My latest review, for Crow’s Theatre’s production of The Division, has been published by Next Mag. TLDR: I loved this one. Catch it before it closes mid-May.

When I was in the 7th grade, I had a friend from a theatre program – let’s call her ‘Maddy’ (because that’s her name). One day, Maddy casually mentioned in conversation that her grandfather was a Nazi. She said it in a nonchalant, matter-of-fact way, and even cracked a joke about how he’s technically in hiding and she’s not supposed to tell people about his past. As a Jew whose family fled Eastern Europe during the pogroms (pre-WWII violent persecution against the Jews), I was a bit uncomfortable. I mean, what did I expect her to do? Apologize for her history, which she had nothing to do with? Apologize for loving her grandfather? I don’t know. I still don’t know. I think about that moment to this day.

Anyway, you could say I’m predisposed to appreciate a piece of theatre that grapples with these sorts of moral dilemmas in a thoughtful and intellectually rigorous manner.

As a critic, it’s a little daunting to award something 5*. What if other critics recognized a major flaw you missed? Nonetheless, I feel what I feel, and I’m still thinking about this play days after seeing it. I think it’s a special gem. Award playwright/director Andrew Kushnir and lead actor Daniel Maslany their respective Dora Awards, already!

I’ll share one funny opening-night anecdote that would never make a formal review. As I settled into my seat, Andrew Kushnir (playwright/director) walked across the stage to get to his seat (a result of the room configuration). A few moments later, what I can only describe as a “wii avatar” version of Kushnir stepped on stage and began the show. Daniel Maslany plays a dramatized version of Kushnir in the play. I looked at the man on the stage, then back to the man in the audience, and then back to the stage. Yup, definitely different people. Cool. Cool cool cool.

As always, thanks to Katie from KSPR for the invite and perfect seat. Appreciate it greatly.

Photo credit: Andrew Kushnir in The Division. By Dahlia Katz