Shows That Caught Our Eyes in Toronto the Week of September 14th, 2015

While the weather is anyone’s guess, we do hope that you’ve had a chance to see some outdoor performances this summer. Fall is in full swing on Toronto’s stages, with a plethora of choices. We’ve highlighted those we’d most like to see in red text. Here are the picks:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Big Plans  by Jeremy Taylor (Theatre Brouhaha/Storefront Arts Initiative). Two men meet on the internet and look to turn fantasy into gruesome reality in this dark comedy based on the story of the Rotenburg Cannibal. Opens Sep 3 and runs to Sep 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, Sep 9 pwyc.  The Storefront Theatre955 Bloor W  Show Info

Blind Date When Mimi’s date for the evening fails to show up, she turns to the audience for someone brave enough to answer Love’s call. What happens next is anybody’s guess, and different each night. Plays at the Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgeman Ave.) until October 4th. Shows are Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm (with 7:15pm open lobby with cash bar) and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets from $28 to $60 Tickets can be had online, by calling 416-531-1827 or in person at the box office

Empire  Spiegelworld presents burlesque artists, live musicians, foot jugglers, contortionists, daredevil roller skaters and others create a 21st-century circus/cabaret spectacle. Previews from Sep 1, opens Sep 8 and runs to Sep 27, Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat 8 pm; Thu-Sat 10 pm (except Sep 3 at 8 pm); Sun 7 pm. $45-$129. Spiegeltent at Harbourfront, 318 Queens Quay W, at Rees. Show Info

Hooked adapted by Nicky Guadagni from Carolyn Smart (TPM). The stories of female poets come to life onstage in this solo show. Opens Sep 16 and runs to Sep 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22-$33, Sep 26 gala $75, mat pwyc at the door.  Theatre Passe Muraille 16 Ryerson   http://hookedtheplay.ca/

Kinky Boots  by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper (Mirvish). A man inherits a shoe company and teams up with a drag queen in this musical based on the 2005 film. Previews from Jun 16, opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 27, see website for schedule and prices.  Show Info

The Play’s the Thing by Ferenc Molnár, adapted by PG Wodehouse (Soulpepper Theatre). A playwright schemes to save a relationship and his operetta in this romantic comedy. Previews from Sep 2, opens Sep 9 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94.  Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane Show Info

Superhero! A Bam! Zap! Pow! Murder Mystery. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre presents an interactive dinner-theatre whodunit set at a superhero convention. Runs to Oct 31, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for mats. $37-$87. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre 2026 Yonge Show Info

And the Rest:

 

The 20th of November by Lars Noren (Buddies In Bad Times). A young man talks about why he plans to kill as many people as possible in this drama based on the video diaries and blog of an actual German school shooter. Previews Sep 12-16 at 8 pm, opens Sep 17 and runs to Oct 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$37, Sun pwyc at the door.  Show Info

Albertine in Five Times   by Michel Tremblay, translated by Linda Gaboriau (Freelance Intern Productions). One woman, presented over five decades of her life, reflects upon a life of abuse, love, regret and happiness. Opens Sep 10 and runs to Sep 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu $10  Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse79A St George  fiptix@gmail.com

Antigone by Jean Anouilh (Alumnae Theatre). This modernized version of Sophocles’ Greek tragedy explores the disturbing moral dilemmas of our times. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Oct 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. Alumnae Theatre 70 Berkeley, Toronto, Ontario M5A 2W6 http://alumnaetheatre.com/

Crawlspace  by Karen Hines (Videofag). Hines performs a darkly comedic solo show based on her experiences with home ownership. A woman buys a tiny house the perfect neighbourhood, then finds hidden defects and problems that drain her savings and threaten to ruin her life. Previews from Sep 11, opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 27, Mon-Sat 7 pm (and Sep 27). $30, stu $15.  Videofag 187 Augusta  Show Info

Happy Place by Pamela Mala Sinha (Soulpepper Theatre). This play looks at seven women living amidst each other in extraordinary of circumstances. Previews from Sep 4, opens Sep 10 and runs to Oct 17, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts50 Tank House Lane  Show Info

Hello Dolly by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart (The Civic Light-Opera Co). A meddlesome widow plays matchmaker in this musical. Opens Sep 9 and runs to Sep 20, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Sep 19) 2 pm. $28.  Zion Cultural Centre 1650 Finch E  http://musictheatretoronto.com/

Mi Ultima Foto (My Last Picture) & Sin Imagen (Without Image)  Dancemakers presents choreography by Esthel Vorgig performing two solo works expressed through movement, video and imagery. Sep 19-20, Fri 8 pm, Sat 3 pm. $10-$15.  Dancemakers Centre for Creation 15 Case Goods Lane, Studio 301  Show Info

The Suppine Cobbler by Jill Connell (It Could Still Happen). This contemporary Western looks at the experience of a clinical abortion and explores contradictions in the myths of womanhood. Previews Sep 16, opens Sep 17 and runs to Sep 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, preview $10, mat pwyc. Out by the tracks, 35 Strachan. Show Info

Then, Then. by Kyle Capstick (The Messy Kween Collective). A community theatre troupe rehearses for a show while planes that are bombing the region pass overhead. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Sep 27, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $20, stu $15.  Majlis Art Garden 163 Walnut View Map  Visit Event Website

Toronto Monologue Slam – TIFF Edition. Performers deliver intimate and electrifying performances and battle for the title of Toronto’s Best Actor. Sep 20, doors 5 pm. $15-$20. Round Venue 152A Augusta http://toslam.com/

Three Women Mourn the Apocalypse. Old Norman Productions presents the world premiere of a play by Hannah Rittner. This drama explores the role of the artist in a hyper-capitalist, pre-apocalytic world disconnected from nature and human compassion. Opens Sep 16 and runs to Sep 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $26, stu/srs $23. Theatre Centre 1115 Queen W, Toronto, Ontario M6J 1J1 http://theatrecentre.org/

Treasure Island by Katie Leamen (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Original adaptation of the quintessential pirate adventure tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. Sep 12 to 27, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge, Toronto, Ontario M2N 6K1, http://solarstage.on.ca/