Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of August 1st

A new month, a new slate of theatre opening up across the city! Admittedly, this is a bit of a sleepy week for Toronto’s theatre scene, but we do have some promising new offerings, including the ever-exciting Summerworks Festival! I’m here this week to select my personal 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.

Luzia by Daniele Finzi Pasca and Julie Hamelin Finzi (Cirque du Soleil). Acrobats, musicians, dancers, storytellers and more are used to tell a story inspired by the monarch butterfly’s journey from Canada to Mexico. Opens Jul 28 and runs to Oct 2, see website for schedule. $49 & up. 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.

Footloose by Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow (Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts). A young rebel comes to a small town where dancing is banned in this musical. Opens Jul 28 and runs to Aug 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank You For Being a Friend (Joseph Patrick/LOT). Dorothy, Sophia, Rose and Blanche of TV’s Golden Girls take the stage in puppet form in this tribute show. Opens Jul 29 and runs to Sep 24, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Tue, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $60-$80. Show Info.

And the rest:

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.

Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts I, II, III) by Suzan-Lori Parks (Soulpepper Theatre). This trilogy looks at America’s ongoing and turbulent relationship with tells a tale of homecoming, family and heroism set against the US Civil War. Previews from Jul 25, opens Aug 4 and runs to Aug 27, see website for schedule. $32-$96. Show Info.

Shakesbeer: The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). Classical Theatre Project presents a comedic play in a tavern setting. This comedic romp through a medley of the Bard’s works is performed in a tavern setting alongside buskers, musicians and more. Opens Jul 27 and runs to Aug 31, Wednesdays 6:30 & 9 pm. $29-$59. Live jazz by Django Futuro. Show Info.

 

Solt 2016 Opera Workshop (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre). Young artists perform The Tales Of Hoffman by Jacques Offenbach, A Tale Of Two Cities by Victor Davies & Eugene Benson and Giulio Cesare by GF Handel. Opens Jul 29 and runs to Aug 7, see website for schedule. $28, stu/srs $22. Show Info.

Summerworks Performance Festival. The annual juried festival returns with theatre, dance, live music and art by Yvette Nolan, d.bi.young anitafrika, Zoo Owl, Gein Wong, Adam Lazarus, Ed Hanley, Maylee Todd, Erika Batdorf, Salt Baby Collective, Allison Cummings, Mitchell Cushman, Obliviate Theatre, lo bil, Kukua Productions, Ann-Marie Kerr and others. Aug 4-14. See website for shows, venues and more details. $15, passes $40-$120, some free events. Show Info.

Risk! Live. Kevin Allison presents true and provocative storytelling by local talent. Aug 5 at 8 pm. $25. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings. Photo taken from Summerworks Performance Festival website.