From Cruella De Vil to Miss Hannigan
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
Tahirih Vejdani has come to the Sculthorpe stage by way of the Capitol’s main stage. Having appeared in a selection of interesting musicals on the main stage, she created her own show which opened on the Sculthorpe Stage June 30.
Calling her work Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway, Vejdani collected her favourite nasty musical stars. It’s an eclectic collection of Broadway shows. She opens with a number from Death Becomes Her. The show literally just concluded its Broadway run the day before. It’s the musical adaptation of the 1992 cult classic film.
Vejdani also sings various Disney villains, such as Cruella De Vil in 99 Dalmatians; Ursula, the evil octopus in The Little Mermaid; or Scar in The Lion King.
Between her numbers, Vejdani tells interesting tidbits about the story or the singer. Jeremy Irons originally did the voice of Scar in the 1994 Lion King movie, but had to leave when he became unable to sing. He was replaced by Jim Cummings, who finished Scar’s song. Ironically, Cummings is also the sweet voice of Winnie-the-Pooh.
When she sings “Mack The Knife” from the Three Penny Opera, Vejdani explains that Bobby Darin had the most popular version of the song, but Ella Fitzgerald also sang it. She was recording a live concert when she forgot the words and famously made up lyrics on the spot. That recording won her a grammy!
There are many more villains in Vejdani’s collection – my favourite was Miss Hannigan and her hatred of little girls in the musical Annie.
Vejdani has a powerful Broadway voice, and belts the nefarious songs with ease. She also enjoys herself on stage, strutting her stuff as an evil character. She sports black lace fingerless gloves, flashing her long fingernails, adding to her wickedness.
Vejdani enjoys some banter with the Music Director and Accompanist Doug Price, who is at the Capitol’s new grand piano. Price plays the malevolent songs perfectly, matching Vejandi’s style.
This nasty pair are only at the Capitol until July 6, so get your tickets now if you enjoy your villains.
Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway continues at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope until July 5, 2026. Tickets are available at the box office by calling 905-885-1071 or visiting https://capitoltheatre.com/
Photo: Tahirih Vejdani presenting all the villains. Photo by Sam Moffatt.
Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway
Conceived & Performed by Tahirih Vejdani
Musical Director & Accompanist Douglas Price
The Capitol Theatre, on the Sculthorpe Stage
June 30 to July 5, 2026
Reviewed by Mary Alderson