Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week

This week in Toronto theatre brings you an eclectic mix of one-person performances, tales based on various historical events, a groundbreaking dance/augmented reality production – Weather, and a couple of comedy specials. There’s still time to get inspired at InspiraTO Festival.  I’ve highlighted the shows that our publisher Megan Mooney  would love to see this week with two asterisks ** and in red text. Perhaps they’ll also strike your fancy, or you may find something else that’ll tickle your interest.

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds. adapted by Anton Piatigorsky (Soulpepper). Otherworldly forces affect a bride in an Eastern European village in this adaptation of the play by S. Ansky. Previews from May 14, opens May 21 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. View Show Info

How to Kill a Comedian. Second City presents its Spring 2015 Mainstage revue.  Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, plus Sat 10 pm. $25-$45, stu $16-$18. http://secondcity.com

**Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play by Anne Washburn and Michael Friedman (Outside the March/Starvox Entertainment/Crow’s Theatre). In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors search for food, shelter and classic lines from The Simpsons in this show staged without electricity. Previews May 9-12, opens May 13 and runs to June 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (except May 10, at 7 pm), see website for other showtimes. $30-$60. http://mrburns.ca/ 

Titanic: the Musical. by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone (Mirvish). The story of the ill-fated ship and its passengers is presented onstage. Opens May 19 and runs to Jun 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$130. View Show Info

Trudeau and Lévesque. by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret/Soulpepper). The Prime Minister and the father of Quebec separatism bang heads in this history play. Previews from Apr 27, opens May 2 and runs to Jun 13, see website for schedule. $26-$56.  View Show Info

**Trout Stanley. by Claudia Dey (Severely Jazzed Productions). Orphaned twins who’ve isolated themselves from the world meet a mysterious runaway on their 30th birthday. Opens May 21 and runs to Jun 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (no mat May 23). $15-$25.  Visit Event Website

 

And the Rest….

The 39 Steps. by John Buchanan, adapted by Patrick Barlow (Gin Soak’d Productions). This comedy whodunit is based on the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film. Previews from May 29, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 14, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $39-$99. Rear Window Theatre. http://the39steps.ca/ 

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry (Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company). A Southern woman and her black chauffeur watch Atlanta change over 25 years. Previews from May 30, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 21, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm & Sun 2 pm. $35-$65. In the Greenwin Theatre.Show Info

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl (Soulpepper). The Orpheus myth is retold from his dead bride’s point of view. Previews from May 19, opens May 28 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. View Show Info

FORNES x 2 by Maria Irene Fornés (Theatre Asylum). A double bill comprising The Successful Life Of 3 and Mud – two plays written almost 20 years apart that expose a cycle of consumerism and poverty which relates to the changing face of Kensington Market. Previews May 28-29, opens May 30 and runs to Jun 14, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $25-$28, previews $18.  Show Info

Licking Knives (Headstrong Collective) Meat Locker Editions’ book launch for a new play by Melanie Hrymak and a performance of the one-woman show.  Jun 6 at 7 pm. $20 includes a copy of the new book. Unit 101. Show Info

Possible Dances. Jessica Runge presents dance works on themes of loss and hope, created in collaboration with Susie Burpee, Deborah Dunn, Susanna Hood and Heidi Strauss, performed by Runge and Brendan Wyatt. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 7, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, Sun pwyc. Visit Event Website

Quartet. by Ron Harwood (East Side Players). Four elderly opera singers reminisce at a retirement home for musicians. Opens May 21 and runs to Jun 6, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. Visit Event Website

Ratmansky & Côté. The National Ballet of Canada presents Symphony #9 and Piano Concerto #1 by Ratmansky, and Being And Nothingness by Côté. Opens May 30 and runs to Jun 6, call/see website for times. From $26. Visit Event Website

Rogue & Vagabond Richard Willis’s autobiographical show, Strolling Player, and Brian Foster’s solo Irish play, Myra’s Story, are presented in rep. (There will also be a staged reading of Richard Willis’s Boy Beatle on Jun 9.) Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jun 14, see website for schedule. $20 or $30 for both shows. http://redsandcastletheatre.com/

Stitch by Cliff Cardinal (Culture Storm/Native Earth Performing Arts). A female internet porn star makes a last desperate attempt to break out of a destructive life and be heard. Previews Jun 3, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$25, some Tuesday pwyc tickets available. In the Aki Studio.  View Show Info

Weather Anandam Dance presents contemporary dance integrated with Augmented Reality for mobile devices in a performance about our shrinking habitats, disappearing landscapes and shifting weather patterns. Choreography by Brandy Leary. Previews Jun 3, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 6, Wed-Sat 8:30 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, preview $15. (See website to download the app for this show. An Apple device is needed for the app; rental devices are available at the box office. ) http://anandam.ca/

**Spirit Horse Roseneath Theatre presents an outdoor performance of the play by Drew Hayden Taylor. This play about two First Nations children who’s lives are changed by a special gift is based on Greg Banks’s Tir Na N’Og. Presented as part of Dundas West Fest. June 6 at 11 am. Free. At the Corner of Dundas W & Gladstone Ave, bring a blanket/chair/cushion to sit on.   Show Info

 

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage listings.