Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of November 26th, 2018
As always MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you! The Toronto theatre scene is in full swing, so check out our editor Wayne’s top picks in red, and let us help you plan your next theatre adventure!
Already Reviewed by MoT:
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Princess of Wales Theatre. by David Greig, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman (Mirvish). Musical based on the 1964 children’s novel by Roald Dahl. Opens Nov 20 and runs to Jan 6, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (see website for other dates and times and additional information). $69-$179. Show Info.
Mary Poppins. Young People’s Theatre. by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (Young People’s Theatre/Cameron Mackintosh). Musical based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Previews from Nov 5, opens Nov 8 and runs to Jan 6, see website for times. $10-$54. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Show Info.
And Everything Else:
Obaaberima. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. by Tawiah Ben M’Carthy (BIBT). Imprisoned in Canada for committing a violent crime, a young man from Ghana tells his cellmates a story on the eve of his release. Previews from Nov 27, opens Nov 29 and runs to Dec 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$40, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
The Code. Young People’s Theatre. by Rachel Aberle (Young People’s Theatre/Green Thumb Theatre). A student-instigated protest leads to unexpected fallout. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 14, see website for times. $19-$24. In the Studio. Recommended for Grades 8-12 / ages 13 and up. Show Info.
Every Brilliant Thing. Berkeley Street Theatre. by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe (Canadian Stage). As a mother battles depression, a child creates a list of small joys to keep hope alive. Previews from Nov 27, opens Nov 29 and runs to Dec 16, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$79. Show Info.
Plays by Natasha Adiyana Morris. Palmerston Library. Piece of Mine presents workshop productions of The Negroes Are Congregating and half n’ half by playwright Natasha Adiyana Morris. The 5-day run also includes a producer talk for emerging theatre creators. Nov 27-Dec 1, Tue, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Wed 6:30 pm. Performances $20, producer talk $10. Show Info.
9 To 5, The Musical. Annex Theatre. Randolph College presents the musical based on the film. Book by Patricia Resnick, music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. Three female coworkers are pushed to the boiling point by their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigoted boss, and concoct a plan to get even with him. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Show Info.
School of Rock. Ed Mirvish Theatre. by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater, Julian Fellowes (Mirvish). Musical based on the 2003 film about a wannabe rock star turned substitute teacher. Opens Nov 28 and runs to Jan 6, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (see website for other dates and times and additional information). $25-$215. Show Info.
Alice the Magnet. The Commons Theatre. Theatre Animal presents a play by Erin Courtney. A self-help guru’s vision for Utopia is threatened by her own followers, who are enticed by the teachings of an inexperienced fear-mongerer. Previews from Nov 28, opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 1 pm. $15-$25. Show Info.
Impulse 2018. Winchester Street Theatre. The School of Toronto Dance Theatre presents a main-stage performance of ensemble works, showcasing dancers from all three years of the Professional Training Program. Opens Nov 29 and runs to Dec 8, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $17-$22 at eventbrite.ca. Show Info.
Ghosting. Tarragon Theatre. by Michael Ruderman (Moose + Moa Theatre Company). A woman grapples with family problems by consulting her iPhone in this technological memory play. Previews Nov 29, opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Dec 8-9 at 2:30 pm. $12-$70. ExtraSpace. Show Info.
8 Minute Play Festival. Super Wonder Gallery. The Superwonder Gallery presents 8-minute plays by Christian Aldo, Frances Marley Law, Jon Blair and others. Nov 29 at 9 pm. $10. Show Info.
Les Zinspirés: l’âge de raison (The Age of Reason). Berkeley Street Theatre. Théâtre français de Toronto presents works by on the theme by five young authors. Nov 30-Dec 5, Fri & Wed at 8 pm. $20-$49. Upstairs at Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.
The Wizard of Oz—A Toto-ly Twistered Family Musical. Elgin Theatre. Ross Petty Productions presents a family-friendly musical production. Swept up from their home on Ossington Avenue (in one of those twisters that the West End is known for), Dorothy and her dog Toto must find their way back home…with a little help from some friends along the way. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Jan 5, see website for schedule. $27-$99. Show Info.
3 By Me: A Weekend of Play Readings. The Attic Arts Club. Minmar Gaslight Productions presents a weekend of readings of plays by Steven Elliott Jackson. Nov 30-Dec 2. Friday: It Could Be Worse, at 8 pm; Saturday: The Child, at 8 pm; Sunday: The Dark Part Of The Snow, at 2:30 pm. $10 suggested donation. Show Info.
4-7-8. Small Arms Building. Toes for Dance presents an immersive dance-theatre experience with a five-part multi-disciplinary performance including dance, visual art, live music, audio installations and theatre. Audiences will move from room to room as a collective, experiencing the power of interpretation and connection. Nov 30-Dec 2, Fri 8 pm. $22-$30. Show Info.
A Christmas Carol Comedy. Wychwood Theatre. No Porpoise Productions present a holiday pantomime by Katie Leamen. Part Christmas Carol, part pantomime, a twist of 39 Steps, shades of Monty Python and more in this all-ages holiday comedy. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 4 pm. $20-$30. Show Info.
Deer Blood. The Collective Space. Other Families present a play as part of their mixed-media theatre series Endless Love. After a betrayal, two people sort through broken memories over one night in a cabin in this production featuring music, theatre, installation and text. Nov 30-Dec 1, doors/dance party 8:30 pm, show at 9:30 pm. $10. Show Info.
Munsch Goes to School. Young Centre for the Performing Arts. George Brown’s 32nd annual Theatre for Young Audience show celebrates the world of Robert Munsch with stories, colourful staging, great music and fun for all ages. Dec 1 and 8 at 10:30 am and 1 pm. $25, srs $20, stu $10. Show Info.
Wow Factor: A Cinderella Story. The Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre. by Joel Ivany (Canadian Opera Company). A girl tries out for a talent show in this opera for young audiences. Dec 1-3, Sat-Sun 11 am and 2 pm. $40, kids age 5-12 free w/ adult (max 2 per adult, $10/additional child). Show Info.
HSTW—He Said, She Said, They Said, We Said. Factory Theatre. Manifest Black presents a poetic stage play that follows the chronicles of four individuals exploring their identity, while learning to navigate through personal development and intimate relationships. Each story illustrates how race, gender, class and social practices relate to themes of self-acceptance, mental health, healing, love and liberation. Dec 1-2, Sat 7 pm, Sun 3 pm. $28-$43. Dec 1 and 2: Fine Arts Experience: 5 pm, HSTW Theatre Show: 7 pm, HSTW Talk – Conversation After Show. Show Info.
Listings Primarily Based on NOW! Stage Listings