Theatre offerings
as April winds down
Lineup includes shows from New York, Montreal and Winnipeg
By Byron Toben
Updated April 18, 2021
More glimmerings of the return of live theatre loom but the rest of April is still a month of streaming.
Already opened shows
PARADISE LOST
A fine reading by New York’s Red Bull Theater.
Part One – The Fall of Lucifer opened on April 12 for free and continued for a fee until April 16.
Part Two – Eve and Adam will open on April 26 for free and continue for a fee until April 30.
Montreal audiences have seen this 1667 John Milton classic twice in recent years: first, the stunning one-man adaptation and performance by Paul Van Dyke and recently, the wonderful full-cast version by Erin Shields, read at Infinitheatre and performed at the Centaur, with actors dramatically reading the roles.
The whole is framed by the Father (Saidah Arrika Ekulona), the Son (Daniel Jose Molina) and their six loyal Angels, opposed by Lucifer (Jason Butler Harner) who morphs into Satan and has four rebel angels as well as his child Sin (Carol Halstead) and grandchild Death (Robert Cuccioli). The “upstart creatures” Adam (Sheldon Best ) and Eve (Gisela Chipe) rounded out the cast.
I was particularly impressed by Lucifer/Satan’s line that, “The mind is in its own place and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven”. That seems to me to be the essence (maybe inspiration) of G. Bernard Shaw’s 1903 masterpiece, Don Juan in Hell.
The Royale – Image: courtesy of Lincoln Center
DEMOCRACY NOW
Presented by Winnipeg’s Prairie Theatre Exchange, it opened on April 7 and continues until April 25.
Written by Hannah Moscovitch and not to be confused with Sherlock Holmes’, Seven Percent Solution. I am a big fan of Ms. Moscovitch so am including this although the price is $20. (Students can watch for $10 but by phone only.)
JOHN CULLUM: AN ACCIDENTAL STAR
Opened on April 7 and continues to April 22. The always rewarding New York Irish Repertory Theater streams this busy and accomplished performer of many years in plays and musicals as he recounts his experiences. Free but donations always welcome.
To be streamed soon…
THE ROYALE
Presented by New York’s Lincoln Center through Broadway on Demand from April 14 to May 16. Based on 1908-1915 world boxing champion Jack Johnson, here called “Jay” Johnson as an outsider. Free.
Little Gem – Image: courtesy of New York Irish Repertory Theater
SKIN
Presented by Centaur Theatre and Theatre La Chapelle from April 21 to 23 is this return of Leslie Baker’s Wildside Festival hit of dance and innovative staging. Joseph Shragge is a co-creator. Read WestmountMag’s review of the show.
LITTLE GEM
From New York’s Irish Repertory Theater, this new screen version of the Irish rep hit of 2019 stars Marsha Mason as it examines three generations of Irish women in north Dublin. “Both comedic and poignant”, reported the New Yorker at the time. Runs from April 27 to May 9.
Feature image: Post Democracy, courtesy of Prairie Theatre Exchange
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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