Playlistings in Toronto for the week of June 11th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of June 11th, 2018

Toronto live theatre for the week of June 11th, 2018. This week’s picks feature a roadshow lots of festival action! Our Publisher Megan is on hand with a few of her top picks in red. Check them out below the cut:

Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:

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 Best is Yet To Come Undone. The Second City presents the Spring 2018 MainStage sketch revue, tackling this generation’s minefield of crushing clichés and relatable revelations. Limited run, Tue-Sun see website for times. $27 & up, stu from $16. At Second City. Show Info.

Innocence Lost: A Play About StephenTruscott by Beverley Cooper (Soulpepper). Story of the 14-year-old boy who was wrongly convicted of killing his 12-year-old schoolmate and sentenced to death in 1959 small-town Ontario. Previews from May 14, opens May 24 and runs to Jun 23, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

La Bête by David Hirson (Soulpepper). Two actors compete for survival when their Royal Patron grows weary of their theatre troupe in this comedy. Previews from May 16, opens May 29 and runs to Jun 22, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

And everything else:

Alan Cumming. Legal Immigrant Tour of storytelling and songs about life in his adopted homeland by the singer/performer and social activist. 8 pm. $39.50-$99.50. At Massey Hall. Show Info.

Toronto Bloomsday Festival. Anna Livia Productions presents the 33rd annual outdoor celebration of James Joyce’s novel, Ulysses. Actors and musicians re-enact scenes in a walk along the beach, followed by readings and music at the Beaches Library (2161 Queen E). June 16, 9 am-noon (assemble at Kew Gardens, west of the library). Free. Bloomsday Brunch follows at Gastro Pub (1987 Queen E), noon-2 pm, see website for details. Show info.

Tables Turned. Luminato Festival and Tapestry Opera present a multimedia concert featuring opera singers, turntable artists and video projections. With vocalist Carla Huhtanen, percussionist Ben Reimer and turntable artist and composer Nicole Lizée. Jun 16-19, Sat-Tue at 7 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $35. At Ernest Balmer Studio. Show Info. 

Kings And Classics: Existence Is Resistance Pride Edition. Pretty Munny Production presents a drag king showcase, part of Buddies’ Queer Pride Festival. Jun 15 at 10:30 pm. $25, adv $18. In the Cabaret. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

It’s a Goddamn Stupid Life by Neal Armstrong  with material from Devon Marinac and Andrea Werhun. (Imaginary Solutions). This scathing political satire is set during Donald Trump’s third term. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 23, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $20. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting kingubu@protonmail.com. At Wychwood Theatre. Show Info.

Clamorous Concords. Buddies’ Youth Ensemble presents a celebratory theatrical adventure, opening act by Queer AF Collective. Jun 13 at 8 pm. Pwyc, adv $10. In the Chamber. Part of Buddies 2018 Queer Pride Festival. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner. Returning to Toronto for a fourth time, Potted Potter The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff, takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real-life game of Quidditch) into 70 minutes. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jul 8, Wed-Sun (and some Tuesdays), see website for schedule. $30-$100. At The CAA Theatre. Show Info.

The Fever. Luminato Festival and 600 Highwaymen present an interactive performance that tests the limits of individual and collective responsibility and our willingness to be there for one another. Jun 12-17: Tue 7 pm, Wed 2, 6 and 9 pm, Thu 6 pm, Fri 2 and 9 pm, Sat 4 pm, Sun 1 and 5 pm. $39 & up. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

Chicago. Mirvish presents a production of the iconic musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse. A nightclub dancer is charged with murder in 1920s Chicago in this musical. NFL Legend Eddie George stars as Billy Flynn. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$199. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (Bard in the Park/Community Centre 55). The classic summer romance is set in modern-day Athens University during Frosh Week. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 17, Mon-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. Pwyc. At Kew Gardens in the Alex Christie Pavilion. AT Kew Gardens Park. Show Info.

AvengerDale: Age of Archie. Players presents a full-scale production. Stuck in the boring age of peace, the Avengers heroes masquerade as high school teachers in T.O.’s Riverdale district in this raucous show that lampoons pop-culture characters, the city of Toronto, and topical socio-political issues. Previews Jun 6 (8:30 pm, doors 7:15 pm), opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 16, Thu-Sat 8:30 pm. $15-$25. At The Tranzac. Show Info.

inspiraTO Festival. Canada’s largest ten-minute play festival returns, this year’s theme is All About Her. This season there are five different shows with a total of 30 ten-minute plays. Playwrights include Nedra Roberts, Dominik Loncar, Carol Libman, John Kane, Georgette Kelly, Ken Weitzman, Allie Costa and others. Jun 7-16, see website for schedule. $15-$20. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.

NASSIM by Nassim Soleimanpour (Why Not Theatre/Luminato). A different performer reads a script for the first time in this theatrical experiment. Shows by Lee Maracle, Anand Rajaram, Gavin Crawford, Allegra Fullton, Michael Redhill and others. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 16: Jun 7-8, 11, 13-15 at 7 pm, Jun 8-9 at 2 pm, Jun 16 at 1 & 4 pm. $39 & up. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

At The Illusionist’s Table. Luminato presents Scottish illusionist Scott Silven hosting an intimate evening of fine dining and whisky tasting interwoven with illusion, mentalism and storytelling. Includes a three-course dinner by BlueBlood Steakhouse. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 24, Tue-Sun shows at 6 and 9 pm. $225. Pre-register. At Casa Loma. Show Info.

The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe (Cameron Mackintosh). Super-sized staging of the iconic musical about love and obsession in 19th century Paris. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm.  (see website for additional shows). $79-$220. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.

Molly Bloom adapted by Jocelyn Adema (Fourth Gorgon Theatre). A lonely woman grapples to make sense of her life and relationships as she lies awake in bed. Four women perform Molly’s stream of consciousness, weaving contemporary movement and context with the lyricism of the final chapter of James Joyce’s Ulysses. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 16, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $15-$25. At Majlis Art Garden. Show Info.

String of Pearls by Michele Lowe (Labour of Love). The audience goes on a journey that spans several decades as a pearl necklace is passed from one character to another. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 16, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $20. At Artscape Youngplace. Show Info.

RIOTLuminato presents a riotous cocktail of dance, drag, circus and comedy from Ireland’s greatest artistic hooligans. Opens Jun 5 and runs to Jun 16, Tue-Thu & Sat 7 pm, plus late shows Fri-Sat 9:45 pm. $39 & up. At The Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre. Show Info.

I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick (Scarborough Players). A successful TV actor is torn between taking a lauded theatre role as Hamlet, or another glitzy TV project in this comedy. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jun 16: Jun 1-2, 7-9, 14-15 at 8 pm, Jun 3, 10 and 16 at 2 pm. $24, discounts for students and seniors. At The Scarborough Village Theatre. Show Info.

Treasure IslandSolar Stage Children’s Theatre presents an all-ages show based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson. Sing sea shanties and cheer on Jane Hawkins as she navigates her way through a wild and epic pirate adventure. Opens May 26 and runs to July 1, Sat & Sun 1:30 pm. $20. At Wychwood Theatre. Show Info.

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. eturn engagement: Previews from May 24, opens May 31 and runs to Jun 17, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun & Wed 1:30 pm. $29-$149. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.