“Dynamic” spelling bee musical impresses in Toronto at the Scarborough Village Theatre

Can you spell “capybara” or “boanthropy”? You’ll have them down pat after watching The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Scarborough Village Theatre. And no need to bring a dictionary–you’ll get lots of definitions of obscure words throughout this charming performance.

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A Mickey Full of Mouse opened in the Red Sandcastle Theatre. A map drawn out in chalk is on the set wall, showing the passage through the United States, with Florida as the ultimate destination. Dawna Wightman moves around the stage, sweeping the floor with a janitor’s broom. She sings to herself, blocking out the audience in front of her. As we know with most Disney productions, a song is just the beginning of the story.

A Mickey Full of Mouse, written by Dawna Wightman and directed by Josh Downing, describes itself as a comedy about a trip to Walt Disney World with an alcoholic. Anna, played by Laura Kyswaty, meets up with her old friend Margaret, who shows her a magical snowglobe. When the snowglobe is used three times, the holder is transported to a childhood memory, and must live through the memory to return. The memory brings Anna and Margaret to the summer where they went on a impromptu roadtrip that took them to Walt Disney World.
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Tapestry Opera previews new Canadian opera works in Toronto in Songbook VI

Tapestry Songbook VI was very much like a series of opera trailers; teasers that left you wishing that Canadian new opera were performed in this city as often as Hollywood blockbusters. Continue reading Review: Songbook VI (Tapestry Opera) →