#THEATRE: “LIFE AFTER” PREMIERES IN TORONTO AT CAA ED MIRVISH THEATRE

It isn’t every day we get an invite to Theatre, so it’s always a pleasure when it happens. Such an emotional experience seeing Britta Johnson‘s LIFE AFTER, a new Canadian Musical playing now till May 10, 2025 at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre.

The Musical which has won multiple DORA Awards already, centers on a teen girl named Alice who is trying to make sense of her father’s sudden passing, beginning to question if she caused it all after they had a disagreement on her birthday. Some phenomenal performances from this Ensemble Cast which includes Isabella Esler in the lead role, supported by Jake Epstein, Mariand Torres, Chilina Kennedy, Valeria Ceballos and Julia Pulo. The story is told concisely at 90 minutes, no intermission, but packed with vulnerability and heart.

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Tickets here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#THEATRE: “LIFE AFTER” IS NOW IN PERFORMANCE AT CAA MIRVISH THEATRE

Yonge Street Theatricals (Linda Barnett & Natalie Bartello) has released new production photos for LIFE AFTER, the acclaimed new musical now in performances at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. With book, music & lyrics by Britta Johnson, one of Canada’s most acclaimed young musical theatre writers, the limited engagement has been extended due to popular demand and runs through May 10 only as part of the 2024/25 Off-Mirvish Season.

LIFE AFTER is the celebrated and luminous musical that premiered in Toronto in 2017 and played a sold-out run at the Berkeley Street Theatre. It was subsequently produced at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre and Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Now it returns to Toronto’s CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in a major new production helmed by Tony Award and Olivier Award-winning producers Yonge Street Theatricals for a strictly limited engagement.

Despite being a famous self-help author, Frank Carter’s optimistic advice offers little solace to his 16-year-olddaughter, Alice. After his untimely death, Alice embarks on a quest for truth, unravelling the events that changed her family forever. Filled with heart, and extraordinary music, the show offers a powerful exploration of love, memory, and the journey of moving forward.

LIFE AFTER is a “stirring, fully original” (Chicago Tribune) new musical, “exquisite from start to finish” (BroadwayWorld) that moves through the complexities of life with wit, humour and grace.

LIFE AFTER‘s cast features Isabella Esler (First National Tour of Beetlejuice the Musical) with Jake Epstein (Beautiful and Spider-Man Broadway), Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful, Jesus Christ Superstar and Mamma Mia! Broadway) and Mariand Torres (Lempicka and Wicked Broadway). Alongside them, Valeria Ceballos (First National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen), Jay Davis (Dear Evan Hansen Mirvish), Kaylee Harwood (First National Tour Beautiful, Titanique (Mirvish/Segal)), Arinea Hermans (Pollyanna Theatre Aquarius), Isidora Kecman (The Louder We Get Theatre Calgary), Zoë O’Connor (Frozen Neptune Theatre), Eva Petris (Mamma Mia! Thousand Islands Playhouse) and Julia Pulo (Original Canadian cast of Six).

Led by director Annie Tippe, LIFE AFTER’s creative team includes Ann Yee (choreography), Lynne Shankel (music supervisor / orchestrations & arrangements), Tony Award winner Todd Rosenthal (scenic design), Tony Award nominee Sarafina Bush (costume design), five-time Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Tony Award winner Kai Harada (sound design), Haley Parcher (sound design), Greg Dougherty and Wendy Churton (production managers),and Kate Sandeson (production stage manager). Canadian Casting by Dayton Walters Casting and New York Casting by Tara Rubin Casting.

Tickets are available now at mirvish.com/shows/life-after.

(Photo credit: Michael Cooper)

#FIRSTLOOK: “CANDY CANE CANDIDATE”

Streaming now on the CTV App is Lifetime’s CANDY CANE CANDIDATE, filmed just outside Ottawa. The Holiday flick centers on Julia Chen (Jacky Lai) whom after just losing an election, returns home to North Falls where she decides to run for Mayor. Her opponent however, is former crush Parker (Jake Epstein), and after this many years apart, they realize they might be each other’s toughest opponent… and best match!

Canadian Actor/Director Pat Kiely takes the reins here in this harmless Holiday jaunt. While in ways it follows a Sweet Home Alabama-esque archetype of a successful woman who returns to her hometown to stumble upon love, the story is told even more with a feminist slant. We are asked what Julia wants and this doesn’t come right away necessarily. And while she very much is an underdog to the Town Hero in Parker, she must fight to get what she truly wants and level the playing ground with her intellect and political experience. All while being super-flirtatious with Parker. And he isn’t complaining. He’s a bit distracted by her at times to even notice!

Lai carries much of the weight of the Rom-Com on her own and is likable even if at times we feel she’s swooping-in and taking away something Parker has worked so hard for and deserves. It is not an easy task to make a character like this relatable. Epstein is agreeable and it isn’t tough to see why the Aunties of the town take so easily to him, even if he is a bit of a pushover at times. We would’ve liked to see the Script give him a little more bite. Eddie Renout gets third billing as Julia‘s mother Sylvie, bringing a calming presence to her daughter’s hectic life. She can do Jasmine Tea, Congee, Egg Nog, Bubble Tea and a killer Hot Chocolate to boot! Whomever the Food Consultant was on this project really paid attention to the details. Note: Eddie is my actual Godsister and she has NEVER been this hospitable to me in real life, so I am a little bitter and jealous! And Danny Vo makes his debut as Julia‘s nephew Noah and does it with presence.

We get exactly what CANDY CANE CANDIDATE is trying to do, exploring stories we all want to see over the Holidays, but through a more inclusive lens and we appreciate that. Clocking-in at just under an hour and thirty minutes, this is an easy watch if you’re looking for something with a bit of charm and progressiveness.

If you missed your chance to see CANDY CANE CANDIDATE on CTV Drama over the Holidays, you can stream it anytime on the CTV App! The Film is available to stream in the U.S. on Prime Video as well.