Shows That Caught Our Eyes in Toronto the Week of August 17th, 2015
From outdoor dance to improv to Shakespeare outdoors, there’s plenty to choose from this week. We’ve highlighted those we’d most like to see in red text. Check it out below the cut!
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
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
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
And the Rest…
Cherry Corsage Creator David Bernstein and Videofag present a show featuring various performance styles to present a queer pantomime about the tiny show businesses we turn our lives into. Aug 20-22 at 8 pm. $15, stu $10. 304 Parliament Show Info
Cut by Crystal Skillman (Radioactive Ladybird Productions). Three reality TV writers race to complete the season finale of The Ladies Of Malibu without letting their egos get in the way. Aug 20-23, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15. 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
Musical Works Theatre 20 and Musical Works In Concert present an event to facilitate the dramaturgy and workshopping of four new musical works in development. The works are: Fitz Happens! (book, music & lyrics by Mark Weatherley); Misprint (Act I) (book by Lauren Toffan, musical contributions by Yan Li); Out Of The Lens (book and lyrics by David Kingsmill; music by David Kingsmill & Nicholas Chave); The Yellow Ribbon (Act I) (book and lyrics by Sara Farb; music by Jesse Farb). Aug 20-23, see website for schedule. $20-$25, festival pass $50-$55 Factory Theatre 125 Bathurst Show Info
Porch View Dances Kaeja d’Dance presents dance by residents on their own porches guided by pro choreographers, plus The Wedding Brigade, a community dance project to explore the meaning of the white dress as a symbol of the joys and struggles that come with love and commitment. See website for location details. Aug 19-23, Wed-Sat 7 pm, Sun 4 pm. Pwyc 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
Stories from the Generation Gap Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, U of T presents a verbatim play built out of original interviews with queer men and women by playwright by Cameron Crookston. Aug 20-23, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. Free (RSVP) 214 College Visit Event Website rsvp.dramacentre@gmail.com
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
Te Amo Argentina. Music, dance and video together in an homage to Argentina with cellist Antonio Lysy, the Borromeo String Quartet, and tango dancers Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrioneuvo. Aug 5 at 7:30 pm. From $35. Show Info
Theatresports Bad Dog Theatre presents Toronto’s longest-running improv comedy contest. Two teams compete in an unscripted battle for the audience’s love. 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Early Match: up-and-coming improvisers perform ahead of the main event. 7 pm. $5. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre 875 Bloor Show Info – –
Under the Big Top 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. $14, family 4-pack $45. Show Info
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage listings.