CrossCurrents presents readings of raw work-in-progress plays at Factory Theatre in Toronto
Writing about a one-night-only event like Short Circuits might seem like a bit of a tease. Fortunately, it’s only one of several offerings at the CrossCurrents Festival, part of Factory Theatre’s Performance Spring, which runs until April 25.
Short Circuits offered an evening of diverse readings, all of which are being developed by notable writers among Toronto’s theatre community. The works were dramaturged by Iris Turcott, who also hosted the evening. Five pieces were presented, with the creators doing double duty as the performers. Continue reading CrossCurrents – Short Circuit Readings→
This is not actually a show about breakfast. It’s not really a show about food at all, although I pretty much guarantee you’ll never look at yogurt the same way again. It is a show about releasing our inhibitions, but it only partially succeeds.
Assassins is the kind of musical that attracts people that aren’t generally fans of musicals. There are guns! There are killers! There are pop-culture references! And it doesn’t hurt that in Birdland Theatre’s production at the Theatre Centre, the music is tight and the performances are strong.
The show gives a behind-the-scenes look at the people who assassinated (or attempted to assassinate) various presidents of the United States. They’re all here. From the assassinations of Lincoln and Kennedy to the lesser known attempts on FDR and Gerald Ford. Did you know that there’s a connection between Charles Manson and the assassination of Gerald Ford? I didn’t.
Caryl Churchill’s play Cloud 9, playing at the Panasonic Theatre, is often billed as a “gender-bending comedy.” In fact, I think that may be selling it a little short.
Gender isn’t the only thing at play here. Women play men, adults play children, white actors play black characters and vice versa, and two people play one person. On paper, it would seem like audience-goers would need a map to follow along, but Churchill’s wit is sharp and clear, and director Alisa Palmer skillfully interprets the script.
The play begins with the funeral of the family matriarch Jean, and continues with the days following it as her family tries to cope in their own ways. One daughter, Rachel, over-sentimentalizes; another daughter, Anne, micromanages. Bill, the father of the family, can’t remember what has happened at all because of his struggle with Alzheimer’s. Continue reading Next Stage Festival – Buried – Theatre Awakening→
Writing about a one-night-only event like Short Circuits might seem like a bit of a tease. Fortunately, it’s only one of several offerings at the CrossCurrents Festival, part of Factory Theatre’s Performance Spring, which runs until April 25.
Caryl Churchill