Resolutions made (or not), Christmas tree thrown to the curb, wine bottles hidden away to honour Drynuary. Feeling heroic, if a little grim? Despair not and get out your 2015 calendar. Here’s a little of what’s on offer* from the music and theatre world:
On the music scene, perhaps the most anticipated album release due this year is from Adele, who has been away from the spotlight enjoying her baby son. While no official date has been set, her third studio release should be out by end of the year. Fleetwood Mac are releasing their first new album in 30 years and Bob Dylan‘s Shadow in the Night will be released next month. Madonna will release the rest of her album, after the first batch of songs was leaked online, or “artistic rape” as she called it. Drake teased fans in his latest song that he too will drop an album this year, we already got spring 2015 poppin’, but coming sooner, from American indie folk/rock favourites, The Decemberists, is a new album due January 20th, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. No Doubt will also spring a new release in 2015, as will Radiohead, Rihanna and Frank Ocean. Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio are set to release solo albums this year. We can’t get enough of the pair around here, as these two talented musicians make watching the TV show Nashville fun, just to catch their onscreen characters perform one after another beautiful song. If you think the show is just another campy prime time soap, think again. Created by Callie Khouri, Oscar winning screenwriter for Thelma & Louise, the show has a serious musical pedigree and unlike Glee, features music every episode that is original.
Appearing as singer-songwriters in a quasi-fictional world appears to have paid off, as Bowen and Palladio have been declared ones to watch by Broadway producer Jeanmarie Condon, who included them on a recording of hit Broadway musical soundtracks. ( listen here for their version of Beauty and the Beast Yes, I know. It’s a sappy Disney thing. But try hard not to fall in love with these two. He’s a Brit. She’s an Aussie. They are magical together).
As for Broadway itself, lots on offer as usual for the upcoming season. Jake Gyllenhaal will make his Broadway debut opposite Ruth Wilson in Constellations, a new play by Nick Payne, which premiered in London to critical acclaim.
The wonderful Helen Mirren will bring the UK hit The Audience to Broadway in March. Also from the UK, adapted from Hilary Mantel‘s Man Booker Prize winning novels, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies, is a stage version, Wolf Hall: Parts 1&2. Another play on my list, Skylight, about a dangerous and passionate relationship, stars Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy, two superb actors sure to ignite sparks.
As usual, lots of musicals are slated to open including Finding Neverland, on my list if just to see the choreography from the brilliant Mia Michaels ( So you think you can dance) and find out if all the tweaking producer Harvey Weinstein did for the American version was good enough. The show opened in London in 2012 to lukewarm reviews but from the sounds of it, Weinstein has revamped just about everything, including the score, script, songwriters and director. Other musicals set to open include The King and I, featuring stage heavyweights Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe, An American in Paris, directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheedon, and On the Twentieth Century, a comedy starring Peter Gallagher and Kristen Chenoweth.
Here in Toronto, I can’t wait to see the Canadian Opera Company‘s production of Don Giovanni, starring Russell Braun.
The National Ballet is bringing back two of this household’s favourites, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (the most accessible ballet for any readers thinking of taking kids), and Sleeping Beauty. Also scheduled are less known works including Being and Nothingness by our favourite, Guillaume Côté.
Mirvish Productions are bringing back Once and Kinky Boots, and I’m thrilled that Soulpepper is bringing a show I missed that many told me was fantastic, Spoon River, among all the other excellent shows on offer there. In Newmarket, The Wavestage Theatre Company will stage Sondheim’s Follies, directed by my uber-talented sister, Sarah Langford. Tickets on sale now.
Local audiences can also look forward to Toronto at Panamania, featuring 25 new works from artists across Canada, including theatre’s brilliant Robert Lepage, to be unveiled during the Pan Am Games.
Finally, for those like me with teenage girls, this one is sure to appeal. Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille is continuing their Songbook Series and next up is boy bands. Expect heat regardless of the chill outdoors.
Are you feeling better yet? No January slump here! Get out and watch a show. I’m hoping to see this one next.
Still finding it hard to face winter? Here’s a primer to help.
Have a great weekend. I leave you with Victoria Beckham answering a series of questions that will make you groan, howl, giggle, at the very least guffaw. She has no vices? I guess she can’t be in my circle. Still, I’d invite her to my Fantasy Dinner Party. She’s a scream.
*Part 2 of the Hot ticket: Movies and TV 2015: Check back here Monday.
