Toronto Playlistings for the Week of March 2, 2015

Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week

We’re into the month of March and spring is just around the corner… really, it is. Regardless, all the venues in this week’s theatre listings are indoors and heated. The shows I’ve indicated with two asterisks and red text are the ones I’d love to see this week. See if you agree or go check out anything else that speaks to you!

Already Covered By MoT…

Abyss by Maria Milisavljevic (Tarragon Theatre). A young woman goes missing and her family looks to her lover from a troubled region for answers. Previews from Feb 3, opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. In the Extraspace. Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman.http://tarragontheatre.com/

Becky Shaw By Gina Gionfriddo (Sterling Theatre Company). A quartet of men and women in their 30s are caught in a tale of love, sex and ethics in this comedy. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20 stu/srs $15 on Tue. The Theatre Machine 376 Dufferin. http://sterlingstudiotheatre.com/

**Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward (Mirvish). The spirit of his first wife pesters an author and his new spouse in this comedy. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$175. Princess of Wales Theatre 300 King W. http://mirvish.com/

Cannibal! The Musical by Trey Parker, Christopher Bond, Aaron Eyre and Trevor Martin (Starvox Entertainment). This musical tells the (mostly) true story of Alferd Packer, the only person ever convicted of cannibalism in America. Previews from Feb 10, opens Feb 17 and runs to Mar 8, Tue-Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $30-$110. Panasonic Theatre 651 Yonge. http://mirvish.com/

The Dining Room by AR Gurney (Soulpepper). A series of vignettes over the span of 50 years satirize the family life of bourgeois America. Preview Feb 5-11, opens Feb 12 and runs to Mar 7, see website for times. $29.50-$89. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane. http://soulpepper.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 29, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King W. http://mirvish.com/

**Once by Enda Walsh, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (Mirvish). An Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Previews Feb 10-21, opens Feb 22 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $29-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre 244 Victoria. http://mirvish.com/

The Sound of Cracking Bones by Suzanne Lebeau (Pleiades Theatre). A child soldier rediscovers her humanity when a small boy is brought to the rebel camp, reminding her of her stolen childhood, lost family and village, and giving her the courage to break the chain of violence. Previews Feb 14, opens Feb 18 and runs to Mar 7, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. Mar 3-7 shows are in French. $17-$38. TPM Mainspace. Theatre Passe Muraille 16 Ryerson. http://passemuraille.ca/

**The Wild Party by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe (Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre). A vaudeville dancer and her performer boyfriend throw a wild party just before the 1929 economic crash. Previews from Feb 20, opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 8, Wed-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm (and Feb 23 opening); mat Sat 1 pm. $30-$55, stu mats $18. Berkeley Street Theatre 26 Berkeley. http://actingupstage.com/

 

And the rest…

**52 Pick-Up by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozie (The Howland Company). Improvised and intimate look at relationships told through a game of 52 Pick-up. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 15, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$20. http://howlandcompanytheatre.com

Beneath the Banyan Tree by Emil Sher (Theatre Direct). A young Indian girl copes with moving to Canada in this fusion of theatre, music and dance. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 28, see website for schedule. $7-$25. http://brownpapertickets.com/event/879977

Bonnie and Clyde by Adrian Yearwood (Echo Productions). This play looks to examine the real people behind the sensationalized crime spree story in a physical theatre production. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 8 and 14 at 2:30 pm. $20-$25. http://echoproductions.ca/

Brain Food: Two Short Plays (Red Sandcastle Theatre). Fail Safe by Michael Stittle and We Say Such Terrible Things by Bil Antoniou will be presented in this double bill. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 14, Wed-Sun 8 pm. http://redsandcastletheatre.com/

**Cake and Dirt by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). This play takes a darkly comic look at life in Toronto through a fractured family of privilege. Previews from Mar 3, opens Mar 11 and runs to Apr 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. http://tarragontheatre.com/

Harper Regan by Simon Stephens (Canadian Stage). After learning of her father’s impending death, a woman suddenly walks away from her home and family. Previews Mar 1-4, opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 22, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $30-$99. http://canadianstage.com/

How to Kill a Comedian Second City presents its Spring 2015 Mainstage revue. In previews, opens Mar 9, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, plus Sat 10 pm. $25-$45, stu $16-$18. http://secondcity.com/

The Man in Black, Chroma & Others The National Ballet of Canada presents choreography by James Kudelka set to Johnny Cash songs, Wayne McGregor’s 2010 piece, Allegro Brillante by George Ballanchine and Carousel (A Dance) by Christopher Wheeldon. Mar 4-8, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Thu, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $26-$249. http://national.ballet.ca/

Memorable Munsch (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). This family-friendly show is based on the stories of Robert Munsch. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 29, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm (see website for other shows). $16. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge.http://solarstage.on.ca/

Pinocchio by Hugo Bélanger (Tout à Trac). The children’s classic comes alive in an inventive new production for ages 6 and up. Opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 21, see website for schedule. $25-$34. http://youngpeoplestheatre.ca/

Queercab Buddies’ monthly open-mic night for youth features music, spoken word, stand-up, drag and more. 8 pm. Pwyc. http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/

**Spoon River adapted by Mike Ross and Albert Schultz (Soulpepper). A forgotten town comes back to life in this show inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection. Previews Mar 7-10, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 28, see website for schedule.  $29.50-$89. http://soulpepper.ca/

This is For You, Anna by Suzanne Khuri, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Banuta Rubess and Maureen White (Hart House Theatre). This collective creation is a haunting exploration of revenge, liberation and motherhood. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 7, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 7 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10-$15. Hart House Theatre 7 Hart House Circle. http://harthouse.ca/this-is-for-you-anna

Triple Bill (Restless Spirit Productions). The new indie theatre company presents the plays Dolores (by Edward Allan Baker) and The Value Of Trying (by Katie Ford) plus the solo comedy stylings of the evening’s host, Ken Hall. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 8, Fri-Sun 8 pm. $15. All proceeds from the Feb 28 show will be donated to The Gatehouse, for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. http://williammac.ca/restless-spirit-productions.html

The Vagina Monologues Meets the F Word by Jennifer Phillips (360 Productions). Phillips combines excerpts from Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues with excerpts from her play, The F Word, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 15, Mar 5-7 and 14 at 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $16-$26 (proceeds support the Centre for Women’s Studies in Education, U of T and Nellie’s Shelter). http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/

When Sisters Speak XV Up From The Roots presents the 15th-anniversary edition of the black female poets showcase featuring Jemeni, El Jones, Truth Is, Britta B, Shauntay Grant and Queen Sheba. 8 pm. $37-$47. http://stlc.com/

VOX:LUMEN Harbourfront World Stage presents Zata Omm Dance Projects’ sustainable show, choreographed by William Yong, which light itself with the energy produced by the dancers, the audience and renewable sources. Mar 4-7, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $35-$40.

 

Listings based on NOW! Stage listings.