Die Fledermaus
The Globe and Mail
December 28, 1998
Special Insert
Review by Paula Citron
"Batty operetta hits heights"
"This Viennese confection may be the strongest TOT production to date."
"Director and TOT founder Guillermo Silva-Marin has moved the action to the 1950's... .As well, no TOT show would be complete without topical references - Silva-Marin's additions poke fun at the Clinton impeachment, Mike Harris, Livent's demise, TV frozen dinners and Mississauga in general. Played on a set of judiciously placed rococo chairs and tables, this romp includes Silva-Marin's trademark bouncy choreography, including the Twist and the (anachronistic) Macarena. "
The Toronto Star
December 28, 1998
Review by Geoff Chapman
"Just sit back and enjoy this jolly Die Fledermaus"
"Old Strausses never die.
And neither do they fade away if we accept the evidence of Toronto Operetta Theatre's latest foray into the Viennese milieu of the middle of the last century.
In fact, you'd be batty no to try to get hold of one of the few remaining duckets to the six remaining performances of Die Fledermaus at Jane Mallett Theatre."
"Operetta Theatre founder and artistic director Guillermo Silva-Marin loses no opportunity to provide additional saucy dialogue, changed lyrics, plus a Christmas stocking-full of jokes, topical references and mockery of Anglo knowledge of the other official language, so it's best just to sit back and enjoy this jolly romp."
"The action is meant to have leaped forward in time to the days before the revered rule of Jack and Jackie Kennedy down south was discovered to be just another episode of public morality and private venality and licentiousness."
"Silva-Marin, who last time he mounted the production (four years ago) played amorous serenading tenor Alfred and this time warbler-in-waiting jail guard Frosch, nonetheless has gathered some glowing voices to dress what is decidedly not a seasonal turkey."
