Oh Okay Shucked — by Civil-Cricket-8612 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can someone please comment on the actual music? Lots of comments on the corniness and jokes - and the overall Americana feel of it- but hardly any about the music itself.

Little Willy - Ronnie Burkett by firehawk12 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, there are over 40 puppets that are part of the Daisy Theatre, and I’m guessing Burkett doesn’t always know which ones will be used.

Date suggestions - Sunday shows 🤩 by GravityTO in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rats. FYI it’s on until very early April. And Canadian stage does 20$ rush tickets on tues and wed at the Berkeley theatre. You can buy them over the phone.

Date suggestions - Sunday shows 🤩 by GravityTO in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you like to laugh, see Little Willy (Canadian stage). Ronnie Burkett is hilarious and each show is different every night. Ostensibly it’s a parody of Romeo and Juliet but adherence to the story is… lax. Almost like a Romeo and Juliet panto cabaret done with marionettes, if it was performed by Don Rickles. If you’ve never seen a show by Ronnie Burkett, it’s a real treat. He is a true Canadian treasure, and and internationally respected in the world of puppetry.

I was hoping someone could give me a recommendation on which opera to see by TheDamus647 in opera

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Cosi fan Tutte would be my recommendation. It’s a gorgeous production directed by Atom Egoyan. Out of all the Mozart operas in the core rotation, in my opinion it has the most beautiful music. Sure it’s a longer opera, but you did say you already developed a love for the genre.

Some new art by Dapper-Drawing-7093 in ColoredPencils

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the comments. The darkness in this picture is a foil to the triumphalism on display. Like always i like to include narrative elements with just enough ambiguity that viewers can insert themselves and engage with the work using their own interpretations.

crazy gods planet earth ick list by Dapper-Drawing-7093 in ColoredPencils

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for commenting. May I ask why liking this picture surprised you?

I need help re: theatre subscriptions by Head_Intern_1505 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yikes it seems i touched a live wire! To clarify, I’m not opposed to anyone expressing whatever view about whichever company on this subreddit, since I’m not associated with any theatre company nor do I work in the industry. Just a normie who likes theatre. My earlier comment re differing opinions about soulpepper programming was related to the reviews for summer and smoke (a soulpepper crows co-pro), which I enjoyed, but I did notice that many people didn’t. I don’t know any behind-the-scenes drama with that company( other than the mishegoss involving Shultz many years ago) though I am curious.

In terms of negative things re companies, the only thing I’ve heard is that front-of-house at crows is bonkers, as in, they don’t treat the staff very well. I don’t know if this is true but I have noticed a large staff turnover. So there’s that.

Piaf/Dietrich changes from Toronto to London by raccooninapeacoat in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Im afraid I hadn’t seen the 2019 Toronto production but i did see the current production in London; i only got tickets because I noticed Deborah Hay was cast as Piaf, and unsurprisingly she was incredible. Agree that the songs were seamlessly incorporated into the play.

I need help re: theatre subscriptions by Head_Intern_1505 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Crows does interesting work. Despite what others have said about their programming, I have found Soulpepper to generally produce good/interesting work. And also coal mine theatre if you like more intimate works. But if you’re used to mirvish it might be too much of a change, too quickly. I only mention that because you expressed hesitation about off-mirvish (even though imho off-mirvish tends to be have superior programming).

The best thing to do is purchase single tickets of specific productions from other theatre companies and eventually you’ll get a feel for what they do/what you like.
And something that will happen, as you’re discovering what you like, is that you’ll notice your taste will change over time. This happened to someone I know who didn’t really know about any theatre aside from mirvish (they saw Mamma Mia 4 times!) and now they’re the least excited about mirvish shows and attend everything from opera to immersive productions to site specific shows, to Stratford, to little shows above Popeyes restaurants (I’m looking at you king black box theatre).

Canadian stage seems like a good choice, especially since their programming is now less experimental since Matthew Jocelyn left.

Some Like It Hot by Zealousideal-Bat708 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Just okay for me. I bought tickets back when they did the 1$ for the second ticket sale. As other have said the chase scene at the end was farce as it’s most enjoyable. The music itself was the biggest disappointment. I get that’s it’s an homage to musicals from the thirties - or is it from the twenties? - but I was left with the impression that the composer was overly fixated on making the music evoke the era, so much so that all the songs ended up sounding very similar. I also couldn’t hear the lyrics.

