Happy November! It’s cold – it actually snowed already, which… no thanks. But in happier news, there’s a lot of fun theatre playing in the city this week! Here are our Play Listings for the coming few days. If it’s highlighted in red with two asterisks, that means that Megan, our Founding Editor, highly recommends it. Happy theatre-ing!

Already Covered By MoT…

**30 People Watching by nisha ahuja and Amelia Sargisson (Subtle Vigilance). Teens assault a South Asian classmate in BC in this play based on the murder of Reena Virk. Previews Oct 25-26. Opens Oct 28 and runs to Nov 14, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $15-$25, previews $10-$15. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 416-392-1038, regentparkarts.ca.

Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Dec 14, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $50-$60. Studio, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Bakelite Masterpiece by Kate Cayley (Tarragon Theatre). An artist must prove that he forged a Vermeer painting he tried to sell in WWII-era Holland. Previews Oct 21-28. Opens Oct 29 and runs to Nov 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $21-$53, rush $15. Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Bookworms by Bernard Farrell (Toronto Irish Players). A women’s book club experiments with inviting the husbands to the gathering, with disastrous results. Opens Oct 23 and runs to Nov 8, Thu-Sat 8 pm, 2 pm. $18-$21, opening night $50.Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-440-2888, torontoirishplayers.com.

Evil Dead – The Musical by Christopher Bond, George Reinblatt, Frank Cipolla and Melissa Morris (Starvox Entertainment). The musical based on the Evil Dead film franchise returns. Opens Oct 31 and runs to Nov 9, Tue-Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 7 & 10:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. $40-$70. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. starvoxent.com.

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.

Lobby Hero by Kenneth Lonergan (Unit 102 Actors Company). This dark comedy looks at futility and the quest for standing up for what’s right. Opens Oct 22 and runs to Nov 8, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25, Wed pwyc. The Theatre Machine, 376 Dufferin. unit102tix@gmail.com.

My Treasure Island!!! by Karen Woolridge (Johnson Girls). A woman reevaluates her dull life after reading Treasure Island in this adaptation of Sara Levine’s novel. Previews Oct 24-26. Opens Oct 29 and runs to Nov 16, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm (and Oct 28), mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$33, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, johnsongirls.ca.

The Skriker by Caryl Churchill (Red One Theatre Collective/Theatre Brouhaha). An ancient fairy takes on many forms as it pursues two young women. Opens Oct 23 and runs to Nov 9, see website for schedule. $15-$25. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. secureaseat.com.

What I Learned From A Decade Of Fear by Beatriz Pizano, Lyon Smith and Trevor Schwellnus (Aluna Theatre). A ritual to atone for repression, war and paranoia becomes a eulogy for the human costs of collective safety through the use of security technology. Opens Oct 30 and runs to Nov 29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $12-$20. 1 Wiltshire, unit 124. alunatheatre.ca.

 

And the rest…

The 39 Steps by Patrick Barlow (East Side Players). This comedy whodunit is based on the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film. Opens Oct 23 and runs to Nov 8, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $22, stu $15. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-425-0917, eastsideplayers.ca.

Arcadia by Tom Stoppard (Mirvish/Shaw Festival). The past and present collide when scholars living in an English country house learn about the people who lived there in 1809. Previews Nov 4-8. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 14, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $25-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Avaricious (Theatre Gargantua). First installment of a collectively created work-in-progress that explores greed, hope and humanity at the end of the world. Nov 7-8, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm. $20. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, theatregargantua.ca.

**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.

Burlesque Beyond Thunderdome (Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque). Tanya Cheex, Ginger Darling, DollyBerlin and others perform in a post-apocalyptic circus. Nov 7 at 9:30 pm. $25-$40. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W. burlesquebeyondthunderdome.eventbrite.ca.

**Circle Jerk by Justin Haigh, Scott Dermody, Brandon Crone and Wesley J Colford (Soup Can Theatre/safeword/Aim for the Tangent Theatre). Four playwrights present new works in which bits of dialogue submitted by the public were used as the opening and closing lines of their new creations. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 23, Thu Nov 6 at 8 pm, Fri-Sun 8 pm, mat Nov 8-9 at 2 pm. $15-$24. lemonTree Studio, 196 Spadina (lower unit). soupcantheatre.com.

Dog Sees God: Confessions Of A Teenage Blockhead by Bert V Royal (Echo Productions). A young man questions the existence of the afterlife after his dog dies. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 15, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15. The Space, 250 Augusta. 647-983-3246, echoproductions.ca.

Fabrik: The Legend Of M. Rabinowitz by Wakka Wakka Productions and the Nordland Visual Theatre (Harold Green Jewish Theatre/Wakka Wakka Productions). Puppetry and music are used to tell the true story of Moritz Rabinowitz, who fled Poland to become a leading clothing maker in Norway. Opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 16, Thu and Sat 8 pm, mat Wed-Thu 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $40-$50. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, hgjewishtheatre.com.

