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Ivana Shein
Ms. Shein’s series pilot adaptation of her play, "Single," produced by IAMA Theatre company and directed by Amir Arison retitled for television as "A Leonard Cohen Afterworld," caused filmmaker Cameron Crowe to say after reading it, "Thank you, Ivana, for knowing instinctively, that all the best music comes from Canada”. Mitchell Cushman directed a workshop production of her play "The Lovers" based on the eternal kiss in a Chagall painting produced by The Company Theatre. Cushman and Shein are reteaming on her solo play "Borderline." Her latest play, "Canadian Book of The Dead," is slated for 2024 development at Shotgun Theatre in San Francisco, Becca Wolff to direct. She performs stand up comedy in both the U.S and Canada and has played a multi-season recurring role (in two timelines) as the mother of the lead character, Maya Bishop on Shonda Rhimes's ABC series, "Station 19." Her podcast "Skinny Dipping" with one of the producers at Sugar 23 just recorded its pilot episode with special guest Maria Bamford. She attended the National Theatre School of Canada for playwriting, making her a second-generation Canadian playwright.
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iPhoto caption: Photographed productions from L to R, top to bottom, with the photographer in brackets: seven methods of killing kylie jenner (Dahlia Katz), Big Stuff (Dahlia Katz), De Profundis (Dahlia Katz), Goblin:Macbeth (Jae Yang), Salesman in China (David Hou), Dana H. (John Lauener), Earworm (Dahlia Katz), Age Is a Feeling (Dahlia Katz), Honey I’m Home (Eden Graham).
Our favourite theatre productions of 2024, in Toronto and beyond
End-of-year lists are personal. When it comes to theatre, the question isn’t really what shows you liked most, but which ones left the strongest imprint, continuing to pinball around in your mind and heart even after the set is gone and the cast no longer recalls their lines.
iPhoto caption: Production still from The Nutcracker courtesy of the National Ballet of Canada.
Why should you go to the ballet?
My childhood memories of learning to dance were front and centre for me when I attended opening night of The Nutcracker, performed by the National Ballet of Canada at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
iPhoto caption: A Christmas Story production still by Dahlia Katz.
REVIEW: A Christmas Story feels fresh at Theatre Aquarius
If you want to catch A Christmas Story before it closes, good luck — the show is close to sold out, and with the talent on that stage, it’s not hard to see why.
iPhoto caption: Photo by Danelle Jane Tran.
REVIEW: Yes, Holiday! An Improvised Musical really is different every night
Putting aside its opening number and a single proper noun, every word of Bad Dog Theatre’s Dora Award-nominated Holiday! An Improvised Musical has the potential to change from performance to performance.
iPhoto caption: Photo by Dahlia Katz.
REVIEW: Canadian Stage revives the Ross Petty panto with pop songs, puns, and a pinch of Ozdust
Making a case for the panto’s return, The Wizard of Oz is full of local references and charm, and perhaps even some surprise guests to fill audiences with hometown pride.
iPhoto caption: Photo by Marie-Andree Lemire.
REVIEW: Titaníque loves Céline Dion with all its heart
Content quibbles aside, Titaníque’s inarguable accomplishment is musical: What an amazing showcase for a Canadian cast’s vocal chops and capacity to deliver character through song.
iPhoto caption: Urjo Kareda was an Estonian-born Canadian theatre and music critic, dramaturg, and stage director. He died in 2001.
A sign outside Urjo Kareda's office read, "no whining." A framed letter inside said "Fuck you, Mr. Kareda."
Year One: Apple Pan, because it’s literally what the Peach Pit in 90210 is based on, and pie is good when you’re being rejected that much.
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