Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 9th
Summer is nearly here, and we’ve got a rush of new shows opening in the city this week, from Western epics and classic comedies! This week, Lin is here to outline what shows she’s most excited about in red!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Maometto II by Gioachino Rossini (Canadian Opera Company). A Turkish sultan launches his quest to conquer the Holy Roman Empire in this historical opera. Opens Apr 29 and runs to May 14: Apr 29, May 3, 5, 7 and 11 at 7:30 pm; May 1 at 2 pm; May 14 at 4:30 pm. $50-$435, specially priced $22 tickets available for people under the age of 30. Show Info.
Carmen by Georges Bizet (Canadian Opera Company). A gypsy seduces an American soldier in Spain in this opera performed in French. Opens Apr 12 and runs to May 15: Apr 12, 20, 23, 28, May 4, 6, 10, 12, 13 at 7:30 pm; Apr 17, May 8 and 15 at 2 pm; Apr 30 at 4:30 pm. $50-$435, specially priced $22 tickets available for people under the age of 30. Show Info.
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 May 15th, 2016 (extended from Dec 20), Tue-Sat 8 pm, see website for other times. $35-$130. Show Info.
The Great War: The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1914-1918, by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret/Soulpepper Theatre). Apr 1-May 14, see website for details. Show Info.
Botticelli in the Fire/Sunday in Sodom by Jordan Tannahill (Canadian Stage). A play about the Renaissance painter and a re-imagining of the story of Lot’s wife make up this double bill. Previews Apr 26-27, opens Apr 28 and runs to May 15, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $24-$53. Show Info.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Unit 102 Actors Co). Two drifters’ search for a place to call home ends in tragedy in this classic story on themes of women’s rights, race relations, the pursuit of money and the search for belonging. Opens Apr 27 and runs to May 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $25, pwyc Apr 28-29. Show Info.
A Reason to Talk by Sachli Gholamalizad (Why Not Theatre). A young Belgian actress of Iranian descent, questions her troubled relationship with her mother in this multimedia solo show. Opens May 6 and runs to May 14, see website for schedule. $20. Show Info.
She Mami Wata & The Pussy Witchhunt. The Watah Theatre present d’bi.young anitafrika’s second instalment in her Orisha Trilogy. Three friends growing up in present-day Jamaica are challenged to re-negotiate their relationship under revised “anti-buggery” laws. Opens May 4 and runs to May 22, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu $20. In the TPM BackSpace. Show Info.
The Pitchfork Disney by Philip Ridley (Precisely Peter Productions). Two agoraphobic twins face questions about their parents’ death in this dark comedy about loneliness, repressed sexuality and the human fascination with horror and violence. Previews from May 3, opens May 5 and runs to May 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $20-$25, preview $15. Show Info.
Ultrasound by Adam Pottle (Cahoots Theatre/TPM). A couple with varying degrees of hearing impairment struggle over the identity of their child in this play about perspectives on deaf culture. Previews from Apr 28, opens May 3 and runs to May 15, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats May 7, 8 & 15 at 2 pm. $17-$38.
The Other by Matthew MacKenzie (Company Blonde/Pyretic Productions/The RISER Project). This collaboration of dance, theatre and music looks at longing and not belonging. Opens May 3 and runs to May 14, see website for times. $20, youth under 25 $10. The RISER Project is a collaborative producing model presented by Why Not Theatre. Show Info.
The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie (LOT). A police detective seeks a murderer among seven strangers stranded in a guest house. Opens May 5 and runs to Jun 12, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
How Black Mothers Say I Love You by Trey Anthony (Trey Anthony Studios/Girls with Bow Ties). This drama looks at Jamaican and Afro-Caribbean mothers who make the hard choice to leave children behind and go to work in Canada. Previews from May 5 (Thu 7 pm, Fri 7:30 pm), opens May 7 and runs to May 15, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and May 8), mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$35. In the Studio. Show Info.
First Show Spectacular. Gambler Productions presents a double feature of solo plays: The Waiting Room by Jen Farr and Your Path To Happiness by John Rowntree. May 11-14 at 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Show Info.
Hangman by Jason Maghanoy (Storefront). A Western epic about murder and retribution. Opens May 13 and runs to May 29, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Great Balls of Fire. Famous People Players presents a black light dinner theatre show featuring iconic rock n’ roll anthems. Opens Jan 15 and runs to May 31, see website for times. $40-$65 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
The Summoned by Fabrizio Filippo (Tarragon Theatre). The friends and family of a billionaire tech visionary gather for the reading of his will. Previews from Apr 20, opens Apr 27 and runs to May 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (see website for Wed & Sat mats). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. MainSpace. Show Info.
Iceland by Nicholas Billon (Why Not Theatre). Set against the backdrop of the banking crisis, a confrontation between a real estate agent and a tenant takes an unexpected turn. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 14, see website for schedule. $20-$30. Show Info.
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg (YPT). A tornado takes Dorothy and her dog on a fantastical journey in this classic family musical. Opens Apr 4 and runs to May 15, see website for details. $10-$45. Show Info.
The Testament of Mary by Colm Tóibín (Soulpepper Theatre). This solo play re-imagines the last days of Jesus as only a mother can. Opens May 6 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $25-$60. Show Info.
Fox on the Fairway by Ken Ludwig (Village Players). A golf tournament and romantic entanglements stress out a country club president in this classic farce. Apr 22 to May 14, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and Apr 27), Sun 2 pm. $18-$22. Show Info.
Le Placard (The Closet) by Francis Veber (Théâtre français de Toronto). A man “comes out” in order to save his job in this comedy. French w/ some English surtitled performances. Previews May 11-12, opens May 13 and runs to May 29, see website for details. Show Info.
Sears Ontario Drama Festival Provincial Showcase. Sears Ontario Drama Festival presents the top 12 productions from secondary schools from around the province. May 11-14, Wed-Sat 7 pm. $20, stu $12. Show Info.
Suddenly Mommy! Anne Marie Scheffler performs her solo comedy about motherhood. May 11 at 8 pm. $25. Show Info.
The Odd Couple by Neil Simon (Soulpepper Theatre). A neat freak and his sloppy roommate try to coexist in a small apartment in this comedy. May 5-Jun 11, see website for schedule. $32-$94. Show Info.
Vote For Women (And Other Lies) (Empty Box Theatre Company). Six women search for the women’s right to vote in Canada in this work-in-progress staging of a collectively created devised comedy. Opens May 7 and runs to May 14. Fri-Sun 8 pm, mat May 14 at 2 pm. $11-$15, mat pwyc. Show Info.
#THEDONNELLYPROJECT. Tarragon Theatre, Scarborough Arts, Agincourt C.I., R.H. King Academy and the University of Toronto Scarborough present a collaborative theatre event. Kat Sandler’s new adaptation of James Reaney’s Sticks And Stones: The Donnellys Part I will be performed in the park (rain or shine). May 14 at 2 pm. Free. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings