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mirvish productions

Where in Toronto: Dancap Takes a Bow

Jersey Boys was Dancap's biggest hit (photo by Joan Marcus)

Last week Dancap Productions, which brought to Toronto Broadway hits such as Jersey Boys, announced that it would not present any programming for the 2013 season. This suspension of operations marks the end of an era (albeit a relatively short one), where two large theatre companies, Dancap and juggernaut Mirvish Productions, introduced audiences to big-time mainstream musicals and stage dramas. But don’t fret; though the scene just got a little smaller, there are still many exciting opportunities across the city for resident and visiting theatre enthusiasts alike. (more…)

Hot Date: Kathleen Turner Says the Drugs Don’t Work in High

photo by Larry Nagler

MAY 8 TO 13 A story of human frailty and the promise of redemption unfolds with devastating power as two-time Golden Globe winner Kathleen Turner steps onto the stage in High. In a critically acclaimed performance, Turner embodies Sister Jamison Connelly, who sponsors a teenage drug addict’s long and treacherous road to recovery. But in taking on the dual roles of rehab counselor and a woman of religious conviction, the nun finds her own faith sorely tested. Royal Alexandra Theatre, $50 to $150; call 416-872-1212 or visit here for showtimes and tickets.

Hot Date: Bring on a Cheery Premiere

photo by Joan Marcus

MAY 2 TO JUNE 3 It’s hip hip hooray for the fiercely funny, over-the-top high school rivalries at the heart of Bring It On: the Musical. Some of the most creative minds in theatre, including Jeff Whitty of Avenue Q fame, adapted the cult-favourite Kirsten Dunst film as a live—and very lively—look at the world of competitive cheerleading. Gravity-defying choreography, catchy hip-hop beats, colourful characters—there’s much to applaud in this collage of song, dance and pom-poms. Ed Mirvish Theatre, Tuesday to Saturday
8 p.m., Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m., $35 to $130; call 416-872-1212 or click here to purchase tickets.

Where in Toronto: Getting Back to the Theatre

Inside the Ed Mirvish Theatre

Each week, our intrepid interns reflect on life
and times in the big city.

When I think of theatre, I time-machine back to junior high, where I discovered an interest in acting. Encouraged by Ms. Olsen, who was as cool and as in-love-with-Shakespeare as drama teachers come, I auditioned for—and won—a role as a Men in Black–style agent in a ridiculous student-written play called Phlegm and Larry in the Search for Elvis (don’t ask). It was the complete opposite of classics like The Wizard of Oz and Annie that I had seen performed in previous years; of course it was an instant hit.

Unfortunately, after that successful debut, my play-acting ambitions largely took a backseat to academics. It was not until university—and a few courses on Shakespeare—that theater and I were truly reacquainted. In a class full of drama majors, I took comfort in at least knowing the difference between upstage and downstage and being able to identifying a soliloquy. But reading drama isn’t the same as watching it on stage. (more…)

Hot Date: A Harried, Humorous Harry Potter

FEBRUARY 11 TO MARCH 4 J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series runs seven books and thousands of pages long. The eight Warner Bros. films total almost 20 hours of viewing. For those who are tight on time, Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience condenses life at Hogwarts into 70 madcap minutes. Starring former Children’s BBC hosts Dan Clarkson and Jeff Turner, the production uses music, a bit of manic theatre magic and even a game of quidditch with the audience to skewer the book and movie phenomenon that swept the world over the past decade. Fun for the whole family, it’s sure to have even the most grim-faced Death Eaters in stitches. Panasonic Theatre, $29.75 to $99.75; call 416-872-1212 or click here for showtimes
and to purchase tickets.

Save the Date: Mirvish’s Musical 2012/13 Season

The Book of Mormon comes to Toronto in May 2013

Toronto’s biggest producer of theatrical entertainment yesterday announced an all-
singing, all-dancing slate of must-see shows for its upcoming 2012/13 season. Mirvish Productions’ six major stagings comprise an energetic lineup of familiar fare that’s sure
to energize the city’s theatre goers. Check out our photo gallery for a glimpse of what
to expect—and what to come back for!

 

—Faiza Siddiqui

Hot Date: Sound the Charge to War Horse

OPENS FEBRUARY 10 After his horse is sold to the British Cavalry at the outbreak of World War I, young Albert begins a perilous mission to bring him home in War Horse. This acclaimed play, based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo—and recently turned into a film by Steven Spielberg—is a poignant tale of courage, loyalty and friendship, rounded out by rousing music. The visual showpieces are a set of full-size, incredibly life-like horse puppets, created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which gallop and charge on stage. Princess of Wales Theatre, Tuesday to Saturday 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 1:30 p.m., $45 to $150; call 416-872-1212 or visit here to reserve seats.

Hot Date: The Blue Dragon’s Culture Clash

JANUARY 10 TO FEBRUARY 19 A Canadian expatriate living in modern-day China finds himself pulled between two women—one from his Eastern present and the other from his Western past. The intriguing story of The Blue Dragon is made even more compelling through graceful dance, powerful performances and stunning cinematic stagecraft, courtesy of Canadian theatre legend Robert Lepage. The Quebec-based artist co-wrote this story with Marie Michaud, as a follow-up to their collaborative work The Dragons’ Trilogy. The two also perform the lead roles alongside dancer Tai Wei Foo. Royal Alexandra Theatre, $25 to $99; call 416-872-1212 or click here for showtimes and tickets.

Dispatch: A Standing Tribute to Ed Mirvish

Blocks of cardboard and sheets of brown paper plastered the Canon Theatre’s facade this morning as dignitaries, actors, singers, members of the media and theatre fans all converged on the hall for a surprise announcement from producer David Mirvish. While the theatre’s exterior had an “under construction” vibe, the lobby, mezzanine, and boxes retained the venue’s elegant art deco opulence.

The audience was treated to a performance from Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt, the artists behind the comedy Two Pianos Four Hands, before Mirvish took to the podium for the announcement that explained all that brown paper—as of today the venue shall be known as the Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Ed Mirvish, father to David, made his name in Toronto as a businessman and theatre impresario before his death in 2007. He opened the city’s most famous discount store, Honest Ed’s, in 1948 and went on to buy and refurbish the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1962. The purchase of the Royal Alex marked his, and Toronto’s, presence in the world of theatre. (Mirvish Productions also operates the Princess of Wales and Panasonic theatres.)

A line of singers, actors and even politicians expressed their gratitude for the senior Mirvish’s patronage of the arts, and congratulated his family for establishing a landmark that will serves as an enduring tribute to his legacy.

Michael Burgess, Shirley Douglas and Molly Johnson showed their thanks through on-stage performances, while Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty addressed the crowd via video messages. The event concluded as Mayor Rob Ford unveiled the Ed Mirvish Theatre’s glowing new marquee—a fitting homage to the man who energized Toronto’s theatre scene.

—Rasheed Clarke

Hot Date: Mary Poppins Pops In

The cheery chimney sweep kicks up some dust in Mary Poppins (photo by Joan Marcus)

NOVEMBER 10 TO JANUARY 8 The Broadway magic of Mary Poppins has already enchanted six and a half million people worldwide with its endearing story, unforgettable songs and breathtaking dance numbers. Now Toronto audiences have their chance to see the singing wonder-nanny on stage in this latest offering from Mirvish Productions, which includes tunes such as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” Rachel Wallace descends with her magic umbrella as the show’s title character, while Canadian Nicolas Dromard takes on the role of Bert, the Cockney jack-of-all-trades. Princess of Wales Theatre, Tuesday to Saturday 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m., $35 to $130; call 416-872-1212 or visit here for tickets.

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