News & Reviews — Kingston Theatre Alliance

Snow White (Breanna Maloney) is excited to tell her story to new people by acting out the parts with her seven friends… but six of those friends failed to arrive today. It’s up to Snow White and Number 4 (Lindsey Middleton) to tell the story on behalf of the entire fairy tale’s cast of characters, including all seven dwarves, the evil queen, the huntsman, the prince, and many more! County […]

Merrily We Roll Along feels like opening a row of bottled memories. With each bottle opened, we travel further into the past, back to a time when people were more ambitious and more hopeful. The story progresses, not forwards, but backwards, revealing just how strong the bonds of love and friendship can be when nurtured, and how easily they can go awry when dreams take priority.  When the musical (lyrics […]

Metamorphosing Spaces into Stories Today, clothing only lasts as long as the trend does, meaning it gets worn once, and then tossed into landfills. This normalization of fast-fashion is making modern day sustainability more important than ever. Fiber Artist Leisa Rich stitches together pieces of felt, sequins, glittery mesh, wigs, feathers, and even reusable Metro bags to create colorful, immersive, and diverse art experiences while keeping sustainability in mind. Rich’s […]

Janet Kish has worn many hats in Canadian theatre, including playwright, director, and educator. She spent years teaching high school drama, and her impact has echoed far beyond the classroom. Many of her former students have gone on to build careers in the arts, with Kish cheering them on. This year, one of her plays is being staged at the Baby Grand theatre as part of the upcoming TK Fringe […]

Presenting a play outdoors on a piece of history during the summer is not your typical show, and it certainly does not come with your typical rehearsal process. This year, The Kick & Push Festival is presenting Eye of the Dawn Collective’s production of Providence by Craig Walker; a production which I have been fortunate enough to take a part in. It celebrates the 150th anniversary of the opening the […]

When I first arrived in Kingston in 2021, there was a severe lack of Shakespeare in the city, but over the past few years it has been refreshing to see numerous community and student groups bring some of his plays to life. The Domino Theatre with As You Like It, Two Rabbits One Hat with Macbeth, and Blue Canoe with Twelfth Night, to name a few. It is evident that […]

If there’s one thing to learn from attending theatre events, it is that live theatre is unpredictable and that’s just part of its charm. The Kick & Push Festival kicked off its 11th year with a launch event at the amphitheater by Springer Market Square. Fittingly, the opening event reflected both the spirit and the name of the festival. (A quick history lesson: “Kick and Push” comes from a nickname […]

For those who have watched Back to the Future and thought, “I wish I could visit the past!” this is the show for you. Start by finding the entrance to the K&P Trail near Hagerman Avenue where you’ll be surrounded by the buzzing of cicadas and live fiddle tunes played by Jan Leclair on the accordion and Karma Tomm on the violin. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see an […]

After being found causing havoc in the streets by a policeman, Jane and Michael Banks (Hannah Burns and Jackson Graham) have scared off yet another nanny. Just when their parents think they have lost all hope, Mary Poppins (Alicia Barban) appears to look after the mischievous duo. Through whimsy, magic, and spoonfuls of sugar, Mary helps the pair learn respect and to find wonder in the mundane, while also helping […]

Residing in a hilltop Spanish Monastery, the monks Brother (Veronica Hortigüela) and Brother (Annie Luján) are brothers, and today they have guests for the first time in five years. On this special occasion they have big plans such as watching the donkey graze in the field and doing nothing… they just have to make sure to do so before the Abbot returns via the Glenora Ferry. I have ventured once […]

“I have good news for you, some of you have been coming to the festival for years, this year we have six good plays.” These were the words Festival Director Michelle McNichol chose to open the second and final night of this year’s Come Play By The Lake One-Act Festival. I have the pleasure of writing about the final two performances of the festival: NUTZ by Kate Barker and I’ll […]

Tribute to Wildflower: How to Read a Bouquet  A dimly lit stage with lively jazz playing in the background welcomes the audience to a night of reflective and personal stories. To the right, a sign reads “Connie’s Flowers,” and in the center, a table with various props sets the scene of a charming flower shop. The story about to unfold is one of sisterhood, loss, perspective, and new beginnings. In […]