Crazy week! We have some wonderful talent in Toronto

What a crazy week this has been! I took a week of vacation from my "joe job" and focused on getting out to see as much as I could that was happening in Southwestern Ontario theatre, and I sure saw a lot.

Kicked off Monday with an event at The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, it was a fundraising event for the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company where various stars from Canadian theatre came out to sing songs from Jewish composers. Hosted Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath, the evening did not disappoint. Every performance was wonderful and the event raised a lot of money for a wonderful cause. Some personal stand-outs for me included getting to see Michael Burgess (who was my very first Jean Valjean in Les Miserables) sing "Being Alive" from Company, one of my all-time favourite theatre songs. It was a beautiful and heart-wrenching performance, and quite surreal to get to see him sing again after all these years.

A special shout-out as well to Toronto's Jersey Boys, who took to the stage to perform two numbers. Only three of them were in attendance, Michael Lomenda, Jeff Madden and Quinn VanAntwerp but they were joined at the end by co-director Avery Saltzman on a very cute rendition of Bie Mir Bistu Shein. The three Four Seasons also performed It Was A Very Good Year, each taking a verse and finishing the song together. There were some young stars who got their chance to shine as well, including Gaby Epstein, whose brother Jake is currently on tour with the National Cast of Spring Awakening. The whole evening just served as a wonderful reminder of all the amazing talent Canada has to offer, and the audience really enjoyed themselves. This was especially evident when Colin and Deb got the audience engaged in a rousing rendition of the theme from Gilligan's Island, which was composed by a Jewish composer.

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to interview the lovely Brittany Gray who is currently starring in Dancap's The Toxic Avenger. The show was hilarious, and Brittany was wonderfully friendly and gave me a fantastic interview which you can read here: She also had some great advice for anyone in the business (or aspiring to get into the business) so I encourage people to have a read.

On Thursday it was back to Toronto to see the opening of Necessary Angel's Hamlet. A very interesting production, it was sliced down to only 120 minutes and was a very minimalistic approach but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A very talented cast including Gord Rand in the title role, and com Corner Gas's Eric Peterson as Polonius, it was truly a treat to be able to see this performed live. It was very different but the audience really seemed to embrace it, it was dark and edgy and something that truly sticks with you once the show is over. Great use of music and light, with a very talented cast. A full review will be up shortly, so I'm going to leave it at that for right now.

Got some great photographs as well courtesy of Eric Malette Photography. Coincidentally, he has also just started a blog, so I encourage people to check it out and follow some great photography in the making! Visit the blog: http://ericmalette.wordpress.com/

I'll share a few early photographs on here, many more to come I'm sure...but in the meantime, here is a nice little teaser!


With Tara Nicodemo (starring as Ophelia in Hamlet)


With Hamlet's Polonius, Eric Peterson



Hanging with the famous clock at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel

On the horizon, I have an interview tomorrow morning with Simon Burke, currently starring in La Cage Aux Folles in the West End and coming to Toronto in December to close Mirvish's The Sound of Music. And tomorrow night, I will be attending a regional production of Sondheim's Company, so much to look forward to.

In a New York State of Mind...

So...my latest Broadway World Blog entry ended up on #19 of the top 20 stories for today on the website, not too shabby all things considered. It was a busy day for stories with the announcement that Harvey Fierstein is going to be taking over for Topol in the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof (still torn on how I feel about that one, I'll have to revisit that topic) so I was happy to make the list. You can view the entry here: http://toronto.broadwayworld.com/article/Adventures_of_a_Broadway_Baby_in_Toronto_November_9th_2009_20091110

For this evening, I'm getting away from theatre reviews a bit and starting to think about what I might like to do assuming I do get to NYC in December. I mean, there are a few standards (such as skating in Rockefeller Centre) but I'm thinking that I want to have a lot on my list. Might be the only time I get to go to New York at Christmas, and I want to make the most out of it.

So, I'm starting a preliminary list of shows I would potentially like to check out, as well as starting to think about tourist attractions and other things that might be worth looking at. I hear even just the holiday lights are amazing (and free, free is good).

Since I'm normally doing my adventures in Toronto (which I'm fairly familiar with) this has a new air of excitement because I don't know the city that well, so everything will essentially be new to me (except for Junior's cheesecake...I plan on returning there as I have definitely not forgotten that place from my last visit).

For this Broadway Baby, shows remain my number one thought. There are so many that I want to see that coming up with a list almost seems like a futile exercise, as it would probably just compromise every show currently on Broadway (and probably many off-Broadway shows too). So I'm going to start with a top ten, seems a bit more reasonable. And I'm going to force myself to put a reason for each of them. And I will be taking input and recommendations if anyone cares to weigh in.

