Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of October 9th, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate here in Toronto. Your dining room tables won’t be the only places overflowing with goodness: Toronto’s stages are filled with countless new and continuing shows this week. Jess, one of our fearless editors, is here to choose her most anticipated shows (in red). Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
North by Northwest by Ernest Lehman (Mirvish). In a case of mistaken identity, an advertising executive is tormented by thugs in this adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 film. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $38-$150. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.
VOLTA by Bastien Alexandre (Cirque du Soleil). Theatrical spectacle about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail featuring music, dance, acrobatic arts and BMX bike stunts. Opens Sep 7 and runs to Nov 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm (and some Tuesdays), mat Sat 4:30 pm (and some Fridays), Sun 1:30 & 5 pm. $49-$300. At Big Top (Lakeshore/Cherry Street). Show Info.
And everything else:
Other Side of the Game. Cahoots Theatre and Obsidian Theatre present a documentary theatre work by Amanda Parris. Inspired by interviews conducted with individuals in Toronto and Halifax, this play explores the lives of Black women who support their men, their families and communities, even in the face of dire consequences. Previews from Oct 14, opens Oct 18 and runs to Nov 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $37, stu/arts workers $25, previews $20. At Daniels Spectrum. Show Info.
Lukumi by d’bi.young anitafrika (The Watah Theatre). Set in post-apocalypse Turtle Island, a group of freedom fighters use try to survive and redeem humanity in this Afro-futuris dub opera. Previews from Sep 22, opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2:30 pm. $27-$32, Wed mat pwyc. Extraspace. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Flashing Lights. Bad New Days and Ahuri Theatre present a collectively created high-tech fable about our digital lives. An unremarkable guy inexplicable becomes famous and it affects the lives of all those around him in this original play that looks at how digital technology is radically shaping human evolution. Previews from Oct 7. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.
Asking For It by Ellie Moon (Crow’s Theatre/Nightwood Theatre/Necessary Angel). This documentary play explores gender roles and sexual consent in the wake of the Ghomeshi scandal and looks at shame, power, ambiguity and misunderstanding in communication about sex. Previews Oct 6, opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm (and Oct 16), mat Oct 14 & 21 at 2 pm. $20-$25. At Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.
Riverboat Coffeehouse: The Yorkville Scene. Soulpepper Theatre presents multi-disciplinary artists celebrating the stories and songs that made Yorkville the place to be in the free loving 60s. Opens Oct 6 and runs to Oct 14, see website for times. $25 & up. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Bello by Vern Thiessen (Concrete Theatre/L’Unithéâtre/YPT). A young boy gets lost coming home from school in a snowstorm. The chance encounters he has along the way teach him about himself, family and the importance of compassion. Presented in French and English, for ages 5-9. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 20, see website for schedule. $10-$34. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Simon Stephens, adapted from the novel by Mark Haddon (The National Theatre/Mirvish). A 15-year old math genius on the autism spectrum comes under suspicion for the killing of his neighbour’s dog. Previews from Oct 10, opens Oct 15 and runs to Nov 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $38-$149. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.
The Adventures of Tom Shadow. Theatre Lab presents a comedic musical, written and performed by Mark Little, Lisa Gilroy, Natalie Metcalfe, Christian Smith, and Kevin Vidal. The play is a twisted, not-for-kids take on Peter Pan. Previews Oct 11, opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $23-$43. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Playing it Forward: Artists Giving Back. A collection of artists come together to present music and theatre performances in support of worthwhile causes in their community. Oct 11-15, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $10-$20. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
- Wed Oct 11, 7:30 pm: Confessions Of An Operatic Mute by Briane Nasimok, in support of Forest Hill Lions Club Holiday Food Fund.
- Thu Oct 12, 7:30 pm: Sunshine Sketches in support of Smile Theatre
- Fri Oct 13, 7:30 pm: The Gershwin Project by Charlotte Moore, in support of Sketch Working Arts
- Sat Oct 14, 1:30 pm: But, That’s Another Story in support of Story Telling Toronto
- Sat Oct 14, 7:30 pm: She Grew Funny by Joanne O’Sullivan, in support of the Canadian Stomach Cancer Foundation
- Sun Oct 15, 1:30 pm: Confessions Of An Operatic Mute – ENCORE by Briane Nasimok, in support of Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto
Breaking Legs by Tom Dulack (Mortar & Pestle Productions). A playwright gets mixed up with mobsters looking to make it big in the world of theatre. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 21, Thu-Fri 8 pm (and Oct 14), mat Sat 2 pm. $15. At Gerrard Art Space. Show Info.
