Wayne Leung (1981-2019)
Wayne was the Managing Editor of Mooney on Theatre from 2012 - 2019 and will be sorely missed. His death from an apparent heart attack was a loss not just to Mooney on Theatre, but also to the Toronto Theatre Community at large. You can read our publisher Megan Mooney's tribute to him here here.
Wayne was a writer, editor and corporate communications professional who was thrilled to be a part of the Mooney on Theatre team. Wayne loved theatre ever since his aunt brought him to a production of Les Misérables at the tender age of ten . . . despite the fact that, at that age, the show’s plot was practically indiscernible and the battle scenes scared the bejeezus out of him. Wayne’s current list of likes ran the gamut from opera, ballet and Shakespeare to Broadway musicals, circus and Fringe theatre. Outside of the theatre Wayne’s interests included travel, technology and food.
Mirvish presents Baz Luhrmann’s musical stage adaptation of his film Strictly Ballroom in Toronto
Australian director Baz Luhrmann has adapted his 1992 cult hit film Strictly Ballroom into a stage musical and yes, it features all the razzle-dazzle dance numbers and brightly sequinned costumes you’d expect. The result is a show that provides some frivolous, superficial fun but that also gets a bit lost in the transition from screen to stage. Continue reading Review: Strictly Ballroom (Mirvish)→
A Toronto adaptation of Hamlet features American Sign Language and a female lead
For its tenth anniversary, Why Not Theatre and director Ravi Jain re-visit their first-ever production: Prince Hamlet, Jain’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. For this new production the director set about—as described in the press materials—to “illuminate the contemporary relevance of the 400-year-old play and ask the question ‘who gets to tell this story?’”
Canadian Stage presents the return of Robert Lepage’s memory play 887 in Toronto
887 is just an extraordinary piece of theatre. Written, directed, and performed by prolific Quebec theatre artist Robert Lepage, the autobiographical solo show is his most personal to date and is in turns thought-provoking, deeply affecting, and technically dazzling. Continue reading Review: 887 (Canadian Stage/Ex Machina)→
Mirvish presents Nicolas Billon’s theatrical thriller play BUTCHER in Toronto
It’s now hours after I’ve left the theatre and I think I’ve finally caught my breath after seeing BUTCHER, a stunning thriller of a play by Canadian playwright Nicolas Billon, presented by Mirvish as part of their Off-Mirvish series. As I collect my thoughts and sit down to write about the show, I get a text from the co-worker I brought with me tonight: “I’m still thinking about the play … it delivers such a striking note that lingers.” Continue reading Review: BUTCHER (Mirvish/Why Not Theatre)→
Mirvish presents Baz Luhrmann’s musical stage adaptation of his film Strictly Ballroom in Toronto
A Toronto adaptation of Hamlet features American Sign Language and a female lead
Canadian Stage presents the return of Robert Lepage’s memory play 887 in Toronto
Mirvish presents Nicolas Billon’s theatrical thriller play BUTCHER in Toronto
Garth Drabinsky brings Sousatzka – A New Musical to the Toronto stage