Issue #249: February 15, 2011

• The continuing soap opera known as Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark reached another low recently when New York Times critic Ben Brantley took in the show and as other critics have indicated, declared it a disaster and made the prediction that he doubts this show will ever open.  A very costly venture, indeed.

• It was one of the most memorable nights of theatre.  On a wintry evening in Toronto Christopher Plummer enchanted his audience with his award-winning performance of Barrymore.   From the moment he takes the stage to his final bow, Plummer had us all in the palm of his hands.  A seasoned stage actor, Plummer is experiencing a huge wave of popularity of late with meaty film roles to the Stratford Theatre stage.  Seeing such a legend in this beautifully staged one-man show made the night out the highlight of the season.  
  

• The 2011/12 Mirvish subscription season was announced recently with great fanfare.  In town to help kick things off was Canada’s own Kim Cattrall who will bring the London production of Private Lives to the Royal Alexandra Theatre in September for a two month run.  Also, the long awaited arrival of everyone’s favourite nanny has been confirmed.  The London and New York hit Mary Poppins will thrill those of all ages over the holidays when it arrives in November for two months.  Other highlights of the season include Britain’s National Theatre production of War Horse featuring the most incredible life size horse/puppets.  There was a clear British theme to the season which also includes the UK import of The Railway Children which begins in May at a temporary venue at the foot of the CN tower…in order to house the 85 ton steam locomotive they are shipping over for the production.  And a favourite musical of mine…Chess….which I saw in the mid 80s with Murray Head singing the hit “One Night in Bangkok.” This, I understand will be a much edgier tailored down production landing at the Princess of Wales Theatre in September.