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‘*Pride & Prejudice (Sort Of)’ Returns To Toronto’s CAA Theatre Summer 2025

Eric Alper
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‘*Pride & Prejudice (Sort Of)’ Returns To Toronto’s CAA Theatre Summer 2025

After captivating Toronto audiences with a wildly successful, sold-out run in 2023, the Olivier Award-winning comedy PRIDE & PREJUDICE (*SORT OF) is set to return to the CAA Theatre for a strictly limited engagement this summer, running from July 22 to August 17, 2025.

Hailed by critics as “smart, laugh out loud funny” (The Daily Telegraph), PRIDE & PREJUDICE (*SORT OF) made its North American premiere as part of the 2023/24 Off-Mirvish season and quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. With its original twist on a beloved classic, the show extended its run twice due to audience demand. Now, Toronto theatre lovers will get another chance to experience the electrifying wit and riotous charm of Isobel McArthur’s groundbreaking adaptation.

This fiercely funny and affectionate retelling of Jane Austen’s iconic love story replaces ballroom decorum with karaoke mics, corsets with pop culture, and decorous suitors with full-throttle female storytelling. Featuring pop classics like “Young Hearts Run Free,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “You’re So Vain,” the show reimagines Austen’s world through the voices of the overlooked—and very outspoken—women who keep the Bennet household running.

Directed by Olivier and Evening Standard Theatre Award winner Isobel McArthur and Martin Leonard, this production balances biting satire with generous heart, making it one of the most exhilarating theatrical experiences of the decade.

The returning cast features:

  • Emma Rose Creaner as Tillie, Charlotte Lucas, Charles Bingley, and Miss Bingley
  • Eleanor Kane as Anne, Mary Bennet, Lydia Bennet, and Mr. Gardiner
  • Rhianna McGreevy as Flo, Mrs. Bennet, and Fitzwilliam Darcy
  • Naomi Preston Low as Effie and Elizabeth Bennet
  • Christine Steel as Clara, Jane Bennet, and Lady Catherine de Burgh
    Also joining the company are Isobel Donkin and Georgia May Firth.

This dazzling ensemble brings depth, mischief, and unforgettable comedic timing to McArthur’s razor-sharp script, celebrating female friendship and fiery resilience with every beat.

Presented by David and Hannah Mirvish, this engagement marks the continued partnership with David Pugh & Cunard, building on the show’s success across the UK, including a critically acclaimed West End run. The original production was co-produced by The Tron Theatre Company, the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Blood of The Young, and other leading regional companies.

PRIDE & PREJUDICE (*SORT OF) invites audiences to laugh, sing, and fall in love all over again—with Austen, with karaoke, and with the joy of theatre itself.

Performance Details:
CAA Theatre – 651 Yonge Street, Toronto
Run Dates: July 22 – August 17, 2025
Tickets on Sale: Friday, March 7 at 10AM
Box Office: www.mirvish.com | 1-800-461-3333

Tori Amos Releases Debut Children’s Book ‘Tori And The Muses’

Eric Alper
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Tori Amos Releases Debut Children’s Book ‘Tori And The Muses’

From the Grammy-nominated and multiplatinum singer-songwriter and New York Times bestselling author Tori Amos comes Tori and the Muses, a thoughtful and sprightly tale of young Tori navigating the magical world of inspiration in all its forms.

Tori is no ordinary child—her musical inspirations and talents are clear from a young age. But when her dad forces her to rehearse for her recital, Tori is unhappy. She wants to play what she wants to play! And though they don’t see eye to eye, Tori has a secret: eleven Muses who have visited her since she was a baby and inspire her to write and make her own beautiful music. These fairy godmother–like Muses remind Tori that inspiration is everywhere, and perhaps in helping others find their own Muses—including Dad—she may better understand her own inspirations.

So, Tori takes her brand-new floating pink piano—a gift from the Muses—to see what might inspire others, in hopes of understanding what her dad’s Muses might be. And she is surprised at what she finds.

Filled with joy, curiosity, and imagination, this debut picture book written by Tori Amos with otherworldly illustrations by Demelsa Haughton will inspire, encourage, and most importantly, remind young readers to find inspiration in the things they love, and to listen to their own Muses.

