Entertainment Notebook: Falsettos comes to the Segal Centre; Donna The Show; Tough Old

Known for productions that place contemporary urgency at the center of classic works, Contact Theatre comes to the Segal Centre March 7 to 15 with Falsettos, a contemporary musical that explores love, society, family, and identity in late-1970s New York with an absurdist twist. Funny, raw, and deeply human, the production asks how we define family in a world of ever-changing rules and structures.

Founded by Ally Brumer and Debora Friedmann, Contact Theatre is a non-profit musical theatre company known for its fearless storytelling and bold, contemporary approach to classic works. Most recently, the company’s immersive production of Cabaret invited audiences directly into the world of the Kit Kat Klub, blurring the line between performer and spectator while drawing unsettling parallels between 1930s Berlin and the political climate of today. The production followed Contact Theatre’s award-winning Spring Awakening (2024), which became the first musical to receive the Montreal English Theatre Award for Outstanding Independent Production.

Falsettos follows a Jewish family in late-1970s New York as it fractures, reshapes, and learns to exist in a world that no longer fits neatly together. When Marvin leaves his wife and son for another man, chaos and comedy unfold—new relationships form, old ones strain, and a child is left trying to understand a suddenly unfamiliar world. What begins as an absurd, playful exploration of love and family is gradually overtaken by the quiet emergence of the AIDS crisis, asking how we grow up when the safety of pretending begins to fall away.

With an intimate seven-person cast, the production allows the story’s humour and heartbreak to unfold with striking immediacy. Daniel Wilkenfeld leads the cast as Marvin. “I am so thrilled to help tell a story strongly centered around the Jewish and Queer communities, both of which are a huge part of my personal identity,” he says. “I have the great privilege of working with an incredible cast, and the powerhouse production team that is Contact Theatre. This one is not to be missed!”

The production is supported by the Segal Centre’s Stage Forward Fund, with Contact Theatre’s co-founders named as the fund’s first-ever recipients. The Stage Forward Fund champions innovative theatre-making and emerging artistic leadership, investing in work that reflects the urgency and complexity of our moment. “This deeply human musical about love, family, and chosen community has found the perfect home here at the Segal. I cannot wait for new audiences to discover the piece and for fans to fall in love anew with Contact’s production. We are thrilled to support the Jewish Creative Leadership of Ally Brumer and Debora Friedmann,” says Segal Centre’s Artistic and Executive Director, Lisa Rubin.

With Falsettos, Contact Theatre invites audiences to laugh, connect, and confront what it means to grow up. Contact Theatre burst onto the Montreal theatre scene in 2019 with Bonnie & Clyde, sweeping 11 BroadwayWorld Awards, including Best Independent Musical and Theatre Company. After the pandemic forced the cancellation of Chicago, they returned stronger than ever with back-to-back META-nominated productions

Info: https://www.segalcentre.org/en/shows/2025-2026/falsettos

DONNA THE SHOW: I had a nice talk with Théa Hart Barnwell, the Montreal-born artistic director and producer of Donna The Show, which hits Théâtre Plaza (6505 Rue Saint-Hubert near Beaubien) for presentations March 12, 21 and 22.

Intimate and striking, the performance will invite audiences into a world where movement, image, and emotion take center stage. Donna The Show is born from the dream to create something new, bold and experimental. Last year she performed on a cruise ship. This was soon after her mom passed away. “My mom had left me some money, so I thought ‘why not come up with my own show?’ and that is how this all came to be. It was the perfect time to plan it out as I sat there isolated on a cruise ship.”

Reimagining the art of 20th-century cabaret through a raw and contemporary lens, blending dance, fashion, music, and cinematic visual storytelling. The result is an immersive performance that moves fluidly between fantasy and reality, revealing scenes that are seductive, enigmatic, and emotionally charged. This is a cabaret, reborn. Narratively, Donna The Show embodies the dream itself. Through projections and spoken word, Donna emerges as an ominous yet sensual presence, guiding the audience through shared dreamscapes shaped by visions, subconscious impulses, and feminine power. Rather than a traditional narrative, the performance unfolds through a succession of moments – intimate, atmospheric, and charged with meaning. Following its premiere in Berlin in November 2025, where Hart Barnwell lived and performed  for the better part of a decade Donna The Show comes to Montreal for a limited run, featuring four professional Montreal-based dancers (Kaia Portner, Elizabeth Parenteau, Maïka Martel  and Tessie Isaac) alongside two Montreal-based pole artists (Minji Kim and Kheanna Walker). The production brings together three choreographers merging classic showgirl, commercial dance, and heels technique: Lydia Holt (London, England) Guillaume Michaud (Montreal, Canada) and Amber Ivers (Brisbane, Australia).

