THE BAND'S VISIT

September/October 2019
Ed Mirvish Theatre

Spend an evening in the company of unforgettable strangers at The Band’s Visit — now one of the most celebrated musicals ever. It rejoices in the way music brings us to life, brings us to laughter, brings us to tears, and ultimately, brings us together.
In an Israeli desert town where every day feels the same, something different is suddenly in the air. Dina, the local café owner, had long resigned her desires for romance to daydreaming about exotic films and music from her youth. When a band of Egyptian musicians shows up lost at her café, she and her fellow locals take them in for the night. Under the spell of the night sky, their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, and this once sleepy town begins to wake up..

I hope this is not an indication of how the season is going to unfold. I know the play won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, but it will never make it to our top 10 list. Lisa found the lighting too dark. I disliked the fact that a lot of dialogue was in Hebrew and Arabic. What is the average theatre-goer to make of what is being said? Sorry, we were both disappointed with this production. Lisa gave it a 3/10. I was a bit more generous, as Chilina Kennedy, had the lead female role. She was fantastic, with a perfect Hebrew accent. Still, I gave this play 7/10. As a result, The Band's Visit gets an average rating of 5/10.

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY

September/November 2019
Royal Alex Theatre

Duluth, Minnesota. 1934. A community living on a knife-edge huddle together in the local guesthouse.
The owner, Nick, owes more money than he can ever repay, his wife Elizabeth is losing her mind, and their daughter Marianne is carrying a child no-one will account for. When a preacher selling bibles and a boxer looking for a comeback show up in the middle of the night, things start to spiral beyond the point of no return.
Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson beautifully weaves the iconic songbook of Bob Dylan into this powerful new show full of hope, heartbreak, and soul.

Although this was the third play in the series, it was the second production on our agenda this year. We changed the date for the second production as it was too close to the High Holidays. Actually, I did not even see it, as I was coming off a week of feeling totally crappy. I drove Lisa to the subway and Jordana came in from Oakville and the two of them went to see the play. Both loved it, giving it a 10/10.

PIAF/DIETRICH

September 2019/January 2020
CAA Theatre

Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich were two of the greatest names in international show business during the early 20th century. The first of them enchanted the world with her singing, her moving life story, and unostentatious appearance, while the other did the same with her beauty, elegance, and bewitching stare, being one of the first European actresses to become popular in Hollywood. Based on a true story, Piaf/Dietrich is a musical drama that explores the intimate and entertaining portrait of a fascinating friendship between show business legends that began under the most unlikely of circumstances and lasted their entire lives. Featuring 20 of their unforgettable hits including La Vie En Rose, Milord, and Where Have All The Flowers Gone, and starring two of Canada’s leading actors, this will be an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Well, that’s one Sunday afternoon that I will never get back. Now, I’m not saying that Piaf/Dietrich was terrible, but it’s certainly never going to be on my top 10 list. Actually not even close. This production would have been better as an extra play rather than part of the main subscription season. I would have thought that it would be better suited to an older audience as well, but the older woman seated next to Lisa didn’t seem to be enjoying it either. This was the first time in a long time seeing a play at what is now the CAA Theatre. It’s an older building, but was actually suited to this play, as it was set up in more of a cabaret-style with patrons in the front row being able to interact with the actors (when asked). So, I gave the play a 6/10, while Lisa gave it a 5/10, giving a combined score of 5.5. We are now at the halfway point in the season. I have seen two of the three plays and have not really loved either of them. Let’s hope the second half of the season is better.

ANASTASIA

December 2019/January 2020
Ed Mirvish Theatre

Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia is on a journey to Toronto at last! From the Tony Award®-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

That was pure entertainment. The story was great, the acting and costumes were fantastic. The ballet scenes and dream sequences were particular good. We both loved this final production for 2019 and gave it 10/10. In my opinion, it was the best play we have seen during the current season. It was also a great way to end the year.

HAMILTON

February/May 2020
Ed Mirvish Theatre

Hamilton is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton is the story of America then, as told by America now.

Well, I have to say Hamilton deserves all the praise it is getting and I understand why some people are taking in the show more than once. Although some parts were difficult to understand, as the entire play was done in rap, it was enjoyable from start to finish. At today’s performance, the star Joseph Morales was replaced by one of his understudies, Blaine Krauss. He did a fantastic job. Both Lisa and I rate the first play of 2020 as 10/10.

THE BOY FRIEND

CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

I guess that's a wrap. What started out as a shorter season than usual with six plays, was cut to five after Mirvish Productions was forced to close their doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I'm glad we got to see Hamilton before the production was abruptly shut down. Unfortunately, Jordana missed out as her date for the show was still a few weeks away.
Overall, I would say it was not a bad season. I saw four of the five productions and enjoyed most of them. So, I would give the 2019-2020 season a 8.1/10 rating. That's very good.
Curtain is now closed until the 2020-2021 season starts in the fall.