Kudos to Hamilton’s BROTTS; well-deserved 1

commentary, Concert, Musical

Review by Terry GaisinreviewerETG

Paul Simon wouldn’t have dreamed of it; Neil Diamond – never. Natalia Makarova couldn’t imagine going ‘on-pointe’ and Led Zeppelin remained on their trio of tushes during tributes at the Kennedy and Lincoln Centres. But not our Boris!  As this year’s Hamilton J.N.F. Negev Dinner honouree; Maestro Brott rather than being entertained; left his co-recipient Ardyth at the head table and took to the podium to delight those of us in attendance by conducting the National Academy Orchestra.

The Brotts receiving a plaque from the J.N.F. & event officers

The Brotts receiving a plaque from the J.N.F. & event officers

See alternative opinion about protest – “Letters to the Editor”

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“Carousel”; good enough to make us care Reply

Musical, Play

Review by Anita Fleggreviewer Anita

For today’s airport-savvy travelers, the definition of carousel is the gadget that takes interminably long to display one’s luggage. In the forties when Rogers & Hammerstein created their Broadway play…everyone knew it meant only a merry-go-round.  CAROUSEL is an odd musical; whose second act is perhaps more understandable to its early—post war—audiences in 1945. Today, the idea of our protagonist coming back from Heaven for one more shot at redemption seems a little dated, and perhaps a little too pat. Nevertheless, this is a solid production, with good enough acting to make us care about the characters and events that unfold. Photo courtesy of Alan Dean

the carousel from "CAROUSEL"

the carousel from “CAROUSEL”

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The SEILER TRIO; From Darkness to Light Reply

Concert

Review by Judith CaldwellreviewerJudith

The Seiler Trio, consisting of Angela Park: piano, Mayumi Seiler- violin, and cellist Rachel Mercer played an evening of Mozart, Piazzolla and Schubert, sponsored by Kamran International Inc. The evening began with a young piano student, Artur Kapron playing Prelude in G sharp minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff.  Mr Kapron is focussing on piano performance and is studying with Alexei Gulenco.  His performance of this short but challenging work was very confident and he allowed the different tones and colours to be expressed guilelessly.

The Seiler Trio

The Seiler Trio

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Hamilton’s South Asian community celebrates Reply

Concert, Dance

Review by Danny Gaisin

Our personal interest in South Asia and its peoples are two-fold; a ‘Blood brother’ born in Calcutta; and surprisingly; regular interested readers from that area checking out our O.A.R. articles! An invitation from the Matin family of Upper Mt. Albion tweaked our curiosity and we were attendees at the spring Festival of South Asia. Nepal; Bhutan; Sri Lanka & Maldives joined the more familiar Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan in presenting a cultural collage of dance, culture and especially food.

An interpretive dance

An interpretive dance

Another interpretive dance (Burl'n troupe)

Another interpretive dance (Burl’n troupe)

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Stage West, some HEARTBREAKING NEWS Reply

commentary

 by Danny & Terry Gaisin

Our friend Muhammed Huq, general manager of Mississauga’s STAGE WEST THEATRE confirmed that one of our favorite local venues, and a vibrant opportunity for many of the young graduates in theatre arts; will close for good on June 30th. Last week our newspaper published a glowing critique of both the delectable buffet and the site’s latest presentation – ‘GAME SHOW’. The thought of facing the 2013-14 theatre season without the five offerings at Stage West has hit this newspaper and its staff like a sucker-punch.

HAPPY(ier) DAYS at Stage West

HAPPY(ier) DAYS at Stage West

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Hansel and Gretel, another BPOC operatic foray Reply

Musical, Opera

Review by Danny Gaisin

               Engelbert Humperdinck,  born May 1936.  Real name – Arnold Dorsey.
Engelbert Humperdinck,  born Sept. 1854.  Real name – Engelbert Humperdinck!

Why the above; because this year’s Buchanan Park Public School’s Opera club certainly includes nineteenth as well as 21st century compositions. The original singspiel has been supplemented with 60’s & 70’s pop hits. I’ve been an opera fan, & traditionalist, for seven decades, thus somewhat biased. Thus, we’ve decided to include opinions from some erudite 11-year olds!

Humperdinck's operatic siblings, portrayed by real siblings Deanna & Dylan Wardell

Humperdinck’s operatic siblings, portrayed by real siblings Deanna & Dylan Wardell

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