Cup of Hemlock Theatre Podcast (Cup of Hemlock Theatre)

Welcome back to the 103rd episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 103rd episode we bring you a Duet Review of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, presented by Real Canaan Theatre, directed by Christopher Lucas. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss creative double-casting, the wisdom of clowns, and the many complexities that may be conjured up by this play’s themes.   

The Merchant of Venice is playing at Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen St E, Toronto, ON) until September 25th, 2022. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.ticketscene.ca/series/985/   

This review contains SPOILERS for The Merchant of Venice – both the roughly 400-year-old text and this contemporary re-imagining. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:07:39] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96  

Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!]

Welcome back to the 39th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 39th episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this Duet Review enjoy an in-depth discussion of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical (a.k.a. Ratatousical). Join Ryan Borochovitz and Aisling “Aly” Murphy, as they use this fascinating cultural artifact as a springboard for discussing adaptation dramaturgy, the potential of new media, the current state of criticism, and (of course) rats that cook.

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Aisling Murphy – Instagram: aly_murph // Website: aislingmurphy.ca  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 88th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 88th episode we bring you a Duet Review of The Huns by Michael Ross Albert, presented by One Four One Collective and the Spadina Avenue Gang at the Assembly Theatre. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the threat of barbarian invasion, unpack the alienation of the modern workplace, and make far too many references to The Office (US).

The Huns is playing at Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen St W, Toronto, ON) until May 8th, 2022. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://bit.ly/3OUBcr4 The production will soon be touring to Brighton, UK! If you would like to help the company offset the costs of this excursion, please consider making a donation at the following link: https://bit.ly/3y7ODxD 

CONTENT WARNING: This play deals with mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide; as a result, this review, likewise, speaks directly to these themes. If you are struggling with your mental health, we highly encourage you to seek help, using the resources below:  https://www.betterhelp.com/ https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/   

Far less consequentially, this episode contains many SPOILERS for The Huns. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:16:52] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.   

Follow our panelists:  

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu 

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 68th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 68th episode we are thrilled to conclude our 9-part miniseries reviewing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1980 landmark production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY with grand finale episode 9.

Watch NICHOLAS NICKLEBY on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/episodes/AW4YxkPq2PfkwAbgyDkn?display=poster

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 197th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 197th episode we bring you a Duet Review of of Roberto Zucco, written by Bernard-Marie Koltès (translated from the French by Martin Crimp), directed by ted witzel, and presented by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the purgatorial state of true crime, sticky images, and a vision of Jean Valjean if he never met the Bishop.

Roberto Zucco is playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON) until October 5th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://buddiesinbadtimes.com/show/roberto-zucco/

CONTENT WARNING: Roberto Zucco contains themes, discussions, and depictions of serial murder, suicide, sex work, and sex trafficking (including the involvement of minors); this review, likewise, speaks directly to these topics. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Less importantly, this review contains many SPOILERS for Roberto Zucco, as well as the historical Italian crimes that inspired it. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [18:56] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 77th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 77th episode we are discussing the Stratford Festival’s 2021 production of Serving Elizabeth, a new Canadian play by Marcia Johnson, directed by Kimberley Rampersad. We are thrilled to be joined by two special guest panelists from the production, Arlene Duncan (who played Mercy and Patricia) and Cameron Grant (who played Montague and Steven)!

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Arlene Duncan – Twitter/Instagram: @msarlened // Facebook: Arlene Duncan   

Cameron Grant – Instagram/Twitter: @camm_grant   

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Welcome back to the 66th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 66th episode we are thrilled to continue our 9-part miniseries reviewing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1980 landmark production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY with episode 8.

Watch NICHOLAS NICKLEBY on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/episodes/AW4YxkPq2PfkwAbgyDkn?display=poster

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 175th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 175th episode we bring you a a Duet Review of shaniqua in abstraction, written and performed by bahia watson, directed by Sabryn Rock, presented by Crow’s Theatre (in association with Paul Watson Productions and Obsidian Theatre). Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the politics of casting, the semiotics of chairs, and the fractals of kaleidoscopes. 

shaniqua in abstraction is playing the Streetcar Crowsnest (345 Carlaw Ave., Toronto, ON) until April 28th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/shaniquainabstraction

This review contains many SPOILERS for shaniqua in abstraction. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [12:47] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 45th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 45th episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed the 2010 Regent Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical, Into the Woods, directed by Timothy Sheader, starring Hannah Waddingham as the Witch.

Watch the play on BroadwayHD (subscription needed):  https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AXMGebsPcMKLgL1nBMJS?display=poster

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Marianna Gailus – Email: Marianna.cydni@gmail.com  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 17th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 17th episode we continue to release our inaugural run of The Cup: Reviews, where we reviewed the Stratford Festival Production series that streamed on YouTube last spring. In this episode we discussed the 2019 production of The Merry Wives of Windor, directed by Antoni Cimolino, starring Sophia Walker in the role of Mistress Ford and Geraint Wyn Davies in the role of Falstaff. On this panel, we have the added pleasure of being joined by, not one, but TWO wonderful performers from the Stratford stage: returning guest, Brigit Wilson (who played Mistress Page), and new friend of The Cup, David Collins (who played Bardolph). You can watch this production and all other Stratford Festival productions on their new streaming platform Stratfest@Home. Here is the link (subscription needed): https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat   

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-downbeat-a-musical-podcast/id1478579754?uo=4  

Brigit Wilson – Twitter: @HOOPOOHEART  

David Collins – Facebook: David Collins  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 140th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 140th episode we bring you newest episode of our latest branch of The Cup called “The Cup: Editorial.” This time we explore the representation of Jewish characters in theatrical performance, and how this particular religious/cultural/ethnic identity fits into ongoing conversations about #RepresentationMatters. Join host Ryan Borochovitz, as he and special guest Max Ackerman discuss everything from Merchant of Venice to Fiddler on the Roof, from Leo Frank to Anne Frank, and impassionedly share their differing views on the question: Must Shylock Be a Jew?

CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised that this conversation contains references to anti-Semitism, racism, and other forms of identity-based prejudice and discrimination.

Follow our panelists:

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Max Ackerman – Instagram: @mackerman12 // @dandeliontheatreto // https://www.dandeliontheatreto.com/ Check out The Bad Mitzvah (produced by Max) at Toronto Fringe: https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/bad-mitzvah Check out DEATH: A Love Story (written and directed by Max) at Hamilton Fringe: https://hftco.ca/events/death-a-love-story/ Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 51st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 51st episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed the National Theatre’s 2017 production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, Part One: Millennium Approaches, directed by Marianne Elliott, starring Andrew Garfield in the role of Prior Walter and Nathan Lane as Roy Cohn.

Watch the play on NTatHome (subscription needed): https://www.ntathome.com/angels-in-america-part-one-millenium-approaches

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Graeme McClelland – Instagram: instagraeme999 // Facebook: Graeme McClelland // Email: graememcclelland@outlook.com  

Alicia Plummer – Instagram: itisaliciaplummer // TikTok: hialiciabyealicia // YouTube: Alicia Onlineee: https://bit.ly/3vMCDO5 

Autumn Smith – Instagram: autumndmsmith // Facebook: Autumn Smith // Instagram/Facebook: littlewoodsmith // http://www.littlewoodsmith.com/Instagram/Facebook: timberbeastproductions

Welcome back to the 36th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 36th episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this Duet Review enjoy an in-depth discussion of the three concert renditions of Les Misérables: The 10th Anniversary “Dream Cast” (1995), the 25th Anniversary (2010), and the most recent Staged Concert (2019). Join Mackenzie Horner and Jillian Robinson, as they flex their musical theatre bona fides while comparing and contrasting these three versions. This episode is part one of a two-part discussion of these concerts; stay tuned for part two, next week.

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96

Welcome back to the 194th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 194th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Girls Unwanted, written and directed by George F. Walker, presented by the King Black Box Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss cluttered spaces, zones of silence, and the monsters from without and within.

Girls Unwanted is running at the King Black Box Theatre (1224 King St W, Toronto, ON) Until September 29, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.thekingblackbox.com/girlsunwanted

CONTENT WARNING: Girls Unwanted contains themes of sexual assault, suicide, self-harm, substance abuse, and the overall plight of the downtrodden; this review, likewise, speaks directly to these topics. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Less importantly, this review contains many SPOILERS for Girls Unwanted. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [5:25] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 183rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 183rd episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz and features Toronto-based writer, performer, and podcaster Phil Rickaby. Together these two discuss the journey of Stageworthy, the state of Canadian theatre, and being an introvert in the performing arts.

Follow Phil – Website: https://www.philrickaby.com/ // Instagram/Twitter/TikTok: @philrickaby 

Catch up on Stageworthy – Website: https://stageworthy.ca/ // Instagram/Twitter/TikTok/Facebook/Threads: @stageworthypod // Tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts! 

Read Stageworthy Dispatches – https://dispatch.stageworthy.ca/

Listen to The Introvert’s Guide To … – Website: https://introvertsguideto.com/ // Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @introvertguide2 // Tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts! 

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre 

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 155th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 155th episode we contemplate the matter of long-running theatre shows (often, but not exclusively, musicals), in order to unpack the pros and cons of certain productions remaining on stage for decades – and sometimes overstaying their welcome. Join Ryan Borochovitz and Mackenzie Horner, as they discuss the complexities of supply and demand, job security, and creative stagnation. 

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 65th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 65th episode we are thrilled to continue our 9-part miniseries reviewing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1980 landmark production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY with episode 7.

Watch NICHOLAS NICKLEBY on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/episodes/AW4YxkPq2PfkwAbgyDkn?display=poster

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 83rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 83rd episode we bring you a Duet Review of of the Canadian premiere of Gloria by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by André Sills, currently being presented in Toronto by ARC in association with Crow’s Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss this satirical peek at the modern workplace, the commodification of trauma in mainstream publishing, and the power of kindness!

CORRECTION: Jonelle Sills (André’s sister) sang the opera section right after the end of Act 1 and Claud Spadafora sang the song ‘Glitter Witch’.

Gloria is playing at Streetcar Crowsnest (345 Carlaw Ave., Toronto, ON) until March 20th, 2022. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/gloria

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome to the Cup of Hemlock Theatre Podcast! Here you can enjoy all our digital content on the go. Listen to our play & musical reviews, roundtable discussions, artist interviews, and a plethora of other artistic content!

Stay tuned, we will be starting by rereleasing our earlier digital content, including our "Stratford Festival Play Reviews!"

Welcome back to the 37th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 37th episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this Duet Review we conclude our in-depth discussion of the three concert renditions of Les Misérables: The 10th Anniversary “Dream Cast” (1995), the 25th Anniversary (2010), and the most recent Staged Concert (2019). Join Mackenzie Horner and Jillian Robinson, as they outline their dream cast and discuss if staged musical concerts will be the way of the future post pandemic.

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96

Welcome back to the 96th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 96th episode we have a Duet Review of the Mirvish’s production of the new musical, & Juliet, written by David West Read and Max Martin, directed by Luke Sheppard, and starring Lorna Courtney in the title role. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz as they discuss early 2000s pop music, Shakespearean fanfiction, and the magic of asking “what if…?”

& Juliet is playing at the Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King Street West, Toronto, ON) until August 14, 2022 – after which it goes to Broadway! Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.mirvish.com/shows/juliet   

This review contains SPOILERS for & Juliet. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [0:10:44] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 146th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 146th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian Robinson and features theatre-artist Jenette Meehan, who wrote and is performing in the upcoming solo show, Mess Maker. Together they discuss the perks of London’s theatre scene, building one’s own schedule, and removing as many creative barriers as possible!

Come see Mess Maker, running from September 17th to 18th, at the Bridge House Theatre (Bridge House, 2 High St, London, UK). Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://thebridgehousetheatre.co.uk/shows/mess-maker/

Follow Jenette – Instagram: @jenette_meehan & @messmakershow

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre 

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 178th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 178th episode we bring you a a Duet Review of Tyson’s Song, written by Peter N. Bailey, presented in its world premiere by Pleiades Theatre, directed by Ash Knight, starring Kyle Brown and Jamar Adams-Thompson. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss ambiguous hope, odyssean titles, and beautiful lilacs.

Tyson’s Son is playing at Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON) until May 19th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.factorytheatre.ca/shows/tysons-song/#tickets

CONTENT WARNING: Tyson’s Song contains themes of mental health, suicide, drug abuse, anger management, systemic racism, prison and police violence; this review, likewise, speaks directly to these topics. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. If you are struggling with any of these issues, we highly encourage you to seek help, using the resources below: 

https://www.betterhelp.com/ https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/

Less importantly, this review contains many SPOILERS for Tyson’s Song. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:15:51] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 184th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 184th episode we bring you a new instalment of our subseries 'Screened Plays'. This time we are covering Fences (2016), directed and starring by Denzel Washington, alongside Viola Davis, as they reprise their Tony award winning roles from the play by August Wilson. Together Co-Artistic Producer Mackenzie Horner along side returning panelists Andrew Pawarroo, Sarah Hime, and Tanisha Sinclair discuss everything from Oscar politics to their thoughts on the complex character of Troy as interpreted by Denzel Washington.

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Tanisha Sinclair – Instagram: @TanishaSinclair

Andrew Pawarroo – Instagram: @andrew.s.pawarroo

Sarah Hime – Instagram: @hime.Sarah // Twitter: @SarahHime1 // Watch Pink is In: https://bit.ly/3xnDzP8

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 209th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 209th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Oraculum, created and performed by Denim and Pythia, directed by ted witzel, and presented by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the aesthetics of drag performance, the legitimacy of tarot readings, and anxieties about the future. Oraculum is playing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON) until December 14th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://buddiesinbadtimes.com/show/oraculum/ This review contains many SPOILERS for Oraculum. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [14:21] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]; if you enjoy his theatre thoughts, more can be found at https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/author/ryan-borochovitz/ & https://nextmag.ca/search/borochovitz Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 158th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 158th episode we bring you a duet reviewof the I Love You and It Hurts, an anthology of three forum theatre pieces – “The Walkover” by Cedric Martin, “Mother” by Lindsey Middleton, and “Be a Friend” by Jessica Moss – presented by Theatre of the Beat, directed by Max Cameron Fearon. Join Ryan Borochovitz and new guest Ethan Persyko, as they discuss the perks of being a Spect-Actor, the intersections between theatre and social work, and how small changes can make a big difference

I Love You and It Hurts was performed in Toronto at Hart House Theatre on November 29th, 2023, as part of its cross-Canada tour. To learn more about the show, see Theatre of the Beat’s website: https://theatreofthebeat.ca/i-love-you-and-it-hurts CONTENT WARNING: I Love You and It Hurts deals with many social and personal issue, including but not limited to: domestic partner abuse, elder abuse, toxic masculinity, and suicidal ideation. This review, likewise, speaks directly to these topics. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. If you are struggling with any of these issues, we highly encourage you to seek help, using the resources below: https://gersteincentre.org/ https://www.betterhelp.com/ https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/

Less importantly, this review contains SPOILERS for I Love You and It Hurts. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:14:30] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If the production is ever remounted and you intend to see it, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: 

Ethan Persyko – Instagram: @ethan_joshuaa // Facebook: Ethan Joshua

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 13th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 13th episode we continue to release our inaugural run of The Cup: Reviews, where we reviewed the Stratford Festival Production series that streamed on YouTube last spring. In this episode we discussed the 2014 production of Antony and Cleopatra, directed by Gary Griffin, starring Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh in the title roles. You can watch this production and all other Stratford Festival productions on their new streaming platform Stratfest@Home. Here is the link (subscription needed): https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat   

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Tanisha Sinclair – Instagram: TanishaSinclair  

Alex Osborne – Instagram: alexanderosborne.official  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96  

Will Bartley – Instagram: willrbartley

Welcome back to the 174th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 174th episode we bring you a a Duet Review of The House at Poe Corner, written by Michael O’Brien and Eric Woolfe, starring Mairi Babb and Eric Woolfe, presented by Eldritch Theatre. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss Winnie the Pooh, Edgar Allan Poe, and the magic blending the two together.

The House at Poe Corner is playing at Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen St E, Toronto, ON) until April 21st, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://eldritchtheatre.ca/poecorner/

This review contains SPOILERS for The House at Poe Corner. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [13:07] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 111th episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of proshot productions! For our 111th episode we have another instalment of “The Cup: Roundtable”. In this episode, once again hosted by Jillian Robinson, we mark the one-year anniversary of the passing of composer, lyricists, and the Shakespeare of musical theatre Stephen Sondheim, by devoting this special roundtable to his remarkable contributions to musical theatre. Together our panelists examine the complexity of his writing, debate whether Sondheim's compositions not being as hummable as his colleagues was a detriment to his work, and explore what legacy and impact Sondheim and his work will have on the generations to come.

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Emma Loerick – Instagram: @emmaloerick  

Nic Mencia – Instagram: @nicmencia  

Patrick Teed – Instagram: @postmodernpat // Twitter: @PatrickMichaelT  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 191st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 191st episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian Robinson and features Chloë Rose Flowers, the founding Artistic Director of King Theatre Company, who’s directing the company’s inaugural production of David French’s Salt-Water Moon. Join these two as they discuss the schemes and dreams of blossoming theatre companies, the importance of local community, and the whimsy of giant ducks.

Come see Salt-Water Moon, running from August 14th to 24th, 2024 at Pine Farms Orchard (2700 16th Sideroad, King City, ON). Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.kingtheatre.ca/whats-on

Follow Chloë – Instagram: @chloeroseflowers // Website: https://www.chloeroseflowers.com/ Follow King Theatre Company – Instagram/Facebook: @kingtheatrecompany // Website: https://www.kingtheatre.ca/

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 190th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 190th episode we bring you the final instalment of our very special multi part deep dive into Toronto Fringe 2024 Review Roundup. Join Mackenzie Horner, Jillian Robinson, and Ryan Borochovitz as they blitz through the remaining fifteen shows they saw at this year’s festival, unpack all of their thoughts, and commemorate this moment in local theatre history for posterity!

Catch up on Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj_wxsX1tGs&t=2241s

And Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFGOJTtVljI&t=654s

TIMESTAMP NAVIGATOR: 00:00:00 – Intro 00:03:53 – Patty Picker 00:17:47 – Girls’ Night Cabin Fever 00:30:43 – 86 Me: The Restaurant Play 00:45:21 – Sheila! The Musical 00:50:23 – Disarming Venus 00:59:04 – AbracadabraHaHa 01:09:30 – Colonial Circus 01:21:04 – Madame Winifred’s Circus of Wonders 01:33:45 – Rosamund: A New Musical 01:50:59 – Toba Tek Singh 02:03:03 – Tape 02:15:27 – Rooted: A Musical Poem 02:22:37 – Desperate Measures 02:32:50 – Crosstown 02:46:44 – MONKS 02:59:18 – Sign Off

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!]; see also, his Toronto Fringe reviews in Intermission Magazine: https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/reviews/tofringe-2024/

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 124th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 124th episode we discuss the National Theatre’s 2017 production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, directed by Simon Godwin, and starring Tamsin Greig in the role of Malvolia.

Watch the play on NTatHome (subscription needed): https://www.ntathome.com/twelfth-night 

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Dewey Stewart – Instagram: @deweystew YouTube: @dewystew56  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 23rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 23rd episode we branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed the Theatre Smith-Gilmour’s 2013 stage adaptation of William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, created by and starring Michele Smith and Dean Gilmour in the roles of Addie and Anse Bundren. You can watch this production here: https://www.theatresmithgilmour.com/as-i-lay-dying.

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat   

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96   

Edmond Clark – Instagram: edmond_clark_official   

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 42nd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 42nd episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed the 2017 Broadway production of Noël Coward’s Present Laughter, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, and starring Kline in the lead role of Garry Essendine, with How I Met Your Mother’s Cobie Smulders as Joanna Lyppiatt.

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Meagan Gove – Instagram: @magovelit   

Talia Rivers – Personal Instagram @talia.rivers // Art Instagram:  @riversofpaint  // Her Cat’s Instagram: @anya.grandduchess   

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 101st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 101st episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz and the artist who took on the hot seat was Jade Walker, playwright and director of Bruno & Hogginfritz, which is hot off its Toronto Fringe premiere and will soon to be continuing its run at Vancouver Fringe. Ryan and Jade talk all about this sublime new piece, the value of a good high school drama teacher, and making absurd art in an absurd world.

Bruno & Hogginfritz is playing at The NEST (1398 Cartwright St, Vancouver, BC) as part of the Vancouver Fringe Festival, from September 10th to 18th, 2022! Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.vancouverfringe.com/festival/bruno-hogginfritz/   

Follow Jade – Instagram: @jadeangelmindfreak // Personal Website: https://jadedaniellewalker.wixsite.com/website  

Follow the show – Instagram: @brunoandhogginfritz

Welcome back to the 2nd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our second episode we continue to release our inaugural run of The Cup: Reviews, where we reviewed the Stratford Festival Production series that streamed on YouTube last spring. In this episode we discussed the 2018 production of Coriolanus, which was directed by Robert Lepage and starred André Sills in the title role. You can watch this production and all other Stratford Festival productions on their new streaming platform Stratfest@Home. Here is the link (subscription needed): https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.  

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre  

Follow our panelists:  

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat  

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-downbeat-a-musical-podcast/id1478579754?uo=4  

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/154zV9bBHUGBUkbzwpJ6ws  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96  

Edmond Clark – Instagram: edmond_clark_official  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 162nd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 162nd episode we bring our first episode 2024 and it's a duet review of the play Heartless, a new play in the New France Trilogy by Genevieve Adam, directed by Tyler J. Seguin, and presented by Favour the Brave Collective. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the unearthing of underrepresented histories in our Canadian canon, the precision of period-specific physicality, and the anticipated audio drama adaptations.

Heartless is playing at the Aki Studio (585 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON) until January 14th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.nativeearth.ca/akistudio/heartless/

This review contains SPOILERS for Heartless. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [14:32:06] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. 

If you’d like to receive updates about the audio versions of Genevieve Adam’s New France Trilogy, sign-up with the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbXdxnZgsFsOUHTMd9hdyDnZDXZLtwVduE8dBf3o4ybaGRdQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

Follow our panelists: 

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] 

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 16th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 16th episode we continue to release our inaugural run of The Cup: Reviews, where we reviewed the Stratford Festival Production series that streamed on YouTube last spring. In this episode we discussed the 2015 production of The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Chris Abraham, starring Ben Carlson and Deborah Hay in the roles of Petruchio and Katherina. You can watch this production and all other Stratford Festival productions on their new streaming platform Stratfest@Home. Here is the link (subscription needed): https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat   

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-downbeat-a-musical-podcast/id1478579754?uo=4  

Monique Danielle – Instagram: mariannagailus  

Marianna Gailus – Instagram: monique4reals  

Will Bartley – Instagram: willrbartley

Welcome back to the 147th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 147th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian Robinson and features actor Dan Mousseau, fresh off of his Dora win for Crow’s Theatre/Howland Company’s production of PRODIGAL by Paolo Santalucia, and soon to be treading the boards in Soulpepper’s production of WILDWOMAN by Kat Sandler. Together they discuss the power of supportive casts, the practice of curiosity, and the pledge to keep fighting the fight.

Come see Dan in Soulpepper’s production of WILDWOMAN, running from October 5th to October 29th at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Ln, Toronto, ON). Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.soulpepper.ca/performances/wildwoman

Follow Dan – Instagram & TikTok: @mandousseau

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre 

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 24th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 24th episode we have the inaugural episode of “The Cup: Roundtable”. The primary goal of these episodes will be to take a deep dive into a broad thematic topic of pressing relevance to the today’s theatre community, be they practitioners, scholars, or spectators. By assembling panelists with diverse perspectives and expertise on the chosen topic, we hope to spark fruitful dialogues, revelatory insights, and (occasionally) intense debates. In this episode hosted by Jillian Robinson we discussed the subject of Shakespeare and Gender. With an increasing number of recent Shakespeare productions featuring female identifying performers taking on male lead characters – such as Lear, Prospero, and Caesar – this panel seeks to examine how contemporary theatre-makers can best negotiate the nuances and complexities of gender in casting today. As societal conceptions of gender continue to be interrogated and reconceived, how can theatre effectively evolve with the times? How can the well-trodden Shakespearean canon be a site for these developments, adaptations, and interventions?

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Susan A. Lock – Email: susan.lock@gmail.com // Facebook: The Isolationists  

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat   

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu 

Emerjade Simms – Instagram: em.er.jade // Twitter: emerbabe  

Graeme McClelland – Instagram: instagraeme999 // Email: graememcclelland@outlook.com  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96

Welcome back to the 28th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 28th episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed the Eugene O’Neill Theatre’s 1999 production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, directed by Robert Falls, and starring (the late, great) Brian Dennehy in the role of Willy Loman.

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

CONTENT WARNING: Miller’s play deals heavily with mental health and suicide; as a result, this review, likewise, speaks directly to these themes. If you are struggling with these issues, we highly encourage you to seek help, using the resources below (the last one is a book, that many have found helpful):  https://www.betterhelp.com/  https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/ https://www.scribd.com/book/239499360/The-Body-Keeps-the-Score-Brain-Mind-and-Body-in-the-Healing-of-Trauma?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google_search&utm_campaign=Google_DSA_NB_Other&utm_device=m&gclid=CjwKCAiAnIT9BRAmEiwANaoE1YGsSU91vqfCPbsUQ3q9uto-5yjfvPNsPsSaKcl-Z7b4PSLQo3T5KhoChD0QAvD_BwE

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Aisling Murphy – Instagram: aly_murph / Website: aislingmurphy.ca  

William Bartley – Instagram: willrbartley 

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 93rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 93rd episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian Robinson and the artists who took on the hot seat were songwriting duo Katie Miller and Steve John Dale. Enjoy as these three discuss Katie and Steve's new Canadian musical FLASH which is premiering at the Calgary Fringe Festival. Together Jill, Katie, and Steve, crack open the content of this new piece, discuss the development of a pandemic project, and unpack the intensity of having your whole life flash before your eyes.  

Catch the show at Calgary Fringe (July 29 to August 5, 2022).  

The run will be in-person, but a LIVESTREAM option will be available on August 4, 7:45pm MDT (that’s 9:45pm EDT).  

Stay tuned for the ticket and livestream links! 

In the meantime, check out the festival: https://www.calgaryfringe.ca/   

Follow FLASH – Instagram: @flash_musical  

Follow Katie – Instagram: @merciermiller  

Follow Steve – Instagram: @stevejohndale

Welcome back to the 117th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 117th episode we have a Duet Review of Martyr by Marius von Mayenburg, presented in its Canadian premiere by ARC. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the power of religion, the meaning of orange, and swimming in your own lane.

Martyr is playing at the Aki Studio (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON) until January 29th, 2023. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.nativeearth.ca/shows/martyr/

This review contains SPOILERS for Martyr. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:10:12] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 156th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 156th episode we bring you a Duet Review of the Canadian premiere of Letters From Max, a ritual, written by Sarah Ruhl (adapted from the 2018 book of letters between herself and Max Ritvo), presented by Necessary Angel Theatre Company, directed by Alan Dilworth, and starring Maev Beaty and Jesse LaVercombe. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the importance of connection, being open to ritual, and resisting opacity.

Letters From Max is playing The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen St W, Toronto, ON) until December 3rd, 2023. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://theatrecentre.org/tickets/?eid=106867 This review contains SPOILERS for Letter’s From Max. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:12:02] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 53rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 53rd episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed the 2016 Broadway revival of William Finn’s Falsettos, directed by James Lapine, and starring Christian Borles in the role of Marvin.

Watch the play on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/falsettos?display=poster

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Mark Bellamy – Instagram: @markbellamy14  

Amir Haidar – Instagram: @amirhaidarpossibly // Twitter: @amirhaidarmaybe  

Ari Weinberg – Instagram: @ariw888 // Winnipeg Jewish Theatre News Letter: https://www.wjt.ca/

Welcome back to the 70th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 70th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Co-Artistic Producer Ryan and the artists who took on the hot seat were cast members of the upcoming off-Broadway play, “One Empire, Under God.” Enjoy as Ryan along side Trey Shields, Marcus R. Smith, Mary Miles, Clara Tan, and Sabrina Lopez talk all about this fascinating show and their roles in it.

The play runs at The Tank (312 West 36th Street, First Floor, New York City, NY) from November 11th to 21st. In-person and online viewing options are available at the link below:  PURCHASE TICKETS – https://ci.ovationtix.com/35658/production/1074489

Follow “One Empire, Under God” on Instagram/Facebook – @oneempireundergod

Follow our panelists:

Follow Sabrina Lopez – @sabrina_mae21 

Follow Clara Tan – Instagram: @actual_clara 

Follow Mary Miles – Instagram: @mkmiles2316 

Follow Marcus R. Smith – Instagram: @marcusrs.x 

Follow Trey Shields – Instagram: @yert11 // Website: https://treyshie.com/

Welcome back to the 71st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 71st episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian and the artist who took on the hot seat was none other than the incredible writer, director, performer André Sills. Enjoy as these two discuss André's illustrious stage career, pandemic projects, and exciting upcoming endeavours.

Follow André – Instagram: @dre373 // Twitter: @andresills373  

Watch A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Stratfest@Home: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome/VirtualSeason  

Watch Private Idiots: https://www.youtube.com/c/NicholsonStudios   

Purchase tickets for Gloria at Crow’s Theatre: https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/gloria

Welcome back to the 145th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 145th episode we bring you a special BONUS Duet Review revisiting Dinner is Served, an immersive dance-theatre experience, choreographed and directed by Kristen Carcone (with Ross Wirtanen and Clinton Edward), presented by Toes for Dance. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they follow up their original review with a more granular deep dive into their unique journeys through this site-specific production!

The run of Dinner is Served ended on July 2nd, 2023. To learn more about the production, see Toes for Dance’s website (https://www.toesfordance.ca/dinner-is-served ) and tune in to our original review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPrSeGEI-P4

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 75th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 75th episode we are discussing the National Theatre’s 2012 production of the Sophocles’s ancient Greek classic, Antigone, directed by Polly Findlay, starring Jodie Whittaker in the title role, with Christopher Eccleston in the role of Creon. It’s a real who’s-who of Doctor Who cast members, past and present!

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Kel MacDonald – Personal Website: https://kel-macdonald.ca/ // Instagram: @the.precariat   

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96   

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 109th episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 109th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley, presented by Breaking and Entering Theatre (in association with The Church of the Holy Trinity), directed by Stewart Arnott, and starring Deborah Drakeford, Brian Bisson, Emma Nells, and Kim Nelson. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the booming echoes of Catholic history, the overbearing stature of the 2008 film adaptation, and the culpability of Father Flynn.

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!]

Welcome back to the 163rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 163rd episode we bring you a very special review round up episode where we get back to our roots as we reflect on the Stratford Festival’s 2023 season. Join Jill, Mackenzie, and Ryan, as they unpack all of their thoughts about what they found to be the eight most memorable shows of the season!

TIMESTAMP NAVIGATOR: [00:00:00] – Intro [00:05:29] – Much Ado About Nothing [00:14:59] – Casey and Diana [00:23:52] – Spamalot [00:29:20] – Richard II [00:42:59] – Wedding Band [00:54:53] – Les Belles-Soeurs [01:05:17] – Grand Magic [1:20:59] – Frankenstein Revived [01:41:15] – Sign Off

If you missed Casey and Diana at the festival, you’re in luck; there are two other ways that you can still catch it! It’s coming soon to Soulpepper’s 2024 season, running from January 23 until February 11: https://www.soulpepper.ca/performances/caseyanddiana

The pro-shot is available for viewing on Stratfest@Home (subscription needed): https://stratford.vhx.tv/casey-and-diana

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu 

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 

Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre 

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 60th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 60th episode we are thrilled to continue our 9-part miniseries reviewing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1980 landmark production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY with episode 3.

Watch NICHOLAS NICKLEBY on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/episodes/AW4YxkPq2PfkwAbgyDkn?display=poster

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 69th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 69th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Co-Artistic Producer Ryan and the artist who took on the hot seat was playwright, Anthony J. Piccione. Enjoy as these two discuss Anthony's upcoming off-Broadway play, “One Empire, Under God.”

Stay tuned for more “One Empire, Under God” coverage, this Wednesday, when we interview members of the cast.   The play runs at The Tank (312 West 36th Street, First Floor, New York City, NY) from November 11th to 21st. In-person and online viewing options are available at the link below:  PURCHASE TICKETS – https://ci.ovationtix.com/35658/production/1074489

Follow “One Empire, Under God” on Instagram/Facebook – @oneempireundergod

Follow our panelist:

Anthony (personally) – Website: www.anthonyjpiccione.com // Instagram: @anthonyjpiccione

Welcome back to the 153rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 153rd episode we bring you a spooky Halloween themed episode all about the 1982 pro-shot of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, starring George Hearn and the late great Angela Lansbury 🥧 💈🪒🎭 ! Host and Co-Artistic Producer @mackenzie_horner along side Associate Producer @jillian.robinson96, special guest panelists @gabifayepstein, @jeremylapalme, & Michael Torontow examine the complex and easter egg ridden score of this master piece, they explore the unique tone this piece has when handling such dark material, and they all consider if they are in need of the closest shave they will ever know! Happy Halloween!

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Gabi Epstein – Instagram: @gabifayepstein // Music video for “Don’t Rain on My Parade”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3JTdacnsQk // Audio of “Not While I’m Around”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYX1e_td5Gg&list=OLAK5uy_lqe3LWzs5X80EmmrKLQEJoEz1LaJ2FpMk&index=10 // Tickets for her cabaret, “Always Starting Over,” at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope, on October 28: https://capitoltheatre.com/events/always-starting-over-with-gabi-epstein-2023-10-28-130-pm/ Jeremey Lapalme – Instagram: @jeremylapalme Michael Torontow – Instagram: @torontow Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 34th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 34th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our General Assistant Jillian Robinson. The artist who took on the hot seat was Toronto-based theatre artists, Ellen Denny and Emilio Vieira. Enjoy as these three talk about Ellen and Emilio about their then upcoming original production of “February: a love story”, a romantic comedy about love in the time of Covid, which ultimately premiered in February 2021.

Attend their “Almost Like Being in Love” digital cabaret to support the project: https://almost-like-being-in-love.eventbrite.ca   

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelist at...

Follow Ellen – Instagram: @ellenrosedenny // Twitter: @ellen_denny  

Follow Emilio – Instagram: @emiliovieira

Welcome back to the 206th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 206th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Artistic Producer Jillian Robinson and features internationally acclaimed songwriter and composer Scott Alan, who is soon to be making his first visit to Canada (unless you count EPCOT) to lead the masterclass and concert, Scott Alan & Friends, presented by Doctor Bird Productions. Join these two as they discuss pressing play on your dreams, singing with the clothes from your attic, and making Shoshana Bean cry (in a good way)! Come see the Scott Alan & Friends concert at the Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge St, North York, ON) on November 16, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/scott-alan-friends-in-concert-toronto-ontario-11-17-2024/event/10006101FCAA5AA2 Information about auditing the masterclass can be found here: https://www.universe.com/events/scott-alan-friends-the-masterclass-presented-by-doctor-bird-productions-tickets-Z1WG65 Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 176th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 176th episode we bring you a a Duet Review of of The Fixing Girl, written by Kevin Dyer, directed by Stephen Colella, presented by Young People’s Theatre (YPT). Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they hold back tears while discussing the delicate beauty of the grieving process, the pages of I Spy books, and the things that grandparents leave behind. The Fixing Girl is playing at YPT (165 Front St E, Toronto, ON) until May 2nd, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/shows-tickets/the-fixing-girl/ This review contains SPOILERS for The Fixing Girl. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [15:56] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] But, if you’re interested in reading his recent review of A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay About the Death of Walt Disney (which we won’t be covering on The Cup), here it is: https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/reviews/public-reading/ Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 31st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 31st episode we have another instalment of “The Cup: Roundtable” titled “Do You Hear the People Sing?”. In this episode, once again hosted by Jillian Robinson, we discussed the subject of musical theatre. Through in-depth conversations we try to answer the questions of are musicals worthy of their much-maligned reputation as a “lower” art form when compared to other kinds of theatre and performance? How do we account for their commercial success, typically far greater than that of supposedly “higher” arts? How do musicals engage their audiences different from other plays? What notable differences are there between the musicals that arise out of different national contexts?

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Christoph Ibrahim – Instagram/Twitter: christophib   

Emma Loerick – Instagram: emmaloerick   

Grahame Renyk – Instagram: renykg

Welcome back to the 167th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 167th episode we bring you a a Duet Review of MacBeth: “A Tale Told by an Idiot,” adapted and performed by Eric Woolfe, directed by Dylan Trowbridge, presented by Eldritch Theatre. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss Woolfe’s virtuosic performance, his hilarious cast of puppets, and the current state of Shakespearean theatre. 

MacBeth: “A Tale Told by an Idiot” is playing at Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen St E, Toronto, ON) until February 24th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.ticketscene.ca/series/1113/

This review contains SPOILERS for MacBeth: “A Tale Told by an Idiot.” It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [21:34] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 143rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 143rd episode we bring you a duet review of Tennessee Williams’s Suddenly Last Summer, presented by Riot King, directed by Kathleen Welch, and starring Lindsey Middleton as Catherine Holly. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss its powerful performances, astounding ambience, and bountiful bird imagery! 

Suddenly Last Summer is playing at Sorry Studio (61 Elm Grove Ave, Toronto, ON) until August 13th, 2023.

Tickets can be purchased from the following link:https://riotking.brownpapertickets.com/

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] 

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 129th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 129th episode we bring you the promised second episode of our latest branch of The Cup called “The Cup: Editorial.” This time we explore the concept of “Theatre Etiquette,” and the influx of heated discourse that has lately been surrounding its supposed decline. Join Jillian Robinson, Mackenzie Horner, and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the place of etiquette in our evolving theatre landscape, the basics of social contract ethics, and the required responsibilities of venues and patrons alike.

CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised that this conversation contains references (with varying degrees of directness) to classism, ableism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia. A NOTE ON TOPICALITY: This episode was recorded prior to the incident that occurred during a performance of The Bodyguard musical on April 7, 2023. If you were wondering why we neglected to comment on that recent reinvigoration of this already evergreen topic, that is why. We trust you to infer – based on each of our general stances on the subject of etiquette – where we stand on that specific event and what we might have said about it had this been recorded in its aftermath.

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] 

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 126th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 126th episode we bring you the inaugural episode of our latest branch of The Cup called “The Cup: Editorial.” These videos are a somewhat scaled-down version of our “Roundtables”. In these episodes our core members of the Cup of Hemlock team along side the occasional guest will have informal discussions about various topics, ideas, and/or current events in the world of theatre. In episode 126 (Editorial 1), we introduce this subseries – into our catalogue of our ever-branching formats – by taking a moment to break down the various different types of episodes that we produce under the broader umbrella of “The Cup.”

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] 

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 148th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 148th episode we bring you a new instalment of our series 'Screened Plays'. This time we can't handle the truth in our episode all about the 1992 film adaptation of A Few Good Men, directed by Rob Reiner, based on the play by Aaron Sorkin! Join Co-Artistic ProducerMackenzie Horner, George Alevizos, Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz as they
discuss how Tom Cruise was destined to play Danny Kaffe, the iconic courtroom scene and the odd tonal shift at the end of the film.

Follow our panelists: 

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

George Alevizos – Instagram/Twitter: @georgealevizos_ // Facebook: George Alevizos Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre 

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 43rd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 43rd episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed our second instalment from our Kevin Kline Appreciation Month; which is the 2007 Broadway production of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, directed by David Leveaux, starring Kline in the title role, with Jennifer Garner as Roxanne.

Watch the play on BroadwayHD (subscription needed):  https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AW2Gup86px3F9_4Aqew3?display=poster

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Brigit Wilson – Twitter: @HOOPOOHEART  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 144th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 144th episode we bring you a duet review of Shakespeare By Any Other Name, written by Vijay Padaki, directed by Joey O’Dael, presented by Dauntless City Theatre, and starring Chi-Chi Onuah and Tallan Alexander. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they dive into the colonial legacy of Shakespeare’s immense fame, unpack the show’s audience interactivity, and take a stroll through this unconventional twist on Shakespeare in the park!

Shakespeare By Any Other Name is playing St. James Park (120 King St E, Toronto, ON) until August 27th, 2023. No need to purchase tickets, but you are encouraged to make a Pay What You Can donation at the end of the show. For more information, see Dauntless City Theatre’s website: http://www.dauntlesscitytheatre.com/

This review contains SPOILERS for Shakespeare By Any Other Name. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:08:39] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: 

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] 

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 107th episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 107th episode we bring you a Duet Review of The Family Crow: A Murder Mystery, presented by Pucking Fuppet Co., created and performed by Adam Francis Proulx, and directed by Byron Laviolette. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the power of puppets, plots, and puns.

The Family Crow: A Murder Mystery is playing at Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen St E, Toronto, ON) until October 23rd, 2022. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.ticketscene.ca/series/995/   

This review contains SPOILERS for The Family Crow, including the answer to “whodunnit”. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [11:36:00] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!]

Welcome back to the 161st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 161st episode we bring our last episode 2023 and it's a duet review of the world premiere of Hypothetical Baby, written and performed by Rachel Cairns, directed by Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster, presented by The Howland Company. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the least myopic solo show they’ve ever seen, the ongoing need to vocalize and equalize reproductive facts and rights, and what living with a uterus can do to your brain!

Hypothetical Baby played at Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto, ON) for a limited run from December 8 to 17, 2023. To learn more about the production, please see the following link: https://howlandcompanytheatre.com/shows/hypothetical-baby/

This review contains wall-to-wall SPOILERS for Hypothetical Baby. Due to the run already being complete by the time of this episode’s release, we felt no need to begin with a “non-spoiler” section before diving deeper. If a revival of the production happens to be on the horizon at your time of viewing/listing, we recommend waiting until after you’ve seen the show before tuning in, or at least proceeding at your own risk. 

Check out Rachel Cairns’s other thematically-relevant project, ABORSH: A Podcast about Abortion in Canada: https://www.aborsh.com/ (available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you do your listening). 

Follow our panelists: 

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] 

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 168th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 168th episode we bring you a a Duet Review of Eve of St. George (an immersive dance adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula), presented by TranscenDance Project, directed and choreographed by Julia Cratchley, featuring music composed by Owen Belton. Join Jillian Robinson and Mackenzie Horner, as they discuss the pulsing intimacy of interactive immersion, the salacious success of movement-based storytelling, and the titillating triumphs of a collaborative collective. 

Eve of St. George is playing at The Great Hall (1087 QueenSt W, Toronto, ON) until February 24th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.transcendanceproject.com/tickets 

This review contains SPOILERS for Eve of St. George. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [17:44] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 125th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 125th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian Robinson and Logan Hickey, speaking on behalf of T.Y.T. Theatre, a Toronto-based company specializing in Theatre for Young Audiences. Together they discuss the importance of TYA, the whimsy of pantos, and the creative success that comes with supportive spaces in the industry. Follow T.Y.T. Theatre – Instagram: @tyttheatre // Facebook: @TYTtoronto // Website: https://www.tyttheatre.com/ Come see T.Y.T. Theatre’s upcoming production of The Princess and the Pea, running from April 21st to May 14th at the Wychwood Theatre (76 Wychwood Ave., Toronto, ON). Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://tickets.ticketwise.com/event/princess-and-the-pea-panto Also playing at the Wychwood Theatre are Elephant and Piggie’s We are in a Play (extended until April 15th: https://tickets.ticketwise.com/event/elephant-piggie ), Mouse on the Move (until April 16th, https://tickets.ticketwise.com/event/mouse-on-the-move ), and The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus (April 29th until May 28th, https://tickets.ticketwise.com/event/the-girl-who-swallowed-a-cactus ).

Welcome back to the 47th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 47th episode we continue our artist interview with veteran composer and sound designer, Michael Roth. Enjoy as Mackenzie and Michael this time talk about some of Michael's favourite numbers from his illustrious career, with deep-diving insights into the nuts and bots of these compositions.

Check out the web opera at –https://www.thewebopera.com/

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelist at...

Follow Michael at his Personal Website –https://bit.ly/3digLn8

Welcome back to the 87th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 87th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian and the artist who took on the hot seat was performer, educator, and intimacy professional, Corey Tazmania. Enjoy as these two discuss using theatre to reach people of all ages, cultivating healthy foundations for actors, and the beauty of fire hydrants in nature!

Follow Corey – Facebook: Corey Tazmania // Instagram: @coreytazmania & #firehydrantinnature // Website:https://coreytazmania.weebly.com/

Some of her CURRENT/UPCOMING PROJECTS:

- Intimacy Direction for “1184” by Azeem Nathoo (Phoenix Arts and Aga Khan Museum), Theatre Passe Murraille, April 21-May 1, 2022: https://ca.patronbase.com/_TheatrePasseMuraille/Productions/1Q/Performances

- Intimacy Direction for “Little Women, the Musical” (The Playhouse Collective), Attic Studio Theatre, April 26-30, 2022: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/little-women-the-broadway-musical-tickets-305157362887

- Actor for “Psalms Microfilms: Psalm 84” (Jason Hildebrand Creative Arts), May 2022 (TBD): https://www.psalmsmicrofilms.com/

- Voice Over Artist for “Pink Slime Caesar Shift: Electropore” by Jen Liu, Upstream Gallery, May 12-July 22, 2022: https://www.upstreamgallery.nl/exhibitions/214/electropore

- Voice Over Artist for “Disporya” a short film by Lally Amante and Mark Ezovski, (Summer Festival Circuit 2022): https://www.facebook.com/Disporya-108533564888674/about

Welcome back to the 151st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 151st episode we bring you a duet review of the Canadian premiere of Heroes of the Fourth Turning, written by Will Arbery, directed by Philip Akin, presented by the Howland Company and Crow’s Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the eclectic cast of characters, the striking stage images, and the piercing peal of politics!

This review contains SPOILERS for Heroes of the Fourth Turning. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [15:41] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: 

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 205th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 205th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical in Concert, presented by Doctor Bird Productions. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they revisit everyone’s favourite spooky musical, praise the whole palette of talented artists, and meditate on the little bit of evil that lurks within us all.

Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical in Concert ran at the Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge St, North York, ON) from October 25 to 26, 2024. See the company’s website for more information about the show: https://www.doctorbirdproductions.com/home

This review contains many SPOILERS for Jekyll & Hyde, both the musical more broadly and this concert production in particular. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [12:39] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. Even though this production’s run has already come to an end, we’re hopeful that it may someday be revived elsewhere.

Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 5th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our fifth episode we continue to release our inaugural run of The Cup: Reviews, where we reviewed the Stratford Festival Production series that streamed on YouTube last spring. In this episode we discussed the 2017 production of Timon of Athens, directed by Stephen Ouimette, starring Joseph Ziegler in the title role. You can watch this production and all other Stratford Festival productions on their new streaming platform Stratfest@Home. Here is the link (subscription needed): https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-downbeat-a-musical-podcast/id1478579754?uo=4

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/154zV9bBHUGBUkbzwpJ6ws

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96  

Edmond Clark – Instagram: edmond_clark_official  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 134th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 134th episode we have our latest instalment of our series 'Screened Plays'. This time we return to 18th century Vienna with an episode all about the 1984 film adaptation of Amadeus, directed by Miloš Forman and adapted by Peter Shaffer from his 1979 stage play! Enjoy as host and Co-Artistic Producer Mackenzie Horner along with Ryan Borochovitz, Sarah Hime and Andrew Pawarroo breakdown their thoughts on the differences between the director's vs theatrical release version of the film and if the Oscars were correct in bequeathing the Best Actor Award to F. Murray Abraham for his portrayal of Salieri over Tom Hulce's performance as Mozart.

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Sarah Hime – Instagram: @hime.Sarah // Twitter: @SarahHime1 Andrew Pawarroo – Instagram: @andrew.s.pawarroo Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 209th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 209th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Unbelievably Believable, written and directed by Catherine Maleikova, presented by Twisted Dog Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss layers of storytelling, whimsical puppetry, and the power of the imagination. Unbelievably Believable runs at Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen St E, Toronto, ON) until December 15, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.ticketscene.ca/series/1291/ This review contains many SPOILERS for Unbelievably Believable. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [12:03] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 72nd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 72nd episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian and the artist who took on the hot seat was theatre artist, academic, and co-founder of Afterlife Theatre Co. Patrick Teed. Enjoy as these two discuss balancing life as an artist and a scholar, theatre’s potential to intervene in social and political justice and Patrick's recent and acclaimed Hamilton Fringe play,
"It’s a Beautiful Day for Brunch and to Arrest the Cops that Killed Breonna Taylor”.

