Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of September 28th, 2015
Sinatra, social media, and sleeping beauties are arriving on Toronto stages this week, along with plenty of other intriguing shows! We’re here as usual to highlight those we’d most like to see in red text. Here are the picks:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
** The 20th of November by Lars Noren (BIBT). 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 PWYCat the door. Show Info.
** 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
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
** Click-bait and Switch The Second City presents its Fall MainStage Revue featuring sketches, songs and improv. Indefinite run, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, late shows Fri-Sat 10:30 pm. $16-$35. 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
** Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss (Soulpepper Theatre). In this play within a play, the Marquis de Sade stages a drama about the French Revolution inside a mental institution. Previews from Sep 14, opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 17. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
** Motown the Musical by Berry Gordy (Mirvish). American dream story of Motown founder Gordy’s rise to music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many others. Sep22-Nov 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed & Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$140, premium orchestra seats $150-$200. 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
We the Family by George F Walker (Hart House Theatre). This dark comedy looks at the after-effects of a wedding between culturally divergent families. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Oct 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 3 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. Hart House Theatre 7 Hart House Circle http://harthousetheatre.ca/
Yours Forever, Marie-Lou by Michel Tremblay (Soulpepper Theatre). Two sisters reunite and clash over their family’s tumultuous past. Previews from Sep 14, opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 17, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Mary Poppins by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (LOT). This musical is based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Previews from Jul 9, opens Jul 16 and runs to Oct 10, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Under the Big Top. Famous People Players presents a black light theatre show for all ages about the magic of the circus. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Oct 28, Tue-Sat, call/see website for times. Show Info.
The House of Yes by Wendy MacLeod (The Dynasty Collective). A dysfunctional family passes a tense Thanksgiving when the oldest son arrives with his new fiancée. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
** Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. Lower Ossington Theatre presents the tribute musical by Alan Janes. This musical tells the story of the rock pioneer’s rise to fame, from his first hit in 1957 until his tragic death less than two years later. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 25, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$70. Show Info.
** SÉANCE Illusionist Nicholas Wallace invites you to join him in exploring the world of the Victorian spirit medium. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $30-$35. Show Info.
** Upside Downton by Luke Kempner (Mirvish). Kempner performs his solo musical comedy show that fuses pop culture with TV show Downton Abbey. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$79. Show Info.
My Lakeshore, My Home. Residents of all ages and backgrounds share their stories and experiences about life in the Lakeshore and Etobicoke through music, song, spoken word, rap, dance, video, theatrical scenes and more. Oct 1-4, Thu-Sun 6:30 pm and Sat-Sun 2:30 pm, at the library and other area venues, see website for details. Free. Show Info.
** Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton, adapted by David Jacklin (Stage Centre Productions). A woman’s husband manipulates her into believing that she’s going insane in fog-bound 1880s London. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 10, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 4 & 10 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. Show Info.
Newfoundland Mary by Peter Fenton and Scott White (Smile Theatre). A Cuban factory worker who wants to be a singer hopes that a famous Newfie music teacher living in Havana can make him a star. Oct 1 at 8 pm. $12, srs free. Show Info.
Scooter Thomas Makes it to The Top of the World by Peter Parnell (Black Rabbit Theatre). This coming of age play examines how friendships evolve. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 4, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. Show Info.
What Happened to the Seeker/Intimacy With a Thousand Things by Nadia Ross (Theatre Centre/STO Union). This performance triptych chronicles a woman’s attempt to recapture the sense of well-being that comes from being a child of Seekers, a 60s spiritual movement. Oct 1-3 at 8 pm. $30, stu/srs $22. Show Info.
** They Say He Fell by Nir Bareket (Pandemic Theatre). This memory play is based on Bareket’s recollections of events surrounding the death of his elder brother during the repartition of British Palestine. Previews Oct 2-4, opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$30, previews $15, mat pwyc at the door. Show Info.
Selfie by Julie Tepperman and Chris Thornborrow (Tapestry Opera). The struggles of growing up and friendship in the social media age are explored in this workshop presentation. Oct 2-3, Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 pm. Pwyc. Studio 315. Show Info.
Albert Schultz’s Frankly, Sinatra (Soulpepper Concert Series). Schultz weaves words and music to celebrate the life and artistic legacy of Ol’ Blue Eyes. Oct 2 at 7:30 pm, Oct 4 and 11 at 2 pm. From $22. Show Info.
In Search of Cruise Control. James Gangl performs his hit solo show from the Edmonton Fringe about giving his teenaged nephew the sex talk. Oct 2 at 9 pm, Oct 3 at 8 pm. $15. Show Info.
Sleeping Beauty. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre presents DuffleBag Theatre’s version of the classic fairy tale. Oct 3-4, 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
Womanhood: A Night of Performances About Female Identities. Three plays about women – Raghead by Tom Coash, The Session by Jane Smythe and Botched by Colleen Osborn – will be performed, plus a 50/50 draw and silent auction. Oct 3, 4-7 pm. $10 (benefit for Redwood Women’s Shelter). Show Info.
** Dangerous Dames! Les Femmes Fatales present a burlesque revue featuring Betsy Swoon, Zyra Lee Vanity, Papillion Lafayette, host Dainty Box and others. Oct 4 at 10:30 pm. $20. Show Info.
Toronto Cold Reads. Incubator reading series for new film, TV and theatre scripts. Portions of six scripts will be read by professional actors. Weekly, Sundays at 9 pm to Dec 6. Pwyc. 2nd floor. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings