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SUMMERWORKS LISTINGS & REVIEWS by JON KAPLAN and GLENN SUMI
the art of escape by Jorge Gidi (Escape Artists). A hit in Mexico City, this show about 18th-century rebel priest Servando Teresa de Mier features some striking staging but is let down by muddied storytelling. Aug 3 at 6:30 pm, Aug 5 at 2 pm, Aug 6 at 8 pm, Aug 8 at 5 pm, Aug 9 at 11 pm, Aug 11 at 3:30 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NN (JK)
 THE BLACK BOX by Amiel Gladstone (Theatre SKAM). A beautifully evocative show from Victoria weaves together three tales about our fascination with flight. Great ensemble work from an expert cast. Aug 1 at 11 pm, Aug 3 and 10 at 9:30 pm, Aug 4 at 5 pm, Aug 5 at 12:30 pm, Aug 7 at 6:30 pm, Aug 9 at 8 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: NNNN (JK)
the clown of god by Kate Cayley (Stranger Theatre). Diligent, cryptic and self-important, this adaptation of various war-themed stories nevertheless features some powerful images, suggestive staging and strong performances.
Aug 2 at 11 pm, Aug 3 at 8 pm, Aug 5 and 11 at 2 pm, Aug 7 at 9:30 pm, Aug 10 at 6:30 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNN (GS)
the crash of twenty-nine by Alistair A Vogan (Adventure Ball!/Kawa Entertainment). It's overwritten, but this uncompromising drama about lost dreams and a relationship stuck on the same road contains brutal truths. Fine performances.
Aug 1 at 10 pm, Aug 3 and 11 at 6:30 pm, Aug 4 at 11 pm, Aug 7 at 8 pm, Aug 10 at 3:30 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNN (GS)
the disappearance of janey jones by Jennifer Fawcett (Red Engine). Nicely staged and with one knockout performance, this well-intentioned examination of mental illness among three generations of a family's women needs more solid details if we're to care about any of the characters. Aug 1 at 8:30 pm, Aug 3 and 11 at 3:30 pm, Aug 5 at 6:30 pm, Aug 9 at 9:30 pm, Aug 10 at 12:30 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNN (GS)
DISPOSABLE WORLD by Victoria Goring (Urban Spine). This predictable look at our consumer society never rises above being a sophomoric, tediously unfunny comedy about modern life. Aug 1 and 11 at 6:30 pm, Aug 3 at 8 pm, Aug 4 and 10 at 2 pm, Aug 6 at 11 pm, Aug 7 at 9:30 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: N (JK)
the end of pretending by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman and Emily Sugerman (Emchar). This
remarkable autobiographical play, written and performed by teens
Corbeil-Coleman and Sugerman, occasionally feels rushed – I
wish a director had gotten the actors to slow down and savour their
fine dialogue – but it's so full of genuine laughs, clever
staging and wise-beyond-their-years insights, it's irresistible. Best
of all, it avoids sentimentality yet goes straight for the heart with
its honesty. Factory Upstairs. Rating: NNNN (GS)
the evils of tobacco/the bear by Anton Chekhov (MoonPenny). This double bill of Chekhov pieces gets an overly broad, farcical production that misses all the humanity in the works. Aug 1 at 8:30 pm, Aug 3 at 12:30 pm, Aug 4 at 2 pm, Aug 5 and 10 at 4 pm, Aug 11 at 8 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: N (GS)
exhibit by Sean MacMahon (OOmph! Group). A blend of the early life of Tennessee Williams and scenes from his autobiographical play The Glass Menagerie features fiery performances and good staging, though not all the elements work. Aug 2 at 11 pm, Aug 4 and 11 at 8 pm, Aug 5 and 10 at 5 pm, Aug 6 at 9:30 pm, Aug 8 at 6:30 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
the FIFTH OPTION by T Berto (Pencil-Neck). I'm not sure writer T. Berto goes deep enough
in this disturbing yet compelling exploration of political torture
and sexuality. But the play, and the exhausting solo
performance by Don Allison, beats us into submission, which is
thematically apt. Aug 2 at 6:30 pm, Aug 4 at 2 pm, Aug 5 at 3:30 pm, Aug 7 at 8:30 pm, Aug 9 at 11 pm, Aug 11 at 9:30 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNN (GS)
FINGERS TO THE BONE by Lisa Ross and Erin Bouvy (Clown Hall). One of the strangest SummerWorks shows in memory, this melodramatic musical about work (get the title?) and dehumanization borrows from a batch of styles but never comes together. Aug 1 at 10:30 pm, Aug 3 at 4 pm, Aug 5 at 9:30 pm, Aug 7 at 8 pm, Aug 10-11 at 6 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: NN (GS)
FOOL by Wes Berger (Theatre Proteus). A Twilight Zone feel pervades this ambitious trilogy of darkly scary clown tales. Even if the material's occasionally patchy and predictable, it's still enjoyable – it gets under your skin – and the fine performers are watchable.
