Preview: Penny Plain

Ronnie Burkett and his theatre of marionette's are back at the Factory Theatre this winter with Penny Plain. Another remarkable piece from the acclaimed performer. For tickets or more info please click the header above!

Show Description and of Ronnie:

An end-of-the-world romance told heartbreakingly, horrifyingly and hysterically, as only Burkett can.

Penny Plain sits in her overstuffed chair, listening to the news of civilization’s inevitable end and then the outside chaos invades her sanctuary. With a cast including survivalists, a serial killer, a cross-dressing banker, talking dogs and mysterious strangers, Penny Plain is a poignant and disturbing drawing room comedy of apocalyptic proportions.

Ronnie Burkett is recognized as one of Canada’s foremost theatre artists and has been credited with creating some of the world’s most elaborate and provocative puppetry. His company, Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes, sparked a renaissance in adult puppet theatre – continuously playing to great critical and public acclaim across Canada and throughout the world. 2011/12 marks the 25th anniversary of Theatre of Marionettes, celebrated with a national and international tour of Penny Plain.

Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes
PENNY PLAIN
BY RONNIE BURKETT
January 20 – February 26, 2012
Mainspace Theatre

Theatre Passe Muraille’s new season breaks exciting... - Toronto.com

Check out this nice little article from Richard Ouzounian on Theatre Passe Muraille's new season:

Theatre Passe Muraille’s new season breaks exciting... - Toronto.com

Preview: A Brimful of Asha

Serving up samosa's, laughs and lots of heart, A Brimful of Asha is exactly the type of show Liza and I have been craving this winter. The world premiere has opened to strong buzz and has all the top critics talking! For tickets please click the header.

Show Description:

Real-life mother and son, Asha and Ravi Jain, share the stage and tell this true (and very Canadian) story of generational and cultural clash. When Ravi takes a trip to India his parents decide it is the perfect time to introduce him to potential brides. Ravi is not sold on the idea of getting married-at least not yet-but Asha fears that time is running out.

Ravi Jain is an award winning actor, director, producer and educator. Ravi and his mother tell their story together, letting us into their personal drama. Select Sunday performances take place at Dish Cooking Studio (390 Dupont Street) and include a cooking class with Asha, the performance, and a shared vegetarian Indian meal.

A Brimful of Asha
By Asha and Ravi Jain
Directed by Ravi Jain
A WHY NOT THEATRE PRODUCTION
WORLD PREMIERE
On now until February 19th
Tarragon Theatre
Toronto

Toronto: Cast talks about Cruel and Tender

Tonight is the night!

Preview: Caroline, Or Change

Exploding onto the Toronto Stage this month is a beautiful production of the musical, Caroline, Or Change. It has received delicious reviews from critics in the city and we are excited to tell you about it!

Show Description:

Caroline, an African American maid to a Southern Jewish family, is struggling to keep afloat both emotionally and economically, while the young son of her employer tries to make sense of the world following the death of his mother. A Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel and Obie award-wining musical—and the only musical of the 21st century on New York Magazine’s shortlist for “The Greatest Musical of All-Time”—Caroline, or Change mixes fact and fantasy, symbolism and reality, plus a wide palette of musical styles to tell the story of ordinary people facing extraordinary change.

For tickets or more info please click the header!

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
Book and lyrics by Tony Kushner
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Directed by Robert McQueen (Acting Up Stage/Obsidian)
At Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley)
Runs to February 12, Wednesday-Saturday 8 pm, Sunday 7 pm (except February 12 at 3 pm), matinee Saturday 2 pm
$32-$45
416-368-3110

Theatre 20 announces inaugural season

Press Release:

TORONTO, ON (Monday, Jan. 23, 2012) -- Theatre 20, Toronto's artist-led musical theatre company, today announced its inaugural season of production at a press conference and exclusive ticketed cocktail affair, "A Taste of 20: Sample the Season". The event launches a season which includes two workshops, two full productions, and a series of other events.

