Author Archives: barczablog

Danny and that question

Posted on January 9, 2017 by barczablog

I’m viewing Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, the live show I saw previewed tonight, through the same lens through which I stared at La La Land last night. Yesterday was a big movie house full of people. Tonight was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Leave a comment

La La Land and the eternal question

Posted on January 8, 2017 by barczablog

La La Land is a musical but different. How? One part of the equation is us, the way we were different in 2016. And I suspect we’ll hear a great deal about how we have become different for 2017. It’s … Continue reading →

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Mysterious Satie: Socrate, Hannigan and de Leeuw

Posted on January 7, 2017 by barczablog

People may think they know you.  They can have expectations of you, and be surprised when you don’t behave in the usual way.  I don’t like being boxed in, stereotyped by old friends who think they know me better than … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

TOT Pirates

Posted on January 1, 2017 by barczablog

I said a festive goodbye to 2016 with the help of the last Pirates of Penzance of the year from Toronto Operetta Theatre (TOT). They’re taking a well-deserved break for the holiday (and Happy New Year to you too), before … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Leave a comment

Triump of the Will, the post-virtuoso era

Posted on December 30, 2016 by barczablog

This morning in the shower contemplating the meaning of life, I saw a solution to an old problem. The Book of Revelation confused me (and I suspect I’m not alone) in seeming to suggest that The Apocalypse could simultaneously offer … Continue reading →

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Fialkowska: Schubert’s Bohemian Rhapsody

Posted on December 30, 2016 by barczablog

This review has had a long gestation. But let me say first, Schubert is not usually understood as any sort of mystery, and maybe that’s a problem. When I open my Schubert impromptus or sonatas, having heard others play these … Continue reading →

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Pollyanna’s 2016

Posted on December 29, 2016 by barczablog

At the end of 2015 I said the following: It was a year when the Pollyanna sentiment seemed to be in the ascendancy.  Trudeau beat Harper. I can’t help wondering, would that have been the case if the Paris attacks … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

Questions for Dylan Brenton: Danny & the Deep Blue Sea

Posted on December 27, 2016 by barczablog

Dylan Brenton is one of the founding members of Wolf Manor Theatre Collective, their Artistic Director and a member of the Ensemble. Here’s how the WMTC describe themselves & their mission: Wolf Manor Theatre Collective are a Toronto based theatre … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews | 1 Comment

The mysterious politics of the TSO

Posted on December 23, 2016 by barczablog

Why a series of pieces with the word “mystery”? Sometimes a person may feel clueless. There are times when I feel satisfied with myself and my abilities. I go to a concert or watch a production in a theatre, and come … Continue reading →

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Mysteries

Posted on December 22, 2016 by barczablog

As we come to the latter part of the year, a festive time when we hoist drinks, hug our loved ones and count our blessings, I’m playing a bit of a game, partly inspired by my friend Ian Henderson. Perhaps … Continue reading →

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