Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of February 6th

Shakespeare fans rejoice, for there are many Elizabethan offerings on Toronto stages this week (along with tons of other great shows!) Luckily our assistant editor Jess is here to highlight a fews shows that caught her eye in red text. Check them out below the cut:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (Groundling Theatre). The King of Sicilia descends into a world of jealousy, murder and conspiracy. Previews Jan 17-19, opens Jan 20 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule (runs in rep with Measure For Measure). $29-$79. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.

Sequence by Arun Lakra (Tarragon). Two intertwined stories about the interplay between science, faith, probability and luck. Previews from Jan 3, opens Jan 11 and runs to Feb 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$65. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

The Magic Flute by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). The classic opera offers a both comic and profound exploration of the trials of growing up, seeking ideals and finding love. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 24, see website for schedule. $35-$235 (box seats $350). At the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

 

The Wedding Party by Kristen Thomson (Crow’s Theatre/Talk Is Free Theatre). Comedy about two families, a wedding, mistaken identities and love. Previews Jan 12-17, opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 11, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20-$40. At Crow’s Theatre. Show Info.

The Audience by Peter Morgan (Mirvish/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). This play imagines the meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and various British prime ministers over the course of 60 years. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$119. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.

Liv Stein by Nino Haratischwili (Canadian Stage). A famous pianist gives up her career and retreats from life after the death of her son, until she meets a young piano student who claims to have known him. Previews from Jan 24, opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 12, Tue-Thu and  Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $35-$99. At Bluma Appel Theatre. Show Info.

Rabbit Hole by David-Lindsay Abaire (DEELEN with TROUBLE). This blend of drama and comedy looks at the way a family deals with the loss of a child. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

The Last Wife by Kate Hennig (Soulpepper). Sex, violence and women’s rights shape a contemporary look at Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII. Previews from Jan 20, opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 11, see website for times. $32-$89. At the Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.

Götterdämmerung by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). Deceit, betrayal and revenge drive the drama in this conclusion of the Ring cycle operas. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 25, see website for schedule. $35-$235 (box seats $350). At Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

John by Annie Baker (The Company Theatre). A young couple struggling to stay together meet a cheerful innkeeper. Previews Jan 29, opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule. $20-$47. At Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare (Groundling Theatre). The classic tale is staged in a gender-twist production. Previews Jan 24, 25 and 27, opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule (runs in rep with The Winter’s Tale). $29-$79. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.

And the rest:

How Black Mothers Say I Love You by Trey Anthony (Trey Anthony/Girls in Bow Ties). This drama looks at Caribbean mothers who make the hard choice to leave children behind and go to work in Canada. Previews from Feb 4, opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.

Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts (Coal Mine Theatre). A donut shop owner and his young employee swap jokes and social commentary as they navigate their cross-racial, cross-generational friendship in the Uptown neighbourhood of Chicago. Previews from Feb 5, opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview/rush $25. At The Coal Mine Theatre. Show Info.

Rumpelstiltskin by Peter Bond (The NAGS Players). Social climbing parents “sell out” their daughter to a dimwitted king in this English pantomime comedy. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 11, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Sat 1:30 pm. $15-$20. At The Tranzac. Show Info.

Freedom Singer (Project: Humanity/Crow’s Theatre/Urban Ink). Documentary theatre piece inspired by the journey of singer-songwriter Khari Wendell McClelland in retracing his great-grandmother’s steps to escaping slavery in the U.S. Previews Feb 1-2, opens Feb 3 and runs to Feb 11, Mon-Sat 8:30 pm (except Feb 1 at 7:30 pm), mat Feb 7 & 9 at 1 pm. $20-$40. At Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.

James and the Giant Peach by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Timothy Allen McDonald (Young People’s Theatre). An orphan finds adventures in a magical fruit in this musical based on the Roald Dahl book. Previews from Feb 6, opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 18, see website for schedule. $10-$41. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

Saturday Night Fever by Nan Knighton with music by the Bee Gees (Mirvish). Musical based on the 1977 film about a Brooklyn teen who seeks fame at the discotheque. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$130. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.

Peace River Country by Maria Milisavljevic (Tarragon). The health, land and way of life of a close-knit rural family becomes increasingly threatened by big corporations and government. Previews from Feb 7, opens Feb 15 and runs to Mar 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$65. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream / As You Like It by William Shakespeare (George Brown Theatre). Two romantic comedies about young lovers are performed in rep. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 18, see website for times. $20, srs $15, stu/child $8. At Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Kim’s Convenience by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). The popular play about a Korean family in Regent Park struggling with their past returns to the stage. Previews Feb 8, opens Feb 9 and runs to March 4 see website for times. $32-$89. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

In On It by Daniel MacIvor (emerGENce Theatre). A dying man tries to plan for the end, a pair of lovers try to make it work and two men try to write one play in this set of intertwined stories. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 12, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$22. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

U of T Drama Festival. U of T Drama Coalition and Hart House Theatre present a competitive showcase of plays written, directed and performed by students. Feb 9-11, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $12, stu/srs $10. At Hart House Theatre. Show Info.

Mary Poppins by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (LOT). This musical is based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Apr 2, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon & 4 pm. $55-$65. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

Les Ballets de Trockadero De Monte Carlo. Show One Productions presents the all-male comic ballet company in a mashup of technical prowess, athletic artistry and parody. Feb 10-11, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $35-$115. More info at trockadero.org, tickets at ticketmaster.ca. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.

Thank You For Being A Friend: The Ultimate Golden Girls Experience. Joseph Patrick presents an evening of laughter, taboo-pushing dialogue, put-downs and familiar friends as Miami’s most famous retirees – Dorothy, Sophia, Rose and Blanche of TV’s Golden Girls sitcom – reunite in puppet form in this comedic live tribute show. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Mar 5, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $70-$80. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.