Next to Normal presents a topical depiction of living with and loving someone who has a mental illness. Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt were almost ahead of their time, especially since many recent shootings have rocked communities out of their complacency regarding mental illness and what it means to be alive. Next Door Center for […]
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Venus in fur. Ven-us in fur. These words are purred by our gorgeous leading lady, Vanda, played by the seductive and mysterious Andrea Syglowski, with growing anticipation. Syglowski expertly casts a spell over Chris Kipiniak’s stuffy Thomas and audience alike during a spell-binding performance of David Ives’ Venus in Fur. David Ives, known for his […]
I was looking over the screenplay of Brokeback Mountain the other day, which was adapted by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana from E. Annie Proulx’s shattering short story, and I got to thinking what an overlooked writer McMurtry has been. Oh yes, he’s won the Pulitzer, and made writing about Texas and the modern west […]
Blue Jasmine – It’s been way too long since I’ve seen a good Woody Allen film. I forgot how many feels I could have all at once. I was happy, sad, irritated and wowed by the incredible performances all at the same time. Kate Blanchett’s monologue in the opening scene is downright amazing. Then, watching her […]
Toronto’s annual Next Stage Theatre Festival is a fantastic event where Fringe performers are able to take their work to, well, the next stage of its development. It has the same independent, organic feel that makes the Fringe Festival so special (also the beer tent element that makes it feel like a community affair) but […]
Once upon a time, Brian went to see a fringe theatre production on a rainy Saturday; he was tired and grumpy. He was four shows into a long stretch of reviewing, and he just wanted to sleep. However, Imaginary beasts delights, surprises, and thrills with their 2014 Annual Winter Panto, Rumplestiltskin, or All That Glitters. […]
Girls’ third season premiered with two episodes on Sunday and everything is different, but also the same. Marnie is still defining herself by Charlie, Shoshanna is exploring herself in her senior year, Jessa is wreaking havoc in rehab. Things are good for Hannah, though. Hannah is happily with Adam and writing her book, but we […]
Recently dance music has seen a resurgence in popularity on a worldwide scale. This is due in part to the efforts of individuals who love the often ignored genre. Some say that artists like Lady Gaga were one of the pioneers behind the genres reincarnation. But there are also record labels that have made it […]