Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week
After a weekend that included Valentine’s Day and Family Day, you might be wanting to get away from your loved ones for a little bit – or you might want to spend even more time with them, but not be sure what you feel like doing. Well, why not go see some theatre? Here’s a selection of the theatre playing in Toronto this week. Anything with two asterisks and highlighted in red comes recommended by our Editor, Mike.
Already Covered By MoT…
Abyss by Maria Milisavljevic (Tarragon Theatre). A young woman goes missing and her family looks to her lover from a troubled region for answers. Previews from Feb 3, opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. In the Extraspace. Tarragon Theatre 30 Bridgman.http://tarragontheatre.com/
Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo (Soulpepper). An anarchist arrested after a bombing in Milan falls from the 4th floor of the police station in this satirical farce. Previews Jan 29-Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 21, see website for times. $29.50-$89. Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, see website for other shows/exceptions/matinees. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane. http://soulpepper.ca/
**Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward (Mirvish). The spirit of his first wife pesters an author and his new spouse in this comedy. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$175. Princess of Wales Theatre 300 King W. http://mirvish.com/
Dangerous Liaisons/Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Christopher Hampton (The Storefront Theatre/Red One Theatre Collective). Two aristocrats amuse themselves by compromising women of virtue in pre-Revolutionary France. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Feb 22, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25. The Storefront Theatre 955 Bloor W. http://secureaseat.com/
Die Walküre by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). A warrior goddess risks everything to preserve the future. Sung in German with English subtitles. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 22, see website for schedule. $22-$424. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 145 Queen W.
The Dining Room by AR Gurney (Soulpepper). A series of vignettes over the span of 50 years satirize the family life of bourgeois America. Preview Feb 5-11, opens Feb 12 and runs to Mar 7, see website for times. $29.50-$89. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane. http://soulpepper.ca/
Don Giovanni by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). A womanizing nobleman meets his match in this classic opera. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 21, see website for schedule. $22-$424. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 145 Queen W. http://coc.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/
How Do I Love Thee? by Florence Gibson MacDonald (Canadian Rep Theatre). This play explores the role of addiction and artistic inspiration in the love story of poets Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning. Previews Jan 31-Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (except Feb 1, at 7 pm). $35-$40, previews $20, $15 rush Sun. Berkeley Street Theatre 26 Berkeley.http://canadianrep.ca/
Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind (Lower Ossington Theatre). A group of 19th-century German teens explore their budding sexuality and deal with the consequences. Opens Feb 5 and runs to Mar 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $50-$60. Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com/
Twisted by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman and Joseph Jomo Pierre (b current/Factory Theatre). Ollie and Nance struggle to survive on the streets of Toronto in this modern re-imagining of Oliver Twist. Previews Jan 31-Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (except Feb 1 at 7 pm). $23-$45. Factory Theatre 125 Bathurst. http://factorytheatre.ca/
And the rest…
Black Men In Theatre – Piece of Mine Festival presents 7 contemporary playwrights showcasing new works-in-development including Araya Mengesha, Chevy X and Luke Reece. Feb 19 and 20 at 7:30 pm (doors 7 pm). $15, adv $10. 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture & the Arts 918 Bathurst. http://pieceofminesfest.com/
Cannibal! The Musical by Trey Parker, Christopher Bond, Aaron Eyre and Trevor Martin (Starvox Entertainment). This musical tells the (mostly) true story of Alferd Packer, the only person ever convicted of cannibalism in America. Previews from Feb 10, opens Feb 17 and runs to Mar 8, Tue-Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $30-$110. Panasonic Theatre 651 Yonge. http://mirvish.com/
Commemorate! Theatre (Scarborough Arts). Artist/producer Amani hosts a curated evening of interactive theatre activities and play readings from emerging Toronto theatre artists. Feb 17 at 6 pm. Free. Part of the Commemorate! Black History Month series of events at Bluffs Gallery. Bluffs Gallery 1859 Kingston Rd. http://scarborougharts.com/
Departures and Arrivals by Carol Shields (act2studio works). Life’s comedies and dramas are set against the backdrop of an airport. Feb 19-21, Thu-Fri 7 pm, Sat 4 pm, mat Fri 2 pm. $20. Ryerson Theatre School 44 Gerrard E. http://act2studio.ca
Don Giovanni & Un Ballo In Maschera by Mozart/Verdi (Toronto City Opera). Two Italian operas are performed with English projected titles on alternating days. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 1, Wed, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm (see website for exact schedule). $28, srs $20, stu $15. Bickford Centre Theatre 777 Bloor W. http://uofttix.ca/
