Shows That Caught Our Eyes in Toronto the Week of September 21st, 2015
Family drama, French revolutions, and plenty of Fools are all featured in this week’s listing! But there are plenty of other awesome-looking shows that break the mold this week. We’ve highlighted those we’d most like to see in red text. Here are the picks:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Blind Date When Mimi’s date for the evening fails to show up, she turns to the audience for someone brave enough to answer Love’s call. What happens next is anybody’s guess, and different each night. Plays at the Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgeman Ave.) until October 4th. Shows are Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm (with 7:15pm open lobby with cash bar) and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets from $28 to $60 Tickets can be had online, by calling 416-531-1827 or in person at the box office
Empire Spiegelworld presents burlesque artists, live musicians, foot jugglers, contortionists, daredevil roller skaters and others create a 21st-century circus/cabaret spectacle. Previews from Sep 1, opens Sep 8 and runs to Sep 27, Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat 8 pm; Thu-Sat 10 pm (except Sep 3 at 8 pm); Sun 7 pm. $45-$129. Spiegeltent at Harbourfront, 318 Queens Quay W, at Rees. Show Info
Happy Place by Pamela Mala Sinha (Soulpepper Theatre). This play looks at seven women living amidst each other in extraordinary of circumstances. Previews from Sep 4, opens Sep 10 and runs to Oct 17, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts50 Tank House Lane Show Info
Hooked adapted by Nicky Guadagni from Carolyn Smart (TPM). The stories of female poets come to life onstage in this solo show. Opens Sep 16 and runs to Sep 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22-$33, Sep 26 gala $75, mat pwyc at the door. Theatre Passe Muraille 16 Ryerson. Show Info
Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper (Mirvish). A man inherits a shoe company and teams up with a drag queen in this musical based on the 2005 film. Previews from Jun 16, opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 27, see website for schedule and prices. Show Info
The Play’s the Thing by Ferenc Molnár, adapted by PG Wodehouse (Soulpepper Theatre). A playwright schemes to save a relationship and his operetta in this romantic comedy. Previews from Sep 2, opens Sep 9 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane Show Info
Superhero! A Bam! Zap! Pow! Murder Mystery. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre presents an interactive dinner-theatre whodunit set at a superhero convention. Runs to Oct 31, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for mats. $37-$87. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre 2026 Yonge Show Info
Then, Then by Kyle Capstick (The Messy Kween Collective). A community theatre troupe rehearses for a show while planes that are bombing the region pass overhead. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Sep 27, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Show Info.
The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (Leroy Street Theatre). The company presents the classic play about love, loss, jealousy and fate. Opens Sep 15 and runs to Sep 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20. Show Info.
And the Rest:
The 20th of November by Lars Noren (Buddies In Bad Times). A young man talks about why he plans to kill as many people as possible in this drama based on the video diaries and blog of an actual German school shooter. Previews Sep 12-16 at 8 pm, opens Sep 17 and runs to Oct 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$37, Sun pwyc at the door. Show Info
Antigone by Jean Anouilh (Alumnae Theatre). This modernized version of Sophocles’ Greek tragedy explores the disturbing moral dilemmas of our times. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Oct 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. Alumnae Theatre 70 Berkeley, Toronto, Ontario M5A 2W6 http://alumnaetheatre.com/
Crawlspace by Karen Hines (Videofag). Hines performs a darkly comedic solo show based on her experiences with home ownership. A woman buys a tiny house the perfect neighbourhood, then finds hidden defects and problems that drain her savings and threaten to ruin her life. Previews from Sep 11, opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 27, Mon-Sat 7 pm (and Sep 27). $30, stu $15. Videofag 187 Augusta Show Info
The Suppine Cobbler by Jill Connell (It Could Still Happen). This contemporary Western looks at the experience of a clinical abortion and explores contradictions in the myths of womanhood. Previews Sep 16, opens Sep 17 and runs to Sep 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, preview $10, mat pwyc. Out by the tracks, 35 Strachan. Show Info
Treasure Island by Katie Leamen (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Original adaptation of the quintessential pirate adventure tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. Sep 12 to 27, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge, Toronto, Ontario M2N 6K1, http://solarstage.on.ca/
We the Family by George F Walker (Hart House Theatre). This dark comedy looks at the after-effects of a wedding between culturally divergent families. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Oct 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 3 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. Hart House Theatre 7 Hart House Circle http://harthousetheatre.ca/
Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss (Soulpepper Theatre). In this play within a play, the Marquis de Sade stages a drama about the French Revolution inside a mental institution. Previews from Sep 14, opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 17. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
Yours Forever, Marie-Lou by Michel Tremblay (Soulpepper Theatre). Two sisters reunite and clash over their family’s tumultuous past. Previews from Sep 14, opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 17, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
Click-bait and Switch. The Second City presents its Fall MainStage Revue featuring sketches, songs and improv. Indefinite run, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, late shows Fri-Sat 10:30 pm. $16-$35. Show Info.
