Review: The Harder They Come (the musical)
Last night I went to opening night of the musical The Harder They Come, brought to Canon Theatre in Toronto by Mirvish. The live music by the band, the red gold and green stage lighting, the effortless dancing, the familiar (and authentic) Jamaican tone and humour...I loved it all from beginning to end! The musical was inspired by the real-life story of the infamous Jamaican outlaw, Ivanhoe "Rhygin" Martin (played by the excellent Rolan Bell). Rhygin's legacy of the 1940s was adapted for the motion picture of the same name in 1972, starring Jimmy Cliff. The on-stage session with drums and keyboards kept a steady reggae vibe all evening as the songs of Jimmy Cliff were featured in beautiful arrangements and powerful reinactments: The Harder They Come , Many Rivers to Cross , You Can Get it If You Really Want , and Sitting Here in Limbo to name a few. There is something wonderful about hearing the songs you know and love, and seeing them brought to life on the stage. It wa...