Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of January 15th, 2018

As January chugs along, 2018 theatre offerings keep on growing! On hand to choose some shows which caught her eye is our assistant editor Jess. Check them out below the cut:

Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:

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:

Omission by Alice Abracen (Alumnae Theatre Company). On the eve of a papal conclave, a journalist confronts a cardinal about his activities during a military junta. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25, Wed 2-for 1, Sun pwyc. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.

Challenging The Sea. Written and produced by Helen Posno. This allegorical play asks if humankind can overcome its emotional debris to become more compassionate. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Jan 28, Tue-Sat 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $22. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

Bears by Matthew MacKenzie (Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts/Punctuate! Theatre). Fleeing from the RCMP, a man experiences unsettling physical changes while travelling along the route of the Kinder Morgan Pipeline in this multi-disciplinary dark comedy. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Jan 27, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $25, stu/srs $17. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett (TPM). Bob Nasmith plays Krapp reviewing tapes he made when he was younger in this solo show. Previews on Jan 17, opens on Jan 18 and runs to Jan 28, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $20, mat pwyc at the door. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

True Crime by Torquil Campbell and Chris Abraham, with Julian Brown (The Castleton Massive). An artist portrays a conman in this theatrical piece about how we all fake it, one way or another. Does an intricate con differ that much from a successful work of art? Previews Jan 16, opens Jan 17 and runs to Jan 20, Tue-Sat 8:30 pm, late show Fri 11 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm. $20-$50. At The Streetcar Crowsnest. Show Info.

Minosis Gathers Hope by Christine Sokaymoh Frederick (Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts/Punctuate! Theatre). A young Métis girl dealing with abandonment, self-doubt and racism connects to the mythical figures of her grandparents’ stories. Opens Jan 15 and runs to Jan 27, Jan 15-17, 19 and 24 at 11:30 am, Jan 27 at 2 pm. $12, child $7. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

Mustard by Kat Sandler (Tarragon Theatre). A teen deals with her drinking mother and an imaginary friend who lives under her bed in this darkly comic fairy tale. Previews from Jan 3, opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm, Wed 1:30 pm. $22-$60, rush $20. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Calpurnia. Nightwood Theatre and Sulong Theatre present a provocative look at class, race and family dynamics by Audrey Dwyer. A screenwriter seeks to redress To Kill A Mockingbird through the perspective of Calpurnia, the Finch family maid. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$35, Sun pwyc. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

Or Not To Be by Andrew Batten (RST). Theatre artists struggle with the question: what is the role of a lifetime? Opens Jan 11 and runs to Jan 28, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (except Jan 13). $15-$20. Ticket links: https://beachdanforth.snapd.com/events/view/1108027 (first 7 shows) https://beachdanforth.snapd.com/events/view/1108041 (last 7 shows). At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

My Funny Valentine by Dave Deveau (Zee Zee Theatre). A 15-year-old is murdered after asking another boy to be his Valentine in this play that examines the ripple effect of hatred in a community. Previews on Jan 10, opens on Jan 11 and runs to Jan 21. $20-$30, Sun pwyc at the door. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

Lear by William Shakespeare (Groundling Theatre). The tragic tale of an aging monarch’s loosening grip on the reigns of power and the slow, lonely descent into madness that follows. Starring Seana McKenna in the title role. Previews from Jan 9, opens Jan 12 and runs to Jan 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $46-$69. At Harbourfront Centre. Show Info.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Tarragon). The classic tragedy is re-examined through the lens of rock ‘n’ roll. Previews from Jan 2, opens Jan 10 and runs to Feb 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (see website for Saturday and Wednesday matinees). $20-$60. At Tarragon 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 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.

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.

A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee (Soulpepper Theatre). The uneasy life of upper-middle class suburbanites is upset when a divorced daughter returns home and old friends need a place to crash. Previews from Jan 13, opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 10, see website for times. $35-$95. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.