Mary Poppins by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (LOT). This musical is based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Previews from Jul 9, opens Jul 16 and runs to Oct 10, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Under the Big Top. Famous People Players presents a black light theatre show for all ages about the magic of the circus. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Oct 28, Tue-Sat, call/see website for times. Show Info.
The 20th of November by Lars Noren (BIBT). A young man talks about why he plans to kill as many people as possible in this drama based on the video diaries and blog of an actual German school shooter. Previews Sep 12-16 at 8 pm, opens Sep 17 and runs to Oct 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$37, Sun PWYCat the door. Show Info.
BERNI AND AMY RISES UP: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING FOOLISH. (Amy House and Berni Stapleton). The two Newfoundland artists perform a semi-autobiographical comedic show. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Sep 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$30. ExtraSpace. Show Info.
Like A Generation by Max Tepper (Coyote Collective). What begins as a love story between a man and a woman spirals into a multimedia circus of macabre entertainment including clowns and dancers. Previews Sep 23, opens Sep 24 and runs to Sep 27, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Fri-Sun 2 pm. $25, stu $15. preview pwyc. Studio 313. Show Info.
The Supine Cobbler by Jill Connell (It Could Still Happen). This contemporary Western looks at the experience of a clinical abortion and explores contradictions in the myths of womanhood. Previews Sep 16, opens Sep 17 and runs to Sep 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, preview $10, mat pwyc. Show Info.
Undercurrents. Contemporary Circus Arts Festival opening party featuring aerial and dance performances, burlesque and more. Sep 23 at 8 pm. $10 at the door. Show Info.
We the Family by George F Walker (Hart House Theatre). This dark comedy looks at the after-effects of a wedding between culturally divergent families. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Oct 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 3 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. Show Info.
Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. Lower Ossington Theatre presents the tribute musical by Alan Janes. This musical tells the story of the rock pioneer’s rise to fame, from his first hit in 1957 until his tragic death less than two years later. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 25, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$70. Show Info.
The House of Yes by Wendy MacLeod (The Dynasty Collective). A dysfunctional family passes a tense Thanksgiving when the oldest son arrives with his new fiancée. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
Spur-of-the-Moment Shakespeare Collective presents a peek at the monologues and scenes that they perform in hospitals, health care centres and shelters. Sep 24-25 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Show Info.
Pamela’s Bachelorette (Plays by Bird). Friends of the bride try to piece together the events from the night before. Sep 24-26 at 8 pm. $25-$31.50. Show Info.
SÉANCE Illusionist Nicholas Wallace invites you to join him in exploring the world of the Victorian spirit medium. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $30-$35. Show Info.
DIE SIEBEN TODSÜNDE/THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. Music by Kurt Weill, words by Bertolt Brecht. Scott Gabriel and Stephanie Conn, Max Christie, Chris ‘Dr Country’ Wilson, Christopher Wattam, Charles Fowler, Giovanni Spanu, James Levesque and others perform a cabaret version of the ballet chanté with film projections. Sep 25 & 26, 8 pm. $25, stu $20, free for children. Presented by The Friends of Gravity. Show Info.
Milf Life Crisis. Anne Marie Scheffler (Suddenly Mommy!) performs her new comedic solo play. Sep 25-26 at 8 pm. $20. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings