Playlistings in Toronto for the Week of May 23rd

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 23rd

Summer is fast approaching, but before all the nice weather and outdoor shows start popping up, we’ve still got a few more weeks of May to get through! Thankfully, there are a number of fun new shows opening this week, from Purcell operas about fairy queens to Albee plays about falling in love with goats. This week, it’s Mike’s turn to highlight his most anticipated picks 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You Never Can Tell by George Bernard Shaw (Stage Centre Productions). The children of an independent English woman demand to know who their father is in this satire on class and gender. Opens May 19 and runs to May 28, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat May 22 & 28 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. Show Info.

The Anniversary by Bill MacIlwraith (East Side Players). A widowed matriarch faces rebellion from her sons. Opens May 19 and runs to Jun 4, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $24, stu $17. Show Info.

Paprika Festival. New plays, dance performances, workshop productions, experimental art and more by young artists. Opens May 23 and runs to May 29, see website for schedule. $10. Aki Studio. Show Info.

In Her Shoes. A series of monologues and scenes written by young women. May 23-24 at 8 pm. $15. 3rd floor. Show Info.

Play Reading Week. Tarragon Theatre presents its annual celebration of plays-in-development featuring works by Erin Shields & Rob Baker, Cliff Cardinal, Jenna Harris, Philip McKee, David S Craig, Donald Woo, Rick Roberts and Step Taylor. Opens May 24 and runs to Jun 4, May 24-26 and May 31-Jun 4 at 8 pm. Free, no reservations taken, doors open at 7:30 pm so arrive early to grab a seat. Show Info.

Backstage in Biscuit Land by Jess Thom (Touretteshero/Harbourfront World Stage). Thom combines storytelling, comedy and puppetry to present a unique perspective as an artist and woman with Tourette Syndrome. Opens May 25 and runs to May 28, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $24, stu $15. Show Info.

Lemon by Andrew Markowiak (Filament Incubator). After courting a barren job market, a college grad opens a lemonade stand on her parents’ front lawn in this satire of a downtrodden economy. Previews May 25, opens May 26 and runs to Jun 5, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $15-$18. Show Info.

Counting Sheep: A Guerrilla Folk Opera by Mark Marczyk and Marichka Marczyk (The Lemon Bucket Orkestra). This musical about the Maidan in Ukraine explores the politics of revolution and people yearning for change. Opens May 26 and runs to Jun 5, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 3 pm. $40, stu $25 (opening week only), limited $20 rush seats released 5 minutes prior to each performance (cash only). Show Info.

Soulo Theatre Festival. Celebrating creations by solo performers, with Rachelle Elie, Daniel Stolfi, Natasha Boomer, Richard Lett, Darlene Chrissley, Tracey Erin Smith, Daniel Brooks and others, plus lectures and workshops. May 26-29, see website for schedule. $15-$45, passes $65-$200. Show Info.

Footloose by Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow (Mainstage Theatre Company). A young rebel comes to a small town where dancing is banned in this musical. May 26-29, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $35, stu $20. Show Info.

The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? by Edward Albee (Leroy Street Theatre). A married architect falls in love with a goat in this play about societal taboos. Opens May 26 and runs to Jun 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20. Show Info.

Viva Cabaret: Tribute to the Greatest Divas. Yury Ruzhyev presents a musical cabaret tribute to Cher, Tina, Liza, Madonna, Freddy, Gaga and many more. May 26 at 8 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.

Tennis in Nabuls. Afsah Theatre presents a staged reading of a play by Ismail Khalidi, based on an incident in the 1930s. Followed by discussion. May 27 at 7 pm. $10. Show Info.

The Sonnet Show: A Night of 14 (Humber River Shakespeare Company). Five original 14-minute plays based on a 14-line sonnet are performed. May 27 at 7 pm. $35. Show Info.

Rocking Horse Winner by Anna Chatterton and Gareth Williams (Scottish Opera/Tapestry Opera). This modern adaptation of DH Lawrence’s short story explores the relationship between a young man with developmental challenges and his emotionally distant mother. Preview May 27, opens May 28 and runs to Jun 4, Tue, Thu-Sat 7 pm, Sun 4 pm. $36-$112, preview $25. Show Info.

The Fairy Queen by Henry Purcell (Toronto Masque Theatre). This the Restoration masque is inspired by the enchanted world of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. May 27-29 at 8 pm. $20-$50. Show Info.

Tiger Bamboo Festival. Soulpepper Theatre presents a festival celebrating Asian Heritage Month, featuring stage shows, family-friendly retellings of Asian folktales, dramatic readings of plays by Norman Yeung and Sarah Ruhl and cabarets of music, dance and spoken word by Leonard Cervantes, Ins Choi, DATU, Shaista Latif and Arlene Paculan. May 28-29. Free. Show Info.

Instructions (To Any Future Socialist Government Wishing to Abolish Christmas) by Michael Mackenzie (Coal Mine Theatre). Set during the 2008 banking collapse, this play examines the shifting and suspect forces that drive the global financial system. Previews May 29, opens May 31 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, preview $20. Show Info.

Toronto Festival of Children’s Opera. The Canadian Children’s Opera Company presents opera for, by and about young people with main stage shows, lectures and a symposium. Various prices, some events free, see website for schedule.The Canadian Children’s Opera Company presents opera for, by and about young people with main stage shows, lectures and a symposium. Various prices, some events free, see website for schedule. Show Info.

A Bitter Shrew by Gillian English (The Theatre Elusive). English performs her new solo comedy show. May 29 and 31 at 8 pm. $10. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings