Play Listings for the Week of October 13th, 2014

Thanksgiving is over for another year. Break the banality of turkey sandwich lunches every day by seeing some theatre! Here’s our listing of the shows playing in Toronto this week. If it’s highlighted in red with two asterisks before it, it comes highly recommended by our Managing Editor, Wayne!

Already Covered by MoT…

**An Enemy Of The People by Henrik Ibsen (Tarragon Theatre). A doctor clashes with officials who want to cover up a public health risk to protect the economy. Previews Sep 16-23. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$53. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Birth by Tom Arthur Davis (Pandemic Theatre). In a future society where people don’t age or die, the government must regulate childbirth. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 17, Wed-Fri 7:30 pm (and Oct 18). $25. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. uniiverse.com/pandemictheatre.

The Boy With Tape On His Face by Sam Wills (Mirvish/Seabright Productions). Wills performs a unique blend of comedy with no talking and drama without words. Runs in rep with Julie Madly Deeply as part of Best Of The Edinburgh Festival. Previews Oct 1. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 19, see website for schedule. $25-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212,  mirvish.com.

Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). Falstaff’s life of pleasure comes crashing down when he attempts an ill-advised seduction scheme. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Nov 1, see website for schedule. $12-$339. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

**Hold Mommy’s Cigarette (Shelley Marshall). Marshall performs her solo dark comedy about life, mental illness and survival. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 28, 8 pm every day. $20. The Full Bawdy Loft, 290 Carlaw, unit 202. 416-821-1754, holdmommyscigarette.com.

Julie Madly Deeply by Sarah-Louise Young (Mirvish/Seabright Productions). Young performs a musical solo tribute to Julie Andrews. Runs in rep with The Boy With Tape On His Face as part of Best Of The Edinburgh Festival. Previews Sep 30. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 19, see website for schedule. $25-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.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. $50-$160. Grand Chapiteau Tent, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com/kurios.

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). A geisha marries an American naval officer in this tragic Italian opera. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 31, see website for schedule. $12-$339. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker (Out of Joint/Mirvish). A lieutenant stages a play with a cast of convicts and marines on Britain’s new penal colony in 1789 Australia. Previews Sep 13-20. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Oct 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $25-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

The Thing Between Us by Alison Lawrence (the mcguffin company). This comedic psychological drama looks at the relationship between two women over a lifetime. Previews Oct 2. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 19, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $30, srs $25, preview $20, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, mcguffincompany.com.

What Makes A Man by Jennifer Tarver (Canadian Stage/Necessary Angel). Four actors portray different aspects of the life and songs of poet/singer Charles Aznavour. Previews Oct 5-8, Sun and Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Nov 2, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 1 pm. $15-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

**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.

And the rest…

60×60 Dance Toronto 2014 Harbourfront NextSteps Sixty dances are set to 60 one-minute pieces of music featuring choreographers from movement disciplines like mime, aerial dance, breakdancing, flamenco, ballet, circus and more. Oct 16 at 8 pm. $25. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Alcina Free Concert Series Singers and dancers from Opera Atelier perform excerpts from the upcoming production of GF Handel’s opera. Oct 14 from noon to 1 pm. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

The Art Of Building A Bunker by Adam Lazarus and Guillermo Verdecchia (Factory Theatre/QuipTake). Elvis finds himself surrounded by a diverse group of characters as he endures workplace sensitivity training. Previews Oct 11-15. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $23-$45. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Ballet In The Studio Ballet Jörgen presents new works in development. Oct 14-15, Tue noon, Wed 6:30 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. George Brown College, Bldg C, BJC Studio, 160 Kendal. 416-961-4725, balletjorgen.ticketpro.ca.

Bella: The Colour Of Love by Mary Kerr and Theresa Tova (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Inspired by the life of Bella Chagall, this show uses words, songs and Marc Chagall’s art to look at the nature of love and creativity. Previews Oct 15-19. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Nov 2, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, Wed 1 pm. $63. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, hgjewishtheatre.com.

Big City Improv Festival Comedy Bar presents performers from around North America including Mantown, Jet & Holly, Bad Dog Theatre Company and many more. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 25, see website for schedule. $10-$20, passes from $45. 945 Bloor W. bigcityimprovfestival.com.

The Book Of Mormon by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone (Mirvish). Two naive missionaries go to a volatile region in Uganda in this religious satire musical. Previews Sep 16. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Nov 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $49-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**Brotherhood: The Hip Hopera by Sébastien Heins (b current AfteRock Plays). This solo music video tells the story of a superstar duo’s climb to success, breakup and epic reunion. Previews Oct 10-12. Opens Oct 15 and runs to Oct 25, runs in rep with The Femme Playlist, see website for schedule. $15-$50, ltd Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

CMTP Mystery Show (Confidential Music Theatre Project). Actors who are familiar with their scripts but have not rehearsed together will stage a secret musical theatre production. Oct 16 at 8 pm. $25. Victoria Chapel, 91 Charles W. confidentialmusicaltheatreproject.com.

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker (Play Practice Collective). Personal dramas emerge when four lonely New Englanders enroll in a community theatre course. Opens Oct 8 and runs to Oct 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. secureaseat.com.

Concord Floral by Jordan Tannahill (Why Not Theatre/Suburban Beast). Teens flee a mysterious plague they have brought upon themselves in this re-imagining of Boccaccio’s Decameron. Previews Oct 12-15, Sun 4 pm (Community potluck, $10), Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$20. Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, theatrewhynot.org.

Evita by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Lower Ossington Theatre). Eva Duarte rises from poverty to become the Argentine president’s wife in this musical. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 23, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $50-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Flying Bach Red Bull Breakdance ensemble the Flying Steps and contemporary dancer Anna Holmström perform vignettes to Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$70. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria. 416-872-4255, masseyhall.com.

**Helen Lawrence by Chris Haddock (Canadian Stage/Arts Club Theatre Co/Banff Centre/NAC). Vancouver struggles to reorganize itself after World War II in this drama combining visual art, theatre, live-action filming and computer-generated simulations. Previews Oct 12-15, Sun 1 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 2, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1 pm. $30-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Lin Snelling The Power Plant Dancer/choreographer Snelling performs an improvised response to Shelagh Keeley’s wall drawing Notes On Obsolescence and to the architecture of the space. Oct 16-18, Thu 7 pm, Sat 2 pm. Free. 231 Queens Quay W. thepowerplant.org.

Marilyn – After by Nonnie Griffin (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Griffin portrays Marilyn Monroe as an older person recounting her life story in this solo show. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 19, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $26. Tallulah’s Cabaret, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Marion Bridge by Daniel MacIvor (D & T Productions). Three sisters are reunited when they return to Cape Breton to see their dying mother. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Oct 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15.50-$18. The Theatre Machine, 376 Dufferin. marionbridge.bpt.me.

Operanation: Light Up The Night (Canadian Opera Company). This funder for the COC features dance-pop band Yelle performing alongside Ensemble Studio artists, fashion, dancing and visual arts. Oct 16 9 pm. $150. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, operanation.ca.

The Princess & The Pea adapted by Derek Genova (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Prince Tommy must choose between two princesses in this musical show for ages 3 to 10. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 25, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. 4950 Yonge. 416-368-8031, solarstage.on.ca.

Rocky Horror Halloween Cabaret by Richard O’Brien (Lower Ossington Theatre). Jim Sharman’s cult-classic 1975 film is presented as an interactive musical. Costumes encouraged. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 1, Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 8 & 10 pm. $20. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Scooter Thomas Makes It To The Top Of The World by Peter Parnell (Black Rabbit Theatre). This coming-of-age play looks at how friendships evolve. Oct 17-18 at 2 and 8 pm. $20. The Box, 89 Niagara. 416-949-9252, blackrabbittheatre.wix.com/blackrabbit.

Script Tease (The National Theatre of the World). Siminovitch Prize finalists Michel Marc Bouchard, Olivier Choinière, Hannah Moscovitch and Colleen Murphy write a few lines of a play that will then be performed by improvisers. Oct 19 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Sidekicks & Secret Identities by DJ Sylvis (Monkeyman Productions). Short plays based on comics where heroes are unexpected, bystanders aren’t so innocent and sidekicks finally get their moment of glory. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 26, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3:30 pm. $15. Fraser Studios, 76 Stafford. monkeymanproductions.com.

Tainted by Kat Lanteigne (Moyo Theatre). A family fights to stay intact when tragedy strikes in the wake of Canada’s tainted blood scandal. Oct 18 at 7 pm. Free. The Foundery, 376 Bathurst. moyotheatre.com.

Tap! What’s On? Tap! presents a gala performance as part of the Eastern Canada Tap Conference. Oct 17 at 7 pm. $35.Cawthra Park Secondary School, 1305 Cawthra. whats-on-tap.com/ectc.

Terra Brasil The Dance Migration/Uma Nota Festival Live music, dance and capoeira celebrating the African-influenced rhythms of Bahia and Pernambuco. Oct 17 at 8 pm. $35, stu/srs $25. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Thugs, Drugs And Dougs: A Ford-Focused RevueComedy Bar This sketch revue looks at the years under Mayor Ford and parodies the current candidates. Oct 16 8 pm. $10. 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

**To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Young People’s Theatre). Racial injustice in Depression-era Alabama is seen through the eyes of a child in this adaptation of the novel. Previews Oct 6-8. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Nov 2, see website for schedule. $15-$30. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

Twist & Shout (Famous People Players). Memories of 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.

The Soaps – The Live Improvised Soap Opera Improvisers create a new episode each night of an ongoing story of drama, romance, intrigue and betrayal in an 80s Texas town. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Nov 14, Fri 8 pm. $10. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, 875 Bloor W. 416-491-3115, baddogtheatre.com.

Uplica: A Silhouette Of A Doubt Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie presents choreography by Ofilio Portillo and Apolonia Velasquez of Gadfly. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 25, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $20. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. 416-364-8011, colemanlemieux.com.

Waving Is Funny Contemporary dance by Tina Fushell, in collaboration with Luke Garewood and Molly Johnson, which dissects the simple gesture and how it is used. Opens Oct 15 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. $20, stu/srs $17, Wed preview pwyc. Ralph Thornton Centre, 765 Queen E. 416-988-8462, wavingisfunny@gmail.com.

Play listings based on NOW! stage listings.