Playlistings for the Week of January 21st, 2019.

Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of January 21st, 2019.

MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you! The cold weather has finally hit us, so stay warm (and entertained) by enjoying some of the best theatre Toronto has to offer. Our editor Wayne  is here with his top picks in red!

Already Reviewed by MoT:

Hair. Hart House Theatre. Hart House Theatre presents a musical by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. A tribe of freedom-loving hippies is confronted with the realities of war. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 2, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 2 at 2 pm. $17-$28, stu $12-$15. Show Info. 

Tartuffe. Bluma Appel Theatre. by Molière (Canadian Stage/Crow’s Theatre/Groundling Theatre/David Versus Goliath/Stratford Festival). A con man feigns piety to get close to a man’s wife in this comedy. Previews from Jan 13, opens Jan 17 and runs to Jan 27, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $51-$111.  Show Info.

We Are Not Alone. Streetcar Crowsnest. by Damien Atkins (Crow’s Theatre/2b theatre company/Segal Centre for Performing Arts). Atkins’s solo show about the meaning of mysterious sightings, fuzzy videos and crop circles. Previews from Jan 7, opens Jan 11 and runs to Jan 26, Mon-Sat 8:30 pm, mat Wed & Sat 2:30 pm. $22-$50.  Show Info

After the Fire. Theatre Centre. by Matthew MacKenzie (Punctuate! Theatre/Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts). Dark comedy about two couples whose lives have been deeply affected by the 2016 fires in Fort McMurray. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $25, stu/srs/arts worker $17, Tue pwyc. Show Info.

Kiviuq Returns: An Inuit Epic. Tarragon Theatre. (The Qaggiq Collective). The story of an epic journey across the Arctic is told through music, drumming, dance and storytelling. In Inuktitut w/ English overviews. Previews from Jan 4, opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun (and some Sat) 2:30 pm. $22-$60. In the MainSpace. Show Info.

Eve of St. George. The Great Hall. Transcen|Dance Project presents a voyeuristic and immersive production in which the audience is masked and set free to roam the venue as the story unfolds around them. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Jan 27, Thu-Sun 7 pm, plus late show Sat 10:15 pm. $60-$90. Show Info.

And Everything Else:

Rose: A New Musical Soulpepper Theatre presents a new musical by Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson. A quiet kid who sees the world a little differently embarks on an adventure to discover her place in the world. Previews from Jan 17, opens Jan 23 and runs to Feb 24, Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House) see website for schedule. $35 & up. Show Info.
The Virgin Trial by Kate Hennig (Soulpepper). Princess Elizabeth navigates a labyrinth of political and sexual intrigue in the Tudor court, threatening her freedom and her life. Previews from Jan 19, opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 3, Young Centre for the Performing Arts (50 Tank House) see website for schedule. $35 & up. Show Info.
Grace. Streetcar Crowsnest. by Jane Doe (Nightwood Theatre/ Crow’s Theatre). A family seeks justice after revelations of childhood sexual assault. Previews from Jan 8, opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 26, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$40. In conjunction with the play, Nightwood Theatre presents a free symposium on Saturday, January 12, from 4-6 pm, onstage at Streetcar Crowsnest. The symposium will consist of two panels: one on the challenges and failures of the legal system faced by survivors of sexual assault, and another on the psychology of memory. Show Info.
The Scavenger’s Daughter. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. PARADIGM Productions presents a play by Susanna Fournier, part 2 of The Empire Trilogy. Three people struggle in a bleak dystopia in this play about neo-liberal warfare in the service of imperial capitalism and toxic ideas of what it means to be a man, a nation and a citizen. Previews from Jan 15, opens Jan 17 and runs to Jan 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$35, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
Gruesome Playground Injuries. The Assembly Theatre. By Rajiv Joseph (The Assembly Theatre). The lives of a man and woman intersect between ages 8 and 38 in this bloody but sincere love story. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.

Slow Dance. Winchester Street Theatre. Toronto Dance Theatre presents an interactive performance installation by choreographer & visual artist Marie Lambin-Gagnon. Slow Dance is a conversation between dancers, objects and environment, celebrating the intimacy and strength present in all things. Opens Jan 23 and runs to Feb 2, Wed-Sat 7 pm, mat Jan 26 at 4 pm, Jan 27 at 1 & 4 pm. $15-$20. In Studio B. Show Info.

Someone Waiting. Fairview Library. by Emlyn Williams (Stage Centre Productions). A man seeks the real killer after his son is wrongfully hanged for murder in this thriller. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 2, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Jan 27 & Feb 2 at 2 pm. $25-$30.    Show Info.

This Shape, We Are In. Winchester Street Theatre. Toronto Dance Theatre presents an evening length version of the work by Brooklyn choreographer Jeanine Durning. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 2, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$30. Show Info.

George, Pete, and D.B. Cooper. The Commons Theatre. Bad Crew Theatre presents an existential drama in which each character grapples with being seen, being remembered and being left behind. Jan 25 at 8 pm. $15. Show Info.

The First Man. Alliance Française. Jean-Paul Schintu presents a theatrical adaptation of Albert Camus’ famous autobiographical novel. Jan 25 at 8 pm. $25-$30. Show Info.

Crip Shorts. Harbourfront Centre. Cripping the Arts presents five short acts that redefine the experience of disability through performance. Featuring UK’s Jackie Hagan, Canadian interdisciplinary creator Jessica Watkin, aerialist Erin Ball, poet Tamyka Bullen and theatrical dancers Justin Many Fingers and Brian Solomon. Jan 25 at 8 pm. $17, community tickets $8 (limited). In the Brigantine Room. Show Info.

Elektra. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. by Richard Strauss (Canadian Opera Company). A woman seeks to avenge her father’s murder at the hands of her mother and her mother’s lover. Sung in German with English surtitles. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 22, see website for times. $35-$350. Show Info.

Dance Ontario DanceWeekend. Fleck Dance Theatre. World premieres from Makeda Benitez and Decades Collective are included in these 25 unique performances by 350 dancers and musicians. Jan 26-27, Sat-Sun 1-7:30 pm. $15 minimum donation/day. Show Info.

Brownton Abbey. Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Cripping the Arts Festival presents the UK based Afro-futurist performance group created by and centering on queer people of colour. The performance is a fusion of a hyped party, performance art and the personal/political, as a catalyst to celebrate intersectional identities. Jan 26 at 7 pm. $17, community tickets $8 (limited).                          Show Info.

Junction City Wrestling: Destructor Rumble. Junction Craft Brewery. Junction City Wrestling presents a family-friendly matinée featuring episodic storytelling with entertaining characters and extraordinary athleticism. Jan 27 at 1:30 pm bell time. $20, at gum.co/rumbletix. Show Info.

CIRCLES: A Fundraiser Featuring Broadway Hits. 120 Diner. Musical cabaret featuring Chase Winnicky, Sydney Montieth, Lauren Mayer, William Doyle and more. Jan 27 at 6 pm. $20.       Show Info.

Listings Based Primarily on NOW! Stage Listings