Megan loves being in the thick of all things theatre, but her ultimate goal is to promote theatre to the world of non-theatre people. It was the same when she was the theatre writer for blogTO, or the Fringe Correspondent for CBC Radio One‘s Here and Now, as it is as the founder of Mooney on Theatre. Her basic belief is that there is theatre/performance out there for everyone to love, they just need to find it. This is not to be confused with the idea that everyone should love theatre for theatre’s sake, in fact, as obsessed as she is with theatre, even *she* doesn’t love all types of theatre.
You’ve got some time left to enjoy the 2014 Next Stage Theatre Festival, but you’re probably wondering what these shows are all about. Well, luckily Mooney on Theatre checked out every show’s opening night and we’ve published reviews of them all.
Now, get out there are enjoy some cheap theatre ($15 a ticket? Why yes, I think I will, thank you very much…) and the lovely heated beer tent. Plus, it’s all happening at Factory Theatre, so you don’t even have to travel about, just show up at the corner of Bathurst and Adelaide and you’re set!
Here’s the clickable index to get you to the Mooney on Theatre reviews of 2014 Next Stage Theatre Festival Reviews:
Power has been restored at Tarragon Theatre and Puppetmongers’ production of Tea at the Palace is all set to open as planned today at 2 pm
There was a lot of nail-biting but all is well. Online ticket sales will be live at noon.
“Puppetmongers’ winter holiday performances have been charming families and theatre-goers in Toronto since 1990. Tea at the Palace began the tradition 24 years ago, and after this year, will be retired from Puppetmongers’ Toronto holiday family show cycle.
“Tea at the Palace is a lively and sumptuous retelling of two intertwined medieval Russian folktales. A hapless peasant is brought to the Tsar’s court and charged with treason simply for making tea in a samovar. Meanwhile, the Tsar becomes smitten with a clever peasant girl when she arrives at court to request settlement of a dispute. To thwart the budding romance, the Tsar’s meddlesome servants resort to ridiculous antics, but are defeated at their own game when the Tsarina-to-be solves a series of riddles.
Catch great improv anytime day or night and watch sleep-deprived improvisors give their all
The Impulse Festival being presented by Soulpepper and National Theatre of the World is not only bringing amazing improvisational acts from around the world to Toronto, and hosting fantastic workshops for beginners and experienced improvisers alike, but it’s also the home of a 55 hour long improvised soap opera being performed for charity, Gilda’s Club of Toronto.
Improvisation is always impressive to watch. People thinking on their feet. Mistakes turned into gifts. The audience helping to drive the action. Never knowing what to expect next. But this takes improv to a whole different place.
An uplifting romantic comedy for the holidays, Parfumerie is playing at Toronto’s Young Centre
I walked into the theatre exhausted and ready for some light, feel-good theatre. Luckily that’s exactly what was in store with Soulpepper‘s Parfumerie, on stage now at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in the Distillery District.
Even though the piece seems to have become somewhat of a holiday tradition around these parts, this was my first time seeing the Soulpepper production. I was first struck by the absolutely luscious set. It was so beautiful. The show hadn’t even started and I was already in a better mood. I couldn’t stop staring at the revolving doors that were the entrance to the shop. Why aren’t revolving doors that beautiful these days? But I digress.
The thoughtful and hilarious God of Carnage is playing at Toronto’s Studio 180 Theatre
I really love the Off-Mirvish Series. It’s an opportunity to introduce a Mirvish audience to a different type of show from blockbusters like Les Miserables. This season, its second, was launched with a presentation of God of Carnage, a Studio 180 Theatre production at the Panasonic Theatre.
And what an excellent start it was. I found it a thoroughly satisfying night of theatre. There were moments of intense discomfort and moments of absolute hilarity. It’s a combination I loved.