For Hart Barnwell, Berlin was not only where she found herself as a performer and producer, but the place she met her soulmate and now husband. They are expecting their first child in the spring. “In Montreal, I will perform one number with my pregnant belly,” she says.

The costume design, elevated by three fashion collaborations and including pieces from the Montreal Designer Beautopie blends classic showgirl elegance with bold, fetish-inspired aesthetics to create a striking, body-forward visual language. At the helm is Hart Barnwell, an alumna of Canada’s renowned National Ballet School, who brings her versatile creativity and years of experience as a showgirl at the iconic Friedrichstadt Palast in Berlin. Her international stage work shapes her artistic voice, grounding the production in discipline, sensuality, and self-expression. Guided by her multidisciplinary vision, the ensemble delivers a performance that feels deeply personal yet boldly theatrical

“I love the word Donna and how it resonates inside of me,” says Hart Barnwell. “It exudes strength, boldness, and sensuality. It’s no coincidence that Donna means woman in Italian, because women are all of these things. And this is what Donna The Show is about: elevating and celebrating the power of women.”

Montreal performances are March 12, ( 8 pm) and March 20 and 21 ( 7 pm and 9:30pm) at Théâtre Plaza. For ticket information click here.

Watch my chat with Hart Barnwell on Instagram here

TOUGH OLD BROADS: Celebrating trailblazers, troublemakers and women who refuse to sit quietly, Tough Old Broads begins its Canadian theatrical run Friday March 6, leading into International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8. The latest feature film by accomplished director/producer Stacey Tenenbaum from Montreal’s West Island follows three women who shook the world earlier in life and never let up — their accomplishments in sports, climate action and civil rights opened doors to countless others.

 Katherine Switzer was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967–a moment that changed the landscape of women’s athletics and helped bring the women’s marathon to the Olympics in 1984. She also founded 261 Fearless, a global non-profit empowering women in regions where running is a political act. At 79, she remains a formidable advocate and mentor, pushing for equality with the same determination that carried her across the finish line.

Siila Watt Cloutier was fighting for environmental protections long before the world understood the depth of the climate crisis. Her groundbreaking human rights petition in 2005 set a new precedent in the climate movement and her 2007 Nobel Peace Prize nomination underscored her impact. As a key leader with the Inuit Circumpolar Council, she drove international policy to ban toxic pollutants and reframe global thinking on climate justice. She continues speaking around the world on Inuit culture and environmental action.

Sharon Farmer began documenting unrest and social change as a young photographer at Ohio State University in the early 1970s, amid escalating anti-Vietnam War protests following the killings of students at Kent State. She became the first woman and first person of colour to serve as Director of White House Photography. She continues to photograph the realities of injustice, focusing her lens on pivotal moments in American history that demand to be seen.

Tenenbaum (Shiners, Scrap, Pipe Dreams) created Tough Old Broads after witnessing ageism and gender bias in the industry and recognizing how often older women are pushed out of the frame. “I made this film to share the wisdom and experience of older women with a new generation, and to inspire all people to remain vital and outspoken as they age.”

THE RUBIN REPORT: Last Friday night the West Island shook and our correspondent Stewart Rubin was there. The lead singer from Daylite Vampires  shares with us and his website what happened when The Last Call Band stormed back into Macallans Pub in Dorval for a long-awaited return that felt less like a gig and more like a full-scale rock revival. This was the infamous do-over after their last appearance quite literally blew the lights out — a power outage courtesy of Eric Ellemo’s blistering guitar assault that would have made the battle scene in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World look like a warm-up.

At 7 PM sharp the fuse was lit.

Eric Ellemo — lead guitarist and sonic architect — unleashed riffs with the force of a transformer about to burst. Behind him, Andrew “Drew” Halerpin pounded the kit like Thor himself had traded Mjölnir for drumsticks. Towering above the low end, 6’7” bass colossus Ben Desy locked in a groove so deep you felt it in your chest before you heard it in your ears. Out front, Paul Kininmonth — vocalist, guitarist, ringmaster — commanded the room with swagger, soul, and a grin that said we’re just getting started.

And what a room it is now.

Macallans has levelled up: raised drum riser, a crisp, clean, thunder-ready sound system, and lighting that turned the stage into a cathedral of rock. Credit to Wayne Blunt for building a bar-venue hybrid that sets a new benchmark for live music in Montreal. The sound was tight, punchy, and powerful — every note cutting through like a spotlight.

