The Canadian Stage Company –
Frost/Nixon
This much anticipated, politically loaded, broadly acclaimed and
award- winning play about the famous interview of Richard Nixon
by British TV personality David Frost, opened on October 13 and
will run till November 8 at Bluma Appel Theatre in St. Lawrence
Centre in Toronto.
The timing of this production could not be better, between the current
US election with the President departing in disgrace and the market
collapsing, everyone worried about the future, looking for leadership
and change. The recollections from over 30 years ago are coming
back, the exact quotations from the interview so relevant in today’s
world. It is a political drama, factual in quotes and details, entertaining
as we look at it from a perspective of time passed, with great actors
and great presentation.
It is 1 hour 45 minutes performance with no intermission keeping
the audience fully engaged in the aftermath of the Watergate events.
At one moment Michael Healey in the role of Bob Zelnick quotes Nixon
with all his mannerisms and voice modulation getting loud applause
from the audience. Regrettably Len Caribou however much he is involved
in his role as Nixon and with all his talent, has less of the flavour
of Nixon. So, is it the play for those who remember the Watergate
affair from the seventies or is it able to bring to life that history
for the younger generation? I do hope it is both.
The vision of Martin Bragg (Artistic Producer) and delivery of Director
Ted Dykstra is only to be applauded. The lighting effects and stage
design add to the performance - credit goes to Alan Brodie and Patrick
Clark. David Storch as David Frost is absolutely great with the
accent, casual style and a great sparring partner to Len Caribou
as Richard Nixon.
Frost/Nixon runs till November 8 and the tickets can be obtained
by calling 416-368-3110 or 1-877-399-2651 or on line at
www.canstage.com.
Stratford Festival 2008 –
The Music Man.
Why am I under the impression that Jonathan Goad is happier in the
role of Harold Hill, a joyful and unscrupulous salesman, than in
his other role at Stratford this year as the tortured groom from
Fuente Ovejuna? Well, it is much nicer to laugh and dance and
flirt with a pretty librarian than be bitten-up and have his life
threatened by swords.
The Music Man is a happy comedy about a traditional Iowa
town visited by a trickster Music Man selling musical instruments,
band uniforms and dreams. The story and lyrics are written and the
music composed by Meredith Willson. Some of the songs became well
known outside the musical, like "Goodnight My Someone", "Seventy-Six
Trombones" and "Ya Got Trouble". Also the name "Marian the Librarian"
found its way into popular tradition.
This production is especially good presenting the early 20-th century
values in the small Iowa town, the dress style, the décor and the
residents’ reactions to an outsider. Some productions of
The
Music Man I have seen stressed much more the fraud of the salesman
Harold Hill. This one is more about unifying the community and offering
and realizing dreams. The musical aspect of the play is very well
directed (Berthold Carriere) choreography by Michael Lichtefeld
absolutely outstanding and both Jonathan Goad as Harold Hill and
Leah Oster as Marian are so exhilarating and uplifting. It was fun
to see it and enjoy it, a great family play with songs to take home.
It closes November 1 after 5 months of continuous full house. Congratulations!
Some other plays are still running and very much worth the trip
to Stratford. Phone line to the box office: 1-800-567-1600 or 519-273-1600.
The web site to purchase tickets
www.stratfordshakespearefestival.com.
Guelph Symphony Orchestra –
Great Romantics
Conductor Simon Irving opened the 8th season of Guelph’s
own Orchestra with a wonderful concert of romantic music: Wagner’s
Prelude to "Die Meistersinger", Camille Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto
No.2 and Dvorak’s Symphony No.8 in G. The fine melodies of these
romantic masterpieces were complemented by crisp fall air, bright
sun and burning maples across the river - what a beautiful view
from the River Run Centre!
The piano soloist for Saint-Saens concerto was Ben Chapman, young
Australian pianist currently studying at Glen Gould Academy in Toronto.
In the spring he won first prize at the Guelph Symphony Concerto
competition with his rendition of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3.
I had an opportunity to sit at the competition and listen to his
playing, and yes, he deserves all the praises and acclamations.
Ben Chapman, young, shy, with tousled hair has a future and hopefully
we will hear him again. His playing was clear, precise, with much
feeling and balance at the same time.
"Die Meistersinger" was spectacular. What a pleasure to hear it
so well performed. Dvorak’s piano concerto, played less frequently
than his "New World" was very Slavic, many elements from his native
land, then called Czechs, so soft and romantic floating in the afternoon
sun. The concert was truly romantic.
The next concert Classically Yours: is scheduled for November
9 at 3 pm and the program is Grieg’s Holberg Suite, Dvorak’s Serenade
in D minor and Albioni’s Concerto No 9 for Oboe (the soloist is
Cristi Cigolea, principal trumpet), and Mozart’s Symphony No 29
in A. It is a great combination, Grieg, Mozart, Dvorak – the Guelph
Orchestra is evolving from semi-professional into a true professional
assembly and giving the local or visiting audience much satisfaction.
In December the traditional Christmas event will be the animated
feature The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. The one-hour program
will be accompanied by seasonal music and give children the opportunity
to touch and handle the instruments. Very good idea!
The tickets can be purchased at the River Run Centre in person or
by calling 519-827-0877. My congratulations and best wishes to Mr.
Irving and the Orchestra!
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