Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of June 12th, 2017
Canada, clowns, and classics are the main themes on Toronto stages this week! We’ve got our editor Lin on hand to pick out a few shows which caught her attention, listed in red. Check them out below the cut:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Strictly Ballroom The Musical by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pierce (Mirvish). A dancer defies all the rules and follows his heart to find his true calling and true love. Opens Apr 26 and runs to Jun 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat & Sun 2 pm. $31.25-$139. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.
Jazz Singer by Samson Raphaelson, music adapted by Michael Ross Albert (Harold Green Jewish Theatre/Dancap Productions). Against his father’s wishes, the son of a Jewish cantor longs to be a jazz performer in this musical adaptation of the 1925 play. Previews from May 23, opens May 29 and runs to Jun 18, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $45-$80. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical. (Starvox Entertainment/Showstopper Productions). Each night a completely original musical is created on the spot based on audience suggestions in this singing and dancing improvised show. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 25, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (and Jun 22). $25-$79. At Panasonic Theatre. Show Info.
The Lavender Railroad by Lawrence Aronovitch (In-The-Moment Theatre). This play takes place in a world where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death. Open Jun 8 and runs to Jun 18, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $25, adv $20. Show Info. At The Box Toronto. Show Info.
And the rest:
Daughters of Lilith by by Dainty Smith (Queer Pride 2017). Six complicated sisters reunite in the forest to search for their mother and for ways to remember their personal and collective magic. Jun 13 at 8 pm. $25-$30, adv $15-$18. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.
Morro & Jasp in Stupefaction by Heather Marie Annis and Amy Lee (Kabin and U.N.I.T. Productions). The clown sisters search for meaning as they interpret a series of strange happenings as signs from the divine. Previews from Jun 14, opens Jun 16 and runs to Jun 24, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Jun 22 at 1 pm. $20-$40. At Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.
King Arthur’s Night. Luminato Festival presents an epic work of theatre and music by Niall McNeil and Marcus Youssef. An upside-down world, a betrayed love, a revolt and a young man who would be king are part of this theatre and music spectacle about a kingdom come undone. Previews Jun 15, opens Jun 16 and runs to Jun 18, Thu-Sat 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $39 & up. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.
Here We Are (Cow Over Moon Children’s Theatre). This collectively created show for ages 7 and up is based on the Ojibway creation story of Turtle Island and features song, dance and audience participation. Jun 17 at 11:30 am and 2 pm. $16, kids/srs $13.50. At Maja Prentice Theatre. Show Info.
Notes of a Native Song. Stew and The Negro Problem present a rock and roll song-cycle using music, video and spoken word to explore the ideas of Black writer and activist James Baldwin. Jun 15-18 at 8 pm. $29 & up. Presented as part of the Luminato Festival. At David Pecault Square. Show Info.
Blown. Flying Solo presents the theatrics of aerial and acrobatic performance merges in this dirty circus production. Jun 15 at 8:30 pm. $20. In the Chamber. Part of Queer Pride 2017. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.
The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum, Harold Arlen and EY Harburg (LOT). A girl and her dog travel over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home in this musical based on the classic film. Opens Jun 16 and runs to Aug 27, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon and 4 pm. $50-$70. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
The Lady in Shoes From Hell by Burke Campbell (Shoe Fits Productions). At a 1950s truck stop, a waitress murders a customer and goes on the run from West Texas to Los Alamos in this Southern Gothic joyride. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $15-$20. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.
Romeo and Juliet. Bard in the Park presents William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy for its 13th season. Bring a blanket or chair. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 18, Mon-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. Pwyc. At Kew Gardens Park. Show Info.
Les Miserables Workshop Presentation. Adapted by Michele Smith, Dean Gilmour & the company (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). TSG presents its adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel, drama about love and change and the beauty of revolution and sacrifice for a better world. Jun 9 to Jun 18, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15 adv, pwyc at the door. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Confederation Park 1: Confederation and Riel. Soulpepper Theatre and VideoCabaret present a new installment of the history plays series by Michael Hollingsworth. Wilfred Laurier meets the rebel Louis Riel while John A. Macdonald masterminds the deal that leads to fireworks on July 1, 1867. Previews from Jun 9, opens Jun 17 and runs to Aug 19, see website for schedule and tickets. $25-$96. At The Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.
Pirate Life Children’s Theatre. Kids can dress in costume, get face paint tattoos and help discover the mystery of the treasure map in this interactive theatrical show/boat cruise. Opens May 6 and runs to Oct 8, Sat-Sun until Jun 25, daily Jun 26-Sep 4, weekends to Oct 9. Various times from 10:30 am-5 pm. $25. At Island Rogue. Show Info.
The Dark Lady: a Bakkhanalian Coven is an experimental dance-theatre piece which explores the archetype of The Dark Lady: a feminine divine energy that is connected to eroticism, the grotesque, and the shadow side of love, and transported it into a contemporary nightclub. June 15-18. June 15th: 14 Markham ST. June 16th: 221 Sterling Rd. Unit 5.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.