Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of November 16th, 2015
This week we have the regular rush of new shows, with a particular batch of workshops and experimental stuff joining the party. We’ve highlighted some of our most-anticipated in red text. Here are the picks:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Old Jews Telling Jokes by Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent (Playhouse Productions Inc). One-liners, double-entendres, songs, skits and comedy routines. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Dec 6, Wed-Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $45-$65. Show Info.
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.
The Trouble With Mr. Adams by Gord Rand (Tarragon Theatre). A high school volleyball coach falls in love with his star player in this dark comedy. Previews from Oct 20, opens Oct 28 and runs to Nov 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and Sat mats at 2:30 pm on Oct 31, Nov 7, Nov 14). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. Tarragon ExtraSpace. Show Info.
Banana Boys by Leon Aureus (Factory Theatre). Five young Asian-Canadian men wrestle with issues of race and identity. Previews Nov 3-5, opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, previews $25. In the Studio. Show Info.
We are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915. Theatre Centre presents the Obie Award-winning play by Jackie Sibblies Drury. A group of young actors come together to tell the little-known story of the first genocide of the 20th century. Previews Nov 3-4, opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 29, see website for times. $22-$30, preview $17. Show Info.
Edmond by David Mamet (The Storefront Theatre). A tarot reading leads a morally adrift businessman to act on violent instincts in NYC. Previews Nov 5, opens November 6 and runs to Nov 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, preview $10. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Legally Blonde: The Musical by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach (Lower Ossington Theatre). A sorority girl makes it to law school in this musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Oct 22 and runs to Nov 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$70. Show Info.
The Immigrant: A Musical by Mark Harelik, Sarah Knapp and Steven M Alper (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). A young Jew flees Russia and lands in Texas in 1909. Previews Oct 31-Nov 4, opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 22 see website for times and prices. In the Greenwin Theatre. Show Info.
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett (Precisely Peter Productions). The Outside Dog, Playing Sandwiches and A Lady Of Letters are performed from Bennett’s collection of BBC monologues. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 22, see website for schedule. $25. Show Info.
The River by Jez Butterworth (Coal Mine Theatre). A man takes his girlfriend to a secluded cabin in this drama about the darker side of human nature. Previews Nov 1, opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 22, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, preview $20. Show Info.
Avaricious (Theatre Gargantua). This collectively created play explores greed, hope and humanity at the end of the world. Previews Nov 4, opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 21, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. $25, stu/srs $21, preview $19. Show Info.
Fireworks Festival. Three full-length plays are presented in repertory along with playwright talks and roundtables. Divine Wrecks by Chloe Whitehorn (Nov 4-8); Cottage Radio by Taylor Marie Graham (Nov 11-15); and Radical by Charles Hayter (Nov 18-22). Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 28, see website for schedule. $15, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Hart House Theatre). Staging of the classic tragedy about betrayal, revenge and murder. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 21, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 21 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. Show Info.
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. Nov 5-22, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
Magic, Famous People Players black light theatre company presents an all-ages seasonal production. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 2, see website for times. $40-$68 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
The Stone Princess by Zoe Henderson (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Two princesses are born as twins, but only one can be Queen in this fairy tale about sibling rivalry, stolen identities, magic and the importance of appreciating your own special gifts. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Nov 29, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
Potosí by Alexander Offord (good old neon). A young emissary from a Canadian mining company is sent to a remote country to investigate reports of sexual violence at the mine. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 21, Mon and Wed-Sat 8 pm (no show Nov 12). $15-$20. Show Info.
Heretic. Soup Can Theatre presents a theatrical retelling of the story of French warrior/martyr Joan of Arc, written and performed by Sarah Thorpe. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 22, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$22. TPM Backspace. Show Info.
Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde (George Brown Theatre). A woman learns that one of her party guests is her husband’s mistress in this satire on Victorian morals. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 21, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat (and Nov 18) 1:30 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.
Weesageechak Begins to Dance 28. Native Earth Performing Arts presents a festival of new works by indigenous performing artists. Works by Yolanda Bonnell, Jani Lauzon, Lara Kramer, Brian Solomon, Michelle Thrush, Kenneth T. Williams and more. Nov 11-21, see website for schedule. $15, pass $60. Show Info.
Wormwood by Andrew Kushnir (Tarragon Theatre). A man travels to Ukraine to the elections following the Orange Revolution and falls for a local woman. Soon he finds himself becoming an unexpected player in the country’s fractured politics. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (select Sat mats at 2:30 pm on Nov 21, Nov 28, Dec 5; select Wed mats at 1:30 pm on Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 9 and Dec 16). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. Tarragon MainSpace. Show Info.
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. Nov 12-Dec 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Armstrong’s War by Colleen Murphy (Canadian Rep Theatre). A young soldier recovering from injury is visited by a girl in a wheelchair looking to earn her service badge for Pathfinders. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $30-$35, previews $20, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
The Road to Paradise by Jonathan Garfinkel and Christopher Morris (Human Cargo/Crow’s Theatre). A child suicide bomber in Pakistan, a Canadian soldier in Kandahar, an Afghan immigrant in Toronto: three worlds collide in this play about love and loss in the time of war. Based on interviews, presented in English & Dari with English surtitles. Previews Nov 14-15 at 8 pm, opens Nov 17 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $32-$37, previews $20, Sun pwyc at the door. Show Info.
Seminar by Theresa Rebeck (Mirvish/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). Four aspiring young writers pay big bucks to be mentored and mocked by a cantankerous, once-celebrated novelist in this comedy. Nov 14-Dec 6, see website for details. Show Info.
Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (Lower Ossington Theatre). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by author Jane O’Connor. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 31, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45, family packs $84-$124. Show Info.
How To Make Love In A Canoe, adapted from the book by Jeff Pearce (Theatre Erindale). An irreverent waltz through Canada’s little-known sexual history. Previews Nov 12, opens Nov 13 and runs to Nov 22, Thu 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm (and Nov 22). $18, stu/srs $12. Show Info.
The Winter’s Tale. The National Ballet of Canada presents Shakespeare’s fairy tale tragicomedy choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Nov 14-22, see website for schedule. Prices start at $37 and vary based on peak and off-peak performances. Show Info.
Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler (Young People’s Theatre). A young boy struggles to be heard in this musical adaptation of Richler’s classic book. Opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 20, see website for schedule. $10-$41. Show Info.
Julie by Philippe Boesmans and Luc Bondy (Canadian Stage/Soundstreams). Opera based on August Strindberg’s Miss Julie. Opens Nov 17 and runs to Nov 29, Thu & Sat 8 pm (and Nov 17), Nov 20 & 22 at 7 pm, mats Nov 25 and 29 at 1 pm. $24-$99. Show Info.
Bombay Black by Anosh Irani (Factory Theatre). This drama explores the complex and brutal world of exotic dancing in Mumbai. Previews Nov 17-19, opens Nov 20 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview $25. Show Info.
Domesticated by Bruce Norris (Canadian Stage). A popular politician is discovered by police at the bedside of an injured prostitute. Nov 17-Dec 13. $TBA. Show Info.
Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale (Starvox Entertainment). A heavy metal band sell their souls to the devil in exchange for success but soon realize that fame is no match for the Christmas spirit. Opens Nov 17 and runs to Jan 3, 2016, Tue-Thu 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, mats Sat-2 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $40-$100. Show Info.
King John. Shakespeare BASH’d presents one of William Shakespeare’s rarely performed dramatic gems, set in a world of political turmoil, religious oppression and violent influence. The English king defends his throne against the rival claim of his nephew. Opens Nov 17 and runs to Nov 21, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $19-$20. Show Info.
Late Company. A Why Not Theatre presentation of a Surface/Underground production by Jordan Tannahill. A year after a tragedy, two couples sit down to dinner only to discover they are far from finding the closure they seek. Previews Nov 18, opens Nov 19 and runs to Nov 29, see website for times. $22-$30, preview $17. Show Info.
Nirbhaya by Yaël Farber (Nightwood Theatre). Inspired by events on a Delhi bus in Dec 2012, this play presents a tapestry of personal testimonies that tear away the shame that keeps survivors of sexual abuse silent. Nov 18-29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$45. Show Info.
Fat Pig by Neil LaBute (Braveheart Productions). Friends criticize a man when he begins dating a plus-size woman. Opens Nov 18 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
The Actor’s Nightmare/Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You by Christopher Durang (Trinity College Dramatic Society). Double feature of one act absurdist comedies. Opens Nov 18 and runs to Nov 21, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Show Info.
Robin Hood by Don Nigro (Amicus Productions). The swashbuckling saga of Sherwood forest is brought to the stage. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Nov 21, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 15 and 21 at 2 pm. $22, stu/srs $20. Show Info.
Lion in the Streets by Judith Thompson (Theatre by Committee). The ghost of a child wanders around looking for her killer and witnessing the cruelty of her former neighbours. Opens Nov 19 and runs to Nov 29, Thu-Sat (and Nov 29) at 8 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.
Casimir and Caroline. The Howland Company presents a workshop production of a play by Ödön von Horváth, adapted by Holger Syme, about love in the cold atmosphere of modern capitalism. Nov 19-22, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $15. Show Info.
Boys From the Burbs by Michal Grzejszczak (The Empty Room Collective). A group of kids follow their adolescent dreams hoping to escape a mundane life in the suburbs. Opens Nov 19 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, srs/arts workers $15. Show Info.
Tap:Ex Metallury. (Tapestry Opera). Experimental opera created with members of the punk band Fucked Up and Michael Hidetoshi Mori. Nov 19-21, see website for details. Studio 315. Show Info.
A Play On Passion by GD Corkum and Patricia Delves (Primessa Productions). Patricia Delves stars in a staged reading about an actor, a writer, some love stories… and a life change. Nov 20-21, Fri 8 pm, Sat 2 pm. Pwyc. Blake Thorne Studio, Suite 401.
Les Zinspirés puissance. (Théâtre français de Toronto). Five shows written by teens and reworked and performed by professionals will be presented in French with English surtitles. Nov 20-28: Nov 20 & 25 at 8 pm, Nov 28 at 3:30 pm. $18-$26. Show Info.
The Frog Princess by Suzanne Gauthier (act2studio Works). An evil villain’s thirst for power has a kingdom in chaos in this family-friendly holiday pantomime. Nov 21-23, Sat-Sun 7 pm, mat Sat-Mon 2 pm. $17-$20, child $10. Show Info.
Sex Tape Project. fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company presents a site-specific theatrical experiment, written by Adrienne Wong, Donald Woo and David Yee. This multi-location theatrical experiment explores themes of voyeurism, power and sexuality. Three 40-minute plays per night. Opens Nov 13 and runs to Dec 6, Fri-Sun 7, 8 & 9 pm. $15 single play, $38 three-play pass. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings