Category Archives: Dance, theatre & musicals

Vanderdecken among the zombies: Wajdi Mouawad’s Abduction

Posted on February 25, 2018 by barczablog

I had a second look & listen to Wajdi Mouawad’s Abduction from the Seraglio,  my second time coming in the closing performance of the run with the Canadian Opera Company at the Four Seasons Centre. I wanted to reflect on what … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, University life | 5 Comments

Karam’s Humans

Posted on February 9, 2018 by barczablog

This co-production of The Humans, Stephen Karam’s 2016 Tony Award winner from Citadel Theatre & Canadian Stage has come to the Bluma Appel Theatre.   We are functioning in real time for about an hour and a half of a Thanksgiving … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 5 Comments

Nine in Concert

Posted on January 13, 2018 by barczablog

The musical Nine is a bit of a virtuoso vehicle, putting thirteen women, a man and a boy onstage together.  The music & lyrics by Maury Yeston are never easy but quite rewarding, particularly if you have an actual orchestra, … Continue reading →

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H̶a̶m̶l̶e̶t̶ at Tarragon

Posted on January 11, 2018 by barczablog

On the program it’s Hamlet but the font is struck through like this: H̶a̶m̶l̶e̶t̶. I wondered, was this to be a musical? The advance description said “Shakespeare’s best-known tragedy is reimagined on the Tarragon stage through the powerful lens of … Continue reading →

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

Who is Guido? I ask the women of NINE

Posted on January 8, 2018 by barczablog

Podium Concert Productions, who will be presenting Nine in Concert January 12-13 describe the show this way: Based on Italian director Federico Fellini’s comic masterpiece of biographical filmmaking, 8 1/2, Maury Yeston’s sultry and enchanting musical Nine follows the life … Continue reading →

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

Wild and crazy Wedding Party

Posted on January 6, 2018 by barczablog

My second visit to the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest was very different from my last one, entranced by Musik für das Ende, the world and work of Claude Vivier last fall. While it’s a different sort of magic, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals | 4 Comments

Candide at Toronto Operetta Theatre

Posted on December 29, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight was the first of six performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, running on consecutive weekends (evenings of Dec 28 & 30 Jan 5 & 6, matinees of Dec 31 & Jan 7), presented at the Bluma Appel Theatre by Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals | 1 Comment

Questions for Derek Bate

Posted on December 19, 2017 by barczablog

Derek Bate has impacted different aspects of the musical life of Toronto, known both for music-theatre & opera. A one time Chorus Master of the Canadian Opera Company, Derek was in the pit for the original Toronto Production of Les … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | 1 Comment

TIFT Candide

Posted on December 3, 2017 by barczablog

While 2017 was a year to celebrate Canada’s 150th, we’re now coming up on the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein.  Whether you pronounce it Bern–steen or Bern-stine, the composer, pianist & conductor was born in 1918, which means that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

Haus Musik: lavender love letter

Posted on November 17, 2017 by barczablog

I am always inclined to appreciate artists who choose the ambitious path. Tonight’s Haus Musik in The Great Hall directed by Jennifer Nichols aimed to make some challenging connections. This multi-disciplinary work (live music, a DJ, video, painting, poetry in … Continue reading →

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