All stories by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic on BroadwayStars

Friday, May 24, 2019

Shaw Festival gives us a romantic Brigadoon with a dose of reality by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

The Shaw production of the Lerner and Loewe musical has an updated book but still relishes the Golden Age excess of the music and dancing, writes Carly Maga.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:46PM
Thursday, May 23, 2019

The Doll Play dramatizes the effects of sexual trauma through abused toys by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Joanne Sarazen’s play gets major points for imagination but loses the plot in its own make-believe world, writes Carly Maga.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:10PM
Wednesday, May 22, 2019

The Bathtub Girls gets physical with story of sisters who murdered their mother by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

The most compelling moments of The Bathtub Girls, now on at the Assembly Theatre, rely on movement instead of text to communicate a growing sense of dread, writes Carly Maga.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:42PM

Jully Black stars in new production of Caroline, or Change by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

R&B singer is joined by star soprano Measha Brueggergosman in reimagined staging of Tony Kushner-Jeanine Tesori musical.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:00AM

The Brothers Size and School Girls are big Toronto Theatre Critics Award winners by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Dear Evan Hansen’s Robert Markus wins Best Performance in a Musical and Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story takes Best New Musical.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:00AM
Friday, May 17, 2019

Rocks play role in artist’s spiritual journey in new play Prophecy Fog by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

‘Can a desecrated site retain its sacredness?’ Jani Lauzon recounts her journey to the Mojave Desert to find out.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:00PM
Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Theatre’s Parkdale pillar, Franco Boni, reflects on his legacy as he moves to Vancouver by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Boni reflects on 16 years spent building up local festivals, binding the Theatre Centre to its neighbourhood, and giving it a proper home.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:30PM
Monday, May 13, 2019

Welcome to My Underworld collects stories from the marginalized, to varied effect by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Director Judith Thompson finds a few gems as she pulls together nine different stories of exceptionality but the production feels unwieldy.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:18AM
Sunday, May 12, 2019

Review: The Brothers Size a performance of softness, humour and mystery by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Soulpepper Theatre’s stunning interpretation of the Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play should be seen, writes Carly Maga.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:00AM
Tuesday, May 7, 2019

Bend It Like Beckham stage musical coming to Toronto by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Stage adaptation of film, coming to Bluma Appel Theatre, will look for bhangra talent in Brampton.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:00AM

Experiments and new shows find success as RISER theatre event fills a gap by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Returning theatre event lowers risk and helps with resources for stage experiments.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:00AM
Sunday, May 5, 2019

#MeToo moments, take two by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

The show, a sequel with all-new material to the original She The People, is billed as “a mimosa-and-madness-fueled foray” that “roasts the patriarchy.”

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 02:50PM
Friday, May 3, 2019

Becoming Dr. Ruth reveals the tragedy and resilience behind sexpert by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Linda Kash brings the famous sex authority to life, perhaps even beyond what the script offers.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:28PM

Jeff Ho’s Antigone makes ancient Greek rebellion tale teachable and timeless by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

More sympathetic characters and more abstract setting brings story into sharp focus for young audience.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:52PM
Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Shows like Next to Normal and Dear Evan Hansen, with their focus on mental illness, take a toll on actors too by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Ma-Anne Dionisio tells Carly Maga it’s hard and emotionally draining to play someone like Diana Goodman in Next to Normal.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 07:00AM
Friday, April 26, 2019

Out is a joyous celebration of being gay in the 1970s by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Greg Campbell’s celebration of homosexual cultural icons, music, sex and protest could benefit from highlighting darker realities, writes Carly Maga.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:17PM
Thursday, April 25, 2019

Black comedy Hand to God tackles political divide with puppets by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Performances dazzle in satire-rich play that takes on good vs. evil, on until May 12 at the Coal Mine Theatre.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:41PM
Wednesday, April 24, 2019

VideoCabaret has a new home for its black box theatre by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

The Toronto company known for The History of the Village of the Small Huts now has its own building in Toronto’s east end.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 07:00AM

Marjorie Chan chosen as Theatre Passe Muraille’s new artistic director by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Former artistic director of Cahoots Theatre takes over from Andy McKim at 51-year-old theatre company.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:00AM
Saturday, April 20, 2019

How to grab an audience by the lapels by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Old Stock is meant to put a human face on the refugee experience.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:00AM
Thursday, April 18, 2019

Torquil Campbell returns to Crow’s Theatre with concert/theatre hybrid Stars: Together by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

New Crow’s Theatre season also includes Annie Baker’s The Flick, Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet, Groundling’s Julius Caesar, a reprise of Secret Life of a Mother and the second play in …

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 10:00AM
Monday, April 15, 2019

Theatre company Outside the March takes its audience to the movies by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

The 10th anniversary season will feature Annie Baker’s The Flick, set in a cinema, and the immersive production The Tape Escape in an old Queen Video storefront.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:00PM
Sunday, April 14, 2019

#MeToo story finds power in its normalcy by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Drama about a complex sexual encounter is informative for those who can’t relate to the #MeToo movement, and empowering for those who do.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:42PM
Saturday, April 13, 2019

Copenhagen’s intense banter leaves the audience behind by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Soulpepper production is clearest when the script dives into personal territory, Carly Maga writes.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:57PM
Friday, April 12, 2019

Bigre’s frivolous, bawdy slapstick has a charming French twist by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

The language barrier proves no obstacle for show full of rude, fun energy.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:53PM
Thursday, April 11, 2019

Why Ramones play Four Chords and a Gun fails so completely by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Story built around Phil Spector’s gun is a complete misfire as script and direction leave actors mostly handcuffed.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 02:05PM
Wednesday, April 10, 2019

The Chemical Valley Project’s bleak environmental snapshot could be cleaned up by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Grimly potent details about Sarnia’s petrochemical industry brought to light in production whose ambitions sometimes outstrip its reach.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:49PM
Tuesday, April 9, 2019

How can theatre companies get Indigenous land acknowledgments right? by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Noting Indigenous history and legacy now seems obligatory for public arts events, but no consensus has emerged about the right notes to strike, and Hayden King, for one, sees harm in how the…

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:55AM

Brooke Lynn Hytes takes drag-show momentum back to Toronto for a high-camp live mash-up by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Canadian Brock Hayhoe and his reality-TV star alter ego glad to be back for First Wives Fight Club on April 10.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:00AM
Friday, April 5, 2019

Guarded Girls’ look into women’s prison rewards author’s risks by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

Staging is imperfect but structure and capable cast help make new show at Tarragon Theatre worthwhile.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 05:48PM

Under the Stairs borrows from kid-lit classics with success by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

New play’s tale of an anxious boy’s mystical adventure is endearing even if it’s not revolutionary.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:50PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards