Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

At around the ¾ mark of FOREVER PLAID, they do a three minute and 11 second homage to the Ed Sullivan Show. The first time I saw this Musical (oh so many years ago) and that particular piece of theatrical brilliance, I laughed so hard I literally fell off my seat and landed in the aisle. Not wishing to repeat that rather embarrassing moment and firmly ensconced in my aisle seat for the long awaited return of this show to Toronto, playing for a limited engagement at the same venue where it first triumphed, the Panasonic Theatre, I had forgotten just how good and entertaining and joyous and wholesome this show is before and after that still hysterically funny bit.

Whereas Elvis may have been King in the late 50s, music on the radio and television variety shows were still dominated by four-part guy groups, harmonizing songs that every mom and grandma would sing along too. FOREVER PLAID is a musical about Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie: four lads who meet up in high school, form a group, and perform regularly at supermarket openings and proms. On the night they finally get their big break to perform at the Airport Hilton cocktail bar, the 4 are tragically killed in a car accident. This musical is all about the show they would have given had they survived.

Vocally, the actors on the stage are above reproach. The harmonies are text book perfection. As Jinx, Dora award-winning actor for playing Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, Jeff Madden’s hypnotic soprano soars. Jonathan Cullen (Frankie) and Matt Cassidy (Smudge) encompass their roles with joie de vivre, finesse and gusto. I was completely mesmerized by Scott Beaudin’s portrayal of Sparky. From the snapping of his fingers or stomping his foot to the beat of a song to his vocal chops and swaying dance movements, it’s a transformative, deceptively natural and a beautifully modulated performance.

FOREVER PLAID will melt the heart of even the most hardened audience member and put a silly grin on their face to boot. For those of us of a certain age who actually remember watching the Perry Como show with the family or the lyrics to Catch a Falling Star or Topo Gigio, it’s a MUST SEE!!!

FOREVER PLAID runs through June 12, 2016 at Panasonic Theatre. Click here to learn more.

Based on the life of Oscar Wilde and his tragic condemnation, The Judas Kiss premiered in Toronto this week at Mirvish Theatre. Starring English star of screen and stage Rupert Everett (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Shrek), the play runs in the City through May. The Show – which be warned –  features nudity and mature themes, makes its way here after a massively successful sold-out run in London’s West End.

Synopsis:

Rupert Everett plays Oscar Wilde in David Hare’s The Judas Kiss —a compelling drama about the power of all consuming love and the cruelty of betrayal. It is 1895 and Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, is playing in the West End after a triumphant premiere, but already the wheels are in motion, which will lead to his imprisonment, downfall and vilification.

Forced to make a choice between his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, and his freedom, the ever romantic Wilde embarks on a course towards self-destruction.

We caught-up with cast members Cal McAninch (Robbie Ross), Charlie Rowe (Lord Alfred Douglas), Elliot Balchin (Alfred) and Everett earlier as they head out for dinner break. The cast plays an evening show at 8 PM following a 2 PM matinee.

Everett despite being a bit unrecognizable at first, was kind and gracious to stop for Fans along with his cast mates. He next can be seen this September in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. He also is developing a Wilde Biopic, an extension of his longtime fascination of the Writer.

More on The Judas Kiss here.

See our Snaps:

With the cast of @Mirvish’s #TheJudasKiss, on now till May. With: #CalMacAninch #ElliotBalchin #CharlieRowe + #RupertEverett. #Theatre #Toronto #The6ix

A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on Mar 26, 2016 at 3:19pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Oscar and multi-TONY Winner Angela Lansbury is in town in case you didn’t know! The Actress, best known for her work as Jessica Fletcher on long-running Series MURDER, SHE WROTE, reprises her Tony-winning role as Madame Arcati in Mirvish Productions’ BLITHE SPIRIT, running at once-endangered Princess of Wales Theatre till March 5, 2015.

Official Synopsis:

Researching for his new novel, Charles Condomine invites the implausible medium Madame Arcati to his house for a séance. While consumed in a trance, Madame Arcati unwittingly summons the ghost of Charles’ dead wife Elvira. Appearing only to Charles, Elvira soon makes a play to reclaim her husband, much to the chagrin of Charles’ new wife Ruth. Now if he wants his latest marriage to stand a GHOST of a chance, he’d better conjure up a solution quickly. One husband, two feuding wives and a whisper of mischief in the air – who will win in Noel Coward’s unworldly comedy?

The Comedy also stars Downton Abbey‘s Charles Edwards as Charles Condomine, the Thespian kind enough to stop for pictures and autographs for Fans in the cold. Lansbury we were advised would not be stopping, although she did advise “You can take a photo of me!”. After asking her nicely she stopped and posed for a Photo with me in it, advising me “I don’t know what you’re gonna do with this!”.The camera unfortunately snapped just one second to slow! Oh nooo!