Aug 3 and 10 at 2 pm, Aug 4 at 3:30 pm, Aug 5 at 12:30 and 8 pm, Aug 11 at 12:30 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNN (GS)
FORMS OF DEVOTION by Diane Schoemperlen (Threshold). Liza Balkan and Hume Baugh bring terrific energy and commitment to Schoemperlen's tale of a couple who first connect and later break up, but the poetic text doesn't always translate to the stage. Aug 3, 4 and 10 at 3:30 pm, Aug 5 at 11 pm, Aug 6 at 6:30 pm, Aug 8 at 8 pm, Aug 11 at 9:30 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
FRIEZE OF LIFE by Crystal Dumitru (NakedWings). A contrived, overwrought script about the last moments in several ordinary lives features characters who never touch the audience. Aug 1 at 8 pm, Aug 3 at 2 pm, Aug 4 at 12:30 pm, Aug 5 at 9:30 pm, Aug 8 at 11 pm, Aug 9 at 6:30 pm, Aug 11 at 3:30 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: N (JK)
GOING FOR GROCERIES by Alison Lawrence (mcguffin/Shopping Cart). This charming show about a single mom and her 10-year-old daughter sometimes loses its focus, but it's filled with heart, genuine laughs and two fine performances. It also doesn't flinch at revealing bitter truths from both sides of the mother-daughter gap.
Aug 3 at 12:30 pm, Aug 4 at 6:30 pm, Aug 5 at 5 pm, Aug 6 at 10 pm, Aug 8 at 9:30 pm, Aug 10 at 8 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNN (GS)
GRACE by Frank Flynn (Angry Young Librarians). An older woman slips in and out of the present and reflects on decades of life. But despite a committed performance and the occasional touching story, she remains a cipher and her memories earnest and dramatically static. Aug 1 at 7:30 pm, Aug 3 and 5 at 5 pm, Aug 4 at 6:30 pm, Aug 7 at 7 pm, Aug 9 at 9 pm, Aug 10 at 3 pm. Factory Upstairs. Rating: NN (GS)
GREENLAND by Michael MacLean (Some Pig/Gabriel's Theatre). Two workers in a bookstore – they couldn't be more different – share disturbing memories about siblings. The production doesn't fully mine the script's emotions, though Stavroula Logothettis pulses with feeling as the sister of one of the men. Aug 2 at 8 pm, Aug 3 at 11 pm, Aug 4, 9-10 at 6:30 pm, Aug 7 at 9:30 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
HAPPY VALLEY by Cesare Casciato (True Era). Despite its serious themes - the environment, cancer - and the stamina of a couple of the actors, I can't recommend anything about this show. One performance is so bad you'd swear the show is a
comedy, not an earnest, sober look at a depressed mining town.
