January brings theatre
postponements and ‘streaments’
Omicron causes theatre closings but the show goes on with streamed events
By Byron Toben
January 11, 2022
The continued virulence of Omicron and lord knows what other variants lying in wait, has led to the postponement of some long-awaited live theatre locally and elsewhere. Luckily, the emergence of streamed theatre has become a new normal for the time being. Here’s a rundown on what’s on and what’s delayed.
Postponements
The Centaur Theatre’s cherished Wildside Festival’s array of avant-garde or unusual selections, slated for its 25th year from January 10 to 22, has been postponed indefinitely. This includes three shows at the Centaur – Hush, Dear Blood and Confabulation – and two at co-host La Chapelle Theatre – 1, 2, Maybe 3 and Logic of Worst.
Streaming

Dramatis Personae – Image: courtesy of Dramatis Personae
DRAMATIS PERSONAE – UNMUTE ME!
Dramatis Personae, Westmount’s community theatre, has arranged for you to view its winter selection from the comfort of your home. This year, it’s Unmute Me!, six short plays by New York’s Rick Orloff. Tix are only Can $10, so a real bargain for our growing U.S. subscribers.
Mr. Orloff, called the most-popular unknown playwright, has written 15 full-length plays and “oodles” of short plays performed around the world and has been dubbed “rip-roaringly funny” by the New York Times.
Titles of these short, witty wonders are Playwriting 101: The Rooftop Lesson, The Latest News From The Primordial Ooze, Eve and Adam: The Untold Story, Prague Summer, The Total Spiritual and Sorry, You’ve Got My Wrong Number.
Mr. Orloff, called the most-popular unknown playwright, has written 15 full-length plays and “oodles” of short plays performed around the world and has been dubbed “rip-roaringly funny” by the New York Times.
The show plays four times, at 8 pm on January 13, 14, 15 and 16.
SEGAL CENTRE – UNCOVERED: THE MUSIC OF DOLLY PARTON
Meanwhile, over at the Segal Centre, viewers can delight from their own homes while watching Uncovered: The Music of Dolly Parton. It is available on January 13 and January 15 at 7 pm and on January 16 at 1 pm and 7 pm. Ms. Parton has won tons of awards and composed scads of songs, mostly country music, and has appeared in several films. A tall list of accomplishments for a 5-foot gal from Tennessee. Tix are $25.

Uncovered: The Music of Dolly Parton – Image: Dahlia Katz
ORIGIN THEATRE
Finally, from New York City, the Origin Theatre streams an array of Irish-related plays for its annual 1st Irish Festival.
It leads off on January 10 to 16 with Duck, Duck, Goose.
The rest of the plays all run to January 31. In order of opening, are the titles up to January 18.
January 12 – In The Middle of the Fields
January 14 – A Girl Is A Half Formed Thing
January 15 – Rising
January 16 – City
January 16 – The 8th (a film)
January 17 – Trans Atlantic Tales 2
January 18 – Tales From The Quay
Note: streament – a combination of ‘streamed’ and ‘event’, coined by Byron Toben
Feature image: Dolly Parton, RCA Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
More articles from Byron Toben
Byron Toben, a past president of The Montreal Press Club, has been WestmountMag.ca’s theatre reviewer since July 2015. Previously, he wrote for since terminated web sites Rover Arts and Charlebois Post, print weekly The Downtowner and print monthly The Senior Times. He also is an expert consultant on U.S. work permits for Canadians.
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