Sunday morning as I read Richard's Toronto Star article I could not help but feel truly sad that Toronto is lossing Dancap Productions. The company, which began bringing shows to Toronto audiences five years ago, will wind down its operations after the summer season, and their wildly successful tour of Jersey Boys ends in the fall.
By all accounts Dancap, and its novice founder Aubrey Dan were just too ambitious. His efforts to establish a second big brand musical theatre entity in Toronto simply failed to turn a profit. Dan himself said in an exclusive interview with The Star that, "[Dancap] will be stepping back and re-evaluating our involvement in the theatre business." It is a big loss, but boy was it fun.
Over the years Dancap has had a few notable successes. No success was a big, perhaps, as Jersey Boys, which ran uptown at the Yonge Centre for two years. The show launched a Canadian cast, made a few stars, and went on to tour the country. In fact, the tour of Jersey Boys doesn't wrap until October. A fitting end for the company.
But their were other memorable moments as well. Seeing Next to Normal at the Four Season's with Broadway legend Alice Ripley, stands out. As does the company's original tour of South Pacific. But what sticks out most to me, was the excitement I felt five years ago when Dancap burst onto the scene and promised to bring more shows and more variety to Toronto audiences.
Now don't get me wrong Mirvish Productions IS Toronto theatre, and we couldn't be happier that they represent Toronto to the international theatre community, and bring amazing work to audiences here. But I couldn't help feeling proud of my adopted city when Aubrey decided that Toronto was ready for more big budget theatre. And I thought Toronto was too.
Unfortunately, Dancap could not make it work. Who knows where the blame should lie for Dancap's failure, maybe there is no blame to be had. But it is a sad day in a city that was once considered tops behind London and New York in international theatre rankings. At this point it might be hard to place Toronto in even the top five theatre cities in North America. Certainly there have not been many out-of-town previews or development of new work with an international audience in the past several seasons. Those are markers of a thriving theatre industry. Of course there have been other successes recently. Theatre 20, with its star power and unique mandate might prove lasting, and Angelwalk and Studio 180 spring to mind as torch bearers, but they are both decidedly more low key than Dancap.
These are only my opinions, but not many would argue that it was nice to see a bit more variety in the stuff coming in from out of town. I don't think Mirvish would have brought Next to Normal or American Idiot as Aubrey did. They certainly seemed to pass on Tony winner In the Heights which Dancap produced this season. Additionally having Dancap around made Mirvish better. Would Mirvish have gambled on Spring Awakening if Dancap wasn't nipping at their heals? Who knows? Memories of their great shows and enthusiasm will have to sustain us until someone else brave enough comes along to challenge and diversify theatre in Toronto again.
Thanks for the memories Aubrey.
By all accounts Dancap, and its novice founder Aubrey Dan were just too ambitious. His efforts to establish a second big brand musical theatre entity in Toronto simply failed to turn a profit. Dan himself said in an exclusive interview with The Star that, "[Dancap] will be stepping back and re-evaluating our involvement in the theatre business." It is a big loss, but boy was it fun.
Over the years Dancap has had a few notable successes. No success was a big, perhaps, as Jersey Boys, which ran uptown at the Yonge Centre for two years. The show launched a Canadian cast, made a few stars, and went on to tour the country. In fact, the tour of Jersey Boys doesn't wrap until October. A fitting end for the company.
But their were other memorable moments as well. Seeing Next to Normal at the Four Season's with Broadway legend Alice Ripley, stands out. As does the company's original tour of South Pacific. But what sticks out most to me, was the excitement I felt five years ago when Dancap burst onto the scene and promised to bring more shows and more variety to Toronto audiences.
Now don't get me wrong Mirvish Productions IS Toronto theatre, and we couldn't be happier that they represent Toronto to the international theatre community, and bring amazing work to audiences here. But I couldn't help feeling proud of my adopted city when Aubrey decided that Toronto was ready for more big budget theatre. And I thought Toronto was too.
Unfortunately, Dancap could not make it work. Who knows where the blame should lie for Dancap's failure, maybe there is no blame to be had. But it is a sad day in a city that was once considered tops behind London and New York in international theatre rankings. At this point it might be hard to place Toronto in even the top five theatre cities in North America. Certainly there have not been many out-of-town previews or development of new work with an international audience in the past several seasons. Those are markers of a thriving theatre industry. Of course there have been other successes recently. Theatre 20, with its star power and unique mandate might prove lasting, and Angelwalk and Studio 180 spring to mind as torch bearers, but they are both decidedly more low key than Dancap.
These are only my opinions, but not many would argue that it was nice to see a bit more variety in the stuff coming in from out of town. I don't think Mirvish would have brought Next to Normal or American Idiot as Aubrey did. They certainly seemed to pass on Tony winner In the Heights which Dancap produced this season. Additionally having Dancap around made Mirvish better. Would Mirvish have gambled on Spring Awakening if Dancap wasn't nipping at their heals? Who knows? Memories of their great shows and enthusiasm will have to sustain us until someone else brave enough comes along to challenge and diversify theatre in Toronto again.
Thanks for the memories Aubrey.
