Playlistings in Toronto for the week of February 20th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of February 20th, 2017

With so many new shows opening this week in Toronto, you may have trouble deciding which famous (or local!) writer you want to spend an evening with. To help you in your decision-making is our editor Samantha. She’s chosen a fews shows that caught her eye in red text. Check them out below the cut:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Kim’s Convenience by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). The popular play about a Korean family in Regent Park struggling with their past returns to the stage. Previews Feb 8, opens Feb 9 and runs to March 4 see website for times. $32-$89. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

James and the Giant Peach by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Timothy Allen McDonald (Young People’s Theatre). An orphan finds adventures in a magical fruit in this musical based on the Roald Dahl book. Previews from Feb 6, opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 18, see website for schedule. $10-$41. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

The Magic Flute by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). The classic opera offers a both comic and profound exploration of the trials of growing up, seeking ideals and finding love. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 24, see website for schedule. $35-$235 (box seats $350). At the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

The Audience by Peter Morgan (Mirvish/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). This play imagines the meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and various British prime ministers over the course of 60 years. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$119. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.

Götterdämmerung by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). Deceit, betrayal and revenge drive the drama in this conclusion of the Ring cycle operas. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 25, see website for schedule. $35-$235 (box seats $350). At Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

John by Annie Baker (The Company Theatre). A young couple struggling to stay together meet a cheerful innkeeper. Previews Jan 29, opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule. $20-$47. At Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

In On It by Daniel MacIvor (emerGENce Theatre). A dying man tries to plan for the end, a pair of lovers try to make it work and two men try to write one play in this set of intertwined stories. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 12, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$22. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

How Black Mothers Say I Love You by Trey Anthony (Trey Anthony/Girls in Bow Ties). This drama looks at Caribbean mothers who make the hard choice to leave children behind and go to work in Canada. Previews from Feb 4, opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.

Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts (Coal Mine Theatre). A donut shop owner and his young employee swap jokes and social commentary as they navigate their cross-racial, cross-generational friendship in the Uptown neighbourhood of Chicago. Previews from Feb 5, opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview/rush $25. At The Coal Mine Theatre. Show Info.

John & Waleed by John Millard and Waleed Abdulhamid (TPM/Cahoots Theatre). This documentary-style concert/storytelling hybrid show explores how musical traditions from the opposite ends of the earth reveal more likeness than differences. Previews on Feb 16, opens Feb 17 and runs to Mar 5, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $17-$38, mat pwyc at the door. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Deceitful Above All Things by Genevieve Adam (The Storefront Theatre/Favour The Brave Collective). Two women fight to carve out a play for themselves in the untamed wilderness of 17th-century Quebec in this historical romance. Opens Feb 16 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs/arts workers $15, Sat mat pwyc. At Factory Theatre Studio. Show Info.

Five Faces for Evelyn Frost by Guillaume Corbeil (Canadian Stage/Théâtre français de Toronto). Five friends vie to increase their online status by revealing their innermost secrets on the internet. Previews from Feb 14, opens Feb 16 and runs to Mar 5 (in English. Also runs Mar 21-25 in French w/ English surtitles) Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $39-$69, under 30 from $15, Tue pwyc. At Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

Rhubarb Festival. Buddies presents the 38th edition of the new works and experimentation festival featuring theatre, dance, music and performance art. Highlights include The Rhubarb Haunted House performance installation, sketch comedy by Manifest Destiny’s Child, short works by local Black playwrights and more. Feb 15-26, see website for schedule. Wed-Sat $20 evening/day pass, Emerging Creators Unit Presentations pwyc. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

My Night With Reg Mirvish presents Studio 180 Theatre’s production of a play by Kevin Elyot. In the summer of 1985, old friends and new ones gather at a party that will change their world forever. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun (and Feb 22) 2 pm. $39-$92. At Panasonic Theatre. Show Info.

Peace River Country by Maria Milisavljevic (Tarragon). The health, land and way of life of a close-knit rural family becomes increasingly threatened by big corporations and government. Previews from Feb 7, opens Feb 15 and runs to Mar 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$65. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

And the rest:

A Streetcar Named Desire. Previews from Feb 25, opens Mar 23 and runs to. Apr 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $60-$175. At The Box Toronto. Show Info.

