Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of January 13, 2020
The start of this year has been a whirlwind of activity. Last week we dove right back into our regular routine and I forgot just how MUCH we do every week! It’s exhausting, and I am already ready for some much needed ‘Me Time’. What better way to get some of that away from the grind of routing than heading to a live theatre event? And with so many new shows starting this week, we definitely have a lot of options to choose from!
Here to let you know what shows this week have her thinking about some quiet time at the theatre is senior editor Samantha. Check our her ‘red‘ flag shows as she lets you know what has caught her eye and heading out to a theatre seat this week.
Already Reviewed by MoT:
Come From Away (Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge) by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Continuing at the Elgin after an 11-month run at the Royal Alex: Dec 13, 2019 to Mar 1, 2020, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for holiday performance schedule and other schedule exceptions). $39-$169, limited rush $25 (premium tickets also available).
Show Info
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 Mar 1: 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.
Show Info
Next Stage Theatre Festival (Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst). The Next Stage Theatre Festival is the curated, boutique festival produced every winter by the Toronto Fringe. This year features Tita Jokes by the Tita Collective; Morro & Jasp: Save The Date by U.N.I.T. Productions; Winter of ‘88 from Nowadays Theatre Company; Pearle Harbour’s Agit-Pop! by Pearle Harbour and more. January 8-19, see website for schedule. $18 (exceptions: U-R-U staged readings $15; Tallboyz – Live $25-$95); passes $64-$120.
Festival Info
The Phantom of the Opera (Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W) by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cameron Mackintosh). New production of Webber’s iconic musical. Jan 8-Feb 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$230.
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Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman) by Hannah Moscovitch (Tarragon). The archetypal “student-teacher romance” gets turned on its head and re-envisioned for the post-#MeToo era. Previews from Dec 31, opens Jan 8 and runs to Feb 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm & some Weds 1:30 pm, see website for more info and tickets. $22-$70. MainSpace.
Show Info
The Solitudes (Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W). Aluna Theatre and Nightwood Theatre presents a play created by the cast. Eight women follow the thread of history and the bloodlines that brought each of them to this land, to this moment in their journeys towards home. Previews from Jan 7, opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 18, see website for times. $20-$24, preview $15.
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And Everything Else:
Asian Comedy All-Stars (The Rivoli, 334 Queen St W). Asian Comedy All-Stars is back with the best Asian comics in the city for our first show of 2020! Our headliner is the incredible Indo-Canadian comic, Crystal Ferrier! Featuring: Marcus Gomes, Amar Singh, Jin Lee, Jeewan Gill, Sarah Wren, Franco Nguyen, Danish Anwar, and Rush Kazi (Rushzilla). ALL OF OUR SHOWS HAVE SOLD OUT SO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! Jan 16 at 8pm. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Show Info
Back Room Comedy Anniversary Show (WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen E). East-end queer comedy showcase w/ headliner Elvira Kurt, Jin Lee, Jordan Trafford, Bethany Daniels, Mike Payne and host Robert Watson. Jan 15 at 8 pm. $10.
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The Barber of Seville (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W) by Gioachino Rossini (Canadian Opera Company). A barber helps a nobleman woo his true love in this Italian comic opera. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 7, see website for schedule. $35-$225, box seats $350.
Show Info
Casimir & Caroline (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by Ödön von Horváth (The Howland Company). At a glitzy Toronto rooftop office party, two star-crossed lovers navigate clingy co-workers, the playboy boss and more in this play about love in the cold atmosphere of modern capitalism. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Feb 9, see website for schedule. $25-$40.
Show Info
Dark Day Monday – Jagged Little Pill (Burdock, 1184 Bloor W). Curated monthly performance series featuring artists who defy expectations and break boundaries. Jan 13 at 8 pm (doors 7:30 pm). $10.
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Hookup (Bad Dog Company Theatre, 875 Bloor W). Bad Dog Theatre presents improvised romantic comedy based on the lives of two random audience members. Jan 18 at 9:30 pm, upstairs. $20, stu/arts workers $15.
Show Info
Judge Hillary (The Social Capital Theatre, 154 Danforth). Based on Judge Judy and other popular courtroom TV shows, a no-nonsense drag queen judge Hillary Ooos puts two teams of improvisers through non-stop courtroom trials. Jan 14 at 8 pm. $10.
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Julius Caesar (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by William Shakespeare (Crow’s Theatre/Groundling Theatre Company). Alarmed at their leader’s populist, authoritarian reforms, a coalition of educated elites conspire to bring him down. Previews from Jan 7, opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$55.
Show Info
Known (Artscape Young Place, 180 Shaw). Kemi Contemporary Dance Projects Artistic Director Jennifer Dallas has brought together a cast of remarkable dancers, musicians and designers for Known, a work of Dance-Theatre. Known is a coalescence of dance, clown, voice and design to illuminate the most venerable aspects of humanity through the messy, honest and vulnerable language of the clown combined with the awe-inspiring precision of experienced dancers and musicians. Jan 9 to 18 at 8pm. $25, stu/sr/artists $20.
Show Info
Legally Blonde: The Musical (Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle) by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin, Heather Hach (Hart House Theatre). Musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 1 at 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15.
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Living With Olivia Cadence Donovan (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House) by Allison Shea Reed (RedWit Theatre). This play explores the inner life of a young woman struggling with OCD and shines a light on the people in her life that love her. Previews Jan 14, opens Jan 15 and runs to Jan 25, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$35.
Show Info
Lunacy Cabaret: The Roaring 20s (Opera House, 735 Queen E). Showcase of foolish clowns, skilled circus artists & aerialists and uninhibited burlesque dancers, plus clever sketch and character comedy. Jan 18 at 9 pm. $22-$30.
Show Info
Midsummer Night’s Dream (Buddies in Bad Time Theatre, 12 Alexander). Theatre Rusticle presents an imagistic and and physically poetic interpretation of William Shakespeare’s iconic tale. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Jan 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$30, some rush PWYC available.
Show Info
Mother’s Daughter (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House). Soulpepper Theatre presents a play by Kate Hennig. The story of Bloody Mary and the battle for the Tudor throne is presented as a contemporary exploration of women and power. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Feb 9, see website for schedule. $25-$98.
Show Info
Roses & Thorns (Bad Dog Theatre Company, 875 Bloor W). Bad Dog Theatre Company is delighted to announce the world premiere of Roses & Thorns, an original unscripted comedy that invites the audience to reflect on the highs and lows of their day as the expert cast transforms those memories into big laughs. Roses & Thorns is an improvised comedy aimed at audiences looking for a shot of optimism to fend off the winter blues and kick off the new year with a hopeful lens. Fri (Jan 10, 17, 24, 31) at 9:30 pm. $15, stu/arts workers $10. ** FUNDRAISER/PREVIEW SHOW: JAN 9 at 8PM IN SUPPORT OF CAMP OOCH.
Show Info
The Second City Totally Likes You (Second City, 51 Mercer). The Second City aims Cupid’s bow at dating, sex, meet-cutes and meet-uglies in this hormone-charged show that marries classic archive material with brand new swipes at relationships. Jan 11-Mar 30, Mon 8 pm, Sat-Sun 4 pm.
Show Info
Suitcase/Adrenaline (Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson) by Ahmad Meree (Theatre Mada/TPM). This drama examines the lives of refugees and the series of liminal spaces they inhabit. Previews from Jan 16, opens Jan 21 and runs to Feb 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $17-$38.
Show Info
Sweat (Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley) by Lynn Nottage (Canadian Stage). Tensions threaten a group of steel mill workers when the company starts hiring non-union workers for less money. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Feb 2, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$79.
Show Info
Theatresports & The Early Show (Bad Dog Company Theatre, 875 Boor W).
The Early Show: Bad Dog Featured Players perform a brand new, unscripted comedy show every week. Starring: Carley Thorne, Freddie Rivas, Bita Joudaki, Kate Fenton, Rob Lewin, Patrick Murray, Cihang Ma, Rob Lewin, Rosh Abdullah, Tyra Banda, Dana Puddicombe, Amanda Cogan, Geoff Cork & Randl Morales. Saturdays at 7 pm, Jan 4-May 23. $5 (free w/ Theatresports ticket).
Show Info
Theatresports: Bad Dog’s flagship show/improv competition mixes the thrill of improv with the energy of a sporting event. Saturdays at 8 pm, Jan 4-May 23. $15, stu/arts workers $10.
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The Trip to Bountiful (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley) by Horton Foote (Alumnae Theatre Company). An elderly woman longs to return to her idealized home town. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $25, Sun PWYC.
Show Info
Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.