Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of March 9, 2020
Mid-March has already snuck up on us. March Break starts on Saturday, and many of you (me included!) are already working on figuring out what we’re going to do with the kids for the week if we don’t have daycare arranged. One of the things we’re looking at doing is taking the kids out to see some live theatre – we are definitely going check out YPT, but there is other great kids theatre opportunities coming up!
Even if you aren’t looking to plan for the young people in your lives there is a lot of fantastic theatre to see this week. And it is our Editor Samantha who gets to let you know what shows she has her eye on. Take a scroll down to take a look at her ‘reds‘ picks.
Already Reviewed by MoT:
The Events (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by David Greig (Necessary Angel). This drama was written in response to the politically motivated mass shootings in Norway. Previews from Mar 1, opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 15, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$60.
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Hamilton (Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria) by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Jeffery Seller/Mirvish). The hit musical about the American Founding Fathers comes to Toronto. Feb 11-May 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for schedule exceptions/additions). $50-$250, premium $500.
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Jungle Book (Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E) by Craig Francis & Rick Miller (Young People’s Theatre/Kidoons/WYRD Productions). Multimedia adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic story for ages 5 & up. Feb 13-Mar 21, see website for schedule. $10-$43.
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The Negroes Are Congregating (Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson) by Natasha Adiyana Morris (Piece of Mine Arts/TPM). Unapologetic and impolite look at the ongoing effects of racism in Canada and elsewhere, delivered through spoken word, satire and dialect. Previews from Feb 29, opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 14, see website for times. $17-$38.
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Oil (Geary Lane, 360 Geary) by Ella Hickson (ARC). This five part, two-act play follows the lives of a mother and daughter from the dawn of the industrial age to a post-petroleum world and beyond. Previews from Feb 29, opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 21, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$30.
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The Runner (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman) by Christopher Morris (Human Cargo/Tarragon). An Orthodox Jew grapples with the political and moral fallout of saving a woman’s life. Previews from Feb 25, opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 29. $22-$70. MainSpace.
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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.
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Us/Them (CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge) by Carly Wijs (BRONKS/Mirvish). This play looks at the 2004 terrorist siege of a Russian school through the eyes of the child hostages. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$99, stu $25.
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And Everything Else:
5th Annual SCI Comedy Night (Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E). Spinal Cord Injury Ontario’s comedy fundraiser features Patrick Haye, Martha Chaves and Roddy MacInnes. Mar 11 at 7pm. $45-$60.
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But That’s Another Story – A Night of Intoxicating Tales (Creeds Coffee Bar, 390 Dupont). Monthly storytelling show with raconteurs Paul Aflalo, Meryl Arbing, Jesse Bond, Donna Dudinsky, Briane Nasimok and Brian Walsh. Mar 14 at 7 pm. $10.
Show Info
Coming Undone Festival (Aki Studio, 585 Dundas E). Oakham Community Theatre’s 2020 festival is an entanglement of stories surrounding groups of people in moments of discovery and dilemma — displacement, uncertainty, distrust, self-discovery and relationships. The festival features five original plays. Mar 11-14 at 7pm, Mar 14 matinee at 2pm. $15 advance. Saturday matinee is PWYC at the door.
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Flesh & Spokes and Spasticus (Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W). DanceWorks and Propeller Dance present choreographies by Renata Soutter and Liz Winkelaar that celebrate diverse bodies and minds. Mar 13 & 14 at 7:30 pm. $36-$42.
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Gay AF (Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W). Queer comedy with Jordan Power, Vong Show, Alice Rose, Candy Surprise, headliner Richard Ryder and host Robert Watson. Mar 10 at 8 pm. $10-$15.
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Immigrant Stories (John Candy Box Theatre, 99 Blue Jays Way 3rd Floor). Immigrant comedians tell stories about their experiences w/ Yaw Attuah, Johnny Batta, Crystal Ferrier and headliner Ali Hassan. Mar 14 at 9 pm. $15.
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In the Game (Second City, 51 Mercer). Second City present a Family Show. With tons of audience interaction and improvised fun, this family-friendly comedy plays with the question, “What if we were literally trapped in our screens?” In the Game follows a tech-obsessed family who is literally dragged down a digital rabbit hole by Glitch, the rabbit-eared ruler of the Internet. Our captive family–and our audience–must play along with Glitch’s games in order to return to the real world! Will they level up? Or perish at the bottom of a bottomless pit? Hey, that’s for you to decide! Rated “EE” for everyone’s entertained! Open Mar 14 and runs to Sep 3, see website for schedule. $20.
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New Ideas Festival (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley). Alumnae Theatre presents its annual festival of new short plays. Mar 11-29, see website for times and more details. $15, Sat readings PWYC. In the Studio Theatre.
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Romeo And Juliet (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W). National Ballet of Canada presents Alexei Ratmansky’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s tragic tale. Mar 11-22, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, see website for matinees. From $41.
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Shakespière (Assembly Theatre, 1479 Queen W). A group of actors wait patiently for their director to arrive as their opening night looms. With only days remaining before the world will see their production of “Shakespière”, a fascinating hybrid of Shakespeare and Molière, the actors struggle through their own egos and theatre philosophies to produce a production they will be proud of. Shakespière by Alain Mercieca is a comedy of calamities and satire of the current state of theatre in the post-modern world. Mar 13-21, 8pm. $20.
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Stand With Wet’Suwet’en: A Drag and Burlesque Fundraiser Show (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander). East King Productions and House of Kings present performances followed by a DJ party. All proceeds go to Unist’ot’en legal costs. Mar 13 at 10:30 pm. $20.
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Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W). Mirvish presents the musical based on the pop diva’s life, by Colman Domingo, Robert Cary and Des McAnuff, with songs by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara and others. Opens Mar 10 and runs to Mar 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$175.
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Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival (Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W). The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival (TOsketchfest) returns for its 15th Anniversary, making it Toronto’s longest running comedy Festival. TOsketchfest will mark this milestone with 12 days of scripted, ensemble comedy from across North America. Performances by Herbeaver, the Lusty Mannequins, Twoson, Uber & Klonk, Jon Blair, Freak ‘n da Beats, Tom Hearn, Sex T-Rex, Anesti Daniels and many more. Shows take place at Streetcar Crowsnest (aka Crow’s Theatre), the Theatre Centre and Comedy Bar. March 4-15, see website for schedule. Festival Passes: $40 – $118. Single Tickets: $15- $22.
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When Sister’s Speak 20th Anniversary (St. Lawrence Center for the Arts, 27 Front E). Dwayne Morgan (Up from the Roots) presents a spoken word concert featuring performances by 2019 Canadian National Poetry Slam Champions, Desiree McKenzie and Shelly Grace, MasterPiece from Dallas, Toronto’s Ifrah Hussein and Britta B, and Atlanta’s Queen Sheba. Mar 14 at 8 pm. $35-$55.
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The Winter’s Tale (Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George). U of T’s Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies presents William Shakespeare’s classic story of destructive jealousy and the power of faith. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 14, Wed-Sat 7 pm. $20, stu $10.
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Working Women Comedy (Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W). Queer date night comedy w/ hosts Sam Sferrazza, Levy Stamatov and others. Mar 10 at 8 pm. $15 door, adv $10.
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Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.