Saturday, March 14, 2009

Twelfth Night, a thrilling night of theatre


Last night I attended a one-night only showing of “Twelfth Night” put on by the Classical Theatre Project, directed by Will O’Hare.

The show is a knockout smash hit that had a packed audience screeching in their seats with belly laughs at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Tears seemed to be the only remedy for relief from the sidesplitting and even, at one point, show-stopping hilarity. The actor playing Malvolio (no program was available at the show) hit such a chord of funny bones at one point that he was unable to continue over the din of laughter produced by this delighted audience.

The play was presented in the fashion of five Vaudevillian actors putting on the show as if by improv out of a trunk of props, prompted by a highly suspicious selection process from the popular works of Shakespeare including “Hamlet” and “King Lear” drawn from a hat.

The players were all extremely skilled and multi-talented, bursting with unbridled energy and comedic abilities.

The show is sure to ignite the imaginations and tickle the funny bones of the young audiences to which it is directed. I’m sure even the crustiest curmudgeon will be cracked during the two-hours traffic of this production.

You’ll be hard pressed to find any theatrical event brimming with this much energy. Do yourself a favour and catch this show. You don’t have to take it just from me, but rather, let the enthusiasm of a particular young girl in attendance persuade you. She managed to get her family to post-pone their trip to Disney Land in order to attend this one night only performance .

Personally, it was great to see so many familiar faces in the audience. I got to reconnect with my friend David Gingerich whom I met at the Classical Theatre Lab. I also had a lovely chat with Anita La Selva who helped run the Shakespeare and Company Toronto Weekend Intensive where I met Will. And of course, Will O’Hare, who directed this sparkling show and also served as videographer on the night, capturing the show for digital posterity. The audience was also a buzz with the attendance of Susan Coyne, the co-creator and co-star of “Slings and Arrows”. Also sighted were cast members of the ctp production of “King Lear” at Hart House Theatre: Peter Higginson (Lear) and Benjamin Blais (Edmund).

Remember to bring a donation for the food bank when you go.

See the links below for more info:

facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Toronto-ON/The-Classical-Theatre-Project/36490947344?ref=ts#/pages/Toronto-ON/The-Classical-Theatre-Project/36490947344?v=wall&viewas=516028573

website:

http://www.classicaltheatreproject.ca/index.html

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

New Ideas Show Poster

Our director Tommy sent out the poster for our show Asleep at the Wheel by Jordan Hall as part of the playbill on week three of the New Ideas Festival. It's pretty catchy! I've got one on my fridge. Now you can too by downloading it from me here (postcard printer not included).

We are on with two other shows with awesome titles: Cooling, Breath of a Salesman which I have read and really look forward to seeing and Continuum which I have not read but also look forward to seeing.

I'm also looking forward to seeing...you...out there at one of our five shows. Don't be shy. Where else can you see three quality, cutting edge plays for $12? Nowhere. That's right. So come on out.

http://www.alumnaetheatre.com/ideas.html

Monday, March 9, 2009

A big thank you to Steve Leonard Taylor

Steve is a good friend of mine. I know this because at Christmas he gave me a fully loaded $50 gift card for HMV. Then on my birthday he gave me another fully loaded $50 gift card for BMV. Maybe for Easter he'll pick up my licence plate registration at the DMV.... but then there's no such place in Ontario.

But seriously Steve, thank you for getting me started on launching my online presence as an actor. This is a monumental first step in relaunching my acting pursuits. With wizard-like focus you deftly connected me to all things cyber-space in the span of mere minutes and with nary a wasted click. This is truly going to be a great motivational tool. I owe you a big one buddy.

The next gift card is on me...how about $50 worth of .WMV files?! What can I say? You used up all the good MV's on me. That's all I got left.

http://stevenleonardtaylor.wordpress.com/

Hello World!