By Adelina Fabiano

Governor General Winner still reaches Toronto audiences

I realize I can’t speak for everyone, but I do have to say that playwright/actor Guillermo Verdecchia’s autobiographical play, Fronteras Americanas (American Borders), currently playing at Soulpepper Theatre, is something I can relate to. Some may feel that it is out-dated, however, the substance is there. It’s a story about feeling torn between two places, feeling nor here, nor there, a feeling I can still relate to even in my early thirties as a Canadian-born, first generation Italian-Canadian. Continue reading Review: Fronteras Americanas (Soulpepper Theatre) →

By Adelina Fabiano

Whimsical and wonderful performance piece wins over a Toronto audience

Meagan O’Shea has been sharing and baring her soul with Toronto audiences for quite some time now. This charming, uniquely creative, intelligent solo performer once again engages us in her recent theatre/dance show called The Atomic Weight of Happiness.

Presented by O’Shea’s own company Stand Up Dance at the intimate studio space of Hub 14, The Atomic Weight of Happiness is an hour long narrative in which O’Shea challenges notions on global warming, emotional intelligence and her own inner and outer anatomy.

Melding audience interaction, modern dance, theatre, clever text and cinematic-like art direction, The Atomic Weight of Happiness, offers a memorable and original piece of dance theatre that is definitely worth exploring. Continue reading Review: The Atomic Weight of Happiness (Stand Up Dance) →

By Adelina Fabiano

Media and Movement Mesmerizes on the Toronto Stage in 20/20 Vision, presented by Kaeja d’Dance

Their limber bodies moved sporadically across the floor like a child spontaneously splashing paint against a wall; up, down, twisting, spiralling, circling, connecting, and evolving into a masterful display of expression.

Spearheaded by the talented and innovative husband and wife duo Allen and Karen Kaeja, 20/20 Vision, presented by Kaeja d’Dance, is an original, powerful and artful masterpiece. Celebrating their 20^th anniversary as an established and successful dance company specializing in contact improvisation, they bring to their audience a freedom of expression where boundaries cease to exist.

Presented at the Enwave Theatre at the Harbourfront Centre as part of the NextStep dance series, 20/20 Vision is comprised of four distinct dance numbers. With its own emotional intensity, unique choreography, striking sound and lighting combinations, and multi-media effects, each scene ignites our imaginations, compelling our bodies to move with them, despite our inhibitions. Continue reading Review: 20/20 Vision (Kaeja d’Dance) →

By Adelina Fabiano

Toronto children’s play Head à Tête delivers universal message

I count myself very lucky as in my profession (a school teacher) I get to see many theatre productions geared towards children. Whether I take my students to the show, or the production comes to us with touring groups, each show usually promises to offer some sort of educational or life lesson.

Head à Tête, is produced by Theatre Direct in the beautifully designed venue of Wychwood Barns. Written by pioneer children’s playwright David S. Craig and Robert Morgan, it is a heart-warming play and commentary about man’s tendencies towards conflict and greed versus our innate desire for compassion, hope, and friendship.

Although complex in theme and concept, Head à Tête manages to convey, in a simple and child-like way, the overwhelming problems and injustices confronting our world today. With powerful physical performances, and visually creative and engaging design, this play is truly a unique children’s play in both performance and creation. Continue reading Review: Head à Tête (Theatre Direct) →

By Adelina Fabiano

Light Shines Bright on Toronto Stage

A word of Arabic origin, Noor means “light”, “bright” or “enlighten”. Toronto’s Arabesque Dance Company and Orchestra did just that in their current dance show, Noor, playing at the Harbourfront Centre in the lovely Fleck Dance Theatre.

Both visually and audibly stunning, Noor combines traditional Egyptian dance and music. From spectacular belly dancers, to a passionate Flamenco guitarist and dancer, to powerful vocalists, and finally to a full orchestra of incredible masterful musicians, audiences are enlightened by the world of Arabian nights. Continue reading Review: Noor ( Arabesque Dance Company & Orchestra) →