Racheal

Recent Actions

• Posted Happy Days with Ford Canada to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  When Ford Canada said they had a car they wanted Marion Ross (aka Mrs. C from Happy Days) to drive while she was in Toronto, I don't think anyone expected it to be a hip little roaster.  But that's exactly...
• Posted Sex: A Tell All Exhibition to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  I was in Ottawa for Race Weekend and decided, in between running, to take in some exhibits at the city's diverse museums.  I could tell you how wonderful the Van Gogh exhibit at the National Gallery of Canada was, but...
• Posted Avoiding the Untag to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  People always ask if I have any suggestions for looking better in pictures.  As it happens, I do!  Here are a few quick tips to help you avoid having to click the "untag" button next time a camera rolls around.DO:...
• Commented on The Alvin Ailey Experience
  Next time, ask me and I'll give you images! Loved this show and wish I'd been able to see both programmes....
• Commented on Theatre As A Teaching Tool
  You know that Anthony is writing the music for my next show which is being workshopped in September, right?...
• Commented on Gay. Get Over It.
  My mother once said "all my children are virgins." When I asked about the ones with kids, without skipping a beat she said "especially them!"...
• Commented on Gay. Get Over It.
  So far so good -she's starring on Broadway in Sister Act....
• Posted Gay. Get Over It. to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  So Raven-Symone, the cute kid from The Cosby Show and star of Disney shows like The Cheetah Girls and That's So Raven, came out and social media went wild.  And not in a good way.It also happened to be #NOH8 Day...
• Posted Theatre As A Teaching Tool to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  "It was awesome!" That was the response from my friend's 11-year-old daughter coming out of Dancap's production of West Side Story, now playing in Toronto. I'd debated bringing my 9-year-old daughter with me to opening night.  Yes, the songs in...
• Posted What I Want For Mother's Day to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  If I could ask for one thing this Mother's Day, it's that everything you would have spent on your wife, mom, girlfriend, partner or yourself be instead donated to the moms at Ronald McDonald House. Because, and let's be honest,...
• Posted Remembering Maurice to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  Maurice Sendak died today of complications from a stroke.  He was 83.  I cannot imagine my childhood without the bizarreness of In The Night Kitchen or the comfort of my children's childhood without an episode of Little Bear.  And then...
• Posted Pulling My Artstrings to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  A tweet went out that got my attention and I immediately forwarded it on.  It said "tweet #MolsonM_Art and you help paint a mural and we donate $1 to the arts in Canada...cheers"   To me, it seemed like a no-brainer.  Corporate...
• Commented on Bilingualism and Art
  Yea!! Do you know which programme you're going to see?...
• Posted Bilingualism and Art to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  There are advantages to being a Canadian.  One of them, for me anyway, is being able to speak French.  And while I use the term "speak French" very loosely, it has come in handy. For example, when interviewing a talented...
• Posted Feminism, Arts and the End of an Era to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  When I sat down with the incredible cast of Little Mosque on the Prairie to talk about the series finale, I didn't realize how much I'd throw things off, or what a diverse discussion we'd have, when I brought up an...
• Posted Words From My Shrekspert to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  Earlier this week, Dancap Productions treated the McCaig clan to opening night of Shrek The Musical in Toronto. To be honest, I didn't want to go.  For every great movie to stage adaptation (ie Hairspray), there are at least 5...
• Posted Tales from a non-Fashionista: Dare to Wear to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  World MasterCard Fashion Week closed with Dare to Wear Love, a gala fundraiser showcasing Canadian designers with celebrity models.  Given just a few yards of African fabric,some of the designers really pushed the limits.  The standout for me was Cityline's...
• Posted Tales from a non-Fashionista: David Dixon to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  I'm not a fashion gal at all, so for me to be blown away by a fashion show is a pretty big thing.  And that's exactly what happened with David Dixon's bird themed line for Fall 2012.  I'm usually the...
• Posted Tales from a non-Fashionista: Joe Fresh to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  No Canadian Fashion Week is complete without a little love from Joe Fresh.  I actually wonder if they had the produce aisle in mind when they came up with this cap.  Nonetheless, here's a look at what'll be in grocery...
• Posted Tales from a non-Fashionista: Holt's Canadian Catwalk Part 2 to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  Holt's continues the fabulous and the frightening with Dennis Merotto, Line, TwentyCluny and Jeremy Laing....
• Commented on For The Taking: Some Finer Points on Shoplifting
  When I was a teenager, I worked in a boutique in a very upscale mall. On my first day of training, my manager explained about "loss prevention" and budgeting. They had a 30% loss rate (aka theft). Why? It was...
• Posted Tales from a non-Fashionista: Holt's Canadian Catwalk to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  My only real criticism of Holt Renfrew, who have committed to showcasing Canadian designers, is that they need a new lighting person.  Keeping in mind that I come from the theatre, where we have incredibly talented designers who can create a...
• Commented on Tales from a non-Fashionista: Fashion Week Begins
  This is all made just for the runway. They really are carpets and throw rugs!!...
• Posted Tales from a non-Fashionista: Fashion Week Begins to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
      Once again, I'm back in the photo pit for Toronto's World MasterCard Fashion Week.   It started off with a bang, opening with Korhani's fall 2012 collection.  As always, the carpet company flexed their whimsical muscles as they...
• Posted Tales from a non-Fashionista: Lucian Matis to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  Another spring, another Fashion Week. I love Lucian Matis.  I love the feminity, beauty and fun he brings to his work.  (And yes, I realise the irony of that statement coming from a total non-fashionista!)  We're lucky here in Toronto, because...
• Posted Why I Love My Job to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  Some days I really love my job.  I was invited to a preview of what will be happening behind the scenes at tomorrow night's Genie Awards. So here's what I got: A hair lesson from Civello. My nails done by...
• Posted Catching Up with Kevin Durand to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  When I sat down with Kevin Durand in Toronto recently, the first thing I asked was for him to clear up a rumour. There's an urban myth that's come out of the University of Windsor, that the head of the Drama...
• Commented on Baking Bread
  Love baking challah -there's something so satisfying about making your own bread. Cant wait to try this version. Thanks!...
• Posted The Wrath of Grapes: Taking on a Legend to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  When I asked Ron McLean if he ever felt overshadowed by the personality and presence of Don Cherry, his response was immediate and concise. "Rightfully so." But then he went further.  "My honest answer is, my modus operandi in life...
• Posted Remembering Davy Jones: Your Personal Penguin to Cocktails & Curtain Calls
  I don't know about you, but when I was really little, I'd come home from school, my older sister would give me some oreos and milk, and we'd watch reruns of The Monkees.  Though I can't tell you what actually...