All stories by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

How a 320-year-old play inspired a work about millennials: Wednesday Matinée by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Playwright Erin Shields goes beyond the surface in The Millennial Malcontent, based on The Provoked Wife.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Friday, March 3, 2017

Cirkopolis mingles past and present, drudgery and beauty: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Circus acts, enhanced by video projections, can be thrilling but cast sometimes seem emotionally disconnected.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:09PM
Wednesday, March 1, 2017

To she or not to she: Toronto stage productions reimagine Shakespeare by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Why Not Theatre has Prince Hamlet with woman in title role and Canadian Stage has woman playing King Lear.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:00AM
Saturday, February 25, 2017

Soulpepper's Of Human Bondage is an exceedingly well-staged bodice-ripper by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Vern Thiessen’s adaptation and Albert Schultz’s staging consistently forge a clear narrative path in this underappreciated coming-of-age classic.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:29PM
Friday, February 24, 2017

‘Breath in Between’ tries to wake audience but only confuses: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Playwright Anton Piatigorsky is attempting the tricky and perhaps admirable task of invoking extreme acts without enacting them.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:22PM
Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Plays bridge solitudes of Toronto, Montreal theatre scenes by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

At Canadian Stage, Five Faces for Evelyn Frost will be performed in English translation, then in French, while in HROSES, both languages are used.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 08:00AM
Monday, February 20, 2017

John and Waleed demonstrates multiculturalism in action by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Musicians John Millard and Waleed Abdulhamid perform original compositions in a conversation about culture in Canada.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:30PM
Friday, February 17, 2017

The Bodyguard's delicious excess, world-class singing overcome plot issues: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Creators of this crowd-pleaser have stuffed it with Whitney Houston’s back catalogue, shown off by Beverley Knight.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:55PM
Monday, February 13, 2017

Fun to be had in James and the Giant Peach: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

But remount of musical based on Roald Dahl novel is not Young People's Theatre's strongest work.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:10PM
Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Ins Choi and Trey Anthony on the blessings and burdens of big hits by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Choi has tried not to be defined by Kim's Convenience while ’Da Kink in My Hair was all part of Anthony's plan.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Monday, January 30, 2017

Passing Strange delivered with style and heart: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Local version of Tony-winning musical a milestone in the establishment of a vibrant musical theatre culture in the GTA.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:20PM

Top-notch cast in delightful The Winter's Tale and Measure for Measure: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Two Shakespeare plays resonate with particular intensity in the current moment in Groundling Theatre productions.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 11:32AM
Saturday, January 28, 2017

Liv Stein could be one of the year’s more talked about shows: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

The play makes an ambitious foray into questions about the relationship of artistic reputation to creativity and mental health.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:37PM
Friday, January 27, 2017

The Last Wife an early feminist superhero: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Maev Beaty engaging as Henry VIII's final wife in Kate Hennig play getting a remount at Soulpepper.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:18PM
Wednesday, January 25, 2017

World Stage returns, female theatre heads retreat by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

A season of reflection and greatest hits for Harbourfront festival while Next Stage panel considers ‘white guy shuffle’.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Monday, January 23, 2017

Empire of the Son contains interesting anecdotes but lacks structure: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Tetsuro Shigematsu's one-man show evinces hunger for stories of immigrant lives but doesn't fully plumb emotional depths.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 12:31PM
Friday, January 20, 2017

The Wedding Party marks a riotous debut for Crow’s Theatre’s new home: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Marvellous performances, especially by Tom Rooney, are more than enough reason to show up at this party.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:15PM
Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Actors behind ‘Potted' Harry Potter parody return to Panasonic Theatre by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner got their start entertaining fans waiting in line for Harry Potter novels.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 02:51PM
Friday, January 13, 2017

Sequence’s thought-provoking drama is matter of time: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Characters aren't always perfectly fleshed out but play’s clashes and conundrums give audience much to chew over afterwards.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:13PM
Friday, January 6, 2017

Hannah Moscovitch elegantly weaves concept of time through Infinity: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Her play, with its dual timelines, is one of a number about scientists on Toronto stages.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 05:42PM
Monday, December 19, 2016

Drabinsky's musical 'baby' prepares for its debut by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

All eyes in theatre community are on Sousatzka ahead of its February beginning in Toronto.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:00AM
Friday, December 16, 2016

Nostalgia carries evening in Soulpepper's It's a Wonderful Life: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

There's some fine acting, but radio show conceit of this theatrical version of beloved movie doesn’t always work.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 06:01PM
Thursday, December 8, 2016

Rehearsals begin for Garth Drabinsky's Sousatzka by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Cast performs five songs for media from musical that Drabinsky says resonates deeply with our times.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:45PM
Sunday, December 4, 2016

Ross Petty’s Sleeping Beauty keeps all ages entertained: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Hilary Farr commits fully, AJ Bridel is a powerhouse and James Daly is convincing romantic lead in annual panto.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 08:00AM
Monday, November 28, 2016

Two Daniels’ latest collaboration conjures the dead by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Daniel Brooks and Daniel MacIvor bring Who Killed Spalding Gray? back to Toronto.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 09:00AM
Thursday, November 24, 2016

Come From Away finds joy in the darkness: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

The big-hearted, thoroughly enjoyable new musical celebrates the kindness of humble Newfoundlanders who welcomed thousands of travelers stranded on Sept. 11, 2001.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:17PM
Friday, November 18, 2016

Seussical celebrates difference at Young People's Theatre: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Thom Allison’s production of Seussical walks the walk of commitment to inclusion on multiple levels.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:55PM
Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Realistic Joneses puts us in Will Eno-land: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Exceptional set, costumes and lighting contribute to Tarragon Theatre production of work of wonderful writer.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 01:12PM
Monday, November 14, 2016

Theatrical thriller Agency could use more development: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Play an exploration of the tangled bonds of love and loyalty between three central characters on both sides of Berlin Wall.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 07:28PM
Sunday, November 13, 2016

Secrets of a Black Boy attempts to tell its creators’ stories on their own terms: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

The show, which began as a male response to da kink in my hair, treats concerns specific to Toronto, while setting them in a broader international context.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 04:43PM
Friday, November 11, 2016

Too many plots and themes in The Enchanted Loom: review by Karen Fricker - Theatre Critic

Production from novice playwright deserves praise for addressing Tamil history but needs further development.

SOURCE: Toronto Star at 03:29PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic
TBA: Ragtime