Tragedie of Lear. Adapted from William Shakespeare (Tragedie of Lear). This play uses Shakespeare’s classic tragedy to explore the relationship between aging parents and their adult children through the lens of mental illness. Previews Oct 12 (1:30 & 7:30 pm), opens Oct 13 and runs to Oct 22. Fri-Sat & Mon 7:30 pm. mat Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $28, stu/srs/preview $20. At the Palmerston Library Theatre. Show Info.
Salt-water Moon. Mirvish presents the Factory Theatre production of the play by David French, directed by Ravi Jain. A young man returns home to woo a former sweetheart who has moved on in 1926 Newfoundland. Previews from Oct 12, opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$92. At The Panasonic Theatre. Show Info.
A Rulebook for the Romantically Challenged. Encore Entertainment presents a musical comedy revue by Merle Gable. Oct 12-15, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $34, stu/srs $30. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.
Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott (Scarborough Theatre Guild). A blind woman is threatened by thugs who believe she has their drug-filled doll in her apartment. Opens Oct 6 and runs to Oct 21, Thu-Sat 8 pm (no evening show Oct 21), mat Oct 8, 15 and 21 at 2 pm. $24. At Scarborough Guild Theatre. Show Info.
The Fish Eyes Trilogy by Anita Majumdar (Nightswimming Theatre/Factory). This three-act play utilizes performance and dance to create a unique portrait of the intertwining lives of three teenage girls at one BC high school and examines issues of coming of age, cultural heritage and consent. Previews from Sep 26, opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$50. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Pool (no water) by Mark Ravenhill (Cue6 Theatre). An accident is seen as an opportunity in this dark comedy about art, jealousy and friendship. Previews from Sep 27, opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 15, Wed-Sat 8 pm (and Oct 1), Oct 8 & 15 at 4 pm. $22-$35. At The Citadel. Show Info.
Life After by Britta Johnson (Canadian Stage/Yonge Street Theatricals). A 16-year-old girl must navigate her life after her self-help-guru father dies in a car accident. Previews from Sep 23, opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 22, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $35-$59. See website for details and to buy tickets. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.
Undercover by Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak (Tarragon/Vertigo Theatre). An audience member will become a rookie detective and try to separate clues from red herrings to solve a murder mystery. Previews from Sep 19, opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (and Sep 30 & Oct 14). $22-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Unapologetically Me: Sharron’s Cabaret For Kids. Sharron Matthews performs her musical cabaret for young audiences featuring pop, rock and funk music and storytelling. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 21, see website for schedule. $24, youth/srs $19. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
Legends of Horror. Host Dracula leads an immersive theatrical 1.5 km indoor/outdoor walk through the bowels of the historic castle to encounter classic horror figures. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 31, daily every half hour from 7 pm-midnight. $40-$45. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. At Casa Loma. Show Info.
Curious George and the Golden Meatball. by John Kavanaugh and Jeremy Desmon (Lower Ossington Theatre). The mischievous monkey from kids’ books tries to help his chef friend win a cooking competition in this all-ages musical. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Nov 26, Sat 1 pm, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $30-$40. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Nov 26, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 4 pm. $55-$65. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Dreamgirls by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger. (LOT). A Black female trio from Chicago become superstars in this musical based on the aspirations and successes of R&B acts of the 60s and 70s. Opens Sep 8 and runs to Nov 19, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 4 pm. $55-$75. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Bat out of Hell. Mirvish presents the rock ‘n’ roll musical by Jim Steinman (producers: David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox and Tony Smith). A young rebel falls in love with the daughter of a powerful man in a post-apocalyptic world in this rock ‘n’ roll musical. Previews from Oct 14, opens Oct 25 and runs to Dec 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $29-$139. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.