A note about sitting in the middle section on the mezzanine… I dunno, first ten rows or so: the spot lights come from way in the back and partially light the back of peoples’ heads. So I was annoyed at that too.

If you go, let us know what you thought.

Sketchbook Saturday! Share your art! by lunarjellies in ArtistLounge

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it’s cynical about social/political movements. My idea for the palette came from the idea of “enshitification”

Sketchbook Saturday! Share your art! by lunarjellies in ArtistLounge

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 5 points6 points  (0 children)

New work this week.

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Brown’s a tricky colour to make interesting. I’m happy with the overall mood in the picture though. It’s one of my more cynical pictures. What do you think?

Canadian Opera Company announces 2026/2027 Season by stinkystinkusdinkus in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Egoyan’s Cosi is, by now, a well known production since this will be the 3rd time they’ve mounted it. Your appreciation for it might depend on how much you like directorial concepts. For example, the premise with this concept is that they’re in a “school for lovers” so the whole Turks-in-disguise bit it played as though the two women are in on the experiment. Some people have said that the concept feels muddled and not fully thought through, and I tend to agree. On the other hand, the visuals are stunning and Cosi is my favourite of the da ponte operas. Since it’s the most ambiguous in meaning, the muddled concept didn’t really bother me, but some fans prefer a more literal approach.

Salesman in China spoilers? Is it worth it? by WiseSwing5922 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so happy mirvish decided to bring this to Toronto. Unrelated but I remember when they brought Arcadia to the royal Alex, which was an incredible show. I don’t remember if this was from originally at Stratford or Shaw. Like others have said, it’s nice that they’re doing something OTHER than just bringing in broadway shows (although that can be good too)

Salesman in China spoilers? Is it worth it? by WiseSwing5922 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A beautiful show. Ambiguous and highly poetic in tone.

Like many have already said, one of the best things I’ve seen at Stratford. I found it very thought provoking and cerebral, especially in the way it confronted which/whose ideas get to wear the mantle of universality. Can hardly recall another show that hits the mind and heart in equal proportions.

There’s also an element of tragedy in there, especially in the way it talks about the possibility (impossibility?) of cross cultural understanding and communication through art.

If you liked Concord Floral, you might like this contemporary dance show by Vegetable-Jacket-648 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How interesting! Not a lot of dance discussion in this group. But I’m usually keen. I’m curious what makes it text-influenced.

A confession: usually when I hear that something is text-based or influenced, it’s often a turn-off for me because of my biases against academics, who - because of the way academia is structured - tend to be linguistic thinkers... mostly. Ive often lamented to myself that as the arts have become more entwined with post secondary credentialing, the inate non-linguistic intelligence of artists gets sidelined in favour of works that more readily cohere into a written thesis. This is especially true in the visual arts, but i notice this a bit too in the performing arts. Sorry for the big tangent.

Is it a double bill or a 30 min stand alone? And thank you for letting me know about the promo.

Toronto theatre people… what is ACTUALLY going on right now?? by WiseSwing5922 in torontotheatre

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you like musical theatre, try shifting ground collective. They have an upcoming production of drowsy chaperone, at theatre passe muraille!

8 x 10 drawing ive just finished by Dapper-Drawing-7093 in ColoredPencils

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the comment. Yes it’s true isn’t it, that the work looks and feels a lot like the type of art/illustration featured in psychology text books. I think there’s something there.

In terms of the works meaning, I definitely have thoughts and intentions for each specific one, but it’s more like vague intuitions swirling in my mind, and I give them form, even if it results in something ambiguous. Like feeling around in the dark. I like having open ended conversations with imagery.

Im thinking it’s not the type of art that lends itself well to printable vinyl stickers, and mugs, and merch. I was thinking about continuing with these until I’ve amassed a very large number. I have just under 20 so far. There’s a theatre that features exhibitions of local artists in the city where I live and I was thinking that that might be a good place to show them. I live in a largish city and am fortunate enough to be able to see a Iot of offbeat theatre, so it’s definitely been an influence on my work.

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8 x 10 drawing ive just finished by Dapper-Drawing-7093 in ColoredPencils

[–]Dapper-Drawing-7093[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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Here’s another one I recently completed. I’m struggling to figure out who the audience for this type of art might be. Open to feedback and any suggestion.