"Life After", CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON

I enjoyed Life After with Anne and Franca this evening. at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Here we are ...

Me, Anne and Franca

Despite being a famous self-help author, Frank Carter’s optimistic advice offers little solace to his 16-year-old daughter, Alice. After his untimely death, Alice embarks on a quest for truth, unravelling the events that changed her family forever.

It was funny and sad. The cast performed well. Julia Pulo especially stood out for me as Alice's goofy best friend, Hannah.

"Come From Away", Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Come From Away this afternoon with his sister, Judy, and Doug, Judy's husband. 

On September 11, 2001, 38 planes with 6,579 passengers were stranded in a remote town in Newfoundland. The locals opened their hearts and homes, and hosted this international community of strangers for a week - spurring unexpected camaraderie in extraordinary circumstances. When the world stopped, their stories moved us all.

Gord and I have seen it a few times over the years when it's come to town and even with a different cast, it's still as good as ever! And it's such a nice story. It is at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street W until  May 4. 

Judy and Doug

Judy, Doug, me and Gord

The stage before the show started

The cast and musicians take a bow

The musicians played a lively song at the end

“God is a Scottish Drag Queen 2: The Second Coming”, CAA Theatre, Toronto, ON

Franca and I saw God is a Scottish Drag Queen 2: The Second Coming this evening. 

God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes down to set the record straight and expound on everything from Pocahontas to the Platypus and answer humankind’s most asked questions in a hilarious and unforgettable sequel! Loved by Preachers and Atheists alike, this franchise has quickly become one of the most popular one man shows touring today and has received critical acclaim for its non-stop brilliant look at pop culture and humanity through the eyes of a silly, foul mouthed, and very loveable Scottish Deity.

Me and Franca

We didn’t know what to expect. The fun started with the audience singing The Proclaimers’ I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). Mike Delamont is God in 1980s flowered dress suits complete with shoulder pads and was so funny! Go see it! We both agreed we’ll go see “God” the next time they come to town. 

"To Kill a Mockingbird", Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON

I saw To Kill a Mockingbird tonight at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Yonge Street with my pal, Franca. 

It was quite good. It was almost 3 hours long but didn’t seem long.

"Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical", Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto

Gord and I saw Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical this afternoon at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street W.  It's a Mirvish production.

Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical tells the story of the world’s most unlikely buoy-band! 

Based on the true story of the chart-topping Cornish singing sensations and their hit 2019 movie, 'Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical' is a feel-good voyage about friendship, community and music that will give any land-lover a mighty pair of sea legs. 

When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected the story to end on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. They are spotted by a fish-out-of-water music manager on a trip from London, who must learn that there is more to life than selling your sole for fifteen minutes of fame. 

So climb aboard, set sail and feel the salty sea air rush through your hair with this brand new musical.

I've seen the movie a couple times ... it's cute and the tunes are good and lively.

The musical is sooooo good! Lots of fabulous toe-tapping singing and dancing! The musicians are very talented ... not only did they play instruments but they also sang and danced.

"Singin’ in the Rain", Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Singin' in the Rain at Princess of Wales Theatre this afternoon. We watched the movie last week to get prepped for this afternoon (plus Gord has seen it many times).

Journey back to the glamour of Hollywood during the roaring 20’s. Silent movie star Don Lockwood has it all, a string of hit films and a studio-engineered romance with the most beautiful actress in town. What Don doesn’t know is that the silver screen is about to find its voice, and a chance meeting with a talented young chorus girl set to steal his heart promises to change both Don, and Hollywood, forever.

Andrew Wright’s high-energy choreography and Simon Higlett’s sumptuous set design (including over 14,000 litres of water on stage every night) combine with the charm, romance and wit of one of the world’s best- loved films. "Singin’ in the Rain" features the glorious MGM score including "Good Morning", "Make ‘em Laugh", "Moses Supposes" and the legendary "Singin’ in the Rain".

