Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week

Believe it or not, 2014 is coming to a close! These are the final playlistings for the year – and, it just so happens, they also include the first few days of 2015! See if there’s anything you’d like to see over the next few days, as we transition from one year to the next. The show that comes most highly recommended by Megan, our Founding Editor, is highlighted in red. Happy theatre-ing!

Already Covered By MoT…

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 27, see website for schedule. $29-$89, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane. http://www.soulpepper.ca/

Cinderella: The Gags to Riches Family Musical by Reid Janisse (Ross Petty Productions). The classic tale is adapted into a wacky holiday pantomime musical. Previews Nov 21-26. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Jan 4, 2015, see website for schedule. $27-$85. Elgin Theatre 189 Yonge. http://www.rosspetty.com/

The Dog and the Angel by Martha Ross (Theatre Columbus). This outdoor show follows the Christmas shenanigans of an oddball family and their ailing dog. Previews Dec 11-13, opens Dec 15 and runs to Dec 31, daily at 7:30 pm (no shows Dec 21 and Dec 24-26). $32, srs $22, youth under 25 $12. Evergreen Brick Works 550 Bayview. http://theatrecolumbus.ca/

**James and the Giant Peach – by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Timothy Allen McDonald (Young People’s Theatre). An orphan finds adventures in a magical fruit in this musical based on the Roald Dahl book. Previews Nov 24-26. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Jan 4, see website for schedule. $25-$45. Young People’s Theatre 165 Front E. http://youngpeoplestheatre.ca/

The Mikado by WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (Toronto Operetta Theatre). Two lovers try to avoid their arranged marriages in a land where flirting is punishable by death. Opens Dec 27 and runs to Jan 4, see website for schedule. $72-$95, NYE gala $145.http://www.torontooperetta.com/

Rebel Without A Cosmos – The Second City presents its fall mainstage revue. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $25-$29, stu $16-$18. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

 

And the rest…

All-Star Alumni Theatresports Tournament – BDT co-founder Marcel St. Pierre hosts the classic improv tournament with appearances by Colin Mochrie, Jane Luk, Ralph MacLeod, Lisa Merchant, Tabetha Wells, Erin Conway, Kerry Griffin, Gord Oxley and others. Jan 3-17, Sat 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre 875 Bloor W. http://baddogtheatre.com/

Antiman by Riel Paley (Unit 102 Theatre Co). Paley plays out scenes from his life growing up on the island of St Croix with his hippie mom and her abusive boyfriend. Opens Jan 2 and runs to Jan 16, daily at 8 pm. $25 (adv $20), pwyc Jan 5 & 10. The Theatre Machine 376 Dufferin. http://facebook.com/events/1515334152049526

Blades on Stage (Mirvish). Elvis Stojko, Shae-Lynn Bourne and other ice skating artists interpret Broadway standards of musical theatre on a frozen stage. Opens Dec 24 and runs to Jan 4, daily at 2 pm (except Dec 25-26 and Jan 1), and 8 pm shows Dec 26-30 and Jan 2-3. Princess of Wales Theatre 300 King W. $29-$130. http://mirvish.com/

Cheap Smokes: New Years Resolutions – Comedy w/ Cheap Smokes, Rick & Chuck, Matt O’Brien and Keith Pedro. Dec 30, 8 pm. $10. facebook.com/events/1508081336144188. Comedy Bar 945 Bloor W. http://comedybar.ca/.

The Conjuror (Soulpepper/Magicana). David Ben presents his show set in 1909 London and inspired by the Golden Age of Magic. Opens Dec 30 and runs to Jan 4, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed-Sat 3 pm and Sat 12:30 pm. Added: Jan 4 at 12:30 & 3 pm. $25-$69. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane. http://soulpepper.ca/

Jersey Boys by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Mirvish). Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons become pop icons in this musical. Previews Dec 17-18. Opens Dec 19 and runs to Jan 4, 2015, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (see website for more mats; no shows Dec 24-25, Dec 31, Jan 1). $25-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre 244 Victoria. http://mirvish.com/

Jesus Christ Superstar by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Lower Ossington Theatre). Judas makes a choice between Jesus and the Roman rulers in this musical. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Jan 24, 2015, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 4 pm, Sat 2 pm (no shows Dec 25-26). $50-$60. Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington. http://www.superstarmusical.ca/

The Heart of Robin Hood by David Farr (Mirvish). Robin and his crew steal from the rich and keep it for themselves until Marion steps up for the poor in this version of the tale. Previews Dec 23-Jan 6, 2015. Opens Jan 14 and runs to Mar 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King W. http://mirvish.com/

Holidazed & Confused – The Second City presents sketches, songs and improvisations to celebrate and satirize the holiday season. $22. Nov 17-Jan 1, various days and times, see website. Second City 51 Mercer. secondcity.com.

Lungs by Duncan Macmillan (Tarragon Theatre). A man and a woman discuss the ethics of having a child in today’s world. Opens Dec 31 runs to Jan 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $37-$52, rush $15. Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman. http://tarragontheatre.com/.

The Naughty Listers – Christmas is in peril when Santa decides to do away with the naughty list in this family show featuring puppets and live-action adventure and songs. To Jan 1, Sat-Tue 2 pm (and Dec 26, 31 and Jan 1). $14, family 4-pack $45. Second City 51 Mercer. http://secondcity.com/

The Nutcracker – The National Ballet of Canada presents the traditional holiday ballet with choreography by James Kudelka. Take a magical journey through the glittering world of the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Palace. Dec 13-Jan 3, 2015, see website for schedule. $26-$163. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 145 Queen W. http://www.national.ballet.ca/

Sleepy Beauty by Rosemary Doyle and Jane Shields (The Pantomime Players). The classic fairy tale is reimagined as the story of a narcoleptic princess and her cat. Opens Dec 26 and runs to Jan 4, Dec 26-30 and Jan 2-3 at 7 pm, matinees Dec 27, 28, 31, Jan 3 and 4 at 2 pm. $10-$25, family pack $59. http://redsandcastletheatre.com/

The Snow Queen adapted by Derek Genova (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Gerda goes to the Palace of Ice to rescue her friend in this musical play for ages 3 to 10. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Jan 4, 2015, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm (and Dec 22, 23, 29, 30, Jan 2). $16. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge. http://solarstage.on.ca/

Play listings based on NOW! Stage listings.