Speeches by Artistic Director and Founding Artist Adam Brazier, Theatre 20 Board Chair David Morris, Michael Rubinoff (Associate Dean Performing Arts, Sheridan College), Raindogs creator Andrew MacBean and Founding Artist Colm Wilkinson (Director of Theatre 20's first production) underlined Theatre 20's mandate to present story-driven musicals by developing new Canadian works and by re-imagining existing repertoire, nurturing the talent of writers and composers and fostering the development of young artists through mentorship and education programs. Preview performances at the event featured Theatre 20 Founding Artists and Emerging Artist Ensemble with guest artists including Jeff Madden, Tim Howar and Donnie Macphee.

First on the season roster is the Toronto premiere of Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare, by Winnipeg playwright Joseph Aragon. Theatre 20 Founding Artist and internationally renowned performer Colm Wilkinson makes his directorial debut with this delightfully dark true story of the 1829 West Port murders in Edinburgh.

Theatre 20 will workshop the show in April-May and the full production will run at the Panasonic Theatre from Oct. 16 through Nov. 11, 2012.

Next, Theatre 20 partners with Sheridan College's Canadian Music Theatre Project on the workshop of Raindogs by Canadian Andrew MacBean. This musical, based on Lanford Wilson's Balm in Gilead, features original music by MacBean, Paul Chant and Boko Suzuki, lyrics by MacBean and book by MacBean, Rose Martula and Wilson himself. The show, which was the last project Wilson worked on before his death in March 2011, centres on a young prostitute who meets a somewhat inept drug dealer. Like Balm in Gilead, Raindogs is a moving and gritty look at the junkies, pushers, prostitutes and other freaks that inhabit an upper West Side greasy spoon.

Raindogs was first workshopped as a full-length musical as part of the MAD Fringe Festival at Trafalgar Studios, London, England. It went on to have its first U.S. workshop at Sag Harbour, NY's Bay Street Theatre in October 2010.

The workshop will take place during the late spring at Sheridan in conjunction with a comprehensive mentorship program between Theatre 20 Founding Artists and Sheridan Music Theatre Performance Program students. Public performances of the workshop will take place in both Oakville and Toronto. The full production of Raindogs will follow in Theatre 20's 2013-2014 season.

The season wraps up with Company at Harbourfront Centre's Enwave Theatre considered by many the show that inaugurated the era of the modern musical. Theatre 20 Artistic Director Adam Brazier re-imagines this beloved show from the international musical theatre canon with Gary Griffin as Creative Consultant. Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, centres on Robert, a single man unable to commit to a steady relationship, the married couples who are his best friends, and his three on-again off-again girlfriends. Set in early-1970s, upper-middle-class Manhattan and told through a series of vignettes in no particular chronological order, each character and scene is linked by the celebration of Bobby's 35th birthday. It has been 25 years since a professional production of Company has been seen in Toronto.

For more information on Theatre 20 please click the header!

Preview: Cruel and Tender

Canadian Stage kicks of the second half of the season with Cruel and Tender. This post-war drama is written by prominent British playwright Martin Crimp, and at tonight's performance Mr Crimp will be on hand prior to the show, at 7:15 pm, for a chat with the audience.  This show is also very special for Toronto theatre audiences, because the show is directed by Oscar nominated filmmaker Atom Egoyan and stars acclaimed actress of stage and screen Arsineé Khanjian.

Cruel and Tender is the story of Amelia and her husband, who is returning from battle.  But when he does, Amelia discovers his motives for enlisting were personal and disturbing. She must struggle to come to terms with his motives and the aftermath of war.

Cruel and Tender  runs until February 18th.  Click here for specific dates and ticket information.

Cast: Arsineé Khanjian, Daniel Kash, Nigel Shawn Williams, Thomas Hauff, Jeff Lillico, Abena Malika, Cara Ricketts, Brenda Robins, André Sills, and Sarah Wilson.

