The Harder they Come

Big theatre news for the not so theatrical

Mirvish will host the North American premiere of the British reggae musical, The Harder They Come, based on the 1972 film starring Jimmy Cliff, in the summer of 2009. Cliff was on hand in Toronto yesterday to sing Higher and Higher and Rivers of Babylon, some of the hits featured in the show.

Beyond the Canon

Last night Paul invited me to the opening at Robert Miller Gallery. The show was beautiful, and we had an ok time. Grace Hartigan, who sadly passed away over the weekend was in the show, and had planned to attend the opening. It was really too bad, the timing of her death. Although I was speaking with a lot of people at the gallery who didn't seem to know that she had died. That aside, we had a great night. After the opening Paul, Shawnte, Vinny and I went for drinks, and then later Paul and I met up with Sasha and Alina, and some Gents for more drinks on the East Side. At least I think that's where we were, it gets a litter blurry about that time. There is more to tell but Paul always gets squirmy about mentioning the gallery

I saw Gypsy yesterday afternoon, which was amazing. I am planning on writing a revue for the EAP blog. As well as one for South Pacific, which I took Paul to on Tuesday night. I am sure I could say more now, but I wont.

Frost/Nixon

I can't tell you how happy I am that CanStage is presenting this play this month. I just finished reading it, by coincidence and it is really good. I posted about it a few weeks ago on the Emerging Art blog. This play was amazing on Broadway, from what I hear, despite its rather short run. I hope it is better received in Toronto.

For anyone who doesn't know the story of the Frost-Nixon interviews it's a pretty incredible piece of television history. David Frost, British, playboy, TV presenter scores the biggest interview, possibly of all times, with Nixon. And he's the one to get the first admission of guilt out of Nixon for the Watergate cover-up. It was Nixon's first interview after his resignation,and he and his manager Swifty Lazar chose Frost because they were going to make tons of money on the deal, and they figured he wouldn't be hard-hitting. I would love to see the original footage, maybe it's on youtube?

Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan (The Canadian Stage Company). A dubious talk-show host elicits an apology and confession from Richard Nixon. Opens Oct 13 and runs to Nov 8, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$90. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canstage.com.

My New Obsession

So if you are into contemporary musical theatre it is almost a cliche to love Jason Robert Brown, but I guess that makes me a cliche. I just found this video featuring the original backdrop videos from "The Last Five Years." I also think this song, Goodbye Until Tomorrow is beautiful. I think the Lauren Kennedy version, on her recently released solo album of JRB songs is stronger than Sherie-Rene Scott's, who I believe is featured here.

Somewhere over the rainbow - in Vaughan

I have been rehearsing for Mambo Italiano, which is running at the Vaughan Playhouse for three weeks. The show is gonna be really good, I am very impressed. I am also very tired

Frank and Phil, the lead actors, goofing off between scenes. These two are always up to no good. I'm constantly babysitting, but usually just laughing



Thank God Emily lent me her car, here is the rainbow that accompanied me home. It's a long way back to Toronto form Vaughan, luckily I am going against traffic. And today I had the rainbow out in front the whole way.
If anyone is interested in seeing the show. I can get half-off day of tickets, and matinees may be pay what you can. If you want to go let me know, and you can ride up with me.

Tony Wonder

Paul sent this link to me this morning. The article is from Bloomberg.com . It is not very well written, but it's a good read for theatre fans, because Bloomberg focuses on the money and the structure, angles that I find interesting. I am not sure that I agree with the conclusion that something is wrong with the Tony's. I think it's great that a show as bad as The Little Mermaid is not a major Tony contender, even if it did cost millions. I also think that the role of non-profits like Roundabout are essential. That is a section of the market that has been missing in Toronto, and one that Emerging Art Productions is hoping to take on. (More on that later). Anyway feel free to read the article, the link is below.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=apz9AcUScWA4&refer=muse