Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of September 9, 2019.
Are you a “stay out of the drama” type? This week, Mooney on Theatre recommends otherwise. Stages across Toronto are sinking their teeth into meaty pieces that attack a broad emotional spectrum.
Classics by dramatist staples like Harold Pinter and Tennessee Williams perform, along with new works and some musicals and comedy for much-needed relief. Read on to see what’s in store! Our Assistant Editor Jen has marked what she’d really love to see in Red.
Already Reviewed by MoT:
Betrayal. (Young Center for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House). by Harold Pinter. (Soulpepper Theatre). An adulterous affair is unpacked in reverse chronology to examine many different kinds of betrayal. Previews Aug 28- Sep 3, Opens Sep 4 – Sep 15, see website for times. $38-$98.
Show Info
Come From Away. (Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St). By Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Feb 5-Nov 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Matinees Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$169, Limited rush $25 (premium tickets also available).
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Encounters at the “Edge of the Woods”. (Hart House Theatre) Hart House Theatre presents a project that explores the restor(y)ation of treaty relationships using Indigenous practices of story weaving through deep connections to the land. Led by Indigenous educator and artist Jill Carter, the piece will include performers and creators from all over the city who will use their personal stories and experiences to compose the work. Sep 6-7, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15.
Show Info
Pirate Life 2019. (Pirate Life Toronto, 333 Lake Shore Blvd E.) Children’s interactive adventure theatre show aboard a 50-foot pirate ship that sails along the harbour. Kids get pirate names, dress in costumes & face paint, fire water cannons and search for sunken treasure. May 4 – Oct 13, see website for schedule. $27.
Show Info
And Everything Else:
Actually (Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St). by Anna Ziegler (Harold Green Jewish Theatre / Obsidian Theatre). Finding their way as freshmen at Princeton, Amber and Tom spend a night together that alters the course of their lives. They agree on the drinking, they agree on the attraction, but consent is foggy, and if unspoken, can it be called consent? Anna Ziegler investigates gender and race politics, our desire to fit in and the three sides to every story. Opens Sep 14 and runs to Sep 29,. $15-$78.50.
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Comedians Stand-Up To Stigma (Royal Cinema, 608 College St). Simon Rakoff headlines this show to support Distress Centre GTA during Suicide Prevention Week, also featuring Fiona O’Brien, KJ Preston, host Dave Martin and others. Sept 12 8 pm. $20.
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DIANA (I Knew You When We Were Fourteen) (Robert Gill Theatre 214 College St). The Centre of Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto presents a physical theatre production created by Falling Iguana Theatre. A man searches for his friend who mysteriously disappears after a high school dance, presented via separate but interconnected journeys through childhood memory, trauma and into adulthood. Sep 12-15, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15, U of T students $10.
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Far East Comedy Tuesdays (The Corner Comedy Club, 946 Queen E) Ernie Vicente hosts a weekly diverse stand-up comedy showcase. Sep 10, shows at 8 and 10 pm. $10.
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Feelings Open Mic (The Social Capital Theatre 154 Danforth Ave). An open-mic show prioritizing space for LGBTQ2IAS+ folks QPOC POC WOC femme comedians. Sept 14 10 pm. Free.
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Gay AF (And Funny). (Comedy Bar, 945 Blood St W). Robert Watson hosts a showcase for gay male comedians that puts the G in LGBTQ, w/ Bobbi Summers, Vong Show and headliner Richard Ryder. Sept 10, 8 pm. $15, advance $10.
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The Glass Menagerie. (Village Playhouse, 2190E Bloor W.) Village Players presents the Tennessee Williams, directed by Victoria Shepherd. Sep 6-28, 8pm, mat Sun 2pm, see website for schedule. $24, srs $20 (Wed/Thurs/Sun only), under 30 $20.00, group of 10 or more: $20.00 (must be paid in advance; buy 15 tickets, get the 16th free)
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Hipkick Triptych Vol. 4 (Drom Taberna 458 Queen St W). Her Buddha Belly presents HIPKiCK TriPTYCH: stories in the form of bellydance, with live musicians and dancers. Featuring Abigail, Jaicyea, Majd Sekkar, Samir and others, plus Sayuri’s Oakeari Troupe from Japan. Sep 15 at 5 pm. $20.
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Holodeck Follies – Spontaneous Star Trek (Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St W). The Dandies improvise a Star Trek episode for Trekkies and non-Trekkies. With stand-up comedy from Surer Qaly Deria and Dave Getachew. Sept 14 8 pm. $15.
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Joe Vu’s Live Comedy Album Recording (John Candy Box Theatre, 99 Blue Jays Way, 3rd floor) Comedy as a Second Language presents Joe Vu’s live album recording. A storytelling show about immigration. Shows at 7 & 9 pm. $15. A storytelling show about immigration.
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Mother Doe (Lee Lifeson Art Park, 223 Gladys Allison Pl). Ismailova Theatre of Dance present an outdoor production of a folk tale adapted by Chingiz Aitmatov. Presented as part of Arts In The Parks.Sep 14-15, Sat 4 pm, Sun noon & 4 pm. Free.
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The MCU Improvised presents: Iron Man! (The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth) Every film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, improvised. Join us where it all began with Iron Man!. And for 21 subsequent months, we will take on every film in this cineverse, in order (although we might turn Thor into a musical, because we can all agree that The Dark World sucked). Saturday, September 13th @ 8pm, doors at 7:30pm $15.
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POC: Persons Of Comedy (The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave). Showcase of ethnic and multi-cultural comedians, second Thursday of each month. First show features Hisham Kelati, Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Hoodo Hersi. Headlined by Marito Lopez and Big Norm Alconcel. 8 pm. $10. A portion of proceeds go to support The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto. Sep 12, 2019 8:00 PM
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Rabbit Hole. (Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston). by David Lindsay-Abaire (Scarborough Players). A couple take right and wrong turns as they deal with grief in this drama. Sep 6 – Sep 21, see website for schedule. $24, stu/srs $20.
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Rumour Has It / Zimmerman’s Neighbourhood. (Beth David B’nai Israel Beth Am, 55 Yeomans Ave). Medina Theatre Ensemble present staged readings of two one-act plays: Rumour Has It by Monda Halpern and Zimmerman’s Neighbourhood by Morris Jacobs. Q&A to follow with author. Sep 5-10 at three venues in the Bathurst Manor neighbourhood (see below for locations & schedule). $15, synagogue/Oranyu members $10. Sep 10, 7:30 pm.
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Yidlife Crisis Presents: YidLive! (Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina Ave). Youtube sensations YidLife Crisis present an evening of comedy, music, video and thought-provoking shtick. Sept 10, 7:30 pm. $25.
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Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.