Preview: Kim's Convenience

Opening this week to incredibly inspiring reviews from top Toronto theatre critics at the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail and the Torontoist is Soulpepper's season opener - Kim's Convenience. Soulpepper Academy alumnus Ins Choi's hilarious and touching debut play set in a Regent Park Korean convenience store was the smash hit of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival. The journey of a fractured but loving family confronting the future and forgiving the past is a Toronto classic in the making.

Directed by Weyni Mengesha (Soulpepper Academy alumna)
Featuring Clé Bennett, Ins Choi, Esther Jun, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Jean Yoon

For tickets or for more info please click the header!

Young Centre for the Performing Arts is located in the Distillery District
55 Mill Street, Building 49
Toronto

Throw back clip

Having a Baby the Musical kind of afternoon.  I found this great clip of the original Broadway cast, singing one of the best numbers "I Want it All."

Enjoy!

Some Good News For Arts in the City

Great news Toronto arts fans.  If you haven't heard already the City Council approved the final Operating Budget for 2012.  The feared cuts to arts grant funding were overturned and the funding was restored to 2011 levels.  This is a huge victory for the arts community that came out aggressively opposed to Mayor Ford's proposed cuts.  With the help of the Friends of the Arts petition City Councillors fought to reverse the reduction.  The Friends of the Arts network boosts over 20,000 local residence.  To read more about the fight for arts spending at City Hall click here.  And to check out the whole 2012 budget here. 

Preview: Alvin Ailey

Revelations from AlvinAileyAmericanDanceTheater on Vimeo.


One of the greatest modern dance companies going, Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater is coming to Toronto for a limited run at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.  I can remember seeing Alvin Ailey tours when I was a very young dancer in San Francisco, and "Revelations", the piece above, is still one of the most moving things I have ever seen onstage.  If you have never seen Alvin Ailey, or if it has just been a while then be sure not to miss them while they are in town for four performances February 2nd - 4th.  Click here for ticket information.  And click here to see the line-up each night, the shows are slightly different, although all four performances feature "Revelations."

Still not convinced? Check out this clip from Artistic Director Robert Battle's work "Hunt."  An athletic piece featuring six male dancers on the hunt.


The Hunt from AlvinAileyAmericanDanceTheater on Vimeo.

NextSteps's Dance Weekend 2012

Next week the Harbourfront Centre will kick off the second half of NextSteps with Dance Weekend 2012.  Dance Ontario presents a stunning winter showcase featuring more than 26 companies, presented in association with the Harbourfront Centre.  The event is next weekend starting January 20th at 7pm and January 21-22nd at 1pm.  

All performances will be at the Fleck Dance Theatre, located at Harbourfront Centre, 207 Queens Quay West. Tickets for the event are by donation with a minimum of $10.  If you love dance don't miss this one, there will be hundreds of dancers, live musicians and range of dance styles to marvel at including, ballet, hip-hop, flamenco and folk.  Click here for more information.

Preview: Red Snow

2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the Rape of Nanjing.  Many of the atrocities of WWII committed in Asia have yet to be properly exercised.  People the world over continue to dig and examine the truths about what happened throughout the region during the War.  Red Snow, on now at Theatre Passe Muraille and presented by the Red Snow Collective, in association with ALPHA and the Aluna Theatre is a deeply personal exploration of the tragedy that occurred in Nanjing. 

Through the powerful narrative of a contemporary woman who goes in search of her family's tragic history, Red Snow is about the forgotten victims of Asian genocide in China. She is forced to confront feeling of love, hatred and despair when she falls in love with a man who's family story is connected with her own. Together they must struggle to reconcile the past and present.  The show fuses music, Western and Eastern styles of text and movement.   

written by Diana Tso

directed by Beatriz Pizano

music by Alice Ping Yee Ho

movement by William Yong

set / multi-media by Trevor Schwellnus

lighting by Michelle Ramsay

dramaturgy by Ric Knowles

stage managed by Sandy Plunkett

cast: Zoé Doyle, Derek Kwan, Vienna Hehir, Janet Lo, and Richard Tse

Red Snow  is on now until January 28th at Theatre Passe Muraille.  Click here for ticket info.  Don't miss this World Premiere.