And here are my current top 10:

1. Next to Normal: A no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. Still has the Original Broadway Cast, I love the score, and have always wanted to see Alice Ripley perform live. I just don't think I could forgive myself if I missed this one.

2. Hair: Another no-brainer. With three of my non-equity RENT tour faves now in the cast (Bryce, Hannah and Krystal) it seems only fitting to go and show my support. Also, I love Gavin Creel. Also, Caissie is Canadian, so I can show a bit of Canuck support. Plus, it's Hair. Who wouldn't want to check it out!

3. Jersey Boys: I've seen the TO cast so many times, and written many an article about them, it would be neat to compare and contrast. From what I've learned the productions are all very similar which says good things about the quality of the production team, but I would like to see for myself.

4. White Christmas: I'm going at Christmas, seems like an appropriate show to check out.

5. A Steady Rain: Ok, this one is purely selfish and materialistic...what can I say, I'm a girl, I'm single and it's Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig. I would be a bleeding idiot to not want to see that.

6. After Miss Julie: I have loved Johnny Lee Miller for as long as I can remember. Seriously, since grade school and Trainspotting I believe. Plus it looks fantastic, and I have to branch out, I'm always doing musicals, should try and get some plays in.

7.Rock of Ages: Sure, it's a corny jukebox musical BUT it's a corny jukebox musical that's coming to Toronto courtesy of Mirvish in 2010 with a Canadian cast. Which means auditions, and new faces and a possible hit sit-down production for the city. So I would like to check it out. Ironically enough, I was actually a huge fan of Constantine Maroulis back when he was on American Idol, yet have hated everything he has done on Broadway. I really don't know why...

8. In the Next Room (or the vibrator play): The title should explain enough, but just in case it doesn't...I just think this looks like a blast. Plus, Michael Cerveris is one of those few people who I would be happy to watch read the phone book to me...I just really enjoy everything that man does. And any show that is going to espouse the benefits of female sex toys, seems like something worth checking out. Plus it will have just opened, and I haven't seen a "new" show in a long time
9. Bye Bye Birdie: Yep, I want to see Uncle Jesse live on stage! What can I say? How many opportunities does one have to see that? Plus, I haven't seen a production of Bye Bye Birdie since a really bad high school one more than a decade ago, and I've been hearing positive buzz.

10. The Marvelous Wonderettes: I have a friend who RAVED about this show and I want to check it out, plus I have never seen an off-Broadway production.

So that's my list...it will likely be tweaked over the next week or so, but so far, so good. It's pretty bad, examining the list of shows I realized that I could justify very solid reasons for seeing ALL of them...so clearly I need to be careful or I'll be very broke.

It's been a busy week with lots to look forward to, some very exciting stuff planned for the weekend/week ahead but I'm keeping it quiet for now, hope to fill everyone in soon!

Also, a couple of plugs...if you aren't following me on Twitter yet, please do! It's http://twitter.com/broadwaybabyto

And while you are at it, consider following BWW Toronto as well, for all the latest and greatest news on what's happening on the Toronto scene: http://twitter.com/BWW_Toronto

The Week of November 9th Begins with a Bang!

So the week is off to a racing start! Lots going on, lots to do! First up, Bill Cosby was in London last night to perform his one-man show. I wasn't able to attend, but am eagerly awaiting the reviews. Hopefully they will be good. In the meantime, I did to a small write-up about the show which you can read on BWW Toronto:
Bill Cosby Hits London Ontario

I also had a write-up go up on August: Osage County. Another show I would have loved to have seen, although time didn't permit. Unfortunately it's only in TO for a short run...it closes on the 15th. Early reviews are fabulous, especially for Estelle Parsons who plays the lead role, a pill popping matriarch or a crazy dysfunctional family that comes together when their patriarch disappears. If you are in the Toronto Area, try and check it out! Rush tickets are available which makes this Tony Winning Play affordable to just about everyone, and if you want more information you can get it at my other BWW entry: August: Osage County Opens in Toronto

Who knows what the rest of the week will bring? Unfortunately things have been slightly derailed for me as I have an unaccepted meeting I must attend tomorrow. Wednesday is Rememberance Day so I will be wearing my poppy proudly, and hopefully getting caught up on some Blogging as well as some articles for BroadwayWorld. Currently in the works is an interview with The Sound of Music's Elicia MacKenzie. Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing her and co-star Burke Moses about the challenges surrounding being in a long-running production such as this one. Burke's interview has already run, and I suspect Elicia's will be live on the website tomorrow.

