Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of November 30th, 2015
This week takes us into December, and with that comes a torrent of holiday-related shows! If you’re still not in the spirit of the season, though, there are still plenty of non-denominational shows on this week for your viewing pleasure. As always, our picks for the week are in red text. Here are the weekly picks:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Old Jews Telling Jokes by Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent (Playhouse Productions Inc). One-liners, double-entendres, songs, skits and comedy routines. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Dec 6, Wed-Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $45-$65. 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.
Wormwood by Andrew Kushnir (Tarragon Theatre). A man travels to Ukraine to the elections following the Orange Revolution and falls for a local woman. Soon he finds himself becoming an unexpected player in the country’s fractured politics. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (select Sat mats at 2:30 pm on Nov 21, Nov 28, Dec 5; select Wed mats at 1:30 pm on Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 9 and Dec 16). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. Tarragon MainSpace. Show Info.
Bombay Black by Anosh Irani (Factory Theatre). This drama explores the complex and brutal world of exotic dancing in Mumbai. Previews Nov 17-19, opens Nov 20 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview $25. Show Info.
Domesticated by Bruce Norris (Canadian Stage). A popular politician is discovered by police at the bedside of an injured prostitute. Nov 17-Dec 13. $TBA. Show Info.
Nirbhaya by Yaël Farber (Nightwood Theatre). Inspired by events on a Delhi bus in Dec 2012, this play presents a tapestry of personal testimonies that tear away the shame that keeps survivors of sexual abuse silent. Nov 18-29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$45. Show Info.
Seminar by Theresa Rebeck (Mirvish/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). Four aspiring young writers pay big bucks to be mentored and mocked by a cantankerous, once-celebrated novelist in this comedy. Nov 14-Dec 6, see website for details. Show Info.
Sex Tape Project. fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company presents a site-specific theatrical experiment, written by Adrienne Wong, Donald Woo and David Yee. This multi-location theatrical experiment explores themes of voyeurism, power and sexuality. Three 40-minute plays per night. Opens Nov 13 and runs to Dec 6, Fri-Sun 7, 8 & 9 pm. $15 single play, $38 three-play pass. Show Info.
The Castle by Howard Barker (Storefront Theatre). Male warriors come home to find the kingdom overrun by feminism in this play about gender, sexuality and religion. Nov 26-Dec 13, details TBA. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Magic, Famous People Players black light theatre company presents an all-ages seasonal production. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 2, see website for times. $40-$68 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Nov 12-Dec 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Armstrong’s War by Colleen Murphy (Canadian Rep Theatre). A young soldier recovering from injury is visited by a girl in a wheelchair looking to earn her service badge for Pathfinders. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $30-$35, previews $20, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (Lower Ossington Theatre). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by author Jane O’Connor. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 31, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45, family packs $84-$124. Show Info.
Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler (Young People’s Theatre). A young boy struggles to be heard in this musical adaptation of Richler’s classic book. Opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 20, see website for schedule. $10-$41. Show Info.
Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale (Starvox Entertainment). A heavy metal band sell their souls to the devil in exchange for success but soon realize that fame is no match for the Christmas spirit. Opens Nov 17 and runs to Jan 3, 2016, Tue-Thu 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, mats Sat-2 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $40-$100. Show Info.
Title and Deed by Will Eno (Nightfall Theatrics). An expat seeks connection and redemption in his new country in this meditation on life as a state of permanent exile. Opens Nov 24 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm. $24. Show Info.
John Milton’s Paradise Lost by Paul Van Dyck (Beyond the Mountain/Rabbit in a Hat). Van Dyck performs his solo adaptation with CGI projected characters, puppets and a rock and roll soundscape. Previews Nov 25, opens Nov 26 and runs to Dec 6, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$25. Show Info.
The Dover Road by AA Milne (Stage Centre Productions). Lovers fleeing their marriages and seeking to elope are tested at the estate of an eccentric gentleman. Opens Nov 26 and runs to Dec 5, Wed-Fri 8 pm (and Nov 28), mat Nov 29 and Dec 5 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. Show Info.
Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig (Alexander Showcase Theatre). A hapless understudy impersonates a famous tenor in this musical comedy. Opens Nov 26 and runs to Dec 5, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $27, stu/srs $22. Show Info.
Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones (Irish Stage Company). Inhabitants of a small town in Ireland cope with the presence of a Hollywood film crew trying to film scenes of idyllic rural life in this tragicomedy. Opens Nov 26 and runs to Dec 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Show Info.
