Category Archives: Dance, theatre & musicals

Tremendous Triptyque

Posted on November 16, 2017 by barczablog

We’re in the twilight of Matthew Jocelyn’s time at Canadian Stage, a near- decade of unprecedented multi-disciplinarity.  We’ve had dance, we’ve had opera, and yes, theatre that combines disciplines.  We’ve had several offerings from Crystal Pite, from Robert Lepage, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals | 2 Comments

Putnam County: nerds rule

Posted on November 12, 2017 by barczablog

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (PCSB) is not just a musical but also an irresistible evocation of youth, concealed erections and performance anxiety.  A spelling contest is the microcosm, and in this world the nerds rule: not unlike … Continue reading →

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Jennifer Nichols talks about Haus Musik Crossing / Traversée

Posted on November 11, 2017 by barczablog

I invited Jennifer Nichols to talk about Haus Musik. If I understand the concept Haus Musik aims to do what every classical music company seeks: re-packaging and re-inventing their content in new ways in the quest for that elusive younger … Continue reading →

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

Questions for Madeleine Jullian: directing GASH

Posted on November 8, 2017 by barczablog

Madeleine Jullian has worked as an actor, writer, and director in Berlin, London, and Toronto.  She produced and directed Nick Dipchand’s solo show The Nature of a Bullet as part of the Toronto Fringe in 2013 and produced a double … Continue reading →

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

Legends of Horror

Posted on November 1, 2017 by barczablog

If you like your theatre interactive, I have the show for you. But whoops tonight was the closing night. Even so I am betting that Legends of Horror will come back to Casa Loma next year.  I sure hope so.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Popular music & culture, Reviews | 1 Comment

Adizokan images

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

I’m adding a bit to what I posted last night. I can’t deny that my understanding of Adizokan is only partial.  I wanted to mention the dancers, namely Eddie Elliott, Lonii Garnons-Williams, Julie Pham, and Jera Wolfe, plus Michel Muniidobenese  … Continue reading →

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

Adizokan

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight I was present for the premiere of Adizokan, a collaboration between Red Sky Performance and the Toronto Symphony as part of Canada 150. It was much easier surrendering to the sounds and sights of this multi-media multi-disciplinary work than … Continue reading →

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

Canadian double delight

Posted on July 29, 2017 by barczablog

Rare as it may be to encounter a full evening of opera from Canadian composers, that’s what Summer Opera Lyric Theatre offered tonight in their season opener.  The Robert Gill Theatre was packed with a receptive crowd for a double … Continue reading →

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

Forensic Composition, or when the script is like a CSI

Posted on July 25, 2017 by barczablog

That headline is dead serious and no joke.  I was brought in twice way back in the 1970s as a composer by directors looking with puzzlement at play scripts.  It would happen again later.  These formative projects changed the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Popular music & culture, University life | 1 Comment

Irresistible Flea

Posted on July 7, 2017 by barczablog

I am usually drawn to Fringe shows either by the material or by the personnel in the show, so I couldn’t miss Pulse Theatre’s production of Feydeau’s A Flea in Her Ear. It’s directed by Aleksandar Sasha Lukac, a director … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 3 Comments