Drabinsky's Sousatzka A Waste of Talent

Sitting in the audience of Sousatzka on Opening Night, there were moments when I hung my head at what was allowed to be presented on the stage of the Elgin Theatre. 

Montego Glover and Victoria Clark

photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

Based on the novel Madame Sousatzka by Bernice Rubens, this incarnation is a Garth Drabinsky produced version in which a young piano prodigy (actor Jordan Barrow) is caught between the demands of his mother (Montego Glover) and a very forthright music teacher (Victoria Clark). The show attempts to link the oppression faced by Sousatzka in Nazi occupied Warsaw and the oppression faced by those living under Apartheid in South Africa, in particular, Soweto. This glorious theme of unity is undermined by the production's own ignorance. How could they be so blind to their offensive portrayal of Soweto, and South Africa. When they chose to include projections of the savanna, did no one investigate the fact that Soweto is an urban setting, not grassland? When the script made fun of someone's name did they not realize that such cheap jokes would not be welcome in 2017, especially when the lead character has a name like Sousatzka? When they were choreographing the dances, did they not think to hire someone who could manifest on stage the high energy and distinctive forms of South African dance? With the Warsaw elements being fully and beautifully realized, the shoddy Soweto section makes songs such as "Rainbow Nation" absurd.

Jordan Barrow photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

Overall, the songs, music and dance in Sousatzka are the weakest I have ever seen in a major commercial production. At one time, the music coming from the pit reminded me of my junior high music class on a bad day. I felt sorry for the orchestra having to play such juvenile compositions. I also felt sorry for the actors. No fault can be placed upon Tony winner Clark (The Light in the Piazza, Gigi), Tony nominee Glover (Memphis, Les Miserables) and Tony winner Judy Kaye (The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked), whose resplendent voices had no matching lyrics to showcase their immense talents. The weak balletic moves I saw on stage would have had the students from the National Ballet School laughing out loud; the punk rock music scene had lots of plaid but the dancing was underwhelming, lacking the inherent hardcore physicality and simmering violence of that music scene.

I can't help but think that the ovation the show received on opening night was a an acknowledgement of the actors having to perform in such dreck.

Sousatzka is a pre-Broadway production that, in my opinion, isn't ready for any stage. If it should go to Broadway in its current state, the critics will have a most delightful time crafting their scathing reviews and they will be justified.

If you must:

Sousatzka (until April 9th)

Elgin Theatre
189 Yonge Street
http://sousatzkamusical.com/

Ross Petty's Sleeping Beauty BFFs: Meet Alexandra Beaton & Taveeta Szymanowicz

Fall/winter theatre favourite Ross Petty Productions is back with another fairy-tale pantomime! This year's treat is Sleeping Beauty-The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical. The beauty is Kinky Boots star, AJ Bridal and playing her best pals are Alexandra Beaton and Taveeta Szymanowicz of Family Channel's The Next Steps. Taveeta and Alexandra were in rehearsals but took time out to share some insights into their roles.

Alexandra Beaton & Taveeta Szymanowicz
photo credit: Bruce Zinger

donna g: Were either of you familiar with pantomime before being cast in Ross Petty's version of Sleeping Beauty?

Taveeta: Yes! I saw Ross's production of Peter Pan when I was in Elementary school. I remember having such a lovely time. I was thus very excited when I was cast in Ross's 2015/16 production of Peter Pan in Wonderland last year. I was thrilled to be cast again this year! 

Alexandra: Of course! Growing up in Toronto, going to the Panto at Christmas  time was a tradition for a lot of my friends. I even saw a few myself.

donna g: You both play Beauty's BFF guardian angels. Could tell us a bit about your characters?

Taveeta: I play Gabriella aka "Gabby" the Charm. She is one of 3 Charms that protect Sleeping Beauty aka the heroine "Rose"! She's really fierce and fun and super protective. It is a really fun role to play as one of my dream roles has always been a spy, and this role has similar sneaky but kicking type qualities! I wouldn't mess with Gabby ;) 

Alexandra: Being a Charm is so much fun! Fee is strong and independent but takes her job of protecting Rose very seriously. It is her mission to keep Rose safe and happy. Fee, and her "sisters", move as a unit and because of that are the best of friends as well as being the ultimate team. 

donna g: How have you have had to adapt from acting in front of the camera to acting in such an exaggerated form of theatre?

Taveeta: I started my career on a stage as a dancer and so being on a stage in front of a live audience feels very natural to me! It hasn't been that difficult to adapt. 

Alexandra:  Acting on TV and in theatre are two totally different mediums and have to be treated as such. What works on the screen will rarely work on the stage. Both are their own craft and deserve to be treated as such. Luckily, both are so much fun to do. So yes, there has been some adapting.

donna g: We know from your roles in The Next Step that you can both dance; how much dancing can audiences expect from you to in this production? Can you share any tidbits without giving too much away?

Taveeta: There are some awesome musical numbers in the show this year! All I can say is that you will for sure be singing and dancing along to some of your favourite songs in your seats.
Alexandra: The Charms dance quite a bit in this production! Primarily, I am an actor so getting back in to the dancing groove has been a fun challenge for me! One thing you should know is that the charms are literally born protectors so all their dancing has a bit of a fighting side to it.   

donna g: Could you describe your respective costumes? Did you have any input into the design or were they dance-perfect from the get go?

Taveeta: The Charms get to wear these fabulous tight, spy-like gold sequin costumes! It's the perfect balance of spy-like attire meets the brightness and sparkles that is the Panto! They are beautiful, and very comfortable!

Alexandra: Our costume department is so good they did not need any input! They came up with an amazing design of gold jumpsuits that are designed to fit each of the charms individual personality. 
donna g: What are you each looking forward to on Opening Night, or the run of the show, if that's the case?

Taveeta: This show is such a great production to be a part of during the Holiday Season! I am really looking forward to having fun on stage with such humble and talented people- most of all I'm excited to see all of the fans! 

Alexandra: All of it! Each audience is different and each show has a different energy. I know opening night will be amazing but I think just being part of the Panto is pretty exciting as well.

  

Ross Petty Productions proudly presents the all-star Canadian cast of

SLEEPING BEAUTY – The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical,

the 21st annual fractured fairytale at the Elgin Theatre,

November 25, 2016 – January 7, 2017

Guest Star Hilary Farr ( HGTV’s Love it or List It)

Featuring AJ Bridel, Paul Constable, James Daly, Eddie Glen

With Alexandra Beaton, Lisa Horner, Laurie Murdoch and Taveeta Szymanowicz

         For a complete performance schedule visit rosspetty.com