Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of March 12th, 2018
This week’s selections are full of new shows, featuring twins on mysterious journeys, a new take on the Bard’s classic King Lear, and much more. There is much to choose from, so here to help you chose is our Editor Samantha, with a few of her top picks in red. Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
After Wrestling by Bryce Hodgson and Charlie Kerr (Blood Pact Theatre/Storefront Theatre). Slacker-comedy turned suicide-mystery that finds itself in a booze- and grief- fuelled magic realism debate on love, life and after-death. Previews from Feb 24, opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30-$50, preview $20. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Previews from Feb 13, opens Feb 18 and runs to Sep 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $69 and up. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.
The Secret Garden. Young People’s Theatre presents a play by Paul Ledoux, adapted from the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Neglected in her uncle’s gloomy manor, a young girl finds takes refuge in a mysterious hidden garden. Previews from Feb 5, opens Feb 8 and runs to Mar 17, see website for schedule. $10-$45. Recommended for ages 6-12, runs approx. 85 minutes. At The Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
Cottagers And Indians by Drew Hayden Taylor (Tarragon). Comedy/drama looking at conflicts between native traditional water usage and property owners in cottage country. Previews from Feb 13, opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm (see website for other mats). $20-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Bunny by Hannah Moscovitch (Tarragon). A woman is caught between her sexual desires and what is socially acceptable. Previews from Feb 21, opens Feb 28 and runs to Apr 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (see website for other mats). $20-$60. MainSpace. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey (Theatre Passe Muraille). An actor goes to the country to research rural life and reawakens painful memories for two farm owners. Previews from Feb 28, opens Mar 6 and runs to Mar 25, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$38 (weekend mats pwyc at the door; $22.50 in advance). TPM 50th Anniversary Gala March 8 – pre-show reception from 6 pm, performance of The Drawer Boy at 7:30 pm. Special guests, raffle prizes, gift bags, open bar & more. $125. Tickets. #DrawerBoyTO. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang (Scarborough Players). Bickering siblings named after dysfunctional characters from Chekhov plays try to escape their melancholic curse in this comedy. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 17, see website for schedule. $24. At Scarborough Village Theatre. Show Info.
Idomeneus by Roland Schimmelpfennig (Soulpepper Theatre). A Trojan War hero must deal with the consequences of his promise to the gods in this fresh take on the Greek myth. Previews from Mar 3, opens Mar 8 and runs to Mar 24, see website for times. $32-$96. At Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
And everything else:
Scorched by Wajdi Mouawad, translated by Linda Gaboriau. When their mother dies, twins Janine and Simon find themselves thrown into a quest back to their homeland, a place they have never known. Their journey takes them deep into the enigma of their family’s secrets as they begin to uncover the reasons for their mother’s long silence. Mar 7-10 and Mar 14-17 at 8 pm. $20, stu/arts workers $10. At The Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse. Show Info.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). Theatrical adaptation of Hugo’s iconic book about justice, forgiveness and love. Previews from Mar 16, opens Mar 20 and runs to Apr 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 1 pm, Sun 3 pm. Wed student shows at noon. $40, stu/arts workers $30, mat $25, previews $20. March 25: Theatre Smith-Gilmour’s fundraising gala matinee. $100, stu $40. RSVP. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.
Lear Incorporated. North Toronto Players present an original classical musical comedy by Barb Scheffler and Michael Harms. This modern version of the Bard’s classic tells the story of a bombastic business tycoon. Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Mar 24). $28, under 14 free. At Papermill Theatre. Show Info.
The Break of Noon. Triple Bypass Productions presents a play by Neil LaBute. After a horrible tragedy, John Smith is the only survivor. He tries to navigate through his life and relationships with his newly found faith, to discover why. Opens Mar 15 and runs to Mar 25, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $25 at brownpapertickets.com. At The Assembly Theatre. Show Info.
Artifice. Oakham Community Theatre presents four community acted, written, directed and produced shows on the theme of deception, from the masks we wear with our loved ones, to the deepest secrets we keep even from ourselves. Mar 14-17, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $10-$15, Sat matinee pwyc at the door. At Daniels Spectrum. Show Info.
Gobsmacked! by Nic Doodson (Mirvish). This next-gen musical weaves stories through all forms of a cappella, from street corner harmonies to beatboxing and more. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Mar 25, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (and Mar 15 & 21). $55-$75. At The CAA Theatre. Show Info.
Inch of Your Life: Episode 1. The Theatre Circuit presents a fast-paced ensemble comedy that features a core cast of eight recurring characters and touches on themes of family, relationships and identity, examining how well we know ourselves and the people in our lives. Preview March 7, opens March 8th – March 17th 2018. $25 GA, $20 artsworker. At the Theatre Passe Muraille – Backspace. Show Info.
Foolish Tales for Foolish Times. Puppetmongers Theatre in association with Solar Stage present a March Break show. Four classic tales of misadventure are combined on a journey of venerable folk wisdom. Mar 14-17, Wed-Sat 10:30 am. $20. Ideally suited for 5 to 9 years of age. At Wychwood Theatre. Show Info.
The Monument by Colleen Wagner (Factory Theatre). A soldier desperate to escape death for his war crimes agrees to give himself to the complete servitude of an unknown woman. A harrowing and visceral journey of two people forced to confront the atrocities of war. Previews from Mar 10, opens Mar 15 and runs to Apr 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$50. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Animal Farm by George Orwell, adapted by Anthony MacMahon (Soulpepper Theatre). How long will the animal utopia last when a charismatic new leader emerges? An innovative new adaptation of Orwell’s classic satire about tyranny and equality. Previews from Mar 9, opens Mar 15 and runs to Apr 7, see website for times. $32-$96. At Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Loot by Joe Orton (Bygone Theatre). Hours before his mother’s burial, a man uses her coffin to store the proceeds of a robbery in this dark farce. Opens Mar 8 and runs to Mar 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$30, Mar 11 pwyc. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.
New Ideas Festival 2018. Alumnae Theatre presents a juried festival of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre. Mar 7-25, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15, pwyc staged readings Sat at noon. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.
Tainted Justice by Don Nigro (Village Players). Murder mystery based on a true event on Cape Breton Island in 1913. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 24, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and Mar 7), mat Mar 11 and 18 at 2 pm. $20-$24. At The Village Playhouse. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.