Bluegrass Music Tells a Riveting Story Reviewed by Mary Alderson There are two things you notice immediately about the musical Bright Star, now on stage at the CAA/Mirvish Theatre in Toronto. First, although the story and music are written by comedian Steve Martin, this is not a comedy. Yes, there are funny bits scattered throughout, […]
Is there a Doctor in the Village? Reviewed by Mary Alderson A funny and heart-warming musical has arrived at the Royal Alex Theatre in Toronto: Tell Tale Harbour. You might recognize the story as similar to the 2013 movie The Grand Seduction. A few changes have been made for the musical, all of which have
Who Doesn’t Love ABBA? Reviewed by Marilu Murphy The stage is set up with a drum kit sitting dead center at the back. A guitar is to the left and a keyboard to the right of the drum kit. In front of these three pieces of the Starbright Band, I can see an electric piano and
A Delightful Romp Toward Happily Ever After Reviewed by Debbie McClure After their father quite literally drops dead, the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, are forced to find suitable wealthy husbands, but the road to romantic bliss is far from easy. Although sensible Elinor becomes smitten with Edward, a young bachelor, his intense shyness stalls
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Brilliant Performances but Unsatisfactory Conclusion Reviewed by Mary Alderson The Winter’s Tale, on stage at the Tom Patterson Theatre at the Stratford Festival, is a fascinating study of paranoia and mental illness which leads to a horrible situation. Then suddenly as the play draws to a pleasant close, all is well – cured, loved, and
Macbeth on a Harley at a Seedy Motel Note: Extended to Saturday, November 22, 2025 Reviewed by Mary Alderson When the amazing director Robert Lepage brought Coriolanus to the Stratford stage in 2018, I was mesmerized by his brilliant use of projections and excellent interpretation of Shakespeare while modernizing the old story. I was hoping
Traditional Anne vs. Modern Anne Reviewed by Mary Alderson Note: Extended to Sunday November 16, 2025 It’s the year of redheaded orphans at the Stratford Festival. While Annie is on the Festival Stage, Anne of Green Gables graces the Avon Stage. At Saturday’s opening, a gentleman volunteer met us at the door, saying “Welcome to Anne
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Getting Scammed the Old-Fashioned Way Reviewed by Mary Alderson Note: Extended to Sunday, November 23, 2025 Women of a certain age are regularly being warned about online scams. I guess I’ve reached that certain age, because over the past months, I’ve been getting Facebook friend requests from men who love what I’m saying on my
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Powerful Voices + Strong Dancers = Brilliant Annie Note: Extended to Sunday, December 14, 2025 Reviewed by Mary Alderson “Betcha they’re good, Why shouldn’t they be?” Annie sings this line in the song “Maybe”. An orphan, she is sadly longing for the parents she never knew. But that same line could apply to the production
The Metamorphosis of As You Like It Reviewed by Mary Alderson As You Like It in 2025 is a study in contrasts: It begins in a drab farm setting, surrounded by pallets piled with sacks of what appears to be grain. Workers are wearing dull parkas, trying to keep warm as snow falls. Everyone seems
