Playlistings in Toronto for the Week of February 29th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of February 29th, 2016

This week, we’ve got a bit of everything, from massive Disney musicals to tributes to ABBA, generational tales and storytelling festivals! Check out Editor Samantha’s picks in red under the cut.

Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (LOT). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by Jane O’Connor. Feb 13 to May 1, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45. Show Info.

** The Clowns by Michele Smith and Dean Gilmour (Humber Theatre/Theatre Smith-Gilmour). This production draws inspiration from the works of Federico Fellini and Vaudeville-era burlesque comedy to explore the everyday and the absurd through words and music. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Feb 27, Feb 19-20 and 23-26 at 7:30 pm, mat Feb 21 and 27 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $10. Show Info: humber.theatre@humber.ca.

Salt-Water Moon by David French (Factory Theatre). A young man returns home to woo a former sweetheart who has moved on in 1926 Newfoundland. Previews Feb 23-25, opens Feb 26 and runs to Mar 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview $25. Show Info.

** Anne Boleyn by Howard Brenton (East Side Players). Henry VIII’s second wife takes on the vicious world of Tudor Court politics. Opens Feb 25 and runs to Mar 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $24, stu $17. Show Info.

** Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss (Toronto City Opera). The comedy of mistaken identity, tricksters and love is sung in English. Opens Feb 25 and runs to Mar 6, Feb 25, 27 and Mar 4 at 7:30 pm, Mar 6 at 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15. Show Info.

** L’Elisir D’Amore by Gaetano Donizetti (Toronto City Opera). The romantic opera is performed in Italian with projected English titles. Opens Feb 26 and runs to Mar 5, Feb 26, Mar 3 and 5 at 7:30 pm, Feb 28 at 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15. Show Info.

** Foxfinder by Dawn King (Village Players). Personal tragedy, social paranoia and scapegoating are themes of this dystopian drama. Opens Feb 26 and runs to Mar 19, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 6 & 13 at 2 pm. $22, stu/srs $18. Show Info.

Munsch Mash adapted by Michelle Gram and Bill Martyn (SSCT). Robert Munsch stories performed as one play for ages 3 and up. To Mar 20, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm (and March Break: Mar 14-18 at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm). $16. Show Info.

Goodnight Moon by Chad Henry (YPT). Musical adapted from the children’s picture book by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd. Ages 4 & up. Opens Feb 29 and runs to Mar 19, see website for schedule. $10-$34. Show Info.

TMT Salon: A Passage To India. Toronto Masque Theatre presents an informative look at the inspiration behind TMT’s newest creation. The man who married himself was inspired by a Karnataka folk tale. We look at the music and poetry of India that inspired composer Juliet Palmer and librettist Anna Chatterton, and choreographer Hari Krishnan. Featuring singing from acclaimed vocalist Suba Sankaran. Feb 29 at 7:30 pm. $15-$20 (pre-register). Show Info.

Toronto the Good by Andrew Moodie (The Howland Company Reading Group). Reading of Moodie’s play about poverty, violence and race in the city. Feb 29 at 7 pm. Free. Show Info.

** Port Authority by Conor McPherson (Fly on the Wall Theatre). This portrait of three generations of Irish men portrays interwoven stories of love and missed opportunities. Previews Mar 1, opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 13, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, Sun $20, preview $15. Show Info.

Spirit Dreaming. Talisker Players present a concert of word and music to tell creation myths from around the world, with actor Andrew Moodie. Mar 1-2 at 8 pm. $40, srs $30, stu/un(der)employed $10. Show Info.

** You Will Remember Me by François Archambault (Tarragon Theatre/Studio 180 Theatre). A professor and respected intellectual/political figure struggles with dementia. Previews from Mar 1, opens Mar 9 and runs to Apr 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (and Saturdays: Mar 12, 19 & 26 at 2:30 pm). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. MainSpace. Show Info.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Linda Woolverton (NETworks). This musical is based on the animated feature film. Mar 2-6, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 1 pm. $TBA. Show Info.

** Blood Wedding. Soulpepper Theatre presents the play by Federico García Lorca, translated by Guillermo Verdecchia. A young couple’s engagement rekindles buried passions and threatens a deep-seated blood feud in a small rural town. Mar 2-Apr 9, see website for details. Show Info.

** Pyaasa by Anusree Roy (TPM). The playwright performs her solo show about an 11-year old untouchable girl dealing with India’s discriminatory caste system. Previews Mar 3-6, opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 27, see website for schedule. $17-$38, mat pwyc at the door. In the TPM Backspace. Show Info.

Jitters by David French (Soulpepper Theatre). This play-within-a-play looks at the comedic catastrophes of opening night. Mar 2-Apr 6, see website for details. Show Info.

** Chelsea Moor Castle (Or, The Contract to Marry) by Arthur Sullivan, Barb Scheffler and Michael Harms (North Toronto Players). This original show based on music from Gilbert & Sullivan operettas takes place in an English manor house and includes a mysterious curse, ghosts, a plotting butler and more. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 13, Mar 4, 11 and 12 at 8 pm, Mar 5 gala show at 7 pm, mats Mar 6, 12 and 13 at 2 pm. $25, srs $22, stu $15; add $10 for Mar 5 gala. Kids under 14 free for all performances. Show Info.

I Remember Mama by Julia DeSotto (Red Sandcastle Theatre). A woman looks at how her mother, grandmother and mother-in law helped make her who she is. Mar 4-6, details TBA. Show Info.

** The Just. Soulpepper presents the play by Albert Camus in a new translation by Bobby Theodore. Terror stalks the Russian elite in this play based on the true story of the assassination of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich in 1905. Mar 5-26, see website for details. Show Info.

** Gertrude and Alice by evalyn parry and Anna Chatterton and the collective (Independent Aunties/BIBT). This theatrical show looks at the lives, love and legacy of queer icons Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Mar 5-27. Previews Mar 5-9, opens Mar 10 and runs to Mar 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$37, Sun pwyc at the door. Show Info.

Abbamania Bounty Enterprises present a theatrical ABBA tribute show. Mar 5 at 8 pm. $30-$35. Show Info.

Mikvah by Hader Galron (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Dramatic reading as part of the Spotlight On Israeli Culture Festival. Eight women’s stories unfold in this sensitive depiction of religious observance and evolving feminist consciousness. Mar 6 at 2 pm. Free. RSVP to reserve. In the Gallery Lounge. Show Info.

Mosaic Storytelling Festival. Presented by St David’s Anglican Church and Open Door East End Arts Collective. Tales about little boys and grandfathers, from Ireland to Peru, with Rico Rodriguez and Bruce Carmody. Mar 6 at 3 pm. Pwyc. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings