Issue #253: June 1, 2011

• Don’t forget to watch the Tony Awards on June 12th.  Back to host is Neil Patrick Harris along with a who’s who passing out the trophies including Daniel Radcliffe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Alex Baldwin, Samuel L. Jackson, Kelsey Grammer…just to name a few.  As always the Tony Awards are the most entertaining of all the current awards show.

• The Railway Children, currently playing in Toronto at a specially constructed theatre located at the historic Roundhouse grounds, is a lovely theatre experience for all ages.  Based on the book by E. Nesbit, this clever production embraces the audience the moment you take your seat.  With no seat any further away from the action than about 20 or so feet, you really feel in tune with the actors.  The show has been extended until September…which is great since this is terrific family theatre…something to do on a hot summer evening. 

• The smash hit Billy Elliot The Musical is still packing them in at the Canon Theatre in Toronto.   A heart-warming story for those of all ages…this is the summer theatre event not to be missed….and if you wait until September 4th…it will be gone!

• Sydney, Australia looks to be the location of the first stage production based on the life of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.  Australian playwright Ron Elisha has penned the story aptly named Stainless Steel Rat. Rehearsals have just begun down under.