Preview: Forests

A really exciting opening is taking place at midtown's Tarragon Theatre. The same writer who conceived the masterpieceIncendies, Wajdi Mouawad, has his 2006 piece Forests being produced.

Show Description:

When Aimée learns that she has an unusual brain tumour, she decides to risk her life to have her child, only to die when her daughter Loup is a teenager. Enraged and grief-stricken, Loup reluctantly begins a quest to discover the origin of her mother’s mysterious illness. In a story that spans six generations and two continents, Wajdi Mouawad demonstrates that the bonds of family are not merely biological and cannot be contained: they are borne of love, sacrifice and deep commitment, and endure beyond the death of any single member.

For tickets please click the header.


Forests

Written by Wajdi Mouawad
Translated by Linda Gaboriau
Directed by Richard Rose
Starring: Terry Tweed, RH Thomson, Jan Alexandra Smith, Liisa Repo-Martell, Alon Nashman, Brandon McGibbon, Sophie Goulet, David Fox, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Matthew Edison, Dmitry Chepovetsky
Set and costume design by Karyn McCallum
Lighting design by Kimberly Purtell
Composition and sound design by Thomas Ryder Payne
Assistant director Sasha Kovacs
Apprentice stage manager Suzanne McArthur
photography by Cylla von Tiedemann
At the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto
Forests runs until May 29.

Preview: The cosmonaut’s last message to the woman he once loved

Another avante garde style of performance art has opened at the Bluma Appel Theatre as part of the current Canadian Stage series. Some critics are loving it while some are not. If you like challenging pieces of theatre then check this one out!

Show Description:

In 1991, a Russian cosmonaut was stranded in the Mir Space Station for almost 300 days, a victim of the collapsing Soviet State. David Greig uses this piece of little-known history as a springboard to tell the stories of a group of strangers, lovers and families. The cosmonaut’s last message… follows the intertwined lives of two forgotten cosmonauts who are orbiting the planet, a Scottish couple confronting their failed marriage, a young pole dancer searching for love, a French scientist obsessed with UFOs, a pregnant policewoman and a Norwegian businessman as they try, in their own way, to communicate.


Tickets from $22 to $99 are available in person, by phone 416.368.3110, or online by clicking here!

The cosmonaut’s last message to the woman he once loved in the former Soviet Union
Bluma Appel Theatre
(27 Front St. E),
April 16 to May 14, 2011
Written by: David Greig
Directed by: Jennifer Tarver
Assistant Director: Birgit Schreyer Duarte
Set and Costume Designer: Julie Fox
Dialect Designer and Coach: Eric Armstrong
Lighting Designer: Robert Thomson
Production Designer: Jeremy Mimnagh
Movement Consultant: Susanna Hood
Stage Manager: Nancy Dryden
Assistant Stage Manager: Sandy Plunkett
Starring Tom Barnett, Raoul Bhaneja, Fiona Byrne, David Jansen, Tony Nappo, Sarah Wilson

Preview: Bullet For Adolf

Playing now at U of T's Hart House Theatre is the World Premiere of Woody Harrelson's new play, Bullet for Adolf. We believe this is probably a workshop production to see what works and what does not work. We think it is great though that Harrelson is choosing Toronto to premiere this work. We would like to see a lot more of this to be honest!

Show Description:
In the hot Houston summer of 1983, friendships are formed that may withstand secrets, stereotypes, and betrayel. But can they withstand a blast from the past?

Bullet for Adolf
Directed by Woody Harrelson
Written by Woody Harrelson and Frankie Hyman
Directed by Woody Harrelson
Starring Brandon Coffey, David Coomber, Thomas Gough, Tashieka McTaggart, Billy Petrovski, Ronnie Rowe, Vanessa Smythe and Meghan Swaby

HART HOUSE THEATRE
7 HART HOUSE CIRCLE, TORONTO Single Tickets
$32 Adult
$18 Student & Senior
Reserved seating

Preview: Calendar Girls

Based on the hilarious and award winning film, Calendar Girls, makes its North America debut. The show, about a group of women's league ladies who raise money by selling a risque calendar, features an all Canadian cast. Justin and I have been looking forward to this show all season. The heart-warming tale of love and friendship should translate perfectly to the stage. And while it isn't a big budget musical there is bound to be something in Calendar Girls for any theatre lover. A great story, with loveable characters and a powerful message. Don't miss Calendar Girls on now at the Royal Alexander Theatre.

Featuring:

Fiona Highet stars as Annie and Fiona Reid as Chris, with Kathryn Akin (Cora), Terri Cherniack (Ruth), Barbara Gordon (Jessie), Kyra Harper (Brenda/Lady Cravenshire), Kimberley Rampersad (Elaine), Brigitte Robinson (Marie) and Jane Spence(Celia). The men in the cast will be Dan Lett (John Clarke) and Sweeney MacArthur (Rod) and Gordon Tanner (Lawrence and Liam). Christine Brubaker, Burgandy Code, Susan Henley and Derek Moran fill the company's understudy positions.

The show is directed by Marti Maraden

Calendar Girls runs until May 28th. Click the header for more ticket information and to watch the promo video.

Preview: The Situationists

Playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is the new Sky Gilbert piece, The Situationists.

Show Description:

A male professor and his female student debate about how to create a truly revolutionary act. They are joined by a young male radical who declares that sex is the only way to provoke real societal change. As the threesome attempts to instigate radical situations, they find themselves embroiled in one. Have they succeeded in their cause?

Provocateur extraordinaire, Sky Gilbert, finds inspiration for his latest work in the ideas of the Situationist International, the infamous political and artistic movement which tore France apart in 1950s and 1960s.

Please click here for more info and tickets.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre proudly welcomes
A Cabaret Company production
The Situationists
Written and Directed by Sky Gilbert
Starring Gavin Crawford, Haley McGee and Gil Garratt
Set Design by Andy Moro
Costumes by Sheree Tams
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre,
12 Alexander Street, Toronto
Runs until Sunday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday – Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2:30pm (P.W.Y.C).
Tickets are $16.00 – $27.00
Can be purchased in person at the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre box office

Preview: OUR TOWN

The Ensemble. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann

We are beyond thrilled to be heading to the Distillery District tonight to see our very dear friend Diana Bentley in Soulpepper's remount of the much loved and adored classic, Our Town.

Furthermore, not only is the king of the Toronto theatre scene, Joseph Ziegler, directing the production(!!!), but the one and only Nancy Palk will be back under the lights at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. The show itself is a profoundly moving piece of work and we are urging all of you to check it out over the next few months!!!

Show Description:
Soulpepper's beloved version of Thornton Wilder's masterpiece Our Town returns to remind us to make the most of life's every blessing. Wilder's gentle, humorous and poetic theatrical meditation takes us to the community of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, where the simplest acts can leave the greatest impressions. 2006 Dora Award (Outstanding Production).

For tickets please click here!

Our Town
Directed by Joseph Ziegler

Featuring Douglas John Alan, Diana Bentley, Derek Boyes, Kevin Bundy, Owen Cumming, Oliver Dennis, John Jarvis, Jeff Lillico, Trish Lindström, Toby Malone, Diego Matamoros, Dominique Matamoros, Nancy Palk, Krystin Pellerin, Brenda Robins, Albert Schultz, Michael Simpson, Jane Spidell, Charles Vandervaart & William Webster

The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
The Distillery District
Toronto, ON

Preview: Our Class

Liza and I very excited to be heading to the Berkeley Street Theatre this evening to see our friend David Beazely in the North American Premiere of the muched talked about new show, Our Class. The world premiere of Our Class was held in the National Theatre in London, in September 2009. It was translated by British writer Ryan Craig and directed by Bijan Sheibani. The Polish premiere of the play is scheduled for later this month at the ‘Na Woli’ Theatre in Warsaw, which Tadeusz Słobodzianek took over this season as Artistic Director.


