All posts by Sam Mooney

Always a theatre lover Sam realized in middle age that there's more to Toronto theatre than just mainstream and is now in love with one person shows, adores festivals, and quirky venues make her day.

LuminaTO 2009 – Nevermore, The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe

by Sam Mooney

nevermore-cast

The house lights were still up when Catalyst Theatre’s Nevermore, The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, started at the Winter Garden Theatre last night. It took the audience a couple of seconds to realize and to settle down but once they settled they were hooked. Nevermore was co-commissioned by LuminaTO as part of their celebration of Edgar Allan Poe and last night was the Toronto Premiere.

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LuminaTO 2009 – 5 O'Clock Bells

By Sam Mooney

5-o'clock-bells

Go see 5 O’Clock Bells!

Tonight I saw the Toronto Premiere of 5 O’Clock Bells, a one-man, eight (or 9, maybe even 10 – I lost count) character play written and performed by Pierre Brault about the life of jazz guitarist Lenny Breau.

I loved it.  I was literally buzzing when I left the theatre – still am.  Best 75 minutes I’ve spent in a while.

Before tonight I knew nothing about Lenny Breau.  His name was familiar but I couldn’t remember where I knew it from.  My son-in-law reminded me that Randy Bachman refers to him often – “the great Lenny Breau” – on Vinyl Tap.  It didn’t matter than I knew nothing about Breau’s life or music,  5 O’Clock Bells stands on it’s own.

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Griffin Poetry Prize Readings – poetry as theatre

by Sam Mooney

It’s been years since I went to a poetry reading.  Tonight I went to the Griffin Poetry Prize Readings. Elaine, who came with me, had never been to one.  

I can’t even remember where I read about the Griffin Prize or about the readings by the poets shortlisted for the awards but I remember thinking that it really wouldn’t be that different than a playwright reading a play. A performance.

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