Cirque du Soleil returns with their classic show Alegría updated and revamped
Seeing Cirque du Soleil live has been on my bucket list ever since I was mesmerized by the TV ads for their then-new and ground-breaking show Alegría in 1994. Sadly, my parents were musical theatre people and not really circus people so they declined my persistent requests for tickets. When I was finally setting off on Thursday night to see the show’s 2019 re-imagining, Alegría in a New Light, a quarter century from its debut, I was struck with a moment of panic. After 25 years of anticipation, was there any chance it would live up to my expectations? Thankfully Alegría in a New Light is absolutely magical and surpassed more than half a lifetime of expectations. Continue reading Review: Alegría in a New Light (Cirque du Soleil)→
Star Trek-themed comedy show plays at the Comedy Bar in Toronto
Given these complex times we are living in, I think everyone can use a good laugh. As a fan of the Star Trek franchise, especially the Next Generation crew, I was curious and excited to see how The Dandies‘ show Holodeck Follies, playing at Comedy Bar the second Saturday of the month, spoofed the well-known and beloved characters and tropes of this cult classic, which has always used futuristic space exploration as a backdrop to explore contemporary social issues. According to The Dandies, you do not need to be a Star Trek fan, or indeed to have seen the show, to understand and appreciate the act. Continue reading Review: Holodeck Follies (The Dandies)→
Our Swabby by Pirate Life was a fun afternoon for my son and his friend. The grown-ups had a great time too. After getting our pirate names, attire, and rugged tattoos we set sail for an adventure aboard a pirate ship on the high seas of Toronto harbour. The cast rotates and the production is loosely scripted with significant improvisation based on audience participation, so each adventure is a little bit different. Continue reading Kid +1 Review: Our Swabby (Pirate Life)→
Syreeta Hector exploits and expands on ballet training in this solo dance performance. She explores the complexities of her Black, Indigenous identity manifesting within the confines of a highly traditional, Eurocentric art form.
Closer by Vice Versa Company playing at Toronto Media Arts Centre (32 Lisgar St.) as part of the 2019 SummerWorks Festival, redefines traditional understandings of “upstage” and “downstage” by using a Parkdale alley spanning a city block as the performance space. It was somewhat daunting to sign a liability waiver and be led into a dark alley in advance of this performance, but the show was not at all scary. Continue reading Closer (Vice Versa) 2019 SummerWorks Review→
Cirque du Soleil returns with their classic show Alegría updated and revamped
Star Trek-themed comedy show plays at the Comedy Bar in Toronto
