What The Butler Saw — Indecently Entertaining

The cast of Soulpepper’s What the Butler Saw undress for success on opening night

Soulpepper, Toronto theatre

Blair Williams, Nicole Underhay, Graham Harley. Photo by Sian Richards.

What the Butler Saw premiered in 1969 at the Queen’s Theatre in London and is regarded as Joe Orton‘s best play (despite being poorly received at first). Orton’s witty dialogue and criticism of conventional society are reminiscent of the great Oscar Wilde. We can see why his views were controversial at the time — they still are today. Set in a psychiatric hospital, this bizarre, farcical caper is right up our alley. Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of controversy now and then?

[Kitty and Lulu talk in the ladies room after the performance. Lulu holds her shoes under the hand dryer — they were caught in a storm just before the show and sat through the entire thing in soaking wet clothes (now that's dedication!).]

Lulu: Arg! My feet are freezing! That sure was a “crazy” play, huh? I’d never seen it or read it before.

Kitty: It was pretty nuts alright! [Fixes her hair.] I guess that was the point.

Lulu: Yeah, I think it was a great production. Very amusing. The razor-sharp dialogue moves the plot along at a breakneck speed. If you blink you might miss something.

Kitty: Agreed! They definitely kept us on our toes. I think the set was really impressive. The granite columns give the impression of a grand and reputable “madhouse.” And the four doors set the scene for the comedy of errors that ensues.

Lulu: Yes, fantastic stage design. And the costumes are great, too. We don’t want to give too much away, but this play gets more and more absurd by the minute. It’s full of misunderstandings, impersonations and mistaken identities (not to mention double entendres, innuendo and euphemisms). The structure reminds me a bit of Fawlty Towers, with Dr. Prentice (Blair Williams) as a perverted Basil Fawlty.

Kitty: That’s true! I loved the chemistry between the doctor and his nymphomaniac wife (Brenda Robins). The way they chide each other tit for tat for their bad behaviour is hilarious. Robins is incredible in this role. She really commands your attention.

What the Butler Saw

Brenda Robins, Brandon McGibbon. Photo by Sian Richards.

Lulu: Absolutely. I also think Graham Harley is terrific as the ludicrous Dr. Rance. His desperate attempts to diagnose everyone’s symptoms as “textbook” are hysterical. Although the play is a comedy, Orton’s satire judges the psychiatric profession quite severely. He really questions the moral integrity of those in power and blurs the line between sane and insane.

Kitty: Definitely. He makes buffoons of all the authorities, including the constable (Oliver Dennis). Wonderful slapstick. And I didn’t see that ending coming at all. It was quite a surprise!

Lulu: I know! I was rather shocked. Director Jim Warren should be proud. There isn’t anything negative to say about the production. Except maybe the fact that the accents were not always convincing or consistent. But what can you expect in Canada? My ear is sensitive because I just got back from England.

Kitty: Did you see any statues of Winston Churchill while you were there? [Winks.]

Lulu: I did actually! Those of you who are familiar with this play will get that reference. For those of you who aren’t, well, it’s probably time you go see it!

What The Butler Saw runs until September 18 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Click here to buy tickets. Don’t forget, $22 tickets are available for 21-30 year-olds at stageplay.ca

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Road Trip Series London — Avenue Q

Cassidy Janson with Kate Monster.

London’s West End is the theatre lover’s promised land. I visited the popular district just over a week ago and finally had the chance to catch a show I’ve been dying to see for a long time. Avenue Q moved across the pond in June 2006 after a very successful four-year run both off and on Broadway (the musical won three Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2004). Now playing at the beautiful Wyndhams Theatre, the show is enjoying a successful fifth year in London. The house was jam-packed on Monday, August 16 (a good sign considering the length of its run), and I’m happy to say this production definitely lived up to the hype. I’ve been chuckling at the songs in my head ever since!

Paul Spicer & company.

Avenue Q is set on a low-rent street in a borough of New York City. Princeton, a fresh-faced college graduate moves into the neighbourhood and is greeted by a cast of quirky characters, performed by both humans and puppets. The story follows the protagonist as he grapples with the realities of adulthood and tries to figure out his life’s purpose. Gary, a parody of child star Gary Coleman, works as the superintendent of the apartment complex and is living proof that growing up ain’t easy. The cast also includes: Kate Monster, a Kindergarten teaching assistant who has a thing for Princeton; Rod, an investment banker with a secret; Nicky, Rod’s lazy roommate; Brian, a wannabe comedian; Christmas Eve, a therapist with no clients; Trekkie Monster, an Internet porn fiend, and Lucy the Slut, a trashy blonde singer. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the Bad Idea Bears, two mischievous and persuasive puppets who convince people to do naughty things (I think they were an audience favourite).

Bad Idea Bear.

The show’s award-winning original score is very catchy. Songs like “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?” (this one hit home for me), “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist,” “The Internet is for Porn” and “Schadenfreude” give a subversive and ironic perspective of everyday life — they hit the nail on the head. I imagine the musical’s themes are especially poignant for those of us in our twenties and thirties, but adults of all ages will relate. The set design is fantastic, and the human cast members are master puppeteers. The puppets really shine on their own even though we can see people moving and speaking for them. Cassidy Janson is particularly impressive as both Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut. She juggles voices with ease and can really sing. Paul Spicer and Tom Parsons are also skilled at switching characters and both have excellent comedic timing. Avenue Q is a delightfully imaginative and tremendously fun show. As my boyfriend says, “It’s like Sesame Street for adults.” We loved it. I would see it again if I could! Sadly, the show closes in the West End on October 30, 2010. Be sure to check it out if you’re in London. Click here to buy tickets.

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How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! — Agnes Brown, She’s Truly Outrageous

David Mirvish introduces Toronto to the colourful world of Mrs. Brown

Brendan O’Carroll as as Mrs. Agnes Brown.

How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! is a wildly hilarious Irish comedy written, directed by and starring Brendan O’Carroll. O’Carroll created Mrs. Agnes Brown, a widowed Dublin mother of six for a programme on Irish radio in 1990. The program ended up running for three years and 500-plus episodes. The series was then adapted into stage plays and has since enjoyed immense success in both Ireland and England. Part five in the Mrs. Brown series, How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! has finally made it to North America. In this latest episode, Agnes and her working-class Dublin family prepare for the Christmas holidays in a gut-busting comic performance riddled with foul language and offensive humour. Welcome to Canada, Mrs. Brown. We love you!

[Lulu and Kitty after the North American premiere of How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! at the Canon Theatre in Toronto.]

Lulu: Oh my God [wipes her eyes]. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard. That was priceless!

Kitty: I know! Brendan O’Carroll is absolutely brilliant. Agnes Brown is in a class of her own. She’s like a crude Irish Mrs. Doubtfire and a female Archie Bunker combined with her lovable ignorance and tough love.

Lulu: Totally, she’s completely out there, but also somewhat familiar. I love her nasty but nice attitude.

Kitty: Yeah, her vulgar remarks and sarcastic quips are especially funny because of her role as the matriarch. We’re not used to seeing mothers and grandmothers being abusive to their children and swearing like sailors. Ha! And the fact that she delivers those lines wearing a cardigan and little old lady clothes is just amazing.

Brendan O’Carroll (Agnes Brown).

Lulu: O’Carroll is an incredible physical comedian. His mannerisms, the way he moves, it’s genius. He’s actually pretty convincing as a woman. Don’t you think?

Kitty: [Nods repeatedly.] Oh yeah. His laugh — or cackle — is unforgettable, too. The audience nearly wet themselves. Even the cast couldn’t keep it together when he ad libbed in certain scenes. It was funny to watch them lose it on stage. He’s so quick on his feet. And it’s cool how the show’s format is set up like a sitcom. BBC One has commissioned a comedy series of the Mrs. Brown stories. The first episode will be broadcast in December 2010.

