Personal candid story tackling tough topics is still taking shape

The title and refrain of Dishonour On Your Cow, comic Silvi Santoso’s new solo show, is a reference to a line from the Disney movie Mulan, one of my sentimental favourites. Mushu, the tiny dragon voiced by Eddie Murphy, rants at Mulan that, should she fail to live up to her familial and cultural responsibilities, there will be “Dishonour on your whole family… dishonour on you, dishonour on your cow” (her horse).

The show uses the movie as a brief framing device for finding confidence in yourself and moving past cultural misogyny, gaslighting, and, in her case, sexual abuse from family members. This is a show still in development, and was viewed with this in mind; as such, it’s still a bit raw, much like its subjects.

Continue reading Review: Dishonour On Your Cow (Silvi Santoso) →

Spongebob Squarepants musical brings Bikini Bay to Toronto

I was excited about taking my seven-year-old son to The SpongeBob Musical, but not sure what I would think myself. I am of an age where I was too old to be interested in SpongeBob when it first became a thing and was surprised that the franchise was still popular when I eventually had a child who was old enough to start watching the show. I have heard bits and pieces of the goings-on in Bikini Bottom while I do housework, but have never sat down for an episode. Continue reading Review: The SpongeBob Musical (Meridian Hall) →

The Nutcracker arrives in Toronto for the Holiday Season!

It’s Nutcracker time! Performed every holiday season without fail it is the world’s most popular ballet, with many different adaptations (or lack thereof) about the magical toy.

Toronto International Ballet Theatre was back with stars of the Bolshoi Ballet, Anastasia Stashkevich and Vyacheslav Lopatin, at Meridian Hall.  Presenting a traditional take on the ballet, this performance features over fifty dancers of all ages, dazzling costuming, delectable set design and, of course, delightful dancing. The company has been performing The Nutcracker each year since 2008 and is the only one to show the original Russian story in Toronto.

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The heartwarming story of soccer and family tradition takes stage in Toronto

Somehow, I was just the wrong age for the movie Bend It Like Beckham when it came out — too old to enjoy it as a young person, not old enough to be comfortable going to movies marketed to families. For me, Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical was a completely fresh story and experience, and generally quite an enjoyable one.

Continue reading Review: Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical (Starvox/Kintop) →

The Ward Cabaret‘s music and performance is filled with humanity and passion

When I heard about The Ward Cabaret playing at Harbourfront Centre Theatre, I knew I had to see it.  A show that uses dynamic live music in the telling of a slice of Toronto’s history is right up my alley.

This isn’t a musical in the traditional sense.  Songs don’t take the place of monologues to move the action forward. But they are certainly a vital part of telling the story. In fact, the press release doesn’t even call it a musical, it says, “This theatre-music event propels audiences into the extraordinary sounds and stories of The Ward.”

Continue reading Review: The Ward Cabaret (DB Works & The Ward Productions with Harbourfront Centre Theatre) →