The Ting Tings Meet ‘My Sharona’ With Toni Basil’s ‘Mickey’ In This Wild Mashup

Eric Alper
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The Ting Tings Meet ‘My Sharona’ With Toni Basil’s ‘Mickey’ In This Wild Mashup

YouTuber Justin Kayes dropped a mashup that still slaps. Blending The Ting Tings’ “That’s Not My Name” with ’70s and ’80s gems like “My Sharona,” “Mickey,” and “Ça Plane Pour Moi,” plus a wink from The B-52’s, this mix is a time-traveling dance party. Four decades collide—and somehow it all grooves.












Rush’s “Subdivisions” Stripped Down: Geddy Lee’s Voice And Alex Lifeson’s Solo Take Center Stage In Isolated Tracks

Eric Alper
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Rush’s “Subdivisions” Stripped Down: Geddy Lee’s Voice And Alex Lifeson’s Solo Take Center Stage In Isolated Tracks

“Subdivisions” gets the vocals-only treatment, and the results are stunning. Geddy Lee’s delivery (starting at 0:54) rings with clarity and emotion, while Alex Lifeson’s guitar solo at 4:17 cuts straight to the core. Even without the full mix, Neil Peart’s rhythmic presence is felt in every measure. This version pulls back the curtain on the intricate genius of a band that always played with heart—and precision.












Geddy Lee’s Voice And Alex Lifeson’s Isolated Guitar Shine In “Closer To The Heart”

Eric Alper
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Geddy Lee’s Voice And Alex Lifeson’s Isolated Guitar Shine In “Closer To The Heart”

In this vocals-only version of Rush’s “Closer To The Heart,” Geddy Lee’s voice takes on new depth, every word cutting through with clarity and soul. Stripped of full instrumentation, the spotlight also falls on Alex Lifeson’s elegant solo—crisp, emotional, and perfectly placed. It’s a fresh way to experience one of prog rock’s most heartfelt anthems. Rush, up close and personal.












Peter Gabriel’s Vocals Shine In Isolated “Supper’s Ready” With 1973 Bataclan Footage

Eric Alper
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Peter Gabriel’s Vocals Shine In Isolated “Supper’s Ready” With 1973 Bataclan Footage

“Supper’s Ready” gets stripped down to the soul with this vocals-only version featuring the unmistakable voice of Peter Gabriel. Paired with footage from Genesis’s 1973 performance at the Bataclan in France, it’s a haunting, theatrical, and deeply human experience. The instrumental breaks are filled in with live audio, but it’s Gabriel’s storytelling tone that steals the show. A prog epic, now even more intimate.












Alice Coltrane’s ‘Monument Eternal’ Returns With Spiritual Wisdom And Musical Insight

Eric Alper
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Alice Coltrane’s ‘Monument Eternal’ Returns With Spiritual Wisdom And Musical Insight

The long-awaited reissue of Alice Coltrane’s original spiritual teachings and reflections, which provide powerful insight into her transcendent music, cherished by millions across the globe 

ALICE COLTRANE (1937–2007) was a composer, master of various musical instruments, improviser, spiritual leader, and wife of John Coltrane. Throughout her adult life, she worked within and combined a broad range of musical genres, including gospel, R&B, bebop, free jazz, Indian devotional song, and Western art music. She recorded more than twenty full-length albums for Impulse and Warner Bros. Her music speaks to her experiences as a child playing for church congregations in Detroit; the transcendent and mind-bending avant-garde improvisations she performed with John Coltrane; and her religious pilgrimages to India. 

When Monument Eternal was originally published in 1977, Alice Coltrane was living in Southern California and had recently become a swami, building and nurturing an alternative spiritual community. In these pages, she says that the book is “based upon the soul’s realizations in Absolute Consciousness and its spiritual relationships with the Supreme One.” Monument Eternal offers deep insight into Coltrane’s tremendous musical output, and shines a light on her transformation from Alice McLeod, Detroit church organist and bebopper, to sage thought leader Swami Turiyasangitananda. It also reflects the extraordinary fluidity of American religious customs in the mid and late twentieth century. 

Akashic’s long-awaited reissue of Monument Eternal includes a new foreword by Ashley Kahn.

Dion DiMucci Drops New Single “New York Minute” And Celebrates New Book

Eric Alper
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Dion DiMucci Drops New Single “New York Minute” And Celebrates New Book

Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci has released his new single, “New York Minute,” now available on all streaming platforms. To celebrate his new book Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher, the song arrives as a nostalgic ode to Dion’s lifelong love affair with New York City and his wife, Susan, to whom he has been married for over 60 years.

“New York Minute” encapsulates Dion’s signature sound and is yet another testament to Dion’s ability to craft songs that resonate across generations, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest songwriters in rock and roll history.

