![]() The score is a highlight, featuring soaring melodies and probing lyrics that drive the action forward. But there’s still much to admire in this Fringe production, directed by Seok with concert-style efficiency. The work still has significant room to grow, possibly even expanded into a two-act production that further explores its many narrative threads. Andrew Seok’s new musical follows three couples - Chinese immigrants constructing the Canadian Pacific Railway, partners torn apart by the First World War and a pair whose relationship is strained by the Great Depression - all aided by a selfless man born with a golden heart. Until July 16 at the Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina Ave.Įpic, ambitious and startlingly moving, “The Man With the Golden Heart” is just begging for a bigger stage. Here’s to hoping there’s more life ahead for this rousing new musical. Just like the horse whose story it tells, “Dancer” is an undisputed champion. Keanu Uchida, meanwhile, delivers a star-making performance, utterly convincing as the fiery-tempered stallion. Stacey Tookey’s direction for this sold-out production more than fills the cavernous Al Green Theatre, and her contemporary choreography is some of the most exhilarating you’ll find on a Toronto stage. ![]() There are no puppets here, unlike many other animal-focused theatre shows. This production’s inspired choices, of which there are many, begins with the creative team’s decision to cast actual dancers to play the various racehorses. The stirring “Billy Elliot”-like tale, thrillingly told with a gorgeous score, charts the true story of Northern Dancer, the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. Jim Betts and Marek Norman’s “Dancer” is a new Canadian dance musical for the ages. That narrative thread only comes into focus in the second half of this 55-minute show, geared toward those age 11 and up, but it feels like it needs to be the backbone of this musical adventure. ![]() ![]() Though highly educational - you’ll certainly know a few Paleozoic creatures after this show - the production is most successful, and moving, when it explores Emma and Olivia’s strained friendship. Blythe, who created the musical, is magnetic as Curious K, face painted metallic silver and jamming on his guitar. It’s there they find Curious K (Kenton Blythe), a long-dormant humanoid robot who helps the students through their assignment. “Curious K Explores the Paleozoic” follows two classmates, Emma (Brianna Love) and Olivia (Jada Rifkin), who get lost in the bowels of the Royal Ontario Museum during a field trip. This musical sojourn in the Paleozoic era is a toe-tapping delight thanks to an energetic cast and some lively choreography by Lise Cormier. ![]()
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