It was a lively and colourful production.  When buying tickets, you're warned that you may get wet if you sit in seats close to the stage ... and they do (good thing they are given plastic ponchos!  It was fun to watch "Don" sing Singin' in the Rain IN THE RAIN!  

There was some technical difficulties in the second act so everything shut down for about ten minutes but the audience was understanding and supportive.

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show, Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, ON

Tonight I saw Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show.

Riverdance as you’ve never seen it before! A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Twenty-five years on, composer Bill Whelan has rerecorded his mesmerizing soundtrack while producer Moya Doherty and director John McColgan have completely reimagined the ground-breaking show with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, stage and costume designs. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary power and grace of its music and dance - beloved by fans of all ages. Fall in love with the magic of Riverdance all over again.

For over 25 years, nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance.

Riverdance began its journey as the interval act in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, produced for television by Moya Doherty. This electrifying and innovative seven minute dance piece was then developed into a full-length stage show by producer Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan and director John McColgan. With its fusion of Irish and international music and dance, the show broke all box office records during its world première run in Dublin in early 1995. When the show transferred to London the reaction was unprecedented. There followed a hugely successful tour starting in New York in March 1996, where 8 sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall heralded the start of two decades of touring by Riverdance companies throughout North America. Since its inception Riverdance has packed theatres throughout North America, Oceania, Asia, Europe, South Africa and South America.

It is at the Princess of Wales Theatre  from February 25 to March 1, 2020.  I've been wanting to see it for years.  I even bought tickets with my friend, Franca, to see it a few years ago but ended up having to head to New Brunswick for work (so she took a friend ... I'm glad my ticket was used).

I wasn't sure what to expect ... I assumed it would be a couple hours of Irish dancing and music, which would have been fine with me.  But that's not the case.  There was singing, dancing and instrumentals.  The singing and instrumentals were at times lively, which was fun, and mournful.  That dancing was fabulous!  The flamenco soloist (Rocio Montoya) was a surprise.  What stood out was the dance off between two tap dancers (Lamont Brown and Tyler Knowlin) and three Irish dancer in New York.  Wow!

I'm glad I finally got to see it!

"Hamilton", Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON

This afternoon I saw Hamilton.

Canadian Premiere

Hamilton is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton is the story of America then, as told by America now.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

It is playing at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Yonge Street (just south of Dundas Street E) from February 11 until May 17.  Tickets went on sale for it in the fall and sold out immediately.  I checked this morning to see if there were any available for this afternoon's performance and there were a handful so I bought one.

Going in I didn't know too much about Hamilton.  I knew it had something to do with early American history and I was interested in seeing it because it's supposed to be awesome and is in such demand.  In hindsight, I should have done a bit of research because I didn't know who Alexander Hamilton was and why he is such a big deal.  It would have been easier to follow what was going on.  Hamilton (1757 - 1804) was an American statesman, politician, legal scholar, military commander, lawyer, banker and economist, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.  As a Canadian, I'm not overly interested in American history so the content didn't really resonate with me.  Plus it's long ... almost three hours!

That being said, everything else was excellent ... the singing, the acting, the choreography, the music (ranging from bluesy/jazzy to hip hop to ballads and more).  The stage and lighting were used quite creatively.  I can see now why everyone is raving about it and I'm glad I got to see it.

"Come From Away", Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Come From Away tonight.  We'd seen it when it was in town last year and enjoyed it.

On September 11, 2001, 38 planes with 6,579 passengers were stranded in a remote town in Newfoundland. The locals opened their hearts and homes, and hosted this international community of strangers for a week - spurring unexpected camaraderie in extraordinary circumstances. When the world stopped, their stories moved us all.

It is at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street W until  February.  We had tickets to see it last Saturday night but someone from Mirvish Productions called on Friday to say they needed tickets for a VIP and would we mind giving up ours.  If we did, we could go another night AND I would receive a refund for our tickets ($318).  Needless to say, I said "yes" said we'd go tonight instead.

The set was fairly minimal and they used it well.

Here are me and Gord ...

