Playlistings in Toronto for the Week of May 16th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 16th

We’re halfway through the merry month of May, and there’s a pretty big shift in the shows on offer in the city this week. Lots of productions are closing and opening, so check out the changing scene under the cut! To help narrow things down, Managing Editor Wayne is here to highlight his favourites in red!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Model Apartment by Donald Margulies (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Two Holocaust survivors from Brooklyn retire to Florida and spend a night in a strange condo that awakens old demons. Previews from May 7, opens May 12 and runs to May 29, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (and May 15 & 22 at 7 pm). $40-$80. In the Greenwin Theatre. Show Info.

Weefestival. Theatre Direct presents an arts, theatre and culture festival dedicated to children aged 0-5. Music, theatre, dance, storytelling, interactive art and more, conceived especially for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners. Performances from artists of Scotland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Quebec, Manitoba and Ontario. At Theatre Centre, Tarragon Theatre and Artscape Wychwood Barns. $10-$14, Holiday Monday (May 23) family day events at Artscape Wychwood Barns are free. Show Info.

The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein (Soulpepper Theatre). This comedy follows a woman from 1960s teen to 80s career woman while exploring feminism, friendship and social change. Previews from May 16, opens May 24 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $32-$94. Show Info.

Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour by Bill Whelan and Moya Doherty (Mirvish). The theatrical celebration of Irish music, song and dance returns. Opens May 17 and runs to May 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$130. Show Info.

Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross (Starvox Entertainment). In the 1950s, four young singers get a posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams in this musical revue. Opens May 17 and runs to Jun 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $40-$100. Show Info.

The Julius Caesar Project. Spur-of-the-Moment Shakespeare Collective presents a gender-swapped staging of the play that explores the roles of women and power through Shakespeare’s text. May 17 at 7 pm. Free. Part of the #ShakespeareLives Microfestival to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death.  Show Info.

The Shindig. Night of music and laughter in support of The Company Theatre with Mark Critch & Allan Hawco. May 17 at 7 pm. $75. Show Info.

Urinetown the Musical by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis (Jaybird Productions). A corporation takes advantage of a global water shortage in this musical comedy. May 17-19 at 7:30 pm. $30, stu/srs $27. Show Info.

 

Seven Ages — A Theatrical Journey (Ted Hallett & Lisa Merchant). This improvised play seeks truth in comedy and features students of Socap’s Dramatic Improv Course. May 17 at 8 pm. Pwyc. 3rd floor. Show Info.

Pucking Fuppets 2: The Re-Animating. Adam Francis Proulx and Kira Hall present a dirty, silly, sexy puppet-themed cabaret to raise funds for an upcoming show. May 17 at 8 pm. $20. Show Info.

The Inventor Of All Things. Jem Rolls presents a solo show that tells the story of a Jewish Hungarian physicist who first thought up the idea of an atomic bomb in the 1930s. Opens May 18 and runs to May 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20. Show Info.

Incident At Vichy by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper Theatre). Eight men await interrogation in a room in Vichy, France, in 1940. Previews from May 19, opens May 26 and runs to Jun 23, see website for schedule. $32-$94. Show Info.

Guy On Knees. Danny Adhim presents his solo comedy about a gay Guyanese immigrant turning 40 in Canada, told through stand-up, storytelling, music and poetry. Opens May 19 and runs to Jun 3, Thu 9 pm, May 27 & Jun 3 at 10 pm. $12. Show Info.

Death Meets Harlequin And Other Plays. Unspoken Theatre presents new plays by female playwrights. The Red Deer and Death Meets Harlequin by Nina Kaye, and The Empress by Sandra Cardinal. Opens May 20 and runs to May 29, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Show Info.

Surplus Humans. Based on the writings of Philip Dimitri Galas and Carrie Fisher (Wigs & Lipstick). Triptych of stories about people who have an overabundance of cunning, privilege, unexpected hair and other surplus human characteristics. May 20-21, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15-$18. Show Info.

Body Politic. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and lemonTree creations present a play by Nick Green. This play looks at the legal, political and personal struggles surrounding one of Canada’s most important queer newspapers, published from 1971-87. Previews from May 21, opens May 26 and runs to Jun 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (and Jun 4 & 11). Pwyc-$37. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings