Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of July 11th
We hope you had as great a Fringe festival as we did, folks! We’re back to our regular schedule this week, covering everything from Shakespeare in the Park to classic musicals! Editor Mike is up at bat this week to select a few shows he’s most excited for. Check out his picks in red text under the cut!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Matilda: the Musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin (Mirvish/Royal Shakespeare Company/The Dodger). A gifted girl uses her imagination and sharp mind to fight against the cruel and cynical people in her life in this musical based on the novel by Roald Dahl. Opens Jul 5 and runs to Oct 16, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (no performances Sep 6-11). $38-$139. Show Info.
And the rest:
52 Pick-Up by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozie (The Howland Co). A mix of writing and improvisation is used in this intimate look at relationships told through a game of 52 Pick-up. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jul 27, Wed 8 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.
The Taming of the Shrew. Driftwood Theatre’s presents the annual Bard’s Bus Tour, featuring Shakespeare’s comedy performed under the stars at various venues in Toronto and in towns around southern Ontario. Jul 8-Aug 14, see website for schedule and locations. All shows pwyc ($20 reserved). Show Info.
Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice and Wayne Barker (LOT). This prequel to Peter Pan involves an orphan boy stowed away on a ship and a girl protecting a box of stardust. Opens Jul 7 and runs to Aug 28, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
The Hogtown Experience (The Hogtown Collective). An immersive theatre experience incorporating drama, music and dance to look at Prohibition-era Toronto and its dark past. Previews from Jul 6, opens Jul 14 and runs to Aug 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun 2 pm. $45, previews $39, opening night $75. Show Info.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Humber River Shakespeare Company presents its annual outdoor summer production in Toronto and other cities in southern Ontario. All shows Tue-Sat 7 pm, pwyc. Jul 5-30, see website for schedule and locations. Toronto-area shows July 24 & 29-31 at Montgomery’s Inn; July 26 at Etienne Brulé Park; July 27-28 at the Old Mill. Show Info.
What’s Next? … The Big C by Henrik Kartna (The Friendly Spike Theatre Band). A psychiatric patient wrestling with mental health issues tries to cope with the possibility that he has cancer. Preview Jul 12, opens Jul 13 and runs to Jul 15, Tue-Fri 7 pm. Pwyc. Presented in celebration of Mad Pride Week. Show Info.
Shakespeare in High Park: Hamlet. Canadian Stage and the York University Dept of Theatre present the annual outdoor theatre gig. The classic tale of betrayal, revenge and murder is performed outdoors. Previews from Jun 30, opens Jul 14 and runs to Sep 3, Tue, Thu & Sat 8 pm (All’s Well That Ends Well runs on Wed, Fri & Sun to Sep 4). Pwyc, $20 suggested; advance premium reserved seats $25. At the Amphitheatre. Show Info.
Shakespeare in High Park: All’s Well that Ends Well. Canadian Stage and the York University Dept of Theatre present the annual outdoor theatre gig. The bed-trick romantic comedy is performed outdoors. Previews from Jul 1, opens Jul 15 and runs to Sep 4, Wed, Fri & Sun 8 pm. (Hamlet runs on Tue, Thu & Sat to Sep 3). Pwyc, $20 suggested; advance premium reserved seats $25. At the Amphitheatre. Show Info.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (LOT). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Opens Jun 2 and runs to July 24, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Killer Tunes. Presented by Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre. Music superstars gather at an awards show in this interactive dinner theatre whodunnit. July 8 to Sep 17, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for matinees. $45-$87. Show Info.
Women of Musical Theatre Festival. Panel discussions, performances of musicals written and composed by women including Misprint by Lauren Toffan and The Secret Garden Marsha Norman & Lucy Simon, plus two all-female cabarets. Jul 15-17, see website for schedule. $25-$35. Show Info.
Life is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca (Sad Ibsen Theatre). When an aging king reveals a secret son who’s been locked away since infancy, the prince must overcome his isolated upbringing and a murderous prophecy. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Jul 24, Fri-Sat 7pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20, stu $15. Show Info.
Tierra Misteriosa. Harbourfront Centre’s Ritmo Y Color Festival presents the Mexican musician/performance artist. 9:30 pm. Free. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings