{"id":110884,"date":"2025-01-10T10:26:45","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T15:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=110884"},"modified":"2025-01-10T13:00:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T18:00:01","slug":"round-ten-best-theatre-productions-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/01\/10\/round-ten-best-theatre-productions-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"ROUND-UP | The Ten Best Theatre Productions of 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The
L-R- Dear Robert (Photo: Michael Cooper); Playing Shylock (Photo: Dahlia Katz); Goblin: Macbeth (Photo: Jae Yang)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As in all critical choices, this is a very subjective list. The productions are in alphabetical order because there is not a first among equals.<\/p>\n

As in the past, there are also a few honourable mentions, and as always, there must be one poor show that is the bottom feeder of the gene pool.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Top Ten<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"L-R:
L-R: Mazin Elsadig and Noah Reid in Coal Mine Theatre\u2019s A Case for the Existence of God (Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Case for the Existence of God<\/strong>, written by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Ted Dykstra (Coal Mine Theatre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This utterly moving play<\/a> chronicles the unlikely platonic friendship between two men, a working-class dude (Noah Reid) and a college-educated insurance broker (Mazin Elsadig), united by the love of their young daughters and the individual turmoil and traumas that they share. An unforgettable ending.<\/p>\n

\"Damien
Damien Atkins in De Profundis (Photo: Dahlia Katz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail, adapted and directed by Gregory Prest, lyrics by Sarah Wilson, music by Mike Ross (Soulpepper)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A collision of odd bedfellow theatrical elements, plus the exquisite acting\/singing talents of Damien Atkins, came together to create a show that was both poignant and exhilarating at the same time. This production was a triumph of musical and theatrical experimentation and innovation.<\/p>\n

\"Jordan
Jordan Baker as Dana H at the Crow\u2019s theatre (Photo: John Lauener)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dana H<\/strong>, written by Lucas Hnath, directed by Les Waters (Crow\u2019s Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Centre Theatre Group & Vineyard Theatre<\/strong>)<\/h3>\n

This remarkable play details Hnath\u2019s chaplain mother\u2019s harrowing captivity by a psychopathic ex-convict, Aryan Brother, and former patient. American actress Jordan Baker lip-synced to Dana H\u2019s actual voice based on interviews fashioned into a play by her son. Verbatim theatre was taken to a whole new level.<\/p>\n

\"Mike
Mike Nadajewski in La Bete (Photo: Dahlia Katz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

La B\u00eate<\/strong>, written by David Hirson, directed by Dylan Trowbridge (Talk Is Free Theatre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This Barrie-based TIFT production brought to Toronto a brilliant original faux-Moli\u00e8re script in rhyming couplets, a dazzling performance by Mike Nadajewski, who led a very strong cast, deliciously rambunctious physicality, and laughs galore \u2013 all underpinned by a serious argument about the nature of art.<\/p>\n

\"The
The cast of Life of Pi (Photo: Johan Persson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Life of Pi<\/strong>, <\/em><\/strong>based on the novel by Yann Martel, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti, directed by Max Webster (David Mirvish & Simon Friend)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A breath-takingly imaginative adaptation<\/a> of Martel\u2019s celebrated novel, propelled by magnificent puppets, gorgeous video projections, a stirring cinematic score, uber-clever sets, costumes and lighting, not to mention an impressive British acting company. Who would have thought it possible to stage this novel?<\/p>\n

\"Actor
Actor Saul Rubinek in the Canadian Stage\/Starvox production of Playing Shylock (Photo: Dahlia Katz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Playing Shylock<\/strong>, written by Mark Leiren-Young, directed by Martin Kinch (Canadian Stage in association with Starvox Entertainment)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After an absence of many years, distinguished film and television actor\/director\/writer Saul Rubinek made a triumphant return<\/a> to the Toronto stage, at age 76, performing a witty script that was part autobiography, and part mediation on cancel culture, antisemitism, identity and the ethos of art.<\/p>\n

\"Roberto
The cast of Roberto Zucco (Photo: Jeremy Mimnagh)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Roberto Zucco, written by Bernard-Marie Kolt\u00e8s, translated by Martin Crimp, directed by ted witzel (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

