Playlistings for the Week of November 4, 2019

Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of November 4, 2019

Welcome to the post-Hallowe’en sugar crash… and the swiftly impending December Holiday season.  I know I’m not ready yet for carols and the holiday shopping crush, how about you?  The best place to be if you are looking to avoid the start of the seasonal avalanche of all things ‘guy in the red suit’ is definitely the theatre!

Fortunately, there is definitely ‘something for everyone’ this week to help you evade the coming holly-jolly.  New and creative dance shows, comedies, musical revues, and (of course!) plays.  And, if you are ready to dive right into the peppermint-scented snowy holiday season there are seasonal pieces opening as well.  It’s up to our ‘fearless leader’ Megan to let you know what shows have caught her eye this week.  Check out the ‘reds‘ to see what makes her personal ‘Theatre Wish List’ this week.

Already Reviewed by MoT:

Alegria (Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Rd W). Cirque du Soleil reinterprets its 1994 show with new acrobatics, visual design and musical arrangements. Led by an intangible wind of change, the show tells the story of an emerging movement that strives to shake the established order, instilling hope and renewal to bring light to a world in perfect harmony. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Dec 1, see website for schedule. $59-$290.
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Almighty Voice and His Wife (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House)by Daniel David Moses (Soulpepper Theatre). Drama based on a true story about a Cree man on the run from the RCMP in 1800s Canada. Previews begin Oct 11. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Nov 10, see website for times. $38-$98.
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Ghost Quartet (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by Dave Malloy (Crow’s Theatre/Eclipse Theatre Company). Interwoven narratives spanning 7 centuries run through this haunted song cycle about love, death and whiskey. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Nov 10 (EXTENDED!), Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$47.
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Girl From the North Country (Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W) by Conor McPherson (Mirvish). This musical using the songs of Bob Dylan looks in on a tense community in 1934 Minnesota. Previews from Sep 28, opens Oct 6 and runs to Nov 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$175.
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If I Could #Throwback Time (Second City, 51 Mercer). Second City’s 83rd sketch comedy revue basks in the neon glow of nostalgia, mining comedy gold from ancient treasures like old school video games, Power Rangers and Canada’s long, complicated history of sweeping social injustices. Previews from Sep 10. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Jan 9th: Tue-Thu 8 pm; Fri 7:30 pm; Sat 7:30 & 10 pm. See website for more days and times, exceptions and to buy tickets. $28 & up.
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Let’s Run Away (Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley). The World Premiere of Daniel MacIvor and Daniel Brooks’ newest collaboration. Chronicling the life of Peter who finds his estranged mother’s memoir after her death, the eccentric Peter reads aloud the story of his life as told sometimes incorrectly by his mother. Let’s Run Away is a touching story of love and abandonment, and MacIvor is glorious in this captivating solo performance. Preview Oct. 31. Opens Nov. 1 and runs to Nov. 17. $49-$79. See website for show times.
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Mozart’s Don Giovanni (Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria) Opera Atelier presents the story of an incorrigible young playboy blazes a path to his own destruction in a single day in this outrageous comedy opera. Performed in Italian with English surtitles. Opens Oct 31 and runs to Nov 9: Oct 31, Nov 2 and 8 at 7:30 pm; Nov 3 at 3 pm; Nov 9 at 4:30 pm. $39-$194.
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Pass Over (Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander) by Antoinette Nwandu (Obsidian Theatre). Two young men hanging out on the corner have their dreams derailed by a stranger with his own agenda. Previews from Oct 22, opens Oct 25 and runs to Nov 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $35-$40, stu/srs/arts workers $25, previews $15-$20. Some rush PWYC tickets available, see website for details.
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Piaf/Dietrich: A Legendary Affair (CAA Theatre 651 Yonge St). Mirvish presents a musical drama that explores the fascinating friendship between show business legends. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Dec 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$129.
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Trout Stanley(Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst) by Claudia Dey (Factory). Orphaned twins who’ve isolated themselves from the world meet a mysterious runaway on their 30th birthday. Opens Oct 19 and runs to Nov 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$50.
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And Everything Else:

