Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of July 18th

This week, we’ve got some magic shows and cabarets interspersed with more traditional fare. There are a few new Soulpepper offerings and Shakespeare in the Park has officially settled into high Park. There’s a lot more going on in town than just the summer giants, though, and Megan is here this week to select her particular picks in red text. Check it out 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.

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.

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.

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (Soulpepper Theatre). A woman worries about the emergence of a secret while her husband celebrates a big promotion in this drama about gender roles and family values. Previews from Jul 18, opens Jul 27 and runs to Aug 27, see website for schedule. $32-$96. Show Info.

Best of Fringe 2016. Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival presents encore performances of hit shows from the festival. Shows getting an encore staging: Blind To Happiness, Far Away, Peter vs Chris, Dance Animal: Toronto, Everything Else Is Sold Out, Bright Lights, Out, Like A Generation, Tonight’s Cancelled, Romeo & Juliet Chainsaw Massacre. July 13-27, see website for schedule. $17.75. Show Info.

Songs and Screams: A Cabaret of Horror. Nathaniel Bacon performs a gory musical show to benefit Dirty Bird Theatre with Elley-Ray, Melissa Azore and others. Jul 19 at 8 pm. $20. Second floor. Show Info.

Read Stuff With Eric. Eric Miinch presents writers and performers workshopping original material in front of other artists and an audience. Jul 19 at 9:30 pm. Pwyc. 3rd floor. Show Info.

I Live With Him Every Day or The Tragedy of David and Dave by Joshua Bainbridge (Rep 21 at Canadore College). Young people struggle in a fast-paced world in which parents are absent and friends make desperate efforts to fill the gap. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Jul 23, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. Pwyc donations to the Actors’ Fund of Canada. Show Info.

Rattled by Claire Holland (Brouillon Productions). Friendships between childless women and new moms are tested at a baby shower. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Jul 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat 2:30 pm. $20. In the ExtraSpace. Show Info.

The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by Patrick Buchan (Soulpepper Theatre). An everyday man is thrust in a mysterious romance and dangerous manhunt in this comedy whodunit. Previews from Jul 21, opens Aug 3 and runs to Aug 22, see website for schedule. $32-$96. Show Info.

Chris Westfall & the Porcelain Princess. Interactive family magic show. Jul 21-22 at 7:30 pm. $29. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings. Photo: Lindsay Jenner.