On September 11, 2001, when terrorist planes were crashing into towers in New York, planes "from away" were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland.  Over night, with about 7,000 passengers, the town's population doubled in size.  The citizens of Gander opened their arms and hearts and did all they could for the "plane people".  This is their story from the viewpoints of a cop, Gander's only reporter, the mayor, a local SPCA employee, a teacher, an American Airlines pilot, a gay couple, a traveler from England, a woman whose son is a NY firefighter and more.

Like last time, the acting was fabulous with the actors playing multiple roles, moving effortlessly back and forth with different accents, and it was obvious which role they were in.  There was singing and dancing.  It was funny and it was sad.  It was hard not to get caught up in it.  The generous nature of the Newfoundlanders came through.  The audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation.  At the end, the band, which included a fiddler (an alumni from the university I graduated from), an accordionist and a couple guitarists, played a song at the end.

We enjoyed it just as much the second time around..

"Bat Out of Hell The Musical", Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON

Franca, Anne and I saw Bat Out of Hell The Musical this evening.

Experience the thrill of London’s most spectacular musical as "Bat Out of Hell" brings to life the legendary anthems of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf, in a critically-acclaimed, award-winning production that combines the magic of a musical, with the immense energy of rock 'n' roll.

Join Strat, the forever young leader of rebellious gang "The Lost", as he falls in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of the tyrannical ruler of post-apocalyptic Obsidian.

The story is about Strat, who is the leader of The Lost, an underground group of kids who never grow older than 18.  He falls in love with Raven, who is the daughter of Falco and Sloane, who don't get along at all.  Falco is not a nice man and is very protective of Raven.

It is playing at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Yonge Street (just south of Dundas Street E).

I had seen it last October with Gord and enjoyed it enough to see it again this time.  It's only in town for three weeks and seems to be a scaled-down version.  There were no photo ops like last time but you could buy merchandise (though there wasn't anyone there) ... I had bought a teeshirt the last time.

The last time there was a story on the curtains as we were waiting ... this time there wasn't.

And here we are ... me, Anne and Franca.

The stage was used quite creatively.  There were many components which were moved in and out quickly to change the scenery from The Lost's underground world to Falco and Sloane's living room to Raven's bedroom and so on.  At times, there was a camera projecting the action on a screen (especially when in Raven's room).

The cast did an excellent job.  The singers had great voices especially Andrew Polec (he was Strat in both shows I saw), Emily Schultheis (Raven), Lulu Lloyd (Sloane) and Harper Miles (Zahara).

Bat Out of Hell and Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell are two of my favourite albums (still!) and most of the songs came from these albums (including All Revved Up with No Place to Go, Everything Louder Than Everything Else, Life Is A Lemon And I Want My Money Back, Out of the Frying Pan (And Into the Fire), Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Bat Out of Hell, Heaven Can Wait, Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are, For Crying Out Loud, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through and I'd Do Anything for Love).

I'm glad I went tonight.  It was just as good as the last time!

The Phantom of the Opera, Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, ON

I saw The Phantom of the Opera tonight, presented by Mirvish Productions at the Princess of Wales Theatre (it's the U.S. tour).  It opened last night and will run here until June 30.

I've seen it about five times and it's one of my top five favourites.  I'd seen the original production that ran in Toronto for ten years in the late 80s/early 90s with Colin Wilkinson in the title role (he was awesome).  It was probably the first mega-musical I'd seen.

You can buy souvenirs.  I'd bought a teeshirt the last time I saw it.

My seat was in the front row in the first balcony.  I've usually sat in the lower orchestra level so thought I'd try a different view and I liked it.

Before it began

At the end of the first act

I thought the actors did an excellent job in their roles.  Quentin Oliver Lee is the phantom ... what a voice!  He made me feel sorry for the phantom even though he is the bad guy.  It was obvious his heart was broken.

They were creative with the set.  It's colourful and there are lots of bright pyrotechnics.  The chandelier at the end of the first act sudden drops.