Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of April 10th, 2017

Spring has sprung in Toronto, and so has theatre season! There are only a few new shows opening this week, but combined with the ongoing selections, there are so many fresh choices! To help you in your decision-making is our managing editor Wayne, highlighting his most anticipated shows in red text. Check them out below the cut:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Tough Jews by Michael Albert Ross (The Storefront Theatre/The Spadina Avenue Gang). A murder in Prohibition-era Kensington Market thrusts a family of would-be criminals into the high-stakes world of American organized crime. Opens Mar 31 and runs to Apr 16, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (and Apr 8 & 15). $20-$25. At Kensington Hall. Show Info.

Crawlspace. Soulpepper Theatre presents a solo show by Karen Hines. A perfect little coach house turns into a real life nightmare in Karen Hines’ comic, Kafkaesque tale about the darker side of home ownership. Inspired by true events, Crawlspace moves past “cautionary” as it snakes through the brutal battleground of Toronto real estate, decorative twig orbs and the transcendence of the human soul. Previews from Mar 23, opens Mar 28 and runs to Apr 15, see website for schedule. $25-$50. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info. 

Kiss. by Guillermo Calderón (Theatre Smash/Arc Production/Canadian Stage). Two couples meet for dinner to take their minds off the war around them. Previews from Mar 28, opens Mar 30 and runs to Apr 16, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $39-$69. At Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

Little Pretty and The Exceptional by Anusree Roy (Factory Theatre). Two sisters and their father prepare to open a new sari shop on Gerrard Street and try to overcome demons of their past in this exploration of family ties and mental health issues in the South Asian community. Previews from Apr 1, opens Apr 6 and runs to Apr 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55, previews $2-$15. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.

The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl (Alumnae Theatre). A couple with marital problems hire a Brazilian maid with a penchant for jokes in this class comedy. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed $10, Sun pwyc. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.

887 by Robert Lepage (Ex Machina). This production explores the collection and recall of memories in the digital age of data storage, and how theatre – an art based on the exercise of memory – is still relevant today. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 16, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $35-$114. At The Bluma Appel Theatre. Show Info.

Spoon River. Soulpepper presents a theatrical work adapted by Mike Ross and Albert Schultz. A forgotten town comes back to life in this show inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection. Opens Mar 31 and runs to Apr 15, see website for schedule. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

And the rest:

Orphans by Dennis Kelly (Coal Mine Theatre). This urban play looks at the simmering class divide and the way stifled rage and violence gets passed down the generations. Previews from April 9, opens April 12 and runs to April 30, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview/rush $25. At The Coal Mine Theatre. Show Info.

Shaolin Warriors (Sony Centre). Choreographed production featuring theatrical martial arts, combat scenes, acrobatics and more. Apr 8 at 7:30 pm. $35-$80. At The Sony Centre. Show Info.

Quadruple Mountain. An RCMP officer investigates a murder in a small mining town brimming with secrets, melodrama and supernatural events in this improvised mystery series. Starring Kjell Cawsey, Scott Goldman, Candace Meeks, Laura Salvas and Mark Shyzer. Apr 6 at 9:30 pm. $5. 3rd floor. At The Social Capital Theatre. Show Info.

I’m Doing This For You. Soulpepper presents a solo work created and performed by Haley McGee. A woman travels halfway around the world to give the man she loves the thing she thinks he wants the most in this show that blends storytelling, live-art and improvisation. Previews May 3, opens May 4 and runs to May 6, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$50. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Binti’s Journey adapted by Marcia Johnson (Theatre Direct). Following the death of her father, a young girl escapes from uncaring relatives and sets out to find her grandmother in sub-Saharan Africa. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 23, see website for schedule. $15. At Artscape Wychwood Barns. Show Info.

A Peculiar Place for Curious Creatures (Bad Dog Theatre Company). This improvised show based on young adult Gothic fiction features a veteran cast and teen performers. Opens Mar 17 and runs to Apr 14, Fri 8 pm. $15, stu $10. At Bad Dog Theatre. Show Info.

Tons of Money by Will Evans and Arthur Valentine (Scarborough Players). A debt-ridden inventor fakes his own death in order to claim an inheritance without tipping off his creditors. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $22. At Scarborough Village Theatre. Show Info.

I Take Your Hand in Mine by Carol Rocamora (The Chekhov Collective/Theatrus). This play is based on love letters of playwright Anton Chekhov and his wife, actor Olga Knipper. Previews Apr 5, opens Apr 6 and runs to Apr 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $32. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (LOT). A flower shop clerk raises a plant that feeds on human blood in this musical. Opens Mar 24 and runs to May 14, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat. Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 4 pm. $55-$65. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

Mrs. Henderson Presents by Terry Johnson and Don Black (Mirvish). An eccentric UK socialite invests in and transforms London’s Windmill Theatre in 1937 in this biographical musical based on the 2005 screenplay by Martin Sherman. Opens Mar 15 and runs to Apr 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $38-$139. At Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.

The Book of Mormon by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone (Mirvish). Two naive missionaries go to a volatile region in Uganda in this religious satire musical. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Apr 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $49-$139. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.