Shows That Caught Our Eye the Week of July 27th, 2015
It’s shaping up to be a rich summer of Shakespeare here in Toronto, with several of the Bard’s works set to play this week. But be it comedy or tragedy, musical theatre or cerebral drama, there’s a little something for everyone here to help beat the heat. We’ve highlighted those we’d most like to see in red text. Check them out and see if they strike your fancy too!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Kinky Boots. by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper (Mirvish). A man inherits a shoe company and teams up with a drag queen in this musical based on the 2005 film. Previews from Jun 16, opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 27, see website for schedule and prices. Show Info
Shakespeare in High Park: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage/York U MFA Program). The tale of ambition, lust and betrayal is performed outdoors on alternating nights with The Comedy Of Errors. Previews from Jul 2, opens Jul 16 and runs to Sep 6, see website for schedule. Pwyc ($25 reserved). Show Info
Shakespeare in High Park: Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage/York U MFA Program). With the most recent graduates of the York University-Canadian Stage MFA program, and one sparkling cast, here’s your opportunitiy to take in this summer tradition under the stars in the High Park Amphitheatre. Show Info
Newsies. Mirvish presents the Tony Award-winning musical by Alan Menken, Jack Feldman and Harvey Fierstein. A charismatic NYC newsboy leads a ragged band of youth in a strike against a greedy publishing titan in this musical inspired by the “Newsboy Strike” of 1899. Previews Jul 8, opens Jul 9 and runs to Aug 30, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Show Info
And the Rest…
Animal Nature by David Anderson, Tamara Romanchuk, Anna Sapershteyn (Clay & Paper Theatre) A tale with giant puppets and an epic papier-mâché fight for the future of the planet. Preview Jul 22, runs Jul 23 to Aug 16, 7:30 pm. Pwyc, $10 suggested. Show Info
The Best of Fringe Toronto Festival Presented by the Toronto Fringe Festival and Toronto Centre for the Arts. Eight of the best shows from this year’s Fringe Fest get encore performances: Meet Cute, A Man Walks Into A Bar, My Big Fat German Puppet Show, Pool (No Water), Gavin Crawford: “Friend” “Like” #Me, God’s Beard, Morro And Jasp Do Puberty and People Suck. July 15-29, see website for schedule. $17.75. at Toronto Centre for the Arts 5040 Yonge Show Info
Dive (The Mermaid Collective). A mermaid guides a young journalist and an old professor through the maze of their desires in this electroacoustic music theatre salon and sound installation. Previews Jul 30, opens Jul 31 and runs to Aug 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30, preview $15, Aug 6 gala $55. Show Info
Dusk Dances Flamenco, high-energy African dance, original contemporary works and more are part of the annual outdoor dance event. Performances by Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company, Lua Shayenne and Company and others. Aug 3-9, dance performances start at 7:30 pm (live music and salsa class from 6:45 pm). Pwyc ($10 suggested). Withrow Park 725 Logan, Toronto, Ontario M4K 3B9 Show Info
Falsatff & The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare (Humber River Shakespeare Company). The rowdy comedy of love, marriage and trickery is presented outdoors as the summer touring production comes to a close in Toronto. Jul 25-Aug 2, Jul 25-26 and Jul 31-Aug 2 at 7 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). (Local performances also Jul 28-29 at Old Mill Inn; Jul 30 at Etienne Brûlé Park.) Show Info
Hamlet: The Bard’s Bus Tour by William Shakespeare (Driftwood Theatre). The classic tragedy is presented in a new adaptation in this touring production. Opens July 9 and runs to Aug 16, all shows at 7:30 pm. (See website for cities and dates around southern Ontario.) Pwyc, $20 suggested/reserved. Show Info
Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare (Dauntless City Theatre). The audience gets up close while King Ferdinand, the Princess of France and their companions navigate duty, adulthood and love in the court of Navarre. Runs Jul 23 to Aug 16, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. Pwyc. 35 Wellington E. Show Info
Mary Poppins by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (LOT). This musical is based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Previews from Jul 9, opens Jul 16 and runs to Aug 30, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$60. Show Info
Panamania Live Dance Toronto 2015 Committee presents outdoor dance performance as part of PANAMANIA. Including Greta Hodgkinson’s Venom, Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre, Debra Brown’s Pulse, Peggy Baker’s FluxDelux, Canada’s National Ballet School, Alejandro Ronciera and more. Jul 10-Aug 12, at Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen West) and Pan Am Park (100 Princes’ Blvd). See website for dates and times of individual shows. Free. Show Info
Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl (Canadore College’s Rep 21.) his epic triptych performed over two nights explores the intersection of politics, religion and theatre as players rehearse the Easter Passion play in three different eras: 1575 in northern England, 1934 in Bavaria, and from the Vietnam War to the present in South Dakota. Parts One and Two, Jul 29 & 31, Part Three, Jul 30 & Aug 1, 7:30 pm. Admission by donation to the Actors Fund of Canada. Show Info
Rocketman: The Musical (Lower Ossington Theatre). This musical revue pays tribute to the pop star who’s sold more than 300 million records in his five-decade career. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Aug 2, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 4 pm. $35. Show Info
Romeo and Juliet. Guild Festival Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s timeless romance on the open-air Greek Stage in Guild Park. Show Info
The Second City Fall 2015 Mainstage Revue. Previews of Second City’s latest sketch comedy revue. Preview performances begin July 14. Tickets starting at $25. Performances every Tuesday to Sunday. Official Opening in August (date tbd). Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm. $25, stu $16-$18. Show Info
Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind, with music by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater (Randolph Academy). Teens in 19th-century Germany explore their sexuality and deal with the consequences in this musical. Opens Jul 30 and runs to Aug 8, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Show Info
Superhero! A Bam! Zap! Pow! Murder Mystery Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre presents an interactive dinner-theatre whodunit set at a superhero convention. Runs to Oct 31, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for mats. $37-$87. Show Info
Under the BigTop Famous People Players presents a black light theatre show for all ages about the magic of the circus. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Oct 28, Tue-Sat, call/see website for times. Show Info
Vampire Campfire A silly gang of ghouls spend summer at a remedial camp for monsters in this all-ages interactive music and sketch show. To Sep 3, Wed-Thu 1 pm. (Added performance: Fri July 3 at 1 pm.) $14, family 4-pack $45. Show Info
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage listings.