For more on tickets to see BLITHE SPIRIT, click here.

Charles Edwards + Mr. Will:

Charming Thespian + #DowntonAbbey Star, #CharlesEdwards in #Toronto for #Mirvish’s #BlitheSpirit. Runs till 3/15. #Theatre

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 17, 2015 at 8:21pm PST

Angela Lansbury + Mr. Will:

A photo posted by Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on Feb 17, 2015 at 8:20pm PST

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Mirvish Productions)

Now on-stage for a limited engagement, Mirvish Productions present LES MISÉRABLES at Princess of Wales Theatre.  I spotted a couple of its Stars, Canadian Idol Winner Melissa O’Neil who plays Eponine, and Ramin Karimloo, who plays the Leading Role of Jean Valjean, out and about earlier today.  The latter, like a true Canadian was sporting a warm Canada Goose Jacket and as an interesting tidbit, has played the roles of Marius and Enjolras in previous productions of the Musical by Boublil & Schönberg in London’s West-End.

Both O’Neil and Karimloo were super-kind to stop for a quick Photo and were goofing-about with name badges, which at one point landed on my back. “I couldn’t do that to you!”, says O’Neil, peeling the stick off my back playfully.  My Starbucks fortunately had a Stopper in it and got knocked-over, which the handsome Karimloo was kind enough to retrieve for me!

Mirvish Productions‘ LES MISÉRABLES has been winning much acclaim and Tickets can be purchased up till Sunday, December 22, 2013 here!

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Mirvish Productions)

Here for only a five-day engagement in Toronto at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, Jekyll and Hyde comes to the City after a successful four-year Broadway Run, before continuing on its North American Tour in Washington, D.C.  The Musical stars American Idol Finalist Constantine Maroulis who since has made a splash on the Great White Way in Rock of Ages and here he plays the Role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and his Alter-ego Edward Hyde.  Toronto’s v. own R&B Star Deborah Cox (now a Resident of Miami) also is featured front and center as Lucy.  Jekyll and Hyde is an odd story of a Scientist who uses himself as an Experiment in his quest to find a cure to some of Mankind’s greatest medical problems.  This however, unleashes his inner-demons, creating far greater a Dilemma than he could have anticipated.

Following their Performance tonight, Maroulis was spotted bundled in a cozy Burberry Sweater, spending time with his Fans and going directly first to one Woman who waited by the Stage Door in her Wheelchair.  Humble, he assumed Fans were waiting for his Co-Star Cox, telling everyone that she would be out in a moment, not thinking for a moment that the commotion might have been for him.  He tells me and another Fan that he wishes that he could have more time in the City and maybe even a chance to do a Preview Show or two before launching it in each City, but as is the case with a Tour, the tempo is quick. He is pleased with the great feedback he has been receiving for his dual-role Performance, especially as the darker Hyde.

Cox exited soon after, donning much more simple straightened locks than the voluminous wigs she is required to wear in her Role.  She spent a fair amount of time shaking hands and posing for Photos and was more than happy to sign one of my favourite R&B Discs, One Wish. The GRAMMY-nominated Singer/Actress states to me that she is hoping v. much to begin work on a full-length Disc, but for now Fans will have to do with a Powerhouse Dance Single she just released last week, (From the Ghetto) Remember Me.

There’s still time to catch Jekyll and Hyde.  Click here for Tickets.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

After winning three TONY Awards in 2010, Mirvish Productions now is ready to unleash the hilarity in Toronto that is La Cage aux Folles. Starring Golden Globe Award Winner George Hamilton and TONY-nominated Christopher Sieber, the Musical centers around Georges (Hamilton), the Owner of a Saint Tropez Night Club and the love of his life Albin (Sieber), who also is known in drag as  the glamorous Zaza.  Georges‘ Son finally is ready to introduce his Fiancée‘s Parents to Georges and Albin and what ensues is pure comedic Drama as these personalities clash in the name of love.

Both Hamilton and Sieber were out and about doing the morning Television Circuit here in Toronto including visits to CityTV’s Breakfast Television and also Global Television‘s The Morning Show.  They are slated also for Radio and Television Interviews at CBC later today.

I had the pleasure of meeting the Duo quickly following their appearance on The Morning Show, where they played-up their chemistry with a bit of bickering.  You can watch the Interview in full here.  One of Hamilton‘s Handlers was extremely kind to lend a hand to snap Photos – the Gentlemen all smiles.  I must say Hamilton – who was spotted a Sotto Sotto last night with a Female Friend enjoying Champagne – looks impeccable!

La Cage aux Folles opens tomorrow night at Royal Alexandra Theatre, running through November 18, 2012.

Get your tickets here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)