Show Description:

In 1925 Poland, a group of Jewish and Catholic schoolchildren declare their ambitions: to be a fireman, a film star, a doctor. As the children grow up their country is torn apart by invading armies, and internal grievances deepen as fervent nationalism develops. The tension escalates into violence as these ordinary people carry out an extraordinary and monstrous act.

Our Class explores the events leading up to a dark moment in history and follows the fortunes of ten one-time classmates from one century into the next. This haunting play is a courageous examination of loyalty and treason, individual bravery and collective cowardice and the actions that ripped apart a small community during the Second World War. Studio 180 is proud to present its North American premiere in association with Canadian Stage.

Our Class recently won the 2010 NIKE Award, Poland’s top literary prize. It is the first time the prestigious award has gone to a play.

For tickets please click here!

OUR CLASS
BY Tadeusz Slobodzianek
ENGLISH VERSION BY Ryan Craig

DIRECTED BY Joel Greenberg
FEATURING David Beazely, Jonathan Goad, Jessica Greenberg, Ryan Hollyman, Mark McGrinder, Kimwun Perehinec, Alex Poch-Goldin, Dylan Roberts, Michael Rubenfeld & Amy Rutherford
SET & COSTUME DESIGN John Thompson
LIGHTING DESIGN Kimberly Purtell
SOUND DESIGN Michael Laird
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Lily Ling
ORIGINAL SCORE Sophie Solomon
STAGE MANAGER Robert Harding
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Liz Campbell
PRODUCTION MANAGERS Derek Bruce & Nathaniel Kennedy

Preview: Ariadne auf Naxos

Coming at the end of the month, for eight performances, to the Four Season's is Strauss's opera Ariadne auf Naxos. Ariadne marks the debut of legendary conductor Sir. Andrew Davis, at the COC.

In this madcap opera, the backstage antics are brought forth for the audiences' delight. Comedy, romance and drama clash in this opera inside of an opera. One of Strauss's most memorable operas it is a delight for both seasoned opera fans and novices. And with all of the exciting ticket offers on at the COC everyone can enjoy a night out at the opera.

Ariadne auf Naxos opens April 30th with productions running on various dates throughout May. Click the header for specific dates and ticket information. And check out the preview below.

The Time of Your Life

Opening last month and playing until June is the remount of Soulpepper's The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan. William Saroyan's boisterous, fantastical, exquisitely crafted The Time of Your Life won the 1940 Pulitzer Prize and two 2008 Dora Awards for Soulpepper's Joseph Ziegler and Stuart Hughes. A nostalgic love letter to an America-that-might-have-been set in a late-1930s San Francisco honkytonk saloon, Saroyan mixes an intoxicating cocktail of redemption and hope in this contemplative character and societal study.


The Time of Your Life is a beautifully crafted, tender, moving play that unquestionably ranks alongside the great works of Arthur Miller, Thornton Wilder, and Eugene O'Neill to define the middle twentieth-century genre of American drama. Saroyan builds a place in which every figure has a dream of changing their world in some way, and it is the "utterly unknown, but very famous" Joe who has the curiosity to help make that happen. Saroyan urges us all to live to the fullest in "the time of your life … so that in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death of yourself or for any life your life touches." The figures in The Time of Your Life do not all succeed in this philosophy, but it is the beauty of the dream that lingers.


For tickets please click here!

The Time of Your Life
Written by William Saroyan
Directed by Albert Schultz
On at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts
the Distillery District

Featuring Douglas John Alan, Derek Boyes, Kevin Bundy, Ins Choi, Tatjana Cornij, Oliver Dennis, Lyndon Hanrahan, Stuart Hughes, John Jarvis, Trish Lindström, Jeff Lillico, Alyson MacFarlane, Abena Malika, Toby Malone, Krystin Pellerin, Gregory Prest, Karen Rae, Brenda Robins, Mike Ross, Michael Simpson, Denzal Sinclaire, Jane Spidell, Brendan Wall, William Webster & Joseph Ziegler.