Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of July 17th, 2017

If you’re reading this, it means we at Mooney on Theatre all survived Fringe—aka Theatre Christmas—and we hope you did too. Jumping back into the swing of things, we’ve got some stellar post-Fringe shows on Toronto stages this week, including some open-air Shakespeare, and a play that takes place on a… boat? Our assistant editor Jess (that’s me!) is on hand to share her top picks in RED. Check them out below the cut:

Women of Musical Theatre Festival. Marion Abbott Productions presents performances by notable women of the city’s musical theatre scene. Shows are written, choreographed, directed, stage managed and produced by women, including Broadway Divas: A History In Revue by Marion Abbott, For Coloured Girls… Who Just Wanna Sing by Jewelle Blackman and more. Jul 20-24, Thu 6 pm, Fri-Mon 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$95. See website for details and to buy tickets/passes. At The Arts and Letters Club. Show Info.

Burn This by Lanford Wilson (Gracemoon Arts). What happens after the tragic death of a talented dancer and brother? Amid the art and bohemia of Warhol’s 1980’s lower east side Manhattan, Anna and Pale face their shared loss and collide impossibly into a doomed affair. 8 pm. In previews Jul 19 and 20, opens Jul 21, runs Jul 19-30, at 8 pm. No show Jul 24. $25-$40. At Robbie’s Loft. Show Info.

Flooded by Ara Glenn-Johanson (NORTH AMERICA). Non-narrative physical theatre show aboard a boat that will sail around the Toronto Islands. Contemporary theatre performers will grow into humping dinosaurs, fight the patriarchy with luscious locks, climb bodies in search of the right embrace and stare at the sea. Opens Jul 19 and runs to Jul 25, daily from 6:30-7:30 pm. $25. At Pirate Life Toronto. Show Info.

Permanence by Cyd Casados (Libby Brodie Productions). Sex, art and addiction clash in this raw play that asks at what point does self-expression become self-harm. Opens Jul 19 and runs to Aug 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $32. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

SODA Underground. An improvised play with set & music inspired by the art currently on the walls of the gallery. 7:30 pm. $10. At The #Hashtag Gallery. Show Info.

Hogtown: The Immersive Experience. The Hogtown Collective presents an immersive theatre experience incorporating drama, music and dance to look at Prohibition-era Toronto and its dark past. Opens Jul 13 and runs to Aug 20, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun 2 pm. $59. At Campbell House Museum. Show Info.

She Stoops To Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith (Guild Festival Theatre). A woman hides her social status to attract a nervous suitor in this comedy of mistaken identities and secret romance. Opens Jul 13 and runs to Aug 13, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Wed 2 pm. $25. At Guild Park. Show Info.

The Lamentable Absurdical Chronicle Of Punch And Judy by Doc Wuthergloom and Eric Woolfe (Eldritch Theatre). Theatrical classic of murder, mayhem and puppet-on-puppet violence. Jul 17-18 at 8 pm. $30, adv $20. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

Vimy. Soulpepper Theatre presents a play by Vern Thiessen. Canadian soldiers convalesce in a field hospital after facing the horrors of Vimy Ridge in this WWI drama. Previews from Jun 29, opens Jul 11 and runs to Aug 5, see website for schedule and tickets. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Shakespeare in High Park: King Lear. (Canadian Stage/York U Theatre Dept). The classic tragedy is staged outdoors. Previews from Jun 29, opens Jul 13 and runs to Sep 2. Pwyc, $25 reserved seating. In the Amphitheatre, High Park. Show Info.

Shakespeare in High Park: Twelfth Night. (Canadian Stage/York U Theatre Dept). The comedy of mistaken identities and misplaced love is performed outdoors. Previews from Jun 30, opens Jul 14 and runs to Sep 3. Pwyc, $25 reserved seating. In the Amphitheatre, High Park. Show Info.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical book by Douglas McGrath (Paul Blake/Sony/ATV Music). The story of King’s rise to stardom as a composer and singer-songwriter, marriage and divorce to writing partner Gerry Goffin and friendships with other musical artists. Opens Jun 27 and runs to Sep 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm (no show Jul 1). $50-$149. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. 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.

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 Part I: 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.

Billy Bishop Goes To War. Soulpepper Theatre presents a play by John MacLachlan Gray with Eric Peterson. Peterson and MacLachlan Gray reprise their roles in this two-man stage play about the famous WWI fighter pilot as he looks back on his life. Previews from Jul 1, opens Jul 10 and runs to Aug 5, see website for schedule and tickets. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

 

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.