Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week
March is in full swing and it feels like spring is just around the corner. What better way to reward yourself for making it through this brutal winter than a trip to the theatre? There’s a ridiculous number of great shows playing in town this week. The shows I’ve indicated with two asterisks and red text are the ones I’d love to see this week. See if you agree 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/
Beneath the Banyan Tree by Emil Sher (Theatre Direct). A young Indian girl copes with moving to Canada in this fusion of theatre, music and dance. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 28, see website for schedule. $7-$25. http://brownpapertickets.com/event/879977
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/
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/
**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/
And the rest…
52 Pick-Up by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozie (The Howland Company). Improvised and intimate look at relationships told through a game of 52 Pick-up. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 15, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$20. http://howlandcompanytheatre.com
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland The National Ballet of Canada presents Christopher Wheeldon’s interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s story. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Mar 29, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $26-$250. http://national.ballet.ca/
Bare: A Pop Opera by Damon Intrabartolo and Jon Hartmere Jr (WolfPAC). High school seniors at a co-ed Catholic boarding school explore identity, sexuality and faith. Mar 12-14, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $15. http://uofttix.ca/
Blood Wedding by Federico García Lorca (Modern Times Stage Company/Aluna Theatre). A young woman runs away with the son of her family’s enemy. Previews Mar 11-12, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed and Sun 2 pm. $18-$25, stu/preview $15, Sun pwyc. http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/
Bonnie and Clyde by Adrian Yearwood (Echo Productions). This play looks to examine the real people behind the sensationalized crime spree story in a physical theatre production. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 8 and 14 at 2:30 pm. $20-$25. http://echoproductions.ca/
Brain Food: Two Short Plays (Red Sandcastle Theatre). Fail Safe by Michael Stittle and We Say Such Terrible Things by Bil Antoniou will be presented in this double bill. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 14, Wed-Sun 8 pm. http://redsandcastletheatre.com/
**Bull by Mike Bartlett (The Coal Mine Theatre). Two employees poke fun at a third as the trio wait to find out who will be axed in this dark comedy. Previews Mar 15, opens Mar 17 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $25, preview $20. http://brownpapertickets.com/
Cake and Dirt by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). This play takes a darkly comic look at life in Toronto through a fractured family of privilege. Previews from Mar 3, opens Mar 11 and runs to Apr 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. http://tarragontheatre.com/
Double Bill: Porter & Trentham lbs/sq” performance presents performer/writer/choreographerSara Porter performing her major new work Sara Does a Solo, and performer/writer Gerry Trentham’s premiere of Experiment b. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 14, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Mar 13 at 2 pm. $28, stu $20, Mar 8 w/ pre-show party fundraiser $40. http://pps15.eventbrite.ca/
An Evening with Kate McKinnon Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents the SNL comic in a live show combining stand-up, character pieces and video segments. Opening sets by Christina Walkinshaw and Mark Little. 7 & 9:30 pm. $39. http://torontosketchfest.com/
Forcier/Norman DanceWorks and Harbourfront NextSteps present a double bill by Marie France Forcier and Tracey Norman. Mar 12-14, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $19-$37. http://www.danceworks.ca/
Harper Regan by Simon Stephens (Canadian Stage). After learning of her father’s impending death, a woman suddenly walks away from her home and family. Previews Mar 1-4, opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 22, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $30-$99. http://canadianstage.com/
How to Kill a Comedian Second City presents its Spring 2015 Mainstage revue. In previews, opens Mar 9, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, plus Sat 10 pm. $25-$45, stu $16-$18. http://secondcity.com/
The Irrelevant Show Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents CBC Radio’s hit sketch comedy show performed for live tapings of two new episodes. 7 pm. $39. http://torontosketchfest.com/
Kaeja D’dance 25th Anniversary Celebration Harbourfront NextSteps presents premieres by both Karen and Allen Kaeja that play with notions of fate, coincidence and choice. Opens Mar 24 and runs to Mar 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $22.50-$40. http://kaeja.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/
**My Dinner with Casey Donovan by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). A man must get through a dinner with a gay porn star and his parents, who don’t yet know that he’s gay. Opens Mar 12 and runs to Mar 22, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$24, Sun/preview pwyc. TPM Backspace. http://artsboxoffice.ca/
New Ideas Festival (Alumnae Theatre). The annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre. Opens Mar 11 and runs to Mar 29, see website for schedule. $15, pass $40. http://alumnaetheatre.com/
Oregano by Rose Napoli (Theatre Rhea). A young woman goes on an extraordinary adventure in order to face the death of her father in this magic-realist play. Previews Mar 11-12, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm (and Mar 15), mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$23. http://theatrerhea.ca/
Pinocchio by Hugo Bélanger (Tout à Trac). The children’s classic comes alive in an inventive new production for ages 6 and up. Opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 21, see website for schedule. $25-$34. http://youngpeoplestheatre.ca/
**Sketchfest Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival $15/show, festival pass $75. http://torontosketchfest.com/
**Spoon River adapted by Mike Ross and Albert Schultz (Soulpepper). A forgotten town comes back to life in this show inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection. Previews Mar 7-10, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 28, see website for schedule. $29.50-$89. http://soulpepper.ca/
Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies (The TSS Collective). A journalist couple are in sync when on dangerous assignments, but struggle in a domestic environment. Previews Mar 12, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm (Mar 27 at 7:30 pm), mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22-$38. http://artsboxoffice.ca/
**The Unplugging by Yvette Nolan (Native Earth Performing Arts/Factory Theatre). In a post-apocalyptic world, two Aboriginal women are cast out of their village and forced to wander the desolate landscape. Previews from Mar 14, pens Mar 19 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $23-$45. http://nativeearth.ca/
The Vagina Monologues Meets the F Word by Jennifer Phillips (360 Productions). Phillips combines excerpts from Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues with excerpts from her play, The F Word, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 15, Mar 5-7 and 14 at 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $16-$26 (proceeds support the Centre for Women’s Studies in Education, U of T and Nellie’s Shelter). http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang (Mirvish). Three siblings named after dysfunctional characters from Chekhov plays try to escape their melancholic curse in this comedy. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for other dates). $19-$99. http://mirvish.com/
Listings based on NOW! Stage listings.