Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of April 11th
Lots of intriguing new shows on the docket for this week, including everything from murders to marriage plots. Check out the listings here, and in case you’re not sure where to start, our managing editor Wayne is here to select his personal 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 May 15th, 2016 (extended from Dec 20), Tue-Sat 8 pm, see website for other times. $35-$130. 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.
The Judas Kiss by David Hare (Hampstead Theatre/Mirvish). At the height of his success, author/playwright Oscar Wilde must choose between his lover and his freedom. Opens Mar 22 and runs to May 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$119. Show Info.
Chimerica by Luck Kirkwood (Canadian Stage/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). A photojournalist returns to China 20 years after capturing an iconic image of protest in Tiananmen Square. Previews Mar 29-30, opens Mar 31 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $24-$99. Show Info.
Esu Crossing the Middle Passage by d’bi.young anitafrika (Watah Theatre/Storefront). This solo play (part 1 of a new trilogy) looks at the journey into the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, embodied by the spirit of Esu – the trickster God of Ifa, told through movement, poetry and sound. Opens Apr 1 and runs to Apr 17, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar (Mirvish). A Pakistani-American lawyer and his white American wife host a dinner party where – despite everyone’s liberal and progressive views – everyone is drawn into a conversation that reveals their “tribal” roots. Opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (and Apr 13). $39-$89. Show Info.
Killer Joe by Tracy Letts (surface / underground). A man decides to kill his alcoholic mother to collect insurance money and pay off his drug debts. Previews Apr 3, opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 24, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, preview $20. Show Info.
We Three by Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman (Cue6 Theatre/Tarragon Theatre Workspace initiative). Three university friends reunite but find that everything has changed in this drama about 4th wave feminism and being a woman in 2016. Previews Apr 3-6 Sun 2:30 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm, opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $17-$37. In the Workspace. Show Info.
The Great War: The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1914-1918, by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret/Soulpepper Theatre). Apr 1-May 14, see website for details. Show Info.
The Addams Family Musical by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa (Alexander Showcase Theatre). This musical comedy is based on the TV series about the ghoulish, quirky family. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 16, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $32, stu/srs $27. Show Info.
The Terrible Parents by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). This gender-bending take on family life looks at the secrets lurking in the shadows of a seemingly perfect 1960s family. Previews Apr 6, opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 17, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc-$37. Show Info.
Caught by Jordi Mand (TPM). A teen caught shoplifting tries to persuade a female security guard to let him go. Previews Mar 31-Apr 3, opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 24, see website for schedule. $17-$38, mat pwyc at the door. TPM Backspace. 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.
Princesses Don’t Grow on Trees by Andrea Scott (SSCT). A girl’s wish comes true, taking her to a fairy-tale land, in this play for ages 4 and up. Apr 2-24, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
The Assholes: A Cabaret (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). Workshop presentation of TSG’s exploration of Bouffon theatre. This productions mocks the hypocrites who are responsible for the stark inequality of wealth distribution in the world. Previews Apr 1-2, opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $18.50, preview $10, Sun pwyc at the door. In the Studio. Show Info.
The Best Plan for Living Happily by Julia Lederer (QuestionMark-Exclamation Theatre/Birdtown and Swanville). A woman deals with an existential crisis in the wake of her best friend’s wedding. Previews Apr 7, opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
Lucio Silla by WA Mozart (Opera Atelier). The Roman emperor lusts after the daughter of his enemy in this early Mozart opera. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 16, Apr 7, 9, 12 and 15 at 7:30 pm, Apr 10 at 3 pm, Apr 16 at 4:30 pm. $38-$191. Show Info.
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts (Alumnae Theatre). A family must confront its secrets when its alcoholic patriarch disappears in this darkly comic drama. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
Taking The A Train Downtown Manhattan — The Melting Pot. Soulpepper Concert Series presents a theatrical concert that explores the history and culture of the original neighbourhoods of New York. Opens Apr 2 and runs to Apr 12, Apr 2, 8 and 12 at 7:30 pm, Apr 9 at 1:30 pm. $25-$60. Show Info.
Carmen by Georges Bizet (Canadian Opera Company). A gypsy seduces an American soldier in Spain in this opera performed in French. Opens Apr 12 and runs to May 15: Apr 12, 20, 23, 28, May 4, 6, 10, 12, 13 at 7:30 pm; Apr 17, May 8 and 15 at 2 pm; Apr 30 at 4:30 pm. $50-$435, specially priced $22 tickets available for people under the age of 30. Show Info.
If/Then by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Mirvish). This new musical simultaneously follows one woman’s two possible life paths to explore different possibilities. Opens Apr 12 and runs to May 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$130. Show Info.
Das Ding (The Thing) by Philipp Löhle (Canadian Stage/Theatre Smash). A global crisis attaches itself to various people in this social comedy. Previews Apr 12-13, opens Apr 14 and runs to May 1, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $24-$53. Show Info.
The Enchanted by Jean Giraudoux (George Brown Theatre Spring Repertory Season). A young woman in a provincial French town seeks the answer to the riddle of death from a handsome ghost. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Apr 23, see website for schedule (runs in rep with The Beaux Stratagem). $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.
The Beaux Stratagem by George Farquhar (George Brown Theatre Spring Repertory Season). Two debt-ridden young men look to marry for money but love threatens to get in the way in this Restoration comedy. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Apr 23, see website for schedule (runs in rep with The Enchanted). $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.
Reckoning by Tara Beagan and Andy Moro (Article 11). This triptych in sound, movement and video looks at three separate experiences with Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Previews Apr 13-14, opens Apr 15 and runs to Apr 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $18-$28, preview $12-$20, Sun pwyc at the door. Show Info.
The Dialogues of Leopold and Loeb by Brad Walton (Labyrinthus Mundi Productions). A pair of teenage prodigies become cold-blooded killers in 1920s Chicago in this drama based on a true story. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Apr 17, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm. $25, stu $15. Show Info.
Portraits in Motion by Volker Gerling (Harbourfront World Stage). This theatrical show incorporates photography and cinema to tell a story of Gerling’s wanderings through Germany. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Apr 16, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15-$24. Show Info.
Raising Cane by Durelle Harford McAllister (act2studio works). This dramatic comedy looks at the trials and tribulations of a woman who gradually loses her sight. Apr 14-16, Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 2 & 6 pm. $20. Show Info.
Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott (Bygone Theatre). A blind woman is terrorized by thugs after unwittingly taking possession of a drug-filled doll. Apr 14-16, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $25, stu/adv $20. Rehearsal Hall. Show Info.
Bad Girls of History. Blazing Bombshell Burlesque presents a burlesque show paying tribute to rebellious historical women, featuring Bianca Boom Boom, Dainty Box, Dante Legend, Violet X, Sam Antics and others, hosted by Belle Jumelles. Apr 14 at 9 pm (doors 8 pm). $15-$35. Show Info.
Cowboy Mouth. Frolick Theatre presents an immersive theatrical happening inspired by the Chelsea Hotel of the 1970s. Live music, art and speakers followed by a performance of the play (by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith) about a man and woman on a sex- and drug-fuelled bender. Apr 15-17, dinner at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. $50 (includes vegan meal), $25 show and after-party only. Show Info.
Dead Roads by Clare Preuss, Neema Bickersteth, Darwin Lyons and Zoë Sweet (The Dead Roads Collective/The RISER Project). Bizarre occurrences hit a small Alberta town in this magical-realist story about life on the edge of capitalism. Opens Apr 16 and runs to Apr 24, see website for times. $20, youth under 25 $10. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings