Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of June 19th, 2017

Stories and history are major themes in Toronto’s theatre scene this week! And of course, with Pride month well under way, there is no shortage of queer-centred offerings. Our assistant editor Jess is on hand to highlight a few of her top picks 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.

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.

And the rest…

Talking Treaties. Touching Ground Festival presents an immersive performance and installation. Music and theatre blends local Indigenous knowledge and professional artists with symbols, poetry, and expressive maps created by over 300 community members to broaden how we see living as treaty people. Audience participation is a big part of the show. Jun 23-25, Fri 6:30 pm, Sat noon-6 pm (installation only), Sun 5:15 pm. Fri-Sat Free/Pwyc, Sun $5. At Fort York. Show Info.

Flowers While We’re Living. Unit 2 and Ninkuru Zinduru present a showcase to celebrate the voices, words, moves and dances of BIPOC/racialized trans & queer artists. Featuring Ravyn Wngz, alaska B, I.M. Brown, Dirty Dabz, Coco Supreme and others. Jun 22 at 8:15 pm. $15. At Buddies in Bad Times. 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. $20. June 15th: 14 Markham ST. June 16th: 221 Sterling Rd. Unit 5. Show Info.

Shove it Down My Throat by Johnnie Walker (Pandemic Theatre/Queer Pride 2017). True crime docu-play about homophobia, violence, incarceration, mystery and sex inspired by the true story of Luke O’Donovan. Jun 20 at 8 pm. $10. At Buddies in Bad Times. Show Info.

Read Stuff With Eric. Solo performers workshop new material in this supportive show hosted by Eric Miinch. 8:30 pm. Pwyc. At The Social Capital Theatre. Show Info.

Dare: Stories We Thought We’d Never Tell. The Dare Story Collective presents a storytelling show featuring real stories by real people. June 21 at 8 pm. Pwyc. At The Ossington. Show Info.

Just Mingling: A Queer Theatrical Salon. 3-2-1 Playwrights Collective & Queer Pride 2017 present readings of new short works from queer playwrights Sarah Waisvisz, Lawrence Aronovitch and Margo MacDonald. Hosted by Titus Androgynous. Jun 21 at 7:30 pm. $15-$20. At Buddies in Bad Times. Show Info.

The Inventor of all Things. Jem Rolls presents a solo show that tells the story of a Jewish Hungarian physicist who first thought up the idea of an atomic bomb in the 1930s. Opens Jun 21 and runs to Jun 25, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

Suffragette. Opera 5 presents Fête Galante and The Boatswain’s Mate – a double bill of feminist operas by English composer Dame Ethel Smyth. Jun 22-25, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6 pm. $35-$50, stu $25. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Thrown to the Wolves. The Emergency Monologues presents an evening of true-story storytelling. Gathered without knowing the advanced theme, each of these storytellers will have to think on their feet and dig into their memories as they tell tales before an audience. Performed by Gerard Harris, Paul Hutcheson, Carlyn Rhamey and Morgan Jones Phillips. Jun 22 at 8 pm. $10. At Cameron House. Show Info.

Confederation Part II: Scandal and Rebellion. Soulpepper Theatre and VideoCabaret present a new installment of the history plays series by Michael Hollingsworth. Wilfred Laurier and John A MacDonald have their hands full as Louis Riel joins with Gabriel Dumont and Big Bear in a rebellion while business barons compete for railway lines. Previews from Jun 23, opens Jun 29 and runs to Aug 19, see website for schedule and tickets. $25-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. 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.

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.

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.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.