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Gypsy

Rose’s Turn The production of Gypsy, now on stage at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, is indeed Rose’s turn. Canada’s own Louise Pitre commands the stage as Rose with such passion that there is no doubt she means it when she says “With what I got in me, I could have been better than any of […]

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Russian Transport

Comedy Turns Dark in Immigrant Story The Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago has a reputation for sending its best works to Broadway, so I was excited about the opportunity to visit it recently. We saw the play Russian Transport, and it didn’t disappoint. Sometimes I find dysfunctional family dramas, especially those with a lot of yelling,

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Billy Bishop Goes to War

Fascinating Story presented by Amazing Actor Two Canadian greats rolled into one – Kyle Blair, one of Canada’s best musical theatre actors portraying Billy Bishop, one of Canada’s greatest war heroes. Now on stage at the McManus Theatre (downstairs at London’s Grand Theatre) Billy Bishop Goes to War is an excellent evening of entertainment produced

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Other Desert Cities

No Fun in Dysfunctional Other Desert Cities strange tale similar in style to the great studies of dysfunctional families – it’s a modern version of O’Neill’s A Long Day’s Journey into Night, or Miller’s Death of a Salesman. The production, currently on stage at London’s Grand Theatre, is an interesting study in family dynamics. It’s

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Elf

From the North Pole to New York Elf, the Christmas musical now on stage at London’s Grand Theatre is an endearing show, thanks to a funny, well-written script, and a six foot four Elf who can deliver the lines. Liam Tobin is perfect as Buddy the Elf: He’s taken the best that Will Ferrell had

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Legends of Harmony

All in Harmony Drayton Entertainment’s Artistic Director Alex Mustakas has continued to his tried and true “Legends” series with Legends of Harmony. This is a concert-style revue, covering all your favourite four-part harmony songs. Most of the numbers are not performed in their entirety – if they were, we’d be there all night, because 88

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Les Misérables

Spectacular Voices in an Epic Show Les Misérables is a singer’s show. And, fortunately, the production currently on stage at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre features a cast of powerful voices. Les Mis is the musical version of Victor Hugo’s classic story. For the stage, we are first told the back story: Jean Valjean is

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Ring of Fire

For Johnny Cash Fans Ring of Fire, now on stage at London’s Grand Theatre will be a thrill for true Johnny Cash aficionados. Only those who are big Cash fans and true country music enthusiasts will appreciate the lesser known songs in this concert-style show. Six singers – three men, three women – are on

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