It was pretty sad, and surprising, to wake up to the news of Richard Monette’s death at age 64.
It’s always hard when people die really suddenly. I mean, hard for those left behind, because there was no time to spare, I imagine it’s the best way to die though.
Richard Monette was a pretty amazing guy. I never met the man, but I remember hearing about the things he did at Stratford and being impressed. Don’t get me wrong…
Continue reading Richard Monette gone to that big theatre in the sky
Don’t get me wrong, there is theatre all year ’round in this city. But September marks the beginning of there always being lots of theatre options in the city.
Lots of stuff is opening up. For instance…
Continue reading The Toronto theatre 2008-2009 season begins…
by Megan Mooney
I often find that when people find out that I’m a theatre chick they assume I must also be a film fanatic. So, when the Toronto International Film Festival rolls around people are often asking me what I think of movies, or what movies I’m going to and on and on. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a flick as much as the next person, but I’m more in line with your average Sam on the movie front. Recently I’ve seen Dark Knight and The Mummy 3. Not what you’d call highly intellectual fodder or cinematic genius. But fun, undeniably fun.
So, now my question…
Continue reading A question to Toronto theatre folks – does the TIFF do anything for you?
by Megan Mooney
When I was in university RENT was hot shit. I mean, some people loved it, some people hated it, but it was actually talked about.
Then it was mostly forgotten (at least by me) until 2004 when it was parodied in Team America: World Police with the musical number “Everybody has AIDS”. Then, perhaps riding the wave of new recognition through Team America (although, really likely not) it was made into a movie, in 2005, which seems all the rage this decade (Chicago, Hairspray, Mamma Mia pop to mind. Evita was a bit ahead of the curve, doing the mega-musical as a movie thing in 1996).
During this whole time, RENT continued to run on Broadway, in fact, it’s been running on Broadway for more than 12 years. So, you know, it’s pretty popular. But now, the play, cum movie is a play again, but in a movie theatre.
There is a great article in today’s Globe and Mail by Russel Smith called “Extra! Extra! The arts don’t matter!”
He talks about the recent arts cuts, how they likely won’t become an election issue, although they should, and generally laments Canada’s lack of support of the arts.
An excerpt:
Most people are simply unaware of the importance of culture in diplomacy and for international reputation – unaware that it might perhaps be a problem if Canada is simply not on the radar of powerful people in Berlin and Tokyo and Dubai, and that culture is a powerful symbol of a nation’s identity.
These things are difficult to explain and even harder to measure.
I recommend checking it out.