Preview: The Golden Dragon

The Golden Dragon  is on now until February 19th at Tarragon Theatre.  This one act play, is set at dinner at the bustling Golden Dragon restaurant. While diners enjoy their savoury meals the kitchen staff works frantically to hide an illegal young immigrant who is desperately searching for his lost sister.  Could the answer to his questions be just a few tables away?...

The Golden Dragon  is by Roland Schimmelpfennig
translated by David Tushingham
and directed by Ross Manson
set and costume design by Teresa Przybylski
lighting design by Thomas Ryder Payne
choreography by Heidi Strauss
assistant director Leora Morris
cast: David Fox, Lili Francks, Tony Nappo, Anusree Roy,  and David Yee

Roland Schimmelpfennig is a renowned playwright in Europe.  Originally from Germany, he received the Mulheim Dramatists Prize for The Golden Dragon.  This is the Canadian Premiere. Click here for ticket and showtime information.  The box office can be reached at 416.531.1827

Preview: The Penelopiad

Image courtesy of Toronto.com

Opening this week at Buddies is the highly anticipated, The Penelopiad. For tickets please click the header!!!

The iconic Margaret Atwood offers a daring revision of Homer's Odyssey by giving voice to Penelope. Condemned to spend eternity in Hades, Penelope recounts her life's story and the murder of her twelve handmaidens by her vengeful husband Odysseus. Atwood's acerbic wit brings one of history's most powerful myths to the contemporary imagination. The Toronto premiere of The Penelopiad is helmed by award-winning director Kelly Thornton, Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre, Canada's national women's theatre company.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre proudly welcomes
a Nightwood Theatre production
THE PENELOPIAD
By Margaret Atwood
Directed by Kelly Thornton
Starring Megan Follows
with Maev Beaty, Christine Brubaker, Sarah Dodd, Monica Dottor, Raven Dauda, Kelli Fox, Megan Follows, Cara Gee, Patricia Hamilton, Tara Rosling, Pamela Sinha, Sophia Walker and Bahia Watson
Designed by Denyse Karn
Lighting Designer Kimberly Purtell

Kim's Convenience - Behind the Scenes

Previews have just started for the exciting new piece Kim's Convenience. This is such a relevant play to come from the city that is about the city in our present day. Check out the behind the scenes video below! Preview to come next week. If you would like more info or to purchase tickets please click the header.

Last Chance for American Idiot

This is the final week of American Idiot the Green Day Musical, which is currently on at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.  If you haven't had a chance to get up there to see this show yet, you still have time.  EAP really enjoyed the show and so did Richard and J. Kelly.  This is not one to miss.  Click here to find out about ticket availability.  Do it now, because this show must close January 15th.

Toronto Ranks Last in Canadian Arts Funding

I received a disturbing email from the Toronto Arts Council yesterday.  A new study published by Hill Strategies Research  has come out claiming that Toronto is dead last when it comes to municipal arts funding in Canada.  And not just by a little bit but by a LOT.  Even when compared to traditionally less culturally inclined locals, Calgary comes to mind, Toronto spends just $19 per capita investment.  Calgary meanwhile spends $48.  Montreal tops the list with an investment of over $55 per capita arts investment.  The next lowest city is Ottawa which still outspends Toronto at $28 per capita investment by city council.

You'd think that in a city where the arts bring in $9 billion in revenue for this city, according to the study,  City Hall could do a bit more to support the arts in this city.  Last May, City Council moved to increase arts funding on the basis of its revenue generating abilities up to a whopping $25 per capita investment.  But instead when the most recent budget was released funding to the arts has been cut by $2 million dollars.  That means $2 million dollars less of grant funding specifically allocated to local arts groups like the Toronto Arts Council.  According to TAC a reduction like that has far reaching implications.  Every dollar invested by the city leverages additional funding up to $17 from other funding sources.  The effect?  A loss of of over $25 million dollars of arts investment money to this city.  