They opened with Times Like These, and from the first chord the dance floor flooded. Not just full — alive. Bodies moving, heads nodding, fists pumping. This wasn’t background music; this was a call to arms.

Paul had the crowd in the palm of his hand, navigating a setlist that jumped decades without losing momentum — ’70s rock grit, modern anthems, dance-floor shakers. A set built for believers.

The first set concluded with A Little Help from My Friends — and the title said it all. Friends, family, road-trippers from Saint-Sauveur, all singing, all united in that moment of shared volume and joy.

What made the night soar: Eric’s solos — blazing, soulful, unapologetically loud; Drew’s drums — thunder with precision; Ben’s bass — the heartbeat of the room; Paul’s voice and banter — the glue that turned a show into a party

This is a band that doesn’t just play songs — they ignite rooms. They are The Last Call Band, and the name is a warning: leave early and you miss the moment everyone talks about the next day. Stay to the end. Sing the last chorus. Raise the final glass. Because when Last Call hits the stage, last call becomes legendary.

COMICCON: Montreal Comiccon has unveiled its first wave of celebrity guests and programming for its 2026 edition, taking place July 3 to 5 at the Palais des congrès. The three-day event is promising unparalleled pop culture celebration of programming, shopping, gaming, cosplay, and celebrity appearances. Montreal Comiccon spans three floors of the Palais des congrès. The second floor houses a sprawling 200,000-square-foot market featuring specialty retailers offering collectibles, toys, mangas, books and merchandise, alongside an Artist Alley where local and international creators present their unique work. This level also includes the Celebrity Photo Ops area, located directly within the exhibit hall, where fans can buy professional photo opportunities with their favourite stars. The fifth floor hosts panels, celebrity guest appearances on stage, Saturday evening’s popular costume contest The Masquerade, and the 2026 Canada Cosplay Championship (Cosplay-Eh!) finale on Sunday, crowning Canada’s best cosplayers. The Tabletop Role-Playing Game (TRPG) section offers adventurers the chance to battle dungeon-dwelling dragons, Cthulian horrors, and more. The seventh floor is dedicated exclusively to the Autograph Area, where fans can meet their favourite personalities and purchase autographs.

Leading this year’s guest lineup are three cinema legends: Lea Thompson (Back to the Future, Red Dawn, Caroline in the City), who can currently be seen on the W/Hallmark series The Chicken Sisters; Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy), fresh off his special appearance on Prime Video’s hit live-action series Fallout; and Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street, V), returning by popular demand. Featured guests include Catherine Tate (The Office, Doctor Who), a multiple award winner for her BBC sketch comedy series The Catherine Tate Show; Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois, Teen Wolf), appearing Friday only; Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf, Scream: Resurrection); Neil Newbon (Baldur’s Gate 3), the voice and motion-capture actor behind the wildly popular character Astarion Ancunin; and Brandon Rogers (Helluva Boss, Hazbin Hotel), voice actor and co-writer on two of the most successful animated series on YouTube and Prime Video.

MORNING GORY: A new retro cinema event production company is launching in Montreal with a mission to bring beloved film classics back to the big screen. Morning Gory Productions will make its debut with a devilish double feature presentation of The Omen and The Exorcist, screening March 6, at Cinéma du Musée ( 1379-A Sherbrooke Street West)

Horror fans are invited to relive the terror that shook a generation — this time, as it was meant to be experienced: in a theatre, with an audience.

Morning Gory Productions aims to keep moviegoers on their toes with curated selections of the best cinema classics from the last five decades and beyond. Each event promises more than just a screening, featuring reimagined poster art, exclusive merchandise, and surprise elements designed to elevate the theatrical experience.

“My partners and I are thrilled to give the horror and genre community here in Montreal the opportunity to convene and watch classics together,” says co-founder Jason Rockman. “Many of our audience members were not even born when these two movies were originally released, so the chance to see them on the big screen is a real treat. Nostalgia is at a fever pitch these days, and we felt a need to offer this experience to fans.”

Info here 

FRAUDS AND SCAMS: Seniors in Montreal have been the victims of frauds and scams more than ever recently. On Mon. March 16 (7 pm) the Cummings Centre will present a free online lecture. With AI now part of the picture, fraud prevention requires new approaches. Expert presenter Eric Ouimet, CFE will show you how to spot scams, protect your personal information, and navigate phone calls, emails, and online offers with confidence. He will share real-life examples, practical tips, and helpful resources to help you stay informed, safe, and secure. Simultaneous translation (English to French).

For more information, contact Joy Lawee at 514.734.1805 or email social.action@cummingscentre.org