Aug 3 and 10 at 2 pm, Aug 4 at 9:30 pm, Aug 5 at 11 pm, Aug 6 at 8 pm, Aug 11 at 12:30 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: N (GS)
HOWIE THE ROOKIE by Mark O'Rowe (Naked in the Wings). The mischievous Richard Harte and the shaggy, moody John O'Callaghan deliver strong performances as Irish lads running from gangsters, homely women and scabies, but the evocative script would work better in a more intimate space, where the heavy Irish slang would also be easier to comprehend. Aug 2 at 10:30 pm, Aug 3 at 6 pm, Aug 4 at 12:30 pm, Aug 5 at 8 pm, Aug 9 at 10 pm, Aug 11 at 2 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: NNN (GS)
JOHANN'S CABINET OF WONDERS (Real Smile). The music of Kurt Weill filters through this work-in-progress about memory and what one leaves behind. Alex Fallis offers a charming performance and some moving songs. Aug 1 at 8 pm, Aug 4 at 12:30 pm, Aug 5 at 3:30 pm, Aug 6 at 11 pm, Aug 9-10 at 9:30 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
KRAPP'S LAST TAPE – THE OPERA by Samuel Beckett and Marcel Mihalovici (Tryptych). This 1961 operatic version of Beckett’s play gains little from musical treatment, though singer Peter Barnes brings some passion to the memory-obsessed Krapp. Aug 2 and 8 at 9:30 pm, Aug 3 at 11 pm, Aug 5 at 3:30 pm, Aug 6 at 8 pm, Aug 9 at 5 pm, Aug 10 at 6:30 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: NN (JK)
LEMON WATER by A Shay Hahn (Ted and Mary). A secretive brother and sister face a family tragedy in this suggestive if at times sketchy play. Rae Ellen Bodie and Gregory Thomas make the most of the script's nuances. Aug 1 at 6:30 pm, Aug 3 at 8 pm, Aug 4 at 5 pm, Aug 6 at 9:30 pm, Aug 8 at 11 pm, Aug 10 at 12:30 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
Lip to lip by Danny Wright (Earl Haig SS/Sears Ontario Drama Fest). Teenager Danny Wright's overly earnest, humourless script about two adult children reuniting with their estranged mom shows promise, especially at the beginning, but characters emote too much and there are huge gaps in narrative and emotional logic. Aug 2 at 9:30 pm, Aug 3 and 11 at 3 pm, Aug 5 and 10 at 7 pm, Aug 6 at 9 pm, Aug 7 at 11 pm. Factory Upstairs. Rating: NN (GS)
little dragon by Keira Loughran (K'Now Theatre). Believing that she’s the long-lost daughter of martial-arts hero Bruce Lee, a university student discovers some unexpected truths as she tackles aikido and Chinese philosophy. The cast literally throw themselves into this entertaining, well-staged production. Aug 2 and 9 at 5 pm, Aug 4 and 11 at 2 pm, Aug 5 at 12:30 and 8 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNNN (JK)
madder by Kevin Rees-Cummings (HammerHead Brand). Performances are uneven and there's a lack of resolution, but this highly physical show about a town's reaction to a girl's disappearance contains some haunting images and suggestive scenes. Powerful use of video, lighting and live music. Aug 2 at 8 pm, Aug 4 at 12:30 pm, Aug 5 at 9:30 pm, Aug 7 at 11 pm, Aug 9 at 6:30 pm, Aug 10 at 5 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNN (GS)
ma jolie by Alan Dilworth (Belltower). Set in Paris in 1907, this
imaginative play about artistic innovation, friendship and the price
of fame bursts with life. Given a fine production and with solid
ensemble work, it's one show I'd actually like to see longer –
so we get more details to fill in
the canvas. Aug 2 at 8:30 pm, Aug 3 at 11 pm, Aug 4 at 5:30 pm, Aug 6 at 10 pm, Aug 10 at 9:30 pm, Aug 11 at 4 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: NNNN (GS)