Lulu: I can’t wait! It was a great opening night. The audience gave him a standing ovation and O’Carroll continued his stand up in the thank you speech. I think the show will be very well received in Canada. Apparently O’Carroll posted a Mrs. Brown video on YouTube in December 2009 and it has over two million hits — a large percentage of the viewers were from Canada. The British media has labeled Mrs. Brown the “Susan Boyle of Comedy.”

Kitty: I can see why. The show is unbelievably entertaining and heartwarming, too. You’d have to have a funny bone of steel not to laugh at this stuff. Hats off to Mirvish for taking a risk with this unconventional and potentially controversial show. It’s not for everyone obviously, but for those who like this kind of humour it’s comedy gold.

Lulu: Get ready for the funniest shock of your life, Toronto!

How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! runs until September 4 at the Canon Theatre. Visit the Mirvish website for tickets to this limited engagement performance.

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Road Trip Series Paris — Lido Cabaret

Vintage glamour is alive and well in The City of Light

The life of the show girl has a certain dazzling appeal. As a child I used to watch classic Hollywood show biz musicals and fantasize about being one of the exotic creatures on stage, covered in feathers and glittering from head to toe. I still do daydream about it now and then if I’m honest. So when my boyfriend and I were in Paris for a weekend this month, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to experience one of the most famous cabarets in the world. In 1946, Joseph and Louis Clerico took over a fashionable 1920s venue with decor inspired by Lido beach in Venice and transformed it into a one-of-a-kind cabaret. With the collaboration of Pierre Louis Guérin, René Fraday and Miss Bluebell, the Lido invented the dinner show format that soon set the standard for nightclub entertainment. Many famous people have performed there over the years, including Edith Piaf, Maurice Chevalier, Marlene Dietrich, Laurel and Hardy, Elton John and Shirley MacLaine. Located on the high-end Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the luxurious venue is home to the celebrated Bluebell Girls and the Lido Boy Dancers. The show Bonheur features a real ice rink, a clown called Housch Ma Housch, 23 sets, spectacular costumes and, of course, a little bit of skin. Yes, several of the female dancers perform topless. Hey, when in Paris, right?

Prices range depending on the package you choose, but even the cheapest is a splurge. We went for the “Plaisir” dinner and show package. The food was quite good and the champagne was even better. We were a bit surprised that we didn’t get our own table for the price we paid, but it meant that we got to meet a nice French couple and a lovely business man from Mexico. It was definitely a night to remember. Visit the Lido website for more information.

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Great Voices at Fort York

Presented by Festival at the Fort
Written by Rick Salutin

Great Voices, Festival at Fort York

Simon Richards as Lieutenant Governor Simcoe/General Brock. Photo courtesy of FLIP Publicity & Promotions Inc.

In advance of the City of Toronto’s War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations in 2012, Festival at the Fort is now running Great Voices. If you haven’t visited Fort York lately, there is a fun historical theatre experience awaiting you! We recently attended Great Voices and learned more about Canada through the performance than we did during grade nine history class.

Nestled among the looming skyscrapers and the Gardiner Expressway, you wouldn’t imagine Fort York as an ideal setting for a theatrical performance. However, the epic theatre style is well suited for the show and the audience also gets a tour of the grounds and buildings during the performance. The comforting smell of burning wood and the lovely sound of bagpipes help set the mood and transports you back to the 1800s. You forget the CN Tower watching over the bustling city — instead the union jack flies high.

City of Toronto Fort York Theatre

Jeff Legacy as Tecumseh. Photo courtesy of FLIP Publicity & Promotions Inc.

The charming production includes songs and a memorable performance by each cast member and much more. The music is composed by James Gordon and includes an informative and enchanting song during his performance as USS General Pike. The “Words of Tecumseh” is delivered as an intimate soliloquy by Jeff Legacy and is quite moving. The Dancing Native Spirit Puppets provided by Red Pepper Spectacle Arts Inc are simply magnificent. They seem larger than life when they rise over the stone walls of the fort. We were not only impressed by the size of them, but the artistic beauty of the puppets almost took our breath away.

Have you ever wondered why we call Lake Simcoe and Castle Frank by their names? Join the platoon for the night and find out! You’ll be glad you did.