If you are as outraged at this as we are, or to learn more please contact Susan Wright at the Toronto Arts Council by calling 416.392.6802 *211 or email susan@torontoartscouncil.org.

Summerworks Call for Musical Concert Submissions

We have been posting about festival submissions this season to give would-be producers out there a heads up about upcoming deadlines, and we have got another one to report today.  In 2010 the Summerworks festival expanded their submission categories to include musical theatre, through the Musical Works in Concert submission.  Musical theatre submissions to the Summerworks festival should submit their application through the Musical Works in Concert application, which can be found here.

It is not to say that a musical submission to the general application for Summerworks wont be selected but musical works will have a much better chance if they are submitted through the musical category.    We have made the mistake before of submitting a musical for consideration with a general application and we would hate to see someone out there make our mistake, and have their brilliant work over looked for this year's festival.  The deadline for the Musical Works category is March 1st.  Be sure to check out all the requirements on the Summerworks website, or by clicking here.  And be sure to read the categories clearly to decide which application you should use to submit your work.  Good luck!!!!

World Stage is back at the Harbourfront Centre

Last year, Justin and I had the pleasure to attend a number of shows presented at the Harbourfront Centre's, Wold Stage series.  World Stage always features some of the best contemporary stage shows, including theatre and dance,  from around the world.  This season opens and closes with work developed through the Harbourfront Centre's Fresh Ground new works grant. Everything Under the Moon, is the most recent recipient and kicks World Stage off this year. The season ends with Dance Marathon, which was awarded the Fresh Ground prize in 2007, before travelling the world to rave reviews.

Now for a limited time only you can get World Stage Flex Passes, which significantly reduce the prices for show at the World Stage.  The Flex Pass is good for four tickets to any performance for $110.00.  That is a savings of over $20.00 per ticket!  Get your Flex Pass now, until January 15th by clicking here or calling 416.973.4000.  You can also select packages from a set list, or make your own.  Single tickets for most shows are $45.00.  So don't delay and get your Flex Pass or ticket package now.

And click here to see the full season line up!

Preview: Love is a Poverty You Can Sell and Marro & Jasp: Go Bake Yourself

We are half way through the Next Stage Festival!

These shorter and vibrant pieces can be found in the Antechamber of the festival and there are only 4 more times to catch them!



Love is a Poverty You Can Sell
Soup Can Theatre
Playwright: Justin Haigh, featuring the music of Kurt Weill and others
Director: Sarah Thorpe
Musical Director: Pratik Gandhi

Enter the world of a 1920s Berlin cabaret and enjoy a pectacle of song, story, and sin! Hosted by emcees Hans and Jodel, this colourful tribute to the musical legacy of legendary composer Kurt Weill is sure to delight.

“Sultry ... Uniformly Delectable ... NNNNN” —NOW Magazine
“Stellar ... Constantly Delights ... ★★★★” —Eye Weekly

Schedule:
JAN 10 / 7:15
JAN 14 / 8:15
JAN 15 / 4:15
JAN 15 / 6:15



Morro & Jasp: Go Bake Yourself
Up your Nose and In your Toes (U.N.I.T.) Productions
By Heather Marie Annis, Byron Laviolette & Amy Lee

One battle cry, a dash of sibling rivalry, a generous serving of heart, and a blend of Martha Stewart and Hell’s Kitchen, garnished with danger and delight. Morro and Jasp’s eighth original creation is a culinary masterpiece you won’t soon forget.

Canadian Comedy Award Nominees 2011

Schedule:
JAN 11 / 7:45
JAN 14 / 4:00
JAN 14 / 6:15
JAN 15 / 8:15

For tickets please click the header!

Previews: Modern Love and The Washing Machine

Last night marked the second night of this year's Next Stage Festival.  It was also the opening night for two Studio Theatre productions.  Modern Love and The Washing Machine.  Both are running almost daily till the 15th.  (Schedules to follow.)

Theatre Caravel's production of Modern Love, was created by star Jessica Moss, with production development assistance from, Eric Double, Julia Nish-Lapidus and Kyle Purcell.  In keeping with many of the Studio Theatre pieces this year, Modern Love deals with isolation in the digital age.