“The song ‘New York Minute’ expresses my love for my city, New York, and my wife, Susan,” Dion shares. “When I first saw Susan, I could not think of anything else. I went to school but didn’t hear one word the teacher said. All I could think about was her! Where is she now? What is she doing? I wanna look at her. I wanna talk to her. I wanna get close to her any way I can. My mind was on a loop. Yeah, take a listen to the song. I think my mind was broken. I dropped my subway token, though not a word was spoken when I saw her smile.”

The new music follows hot on the heels of Dion’s recently released, highly anticipated book, Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher. Co-written with recovery and performance coach Adam Jablin, the book offers an intimate glimpse into Dion’s remarkable six-decade journey through rock and roll history.

With contributions from luminaries like Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Bishop Robert Barron, and Stevie Van Zandt, the book is an inspiring reflection on his rise to fame, battles with addiction, enduring marriage, and friendships with legends like Hank Williams and Bob Dylan. In addition to the beautiful hard cover, an incredible companion Audiobook is also available exclusively on Audible which includes 30 songs, 3 Rock & Roll Hall induction speeches, interviews between Dion and Adam and more.

Featuring over 200 vibrant photos, the hard cover book is both a celebration of Dion’s life and a chronicle of the evolution of rock and roll. In his role as a mentor and storyteller, Dion shares wisdom, humour, and insight, making Dion: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Philosopher a must-read for fans of music history and anyone seeking inspiration.

Jon Batiste To Headline 2025 Arts For All Gala At Festival Napa Valley

Eric Alper
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Jon Batiste To Headline 2025 Arts For All Gala At Festival Napa Valley

Setting the stage with his high energy positivity and irrepressible creativity, GRAMMY and Oscar-winning artist Jon Batiste will headline Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala Sunday, July 13, 2025, hosted at the Oakville property of Nickel & Nickel, part of Far Niente Wine Estates.

Crowning the opening weekend of Festival Napa Valley’s Summer Season, the Arts for All Gala is one of the nation’s premier fundraisers for education and the arts, raising more than $28 million to date. Proceeds fund inspiring education programs for youth and seniors, music and wellness initiatives, free and affordable concerts, and scholarships.

“The Arts for All Gala is a dazzling celebration of art, community, and impact,” said Mary Beth Shimmon, who chairs the Gala with her husband, Festival board member David Shimmon. “A committed group of artists, philanthropists, and visionaries come together with a shared and vital mission: to transform  lives through the arts. With the extraordinary Jon Batiste as this year’s headliner, this is the event everyone will be talking about.”

Jon Batiste is known for his genre-defying sound and electrifying performances. He has earned an impressive list of accolades, including five GRAMMY Awards for his 2021 album, We Are, and an Academy Award for Best Original Score for Pixar’s 2020 animated feature, Soul. A passionate advocate for music’s unifying power to unite and heal, Batiste captivated global audiences as the bandleader of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and as the subject of Netflix’s 2023 feature-length documentary, American Symphony. 

Gala guests will enjoy a lavish dinner presented by Chef Rogelio Garcia, executive chef of the Michelin-starred Auro at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, each course thoughtfully paired with exceptional wines from Far Niente Wine Estates to showcase the elegance and diversity of the Estates’ renowned offerings. The evening includes a live auction featuring once-in-a-lifetime luxury getaways, bespoke performing arts experiences, highly collectible wines, and more.

Reservations for the 2025 Arts for All Gala are now open for Festival Passport and Opening Weekend Patron Pass holders and table sponsors. A limited number of individual passes will be available in spring 2025 for $3,000 each. For information, visit https://festivalnapavalley.org/support/arts-for-all-gala/ or call 707-927-3874.

Festival Napa Valley’s Summer Season takes place July 5-20, 2025 at venues throughout Napa Valley. Visit www.festivalnapavalley.org.

Bilal Delivers Long-Awaited npr Tiny Desk Set With Soul, Range, And Raw Power

Eric Alper
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Bilal Delivers Long-Awaited npr Tiny Desk Set With Soul, Range, And Raw Power

Two decades in, Bilal’s Tiny Desk debut feels like both a milestone and a homecoming. Opening with the unreleased “Something To Hold,” he glides through soul, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop with vocal mastery and fearless emotion. Backed by a killer band and dynamic vocalists, every track transforms into a moment. No one bends sound and spirit like Bilal—and this set proves it.












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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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