Amid the rise of authoritarianism echoing across the border and the recent Canadian election, local emerging company Contact Theatre is back, to once again engage Montreal in the discourse. Their upcoming production of Cabaret promises vibrant choreography, a dazzling set and timeless broadway hits and, of course, a chilling reminder of what happens when political complacency takes hold. The production will go up at Montreal’s historic Monument National, taking place from May 16 to 24,
Founded by Ally Brumer and Debora Friedmann, Contact Theatre is a non-profit musical theatre company known for its fearless storytelling and bold approach to provocative, complex themes. Coming off their award-winning 2024 production of Spring Awakening, Contact Theatre demanded Montreal’s attention on the growing threats to reproductive rights, the lack of access to sexual education, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Montreal listened, with the production being the first musical to ever take home the Montreal English Theatre Award for Outstanding Independent Production.
This bold reimagining of the iconic musical transports audiences to early 1930s Weimar Berlin, a world of extremes where the electrifying queer nightlife of the Kit Kat Klub exists in stark contrast to the rising tide of fascism. As the Emcee, Sally Bowles, and the club’s patrons revel in rose tinted glasses at a last moment of freedom, the world outside the Klub begins to shift irreversibly. Contact’s iteration of Cabaret is asking audiences how long they can ignore the storm outside before they themselves find they are engulfed in it.
The production blends familiar and fresh faces, with Contact veterans Julie D’Entremont, Joel Berstein, and Mairead Rynne leading the cast as Sally Bowles, Cliff Bradshaw, and the Emcee. Noted West Island thespian Erin Yardley-Jones plays Fräulein Kost (Fritzie)
“I’m very grateful to be a part of this production,” remarks Rynne. “The significance of telling this story within the current global political climate is not lost on anyone. As a queer trans person, it feels very special to have the opportunity to represent my community onstage, and to highlight the chilling parallels of this history with the present moment. Each and every one of us is reflected in this story, and we each have a responsibility to ensure that ‘never again’ means never again, for anyone.”
The show also features members of Montreal’s vibrant drag and burlesque scene, including Little Star and Maya Lewis. Showcasing performers with lived experiences that reflect the story has been central to the company’s vision.
Led by META-nominated Friedmann, Contact Theatre continues to push the boundaries of musical theatre with immersive, thought-provoking storytelling. Friedmann remarks, “As a company founded by two women of German Jewish descent, staging this production in a world where antisemitism, queer persecution, and far-right ideologies are once again on the rise is more than an artistic endeavor—it is an act of resistance. This story serves as a powerful reminder of art’s ability to confront the past, challenge the present, and inspire a better future.”
With Cabaret, Contact Theatre welcomes audiences into the Kit Kat Klub—only to leave them questioning what happens when the music stops.
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, That was followed by Next to Normal in 2022 and Reefer Madness in 2023
Tickets are now on sale at www.contacttheatre.ca
PODCAST NAMED NUMBER ONE: The Sick Podcast, hosted by Tony Marinaro, has officially been recognized as the top podcast in Montreal, as voted by the local community on cultmtl.com. This prestigious ranking reflects the podcast’s growing popularity and the strong connection it has established with its audience. The Sick Podcast stands out among a competitive field of local podcasts, securing its position as the number one choice for listeners in Montreal. The criteria for determining the top podcast included votes from the public, highlighting the engagement and support from the Montreal community. The podcast’s unique blend of sports commentary, interviews, and Marinaro’s distinctive personality has resonated deeply with listeners, setting it apart from other contenders. See my Instagram chat with Tony.
BEYOND KEN DRYDEN GOES TO TORONTO: Acclaimed playwright Oren Safdie returns to the stage with his most personal work yet. His new solo show, Beyond Ken Dryden, which received critical acclaim during its Montreal run, will make its Toronto premiere at Soulpepper Theatre’s Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House Lane), running from May 15 to June 1. Blending coming-of-age nostalgia, sports mythology, and political awakening, this intimate performance takes audiences on a deeply reflective journey through Safdie’s childhood in Montreal during a time of profound cultural and personal upheaval. I saw the show last year and it was terrific; let me make that beyond terrific!
At the heart of Beyond Ken Dryden is Safdie’s childhood reverence for legendary goalie Ken Dryden and the Montreal Canadiens, who came to represent hope and stability amid the chaos of his home life. For Safdie, the Canadiens were more than just athletes, they were a source of comfort during turbulent times, a surrogate family of sorts.
