Playlistings in Toronto for the week of May 8th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 8th, 2017

As men continue to wrestle with their race and identity issues on Toronto stages, a few new shows open up. There is much to choose from, including kids’ shows, naughty men, and black comedies. On hand with her top picks – highlighted in red – is our editor Lin. Check them out below the cut:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

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.

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.

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.

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 runs 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.

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.

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.

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. May 3-13. At The Theatre Centre. 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.

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.

And the rest:

The Dress HE Wore by Anthony Dunn (Lift the Lid Theatre). This provocative and disturbing black comedy stars Alastair Love. Previews May 8, opens May 9 and runs to May 13, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $18, preview $10, mat pwyc. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

The Boy in the Moon by Emil Sher (Crow’s Theatre). Based on Ian Brown’s memoir, this play tells the story of a couple raising a child with profound disabilities. Previews from May 8, opens May 12 and runs to May 27, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20-$40. At The Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.

Other Jesus by Evan Webber (Public Recordings). A group of spiritual workers in the Occupied Territories consider what’s real while trying to break even – until one of them turns out to have the magic touch – in this piece about the risk and reward of believing and belonging. Opens May 6 and runs to May 14, Sat-Sun and Tue-Fri 8 pm. $25, stu/srs/arts workers $20. At St. Matthew’s United Church. Show Info.

Pirate Life Children’s Theatre. Kids can dress in costume, get face paint tattoos and help discover the mystery of the treasure map in this interactive theatrical show/boat cruise. Opens May 6 and runs to Oct 8, Sat-Sun until Jun 25, daily Jun 26-Sep 4, weekends to Oct 9. Various times from 10:30 am-5 pm. $25. At Island Rogue. Show Info.

Dom Juan by Molière (Théâtre français de Toronto). An unrepentant man with an insatiable libido goes up against moral norms in 17th-century France. Previews from May 10, opens May 12 and runs to May 28, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Surtitled performances Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. $19-$49, Wed-Thu pwyc, Sat rush $20. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. 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.

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.

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