Praxis Theatre survey: The Streep sweep

We asked:
Who are the two strongest American film actors from this list?

You said:
The problem:
The wording of our question was as ambiguous as a Quebec separation referendum. Eagle-eyed readers quickly noted that of the possible candidates, three were not, in fact, American. While they do all appear in American films, the ambiguity between American films and American film actors may have skewed our survey’s results. We regret any confusion caused by the wording, and will take due consideration of this into our analysis of said results.

In-depth analysis:
The only surprise here is that neither Oscar-winning actors Julia Roberts nor Hilary Swank were able to muster one measly vote between them. Halle Berry gets a sad single. (We know now that at least one person saw the criminally underrated Catwoman.) Nicole Kidman limps in with two votes. Nobody likes Nicole Kidman? Isn’t she Australian? What’s with being Australian anyway?

For third place, there’s a three-way tie, with vetrans Diane Keaton, Judi (The Dame) Dench and Frances McDormand managing a respectable three votes apiece. Finally, Cate Blanchett makes a strong second place showing with six votes.

The winner:
But the clear, and unsurprising victor of this competition is Meryl Streep. We fucking love Meryl Streep. The Hours, Adaptation, Death Becomes Her. What’s not to love? Meryl. We love you so damn much it hurts.

Today’s hot ticket: Harper’s Bazaar

One day only:
Harper’s Bazaar, a Cabaret protesting the $1.1 billion in budget cuts that the Conservatives are proposing, is hosted by Adam Paolozza and Melissa D’Agostino on Monday, December 11, 2006 @ 8pm in the Back Room at Clinton’s Tavern and featuring Sandra Battaglini, Michael Challenor, Laura Nanni, Terrance Balazo, Michael Balazo, Kathleen Philips, Bruce Hunter, Adam Lazarus, Press Release, Micheline Marchildon and Lindy Zucker with music @10pm by Shake A Tail.

The Steel diaries

Prologue
By Michael Wheeler

Okay so Praxis is remounting Steel. It’s a one-man show that connects a Haida teenager, a failed poet and a racecar enthusiast through the Canadian railroad. We first mounted it two years ago and it did phenomenally well. It was Runner-Up for Best Text at the Montreal Fringe and then won the Producer’s Pick and Best Independent Production at the London, ON Fringe. Eventually we brought it to the t. dot for a weekend and rigged up a workshop production we presented on the back patio of Ted’s Collision. Remember, that was a workshop production; ’cause the version we’re doing now is the, wait for it, Toronto Premiere (thank you Chris Reynolds).

The original version was also performed by the playwright, the multi-talented Andrew Zadel. Andrew, selfish bastard that he is, seems to think that his work as a human rights monitor for the U.N. in the Congo should take precedence over Canadian independent theatre projects these days. Thus, the role has been recast with the Robert Downey Jr-esque James Murray (hey that’s not me, it’s eye magazine). I will be directing it again and Simon Rice joins the production as Assistant Director.

So, we are at the early stages of figuring out how this will work. We know we want to put it on in March. We know we don’t need a large venue, maybe 40 seats. We have looked at a bunch of spaces, but none of the good ones have returned our phone calls. I am looking at a new space on Ossington tomorrow, with our lighting designer, Paul Hardy. I’m hoping it will do the trick. Anyone reading this with suggestions in this regard, feel free to leave us a post.

We’re going to continue with these blogs as the production progresses. This is the boring one that you need to read to get the background and everything. Let’s call it a prologue. Catch further entries that are sure to be full of bon mots about funny things that happened in rehearsal and arguments about what the poster should look like and all the other mundane things that go into a show that I hope to rehabilitate with my propensity for witty prose. I am purposefully throwing humility to the wind here in an effort to get someone ANYONE to start leaving posts about this thing, even if it’s just to chop my ego down to size. More to follow. Stay tuned.

Praxis theatre survey

Hot ticket: HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP

Details:
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
November 30 – December 16
Young Centre for the Performing Arts
55 Mill Street, Building 49
The Distillery District
Tickets $10-$20
(depending on days and times)

For tickets and more info:
416-866-8666

Reading series: Golden Door

Please join Praxis Theatre for the first in its series of original play readings. This month, we are pleased to present Catherine Frid’s Golden Door.

From the author:
Golden Door explores the shift from our group orientation when society is under threat, to our present day demands that as individuals we have the right to do almost anything. And it exposes the dangers at both ends of this arc.

WHAT: Reading of Catherine Frid’s Golden Door
WHEN: Wednesday, December 6 @ 8 pm
WHERE: The Concord Café – 937 Bloor St. West
(Just West of Ossington Station on the south side)

Discussion and refreshments to follow.
For more information, please contact Simon Rice.

Praxis Theatre survey: We’re crazy for Hoffman

We asked:
Who are the two strongest film actors from this list?

You said:
In-depth analysis:
That’s exactly no love for Matt Damon, and very little love for Hoffman’s sparring partner, John C. Reilly. Pacino has a strong showing with six votes for a tidy second-place finish, while vetran heavyweight Jack Nicholson gets a near-snub with a paltry three votes. DiCaprio and Denzel round out the bottom of the pack with a disappointing two and three votes, respectively.

But the long-running Penn-Depp rivalry was at the heart of this vote’s fiercest battle. In the end, Penn managed a humble 4-3 win. (Amid accusations of widespread ballot stuffing and disenfranchized voters in the Depp camp, this can only be described as a hollow Penn victory.) Finally, our beloved Bill Macy stammers his way into a respectable third-place finish.

The winner:
Clearly, everybody loves Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Thanks to all who voted.

Praxis Theatre survey

Praxis Theatre survey

Vote early, vote often . . . UPDATE

Election results here.