Great Voices runs until August 22nd. For tickets, more info and to join the mailing list, visit the Festival at the Fort website. The Festival at the Fort will produce a new theatrical production annually with guest companies.


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SummerWorks Theatre Festival — Wonderland

Wonderland
Presented by QuipTake
Written and performed by Adam Lazarus
Directed and co-created by Melissa D’Agostino

Adam Lazarus as Eff in Wonderland at SummerWorks

Adam Lazarus as Eff in Wonderland.

Eff (pronounced FFFF) is anything but the usual affable circus clown — he is grotesque, deformed, obnoxious and completely captivating. One of NOW Magazine’s Artists to Watch, Adam Lazarus reprises his acclaimed role under the direction of Canadian Comedy Award nominee Melissa D’Agostino, bringing life to this desperate yet terrifyingly lucid character. Eff never lets the audience off the hook by allowing a completely passive theatre experience. He is constantly changing it up, singing, eating, swearing, dancing (as much as a no-legged man can) even feigning sexual acts, in order to challenge misconceptions and address unpleasant truths about today’s society. We are starkly reminded of our own voyeurism as Lazarus breaks the fourth wall and makes the audience squirm as well as laugh hysterically. Lazarus is an amazing physical actor and an incredible storyteller; he doesn’t just play the character, he crawls into the bouffon‘s skin and inhabits him. While we as an audience are busy questioning and evaluating Eff’s every move, every intention, we remain fascinated, like seeing a train wreck, with morbid curiosity. This hilarious yet illuminating one-man show is highly recommended.

Wonderland runs until August 15th at The Theatre Centre. Visit the SummerWorks website for more info.

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Road Trip Series Texas — Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing produced by the Houston Shakespeare Festival at Hermann Park’s Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Much Ado About Nothing at Houston Shakespeare Festival, Miller Outdoor Theatre

Photo for HSF by Pin Lim, Forest Photography. Courtesy of UH School of Theatre & Dance.

While recently visiting Houston we attended a performance of Much Ado About Nothing as part of the thirty-sixth annual Houston Shakespeare Festival. Hermann Park has a lovely family atmosphere and we were happy to watch the show sitting on the grass atop the hill in front of the theatre. It is a wonderful setting to take in a Shakespeare play and has the feel of an Elizabethan open-air playhouse. There are covered seats available on a  first-come, first-served basis and all performances are free of charge. We even arrived in time to take in the sunset. Luckily, there was a nice breeze, which was most welcome in the heat.

Houston outdoor theatre at Hermann Park

Miller Outdoor Theatre. Photo by Leroy Gibbins.

The whimsical show, under the direction of Sidney Berger was well put together and a good choice for an outdoor production. Set in the civil war era, the colourful and elaborate costumes were pleasing to the eye and easily seen from even the back of the grassy knoll. We loved the soldiers’ uniforms and southern belle dresses.  The setting worked well with the play and we took pleasure in the piano between scenes as well as the the southern-style stage design. The “merry war” between Beatrice (Celeste Roberts) and Benedick (Drake Simpson) and the dramatic love story of Claudio (Adam Van Wagoner) and Hero (Jennifer Cherry) were most entertaining. The audience took delight in the superb delivery and exaggerated movements of the actors, even from a distance. The casting was perfect and each actor represented their character beautifully through their voices. Hero’s soft and innocent whispered breath, Beatrice’s sharp delivery and Leonato’s (Paul Hope) authoritative and paternal tone were all befitting for their roles. We could have closed our eyes and still had a great theatrical experience.

For more information, visit the Houston Shakespeare Festival and Miller Outdoor Theatre websites.


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Jersey Boys Final Performance in Toronto

The cast and creative team of Jersey Boys say “Bye, Bye, Baby” to Toronto

Jersey Boys in Toronto at the Toronto Centre for the Arts

The cast of Jersey Boys featuring (in centre, L-R) Quinn VanAntwerp as Bob Gaudio, Daniel Robert Sullivan as Tommy DeVito, Michael Lomenda as Nick Massi, Jeff Madden as Frankie Valli. Photo by Joan Marcus.

We saw Jersey Boys at the Toronto Centre for the Arts over a year ago, well before we created this blog. However, it’s worth mentioning that we loved this show and it’s ending a two-year run in Toronto with a final performance on Sunday, August 22 at 7:30. With three Dora Mavor Moore Awards under its belt, this is performance to remember. The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons captures a sensational musical era and, of course, our hearts. If you haven’t been to see it, don’t miss your last chance! Visit JerseyBoysToronto.com for the show schedule. Tickets range from $25 and can be purchased here.


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Introducing Theatromania’s Road Trip Series

Kitty and Lulu in the Mayan Riviera

Hey Theatromaniacs! Guess what? We’re going to be doing some travelling in the weeks ahead and we’ve decided to take this show on the road. Kitty will be in Texas for the first week of August, and Lulu will be in Paris and London between August 12th to 18th. Stay tuned for a few international theatre reviews, and for insights from our guest blogger (and Kitty’s sister) the very lovely and talented Amy Lorriman. It’s going to be a great adventure!


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Closet Confessions — Love, Loss, and What I Wore

The Ephron sisters’ new play bares all at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto

Love, Loss, and What I Wore at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto

L-R: Mary Walsh, Louise Pitre, Andrea Martin, Paula Brancati, and Sharron Matthews in Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

Love, Loss, and What I Wore is a collection of intimate stories by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron based on the best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman, as well as the personal memories of the Ephrons’ friends. Winner of the Drama Desk award for Best Unique Theatrical Experience, the New York smash hit features a cast of five that rotates in four-week cycles. We had the pleasure of seeing the great Andrea Martin, Mary Walsh, Louise Pitre, Sharon Matthews and Paula Brancati on stage, and all we can say is ladies, grab your friends and go!

[Kitty and Lulu walk arm-in-arm on Yonge street after the show.]

Kitty:
My stomach muscles are sore from laughing!

Lulu: I know! It was so funny and moving. [Wipes her eyes.] I was in tears for most of the show.

Kitty: [Laughs.] What a stellar cast! The minimalist set really let them shine. It was a bit like the Vagina Monologues with the women sitting in chairs telling stories. And the drawings of clothes hanging on the garment rack were a nice touch.

Lulu: Yeah, the stage design worked well. Did all that talk of women and clothes remind you of anything? [Nudges Kitty.]

Kitty: Um, yes. Our days working in retail?!

Lulu: Totally! We’ve been on both sides of the dressing room curtain as sales people and as customers. The show’s vignettes on changing rooms really hit home. Remember the constant questioning and self consciousness we were exposed to in the boutique? Even the most beautiful women had body issues.

Kitty: It’s true. I loved when one of the ladies asks, “Do men ever go through this?” Of course they don’t! We women really are melodramatic and insecure when it comes to fashion and our figures.

Lulu: Agreed. They hit the nail on the head in that department. It’s so relatable. Love, Loss, and What I Wore isn’t just a play about clothes, it’s about being a woman — the good, the bad and the ugly. Every daughter, mother, grandmother and sister will see something of themselves in this performance.

The cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto

L-R: Louise Pitre, Mary Walsh, Andrea Martin, Sharron Matthews, and Paula Brancati in Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

Kitty: For sure. The clothes in the stories have sentimental value, they represent memories of people and events. The play touches on almost everything — family relationships, coming of age, falling in love, marriage, divorce, illness, death, weight issues, gay marriage, rape, and so on. And outfits range from a Brownie uniform and a Chicago gang sweater, to prom dresses, wedding dresses and everything in between [makes sweeping arm gesture].

Lulu: Yeah, the cast worked together like a well-oiled machine, covering fashion-related topics such as Madonna, boots, shoes, the colour black etc. I almost died during Andrea Martin’s eulogy to a lost shirt. And her rant about purses had the theatre in stitches. It may sound superficial, but there isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t find this stuff funny. Even the men were cracking up.

