All posts by Wayne Leung

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.

Review: Motown The Musical (Mirvish)

Photo from Motown the Musical

Mirvish presents Motown The Musical in Toronto

Motown The Musical, currently making a stop in Toronto as part of its North American Tour, is a jukebox musical that tells the story of the independent record label and its founder, Berry Gordy, through the hit songs of the label’s many iconic artists. The music of the Motown catalogue is the show’s greatest strength but the show is weighed down by a plodding script. Continue reading Review: Motown The Musical (Mirvish) →

Review: Empire (Spiegelworld)

EMPIRE-Lime Green Lady and Carrot Man

Spiegelworld presents circus, burlesque, cabaret show Empire under the spiegeltent in Toronto

As part of its Canadian tour Spiegelworld presents Empire, a contemporary take on a circus/burlesque/cabaret show performed under a gorgeously-decorated, 700-seat European mirror tent, or “spiegeltent,” set up near Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre.

The show is bawdy, sometimes lewd and unabashedly fun. Its conceit is not as precious as theatrical circus giant Cirque du Soleil’s shows. Plus the venue, with its tiny three meter-diameter stage, is far more intimate than the big tops (or more recently, cavernous hockey arenas) where Cirque performs, but Empire is also nowhere near as polished or satisfying for those of us who like a little more theatre in their theatrical circus shows. Continue reading Review: Empire (Spiegelworld) →