September 5, 2011

Perhaps best known for his play, Death of A Salesman, Arthur Miller’s drama, The Price, is an equally gripping tale of family and the impact our decisions has on those closest to us. The Soulpepper Theatre Company brings the tale of two estranged brothers to life as they meet in a condemned house to sell their father’s possessions. The brothers discover that the price of one’s decisions is worth more than the price of their aging father’s furniture.

Tonight’s performance of The Price begins at 8pm at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Several of this show’s performances have been sold out, so if you can’t get tickets for tonight, go to www.youngcentre.ca to discover other show dates/times. Tickets range in price from $28 to $65 (+HST).

August 31, 2011

Considered one of Toronto’s great plays, Judith Thompson’s White Biting Dog is the tale of Cape Race, a lawyer prevented from committing suicide by a small white dog as he readies himself to jump from the Bloor Street Viaduct. The dog convinces Cape to save his father’s life rather than taking his own. For the remainder of the play, Cape, and a new-found friend called Pony, endeavor to unite his father with his estranged wife.

Thompson won a Governor-General’s Award for Drama in 1984 for this Toronto play, which comes to life all over again via Soulpepper Theatre Company. Tonight’s performance of White Biting Dog starts at 8pm at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $31.65 for students, and range from $50.86 to $67.81 for adults. Purchase tickets and find out more about this stellar production at www.soulpepper.ca.

August 18, 2011

Referred to as “Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist masterpiece,” Exit the King tells the story of King Berenger the First’s effort to “will his death away.” Told by one of his two wives that he will “die at the end of the play,” Berenger exemplifies an accomplished man who fears death with the “arrogant sense that the world could not exist if he were no longer alive.”

Tonight’s performance of Exit the King begins at 7:30pm at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from $31.65 (for students) to $67.81 (for adults). To purchase tickets, visit Soulpepper Theatre Company’s website.

August 3, 2011

Honoured with ten 2009 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Billy Elliot is a must see musical – in fact, it has been called “the best show you’ll ever see” by the New York Post!

Showing at the Canon Theatre, the musical is based on the hit film by the same name. Audiences watch as Billy’s journey shifts from the boxing ring to ballet class, where he discovers his true passion. With a score by Elton John combined with the genius of the Tony-winning creative team of director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall, you simply cannot miss this fantastic production! After all, “When an audience leaps to their feet cheering in the middle of a show’s second act, then you know something extraordinary is happening…” (Richard Ouzounian, The Toronto Star)!

There are two performances of Billy Elliot today – one at 1:30pm (tickets range from $36 to $123) and one at 7:30pm (tickets range from $40 to $157). If today’s shows are sold-out, don’t worry! The show’s run has been extended into September! To see the full Billy Elliot schedule, go to www.billyelliotintoronto.com.

July 19, 2011

A rock musical from Michael Greif (the director of Rent), Next to Normal recounts the story of a turbulent family’s suburban blues. Featuring 30 original songs by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, this production won a 2009 Tony Award for Best Score and starts Alice Ripley, who has also won a Tony Award for her performance.

This isn’t your average Broadway musical; the story is about a woman with bipolar disorder and depression, the cast is made up of only six people, and it is a sung-through rock musical. Next to Normal has been credited with “push[ing] Broadway in new directions” (Rolling Stone), and has been described as “an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other” (nexttonormal.com).

The show opens tonight at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at 7:30pm and will run until the end of the month. Tickets range in price from $34 to $129 and can be purchased at www.dancaptickets.com.

July 12, 2011

A Toronto theatre tradition, this year’s Canadian Stage Dream in High Park features The Winter’s Tale, William Shakespeare’s fairytale of Bohemia and Sicilia. This tale has been described as both a psychological drama and a comedy, so regardless of your favourite Shakespearean genre, this play will be enjoyable for you and any fortunate companion(s) you bring along! After all, with gates opening at 6pm (the play starts at 8pm), this is the perfect opportunity for you to pack a picnic, relax on the hillside, and take in the beauty of High Park and a fantastic outdoor theatre performance with friends and family!

Admission is PWYC (with a suggested minimum donation of $20 for adults) and free for children 14 and under. To learn more about Dream in High Park, go to www.canadianstage.com/dream.