Mirvish Theatre Upcoming Season Reviews

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By Elli Davis, March 2, 2010

The moment I walked in the room, I could tell it was a season of big delights.

Please forgive the paraphrase of one of the hit songs from SWEET CHARITY: “Hey Big Spender”. If you remember the music and the story, it is a treasure of a musical that promises to bring smiles and toe tapping to audience members. It is one of six shows announced last week for the 2010/2011 Season presented by David Mirvish.

Billy Elliot by Nathanael Hevelone

The award winning and much talked about Billy Elliot is high on the list MUST SEE’s for next season. Based on the film about a boy whose father wants him to play on the Manchester football team, Billy would rather go to dance class. The roll is so demanding that 3 Billy’s are cast for the title roll and rotate accordingly. The music is one of Sir Elton John’s most sensational scores and the dance is so high energy you will immediately understand why 3 boys share the role.

Something exciting something inviting something for everyone it’s happening tonight. If you missed Something Happened on the Way to the Forum, which played last summer under the direction of Stratford Festival’s genius Artistic Director, Des McAnuff, you must see it this year at one of the Mirvish theatres. If you did see it, see it again, this time on a proscenium stage with proper sets.

Two more entries are based on films. Calendar Girls which will make its North American debut comes directly from London’s west end. We all remember the group of somewhat proper British Ladies who annually create a calendar to raise money. Someone gets the brilliant idea of having the ladies pose NUDE in an attempt to increase sales. The rest of the film and the rest of this joyous and poignant musical run parallel and with great success.

Down in Front by Fernando de Sousa

Percilla, Queen of the Desert wasn’t quite ready for this season but from all indications the musical based on the movie with almost the same title, promises to be as hilarious and outrageous as the film itself. A group of drag queens in a broken down van cross the Australian outback stopping appropriately to perform in locales where a gay man might lose more than his virginity. The movie was a huge hit and we are assured the musical will be too.

We finish the offerings with Secret Garden the musical with book and lyrics by Marsha Normal and music by Lucy Simon all based on the novel of the same name by Frances Haggen Burnett. This is a “you either love it or hate it” kind of show. Subject matter is definitely G rated and it’s a true family show. For those who like something more challenging, you might give those tickets to a couple of teenage girls and send them to a matinee. Otherwise take a grandchild.

It’s 2010/2011 and there are six shows and 4 theatres for Toronto audiences to enjoy. Check it out and order your seats now. Visit Mirvish dot com for details.

Oh, don’t forget there are still several shows left to enjoy this year. The Dancap productions of Miss Saigon and South Pacific, this July and August respectively might just be the perfect was to spend a summer night.

We’ll keep you all informed of times, dates and casting as we get closer to dates. And of course we always have an opinion to express.