Theatre
Theatre Review: Moliere
Billy Joel once explained that he would rather "laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints." An insightful point, especially given his later thoughts on the relative merits of uptown girls.This question - whether it is better to laugh or scowl through life - is at the heart of Tarragon Theatre's superb production of Sabina Berman's Moliere. This is an ambitious, entertaining and ultimately thoughtful play, and one of the most expansive Tarragon shows I've ever seen.
Theatre
Thursday Theatre Review: A Christmas Carol
For me, A Christmas Carol is Christmas. I'm not a religious guy, so the story's emphasis on the spirit (or spirits) of the season and distinct lack of god-talk really resonates. Plus, it has a bunch of ghosts and a time travel plot. Which, in case you were wondering, is totally awesome.Suffice it to say I was predisposed to enjoying Soulpepper's production of Dickens' classic tale. But even if I hadn't been, I'm sure the excellent performances and nifty staging would have won me over.
Theatre
Theatre Review: Legoland
Atomic Vaudeville's Legoland is very good. I would normally try to open this review with something a bit more clever. But anything I could come up with would pale next to the creativity, wit and sheer enthusiasm of this excellent play. It is a weird and warm-hearted piece of theatre, and you should go see it. Tonight, if you can.
Theatre
Get your toga on with Rome'd
The toga, chief among all robe-based attire, is comedy gold. Animal House knew it. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum knew it. And the Bad Dog Theatre knows it too.Their latest mainstage show, Rome'd, makes heavy use of the classical garb as it spoofs HBO's Rome. While the original TV show is heavy on the intrigue and gore, Rome'd is all about the funny.
Theatre
Theatre Review: Bashir Lazhar
In the wake of Barack Obama's historic Presidential win, there has been a lot of talk about a new "post-racial" or "post-ethnic" world. While this type of buzz-speak is always rather vague, I took it to mean that it's time to start looking at the actual individuals behind catch-all categories like race and immigration.It is interesting that this same week saw the premier of Tarragon Theatre's Bashir Lazhar. Although it cuts across topics of immigration, violence, childhood and teaching, it is ultimately a portrait of one, complicated man who both embodies and transcends the grand ideas. It is an audacious play, covering vast amounts of territory for a one-person, 80 minute show.
Theatre
Thursday Theatre Review: Hot Doctors in Love
Of all the various television templates created by man to variously entertain and sell advertising, few are more intolerable than the medical drama. With the exception of House, these shows are the broadcast equivalent of smashing yourself repeatedly in the face with a hammer, because it feels so good when you stop.So imagine my delight when I heard the Bad Dog Theatre- Toronto's source for low-budget, gonzo comedy- was doing an improvised send-up of this hated genre. And Hot Doctors in Love doesn't just roast medical drama. The cast of this entertaining show immolates it, leaving nothing but comedic gold in their wake.