King Lear by William Shakespeare (The Watershed Shakespeare Festival Collective). The classic family tragedy is set in pre-confederation Upper Canada. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30. Show Info.
Spy School!: Mission Ridiculous. Written by Danny Wengle, Ken MacDougall, Brian Caws & the Cast, presented by Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre. James Bond and other secret agents go back to school in this interactive dinner-theatre show. Runs to Mar 26, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for other matinees & shows (no shows Dec 25-26). $45-$87. Show Info.
Peter Pan: The 20th Anniversary Family Musical Panto-Monium! (Ross Petty Productions). Petty makes his final appearance as the villain in the annual holiday musical panto production. Previews from Nov 27, opens Dec 3 and runs to Jan 3, 2016, see website for schedule. $27-$99. Show Info.
Romeo and Juliet. The National Ballet of Canada presents the Shakespeare tragedy choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. Opens Nov 25 and runs to Dec 5, see website for schedule. Prices start at $37 and vary based on peak and off-peak performances. Show Info.
P@ndora by Sarah Berthiaume (Young People’s Theatre). An online foray reveals the disturbing world of cyber-porn and exacerbates a 16 year-old girl’s self-image issues. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 11, see website for schedule. $19-$24. Show Info.
Mistletoe Magic. Famous People Players black light theatre company presents an all-ages seasonal production. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 2, see website for times. $40-$68 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Mirvish presents the Tony-award winning Broadway musical based on the fairy tale. Dec 1-Jan 10, see website for times. $35-$200. Show Info.
The Addams Family, The Musical by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa (Randolph Academy). This musical comedy is based on the TV series about the ghoulish, quirky family. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22.by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa (Randolph Academy). This musical comedy is based on the TV series about the ghoulish, quirky family. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Show Info.
Une Neurinome Sur Une Balançoire (Teetering Neuroma) by Alain Doom (Théâtre français de Toronto/Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario). A diagnosis of a brain tumour leads a man to a battle for his life in this autobiographical play. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 6, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $30-$49. Show Info.
The Wild Duck Project (Re:Current Theatre Company). Contemporary adaptation and deconstruction from Henrik Ibsen’s play The Wild Duck. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 13, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Show Info.
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher (Echo Productions). This adaptation of the novella fuses music, movement and theatre into a story about the dangers of addiction. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sat 2:30 pm. $tba. Show Info.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Dec 3 and runs to Jan 3, see website for schedule. $39-$89. Show Info.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry (LOT). Frank Capra’s holiday film is adapted as a 1940s radio play. Opens December 3 and runs to Dec 24, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $45. Show Info.
Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (LOT). Judas makes a choice between Jesus and the Roman rulers in this musical. Opens Dec 3 and runs to Dec 27, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm , mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm (no shows Dec 24-26). Show Info.
L’Homme et le Ciel by Adam Scime (FAWN Chamber Creative). A man’s spiritual journey becomes riddled with doubt and sin in this one-act chamber opera. Dec 3-4 at 8 pm. $20-$35. Show Info.
Legally Blonde: The Musical by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach (UC Follies). A sorority girl makes it to law school in this musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 5, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Dec 5 at 2pm. $25, stu/srs $15. Show Info.
Munsch-O-Mania. Based on the stories of Robert Munsch (George Brown Theatre). George Brown’s 29th annual children’s show once again celebrates the world of Robert Munsch. Public shows Dec 5 and 12, Sat 10:30 am and 1 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.
Buster Canfield and his Amazing Fleas by Eric Woolfe (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). A boy meets a mysterious old man in this play featuring puppets, masks, magic and a flea circus. Dec 5 at 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
Frosty the Snowman (RHCPA). A young orphan discovers magic in a stolen hat in this seasonal all-ages stage show. Dec 5-6, Sat-Sun 11 am and 2 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
The Christmas Story. Church of the Holy Trinity presents a nativity pageant tradition that spans 78 years. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present the story of the birth of Jesus. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Dec 20, Fri 7:30 pm (and Dec 12, 19-20), Sat-Sun 4:30 pm. $20, child $5 (suggested donation). Sign language interpretation available at some performances. Reservations are recommended via thechristmasstory.ca or call 416-598-4521 ext. 301 to reserve. The church is fully wheelchair accessible. Show Info.
Shut Up, It’s Christmas! (Lola Kringle/Thom Allison). Kringle & Allison perform a holiday-themed musical theatre cabaret. Dec 5 & 11 at 8 pm. $17.50-$20. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings