Mirvish 2010 / 2011 — Page 9

With a venue monopoly downtown, that one theatre company can present pretty much whatever it wants... like cheap touring productions. Back in the days of Livent, Toronto's commercial theatre industry was stronger, with better shows lasting much longer and gaining more attention around the world. When Livent fell it left Mirvish as the sole commercial theatre producer in the city, we pretty much became just another tour stop. Dancap has tried to step in and offer more but there are no downtown venues for them to use. We don't necessarily need more companies, but we do need more venues... or at least not have all of them owned by one company. I'm tired of Toronto getting shows that are 5 years old and/or have already played every other city. I had high hopes for Dancap but this current season, especially the 2-week runs of its shows, really disappointed me. But what can Dancap do?

As a side question, why did Dancap stop using the Elgin/Wintergarden? (and why is it so rarely used in general?)

I figured as much. And as a historical landmark (or whatever our designation is here in Canada) I would imagine that producers aren't allowed to make any structural changes to the stage required for many of todays big musicals.

@Justaguy2 Dancap started out using the Elgin/Wintergarden before their agreement with the Four Seasons but dropped it after their first season... maybe second?

Drabinsky has/had plans to stage a TO production of Finian's Rainbow as well as an all-black revival of Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Whether these actually happen, though, is highly unlikely. Barrymore was a terrific show but I heard that it didn't sell overly well.

1500 seats isn't too bad, but looking into the rental costs (almost 50K/week plus percentage of ticket sales and other add-ons) it makes the venue too expensive at that seating range. They're pricing themselves right out of business, which is unfortunate because it is a lovely, historic venue (although the seating is a bit cramped).

Justaguy, have you ever looked into producing or presenting something at the Elgin? How do you know the prices? I have... and it IS one of the most expensive in the city for the amount of seats you get.

Presenters/Producers can EASILLY make a profit or break even in a 1500 seat venue (its done in other markets constantly) but not if the rental cost is outrageous.

Enjoyed Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking. Although it wasn't as laugh out loud funny as I thought it might be, I was impressed at how she made the show seem personal and almost unrehearsed. Although the show is scripted and she's done it for many years, she made it seem fresh through ad libbing with audience members. It really felt like she was your friend and she had invited you over to her house to regale you with stories of her roller coaster life.

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Ouzounian revisited Billy Elliot and liked the show even more.
Additions to Billy Elliot shine:
http://www.toronto.com/article/693475--additions-to-billy-elliot-shine

I revisited the show last week and can't really agree. I saw the new Billy, Julian Elia, and he was fine. The show overall was not any better to me. I want to like it more (I love the movie version), but it's just a 'good' show in my books. On the plus side, I do like that it draws a broad audience--from kids to grandmas.

Am looking forward to the upcoming production of Chess, and Dancap's touring productions of Memphis and American Idiot before the end of the year.

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