"Clyde's", Bluma Appel Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Clyde's this afternoon at the Bluma Appel Theatre. It was good and more intense that I was expecting. The actors played their parts well and the special effect were cool.

Clyde runs a truck stop sandwich shop, staffed by ex-convicts looking for a shot at redemption. Despite her callous management style, the cooks learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich. A buoyant play full of witty dialogue, Clyde’s is a transcendent story about second chances, rising above past mistakes, and reconnecting with the world. 

Full of sizzling wit, big heart, and mouthwatering ambition, Clyde’s serves up a thrilling, high-energy ride - think The Bear meets Broadway. Helmed by returning director Philip Akin (The Lehman Trilogy, Fat Ham), an all-star Canadian cast takes on this deliciously funny and deeply moving play.

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", Bluma Appel Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf this afternoon at the Bluma Appel Theatre.

It was intense and the acting was excellent, especially Paul Gross and Martha Burns who had huge rambling speeches. It’s almost 3.5 hours but didn’t seem long. 

Mac Fyfe was supposed to play Nick but because of a medical issue, he was replaced at the last minute by Rylan Wilkie. We were warned ahead of the performance that Wilkie wasn't quite up to speed so would be carrying his script for when/if he needed it. I was expecting it to be distracting and disjointed but it wasn't. He pulled it off well.

A timeless and twisted portrayal of married life. Late one night, after a university faculty soirée, George and Martha welcome a younger couple into their home. As the alcohol flows and dawn approaches, the young couple are drawn into George and Martha’s toxic games until the evening reaches its climax in a moment of devastating truth-telling.