Review by Danny Gaisin
Episode 2 in the Figaro Saga. When we left off; Figaro- the factotum cum barber had finessed Rosina away from her patron Dr. Bartolo and arranged for her to be with her Count Almaviva (aka) Lindoro.
Mozart takes up the story a half-decade later. Almaviva has turned into a horny married old man; hired a maid for his countess (Rosina) and employed Figaro as his butler. Figaro wants to marry maid Susanna; Almaviva wants to deflower her before the wedding.
Cue the overture! 
l-r Bartolo; Basilio; Marcellina; Almaviva; Figaro; Susanna & Rosina
“Driving Miss Daisy” fuels nostalgia Reply
Review by E. Lisa Moses
Alfred Uhry’s 1987 magnum opus, Driving Miss Daisy, never runs out of gas. At the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, actor Michael Learned (famous for playing “Olivia Walton”) alternately grinds the gears and jump-starts the cantankerous widow, Miss Daisy. At age 72, Daisy is forced by her son Boolie, played by Darren Keay, to use a chauffeur after she wipes out her Chrysler in spectacular demolition-derby style.
Directed by David Hogan, this one-act play set in Atlanta, Georgia in the mid-1990s tracks a 20-year friendship between the white Jewish (but “not rich”) Daisy and Neville Edwards’s steadfast black chauffeur Hoke Colburn. Photo by Diane ODell, of Ms. Learned & Neville Edwards
“The TORONTO FRINGE, 2016” Reply
As in previous years our Ontario Arts Review will endeavor to cover as many of the entries as our time and writer-availability will permit. Having received venue and backing support from Honest Ed’s, the Fringe Administration has decided to caricature the store’s famous logo in the late Ed Mirvish’s honour. We’ll be adding and updating our critiques on a daily basis, so be sure and check out the column regularly. Remember, many Fringe-style offerings (including Toronto’s) have gone on to mainstream performances. ‘The Fantasticks’; ‘Urinetown’; and ‘Drowsy Chaperone’ are just the most renowned. If you see us and notice our Press accreditation badges – say hello! We’re Terry, Danny, Jordan, Ellen & Michael.
“POPOPERA”; the NAO’s program-design evolves 1
Review by Danny & Terry Gaisin
The concept of an accepted program of familiar arias from classical opera presented in a concert format has faded into a same old, same old listing of ‘Nessun dorma; Habanera; “Au fond du temple Sainte” and the flower duet from Lakmé, usually with the invariable divas & divos. The National Academy Orchestra’s Brott summer Festival has pushed the envelope. Less familiar arias; new voices and program notes defining the actual pieces made this year’s edition a novel experience, especially for aficionados of the genre.
the soloists taking well-deserved kudos
“PERFECT WEDDING” ver. 3.0 Reply
Review by Danny Gaisin
Our first exposure to Robin Hawdon’s ‘Perfect Wedding’ was back in September of 2006. The next iteration was October of last year, with three of the original cast. Now, Galahad Theatre has recalled the same trio to reprise their roles and this iteration has a different take. Director Yo Mustafa has done some tweaking that puts focus on the best man, a hilarious Danny Deakin rather than the groom. The plot, about a night before the wedding stag party with the groom getting drunk and then ‘lucky’ with a stranger who is stunning and has an adorable personality.
The cast of PERFECT WEDDING 2016
“The Hero of Hunter Street” builds hope from ashes Reply
Review by E. Lisa Moses
The world premiere of Maja Ardal’s play, The Hero of Hunter Street, tackles one of the biggest industrial catastrophes in Canadian history. Massive explosions, and a four-day fire in a Peterborough, Ont. Quaker Oats plant, killed 24 men 100 years ago, and left the community reeling. Directed by Kim Blackwell, the play at the 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook leverages the talents of 47 professional and volunteer actors – from an infant to an octogenarian. Their 75 characters treat the poignant story, intricate characterizations and profound emotions with sensitivity and grace.
A moment of comedic relief Photo by Wayne Eardley (Brookside Studio)
