Preview: Angelwalk's Songs For a New World

Previews start tonight for Anglewalk's production of Songs For a New World, which is playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, up at Yonge and Sheppard. The show originally ran off-Broadway for 28 performances at the WPA in New York City. Songs... introduced Jason Robert Brown, one of the best contemporary composers, to theatre audiences. Often called a song-cycle instead of a musical Songs... is connected through theme rather than through narrative. Four performers take on various roles, and while those individual characters aren't consistent they do have a consistent character arc throughout the show.

Anglewalk's production of [title of show] was one of Justin and my favourites from the fall. We are very excited to see Songs... which features Justin Bott's return for another show with Angelwalk this season. He is joined by Erica Peak, of We Will Rock You fame, Denise Oucharek, and Steward Adam Mckensy. Songs... has got great music and is a particular favourite of mine. EAP will be at the show this Friday. Hope you'll be there too. And if you need more convincing check out the teasers below.

As always click the header for ticket information. The show runs till April 23rd, on various dates.

Preview: After Akhmatova

On stage now at Tarragon is After Akhmatova. This world premiere production was written by Cate Cayley and is being directed by Alan Dilworth. The story focuses on Alan, a young American academic who travel to the U.S.S.R to interview Lev Gumilyov. Alan thinks he knows all there is to know of Lev's late mother Anna.

Anna, was a poet who became famous for her love poem Requiem, an ode to her imprisoned son, and a dangerous condemnation of Stalin. But as Alan searches for information he becomes entangled in Lev's relationship with his mother, Requiem and its impossible legacy. He unravels a story of a mother's love, and public cry, and a son's betrayal.

Click the header for more ticket information. After Akhmatova runs until May 1st, at Tarragon.

The Canadian Opera Company - La Cenerentola

The Canadian Opera Company spring season starts off with a bang next month. Gioacchino Rossini's classic rendition of Cinderella, La Cenerentola kicks things off, beginning April 23rd and running on various dates until the end of May. The opera hasn't been seen at the COC since 1996. This version, of La Cenerentola, come from the acclaimed Houston Grand Opera production, which was described as, "a riot of color with sophisticated comedy, just oozing with mirth." (Houston Chronicle). Italian conductor Leonardo Vordoni is making its COC debut with this production, as is the Spanish theatre trope Els Comediants and director Joan Font.

It is also exciting to note that this season the COC is introducing standing room tickets for $12.00 a piece, available beginning at 11 am on the morning of each performance, at the Four Seasons Box Office. Standing room isn't for the fair-weather opera fan. But for serious opera lovers getting to see world class opera for such a good price is going to be amazing. Patrons fifteen and under can also get great deals when accompanied by a sitting adult. Tickets go as low as $31.00. And for Patron's under thirty, $22.00 tickets are available online and at the box office beginning Saturday April 9th at 10 am . Rush tickets can be purchased, subject to availability, at the box office the morning of each performance beginning at 11 am. Rush tickets are also $22.00 each.

And for all of you designers and creative types out there, click here to learn more about the COC's Cinderella outfit challenge. The winner gets an opera package worth over $3,000. The contest involves creating a doll's dress inspired by Cinderella, and submitting it to the COC, by April 3rd. Check out the cute promo below.

Shows to check out this weekend...

It is the final weekend for two of our favourite show of the year so far. We wanted to encourage you to check out:

first...



Brothel #9 @ Factory Theatre

Brothel #9 is a captivating and very affecting piece of theatre. A powerful and riveting performance by the playwright herself, Anusree Roy, along with strong performances from the entire cast make this an important see. Roy will blow you away. Seriously. We also must swoon over the set design by Shawn Kerwin. Her choices are simply brilliant.

For tickets to Brothel #9 please click here!

And for our favourite show so far this year...




SPIN, by Evalyn Parry.

What can we say? This show will make you very, VERY happy. Evalyn is beyond charming, you will seriously want to befriend her immediately after viewing this piece, and her show is simply amazing. Seriously folks, you have to go and see it!!! Liza and I have been gushing about the show since we saw it last week and we really urge you to check out this weekend! Only 3 more days as well!

For tickets please click here!

Preview: paper SERIES

Opening tonight at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts down in the Distillery District is the World Premiere of David Yee's paper SERIES.

Show Description:

From an ill-advised waiter who finds new uses for fortune cookies, to an orphan who creates parents out of paper dolls, to a cab driver who replaces his taxi license with his medical credentials. Written by Dora Mavor Moore Award and Governor General’s Literary Award nominee David Yee, paper SERIES examines how we use paper to create, amuse, define and communicate. paper SERIES is a collection of six short plays that explore how we use paper to create, amuse, define and communicate. It is, at times, quiet and reflective, raucous and violent… changing tone with every fold.

paper SERIES was developed with the assistance of Diaspora Dialogues and Factory Theatre’s Performance Spring Festival, and was workshopped at the 2007 SummerWorks Festival, where NOW Magazine named it one of the Outstanding Productions of the festival. paper SERIES was published in Canada’s first Asian-Canadian drama anthology, love & relasianships (Playwrights Canada Press) in 2009.

Cahoots Theatre Company
in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts Present...
paper SERIES
Written by David Yee
Directed by Nina Lee Aquino

Starring Byron Abalos, Kawa Ada, Rebecca Applebaum, Marjorie Chan, Nicco Lorenzo Garcia and Rosa Laborde

Set & Costume Design by Camellia Koo
Lighting Design by Michelle Ramsay
Sound Design by Richard Lee

Performances run March 21 through April 9, 2011
Monday – Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM

Tickets: $10 - $30
416-866-8666 or click here!

Preview: SPIN

Photo by: Tanja-Tiziana

Opening this week is a show that Liza and I have been desperately waiting for all winter! We saw Evalyn Parry perform in the fall at an appreciation gathering for Kyle Rae. We instantly knew we liked her and both of us couldn't wait to see her again. Her show SPIN opens this week at Buddies and we have heard nothing by glowing things about it.

Show Description:
Through a series of songs played live on a vintage bicycle, SPIN recounts a theatrical cycle of stories about bikes, women and liberation. Inspired by the incredible true tale of Annie Londonderry, the first woman to ride around the world on a bicycle in 1894, SPIN blends theatre, music and technology in a unique tribute to the bicycle as muse, musical instrument and agent of social change.

Written and performed by critically-acclaimed actor, singer and songwriter, Evalyn Parry (Breakfast, Clean Irene & Dirty Maxine), SPIN features Parry’s unique talents as vocalist and raconteur. Parry’s outspoken, personal and political performances are inspired by a powerful vision of social activism. Called “equally funny and dangerous” by CBC Radio, her irreverent wit holds nothing sacred.

For tickets and more info click here!

For more info on Evalyn Parry please click here!

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
in association with OutSpoke Productions presents

SPIN
Written and Performed by Evalyn Parry
Directed by Ruth Madoc-Jones
Musicians Anna Friz and Brad Hart
Production Design Beth Kates
And Starring The Bicycle

March 15 – 27, 2011
Wed-Sunday at 8pm
$20
Buddies in Bad Times
12 Alexander Street
Toronto Ontario

Preview: More Fine Girls

Tarragon Theatre presents the World Premiere of More Fine Girl's. In this follow up to, The Attic, the Pearls & 3 Fine Girls, we find the three sisters ten years after the fight that drove them apart, coming together again. A tragedy has befallen them, forcing them back to one another in an attempt to rescue each other. Set in the basement this time, our three sister improvise their way through hardship to come together in the name of family.

The Attic ... garnered five Dora Award nominations, and was appreciated by audiences and critics alike. Be sure not to miss this charming and hilarious exploration of aging, sisterhood and loss. More Fine Girls runs through April 3rd. Click the header for more ticket information.