moon stories by Matthew MacFadzean (Nation of Aslan). A story of love and revolution on a moon haunted by ghostly "lumpy men" holds audience attention with exciting performances and production elements, but its meaning is frequently opaque. Aug 2 at 11 pm, Aug 3 at 9:30 pm, Aug 5 at 5 pm, Aug 6 at 6:30 pm, Aug 10 at 2 pm, Aug 11 at 8 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
more work than a puppy by Heather Jopling (Big Red). Jopling proves engaging in her autobiographical show about pregnancy and a new baby, but the material – despite a few laughs – is frequently predictable stand-up. Aug 1 at 9:30 pm, Aug 3 at 12:30 pm, Aug 4 at 6:30 pm, Aug 5 and 11 at 2 pm, Aug 7 at 8 pm, Aug 10 at 11 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: NN (JK)
the mourning by Charles Picco (Topological). A nuanced, time-shifting drama about a death that shatters an already fragile family gets a fine ensemble production, directed by Edward Roy. Aug 2 at 9:30 pm, Aug 4 at 3:30 pm, Aug 5 at 11 pm, Aug 7 and 11 at 5 pm, Aug 8 at 8 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNNN (JK)
the observation by Hillar Liitoja and John Delacourt (DNA). DNA Theatre celebrates its 20th anniversary with a walk-through, retrospective installation that features lots of sensual surprises. Aug 3-11 from 1 to 6 pm. DNA Theatre, 133 Bathurst. Rating: NNN (JK)
one good marriage that one, that one by Sean Reycraft (Rusty Red Wagon). This two-hander about small-town newlyweds (generous performers Jeff
Miller and Mary Francis Moore) who meet tragedy is so full of
authentic details that an entire world thumps with life. It's hard to
single out any scene or element for praise, because everything's so
well integrated. What emerges is an absurdly funny yet moving look at
our our oh-so-human need for community. Aug 1 at 7 pm, Aug 3 at 11 pm, Aug 4 and 10 at 9:30 pm, Aug 7 at 6:30 pm, Aug 8 at 8 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNNNN (GS)
phae by Julian Doucet (Collective Architecture). This clever, moving adaptation of the Greek tragedy Phaedra is never less than fascinating, a hybrid that hits a nice balance between camp and catharsis. Not everything works, but the language is rich, the performances are nuanced and it's more ambitious than most summer fest fare. Aug 1 at 6:30 pm, Aug 4 at 7:30 pm, Aug 5 at 6 pm, Aug 7 at 10 pm, Aug 9 at 8 pm, Aug 11 at 9:30 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: NNNN (GS)
portrait of ophelia, drowned by Stan Rogal (Bulletproof). A post-modern Ophelia, at the bottom of a river and with tags of Shakespeare’s lines in her head, tries to reconstruct and understand her past. Reni Kratka gives a high-energy, mesmerizing performance. Aug 2 at 8 pm, Aug 3, 7 and 11 at 5 pm, Aug 4 at 11 pm, Aug 5 at 6:30 pm, Aug 9 at 9:30 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: NNNN (JK)
queen of savoia by Nikki Pascetta (companynikkipascetta). Pascetta reworks her Gina Project material in this sometimes touching, sometimes funny piece about an Italian immigrant whose fantasy life is more exciting than her everyday world. Aug 3 at 5 pm, Aug 5 and 8 at 6:30 pm, Aug 9 at 8 pm, Aug 10 at 11 pm, Aug 11 at 9:30 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
something about a river, part one: the fire sermon (bluemouth inc). A clever and splendidly visceral site-specific production about sexual ambivalence isn't always clear in its text, but the quartet of creator/performers in this multimedia show are intriguing to watch. Aug 2, 3, 8-10 at 8:30 pm. Metro XXX Theatre (Cinema #2), 677 Bloor W. Rating: NNNN (JK)