Kitty: Mary Walsh was hilarious, too! Her bit about the bra fitting — amazing.

Lulu: Oh, yeah. She’s the best. I’m a really big fan and it was so nice to see her up close like that. Even though they were acting, the stories they told came across as very personal. I loved that they laughed at each other’s readings. And you could see that they were actually overcome with emotion during some of the sad parts.

Kitty: Absolutely. I thought Louise Pitre was incredible. She’s so cool [sighs]. Sharon Matthews and Paula Brancati gave great performances, too. It was nice to have a variety of voices. And we’ve got to give it up for the Ephron sisters. They did a fantastic job of adapting Ilene Beckerman’s book for the stage. They’re the queens of romantic comedy (between them their credits include When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail and Julia & Julia). Such talented women.

Lulu: No kidding! Love, Loss, and What I Wore is the perfect occasion for a ladies night out. Move over Sex and the City, there’s a new group of girls in town!

For tickets visit mirvish.com.

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Best of the Fringe — Oy! Just Beat It

Oy! Just Beat It
By Anita Majumdar. Presented by Theatre Ji.
Performed by Anita Majumdar and Leon Aureus.

Oy! Just Beat It at the Toronto Fringe Festival

Oy! Just Beat It takes place in 1989 in Bombay, India. Kabira and Felipe meet in a recording studio four days before she is set to marry and immigrate to Canada. She is an inexperienced, ambitious young Indian woman, and he is a pragmatic, established Filipino-Indian film singer — they couldn’t be more opposite. But it turns out they have a lot in common, including a shared love of Michael Jackson and everything western. The dialogue between the two “stand-in” Bollywood singers and the boorish offstage sound engineer is hilarious. Anita Majumdar is a comedic firecracker as the feisty Kabira, and Leon Aureus is very funny and likable as the down-to-earth Felipe. His practical outlook brings the idealistic Kabira back to reality and her sense of humour helps Felipe to lighten up — they compliment each other perfectly. The play is most definitely a comedy, but it has an unexpected dramatic undertone, dealing with themes such as shadism (prejudice based on skin tone) and violence. When Felipe talks about his experiences with racism in grade school and Kabira opens up about the constant criticism and impossible expectations she faces at home, we catch a glimpse of the difficult issues they encounter on a day-to-day basis. A few scenes are a little on the long side, but overall it’s a very entertaining show with something for everyone. We loved the Bollywood take on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” Visit oybeat.wordpress.com for more information.

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Right as RAIN

RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles brings moptop mania to Toronto

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles at the Canon Theatre in Toronto

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Seeing as we weren’t around to watch the original Fab Four in their heyday, we thought we’d check out a tribute to the boys from Liverpool Tuesday night at the Canon Theatre. We were pleasantly surprised to discover that RAIN is no mere cover band — these guys are John, Paul, George and Ringo in the flesh! Even from the front row their voices and mannerisms were incredibly convincing, and they stayed in character for the entire performance. Mac Ruffing (Paul), David Leon (John), Tom Teeley (George), Douglas Cox (Ringo) and Mark Beyer (keyboards) take you through the swinging sixties, from the Ed Sullivan show and their epic concert at Shea Stadium, to the psychedelic Sgt. Pepper era and on to the Abbey Road years. The show’s audio and visuals really enhance the experience, making you feel like you’re witnessing history. All of the cast members are masterful musicians and play their roles with great passion: Ruffing is charismatic and charming as the lovable Paul McCartney, Leon is casually cool as the legendary John Lennon, and Teeley shines as George Harrison, “the quiet Beatle.” He swept us away with his captivating guitar solo in “While my Guitar Gently Weeps.” And we mustn’t forget about Cox as the happy-go-lucky drummer, Ringo Starr. Any Beatles fan will find themselves singing along and smiling until it hurts — we couldn’t help ourselves! People were on their feet dancing and cheering. It was one of the happiest theatre audiences we’ve ever seen. And we swooned like giddy school girls when Leon flashed us a peace sign during the encore.

RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles runs until August 1 at the Canon Theatre. For tickets visit mirvish.com

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