Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week

February may be the shortest month, but that doesn’t mean it’s short on theatre! Look at the variety of awesome shows opening and continuing their runs in Toronto this week. Our Founding Editor, Megan, has indicated the shows she most highly recommends with two asterisks and red text. See if you agree with her choices, or go check out anything else that speaks to you!

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/

Becky Shaw By Gina Gionfriddo (Sterling Theatre Company). A quartet of men and women in their 30s are caught in a tale of love, sex and ethics in this comedy. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20 stu/srs $15 on Tue. The Theatre Machine 376 Dufferin. http://sterlingstudiotheatre.com/

**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/

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/

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/

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 29, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King W. 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/

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/

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/

 

And the rest…

The Beaver Den by Taylor Abrahamse, Jaclyn Enchin and Jennifer Enchin (Jazz Squared Theatre). You Can’t Do That On Television meets Robin Sparkles in this all-ages musical comedy show. Opens Feb 24 and runs to Mar 1, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20. The Storefront Theatre 955 Bloor W. http://secureaseat.com/

Ce N’est Pas La Fin Du Monde – DanceWorks and Harbourfront NextSteps present a new work by Sylvain Émard Danse featuring seven male dancers in a ritual of resistance and adaptation to the passing of  time. Feb 28 at 8 pm. Post performance reception and silent auction fundraiser to follow. $19-$37. Fleck Dance Theatre 207 Queens Quay W. http://www.danceworks.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/

The Dragon of Glory Harbourfront Centre presents dragon dances performed by Jhuo Lan High School Dragon Dance Team from Taiwan as part of LunarFest. Feb 28-Mar 1, Sat-Sun at noon and Sat 6 pm, Sun 5 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre 235 Queens Quay W. http://harbourfrontcentre.com/lunarfest

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/

Midsummer by David Greig and Gordon McIntyre (Théâtre français de Toronto). A young divorce lawyer and a stolen car dealer meet in a bar and spend the night together. Opens Feb 25 and runs to Mar 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $30-$48. Berkeley Street Theatre 26 Berkeley. http://theatrefrancais.com/

**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/

This is For You, Anna by Suzanne Khuri, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Banuta Rubess and Maureen White (Hart House Theatre). This collective creation is a haunting exploration of revenge, liberation and motherhood. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 7, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 7 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10-$15. Hart House Theatre 7 Hart House Circle. http://harthouse.ca/this-is-for-you-anna

**The Wild Party by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe (Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre). A vaudeville dancer and her performer boyfriend throw a wild party just before the 1929 economic crash. Previews from Feb 20, opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 8, Wed-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm (and Feb 23 opening); mat Sat 1 pm. $30-$55, stu mats $18. Berkeley Street Theatre 26 Berkeley. http://actingupstage.com/

Listings based on NOW! Stage listings.