stories from the rains of love and death by Abas Na'lbandian (Modern Times). This haunting, well-directed play consists of several stories sharing themes of dead bodies, secrets and abuse. Magnetic performances, burnished production. Who cares if you don't know what it all means? Aug 3 Aug 3 at 9:30 pm, Aug 4 at 5 pm, Aug 6 at 7 pm, Aug 8 at 11 pm, Aug 9 and 11 at 8 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NNNN (GS)
this life by Denise Barnard (Memelippy). An old Caribbean-born man reviews his life with the help of a young ghost in this poetic tale. Despite some emotionally touching moments, both the narrative and the characters need clarification. Aug 2-3 at 6:30 pm, Aug 4 at 9:30 pm, Aug 5 and 10 at 8 pm, Aug 6 at 5 pm, Aug 9 at 11 pm. Passe Muraille Backspace. Rating: NN (JK)
triad by Taylor Price (Broken Cowboy). This messy, pretentious post-apocalyptic play rants on about consumerism, ecology and societal ills, but only a 10-minute section about a serial killer has any dramatic life to it. Intense performer Price wrote the script. He should stick with acting.Aug 2 at 6:30 pm, Aug 3 at 8 pm, Aug 4 at 11 pm, Aug 5 at 2 pm, Aug 8 at 9:30 pm, Aug 10 at 12:30 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: NN (GS)
3 parts harmony by Raven Dauda (raisin' the sun). An earthy physicality and an evocative
sound design add texture to this 30-minute piece about a woman
nervously getting ready for a blind date. But does this thin
material really warrant such theatricality? There's nothing in the
text to show us anything of the woman's past or indicate why this
date is so important. So, although well done, the pie
ce feels like a case of style over substance. Aug 3 at 9:30 pm, Aug 4 at 3:30 pm, Aug 5 at 12:30 pm, Aug 6-7 at 6 pm. Factory Mainspace. Rating: NN (GS)
true story by Allison Williams (Commedia Zuppa). The energetic Williams makes us question the significance of the objects we keep with us and what's true in our lives in this six-character monologue that's full of heartfelt details and the occasional annoying forced epiphany. Aug 1 at 9:30 pm, Aug 2 at 7:30 pm, Aug 4 at 8:30 pm, Aug 6 and 9 at 7 pm, Aug 8 at 6:30 pm, Aug 11 at 5 pm. Factory Upstairs. Rating: NNN (GS)
uninvited by Sheldon Inkol (Mea Culpa). Some amusing plot twists and insights into bourgeois behaviour prevent this sensationalistic show about an interrupted dinner party from being adults playing dress-up.
Aug 2 at 9:30 pm, Aug 3 and 11 at 5 pm, Aug 4 at 8 pm, Aug 8 at 6:30 pm, Aug 10 at 11 pm. Factory Studio. Rating: NN (GS)
the whole dip (Theatre 12). The Humber College graduating class in theatre performance presents autobiographical stories told them by residents of a seniors' home. The result isn't, thankfully, an hour of "old-person" acting, but rather a series of often heartfelt moments. Aug 1 and 8 at 9:30 pm, Aug 2 at 6:30 pm, Aug 4 at 8 pm, Aug 7 at 11 pm, Aug 10 at 5 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNN (JK)
the zoo story by Edward Albee (Theatre X). Albee’s classic about bottled urban angst and violence gets a powerful staging by Jennifer Tarver, with Lyon Smith a standout as the troubled younger man who meets a complacent older one (Glen Gaston) in the park. Aug 3 at 2 pm, Aug 4 at 11 pm, Aug 5 at 9:30 pm, Aug 7 at 8 pm, Aug 10 at 3:30 pm, Aug 11 at 12:30 pm. Passe Muraille Mainspace. Rating: NNNN (JK)
= Critics' Pick
Rating: NNNNN = standing ovation
Rating: NNNN = sustained applause
Rating: NNN = recommended, memorable scenes
Rating: NN = seriously flawed
Rating: N = get out the hook |
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