Elvis’ Toenail by Fionnuala Kenny (Toronto Irish Players). A pregnant teen working at a factory poses moral dilemmas for her colleagues in 1960s Dublin. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 7, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $18. Alumnae Theatre 70 Berkeley. http://torontoirishplayers.com/
Fish Eyes by Anita Majumdar (Nightswimming). A teenage girl with a gift for classical Indian dance longs to be a “normal” high schooler. Feb 20-21 at 8 pm. $35, rush $20. Aga Khan Museum 77 Wynford. http://agakhanmuseum.org/
Memorable Munsch (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). This family-friendly show is based on the stories of Robert Munsch. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 29, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm (see website for other shows). $16. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge. http://solarstage.on.ca/
The Next Step Live on Stage Temple Street Productions presents an interactive dance experience for kids and families featuring high-energy, athletic dance. Feb 21-22 at 2 and 6:30 pm. $40. Queen Elizabeth Theatre 190 Princes’ Blvd. http://ticketmaster.ca/
Once by Enda Walsh, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (Mirvish). An Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Previews Feb 10-21, opens Feb 22 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $29-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre 244 Victoria. http://mirvish.com/
Problem Child by George F Walker (NightShift Theatre). Three broken-down characters in a motel room plot to convince a social worker to give them back custody of a child. Opens Feb 17 and runs to Feb 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. Red Sandcastle Theatre 922 Queen E. http://nightshifttheatre.com/
**R-E-B-E-C-C-A by Sara Farb (Theatre Passe Muraille). A girl with developmental disabilities due to premature birth interacts with an alternate self who was born at full term in this solo piece about the randomness of fate. Previews Feb 5-8, opens Feb 10 and runs to Mar 1, see website for schedule. $17-$33. In the TPM Backspace. Theatre Passe Muraille 16 Ryerson. http://passemuraille.ca/
**Rhubarb Festival (BIBT) – The 36th edition of the new works festival features plays, dance, performance art and more. Shows include Sharron Matthews’s Full Dark, Morro & Jasp’s Anything Goes and Bruce Dow’s “Ohio” And Tadeu End Their Lives In Montague Parkette. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Feb 22, see website for schedule. $20 evening passes, Young Creators Unit and offsite events pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre 12 Alexander. http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/
Snow Angel by Nikki Loach and Peter Balkwill (Quest Theatre/Young People’s Theatre). The magic of winter and the ripple effect of kindness is explored in this play for ages 4 and up. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule. $15-$30. Young People’s Theatre 165 Front E. http://youngpeoplestheatre.ca/
The Sound of Cracking Bones by Suzanne Lebeau (Pleiades Theatre). A child soldier rediscovers her humanity when a small boy is brought to the rebel camp, reminding her of her stolen childhood, lost family and village, and giving her the courage to break the chain of violence. Previews Feb 14, opens Feb 18 and runs to Mar 7, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. Mar 3-7 shows are in French. $17-$38. TPM Mainspace. Theatre Passe Muraille 16 Ryerson. http://passemuraille.ca/
This Side of Heaven by Varrick Grimes and Kiersten Tough (Humber Theatre). This highly physical original production is inspired by the works of Al Pittman, Virgil and Shaun Tan, and explores the space between life and death, and the journey of the soul. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Feb 21, Feb 13-14 and 17-20 at 7:30 pm, mat Feb 15 and 21 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $10. Humber Studio Theatre 300 Birmingham. humber.theatre@humber.ca
Two Plays By Marguerite Duras (Spiel Players). Adaptations of Le Shaga and Savannah Bay are presented in this double bill. Previews Feb 5-6, opens Feb 7 and runs to Mar 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$20, preview $12. Fraser Studios 76 Stafford. http://spielplayers.com/
The Value of Names by Jeffrey Sweet (TEATRON Theatre). A woman tells her father she is changing her last name to further her career in this comedy-drama. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 1, Tue-Thu and Sun 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, Feb 19 preview 1 pm. $31-$48, stu/srs from $26, preview $19. Toronto Centre for the Arts 5040 Yonge. http://www.teatrontheatre.com/
The World Goes ‘Round (Scarborough Music Theatre). This show features the music and lyrics of John Kander and Fred Ebb including songs from Cabaret, Chicago and more. Opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 21, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun (and Feb 21) at 2 pm. $25-$27. Scarborough Village Theatre 3600 Kingston Rd. http://theatrescarborough.com/
Years Went By (Michael Copeman). Copeman’s solo show tells a personal story of creative fire, joy, injury, and salvation in hockey and hip-hop. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Feb 22, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $12. Arcadia Studio 680 Queens Quay W. YearsWentBy2015@gmail.com
Play Listings Based on NOW! Stage Listings