Play Listings for the Week of September 1st, 2014

Instead of thinking about the fact that it’s already September (how?!), why not spend your Labour Day Monday planning out all the theatre you’d like to see in Toronto this week? The listings are after the jump, and anything with two asterisks and highlighted in red comes highly recommended by our Editor, Samantha.

 

Already Covered By MoT…

Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen (Leroy Street Theatre). A headstrong new bride wreaks havoc on all around her to keep her checkered past secret. Opens Aug 26 and runs to Sep 7, Tue-Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 5 pm. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. leroystreettheatre.com.

**KURIOS – Cabinet Of Curiosities by Michel Laprise (Cirque du Soleil). The Seeker looks to his curio cabinet to give him access to a secret, invisible world in this show featuring acrobatics, music, dance and design. Opens Aug 28 and runs to Oct 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5 pm, mat Sat 4:30 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $60-$160, stu/srs/child from $50. Grand Chapiteau Tent, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com/kurios.

Mercury Fur by Philip Ridley (Seven Siblings Theatre Company). In a lawless city, two brothers survive by realizing their clients’ darkest fantasies. Opens Aug 27 and runs to Sep 6, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$25. Unit 102, 376 Dufferin. mercuryfurtoronto.bpt.me.

Spamalot by Eric Idle, John Du Prez and Neil Innes (Lower Ossington Theatre). The Monty Python-based musical retells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Sep 21, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Tartuffe by Molière (Soulpepper Theatre). A crafty vagrant feigns virtue while trying to seduce his host’s wife and gain an inheritance. Previews Aug 7-11. Opens Aug 12 and runs to Sep 20, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

A Tender Thing by Ben Power (Soulpepper Theatre). An elderly Romeo and Juliet reminisce on their lives together in this re-working of Shakespeare’s text. Previews Aug 14-18. Opens Aug 19 and runs to Oct 1, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

 

And the rest…

Cactus Flower by Abe Burrows (Scarborough Theatre Guild). A philandering dentist falls for his assistant in this comedy. Opens Sep 4 and runs to Sep 20, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sep 14 and 20 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $17. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston.416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

**The Crucible by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper Theatre). A community is thrown into chaos by accusations of witchcraft in 1692 Massachusetts. Previews Aug 30-Sep 4. Opens Sep 6 and runs to Sep 20, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Cycle Of A Sari by nishaahuja (The Cycle Collective). This workshop production uses storytelling, dance, aerial silks, song and shadow play about ancestors, women who love women and partition from land and love. Sep 5-7, Fri-Sun 7 pm. $20 or pwyc. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. nishaahuja.com.

Glenn by David Young (Soulpepper Theatre). Two versions of Bach’s Goldberg Variations frame this look at iconic Canadian artist Glenn Gould. Previews Aug 26-Sep 1. Opens Sep 2 and runs to Oct 1, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Hair: The Musical by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot (Lower Ossington Theatre). Hippie youth of the 60s explore free love and flower power in the shadow of the Vietnam War. Opens Aug 28 and runs to Sep 20, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $39-$70. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Hungry At 8 – The Social Capital presents improv teams mashing up pop culture, movies and TV shows w/ host Scott Thrower. Opens Sep 1 8 pm. Pwyc. 3rd floor, 154 Danforth. 416-903-5388, blackswancomedy.com.

**Lilith, The Night Demon In One Lewd Act (Ashkenaz Festival/Veretski Pass). This Yiddish chamber folk opera presents an alternate version of the story of Adam’s first wife. Sep 1 at 6 pm. $22-$25. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, ashkenazfestival.com.

Maggie Cassella: Because I Said So – The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents Cassella and her panelists dissecting hot, fun and obscure topics. Wed 7:30 pm. Pwyc. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

**The Misunderstanding by Albert Camus (Lester Trips Theatre). An innkeeper mother and daughter rob and kill their guests in this contemporary butoh-inspired take on Camus’s absurdist tragicomedy. Opens Sep 4 and runs to Sep 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu $10. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St George. lestertrips.tickets@gmail.com.

Monday Nights by Byron Abalos, Colin Doyle, Darrel Gamotin, Richard Lee and Jeff Yung (Theatre Centre/6th Man Collective). Five guys meet up at a basketball court every week in this immersive and interactive theatrical performance. Previews Sep 5-6 at 7:30 pm. Opens Sep 8 and runs to Sep 20, Thu-Sat and Mon 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $30, stu/srs $25, Sun pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, theatrecentre.org.

**Murder At The Burlesque (The Social Capital/Red Herring). This four-part serial incorporates burlesque performances into a hard-boiled detective story. Sep 5 at 8 pm (and Sep 26, Oct 31 and Nov 28).Sep 26 at 8 pm (and Oct 31 and Nov 28). Oct 31 at 8 pm (and Nov 28). Nov 28 at 8 pm. $15. The Social Capital, 154 Danforth. eventbrite.ca/e/12434721587.

The Music Man by Meredith Willson (The Civic Light-Opera Co). A conman fools small-town folks into buying his wares in this family musical. Opens Sep 3 and runs to Sep 21, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28. Zion Cultural Centre, 1650 Finch E. 416-755-1717, musictheatretoronto.com.

The Muted Note Susanna Hood presents a stage work that fuses the poetry of PK Page with music and dance. Sep 5-7, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. 416-364-8011, colemanlemieux.com/citadel.

Pinkalicious The Musical by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Sep 28, Sun 1 pm. $30-$40. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Put Up Your Hand (Norm Reynolds). Reynolds performs his monologue play about school characters including the high school teacher from hell and the career student. Sep 7 at 2 and 7 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

QueerCab (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). The monthly open-mic night for youth features music, spoken word, stand-up, drag and more. Sep 3 at 8 pm. Pwyc. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Romeo And (Her) Juliet based on the play by William Shakespeare (Headstrong Collective/Urban Bard). This site-specific production features a female Romeo and Juliet living in contemporary Toronto. Previews Sep 3. Opens Sep 5 and runs to Sep 20, Fri-Sat and Wed 7:30 pm. $18-$25, preview $10. Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor W. randjto.com.

**Shed Plays (The Toronto Fringe/Toronto International Film Festival). Micro-plays by Monkeyman Productions, Kanika Ambrose, Morro &Jasp, Faisal Butt and others are presented as part of TIFF’s Festival Street. Opens Sep 5 and runs to Sep 7, Fri-Sun 11 am to 7 pm (see website for exact times). Free. Pop-Up Shed, NE corner of King West and Duncan. fringetoronto.com.

The Snow Queen… Or Slightly Frozen (Cabbagetown Theatre Company).This all-ages, panto-style comedy is presented as part of the Cabbagetown Festival. Sep 5-7, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm. $5. Necropolis Chapel, 200 Winchester. facebook.com/slightlyfrozen.

Socap Student Night – The Social Capital presents longformimprov w/ players of the Social Capital Repertory Program. Sep 2 8 pm. Pwyc. 3rd floor, 154 Danforth.416-903-5388, blackswancomedy.com.

Something To Say by Bruce Dow (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Dow performs a semi-autobiographical solo cabaret. Sep 6-7, Sat-Sun 7:30 pm. $15-$20. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

The Songs of Bryce Kulak (Soulpepper Cabaret Series). Singer-songwriter/pianist Kulak performs. Sep 6 at 8:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Terrific Women – The Ossington presents comedy styled as a 70s cable access show w/ ZabrinaChevannes, Cheap Smokes, Catherine McCormick, Camille Cote and hosts StephKaliner& Sara Hennessey. Sep 2 9 pm. Pwyc. 61 Ossington. theossington.com.

True by Rosa Laborde (Criminal Theatre/Aluna Theatre). Three sisters are hurled back in time with the unexpected arrival of their estranged father in this play about the nature of memory. Opens Sep 3 and runs to Sep 13, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $24. Citizenry, 982 Queen W. criminaltheatre.com.

**Twist & Shout (Famous People Players). Memories of Dick Clark, juke boxes, drive-in movies and early rock ‘n’ roll are part of this all-ages black-light theatre show. Opens Aug 25 and runs to Oct 25, see website for schedule. $40-$65. 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

**Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman (Mirvish). The hit musical about the backstory of The Wizard Of Oz returns.Previews Sep 3. Opens Sep 4 and runs to Nov 2, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $36-$139. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria.416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Your Hood’s A Joke – Scarborough vs High Park Danish Anwar presents a comedy turf war w/ Scarborough BrapBraps (Moe Ismail, Monty Scott, Nicholas Reynoldson) vs High Park Magic Shrooms (Al Valius, Allison Dore, WojtekArciszewski). Opens Sep 4 9:30 pm. $8-$10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, torontocomedyallstars.com.

 

Play listings based on NOW! Stage listings.