The Four Horsemen Project by Kate Alton and Ross Manson (Volcano Theatre/Crooked Figure Dances/Global Mechanic). The poetry of Rafael Barreto-Rivera, bpNichel, Paul Dutton and Steve McCaffery is adapted into a dance-theatre production. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 22, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $25-$49. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Frankenstein’s Boy by Eric Woolfe (Eldritch Theatre). This bloody, dieselpunk, gothic romance features puppets, people and dark parlour magic. Previews Oct 23. Opens Oct 24 and runs to Nov 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm (plus late show Nov 1 at 11:30 pm), Sun 4 pm. $25. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. eldritchtheatre.ca.

The Fun Palace Radio Variety Show (Small Wooden Shoe). Historical vaudevilles and revues are mashed up with radio and TV programs, contemporary theatre and podcasts in a show with actors, comics, musicians and storytellers. Nov 6 at 8 pm. $12. Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas W. funpalace.ca.

Jillian Jiggs! adapted by Derek Genova (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Jillian and her pals dress up and go on adventures in this family show based on the books by Phoebe Gilman. Opens Nov 8 and runs to Nov 29, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. 4950 Yonge. 416-368-8031, solarstage.on.ca.

The King And I by Rodgers & Hammerstein (Scarborough Music Theatre). An English school teacher goes to Bangkok to work for the King of Siam in this classic musical. Opens Oct 30 and runs to Nov 15, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Nov 15). $27, stu/srs $25. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

**Like Father, Like Son? Sorry (Chris Gibbs). Gibbs performs his solo comedy show about being a dad. Nov 6 at 9:30 pm. $10. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, 875 Bloor W. baddogtheatre.com.

Manon The National Ballet of Canada Choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan based on a novel about a Parisian courtesan. Opens Nov 8 and runs to Nov 16, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Nov 13 and 15). $26-$249. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

Mary Stuart by Friedrich Schiller (George Brown Theatre). This drama looks at the conflict between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 15, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun (and Nov 12) at 1:30 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $8.Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Midsummer Nightmare (Leroy Street Theatre). Adaptation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Opens Oct 28 and runs to Nov 8 at 8 pm, Oct 30, 8 pm & midnight , Tue-Sat. $20. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen W. 416-826-3330, leroystreettheatre.com.

Moment by Deirdre Kinahan (ARC). A family member returns home 15 years after a sudden act of violence ripped the clan apart. Previews Nov 4-5. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Thu and Sun 2 pm (no mat Nov 6). $20, previews $17. Sidemart Theatrical Grocery, 1362 Queen E. brownpapertickets.com/event/899552.

The Motherfu*ker With The Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis (Bob Kills Theatre). A stranger’s hat threatens a long-time romance in this play featuring intertwined themes of love and addiction. Previews Nov 9. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 30, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $25-$30. The Coal Mine Theatre, 798 Danforth. brownpapertickets.com/event/863612.

Now Who’s Crazy Now? by Elly Litvak and Doug Hersak (The George Herman House). Litvak performs her solo show about living with and recovering from mental illness. All proceeds to GHH. Nov 3 at 7 pm. $30. 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas W. georgehermanhouse.ca.

NSFW by Luck Kirkwood (Studio 180). This satire looks at power games and privacy in the cut-throat modern media workplace. Previews Nov 7-11. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Nov 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $15-$39. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, studio180theatre.com.

Older & Reckless 33 MOonhORsE Dance Theatre and Canadian Stage This showcase featuring older artists includes choreography by Susie Burpee, Robert Desrosiers, Bill Coleman, Esmeralda Enrique and Douglas Dunn. Nov 6-9, Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Fri and Sun 1 pm. $15-$45. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, moonhorsedance.com.

Peace Warriors by Doron Ben-Atar (TEATRON Theatre). This darkly comic play looks at the anti-Israel politics swirling around elite college campuses. Opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 16, Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, Nov 5 preview at 1 pm ($19). $26-$48. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. teatrontheatre.com.

QueerCab (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). The monthly open-mic night for youth features music, spoken word, stand-up, drag and more. Nov 5 at 8 pm. Pwyc. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Sextet by Morris Panych (Tarragon Theatre). Stranded in a motel by weather, six musicians struggle to come to terms with their failing careers, failing marriages and unfulfilled desires. Previews Nov 5-11. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Dec 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$55, rush $15. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

**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.

Spoon River adapted by Mike Ross and Albert Schultz (Soulpepper Theatre). A forgotten town comes back to life in this show inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection. Previews Oct 29-Nov 3. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 15, see website for schedule. $23-$89. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Stephen Harper: The Musical (James Gordon). Gordon performs his one-person-plus puppet play about the prime minister. Nov 5 at 8:30 pm. $25-$30. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas W. 416-531-6604, hughsroom.com.

Take Me Back To Jefferson by Michele Smith and Dean Gilmour (Factory Theatre/Theatre Smith-Gilmour). The Bundren family reveals their foibles and follies in this darkly comic adaptation of William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying. Previews Nov 5. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35-$45, preview $23. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

TDT Triple Bill Harbourfront NextSteps Toronto Dance Theatre performs Thomas Hauert’s Pond Skaters plus Early Departures and a new work by Christopher House. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$40. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

The Tempest by William Shakespeare (Hart House Theatre). Love and revenge collide on a magical island in this classic play. Opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 22 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, harthousetheatre.ca.

 

Play listings based on NOW! Stage listings.