Theatre Highlights 2024

My favourites of the year bolded below. 

2024

• The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes (Jan/Can Stage) Neurodivergent actors explore the theme of artificial intelligence in a play that is touring the world. Stayed for the Q&A after; several of the actors really struggled with answering questions and staying focused, it made me appreciate how difficult and rewarding this play would have been to produce.
• Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Feb/Crow's)  I liked it so much I saw it a second time. Mirvish picked it up for a run in 2025 where it will enjoy larger venues, but I liked the immediacy of a smaller theatre.
• The Wrong Bashir, Crow's Theatre (May/Crow's) an  amusing situation comedy that seemed like it was auditioning for the CBC to be Canada's next Kim's Convenience.
• Arsenic and Old Lace (July/Scarborough Theatre Guild) Agatha Christie. Local amateur theatre, fun and value for money. 
• Witness for the Prosecution (August/Shaw)  Agatha Christie. Wow, this was so disappointing. So pricey! Uneven performances. 
• Rosmersholm, Crow's Theatre (September/Crow's) Sitting where we were we missed a lot of the action... theatre in the round not always the best choice for staging.  This interpretation of Ibsen flet like 2 different one act plays. 
• Something Rotten,  (September/ Stratford/Festival Theatre) first appeared 2015 on Broadway
• La Cage Aux Folles (September/ Stratford/Avon Theatre) first appeared 1983 on Broadway
• Salesman in China (September/ Stratford/ Avon Theatre) World Premiere. Arthur Miller brought his play to China in 1983, and this play re-enacts some of the logistical and cultural challenges. Performed in English and Mandarin, with surtitles. There were some Chinese foreign high school students in the audience, which made it feel just a little bit more surreal. My favourite play of the year.
• The Big Stuff (November/ Crow's). Presented in the 'smaller' theatre, with elements of improv and audience participation. Great writing and fine performances.
• The Bidding War (December / Crow's). Commissioned in 2022. Dark satire of Toronto's real estate market. Often frantic, very hilarious.