You may have heard this quote, attributed to Sir Winston Churchill.  The story is that when Churchill was asked to cut funding to the arts in order to support the war effort in World War II, he responded “Then what would we be fighting for?” Well, in fact, there is no record that Churchill ever […]

Scroll through this list to see what some of Ontario’s theatres have planned. Summer/Fall 2021 – Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque Managing Artistic Director Brett Christopher has unveiled Thousand Islands Playhouse’s plans to return to the stage for the 2021 season. “In 2004, the Playhouse added a smaller, flexible venue to its operations in order to […]

Note: I post this in response to horrific reports we are hearing about unmarked graves at the government/church-run residential schools for indigenous children in Canada. In 2017, I was part of the Right Relations Team at Huron Shores United Church in Grand Bend. One member of our group, the late Marie Strapp, knew Geraldine Robertson […]

Live Theatres across Canada were lit in red on September 22, 2020 as a reminder of what has been lost. No live theatre productions means that many people are unemployed: creative teams (writers, directors, choreographers, musical directors), cast members (actors, singers, dancers), musicians, crew members (designers and technicians in lighting and sound), costume designers and […]

A Strange Year Indeed… A virtual Tony awards ceremony is being planned for early December. The following nominees are in the running, despite 2020’s very short season. Sadly, Broadway will not reopen until at least June 2021. Best Play Grand Horizons by Bess WohlThe Inheritance by Matthew LopezSea Wall/A Life by Simon Stephens and Nick PayneSlave Play by Jeremy O. […]

The last time I was in a theatre was March 9 for A Few Good Men at the Country Playhouse in St. Jacobs.  Today is August 27.  Last night was the first time I have entered a theatre since March 9 – that’s more than 5 months.  It’s probably the longest stretch I’ve gone without […]

Even though the season was cut short by Covid-19, there is much to celebrate among the Dora Awards nominees. The awards ceremony will be presented via the Dora Awards YouTube Channel and TAPA social media accounts June 29 at 7:30 PM. Musical Theatre Division Outstanding Production Life in a BoxBad Hats Theatre Ghost QuartetCrow’s Theatre […]

TOM PATTERSON THEATRE Richard III | By William ShakespeareDirected by Antoni CimolinoMay 6 to October 23 | Opens May 30 Colm Feore will return to the Festival for the first time in five years to play the psychopathic title role in Richard III, directed by Antoni Cimolino. This play holds great historical significance for the Festival as the first play ever performed under […]

AT THE FESTIVAL THEATRE GYPSYMusic by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen SondheimKate Hennig stars as one of the most complex characters in musical theatre, Momma Rose. Directed by Kimberley RampersadPreviews April 8 | Closes October 11 Thrust into the spotlight by the ultimate stage mom are Madelyn Kriese as June and Julie Lumsden as Louise. […]

It is always interesting to look back on the year and pick some favourites.  Outstanding musical – Billy Elliot The Musical, Festival Theatre, Stratford.  This musical has it all:  a gripping story, cute and funny comic relief, a good score, amazing dance, and the Stratford cast put it together perfectly. Nolen Dubuc was amazing in […]