Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of December 3rd , 2018
Below, in no particular order, are some shows that caught our eye this week:
The Philosopher’s Wife. Daniels Spectrum. by Susanna Fournier (Paradigm Productions). Exiled for promoting his atheist work amidst a bloody religious war, a philosopher hires a dog trainer to control his wife’s strange behaviour in this darkly comedic exposé of our society’s obsession with power. Part 1 of the Empire Trilogy. Previews from Dec 4, opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$35, preview $20. In the AKI Studio.
https://www.empiretrilogy.com/philosophers-wife
Night of Grief & Mystery. Factory Theatre. Part poetry, part lamentation, part book reading, part ribaldry, part concert, part lifting the mortal veil and learning the mysteries there. Starring Stephen Jenkinson & Gregory Hoskins. Dec 4-5, Tue-Wed 7:30 pm. $45.
If On A Christmas Night…/ Se Una Notte A Natale…Columbus Centre. Villa Charities and DopoLavoro Teatrale present an interactive and immersive theatrical experience written & directed by Daniele Bartolini. This world premiere production presents a series of adventurous and comical situations around the celebration of Christmas, through the lens of Italian culture. Spectators are invited to gather and build a new community in an intimate performance experience. Previews Dec 4 & 6, opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 23, Tue-Sat various time, see website for schedule (no shows on Mondays). $40, stu/srs $25, child (6-12) $20; previews $25.
https://www.villacharities.com/christmasnight
Scrooge: The Musical. Zion Cultural Centre. The Civic Light-Opera Co. presents a musical version of Charles Dickens’s timeless ghost story. Opens Dec 5 and runs to Dec 16, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Dec 15) at 2 pm. $28.
http://www.civiclightoperacompany.com
Asheq: Ritual Music To Cure A Lover. Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Onelight Theatre presents a multimedia theatre production by Shahin Sayadi with original music by Habib Meftah Boushehri, Mohsen Sharifian. Story of forbidden love, a family divided by long-held secrets, and a community trying to find balance between traditional ways and the modern world, set in a small fishing village on the shores of Persian Gulf. Opens Dec 5 and runs to Dec 8, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 4 & 7 pm. $18.85-$24.50.
6 Guitars. CAA Theatre. by Chase Padgett (Mirvish). Padgett performs his musical mulit-character solo show from. Dec 6-7 at 8 pm. $39-$50.
Skyline. Theatre Passe Muraille. Don’t Look Down Theatre Company presents a darkly comedic tale of three people on the verge of losing themselves. Alex, Taylor and Brian struggle through young adulthood, dating, the workplace and mental health. Previews Dec 6, opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 16, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. In the BackSpace.
www.facebook.com/events/734231053612364
Opera Pub—A Not-So-Silent Night. Amsterdam Bicycle Club. Against the Grain Theatre live opera pub show, 9 pm Dec 6. No cover.
https://www.facebook.com/events/194007464857502/
Slava’s Snowshow. Bluma Appel Theatre. by Slava Polunin (Show One Productions/Civic Theatres Toronto). A scruffy, disarming troupe of clowns will take the audience on a spellbinding adventure. Opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 16, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and Dec 16), matinee Sat-Sun 2 pm. $59-$129 at ticketmaster.ca.
www.stlc.com/event/slavas-snowshow5
A Christmas Carol. Young Centre for the Performing Arts. by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 24, see website for schedule. $35-$95.
Venus In Fur. Theatre Français Studio 21. by David Ives (Edge Productions). Determined to land the lead, an actor plays a cat-and-mouse game with the play’s director. Dec 7-9, Fri 8 pm, Sat 2 & 8 pm, Sun 1 & 7 pm. $25-$35. www.facebook.com/events/495974660810602
The Nutcracker. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The National Ballet of Canada presents Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic ballet choreographed by James Kudelka. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Dec 30, see website for schedule. $45 & up (rush standing room tickets from $12).
https://national.ballet.ca/Homepage
Peter Pan. Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Soulpepper and Bad Hats Theatre present a musical reimagining of JM Barrie’s classic tale, suitable for ages 3 and up. Previews from Dec 8, opens Dec 12 and runs to Jan 5, see website for schedule. $25-$55.
The Nativity Musical. Church on the Queensway. (Christian Performing Arts Centre). This all-ages, fast-paced, comedic rendition of the story of Christ’s birth features singers, dancers, special effects and a live orchestra. Dec 8-9, Sat 3 & 7 pm, Sun 4 pm. $5.
Re-Ignite. George Ignatieff Theatre. FireUpDance presents choreography by Nina Blanc. This contemporary production is about disconnecting from material things, and reconnecting with ourselves and each other.
Dec 8 at 8 pm. $20.
www.facebook.com/events/1865010403547910
Femme Fatality. The Pilot Tavern. Les Femmes Fatales Women Of Colour Burlesque bring their artistic, political and sensual power to the stage. Dec 9 at 8 pm. $25.
https://www.facebook.com/events/268167777235579/
Merry Little Christmas V: In Search of the Real Santa. Woodbine Heights Baptist Church. Woodbine Heights Drama Club presents a live theatrical performance for all ages goes back to 4th century Turkey to discover the origin of St. Nicholas. Intergenerational cast. Live music, comedy, mystery and drama. Dec 7-9, Fri 8 pm, Sat 4 & 7 pm, Sun 11 am. Free.
www.facebook.com/events/731545970532600