Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of June 18th, 2018

Toronto live theatre for the week of June 18th, 2018. With Luminato still going strong, and Pride under way, there are tons of fabulous shows to choose from! Our Assistant Editor Jess 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.

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.

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.

The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe (Cameron Mackintosh). Super-sized staging of the iconic musical about love and obsession in 19th century Paris. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm.  (see website for additional shows). $79-$220. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner. Returning to Toronto for a fourth time, Potted Potter The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff, takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real-life game of Quidditch) into 70 minutes. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jul 8, Wed-Sun (and some Tuesdays), see website for schedule. $30-$100. At The CAA Theatre. Show Info.

And everything else:

Dark Day Monday 04: Self-Recovery. Dark Day Monday is a curated monthly performance series featuring artists who defy expectations and break boundaries. This month’s feature artist, d’bi.young anitafrika, has been developing a methodology that focusses on artistic Self-Recovery called the Antiafrika Method. The theme of this upcoming Dark Day Monday is Self-Recovery, exploring the use of art as a tool for self-recovery. Jun 18 at 6 pm. $15. At Burdock. Show Info.

I Don’t F*ck With You: The Goth Drag Musical. Buddies’ Queer Pride Festival presents a musical celebration of the emo, the too much, the not enoughs & wearing black as a way of life.  Starring Simone S., Phi Tran Trinh, Kae, gothMuslim & MK Whitel. Jun 19 at 9 pm. Pwyc, adv $10. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

Naked City Stories. Stories of the terrible beauty and awful truth about the city of Toronto with Megan Fahlenbock, Gare Joyce & guests. Jun 19 at 9:15 pm. $5. At The Social Capital Theatre. Show Info.

Out The Window. Luminato Festival presents a docudrama by Liza Balkan. A lethal real-life incident in Toronto’s west end is the launching pad for questions about truth, memory, mental health, law and the theatre in this consistently relevant docudrama. Jun 19-24, Tue-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39 & up. At Harbourfront Centre. Show Info.

Burning Doors. Luminato and Belarus Free Theatre present a show about the power of artistic resistance, drawing on the real-life stories of Petr Pavlensky, Oleg Sentsov and special guest Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina. Russian w/ English surtitles. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Jun 24, Wed-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $64 & up. At The Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre. Show Info.

Wicked. by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman (Mirvish). The hit musical that gives a backstory to The Wizard Of Oz returns. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Aug 5, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (see website for exceptions/more dates & times). $59-$209. At The Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.

Leila Live! Laugh with Leila Productions & Queer Pride 2018 present Izad Etemadi in a solo show featuring the real life Persian Princess showing off her acting, singing, rapping and dancing skills, plus sound effects and puppetry. Jun 20 at 8 pm. $20, stu/arts workers $15. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

bug. Manidoons Collective and Luminato Festival present a dramatic performance by playwright Yolanda Bonnell. A powerful exploration of a young Indigenous woman’s journey, in relationship to the addictions that stem from inter-generational trauma. Jun 20-24, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat-Sun 6 pm, mat Sat 1 pm. $39 & up. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.

Women from the Future. Roles 4 Women presents a new performance work that merges stand-up comedy with storytelling, ancestral investigations, experimental sound and visuals, and space. Starring Catherine Falkner, Tina Pearson, Wendi Smallwood and Liz Solo. Previews Jun 21, opens Jun 22 and runs to Jun 24, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15-$25, preview pwyc. Talk back with the artists:  following Saturday June 23rd performance. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.

Two Birds One Stone. Natasha Greenblatt and Rimah Jabr present and perform their fictional documentary play, an exploration of the whistories of a Palestinian Muslim and a Jewish Canadian and the forces that push the women together. Previews Jun 21, opens Jun 22 and runs to Jun 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $5-$50 pwyc (no one turned away). At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Life Assignment. Theatre Nidāna presents a play by David Polera. A woman is about to share a secret with her husband when a government official arrives with alarming news. This ensemble play is set in an alternative world in which people are assigned new lives every few years to better serve society. Jun 21-24, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Fri-Sun 2 pm. $20, at artsboxoffice.ca. Atv Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Sara. Art é Fakt Studio presents a play in French with English subtitles by Margalie R. Bazinet. A stripper vows to take back control of her life in this play about our God-given right to happiness and why we choose to live as we do. Jun 21-23, Thu-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat 3 & 5 pm. $15. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

Dvorak’s Rusalka. Toronto Summer Opera Workshop (TSOW) returns to offer Dvořák’s haunting fairy tale presented in concert version in its entirety, sung in Czech with English subtitles projected. Jun 22-24 at 7 pm. Pwyc/free will donation at the door. At St Peter & St Simon Church. Show Info.

Tables Turned. Luminato Festival and Tapestry Opera present a multimedia concert featuring opera singers, turntable artists and video projections. With vocalist Carla Huhtanen, percussionist Ben Reimer and turntable artist and composer Nicole Lizée. Jun 16-19, Sat-Tue at 7 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $35. At Ernest Balmer Studio. Show Info. 

Kings And Classics: Existence Is Resistance Pride Edition. Pretty Munny Production presents a drag king showcase, part of Buddies’ Queer Pride Festival. Jun 15 at 10:30 pm. $25, adv $18. In the Cabaret. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.

It’s a Goddamn Stupid Life by Neal Armstrong  with material from Devon Marinac and Andrea Werhun. (Imaginary Solutions). This scathing political satire is set during Donald Trump’s third term. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 23, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $20. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting kingubu@protonmail.com. At Wychwood Theatre. Show Info.

At The Illusionist’s Table. Luminato presents Scottish illusionist Scott Silven hosting an intimate evening of fine dining and whisky tasting interwoven with illusion, mentalism and storytelling. Includes a three-course dinner by BlueBlood Steakhouse. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 24, Tue-Sun shows at 6 and 9 pm. $225. Pre-register. At Casa Loma. Show Info.

Treasure Island. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre presents an all-ages show based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson. Sing sea shanties and cheer on Jane Hawkins as she navigates her way through a wild and epic pirate adventure. Opens May 26 and runs to July 1, Sat & Sun 1:30 pm. $20. At Wychwood Theatre. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.