Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week
When we post our weekly listings, you’ve probably noticed how we divide them into two sections: Already Covered, and “the rest”. Well, with a new year comes a whole whack of new shows that we’re excited to go see. Hopefully you’ll be excited, too, once you see how much is going on in Toronto this week! Anything highlighted in red with two asterisks specifically caught the eye of Wayne, our Managing Editor.
Already Covered By MoT…
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. To Feb 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $50-$60. Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com/
**Lungs by Duncan Macmillan (Tarragon Theatre). A man and a woman discuss the ethics of having a child in today’s world. Opens Dec 31 runs to Jan 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $37-$52, rush $15. Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman. http://tarragontheatre.com/.
Rebel Without A Cosmos – The Second City presents its fall mainstage revue. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $25-$29, stu $16-$18. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
And the rest…
Antiman by Riel Paley (Unit 102 Theatre Co). Paley plays out scenes from his life growing up on the island of St Croix with his hippie mom and her abusive boyfriend. Opens Jan 2 and runs to Jan 16, daily at 8 pm. $25 (adv $20), pwyc Jan 5 & 10. The Theatre Machine 376 Dufferin. http://facebook.com/events/1515334152049526
Belleville-ville 1976 – The Joy of Camping presents an improv soap opera about small-town Canada in the 70s. Jan 6 8 pm. $10. Monarch Tavern 12 Clinton. http://facebook.com/TheJoyOfCamping
**Big Shot by Jon Lachlan Stewart (Surreal SoReal Theatre/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A 12-year-old boy’s account of a shooting he witnessed is delivered in the style of an action movie. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Studio, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
Brazil, The Land of Tears and Soul – Newton Moraes Dance Theatre presents vignettes that reflect on the soulful complexity of contemporary Brazilian culture. Jan 6 at noon. Free. In the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 145 Queen W. http://coc.ca/
Delimax by Harvey Ostroff (TEATRON Theatre). A Holocaust survivor is troubled by ultra-nationalism in Quebec. Opens Jan 7 and runs to Jan 18, Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, Jan 7 preview 1 pm. $26-$48, preview $19. Toronto Centre for the Arts 5040 Yonge. http://www.teatrontheatre.com/
**Dink by Caroline Azar (Theatre-a-go-go/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A family unravels as hidden desires and secrets come to light in this punk-pop musical. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
For A Good Time, Call Kathy Blanchard by Michael Ross Albert (Outside Inside/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A family teeters on the brink during game 4 of a playoff hockey game in this tragic comedy. Opens Jan 7 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
**Graham Clark Reads the Phonebook by Graham Clark (Laugh Gallery/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Clark mines his comedy show from the pages of the now-obsolete printed directory. Opens Jan 7 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $10, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Antechamber, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
Holidazed & Confused – The Second City presents sketches, songs and improvisations to celebrate and satirize the holiday season. $22. Nov 17 – Jan 16, various days and times, see website. Second City 51 Mercer. secondcity.com.
Jesus Christ Superstar by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Lower Ossington Theatre). Judas makes a choice between Jesus and the Roman rulers in this musical. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Jan 24, 2015, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 4 pm, Sat 2 pm (no shows Dec 25-26). $50-$60. Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington. http://www.superstarmusical.ca/
The Heart of Robin Hood by David Farr (Mirvish). Robin and his crew steal from the rich and keep it for themselves until Marion steps up for the poor in this version of the tale. Previews Dec 23-Jan 6, 2015. Opens Jan 14 and runs to Mar 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King W.http://mirvish.com/
**Mine by Jenna Harris (Discord and Din Theatre/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Two women in a bar try to navigate each other and their relationship in this paly about our need to belong. Opens Jan 7 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Studio, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
**The Myth of the Ostrich by Matt Murray (Offside Productions/Next Stage Theatre Festival). One mother confronts another about their teenage kids’ relationship after finding a letter. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Studio, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
**Piece by Piece by Alison Lawrence (mcguffin company/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Six people are drawn together in a hospital in this play about moments of love in times of loss. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experience by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner (Starvox Entertainment/Potted Productions). Clarkson and Turner use costumes, props and music to perform all seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes. Opens Dec 17 and runs to Jan 11, 2015, see website for schedule. $40-$100. Panasonic Theatre 651 Yonge. http://mirvish.com/
**Pulse (Jasmyn Fyffe/Next Stage Theatre Festival). This contemporary dance show is inspired by the music of Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and other legends of Motown. Opens Jan 7 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
Queercab – Buddies’ monthly open-mic night for youth features music, spoken word, stand-up, drag and more. Jan. 7, 8 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre 12 Alexander. http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/
**The Seagull by Anton Chekhov (Crows Theatre/Canadian Stage). Unrequited love, dreams, family feuds and devotion to art are part of this drama set in 1890s Russia. Previews Jan 11-14, opens Jan 15 and runs to Feb 8, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $22-$49.
Seussical the Musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lower Ossington Theatre). This all-ages musical is based on the classic books of Dr. Seuss. Open Jan 10 and runs to Jan 25, Sat-Sun 11 am and Sun 1 pm. $30-$50. Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com/
**Snack Music by Ingrid Hansen and Steve Chmilar (SNAFU/Next Stage Theatre Festival). The duo create live improvised songs based on audience members’ true stories. Opens Jan 7 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $10, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Antechamber, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
So You Think You Can Rant – Comics including DeAnne Smith, Mark Little, Bob Banks, Adrianne Gagnon, Ian Macintyre and Monty Scott are surprised with topics 5 minutes before hitting the stage and have to rant it out. Jan 5, 9 pm. Free. Comedy Bar 945 Bloor W. http://empirecomedylive.com/
**Unbridled and Unstable by Gwynne Phillips and Briana Templeton (the Templeton Philharmonic/Next Stage Theatre Festival). The sketch comedy duo perform popular bits from their repertoire as well as new material. Opens Jan 7 and runs to Jan 18, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$90. Factory Theatre Studio, 125 Bathurst. http://fringetoronto.com/
Waiting Room by Diane Flacks (Tarragon Theatre). A doctor embarks on a medical experiment despite the objections of his colleagues while a couple wonder if the doctor has what it takes to save their child. Previews from Jan 6, opens Jan 14 and runs to Feb 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman. http://tarragontheatre.com/
Play listings based on NOW! Stage listings.