Follow Patrick – Instagram: @postmodernpat  

Follow Carly Billings – Instagram: @mscarlybillings  

Follow Afterlife Theatre Co. – Instagram/Twitter: @afterlifetheatre

Welcome back to the 131st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 131st episode we bring you a duet review of The Chinese Lady, written by Lloyd Suh, directed by Marjorie Chan, presented by Studio 180 Theatre and fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company, in association with Crow’s Theatre, starring Rosie Simon and John Ng. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss as they discuss the life of Afong Moy, the power of QR codes, and the necessity of warts-and-all historical education. The Chinese Lady is playing at Streetcar Crowsnest (345 Carlaw Ave, Toronto, ON) until May 21st, 2023. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://tickets.crowstheatre.com/TheatreManager/1/login?event=299 Please see the articles listed under the “Show Resources” heading of the following page: https://studio180theatre.com/productions/the-chinese-lady/ CONTENT WARNING: The Chinese Lady deals heavily with the long history of anti-Asian violence and discrimination in North America, past and present; this review, likewise, speaks directly to these themes. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. Less importantly, this review contains many SPOILERS for The Chinese Lady. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [12:55] mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk.

Follow our panelists: 

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 106th episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 106th episode we bring you the inaugural episode of a new subseries called “Screened Plays,” in which we review films that have been adapted from stage plays. For our debut episode of Screened Plays, we review The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by Joel Cohen, and starring Denzel Washington in the title role with Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth. Enjoy as host Mackenzie Horner along with Jillian Robinson, Ryan Borochovitz and our newest amazing panelist Jamie Knox as they breakdown their thoughts on Cohen's choice to film in black and white and the expanded role of Ross among other topics.

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN  

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu 

Jamie Knox – Instagram: @jamieknoxfilms // Follow his film on Instagram: @thepinesstillwhisper   

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 121st episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 121st episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz and several cast and crew members from the Improvisational Repertory Theatre Ensemble (IRTE), discussing the ongoing off-off-Broadway run of their new piece, The Lonely Death of L. Harris. Enjoy as they discuss all about the show and their roles in it.

 The Lonely Death of L. Harris is playing at The Producer’s Club (358 West 44th Street, NYC) until March 11th, 2023. Tickets can be found at the following link: https://www.irteinfo.com/tickets/The-Lonely-Death-of-L-Harris-p484998102   

Follow IRTE – Website: https://www.irteinfo.com/ // Instagram/Facebook: @irteinfo // Twitter: @irte_improv   

Follow Nannette Deasy – Personal Website: https://www.nannettedeasy.com/ // Double D’s website: https://www.doubledimprov.com/   

Follow Robert Baumgardner – [Just send all that love to IRTE instead; he won’t mind!]  

Follow Evie Aronson –YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/eviearonson (make sure to check out “A Pucker Lips Now”!)  

Follow Sam Katz – Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ManhattanAttic // Her coffee table book: https://www.etsy.com/listing/698111590/ask-me-how-this-happens-a-script-a   

Follow Vikki Martin – Instagram: @vikkimartinnyc   

Follow John Munnelly – Personal/Music/Art/Writing: Instagram: @John.Munnelly, Website/Newsletter: http://johnmunnellymusic.com/, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/02cbVPfyIpv1RtVKMacddJ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@laughjohnlaugh // Hattwood Hot Sauce: Instagram: @hattwoodsauce and Website: https://hattwood.com/   

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 64th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 64th episode we are thrilled to return to our 9-part miniseries reviewing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1980 landmark production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY with episode 6.

Watch NICHOLAS NICKLEBY on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/episodes/AW4YxkPq2PfkwAbgyDkn?display=poster

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 179th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 179th episode we bring you a a Duet Reviewof Unwritten: The Improv Show, presented by Young People’s Theatre (YPT), directed by Herbie Barnes, featuring Tim Blair, Lisa Merchant, and Paloma Nuñez. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss games in shells, malleable props, and the virtues of failure.

Unwritten: The Improv Show is playing at YPT (165 Front St E, Toronto, ON) until May 16th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/shows-tickets/unwritten-the-improv-show/

Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 // Tickets to see Jill performing in A GOAT, A GHOST AND A GUINNESS: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6291603

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 127th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of proshot productions! For our 127th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Co-Artistic Producer Ryan Borochovitz and Molly Dunn, director and co-creator of the new play, Crab Mentality, soon to be staged as part of the Alumni Performance Projects of the Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies (University of Toronto). Together they discuss the piece’s development process, religious satire, and the proper taxonomical classification of hermit crabs.

Crab Mentality is playing at Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse (79 St. George St, Toronto, ON), from April 28th to 30th, 2023! Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/crab-mentality-a-new-dark-comedy-tickets-587904537297 Follow the Crab Mentality – Instagram/TikTok: @crabmentalityshow Follow Molly – Instagram: @mollyk.dunn Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 84th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 84th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Netflix’s recently released pro-shot of Diana: The Musical. Join Jillian Robinson and Mackenzie Horner, as they discuss Princess Diana’s legacy and the ethics of telling her story (through song and dance, or otherwise).

Watch the play on Netflix (subscription needed): https://www.netflix.com/title/81323667

Follow our panelists:

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Welcome back to the 59th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 59th episode we are thrilled to continue our 9-part miniseries reviewing the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 1980 landmark production of THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY with episode 2.

Watch NICHOLAS NICKLEBY on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/episodes/AW4YxkPq2PfkwAbgyDkn?display=poster

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeNSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 22nd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 22nd episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Literary Manager and co-producer of all things The Cup Ryan Borochovitz. The artist who took on the hot seat was Toronto-based performer Alicia Plummer. Enjoy as Alicia and Ryan talk about all of the Zoom productions that she has participated in since quarantine began, including 20/20 Quarantine Dreams, Can Lit Can Suck It (Other[ed] Productions), The Laramie Project (littlewoodsmith), A Period Piece (missus productions), and her own Fandom (Northumberland Players).

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelist at...

Facebook: Alicia Plummer

(If you don’t know her personally, please include a message with your friend request, and don’t be offended if she doesn’t accept and/or reply.)

Welcome back to the 104th episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of proshot productions! For our 104th episode we bring you a Duet Review of of Ian McKellen on Stage, the titular stage and screen legend’s one-man show about his life, career, and relationship to the works of William Shakespeare. Join  Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss the intersections of high culture and geek culture, the unstable borders of the Shakespearean canon, and McKellen’s effervescent charm.   

Watch the play on NTatHome (subscription needed; available until at least October 15th, 2022): https://www.ntathome.com/ian-mckellen-on-stage

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu 

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Welcome back to the 15th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 15th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our literary manager, resident dramaturg, and co-producer of all things The Cup Ryan Borochovitz. The artist who took on the hot seat was Claire F. Martin, the Assistant Artistic Director of the North Carolina-based theatre company, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, and author of a new stage adaptation of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Enjoy as Claire and Ryan transparently use this interview framework as a pretext to nerd-out about a novel that they both love.

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow Sweet Tea Shakespeare – Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: sweetteashakes // Also Facebook: Sweet Tea Shakespeare Community (public group)  http://www.sweetteashakespeare.com/

Follow our panelist at...

Claire – Facebook: claire.martin.357 (please send a message before a friend request) // Instagram: claire.f.martin // 

Email: clairefmartin6@gmail.com 

Welcome back to the 19th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 19th episode we continue to release our inaugural run of The Cup: Reviews, where we reviewed the Stratford Festival Production series that streamed on YouTube last spring. In this episode we discussed the 2019 production of Othello, directed by Nigel Shawn Williams, starring Michael Blake in the title role. On this panel, we have the added pleasure of being joined by returning guest David Collins, who played the Senator in this production. You can watch this production and all other Stratford Festival productions on their new streaming platform Stratfest@Home. Here is the link (subscription needed): https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat   

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

David Collins – Facebook: David Collins  

Tanisha Sinclair – Instagram: TanishaSinclair  

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: jillian.robinson96

Welcome back to the 122nd episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 122nd episode we bring you a duet review of Things I Know To Be True, written by Andrew Bovell, as it was just presented in Toronto by Mirvish, directed by Philip Riccio, starring Tom McCamus and Seana McKenna. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they discuss family drama, Famous Blue Raincoat, and (you guessed it!) Fiddler on the Roof. CONTENT WARNING: This review contains discussions of transphobia (especially from [01:05:09] to [01:28:00]) and drug abuse. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. Less importantly, this review contains many SPOILERS for Things I Know to be True. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the [00:20:40] mark, followed by a more in depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. Although the Mirvish production has ended, you may nonetheless wish to avoid spoilers if you intend to see another production, read the published script … or maybe one day watch a TV miniseries produced by Nicole Kidman. If so, proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 148th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 152 episode we go on a witch hunt and bring you a new instalment of our series 'Screened Plays'. This time we have a spooky episode all about The Crucible (1996), directed by Nicholas Hytner, based on the play by Arthur Miller, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as John Proctor and Winona Ryder Abigail Williams! Join Co-Artistic Producers @mackenzie_horner and Ryan Borochovitz, along side Associate Producer @jillian.robinson96 and returning guest panelist Sarah Hime (@hime.sarah) as they debate the performance given by Paul Scofield as Judge Danforth and they explore why this film had a lacklustre performance during its initial cinematic release.