With over 600 friends at our fingertips how can we feel so alone?  Modern Love, takes a look at the ways we connect with and disconnect from each other every day." (Press release.)  The show was originally presented at Canadian Stage's Festival of Ideas and Creation and was well received by critics and audiences.  And Jessica Moss was lauded with an Outstanding Performer distinction for the 2008 Summerworks festival.  The 2011 Fringe festival also awarded the show Outstanding Ensemble.

Modern Love runs:
Jan 6 / 9:00
Jan 7 / 5:00
Jan 8 / 7:30
Jan 9 / 6:30
Jan 12 / 5:15
Jan 13 / 5:30
Jan 14 / 7:15
Jan 15 / 2:45

Run is 60 min.

Last night's late show was, The Washing Machine,  presented by Red Betty Theatre.  In this drama, set in India, Isabella, "a bereaved mother and wife," (press release) hopes to start fresh, literally.  She wants to transform her childhood home from dusty fields and mangy animals into, "tennis court and a washing machine".  But with the help of her childhood homeland, gurus, meddling spirits and some very pesky monkeys, Isabella realizes her, "dirty laundry" can't be cleaned in the spin cycle.  Both Sasha Kovacs and Jonathan Heppner accepted Outstanding Ensemble and Production awards for the Fringe 2009.

Cast and Creative: Playwright: Radha S Menon / Director: Sasha Kovacs / Cast: Aparajit Bhattacharjee, Steve Cumyn, Mina James, Jivesh Parasram, Cydney Penner, Dipal Patel, Ronical Sanjnani, Asha Vijayasigha / Associate Director and Script Coordinator: Jonathan Heppner

The Washing Machine runs:
Jan 6 / 6:45
Jan 7 / 9:00
Jan 8 / 3:00
Jan 10 / 8:30
Jan 11 / 6:15
Jan 12 / 9:15
Jan 14 / 5:00
Jan 15 / 9:15

Run is 90 min

Preview: The Last Five Years

Opening this week at the Tarragon Theatre is Clearwater Theatre Company's adaptation of the Jason Robert Brown classic The Last Five Years. We have always wanted to see this piece so how exciting for our city to receive this new years treat!

Show Description:

An emotionally powerful and intimate musical about a successful writer and an aspiring actress who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. The show’s unconventional structure juxtaposes their two perspectives; she tells her story from the end of the show backwards, while he tells his story chronologically. The two characters meet only once, at their wedding in the middle. The show is accompanied by a piano and 5 piece string ensemble.

For tickets please click the header!

Directed by Kate Stevenson
Starring John Boag and Alison Jutzi

Tarragon Theatre
Evening Performances Thursday Jan 5th, 2012 – Saturday Jan 14th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:30pm

Tickets
In Person: Tarragon Theatre Box Office
Online: Tarragon Theatre Online Box-office
By Phone: (416) 531-1827
E-mail: boxoffice@tarragontheatre.com

Preview: HYPNOGOGIC LOGIC

Coming into the Next Stage Festival with REALLY strong reviews and a lot of hype is Hypnogogic Logic.

Acclaimed comedy troupe Uncalled For tickle your frontal lobe with Hypnogogic Logic: an energetic, refreshingly intelligent and endlessly hilarious trip through the world of dreams. Winner of the Just For Laughs Best Comedy Award (Montreal Fringe 2010), the show rides the wild rollercoaster of a mind falling asleep. A tour-de-force of inspired writing and joyful performance, this is comedy that treats the audience like adults, but leaves them giggling like children. WAKE UP!

Schedule:
JAN 5 / 5:00
JAN 6 / 7:15
JAN 7 / 9:15
JAN 8 / 7:15
JAN 10 /5:45
JAN 12 / 6:45
JAN 13 / 9:15
JAN 14 / 4:45
JAN 15 / 9:00

For tickets please click the header!