Bangarra Dance Theatre: Spirit (Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E). The Australian dance company weaves together storytelling, dance, theatre and music to transport the audience to a sacred space to witness nature’s poetry. Nov 8-9, Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 and 8 pm. $49-$111.
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Bespouss: Autopsy of a Revolt (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw). Pleiades Theatre presents the English-language premiere of a play by Stéphane Brulotte (translation by John Van Burek). A Tunisian fruit vendor’s death and subsequent investigation sparks the Arab Spring. Previews Nov 7, opens Nov 8 and runs to Nov 20, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$31
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The Beverly Street Seance (starts at Sin & Redemption, 136 McCaul; moves to George Brown House, 186 Beverly). Mentalist Jaymes White presents a recreation of an authentic Victorian séance at one of the city’s most haunted locations. This soul-shaking psychological experience is not intended for the weak or faint of heart. Restricted to ages 18+. Sep 13-Nov 30, see website for days and times. $59.99.
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A Christmas Story (Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington). Based on the perennial holiday movie favorite, A Christmas Story chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Nov 8-Dec 29. See website for showtimes. $60.
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Copy That (Tarragon, 30 Bridgman). Renowned playwright Jason Sherman’s caustic look at the entertainment industry, Copy That takes us behind the scenes of network television. Four writers struggle to get their new cop show approved for production. When the team’s only Black writer is roughed up by an actual cop, the fallout threatens to not only kill the show, but expose the systemic racism at the heart of popular entertainment itself. Previews Nov 6-12 ($30, stu/arts workers $23). Open Nov 13 and runs to Dec. 8. See website for showtimes. $57/sr $55/stu&arts workers $29.
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Dance Matters – Series 1, A Woman’s Work (The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance, 304 Parliament). Dance that explores topics related to women’s rights and roles in society, women’s individual stories related to their heritage, culture or experiences and issues related to gender. Nov 9-10, Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $16-$20.
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Elevate! Dance Showcase and Party (Revival, 783 College). Elevate is a showcase designed to provide a stage for developing and emerging choreographers in a wide variety of styles. Featuring choreography & performances by: Ken Phan, Caitlyn Gillespie, Chris Tsiantoulas, Tyrell Black, Deion Rojas, Katelyn Bernard, Christopher Duarte, Miambi Kasse, Yohance Guthrie, Nicole Rosove. Nov 9. Doors at 7:00, Show at 8:30.  $25 online, $30 at the door.
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Fireworks Festival (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley). Alumnae Theatre presents three new plays: Belle Darling Klondike Queen by Natalie Frijia (Nov 6-10); Grief Circus by Crystal Wood (Nov 13-17); and If The Shoe Fits by Genevieve Adam (Nov 20-24). Post-show discussions to follow. Nov 6-24, in the Studio. $15-$20.
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Giselle (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W). The National Ballet of Canada presents the celebrated staging of the romantic ballet by Sir Peter Wright after Marius Petipa. Nov 6-10, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Thu, Sat-Sun 2 pm. Tickets start at $41 and vary by performance date. Standing Room locations start at $12 and are available in person on the day of the performance.
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Hollow Mountain (The Collective Space, 221 Sterling Unit 5). Rock Bottom Movement presents a darkly comedic work choreographed by Alyssa Martin that follows five friends through an outlandish inner-mountain adventure of demonic possession, self-mutilation and a little tap dance. Nov 6-10, Wed-Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $20-$25.
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Mayhem at Miskatonic: A Burlesque Mystery Game (The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington). St. Stella presents a Lovecraft-inspired interactive burlesque show. Nov 6-9, Wed-Fri 6 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20.
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MCU Improvised: Iron Man 2 (The Social Capital, 154 Danforth). Comedy heroes bring you unscripted parodies of every movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tony Stark is dying – What’s a genius billionaire Playboy philanthropist to do? Nov 8 at 8 pm. $15.
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Night Watch (Tranzac, 292 Brunswick). The NAGs Players present a play by Lucille Fletcher. A wealthy heiress’s household is thrown into turmoil after she sees a dead man in an abandoned tenement. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Nov 16, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $18-$20.
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The Pianist of Willesden Lane (Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge) by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Musical solo show based on the true story of a young Jewish musician who escaped Nazi Germany. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 17, see website for schedule. $26-$90. Greenwin Theatre.
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ProArteDanza: The 9th! (Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay). The company presents a full-length choreographed imagining of Ludwig van Beethoven’s epic 9th Symphony, created and co-choreographed by Roberto Campanella and Robert Glumbek. Nov 6-9, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20-$50.
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Riverboat Coffee House: The Yorkville Scene (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House) by Frank Cox-O’Connell and Mike Ross (Soulpepper Theatre). Musical revue that celebrates the stories and songs that made Yorkville the place to be in the free-loving 60s. Nov 6-17, see website for times. $30-$85.
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Split (Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W). Presented as part of Harbourfront Centre’s international dance series TORQUE. Lucy Guerin Inc. present dance by two women – reconciled and in conflict, one naked and the other clothed – negotiating ever-diminishing dimensions of time and space. Performed by Melanie Lane & Lilian Steiner. (Advisory: the performance contains full nudity.) Nov 8 & 9 at 7:30 pm. $20-$45.
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Swim Team (Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W) by Jaber Ramezani (Nowadays Theatre/Alma Matters Productions). Inspired by real stories from the world of women’s sports in post-revolutionary Iran, Swim Team follows three women who are determined to learn to swim in a place devoid of water. Opens Nov 8 and runs to Nov 17, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, stu $15.
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Uncovered: Stevie Wonder & Prince (Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor W). The Musical Stage Company’s 13th annual signature concert with Jully Black, Divine Brown and Jackie Richardson. 8 pm, Nov 4-7. $35-$111.75. Also at Meridian Arts Centre, George Weston Recital Hall, Nov 8-9.
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Wiesenthal (Nazi Hunter) (Meridian Arts Center, 5040 Yonge) by Tom Dugan (Teatron Theatre). Dugan portrays the famous Holocaust survivor who brought hundreds of Nazi war criminals to justice in this solo show. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 10, Tue-Thu & Sat 7:30 pm (and Nov 10), mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $38-$48
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Working Women Comedy (Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W). Queer + ally showcase featuring headliner Adrienne Fish, Tom Hearn, Camille Côté, Guled Abdi, Brendan D’Souza, Jas Pants and others. Hosted by Sam Sferrazza & guest Karis Anderson. Nov 8 at 8 pm. $10 online, $15 at the door.
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Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.