Set against the backdrop of a devastating house fire, his parents’ tumultuous divorce, and the rising tensions of Quebec’s separatist movement, the play skillfully weaves together personal memory and pivotal political moments, including the 1976 election of the Parti Québécois and the resulting mass exodus of Anglophones from the province.
“Hockey in Canada isn’t just a sport, it’s part of the cultural fabric,” says Oren Safdie. “And growing up, Ken Dryden represented everything I wanted to hold on to, consistency, strength, family. He became my touchstone in a world that was unraveling.”
As Safdie navigated the emotional turmoil of his own family’s struggles, including growing up in his father Moshe Safdie’s iconic Habitat ’67, he also witnessed how Quebec’s shifting political landscape impacted his friends and classmates. Beyond Ken Dryden merges the personal with the political, offering a poignant commentary on a transformative chapter in Quebec’s history. The play also draws inspiration from his stepfather Roch Carrier’s beloved children’s book The Hockey Sweater, which tells the story of a young boy in small-town Quebec who idolizes his hero, Maurice Richard.
Bringing the story to life is Max Katz, a versatile New York–born actor and musician whose performance anchors the solo show with depth and nuance. Katz has appeared on stages from the Montréal Fringe to London’s West End, with past roles in Cherry Docs (Beige Theatre Co.), Hell Dialogues (Sheen Center for Thought and Culture), and The Count of Monte Cristo (Hudson Classical Theatre Company). While Safdie never met Ken Dryden in person, he credits the Hall of Fame goalie with influencing his life.
“We often underestimate how much a role model, or a sports hero, can inspire and comfort, particularly during challenging times,” Safdie shares. “Hockey in Canada transcends the game itself. It serves as a unifying force across such a vast and diverse country.”
Info: https://tickets.youngcentre.ca/overview/15216
IAN SOLLOWAY: Me Ian M. Solloway, one the city’s most prominent family lawyers, will be receiving the 2025 “ Lifetime Achievement Award of the English-Speaking Section of the Bar of Montreal”, at a ceremony which will be taking place at the Montreal Courthouse on Thursday, May 15. The award is given, from time to time, to a member of the Montreal Ber, “ who , throughout his career, has demonstrated excellence in the profession, outstanding leadership and service to the legal profession, and has contributed to the enhancement of the image of the profession. Solloway, who was named Chair Emeritus of the English-Speaking Section of the Montreal Bar in 2023, is only the 3’rd recipient of this distinguished Award since its inauguration in 2013.
CRAFTED FOR COURAGE: After months of love, labour, and community collaboration, the moment is almost here. On Sat, May 1, at Esplanade PVM at Place Ville Marie, Crafted for Courage will take place. This is a powerful public art installation made from hundreds of hand-knit and crocheted blankets. Each one symbolizes solidarity, healing, and hope for women who have experienced violence.
SOCAN GALA: OHU rocked to the beat of the SOCAN 2025 Gala Saturday, marking the organization’s 100th anniversary with more than 100 trophies awarded in 25 categories to honour the creativity and excellence of songwriters, screen composers and music publishers from Québec and French-speaking Canada. The event, hosted by Rebecca Makonnen and under the musical direction of Chloé Lacasse, brilliantly alternated between award presentations, tributes and surprise performances. The event opened with a bang as La Zarra performed a vibrant rendition of “Évidemment” (International Song Award) after which SOCAN’s CEO Jennifer Brown welcomed the audience by reminding everyone of the historical importance of this centennial. “On this special occasion, I am filled with gratitude for the pioneers of copyright in Québec. Diane Juster, Luc Plamondon, Gilles Valiquette, Lise Aubut… and many others,” said Brown. “It is thanks to their determination that we have become such a strong group. Their legacy lives on, and we continue to follow in their footsteps today.”
The 34th SOCAN Gala kicked off in style, rolling out several Special Achievement Awards. The Cultural Impact Award went to iconic hip-hop group Muzion for “La Vi Ti-Neg”, a powerful anthem of unity, history, and urban identity. Diane Juster was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to Francophone music and copyright, while Charlotte Cardin and Jason Brando took home top honours as Songwriter of the Year and Non-Performing Songwriter of the Year, respectively. Banx & Ranx earned the Songwriter of the Year – Producer award and Cristobal Tapia de Veer, was once again, awarded the Screen Composer of the Year Award. The International Award went to none other than the trailblazing Kaytranada, whose influence reaches far beyond Canada’s borders. The Publisher of the Year Award, recognizing a SOCAN publisher member’s outstanding contribution to the music industry and creative community, was presented to Face Trois Musique/Third Side Music, represented by publisher Patrick Curley.