French playwright Kolt\u00e8s, who died of AIDS at 41, was considered the new Genet or Beckett, and a master of pessimistic absurdism. This play, which was given an impressive production by Buddies, is Kolt\u00e8s very idiomatic and fascinating take on real-life psychopathic Italian serial killer, Roberto Succo.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rosmersholm (Photo: Dahlia Katz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rosmersholm<\/strong>, written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Duncan Macmillan, directed by Chris Abraham (Crow\u2019s Theatre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ibsen\u2019s 1886 masterpiece about progressive thought versus tradition, and the blighted power of women, could never be more relevant, and this splendid production with its impressive acting company, held us in its thrall as the characters agonized over both their personal demons and societal traumas.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Caged Bird Sings (Courtesy photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Caged Bird Sings, written by Rouvan Silogix, Rafeh Mahmud and Ahad Lakhani, directed by Rafeh Mahmud<\/strong> (Modern Times Stage Company & The Aga Khan Museum (in association with Theatre Artaud)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This daring production, a radical take on Rumi, the revered 13th<\/sup> century Persian Sufi mystic and poet, and his magnum opus, The Masnavi, used very contemporary dialogue, acted out by three very earthy characters, as a metaphor about freeing the physical body to pursue a spiritual journey.<\/p>\n

\"(L-R)
(L-R) Alexandra Floras-Matic as Kat and L.A. Sweeney as Maddy in Girls Unwanted. (Courtesy Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two Plays written and directed by George Walker: Girls Unwanted (The King Black Box) and Fierce (Moss Theatre Collective)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

These two independent productions took place in different parts of the city, but both were vintage Walker in terms of brilliantly creating memorable characters through outstanding acting. The first concerned three troubled girls in a halfway house, while the latter featured a recovering drug addict and her psychiatrist. Needless to say, both were harrowing.<\/p>\n

Honourable Mentions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Big Stuff<\/strong>, written and performed by Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, co-created and directed by Kat Sandler (Crow\u2019s Theatre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This comic married couple crafted a play that was funny and poignant by turns about what happens after the loss of a loved one.<\/p>\n

Dear Robert<\/strong>, written by Jim Garrard, directed by Aviva Armour-Ostroff, and, Special Delivery, performed by JD \u201cJack\u201d Nicholsen and Laska Sawade <\/strong>(VideoCabaret Double Bill)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A charming play about a young woman (Rebecca Gibian) who writes some startling letters, was followed by a clever musical act of songs about letters.<\/p>\n

Goblin: Macbeth<\/strong>, devised by Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak, music by Ellis Lalonde (Tarragon Theatre & A Spontaneous Theatre Creation)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

An outrageous romp as Goblins put on a production of Macbeth, making for a hilarious immersive experience for the audience.<\/p>\n

Phantasmagoria 3D<\/em><\/strong>, performed and created by Kira Hall, Michelle Urbana and Eric Woolfe, written by Eric Woolfe, 3D created by Micha Dahan and Coal Mine Theatre (Eldritch Theatre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eldritch Theatre specializes in horror with a sly and ironic touch, and Woolfe\u2019s bizarre story was made even more bizarrely comic by the primitive 3D.<\/p>\n

The Inheritance, Parts 1 and 2,<\/strong> written by Matthew Lopez, directed by Brendan Healy (Canadian Stage)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A complex epic play that examines the post AIDS generation of gay men inspired by E.M. Forster\u2019s 1910 classic novel Howard\u2019s End.<\/p>\n

And special mention:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Come From Away<\/strong>, <\/em><\/strong>book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, musical staging by Kelly Devine, directed by Christopher Ashley (David and Hannah Mirvish & The National Arts Centre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This beloved Canadian musical detailing Gander\u2019s kindness to the plane passengers trapped there by 9\/11 continues to be an enchanting journey of laughter and tears.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

R.I.P.\u00a0 and Best Forgotten<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Timon of Athens, written by William Shakespeare, directed by Max Ackerman (William Shakespeare & Friends Collective with support of Dandelion Theatre)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I don\u2019t like discouraging ambitious young companies, but when the person who is the dialogue coach is incomprehensible in Shakespearean speech, \u2018nuff said. The dialogue was mush, and while veteran actor Brian Smegal as Timon had a good sense of character, he kept calling for \u201cLine\u201d. A sad and sorry evening.<\/p>\n

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Discover the top ten theatre productions in Toronto\u2014plus honourable mentions and one ill-fated flop\u2014in this must-read review celebrating the city\u2019s most memorable stage experiences of the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":110888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[41660,14299,62],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[23224,11442,10160,8757,11444,11439,8973,6795],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/2024-theatre-top-ten-of-the-year-toronto.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-sQs","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110884"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/73"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110884"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":110911,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110884\/revisions\/110911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110884"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=110884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}