Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of June 6th
June is here at last, and with the heat comes a slew of new shows throwing open their doors to let the Toronto public come flocking in. Air conditioning systems across theatres in the city might be hit or miss, but hopefully these shows will be less so! Editor Samantha is here this week to pick those she’s most anticipating in red!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
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.
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.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak (Mirvish). A man finds out he’s of aristocratic lineage and sets out to get rid of other heirs in this musical comedy set in Victorian England. Opens May 25 and runs to Jun 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Show Info.
** The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie (LOT/Joseph Patrick Presents). 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.
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.
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.
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.
** 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.
** Inspirato Festival. Theatre InspiraTO presents performances of 10-minute plays by 24 local and international playwrights. Four themed shows of six play, with works by Barry McKinley, Elenna Stauffer, Angie Farrow, Keith Davidson, Marc Harpin, Julia Lederer, Dominik Loncar, Amanda Healey and others. Jun 2-11, see website for schedule. $25, festival pass $80. 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.
And the Rest:
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.
Return to Grace (Mirvish). This theatrical tribute show looks at every phase of Elvis Presley’s career in concert. Opens May 31 and runs to Jun 12, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $30-$150. Show Info.
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown by Clark Gesner (The Civic Light-Opera Co). Musical based on the Charles M Schulz comic strip and its characters. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jun 12, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (and Jun 11). $28. Show Info.
** 52 Pick-Up by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozie (The Howland Co). A mix of writing and improvisation is used in this intimate look at relationships told through a game of 52 Pick-up. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jul 27, Wed 8 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (LOT). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 26, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
** Madam Mao. Collectively created by Paul Thompson, Janet Lo, Samantha Wan and Severn Thompson (Azure River). This play looks at the story of Jiang Qing, wife of Chairman Mao, and her role in China’s Cultural Revolution. Previews from Jun 2, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $32, stu/srs $26, Sun pwyc. In the Tarragon ExtraSpace. Show Info.
** Terra Incognita (Terra Incognita Collective/DOC Now). Performance documentary work that involves collective creation and theatre mask technique to explore our complicity within growth culture and the potential degrowth alternative. Jun 3-6, Fri-Mon 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). Show Info.
The Clueless Dead (Players). Mashup of airheads from Clueless and the zombie-slaying crew from the Walking Dead in this comedic show. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 11, Thu-Sat 8:30 pm (doors 7:30 pm). $25, Thu $15 (all proceeds benefit PMCF, Femme International and Lifeline Syria). 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. May 29-Jun 12. Various prices, some events free, see website for schedule. Show Info.
** Golda’s Balcony by William Gibson (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Tova Feldshuh portrays the woman who went from the pogroms of Russia to becoming Israel’s fourth prime minister. Previews from Jun 7, opens Jun 9 and runs to Jun 19, see website for times and prices. Show Info.
MILF Life Crisis. Anne Marie Scheffler performs her comedic solo play about mid-life dating after divorce. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20. Show Info.
Toronto Festival of Clowns. Clown and physical theatre performers including Sketchy & Fesso, Jean Paul Mullet, Adam Bailey, Snack Music Collective, the Amazing Trevor & others. Opens Jun 8 and runs to Jun 12, Wed-Sun from 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 4 pm. $15-$20. In the Main Space & Studio. Show Info.
Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss (Opera 5). Immersive and interactive version of the comedic opera set in modern times with cabaret instead of ballet performances. Jun 8-11, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $40-$50, stu $25. Show Info.
** Choking the Butterfly by James Johnson (Rarely Pure Theatre). Formerly conjoined twins Betty and Barney are surgically separated as teenagers and thrown out of their sheltered institutional life to face the world. Opens Jun 9 and runs to Jun 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Show Info.
The Lawyer Show. Nightwood Theatre presents it’s 7th annual Lawyer Show – a fundraiser for the company in which actual members of the legal community perform. This year’s production is the musical Guys And Dolls. Jun 9-11, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $65-$80. Show Info.
The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, adapted by Lisa Codrington from a short story by Bernard Shaw (Shaw Festival). Abandoned by her missionary for asking too many questions, a young African girl goes on her own quest to find God. Previews from Jun 10, opens Jun 25 and runs in rep to Sep 11. Lunchtime one-act production, all shows at 11:30 am. $35. Show Info.
Skylight by David Hare (Hidden Cove Productions). Three years after their split, a man looks to reclaim his former mistress after the death of his wife. Previews from Jun 9, opens Jun 15 and runs to Jul 9, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $38-$64. Show Info.
** The Hobbit by Dean Burry, adapted from the book by JRR Tolkien (Canadian Children’s Opera Company). Bilbo and Gandalf and their buddies try to outwit elves, goblins, wolves and spiders in their quest to restore the Dwarf king Thorin to his throne. Jun 10-12, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $33, srs $24, stu $19. Show Info.
** The Vagina Monologues. Performance of the Eve Ensler play to benefit North York Women’s Shelter. Jun 10 at 8 pm. $40. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings