Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of February 15th, 2016
With Valentine’s Day behind us, a lot of new shows are opening up to play the second half of the month. This week, our editor Mike is here to select his most-anticipated picks in red under the cut!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
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 Mar 6, 2016 (extended from Dec 20), Tue-Sat 8 pm, see website for other times. $35-$130. 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.
Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton (Mirvish). A woman’s husband manipulates her into believing that she’s going insane in fog-bound 1880s London. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$119. Show Info.
The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (Groundling Theatre Company/CMT). Leontes, King of Sicilia, descends into a world of jealousy, murder and conspiracy. Previews from Jan 26, opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 20, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, rush $30, preview $25, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine by Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Leah Cherniak (Soulpepper Theatre). Repressed anger rears its head as a couple strive to maintain the veneer of a perfectly ordered world. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 20, see website for schedule. $25-$60. Show Info.
Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (Theatre 20). Musical cabaret tribute show. Feb 3-21, see website for times. $25-$55. Show Info.
The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). Figaro and Susanna’s wedding is jeopardized by the wandering eye of their employer in this popular comedic opera. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 27, see website for times. $TBA. Show Info.
Cowboy Versus Samurai by Michael Golamco (Soulpepper Theatre). A Korean high school teacher falls for a colleague in a small American midwest town in this romantic comedy. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 20, see website for schedule. $25-$60. Show Info.
Mustard by Kat Sandler (Tarragon Theatre). A teen deals with her drinking mother and an imaginary friend who lives under her bed in this darkly comic fairy tale. Previews from Feb 2, opens Feb 10 and runs to Mar 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (see website for Wed & Sat mats). $28-$60, rush $15. ExtraSpace. Show Info.
The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (Theatre Scarborough). Overachievers vie for the championship in this musical comedy. Previews Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 20, Thu-Sat 8 pm (except Feb 20, show at 2 pm), mat Sun 2 pm. $27, preview $20. Show Info.
Defending the Caveman by Rob Becker (I Love It Productions). This comedy looks at the ongoing misunderstandings between men and women. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Feb 26, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $16.50-$37.70. Show Info.
Dalton and Company by Paul Dunn (Cart/Horse Theatre). A newcomer shakes things up in the lives that revolve around a renowned academic in this play about wanting to be recognized. Previews Feb 11, opens Feb 12 and runs to Feb 28, Tue-Sat 7 pm, Sun 3 pm. $25, Tue pwyc. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Great Balls of Fire. Famous People Players presents a black light dinner theatre show featuring iconic rock n’ roll anthems. Opens Jan 15 and runs to May 31, see website for times. $40-$65 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
One Thing Leads to Another by Maja Ardal and others (YPT). A work engaging all the senses developed specifically for infants 3-24 months. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 21, see website for schedule. $20, srs/youth $10. Show Info.
Mistatim by Erin Shields and Sandra Lalonde (Red Sky Performance/YPT). A young man seeks to tame a wild horse in this coming-of-age story. For ages 6 & up. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule. $10-$34. Show Info.
A Night With Janis Joplin (Mirvish). Musical tribute show starring Mary Bridget Davies. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $30-$99. Show Info.
The Suicide by Nicholai Erdman (George Brown Theatre). An unemployed man contemplates suicide until a host of malcontents beg him to kill himself as a gesture for their cause in this Russian dark comedy. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 20, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat (and Feb 17) 1:30 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.
Anything Goes by Cole Porter, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (LOT). A stowaway and a nightclub singer get in trouble aboard an ocean liner in this musical. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 20, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Evil Dead: The Musical by Christopher Bond, George Reinblatt, Frank Cipolla and Melissa Morris (Starvox Entertainment). The musical based on the Evil Dead film franchise returns. Feb 12-28, see website for details. Show Info.
Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (LOT). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by Jane O’Connor. Feb 13 to May 1, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45. Show Info.
Venus’ Daughter by Meghan Swaby (Obsidian Theatre). Inspired by the life of Sara Baartman, this play uses song, comedy and rhythm to look at myths, fable and realities that surround how women and their bodies are viewed. Feb 14-28, details TBA. Show Info.
Superdude and Doctor Rude. Family-friendly musical sketch revue featuring a world where kids make the rules. Feb 13-15 Sat-Mon 2 pm, plus Mon at noon. $14, family pack $45. Show Info.
High Stakes Storytelling. Sage Tyrtle hosts a storytelling show w/ Brain Finch, Rob Lewin and Ann Kerz. 8-10 pm. Free. Show Info.
Threesome: An Evening of One Acts. Minmar Gaslight Productions presents plays by Steven Elliott Jackson. Plays about a man trapped in a crowd, a night of debauchery and the consequence of cruel words. Opens Feb 16 and runs to Feb 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Show Info.
The Two-Character Play by Tennessee Williams (Good Old Neon Theatre). A sibling acting duo are deserted by their troupe and must “face” the audience alone. Opens Feb 16 and runs to Feb 28, daily at 8 pm (no show Feb 22 & 25), mat Feb 27 at 2:30 pm. In the Workspace. Show Info.
Rhubarb Festival The 37th edition of Buddies’ new works festival features plays, dance, performance art and more. Program includes a visual art exhibition by Rajni Perera; n interactive videogame performance by Neil LaPierre; a collaboration between Gavin Crawford and Buddies‘ founding artistic director Sky Gilbert; music by Girls Rock Camp TO; short works from Donna Michelle St Bernard & Virgilia Griffith, Bruce Gibbons Fell, Heidi Strauss, Alex Tigchelaar, Walter Scott, Clayton Lee and more. Feb 17-28, see website for schedule and more details. Wed-Sat $20 evening pass, Emerging Creators Presentations pwyc. Show Info.
Daffydil 2016: The Devil Wears Scrubs. Students from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine present the annual original musical to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. Feb 17-20, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $25-$35. Show Info.
Betroffenheit by Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young (Canadian Stage/Panamania). This dance/theatre hybrid explores the state of shock and bewilderment experienced in the wake of a disaster. Feb 18-21. $24-$99. Show Info.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin (Seven Siblings Theatre). Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein debate the meaning of the universe and its inescapable ties with art in this surreal comedy. Previews Feb 18, opens Feb 19 and runs to Feb 28, Thu-Sun 7:30 pm (except Feb 27, at 2 pm). $20-$25, preview $15. Show Info.
Impossible Theatre: Chamber Plays with Lonely Christopher & Derek McCormack. Pages UnBound presents dramatic readings by the two experimental writers. 8 pm. $12. Show Info.
Oleanna by David Mamet (Matchstick Theatre). A power struggle ensues when a female student accuses a professor of sexual harassment. Feb 18-21, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.
Piece of Mine Festival. POMF and OCAck Fractals present the annual showcase for emerging black theatre creators. Black Men In Theatre is this year’s theme, with works by Jordan Laffrenier, Dennis Langley, Luke Reece and Richard Stuwart. Feb 19-20, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.
Contempt by Brandon Crone (Storefront Theatre). A mother hires a woman to have sex with her paralyzed and mute son. Feb 19-Mar 5. Details TBA. Show Info.
Grey Gardens by Doug Wright, Scott Frankel and Michael Korie (Acting Up Stage Company). Two female relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy go from wealth and status to an isolated existence in a home overrun by cats in this play based on a 1976 documentary. Previews from Feb 19, opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 6, see website for times. $35-$55, stu $30. Show Info.
The Clowns by Michele Smith and Dean Gilmour (Humber Theatre/Theatre Smith-Gilmour). This production draws inspiration from the works of Federico Fellini and Vaudeville-era burlesque comedy to explore the everyday and the absurd through words and music. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Feb 27, Feb 19-20 and 23-26 at 7:30 pm, mat Feb 21 and 27 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $10. Show Info: humber.theatre@humber.ca.
Bitch of the Baskervilles by SR Krieger (Socratic Theatre Collective). A female detective and her sidekick seek a killer in this gender-swapped version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s story. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Feb 28, Fri-Sat 8 pm (and Feb 28), mat Feb 21 at 2 pm. $25, stu $15. Show Info.
Old Man and the River by Lynda Hill and Thomas Morgan Jones (Theatre Direct). A solitary, grumpy old man finds a friend in this puppetry show for ages 3 and up. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Feb 28, Sat-Sun 11 am and 2 pm. $15, family 4-pack $52. In Studio 176. Show Info.
Northbound Leather’s 26th Anniversary Party with Dita Von Teese. Fetish Night party with a performance by the fashion icon/burlesque performer and music by DJ juSt b. 7 pm. $85, party only $20. Show Info.
Mosaic Storytelling Festival. Presented by St David’s Anglican Church and Open Door East End Arts Collective. African folktales and rhythms with Kwanza Msingwana. Feb 21 at 3 pm. Pwyc. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings