Weekend Round-Up

It was a busy weekend for EAP.  With Justin off in Montreal Liza took to the playhouses alone.  Friday night  was the opening of the New Canadian Musical Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy at Hart House.  The audience was packed and super enthusiastic, which helped keep the pace brisk for this almost three hour odyssey.

The show is running all month long so you can definitely still catch it.  And although it is long it is clever and entertaining too.  Shout out to the cast and production which were both first rate.  Tickets are selling quickly so be sure to click here to get yours now.

The rest of the weekend was spent at Factory for the last weekend of the Next Stage Festival 2013.  It was fantastic, With Love and a Major Organ stole many hearts, perhaps predictably, since it was the toast of Fringe last summer.  What a beautifully poignant and remarkably smart show.  When we missed it at Fringe we were disappointed so it was great to see it this time around.  And if the show is further developed, this 60 minute gem, could easily make the leap to main stages anywhere.  

Afterward, while browsing through the Festival playbill , on the bus ride home I spotted this ad.

So many awesome shows are coming to Toronto stages this season, not the least of which is Studio 180's Clybourne Park. Can't wait!

Next Stage Festival Toronto

Already two days in and the festival that kicks off the new year is already soaring high with sold out shows, hot buzz and gossip and loads of warm red wine. Check out the details and for more info on shows please click the shows below and to purchase tickets please CLICK HERE!

FACTORY THEATRE MAINSPACE:

AWAKE

THE PEACE MAKER

SUDDEN DEATH

THRONE OF GAMES

FACTORY THEATRE STUDIO:

MEMORIAL

POST EDEN

SALT BABY

WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN

FACTORY THEATRE ANTECHAMBER:

LIZA LIVE

PITCH BLOND

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TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now!

ONLINE

Click here!

BY PHONE

416.966.1062

10am – 5:30pm MON-FRI (Nov. 19th – Jan 2nd)

1pm – 7pm MON-FRI (Jan. 2nd – 19th)

Visa or Mastercard only.

*Gift Vouchers are available (by phone only)

AT THE DOOR

NSTF Tickets can be purchased at the Factory Theatre one hour before the first show of the day, January 2nd – 13th, 2013.

Cash, Visa and Mastercard accepted (NO Debit or Amex).

TICKET PRICING

$15 Evening Performances (7pm onwards start-time)

$12 Afternoon Performances (6:59pm or earlier start-time)

$10 Ante-Chamber performances

PASSES

$48 – Four Play Pass: Good for 4 tickets, redeemable in advance by phone or at the door. Maximum of one ticket per play. Non-transferrable.

$88 Eight Play Pass: Good for 8 tickets redeemable in advance by phone or at the door / Maximum of two tickets per play per pass. This pass can be used by two patrons.

Next Stage Festival 2013 Line-Up Revealed...

NEXT STAGE THEATRE FESTIVAL – JANUARY 2 – 13, 2013

Announcing NSTF 2013’s exciting line-up:

Sudden Death, by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman, presented by Pyretic Productions
The Peace Maker, by Natasha Greenblatt, presented by Pomegranate Productions
Throne of Games presented by Bad Dog Theatre Company
AWAKE, by Laura Mullin and Chris Tolley, presented by Expect Theatre
Post Eden, by Jordan Tannahill, presented by Suburban Beast
Memorial, by Steven Gallagher, presented by Next Step Productions
Salt Baby, by Falen Johnson, presented by You Don’t Look It
With Love and a Major Organ, by Julia Lederer, presented by QuestionMark-Exclamation Theatre
Pitch Blond, by Laura Anne Harris, presented by Convection Productions
Liza Live!, by Jennifer Walls, presented by Jennifer Walls

Next Stage Deadline Extended to Friday

Hello All Theatre Lovers & Makers

We have some exciting news…The 6th annual Next Stage Theatre Festival (NSTF) has extended its application date to Friday, May 25th at 5:00pm!!!

 The Next Stage Theatre Festival is now in its 6th year and was created to encourage artists who have participated in Canadian Association of Fringe Festival (CAFF) member festivals to move beyond the summer production model and showcase their work to a wider audience, including discerning artistic decision makers who could be interested in programming their shows on main stages across the country.  In five years, we have seen incredible success – audiences have grown by more than 130% and more than a third of our productions have gone on to other stages.

NSTF is interested in projects from emerging and established artists from any genre and style who are developing new work and exploring new artistic avenues, and who are challenging traditional definitions of theatre.  Please note we are accepting applications this year for our Ante-Chamber series, performed in the Factory Theatre bar space – these shows should be low-tech and appropriate for a bar venue.
 If you are interested in applying please click here for rules, regulations and application.

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: 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!!!

Preview: Enter The Shadow and Klorofyl

If you are a fan of hip hop or street style dancing, then you have three chances this week to see the Harbourfront Centre's and NextStage 11/12's presentation of, Enter the Shadow. This three day festival of urban dance combines hip hop, theatre, traditional dance, and so much more. The show is a dynamic journey through the creative world of b-boy dance culture. The show runs at the Enware Theatre from Thursday November 24th till Sunday November 27th. The show is part of the Fresh Ground new works program, and was created by the youth-led organisation Break it Down.

Fans of dance can also get their fill at the Fleck Theatre this weekend, when Klorofyl opens. Based on the classic film Seven Samurai, Klorofyl follows the re-birth of seven warriors, who when reunited aspire to greatness. Klorofyl was developed by the Toronto-based dance company Gadfly. Gadfly is a dance company that focuses of studying and creating movement that is at the junction between urban and traditional styles of dance. Klorofyl runs at the Fleck Thursday the 24 to Sunday the 27th.

You can get a special rate for a package of tickets to both shows, of 45$ per person. Both of these shows sound great, but if you need some extra convincing here is the teaser from Klorofyl.

Next Stage Festival

The Fringe Festival, one of summers' hottest theatre tickets, is heating up the winter now-a-days. The fourth season of the Next Stage Festival started this past Wednesday at Factory Theatre, and from what we hear it is sure to be a smash. Next Stage was conceived as a way to advance the best from the Fringe, giving them wider audience and further development.

Next Stage is a a much needed niche in the City's theatre scene. Tons of great shows get their first shot at production during the Fringe, but many never go anywhere from there. We applaud Fringe for recognizing and seizing an opportunity to continue to promote and develop shows, with great potential. Below are a few links that will tell you more about the shows on at this years Next Stage Festival and what people are saying about them.

This years line up can be found here

EyeWeekly's coverage is here

Richard Ouzounian from The Star had this to say about the festival.

And Now's coverage is here

The Next Stage Festival runs until January 16th. See you at the Festival