September/October 2017 (October 15)
Royal Alexandra Theatre

Roger O. Thornhill is a suave and successful advertising executive, abducted by thugs who insist he is a man called George Kaplan. There's obviously been a mix up. When they don't believe him, that's infuriating. When they try to kill him, that's frightening. And when they pin a murder on him, that's time to run! From New York to North Dakota, Thornhill is chased by spies, Feds, crop-dusting planes, and the inevitable cool blonde. Years before the James Bond films there was NORTH BY NORTHWEST–a lightning-paced thriller that mixes glamour with espionage for a truly irresistible cocktail. This is an unmissable theatrical spectacle, where the magic of film and theatre collide live on stage.

What a great start to the 2017-18 Mirvish theatrical season. We both loved the play. Turning a movie classic into a theatrical production is no easy feat, yet Mirvish did it well. As a movie, North by Northwest was the first to feature extended use of kinetic typography in its opening credits. So, how did the play start? The same way, of course, with kinetic typography, this time with the actors holding the graphic type.
The movie features a lot of action, which was successfuly recreated through the use of large video screens, which worked particularly well in the crop-duster chase scene.
I have to admit that I did not particularly care for the scenes where they use the faces of the cast to stand in for the presidential carvings of Mount Rushmore. Too much close-ups of nostrils.
The biggest failing, in my opinion, was adding a 15 minute intermission to the 2 hour, 10 minute performance. The play was an action, suspense feature. Breaking it up, dimished the entire production.
Overall, we give the first show of the season 9 out of 10.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

October/November 2017
Princess of Wales Theatre

The National Theatre’s Olivier and Tony Award-winning production of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME makes its Canadian debut at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Tony Award winner Marianne Elliott (War Horse) directs this “triumphant” (Sunday Telegraph) adaptation by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens, who brings Mark Haddon's internationally best-selling novel to thrilling life on stage. Fifteen year old Christopher Boone has an extraordinary brain, exceptional at math while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. When Christopher falls under suspicion for killing his neighbour's dog, his detective work to identify the true culprit takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

After a strong opening, both Lisa and I were disappointed with Mirvish Production’s second play of the season. It was very well acted, but being a British production, it was often difficult to understand what the actors were saying.
As well, we had no idea what they were talking about when they were referencing the British education system. I would have left at intermission that is how disappointed I was. However, I figured it might get better in the second act. Sadly, I was mistaken.
I understand that this play won five Tony Awards, but for the life of me, I do not understand why.
Lisa rated this show 3 out of 10, while I gave it a 5, so our combined average score for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is 4/10.

DR. SEUSS'S THE LORAX

December 2017/January 2018
Royal Alexandra Theatre

Long before “going green” was mainstream, The Lorax spoke for the trees and warned of the dangers of disrespecting the environment. The powerful message of THE LORAX has enlightened generations about the importance of seeing the beauty in the world around us and our responsibility to protect it. This classic story has been brilliantly adapted for the stage by David Greig, with music and lyrics by Charlie Fink, and directed by Max Webster, in a dazzling new show direct from London’s acclaimed Old Vic theatre. This funny, moving, and inspiring show that The Independent calls “terrifically inventive”, is a riot of eye-popping colour, gorgeous puppetry and infectious original music. You won’t want to miss it!

When the schedule came out, I decided to give The Lorax a pass. I mean, Dr. Seuss? So, Jordana took my ticket. Both loved it and rated the play 9 out of 10. Because Jordana was using my ticket, we switched dates from Sunday to Saturday and, as a result, received new tickets, row C, seats 29, 30. Lisa and Jordana said these were excellent seats. After the play, I picked them up at the subway and we went to Red Lobster, where Jordana treated us to dinner.

COME FROM AWAY

February 2018 - OPEN ENDED
Royal Alexandra Theatre

After a sold-out, standing-room only Toronto engagement before heading to Broadway, COME FROM AWAY returns due to overwhelming demand! It’s been called the “edge of the world.” The weather is wild, but the locals never lack for warmth. And it’s here, in Newfoundland, where a remote town became the epicenter of a remarkable true story filled with unusual characters, unexpected camaraderie and uncommon generosity.

As a rule, I don’t like seeing a play twice. However, given that we both thought Come from Away was so amazing the first time around, we decided to see this production – the first Canadian production – when it was added to the Mirvish line-up this year. This time Jordana joined us at the theatre.
Was it as good as the first one? Well, we have forgotten the details, but perhaps this one is even better. There have been a few changes throughout the play.
The memorable parts from the first show still elicit a good chuckle. The Walmart line was altered, with the cashier asking the customer is he would like to come back to her place.
By unanimous consent, we give this show a solid 10 out of 10.

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

March/April 2018
Princess of Wales Theatre

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is the new Tony Award®-winning musical about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl, and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Acclaimed director/choreographer and 2015 Tony Award®-winner Christopher Wheeldon brings the magic and romance of Paris into perfect harmony with unforgettable songs from George and Ira Gershwin in the show that earned more awards than any other musical in the 2015 season!

The weather on April 22 was perfect. I wish I could say the same thing about the play. I mean, it wasn’t terrible, but the running time of two hours and 35 minutes could easily have trimmed by 20-30 minutes if they had removed some of the many dance routines. I realize that my bias is against ballet dance, but the play would have worked just as well with a few less pirouettes. Still, the two main actors did a great job and we enjoyed some of the classic tunes.
My other complaint was with the length of the play. If you tell patrons it will end at a certain time, try to maintain the schedule. Some people make plans after the show gets out. Today the play started 10 minutes late, so we did not get out of the theatre until about 4:45 p.m. (it started at 2:00 and doors opened at 1:30, so we are talking a long afternoon.)
I would have to rate this production 6 and Lisa gave it a 7, so we finish with an overall score of 6.5.

ANNIE

April/May 2018
Ed Mirvish Theatre

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family. The much-loved score includes the classics It’s A Hard Knock Life, Tomorrow and Easy Street.

Once again, I chose to sit this one out as we saw Annie in New York in 2013. While I enjoyed it the first time, didn't see any reason to see it again, just five years later.
Both Lisa and Jordana loved it though and gave it 10/10.

THE KING & I

July/August 2018
Princess of Wales Theatre

Two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of this “breathtaking and exquisite” (The New York Times) musical, directed by Bartlett Sher. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as Getting To Know You, I Whistle a Happy Tune, Hello Young Lovers, Shall We Dance and Something Wonderful. Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.

The final play of the season, what can I say about it – its Rogers & Hammerstein. I think that says it all. Lisa and I both loved it. The music, choreography, and acting in this classic production were superb. I have to admit I went in with misgivings, given its almost three-hour length. However, the first half seemed to run in mere minutes. The second half dragged in parts and, I feel, parts could have been shortened or cut out of the play. Still, it was fantastic and I give it a 9/10, only because of the issue I mentioned earlier. Lisa sticks with her perfect 10 score, so we have a 9.5 rating on the final play of the 2017-2018 season.

FINAL COMMENTS:
So, that's it. The 2017-2018 season is over, consigned to the history books. Overall, it was a good season. Once again, I saw 5 out of the 7 productions. This year we had two perfect score productions, Come from Away and Annie. I can’t comment on the latter as Lisa and Jordana attended that performance. However, Come from Away will remain my gold standard for a long time to come. There was a couple of so-so production, so we finish the season with an 8.2 out of 10 rating.