On the subject of feminist reworkings of The Crucible (as discussed in the episode), check out the Master’s Thesis, “Bewitching the Blame: The Crucible’s Legacy of Appropriation and Sexual Shame in Popular Culture” by Hope Morris (Illinois State University, 2021, https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/1395/), as well as the three contemporary re-visionings that serve as her principal case studies: John Proctor is the Villain, by Kimberly Belflower; Abigail, by Sarah Tuft; and Becky Nurse of Salem by Sarah Ruhl.

Follow our panelists: 

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Sarah Hime – Instagram: @hime.Sarah // Twitter: @SarahHime1 // Watch Pink is In: https://tv1.bell.ca/fibetv1/shows/pink-is-in / https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Pink-Is-In/0FWMKIC23RN784WD60FC5UQ950#:~:text=Prime%20Video%3A%20Pink%20Is%20In / https://tubitv.com/series/300001076/pink-is-in

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre 

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 116th episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 116th episode we do one last hurrah on the subject of Nicholas Nickleby by reviewing the 2002 film adaptation, starring Charlie Hunnam in the titular role. Join Mackenzie Horner and Ryan Borochovitz, as they reconnect with old (fictious friends), revisit their check-ins, and relish in the Victorianism of this finely crafted piece!

Want to know what our original miniseries was all about? Check out this silly trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxvM2pcnmc8&ab_channel=CupofHemlockTheatre

Catch up on our full Nicholas Nickleby Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxNDxotwdvCdPbGmhbtGaOlnQxGicc75W

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Ryan Borochovitz – Instagram: @ryanborochovitz [just this once!]

Welcome back to the 170th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 170th episode we bring you a very special Duet Review covering Women at Play(s) 6, the sixth iteration of a festival showcasing new short plays that are all written by, directed by, and feature Canadian female theatre artists. Join Jillian Robinson and Ryan Borochovitz, as they share their thoughts and celebrate women taking their place centre-stage!

TIMESTAMP NAVIGATOR: [00:00] – Intro [04:35] – Her Crown [12:56] – Christmas Day at the Roadside Diner [23:01] – The Trial of Rosie MacDougall [31:20] – U Can’t Touch This [40:32] – Filters [47:54] – Mary and Her Jar of Jam [57:58] – Sign Off Women at Play(s) 6 is running until March 10th, 2024, at the Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen St E, Toronto, ON). Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://www.ticketscene.ca/series/1169/?fbclid=IwAR3-hqHyHeLDT-T_JdVZ_dmgx8_XLxYUQjY041ujKD3VT9FuzLVOTclBQjI Follow Women at Play(s) – Facebook: Women At Plays // Instagram: @women_at_plays // Linktree: https://linktr.ee/womenatplays?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=f12b13e6-ac89-4d54-af8b-2e0fc6c2dc4b // Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/women-at-plays-6?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96 Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!] Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 95th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 95th episode we celebrated Pride Month by discussing Teatro Real of Madrid’s 2014 production of Brokeback Mountain: The Opera, composed by Charles Wuorinen, with a libretto by Annie Proulx (adapted from her short story of the same name), directed by Ivo van Hove, and starring Daniel Okulitch and Tom Randle in the roles of Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist, respectively.   

Watch the play on BroadwayHD (subscription needed): https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/brokeback-mountain-the-opera?display=portrait

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Carly Billings – Instagram: @mscarlybillings   

Patrick Teed – Instagram: @postmodernpat   

Afterlife Theatre Co. (Carly & Patrick’s company) – Instagram/Twitter: @afterlifetheatre   

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]

Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

Welcome back to the 149th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 149th episode we revisit Diana: The Musical, by comparing and contrasting it with Evita, another musical about a powerful female figure who lived and died in the spotlight. Join Jillian Robinson and Mackenzie Horner, as they discuss the relationship between leaders and the people they serve, the value of dramaturgical due diligence, and utilizing theatricality to its full potential. 

Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Jillian Robinson – Instagram: @jillian.robinson96

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre

If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquiries to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 208th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of prophet productions! For our 208th episode we bring you a Duet Review of Timon of Athens, adapted by James Llewellyn Evans, directed by Max Ackerman, and produced by William Shakespeare & Friends Collective with support of Dandelion Theatre. Join Jillian Robinson and special guest Alicia Plummer as they discuss the power of bookended movement, debate the insertion of contemporary text, and decipher when we invest and when we observe. Timon of Athens is playing at The Theatre Center in The BMO Incubator (1115 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON) until November 17th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased from the following link: https://theatrecentre.org/tickets/?eid=139378 This review contains many SPOILERS for Timon of Athens. It will begin with a general non-spoiler review until the {10:52} mark, followed by a more in-depth/anything goes/spoiler-rich discussion. If you intend to see the production, we recommend you stop watching after that point, or at least proceed at your own risk. Follow our panelists: Jillian Robinson - Instagram @jillian.robinson96 Alicia Plummer - Instagram: @itisaliciaplummer // TikTok: @hialiciabyealicia Follow Cup of Hemlock Theatre on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @cohtheatre If you’d like us to review your upcoming show in Toronto, please send press invites/inquires to coh.theatre.MM@gmail.com

Welcome back to the 50th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our extra special 50th episode we are doing a follow review to one of our most popular episodes The Nutcracker by discussing the Royal Ballet’s 2017 production of Tchaikovsky’s, Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by Marius Petipa, conducted by Koen Kessels, and starring Marianela Nuñez in the role of Princess Aurora.

Watch the play on BroadwayHD (subscription needed):  https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AXMGebsPcMKLgL1nBMJS?display=poster

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu

Alicia Plummer – Instagram: itisaliciaplummer // TikTok: hialiciabyealicia // YouTube: Alicia Onlineee: https://bit.ly/2S7DHgs  

Emma Kerson – Website: emmakerson.ca // Instagram: eksk // Academic Profile: https://bit.ly/3fsONVl  

Anna Paliy – Website: https://ampart.wixsite.com/research // Instagram: rococompost // Academic Profile: https://bit.ly/3eXTeZb // Her performance reviews can be found at www.thedancecurrent.com/ and www.briband.com/

Welcome back to the 105th episode of episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. With the theatres on a come back we offer a mix of both reviews of live shows we've seen and continued reviews of proshot productions! For our 105th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian Robinson and the artists who took on the hot seat were Steph Haller and Paddy MacDonald, the creators of the improv comedy show, Too Much Information Improvised (TMII). Enjoy as Jill has Steph and Paddy unpack their cross-province Fringe Festival tour, share their tips and tricks for self-producing, and talk about the fundamentals of improv (emphasis on the fun).   

Follow our panelists:

Follow TMII – Instagram/TikTok: @toomuchinfoimpro  

Follow TYT Theatre – Instagram: @tyttheatre

Welcome back to the 76th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 76th episode we have a new artist interview. This particular conversation was hosted by our Associate Producer Jillian and the artist who took on the hot seat was local actor, George Alevizos. Enjoy as these two discuss cting on stage and screen, performer mental health, and involvement in industry unions.

Follow George – Instagram/Twitter: @georgealevizos_

Welcome back to the 4th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our fourth episode we continue to release our inaugural run of The Cup: Reviews, where we reviewed the Stratford Festival Production series that streamed on YouTube last spring. In this episode we discussed the 2018 production of The Tempest, directed by Antoni Cimolino, starring Martha Henry in the role of Prospero. You can watch this production and all other Stratford Festival productions on their new streaming platform Stratfest@Home. Here is the link (subscription needed): https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies.

Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre

Follow our panelists:

Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat   

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-downbeat-a-musical-podcast/id1478579754?uo=4   

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/154zV9bBHUGBUkbzwpJ6ws   

Raechel Fisher – Instagram: @rae141  

Will Bartley – Instagram: @willrbartley  

Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won’t mind!]