So we are off to the races, watch this space for further updates on all the exciting things happening in Southwestern Ontario's theatre scene.

First Post...just trying things out

This is basically just going to be ramblings about one of my recent trips to TO to review a show and spend some time in the city. I'm new to this Blogger thing, but my goal is to coordinate it with my reviews for BWW (http://toronto.broadwayworld.com/ ) and my twitter account: @broadwaybabyto in order to kickstart my social networking. So without further adieu, here are my ramblings from my trip to TO to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's newest, The Boys in the Photograph:
Last weekend I had the chance to head into Toronto to check out Mirvish's production of The Boys in the Photograph. I knew very little about the show going in, only that it was Andrew Lloyd Webber's newest venture, and done in collaboration with Ben Elton.

Previously it had played in the UK and Europe under the name The Beautiful Game, and I knew that the ending had been changed, but otherwise I didn't know what to expect. It was a wonderful experience. It has been a long time since I have seen a show that has an original premise and new music, and going in blind made it even better!

The story centers on a group of students in Ireland and the football team that they play on which unites them at a time when violence is stirring all around them. It chronicles the rise of the IRA and shows the conflict between Catholics and Protestants that was rampant in Ireland during the 1960's. At the beginning, the school football team comprises boys from both backgrounds, and as the story evolves we watch as this young group of friends matures amidst a world that is literally going crazy around them. The show spans many years, as the boys grow up and take different paths in life. Some join the IRA, others pursue their football dreams and others try and have families, but they all remember what it was like back when they were altogether as a football team.

At times I found myself wondering if perhaps this was Andrew Lloyd Webber's attempt at creating a musical on a level with the worldwide hit Les Miserables, since at various point throughout the show I found myself thinking of certain similarities. They both have a sweeping score with some very memorable anthems, and both center around a group of young students during a political revolution. At its core the story is a love story, as was Les Miserables, and I think that is part of what makes it work so well. It is historical in nature and showcases war and violence, when you cut to the core this is a story about love and it really does touch the heart.

Strangely enough, the Royal Alex is where I saw my first production of Les Miserables back when the Canadian Cast was there in the 1980s (and this could be part of my reason for feeling the shows are somewhat similar). The Royal Alex is a fantastic location for this production, and I loved the use of the screen in showing old news footage of various conflicts that were occurring in Belfast during the time period the musical is set. Getting to see real footage of what was happening back when these boys would have been living really added to the emotional impact of the story. Perhaps one of the things I liked most was the use of the individual photographs of the boys in their football uniforms as we find out what happens to them throughout the course of the show, the photographs add an extra sentiment that tugs at the heartstrings and really makes the piece hit home.

After the show I had the opportunity to chat with a few of the cast members and get some pictures. Everyone was very gracious and you could tell that they all really believe in the show. It was great to hear about their experiences with the show night after night and the positive reactions they have been getting.

I'm also working on my preliminary version of my BWW Toronto Blog...didn't see any shows this week so it'll have to be a bit different, but here is what I have so far:

This past week was a little slow for me personally, no trips made into TO but plenty of exciting stuff to read about and plan for.

Perhaps one of the biggest stories on the Toronto Theatre scene this week was the opening of August: Osage County at the Canon Theatre. Part of Mirvish's 2009-2010 line-up, this was a long-anticipated debut, and is in town for a limited engagement only. Here until the 15th of November, if you have the chance I highly recommend checking out this show! The lead role is played by Academy Award Winner (and Tony Nominee) Estelle Parsons, and according to early reviews, she does not disappoint! Globe and Mail theatre critic J. Kelly Nestruck called it a "moveable, delicious feast" in his very positive review which can be read here

The Toronto Star's Richard Ouzounian also had high praises for the show, and specifically for Ms. Parsons. You can read his review here. With rush tickets starting as low as $25, this show is affordable for everyone and sounds like a fun experience at the theatre.

On the London, Ontario theatre scene, Bill Cosby brought his one-man show to the John Labatt Centre Sunday Night to kick of London's "Broadway in London" 2009-2010 Season. Many great shows will be coming this year so watch this space for interviews and reviews of many touring productions that will be coming through my hometown! Some of the shows we can look forward to hearing more about as part of this series include Avenue Q, Cats, Cabaret and Beauty and the Beast.

The rest of the week is still up for grabs, Mirvish also saw the launch of My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding this week, with official opening night slated for the 15th of November. This one looks like a fun night at the theatre and I look forward to reporting back with details once I get a chance to check it out.

In the meantime, November is certainly turning into an exciting month for theatre across SouthWestern Ontario, so hopefully people are getting out to take advantage of everything our area has to offer!