Sousatzka by Craig Lucas, Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire, based on the novel Madame Sousatzka by Bernice Rubens (Teatro Proscenium/Garth Drabinsky). A young musical prodigy is torn between his mother – a political refugee from South Africa – and his eccentric piano teacher in this musical drama that crosses racial and cultural divides. Previews from Feb 25, opens Mar 23 and runs to. Apr 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $60-$175. At Elgin Theatre. Show Info.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin (East Side Players). Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein debate the meaning of the universe and its inescapable ties with art in a Paris café in 1904. Opens Feb 24 and runs to Mar 11, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $24, stu $17. At The Papermill Theatre. Show Info.

King John by William Shakespeare (Act II Studio). The classic play about power politics is staged in an edgy, post-apocalyptic world. Feb 23-25, Thu-Fri 7 pm, mat Fri 2 pm, Sat 4 pm. $20. At Ryerson Studio Theatre. Show Info.

The Secret of Station House No. 4 Secret City Adventures and Company & Co present an immersive theatrical experience as part of the Murdoch Mysteries Escape Series. The audience will piece together clues and evidence to find the missing Detective Murdoch in just 60 minutes. Opens Feb 23 for a limited run, Wed-Sat 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 pm. $36-$42. At George Brown House. Show Info.

HROSES: Outrage à la raison by Jill Connell (It Could Still Happen). Two rivals fall in love over one piece of land and one horse in this bilingual play. Previews Feb 22, opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, preview $15, mat pwyc. At Waterworks. Show Info.

Of Human Bondage by Vern Thiessen (Soulpepper). W Somerset Maugham’s novel is adapted for the stage in a tale of loss, lust, obsession and the pursuit of beauty. Previews Feb 23, opens Feb 24 and runs to Mar 11, see website for times. $32-$89. At The Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.

The Elephant Girls by Margo MacDonald (The Wilde Festival). MacDonald tells the story of an all-female gang that terrorized 19th century London in her solo show. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Feb 25, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $18-$25. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

To Ithaca: All That Was, Is And Will Be. Humber Theatre presents a new production created and directed by Tatiana Jennings with choreography by Sharon B. Moore. Odysseus returns to Ithaca only to find the war he thought was long over has now reached his homeland in this play about the space between action and inaction, violence and pity. Opens Feb 17 and runs to Feb 25, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu $10. At Humber Studio Theatre. Show Info.

The Merry Widow / CarmenToronto City Opera presents operas by Franz Lehár and Georges Bizet as part of its 50th season. Lehár’s opera is performed in English and Bizet’s in French w/ English surtitles. Opens Feb 18 and runs in rep to Mar 5, see website for schedule. The Merry Widow: Feb 18, 24 and Mar 4 at 7:30 pm; Feb. 26 at 2 pm. Carmen: Feb. 25 and Mar 3 at 7:30 pm; Feb 19 and Mar 5 at 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15.  At Bickford Centre Theatre. Show Info.

Breath in Between by Anton Piatigorsky (Crow’s Theatre). Surreal love story about the murderer of two willing victims (who respond to his web ad) and the woman he meets soon afterwards. Previews from Feb 18, opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 11, Mon-Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20-$40. Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.

The Night Joe Dolan’s Car Broke Down by Padraic McIntyre (Toronto Irish Players) On a stormy night, a singer makes a surprise visit to a rural Irish pub. Previews Feb 16, opens Feb 17 and runs to Mar 4, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 19 at 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $22; gala opening night reception and play $50, preview pwyc ($10 min). At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.

Scenes From a Tree by Nathalie Derome, Amélie Dumoulin and Karine Sauvé (Young People’s Theatre/Des mots d’la dynamite). Play designed for tots aged 18 months to 4 years about growing up and putting down roots. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Feb 26, see website for schedule. $19-$24. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

The Bodyguard by Alexander Dinelaris, music by Whitney Houston (Mirvish). A former secret service agent fall for the pop star he’s hired to protect in this musical based on the 1992 film that starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Apr 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $38-$139. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.

Mary Poppins by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (LOT). This musical is based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Apr 2, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon & 4 pm. $55-$65. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

Thank You For Being A Friend: The Ultimate Golden Girls Experience. Joseph Patrick presents an evening of laughter, taboo-pushing dialogue, put-downs and familiar friends as Miami’s most famous retirees – Dorothy, Sophia, Rose and Blanche of TV’s Golden Girls sitcom – reunite in puppet form in this comedic live tribute show. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Mar 5, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $70-$80. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings