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The Birth of a Canadian Classic Reviewed by Sookie Mei The world premiere of Barb Scheffler’s comedy The Beaver Club is simply a revelation.  Well-written, beautifully acted, expertly directed, with a modest yet effective set and excellent lighting, it all adds up to an instant Canadian theatre classic.  The audience on opening night agrees, with […]

Two Men; 22 Characters Reviewed by Mary Alderson Another excellent comedy is on stage at the Orillia Opera House. But this time there’s a difference. When you go to see Bed and Breakfast, take along your tissues, too. While you will have plenty to laugh about, you may also be wiping a few tears. (Note:

For the Love of Musical Theatre Reviewed by Mary Alderson A cross between stand-up comedy, story telling, and a cabaret has just opened in the Sculthorpe Theatre at Port Hope’s Capitol. Audiences are enjoying this endearing and entertaining one-man show, Mickey and Judy. The Mickey in this show is not Mickey Rooney, even though we

So Much Fun in the Sun Reviewed by Mary Alderson The very wealthy widow, Tabitha Tahabra, lands in a helicopter to open her new, tropical resort. She suddenly drops dead, much to everyone’s horror. It’s later confirmed she was poisoned. The murder has taken place in the midst of a room crowded with diners at

A Spoof, A Parody, A Mockery? Reviewed by Mary Alderson Take an old Alfred Hitchcock murder mystery/spy thriller movie, mix in some British farce and add a dash of Monty Python. This unlikely recipe creates the successful comedy The 39 Steps now playing at the County Stage Company’s outdoor theatre at the Eddie Hotel &

A Case of Race Face-Blindness Reviewed by Mary Alderson It’s the mid-sixties. Across Canada, young doctors from Ireland are taking positions in our hospitals. On the Prairies, young women from the Philippines arrive to work in hospitals due to the nursing shortage. And while there are culture clashes, there are also attractions between native Saskatchewaners

Modern Comedy Hits All the Right Notes Reviewed by Sookie Mei As a lifelong fan of the TV show WKRP In Cincinnati, and having DJed at CHRW 94.9FM for about a decade, I was looking forward to hanging out at a radio station again (albeit onstage) in Port Stanley Theatre Festival’s latest offering, On The

Raise You Up! Reviewed by Vicki Stokes Now is the time to get all glammed up and see Kinky Boots, now playing on the Mainstage at Huron Country Playhouse. It was meant to be on stage in 2020 when it was cancelled due to you-know-what, but now is the time! If you are into musicals

Greece, Hell or New Orleans? Reviewed by Mary Alderson This is a musical that couldn’t decide on a location so three worlds were combined on one stage. Greek mythology, The Underworld and New Orleans are all featured in this Tony award-winning show that was a long time in the making. The original version of this

When Murder is Funny Reviewed by Mary Alderson Playwright Steven Gallagher writes in the program notes that “Murder at Ackerton Manor is my tribute to Agatha Christie with a little bit of Mel Brooks thrown in for good measure.” His description is pretty accurate: Yes, there is a dastardly murder but at the same time,