Author Archives: barczablog

The Palace Papers: forbidden pleasures with Tina Brown

Posted on September 16, 2022 by barczablog

I find myself conflicted. I am not a royalist but I do admire Elizabeth. Tina Brown’s book The Palace Papers is brilliantly timed. Don Lemon mentioned her book during CNN’s coverage of Elizabeth’s passing and Charles ascension to the throne. … Continue reading →

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Moving memoir from Molly

Posted on September 14, 2022 by barczablog

I’m re-reading Hello Molly, the memoir of Molly Shannon. It’s likely a bestseller mainly because of the fame of its author, a star on Saturday Night Live from 1995-2001. But I didn’t expect to be so moved, reading the book … Continue reading →

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$50,000 Mécénat Musica Prix 3 Femmes 2022-23

Posted on September 13, 2022 by barczablog

******* “Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment

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Uncle Vanya

Posted on September 12, 2022 by barczablog

The new version of Uncle Vanya, by Liisa Repo-Martell, directed by Crow’s Artistic Director, Chris Abraham works very well. I loved it. Chekhov can be a challenge, possibly because he’s often put on such a high pedestal, his name spoken … Continue reading →

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Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes

Posted on September 9, 2022 by barczablog

Do you compartmentalize? I ask because it’s common, a given in a modern life. Whether we’re speaking of the things we do for work-life balance, as part of an artistic discipline or simply to get through a busy day, it’s … Continue reading →

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Sarah Polley & Terry Gilliam, The Torturer’s Apprentice

Posted on August 31, 2022 by barczablog

Violence is everywhere these days. Excuse me for stating the obvious. I’ve recently seen an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus that plays with our imaginations, encouraging us to feel for the people getting hurt in the play. Sometimes it’s much … Continue reading →

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Preview of immersive Titus

Posted on August 31, 2022 by barczablog

I’ve just seen a preview of Who’s Afraid of Titus, Sky Gilbert’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s early play Titus Andronicus. They used the Red Sandcastle Theatre, a space associated with horror through proprietor Eric Woolfe and his Eldritch Theatre cohort. No … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Glenn Gould on the 90th Anniversary of His Birth

Posted on August 29, 2022 by barczablog

Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of Iconic Canadian Pianist Glenn Gould on the 90th Anniversary of His BirthGlennGould@90 features free events from September 17 to 27 Toronto, ON (August 29, 2022) – Glenn Gould, the iconic Canadian classical pianist, writer, composer, … Continue reading →

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Tanya’s Secret

Posted on August 27, 2022 by barczablog

Tanya’s Secret, a queer-trans Onegin, is a new adaptation of Eugene Onegin by Opéra Queens, that opened tonight at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. Let’s begin by remembering Tchaikovsky’s original: a piece full of beautiful melodies, a few wonderful arias, several … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Mike Fan | 范祖铭 (they) aka Tanya Smania (she): probing Tatyana’s Secret

Posted on August 25, 2022 by barczablog

I’m intrigued by the upcoming production of Tanya’s Secret produced by Opera Queens, an adaptation of Eugene Onegin, a work that seems to invite questions. Mike Fan | 范祖铭 (they) aka Tanya Smania (she) is the artistic director and driving … Continue reading →

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