fresh sound. And she did do a lot of her old hits, including Cabaret, Maybe This Time, Liza with a Z, The World Goes Round, and New York New York, which was probably the highlight of the show. And she finished the show with an acapella version of I'll be Seeing You, which left me in tears. My favourite part of the evening was definitely after she sang Mammy, and a gentleman rushed from the back of the house to the stage to present her with tulips, which she graciously accepted by says, "these are expensive, you didn't need to bring me these. Honey all you need to do for me is show up." Isn't that great?!

Anyway, overall I think it was, as predicted, a night I will never forget. I was giddy from start to finish and I think Liza was too. It is so wonderful after decades in the business to see that she still gets excited to be on stage in front of a live audience. I will also say, that despite Roy Thompson Hall being a bit spotty sound wise, it was a great venue for this kind of show. Because the Hall feels so intimate and the performers are so close to the audience it really suited the one woman cabaret. It made Liza Minnelli, perhaps one of the greatest stage legends of all time feel accessible, and the connection between her and the audience was undeniable. It was like seeing her at any local piano bar. Boy wouldn't that be something, Liza at Statler's. My only regret was that I didn't wait around after the show to try and get an autograph or stalk her back to her hotel. I could have but I was wiped out.

Kelli O'hara is a star

Check out this feature on Ms. O'hara in the Times. Kelli was starring in South Pacific until recently, and after she gives birth to her first child she will return to the runaway hit at the Vivian Beaumont. For the time being she is singing at the Cafe Carlyle in her own cabaret. Click here to read the full article. Image courtesy of the NYT

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot - at the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District

Check out Robert Crew's special in The Star. I would love to see this show.

LIZA LIZA LIZA with a Z

EAP is so excited to be seeing Liza Minnelli tonight at Roy Thompson Hall, we will let you know how the show was tomorrow. For now you can wet you whistle with this gem

Our Friends at New York Theatre Barn Are At it Again

Joe Barros is one of the most amazing producers that EAP knows. He's the artistic brain behind NYTB in New York. When I was last in town he filled me on a few of his upcoming projects. One of which is playing this Monday, April 6, at the Julia Miles Theater. Hey You Know What Movie Would Make a Good Musical? I am sure you can imagine, but it is about a pair of playwrights who can't get any original work published, so they begin writing musical versions of popular movies. Talk about art imitating life, imitating art, you get the picture. The musical is a campy combination of Jerry Maguire, Scream and Twister. I also want to shout out Jason Michael Snow, who wrote the music. He is also featured in the clip below from Hey You Know... I was fortunate to get to work with him in Wood at the Manhattan Theatre Club last summer. I knew he was a super talented singer and genuine actor but I had no idea he could write such great music. Check out Twister below, from Hey You Know What Movie Would Make a Good Musical?



And also from Twister in Hey You Know...



Celina Carvajal and Kate Weatherhead, who play Jo and Melissa respectively, KILL IT in, "Blow Her Away." Kate was also in Wood, and I don't Celina personally but she was a member of the Young Peoples' Teen Musical Theatre Company in San Francisco, along with Joe and I.
click here to learn more about NYTB and the show