Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 1st, 2017

As we spring into May, Toronto stages are in full bloom. From opera, to kids’ shows, to Freud, to movie classics, there is so much variety to choose from. On hand with her top picks – highlighted in red – is our editor Samantha. Check them out below the cut:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Banana Boys by Leon Aureus (Factory Theatre). Five young Asian-Canadian men wrestle with issues of race and identity. Previews Apr 18, opens Apr 20 and runs to May 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.

Sound of the Beast by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard (TPM). An outspoken emcee finds that free speech comes with consequences. Previews from Apr 13-16, opens April 18 and runs to May 7, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$38, mat pwyc at the door. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Munschtime! Adapted by Stephen Colella and Allen MacInnis (Young People’s Theatre). Theatrical show for ages 4-8 based on the stories of Robert Munsch (Love You Forever, Murmel Murmel Murmel, Pigs, A Promise is a Promise and Too Much Stuff!). Previews from Apr 17, opens Apr 20 and runs to May 14, see website for schedule. $10-$34. At The Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

Illusions by Ivan Viripaev (SideMart Theatrical Grocery). This play unravels the story of two couples in a story of friendship, and crossed loves. Previews from Apr 19, opens Apr 21 and runs to May 8, Wed-Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $35, stu/srs $25. At The Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.

Louis Riel by Harry Somers (Canadian Opera Company). Sung in English, French, Michif and Cree (with English surtitles), this opera tells the story of the Métis leader and Canada’s westward expansion. Opens Apr 20 and run to May 13: Apr 20, 26, May 2, 9 and 13 at 7:30 pm, Apr 23 at 2 pm, Apr 29 at 4:30 pm. $35-$235. At The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

And the rest:

A Beit Zatoun Salon – Double Exposure: Art and Activism. Samah Sabawi and Stephen Orlov read from their plays and talk about the anthology they co-edited, Double Exposure: Plays Of The Jewish And Palestinian Diasporas. May 2 at 7 pm. $5. See website for more details. At A Different Booklist. Show Info.

for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf. Soulpepper Theatre presents a play by Ntozake Shange. Through music, poetry and dance, seven women weave their stories of love, heartache, violence and joy into a powerful mosaic of the experiences of African-American women. Previews May 5, opens May 6 and runs to Jun 3, see website for times. $32-$89. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Two Birds One Stone by Natasha Greenblatt and Rimah Jabr (Pomme Grenade Productions/The RISER Project). This play investigates the histories of two women – a Palestinian Muslim and a Jewish Canadian – and the forces that push them through time and across continents to find each other. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

It’s All Tru by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). A gay couple’s perfect marriage is threatened by a sexy street boy. Previews May 3, opens May 4 and runs to May 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $29-$39, preview $20, Sun pwyc. At Buddies in Bad Times. Show Info.

El Retorno / I Return by Marilo Nuñez (The RISER Project/Why Not Theatre). A Chilean family in political exile in Canada join a 1979 effort to topple the Pinochet dictatorship. Previews May 5, opens May 6 and runs to May 13, Mon-Sat at 7 or 9:30 pm (see website). $15, or $20 for any two RISER shows. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

The Garage Sale by David King (The NAGs Players). A suburban family deals with mid-life crisis when one member wants them to sell everything and move to the desert. Opens May 4 and runs to May 13, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $15-$20. Previews May 3, opens May 4 and runs to May 13, Mon-Sat 7 or 9:30 pm (see website). $15 each show, or $20 for any two shows in RISER. At The Tranzac. Show Info.

The Return (Circa/Canadian Stage) Awe-inspiring acrobatics meets opera in the Australian company’s new genre-defying work. May 3-7, Wed, Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sun 1 & 2:30 pm. $35-$114. At Bluma Appel Theatre 27 Front E. Show Info.

Wildfire. Soulpepper Theatre & RARE Theatre Company present a play by Judith Thompson. Researched and performed by actors with Down syndrome, this play explores the boundaries of love for people with visible differences. Previews May 2, opens May 3 and runs to May 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$58. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Legally Blonde: The Musical by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach (Curtain Call Players). A sorority girl makes it to law school in this musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Apr 28 and runs to May 6, see website for schedule. $28. At Fairview Library. Show Info.

The Vision of Delight. Toronto Masque Theatre presents a staged reading and singing of Ben Jonson’s masque celebrating the coming of spring. Directed by Derek Boyes. May 1 at 7:30 pm. $25. TMT Atrium. Show Info.

Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). A woman murders the chief of police to save her lover in this Italian psychological drama of passion and betrayal. Opens Apr 30 and run to May 20, see website for times. $35-$235. At The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Glengarry Glenross by David Mamet (Amicus Productions). Cutthroat real estate salesmen grind out a living and pursue the American Dream. Opens Apr 27 and runs to May 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Apr 30 and May 6 as 2 pm. $25, srs $20, stu $15. At The Papermill Theatre. Show Info.

Don Giovanni by WA Mozart (Odd Opera). This modern take on the opera is inspired by the Expressionism movement and explores issues around sex and power. Opens Apr 27 and runs to May 6, Apr 27-28, May 4 & 6 at 7:30 pm, Apr 30 at 7 pm. $35, stu/srs $25. At The Commons. Show Info.

Freud’s Last Session. Harold Green Jewish Theatre presents a play by Mark St. Germain. Psychoanalyst Dr. Sigmund Freud and young, rising scholar C.S. Lewis meet head-to-head in a fictitious battle of the mind. Starring Layne Coleman, Brendan Murray; directed by David Ferry. Previews from Apr 22, opens Apr 27 and runs to May 14, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Apr 30 & May 7 at 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, Wed 1 pm. $15-$72.50. At the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.

Strictly Ballroom The Musical by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pierce (Mirvish). A dancer defies all the rules and follows his heart to find his true calling and true love. Opens Apr 26 and runs to Jun 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat & Sun 2 pm. $31.25-$139. At The Princess of Wales 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.

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.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.