What’s the key to good storytelling? For CTORA, authenticity seems to be the driving force in its version of West Side Story. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the musical tells the tale of star-crossed young lovers Tony and Maria, against the backdrop of an ethnically divisive street-gang war between the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks in 1950s New York. The roles of Tony and Maria are as iconic as the show itself, immortalized in many Broadway stage and film versions. But CTORA’s stars Sayer Roberts and Cassandra Consiglio aren’t fazed. They’re leaning into authenticity.
Read morePowerhouse performances give fresh currency to 9 to 5: The Musical →
Royal City Musical Theatre has a great new look: instead of presenting its usual annual offering of a beloved classic Broadway musical, the company has tackled a contemporary show—9 to 5: The Musical. Under the choreography of the revered Valerie Easton and her codirection with Chris Adams, RCMT demonstrates its versatility and ample ability to stay relevant. 9 to 5 is a fun musical-theatre extravaganza with bold messages of female empowerment, workplace equality, and following one’s heart at any stage in life, set to a score by Dolly Parton herself.
Read moreArsenic and Old Lace serves up charm and dark humour with a splash of poison elderberry with a splash of poison elderberry wine →
Is murder something that runs in families? This certainly seems to be the case in Arsenic and Old Lace. Written by Joseph Kesselring, this play about a family with a bad habit of killing people was a huge hit when it opened on Broadway in 1941, before making it to the big screen in 1944. Now, over 80 years later, Metro Theatre’s production is a true delight, showing that this black comedy is still a hit with modern audiences.
Read moreGenre-defying Eurydice Fragments travels beyond binaries to another world →
There’s much to celebrate in Eurydice Fragments, an innovative tech-forward and gender-inclusive reimagining of the Eurydice and Orpheus myth.
Read moreThe Sound Inside takes a gripping look at writing life's story →
“If your protagnoist is leading you then you’ll likely stay ahead of your reader,” says Bella Baird, one of two characters in Adam Rapp’s play The Sound Inside. But what happens when we can no longer stay ahead of the story we’re trying to write for our own lives?
Read moreExpect fresh, smart, and touching storytelling in Unexpecting
Jessica Heafey and Rahat Saini star in Unexpecting. Photo credit: Tina Krueger Kulic.
It’s human nature to avoid dealing with trauma. And big, life-changing turns often provide ideal opportunities to mask our wounds. In Unexpecting, a newly premiered stage play by Bronwyn Carradine, we see a couple deal with the fallout of their adoption plans going amiss. With their anticipated new life suddenly uncertain, they’re forced to deal with a haunting trauma they’ve never resolved. Unexpecting is an insightful and sensitive play told with humour by relatable and likeable characters. It’s also a breath of fresh air in the arsenal of queer stories in theatre.
Read moreBackbone defines gravity with flair and quirkiness
Photo credit: @GomCircus Instagram
Gravity may not be as limiting as you think. While you always have to come down to earth after taking flight, there’s a lot you can do while still up in the air. And there’s no better example than Gravity & Other Myths thrilling production of Backbone. Featuring a cast of ridiculously in-shape and talented circus artists, this world-renowned show lifts you from your seat and whisks you into a whimsical world that challenges human strength and ability.
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