Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 14th, 2018
Toronto live theatre for the week of May 14th, 2018. This week’s picks feature a new festival, a true story, and a PWYC performance in a secret locale (plus so much more)! Our Managing Editor Wayne is on hand with a few of his 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.
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.
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.
And everything else:
Paprika Festival. New plays, dance performances, workshop productions, experimental art and more by young artists and companies. May 14-20, see website for more details. Pwyc-$10, some free events. Presented in partnership with Native Earth Performing Arts, in the Aki Studio. Show Info.
Innocence Lost: A Play About StephenTruscott by Beverley Cooper (Soulpepper). Story of the 14-year-old boy who was wrongly convicted of killing his 12-year-old schoolmate and sentenced to death in 1959 small-town Ontario. Previews from May 14, opens May 24 and runs to Jun 23, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Amsterdam by Dan McPeake (Wild Bunbury Theatre). This play deals with concepts of identity, reality and time through the stories of three women at different stages of their lives. Opens May 16 and runs to May 20, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$20. At The Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.
La Bête by David Hirson (Soulpepper). Two actors compete for survival when their Royal Patron grows weary of their theatre troupe in this comedy. Previews from May 16, opens May 29 and runs to Jun 22, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Underwater Overwater (Probably Theatre Collective). Poetic account of the roads, parks, tracks and rivers that carve a path to the lake. May 17-26, contact for schedule and more info. Pwyc. Reserve your spot by emailing probably.theatre.collective@gmail.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.