Some of the 34th annual SOCAN Montreal Awards winners. Left to right: Banx & Ranx, Muzion, Aliocha, Richard Séguin, Alexandre Alonso (SOCAN) and Jean-Christian Céré (SOCAN).
A total of 12 Popular Song Awards were handed out throughout the evening to the songwriters and music publishers of the most played Francophone songs in 2023 and 2024. Songs awarded were “Partout,” “Le blanc des yeux,” “Une bouteille à la mer,” “80’s,” “Vol à l’étalage,” “Printemps,” “Ensemble,” “Rien d’autre que toi,” “Night in Paris V. F.,” “Fake Friends,” “La fin du show” et “Feel Good.” Two Anglophone Popular Song Awards were also handed out to “Confetti,” sung by Charlotte Cardin, and “Take Me Away (My Love)”, sung by Mike Demero & Zagata. To highlight the vital work of screen composers and their publishers, the Orchestre Filmharmonique delivered a powerful, emotional performance featuring musical themes from this year’s award-winning film and television scores. The Breakthrough Screen Composer of the Year award went to Olivier Bibeau, while composers (Wong and Winchester), Miklos Simpson (STAT), Guy Kaye (Indéfendable), Gaétan Essiambre (Salut Bonjour) and Rémy Tremblay (L’île Kilucru) all distinguished themselves in the Music for Television – National category. Cristobal Tapia de Veer (Smile, The White Lotus) and Ramachandra Borcar (Kings of Coke) were celebrated in the Television and Film Music – International categories.
The inaugural Herbert Ruff Award for Audiovisual Post-Synchronization, shining a spotlight on the growing importance of post-synchronization and the vital contributions of creators and publishers in the field, was awarded to Éditions Backstage Passes for its contribution to the growth and reach of local screen compositions. In the specialized music categories, rappers Souldia and Lost each won a Hip-Hop Music Award, Zeina won the R&B Music Award, Priori won the Electronic Music Award, Dominique Fils-Aimé received the Hagood Hardy Award for Jazz music, and Caroline Lizotte won the Jan V. Matejcek Award for New Classical Music. The Country Music Award went to Salebarbes, and the Global Music Award, presented by Gowling WLG, went to Waahli. Breakthrough Artist of the Year award was presented to the phenomenal Fredz, who is rapidly building a promising career here at home and in Europe. He also offered the audience a rendition of his hit song “Le stade.” Finally, the essential role of SOCAN-licensed companies and organizations in ensuring the fair and ethical use of music was recognized with the Partner in Music Award, presented this year to TRAM7, an invaluable partner in ensuring music gets its rightful place across a wide range of audiovisual productions.
Several musical performances marked the gala with unique and moving moments. Among them was the performance by Marie-Denise Pelletier, who paid homage to Juster with a remarkable interpretation of her song “Ce matin” before receiving her Lifetime Achievement Award from the hands of Yvon Deschamps and Rosaire Archambault. Richard Séguin, whose induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame was one of the highlights of the Gala, was deeply moved by the musical tribute paid to him by Simon Godin, Luce Dufault, Jorane, Vincent Vallières, Ivan Boivin-Flamand, and Jeanne Coté, who brilliantly adapted some of Séguin’s greatest hits. His friend Patrice Michaud added a heartfelt and humorous tribute before Richard took the stage to share his pride, but with all the sincere humility for which he’s become known. Cultural Impact Award winner “La Vi Ti-Neg” by Muzion was powerfully delivered by Shah Frank, Waahli, and Barnev, gifting the audience with a moment that was both festive and deeply emotional. Finally, as the 2025 SOCAN Gala marked the centennial celebration of the organization, the evening featured video tributes from members expressing their pride in being part of the talented family of local songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Pioneers in copyright advocacy,Juster and Gilles Valiquette, took the stage to deliver a message of gratitude for the progress made, while urging the next generation of creators to stay vigilant, ensuring SOCAN remains a pillar of cultural sovereignty for at least another century.
Have an item to share? E-mail mcohen@thesuburban.com. Follow me on Instagram @mikecohencsl