Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of January 1st, 2018
New Year, New Shows, Toronto! We’re continuing with the current shows, and ushering in some new ones. Here to choose her most anticipated shows (in red) is our Editor Lin. Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
Million Dollar Quartet by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux (Drayton Entertainment). Musical revue inspired by the recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Previews Dec 12, opens Dec 13 and runs to Jan 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $59-$89. At The CAA Theatre. Show Info.
The Illusionists – Live From Broadway (Mirvish). Theatre, magic, comedy and illusions by Darcy Oake, Jeff Hobson, An Ha Lim, Colin Cloud and others. Previews from Dec 12, opens Dec 14 and runs to Jan 7, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm (see website for more times). $59-$139. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.
Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Mirvish presents the musical based on the classic children’s book. Music and lyrics by Charlie Fink, adapted by David Greig. The classic fable about greed, pollution and protecting the earth comes to life in a musical for ages 5 and up. Previews from Dec 9, opens Dec 17 and runs to Jan 21, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (and Dec 14 & 28). $59-$165. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.
And everything else:
Grease the Musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey (Irregular Entertainment). The original high-school musical set in the 1950s deals with themes of first love, friendship and themes of identity. Previews from Nov 1, opens Nov 9 and runs to Jan 7 (extended from Dec 10), Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $29-$159. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.
Beauty and the Beast. Young People’s Theatre’s Production of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton. The musical based on the Disney film about hope and being your authentic self is brought to the stage. For ages 5 and up. Previews from Nov 6, opens Nov 9 and runs to Jan 7, 2018 (extended), see website for schedule. $10-$49. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
The Late Henry Moss by Sam Shepard (Unit 102 Actors Co). Two brothers trying to figure out how their father died unpack themes of family, alcoholism, generational violence and the biased nature of memory. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 6 pm. $20-$25, Tue pwyc. At The Assembly Theatre. Show Info.
The Next Stage Theatre Festival. The Toronto Fringe presents a showcase of Canadian indie theatre artists and companies from past Fringe festivals. Featuring theatre, sketch comedy, dance works and more. This year’s shows: Birthday Balloon by Steve Cochrane; Good Morning Viet Mom by Franco Nguyen; The Harold Experience by the Assembly; Jonno by Alix Sobler, Leila Live! by Leila; Moonlight After Midnight by Martin Dockery; Rumspringa Break by Matt Murray, Akiva Romer-Segal and Colleen Dauncey; The Surprise by Christel Bartelse; SwordPlay by Sex T-Rex. Jan 3-14, see website for schedule. $10-$15, passes $48-$90. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
The Wedding Party by Kristen Thomson (Crow’s Theatre/Talk Is Free Theatre). Comedy about two families, a wedding, mistaken identities and love. Previews from Jan 2, opens Jan 5 and runs to Jan 20, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed & Sat 2 pm. $20-$50. At The Streetcar Crowsnest. Show Info.
Candide by Leonard Bernstein (Toronto Operetta Theatre). Operetta based on the novella by Voltaire. Opens Dec 28 and runs to Jan 7, see website for schedule. $49-$95. At The Jane Mallett Theatre. Show Info.
RaPUNzel. The Panto Players present a holiday pantomime about a cat, a girl and her disappointed hare. Opens Dec 26 and runs to Jan 7, Tue-Sat 7 pm (except Dec 28), matinees Dec 27, 28. 30 and Jan 3, 6 and 7 at 3 pm. $25, child $15. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.
Disney on Ice: Reach for the Stars. (Feld Entertainment). Theatrical ice show featuring classic characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy plus characters from more recent Disney films. Opens Dec 22 and runs to Jan 1: Fri Dec 22 at 7 pm; Dec 23-30 daily at 4 pm; and Dec 23 and Dec 26-Jan 1 at noon. $20 & up. At The Rogers Centre. Show Info.
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant. Joseph Patrick presents a show for young audiences by Jonathan Rockefeller, based on the children’s book series by David McKee. A colourful elephant shows that it’s okay to be different in this all-ages show. Opens Dec 16 and runs to Jan 6, Sat 11 am and 1 pm. $40. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum, Harold Arlen and EY Harburg (LOT). A Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home in this musical based on the classic film. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Feb 18, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon and 4 pm. $55-$75. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Annie: The Musical by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, Thomas Meehan (LOT). A plucky orphan finds a home in this family musical. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Jan 14, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon and 4 pm. $50-$70. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.
Glad to see a listing for “Grease the Musical” however, it is closing on January 7. Your listing says it has a New Year’s Eve performance which has now passed.
Thanks Deborah!