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 site-specific dance, and a couple of comedy specials. There’s still time to get inspired at InspiraTO Festival. I’ve highlighted the shows that our editor Samantha would love to see this week 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
** 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
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
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
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
** First Day Back. by Rob Salerno (Ten Foot Pole Theatre). High school students meet to talk about their classmate’s suicide and find a way to end the systemic bullying and abuse he suffered. Previews Jun 9-10, opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 27, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $10-$25. Visit Event Website
** First Time Last Time. by Scott Sharplin (Aim for the Tangent Theatre/the Big Smokey Collective). A couple with nothing in common invent a new kind of relationship in this comedy about love, sex and fate. Opens Jun 10 and runs to Jun 21, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu $15, Sun pwyc. Show Info
Gleams. (Dimitar Pentchev). This fusion of live music, poetry, drama and dance is an intimate exploration of the deepest inner thoughts of character. Jun 10-13, Wed-Thu and Sat 8 pm. $30. Show Info
Gridlock. Larchaud Dance Project and DanceWorks CoWorks present an exploration of how and why people fight in a site specific work that begins outside and proceeds through many areas of the building. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 20, Thu-Sat 9 pm. $22-$25, stu/srs $20. Show Info
Hedwig and the Angry Inch. by John Cameron Mitchell (Lower Ossington Theatre). An East German transgender rocker moves to America to start a band and find love. Opens May 21 and runs to Jun 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $50. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com/
** Of Human Bondage. by Vern Thiessen (Soulpepper). W Somerset Maugham’s novel is adapted for the stage in a tale of loss, lust, obsession and the pursuit of beauty. May 2 to Jun 20, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. View Show Info
I Am Here. Gina Lori Riley Dance Enterprises presents a multimedia theatre creation that communicates through a masked character as “Man-Woman” and that explores the comedic and tragic aspects associated with aging. Created by Gina Lori Riley and cross-disciplinary artists. Previews Jun 10, opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 13, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $15-$42. Show Info
Love Letters. by AR Gurney (Stage Centre Productions). Andy and Melissa meet in summer camp and exchange letters over 50 years in this play about love and friendship. Stage Centre Productions presents the simply staged two-hander performed by four different casts. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Jun 14 and 20 at 2 pm. $27.50, stu/srs $22. Show Info
Potluck XII: Rage & Ecstacy. fu-GEN Theatre Company’s annual event features new works in progress by Bessie Cheng, Aaron Jan, Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster and Gloria Mok. Jun 13 at 7 pm. Pwyc. Show Info
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. show
** 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
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
The Jurassic Games by Andrew Kelly and Matty Burns (Queen’s Players Toronto). Olivia Chow must save T.O. after discovering that Rob Ford accidentally bid on the Panem Hunger Games rather than the Pan Am Games. Opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 13, Thu-Sat 8:30 pm. $20-$25. 19+ event. Show Info
Making a Stage for Our Stories: HEARTS, PORTALS, MAGIC. Queer Pride 2015 presents a showcase of dance and movement performances that celebrate the resilience, empowerment, sexuality and strength of the queer community. Jun 13 at 8 pm. $5-$25 adv, pwyc at the door. Show Info
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/
** The Sleeping Beauty. The National Ballet of Canada presents the ballet by Rudolf Nureyev. Opens Jun 10 and runs to Jun 20, call/see website for times. From $26. Visit Event Website
Toronto Festival of Crowns. Clowns, bouffons and physical theatre performers include Mona Monaé, Jean-Paul Mullet, Foo Productions, Sarah Peterson, the Grand Salto Theatre and others. Jun 10-14, see website for schedule. $16.50-$25. Visit Event Website
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage listings.