Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 7th, 2018

Toronto live theatre for the week of May 7th, 2018. There is something for everyone on Toronto’s stages this week, with a huge selection of brand new shows! Our Editor Lin is on hand with a few of her top picks in red. Check them out below the cut:

Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:

Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Previews from Feb 13, opens Feb 18 and runs to Sep 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $69 and up. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.

The Best is Yet To Come Undone. The Second City presents the Spring 2018 MainStage sketch revue, tackling this generation’s minefield of crushing clichés and relatable revelations. Limited run, Tue-Sun see website for times. $27 & up, stu from $16. At Second City. Show Info.

Girls Like That by Evan Placey (Tarragon). A naked photo of a young woman goes viral in this play about the evolution of feminist consciousness and modern female friendships. Previews from Apr 17, opens Apr 24 and runs to May 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (see website for other mats). $20-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Prairie Nurse by Marie Beath Badian (Thousand Islands Playhouse/Factory). Two Filipino nurses deal with curious locals in 1960s small-town Saskatchewan. Previews from Apr 21, opens Apr 26 and runs to May 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30-$50, preview $20. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.

Selfie. Young People’s Theatre presents a play by Christine Quintana. An incident at a party shatters the connections between three friends in this play for ages 13 & up. Previews from Apr 23, opens Apr 26 and runs to May 11, see website for schedule. $19-$24. Public shows Apr 29 at 2:30 pm (relaxed performance, pwyc); Apr 6 at 2:30 pm. Members of the public are are welcome to attend weekday school performances, subject to availability; call 416-862-2222 to inquire. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

And everything else:

Everything I Couldn’t Tell You. Spiderbones Performing Arts & the RISER Project present a play by Jeff D’Hondt. Music, art, neuroscience and the revitalization of the Lenape language light three paths in a technological tearjerker about a suffering Indigenous woman and two therapists who try to help her. Previews May 2, opens May 3 and runs to May 11, Mon-Sat 9:30 pm. $5, $20, $35 or $60 – pay what you can afford. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

Inch Of Your Life: The Trilogy – Episode 2: The Middle Part by Massimo Pagliaroli (The Theatre Circuit). Three-part stage sitcom that looks at family, relationships and identity.  Previews May 9, opens May 10 and runs to May 19, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$30, preview $15. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

A Very Different Place by Carol Libman (Rare Day Projects). A woman must face her mother for the first time 20 years after leaving her 2-year-old son in her care. Opens May 8 and runs to May 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Thu, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

After the Blackout. Soulpepper Theatre and RARE Theatre Company present the world premiere of a play by Judith Thompson. An interwoven group meets to find connection through adversity in this play performed and informed by a cast of artists who are blind, deaf, living with brain injury or amputees. Previews from May 8, opens May 11 and runs to May 26, see website for times. $35-$50. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Maggie & Pierre by Linda Griffiths with Paul Thompson (timeshare). Solo play about the roller-coaster relationship of Pierre and Margaret Trudeau. Opens May 9 and runs to May 19, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $17-$22. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

TAHA. Toronto Palestine Film Festival and Qadita Productions present a play by Amer Hlehel. TAHA is based on the story of the celebrated Palestinian poet Taha Muhammad Ali. His poetry tells of the experience of Palestinian refugees. Performed in English; poetry recited in Arabic with English subtitles. May 11-12, Fri 8:30 pm, Sat 3:30 & 7:30 pm. $45-$65.  At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

WeeFestival. Theatre Direct presents the biennial arts, theatre and culture festival geared to children aged 0-6. Aerial arts, theatre, puppetry, music and post-show family parties. May 11-21, see website for schedule and venues. $12-$25. Various venues. Show Info.

The Last Chaconne: A Celebration. Toronto Masque Theatre presents a star-studded array of singers, actors, dancers and instrumentalists to celebrate TMT’s 14th and final season. May 12 at 8 pm (pre-show from 7:15 pm). $25-$60. At Jane Mallett Theatre. Show Info.

The Blood Cycle. lemonTree creations and TPM BUZZ presents a work-in-progress staging of a play by Indrit Kasapi. Three siblings look for a way to end a blood feud between two families disputing land ownership. May 11 and 13 at 7:30 pm. $10 adv, pwyc at door. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom by August Wilson (Soulpepper). In 1920s Chicago, a routine music recording session becomes the front line for issues of race, power and opportunity. Previews from May 4, opens May 10 and runs to Jun 2, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Speaking of Sneaking. sos collective & the RISER Project present a multidisciplinary dance/poetry pantomime created and performed by Daniel Jelani Ellis, about growing up queer in Jamaica and finding home in Canada. Previews May 2, opens May 3 and runs to May 11, Mon-Sat 9:30 pm. $5, $20, $35 or $60 – pay what you can afford. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

Crazy For You by Ken Ludwig, George & Ira Gershwin (Scarborough Music Theatre). An NYC playboy goes to Nevada to foreclose on a theatre and falls in love with the owner’s daughter in this 1930s musical. Opens May 3 and runs to May 19, see website for times. $23-$30. At Scarborough Village Theatre. Show Info.

LuLu V.7: Aspects of a Femme Fatale by Ted Witzel, Susanna Fournier, Helen Yung (the red light district/BIBT). A young femme fatale traverses Europe leaving a series of dead lovers in her wake until she meets her end at the hands of Jack the Ripper. Previews from May 1, opens May 3 and runs to May 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$40, Sun pwyc at the door. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

Salmon Girl. Young People’s Theatre & Raven Spirit Dance present a play by Michelle Olson and Quelemia Sparrow. A young girl learns of her Indigenous forbears from animals and elders in this dance-drama for ages 5-10. Opens May 1 and runs to May 12, see website for times. $10-$34.Public shows May 6 and 12 at 2 pm. Members of the public are are welcome to attend weekday school performances, subject to availability; call 416-862-2222 to inquire. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

The ’94 Club. Crave Productions presents a play by Thalia Gonzalez Kane. A group of teenage girls create a dangerous game for themselves that rapidly spirals out of control. Based on true events, The ’94 Club explores gender politics, sexuality, coming of age, queerness and the harsh realities of growing up in a small town. Previews May 1, opens May 2 and runs to May 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$30. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Annie by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, Thomas Meehan (Mirvish). A plucky orphan finds a home in this family musical. Downton Abbey‘s Lesley Nicol will play Miss Hannigan. Opens April 24 and runs to June 3, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $29-$229. At Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.

Anna Bolena by Gaetano Donizetti (Canadian Opera Company). Sondra Radvanovsky helms this Italian opera about the final days of Henry VIII’s second wife. Sung in Italian w/ English surtitles. Opens Apr 28 and runs to May 26, see website for times. $35-$225 (box seats $350). At The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.