“Kinky Boots”, Ed MirvishTheatre, Toronto, ON

I saw Kinky Boots this afternoon at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Yonge Street. I’ve seen the movie many times and like it. It was well done and the finale was lively and fun!

Everybody say “Yeah!” and let Kinky Boots lift your spirits to high-heeled heights! Winner of every Best Musical award, including the Tony®, Grammy®, and London’s Olivier Award, Kinky Boots captivates and entertains audiences around the world with a Tony-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, and original direction and Tony-winning choreography by Jerry Mitchell. 

Based on true events, Kinky Boots follows the journey of two people with nothing in common - or so they think. The unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized ... and discover that you change the world when you change your mind.

“Moulin Rouge”, Ed MirvishTheatre, Toronto, ON

I saw Moulin Rouge! The Musical this afternoon at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Yonge Street. 

Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards—including Best Musical! 

Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and—above all—Love.

It was very good. The music selection was fun … Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Police, Talking Heads, Rick Astley, Madonna, Aha and more! Amazing voices, especially Gabriella Carrillo! So lively and colourful! 

“The Book of Mormon”, Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw The Book of Mormon this evening at the Princess of Wales Theatre on King Street W. It was good. Sometimes when there was singing, the orchestra was louder so it was hard to make out the words. And the Ugandan accents were really strong.

This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, THE BOOK OF MORMON has truly become an international sensation.

“Bat Out of Hell”, Ed MirvishTheatre, Toronto, ON

I saw Bat Out of Hell: The Musical this afternoon this afternoon at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on Yonge Street. I had seen it back in 2017 and wore the "concert" teeshirt I'd bought then.

It was at the Ed Mirvish Theatre and was fabulous!

BAT OUT OF HELL THE MUSICAL, the award-winning musical, is a thrilling spectacle where the timeless music of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf reigns supreme! 

This reimagined show features a dynamic eight-piece rock band live on stage. An epic cast will bring their powerhouse vocals to Meat Loaf’s anthems including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Dead Ringer For Love, It’s All Coming Back to Me, and of course Bat Out of Hell. 

Get ready to witness BAT OUT OF HELL THE MUSICAL as it explodes onto the stage at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, in a spectacle that promises to be nothing short of legendary.

“Some Like it Hot”, Ed MirvishTheatre, Toronto, ON

I saw Some Like it Hot this afternoon at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. It was cute and lively and there was lots of singing and tap dancing.

 

Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, including Best Choreography and Best Costumes, and the Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theater Album, SOME LIKE IT HOT is “a super-sized, all-out song-and-dance spectacular!” – The New York Times

Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is the “glorious, big, high-kicking” (Associated Press) story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.

And what a trip it is! With its irresistible combination of heart and laughs, song and dance, SOME LIKE IT HOT won more theater awards than any show this season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. No wonder Deadline calls it “a tap-dancing, razzle-dazzling embrace of everything you love about musical theatre.”

“& Juliet”, Royal Alexander Theatre, Toronto, ON

I saw & Juliet  this afternoon at the Royal Alexander Theatre and enjoyed it. 

Created by the Emmy-winning writer from ‘Schitt’s Creek”, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. ‘& Juliet’ asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. 

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including ‘Since U Been Gone’‚ ‘Roar’, ‘Baby One More Time’, ‘Larger Than Life’‚ ‘That’s The Way It Is’, and ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

My seat was in the first row of the dress circle in the middle … excellent view! It’s a fun musical and the songs cleverly worked. Everyone played their part well and the voices were fabulous.

"We Will Rock You", CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON

I saw We Will Rock You at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre this afternoon.

Celebrating rock ’n’ roll to the rhythm of 25 Queen songs, including the classic “Somebody to Love, ” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “We Are the Champions,” “Under Pressure,” “Don’t Stop Me Now” and, of course, the timeless classic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the formidable cast brings to life a range of atmospheres depicting the two rival clans – the ruthless leaders of the Corporation and the indomitable rebels – plunging the audience into futuristic and organic worlds with spectacular projections and breathtaking costumes. 

Created by Queen and Ben Elton, WE WILL ROCK YOU is set in the near future on a planet controlled by a powerful corporation. Globalization is complete. Individuality is taboo. All music is now computer-generated, rock music has been eradicated, and musical instruments are banned. The sole hope for liberation rests on an unlikely resistance: an alliance of Bohemian rebels, waiting for a hero to lead them in the battle to bring “rock power” to the people.

It was so good! Fabulous voices and the audience got right into the Queen songs. The references to non-Queen songs got laughs.

The glow sticks were fun and
we were encouraged to wave them often

"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