UNCALLED FOR PRESENTS

HYPNOGOGIC LOGIC

Created by: Uncalled For
Cast: Matt Goldberg, Dan Jeannotte, Colin Munch and Anders Yates

Preview: LOVING THE STRANGER OR HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN INVERT

Premiering tonight on the Factory Mainstage is this fascinating and truly unique investigation of sexuality that crosses generations and time. Loving the Stranger has some really fine buzz surrounding it and we are excited to catch the opening tonight!!!

For tickets please click the header!

Show Description:
Meet Montréal’s Peter Flinsch: theatre designer, visual artist, and gay survivor of Nazi Germany, arrested in 1942 for kissing a friend at a Luftwaffe Christmas party. From the cabarets of 1920’s Berlin, to the ongoing battle over gay marriage, all the way to the office of the Prime Minister; sexuality, spectacle, and satire launch a musical Blitzkrieg on apathy. Provocative Expressionist cabaret developed with Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and the 2010 SummerWorks Festival.

“...a politically charged musical about the modern construction of the homosexual that’s ambitious in scope, well-researched, and aesthetically brilliant.” —NOW Magazine

Schedule:
JAN 5 / 7:30
JAN 7 / 2:45
JAN 8 / 5:15
JAN 9 / 6:15
JAN 11 / 8:30
JAN 12 / 9:00
JAN 13 / 5:15
JAN 14 / 7:00
JAN 15 / 7:00

LOVING THE STRANGER OR HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN INVERT

Ecce Homo Theatre
Written and Directed by Alistair Newton
Cast: Hume Baugh as Peter Flinsch
Ensemble: Seth Drabinsky, Matthew Eger, Kimberly Persona, Geoff Stevens / Dancer: Laurence Ramsay
Musical Director: Dan Rutzen
Original Choreography by: Graham McKelvie
Choreography adapted by: Sky Fairchild- Waller
Accompanist: Adam Weinmann

Preview: THE TIKI BIKINI BEACH PARADISE PARTY A-GO-GO!

If you are looking for a something a little lighter at the Next Stage Festival then Tiki Bikini is definitely one to check out!

Show Description:

An ultra enthusiastic, hyper-speed-a-go-go keen teen musical that is a loving parody of the Beach Party movies of the 1960’s. Freddie and Jeannette just want to hold an end of summer party on Bikini Beach, much to the chagrin of the Big Tuna. Hula hoops, surf boards and energetic dance numbers make for a fan-tiki time! With rave reviews across the (surf) boards, you’ll Go-Go wild for this Tiki-tastic show!

Schedule:
JAN 4 / 6:45
JAN 5 / 9:15
JAN 6 / 5:15
JAN 7 / 7:15
JAN 8 / 9:30
JAN 9 / 8:00
JAN 12 / 5:00
JAN 14 / 2:45
JAN 15 /5:00

THE TIKI BIKINI BEACH PARADISE PARTY A-GO-GO!

Allison Beula Productions
Written, Directed and Choreographed by Allison Beula
Cast: Ashley Arnold, Chris Beck, Rory Bray, Kevin Clarke, Stephan Dickson, Evan Dowling, Thomas Duplessie, Rachelle Ganesh, Christopher Johnston, Sarah Kuzio, Stephanie Hope Lawlor, Stan Macdonald, Nick Nasrallah, Amelia Sirianni
Original songs composed by Jeffery Straker
Live music by the von Drats

Previews: LOVESEXMONEY and Tomasso's Party

Opening tonight at the Next Stage Festival are two shows about intimacy and love.  Both LOVESEXMONEY and Tomasso's Party are on in the Studio Theatre, at Factory.

In LOVESEXMONEY, created by writer/director Kat Sandler, Olivia sells her virginity online.  Her boyfriend Jim tries to stop her, and a guy named Simon buy it.  This show was a big hit at the Factory Theatre last year, which is why it is back as part of the Next Stage Festival.  Presented by Theatre Brouhaha, LOVESEXMONEY is a naughty, hilarious and fast paced new play about intimacy in the Information Age." (Press release)

Cast: Hannah Barnett-Kemper, Len Batta, Scott Clarkson, Gwen Cumyn, Brooke Morgan, and Daniel Pagett.


LOVESEXMONEY runs:

Jan 4 / 7:15
Jan 7 / 6:45
Jan 8 / 9:15
Jan 9 / 8:15
Jan 10 / 6:00
Jan 12 / 7:00
Jan 13 / 7:15
Jan 14 / 9:15
Jan 15 / 4:45

Tomasso's Party, by Rooftop Creations, is the story of a young couple. Their relationship, though comic at times, is plagued with insecurity and jealousy.  But as Tomasso's Party looms Hugo and Madeleine's relationship steps up its frantic pace as the two's emotions and interactions swing wildly from the realistic to the absurd.  This show reflects modern intimacy and reminds the audiences about the fragility of love.  It is about the balance of power in relationships and how quickly they can become unhinged.

Cast and Creative: Playwright, Jules Lewis / Director, Nigel Shawn Williams / Cast: Simon Bracken and Leah Doz / Producer André du Toit.

Tomasso's Party runs:

Jan 4 / 9:30
Jan 5 / 7:15
Jan 6 / 5:00
Jan 7 / 3:00
Jan 8 / 5:30
Jan 11 / 8:45
Jan 13 / 9:30
Jan 14 / 3:00
Jan 15 / 7:15

Click here for more information about these two shows or anything on at the NSF.  You can click here for ticket information.  Or call 416.966.1062.  See you at the Factory!

Preview: Living With Henry

The first show we are previewing from the Next Stage Festival was a major hit here in the city last year and is a musical that we here at EAP are very excited and intrigued by.

Featured as part of the Best of Fringe Uptown 2011, Living With Henry is a new musical drama that explores the fear, complications and realities of living with HIV/AIDS today. Though no longer a death sentence, the once carefree Michael must learn to come to terms with living with his chronic condition. Acclaimed for its honesty, boldness and inventiveness, this musical - “sometimes comic, sometimes heartbreaking” - is sure to engage, inspire and entertain!

Schedule:
JAN 4 / 8:45
JAN 6 / 9:15
JAN 7 / 4:45
JAN 8 / 2:45
JAN 10 / 8:00
JAN 11 / 6:00
JAN 13 / 7:00
JAN 14 / 9:00
JAN 15 / 2:30

from Beyond Boundaries

Living With Henry
Written and Composed by Christopher Wilson
Director & Choreographer: Donna Marie Baratta
Musical Director: James Smith
Cast: Ryan Kelly, David Silvestri, Lizzie Kurtz, John Edwards, Mary Kelly, Kraig Waye

Preview: The Next Stage Festival hits Toronto!

Opening this week in the city is one of our favourite festival's in the city! The Next Stage Festival is a brilliant collection of works that have premiered already in the country, but need more love and exposure! What joy we say! Exactly what the city needs this time of year and we say Here, Here! The Festival begins this Wednesday evening and runs until the 15th of the month.

Festival Description:

Theatre lover or arts novice, we hope you’ll join us for the fifth anniversary of Toronto’s fastest growing theatre event. The shows in Next Stage are chosen by a panel of industry experts from an incredibly talented pool of “Fringe artists” from across North America, just about to emerge into the mainstream. These are the most talented, most exciting artists from across the Fringe circuit.

On offer this year is our most diverse line-up ever of productions by independent artists. In the intimate Studio Theatre take a look at relationships – amorous and familial – through 21st century eyes. On the Main Stage, four bold productions harness the power of spectacle to tell their unique stories - these are big shows full of laughter, tears and energy.

Next Stage isn’t a normal night at the theatre. The heated McAuslan Beer Tent in the courtyard at Factory Theatre is buzzing all festival long with little concerts and art installations. This is independent theatre at its finest and your chance
to catch artists at that “I saw them when” moment on their way to stardom.

For tickets or more info on shows (and stay tuned for individual show descriptions this week!) please click the header!!!