Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of April 8th, 2019.
MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you! Spring has finally arrived, and so has Toronto’s busiest theatre season. Take a look at our list below and we guarantee you’ll find your next theatrical obsession! Our assistant editor, Katee has highlighted her top picks in red!
Already Reviewed by MoT:
The Cherry Orchard. Streetcar Crowsnest. Modern Times Stage Company & Crow’s Theatre present the play by Anton Chekhov. This imagistic and minimalist look at the classic Russian play set in 1861 explores the human capacity for self-destruction and self-deception. Previews from Mar 26, opens Mar 29 and runs to Apr 13, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20 & up.
Idomeneo. Ed Mirvish Theatre. Opera Atelier presents the opera by WA Mozart. Idomeneo tells the story of the Greek hero who is forced to choose between the life of his son and a terrible promise he has made to the god of the sea. Opens Apr 4 and runs to Apr 13, Apr 4, 6 and 12 at 7:30 pm, Apr 7 at 3 pm, Apr 13 at 4:30 pm. $39-$184.
Angélique. Factory Theatre. Factory and Obsidian Theatre Company present a Black Theatre Workshop and Tableau D’Hôte Theatre co-production, written by Lorena Gale. Marie Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman, was accused, tried and hanged for setting fire to Montréal in 1734. Inspired by historical transcripts from the trial, Angélique is a moving account of Black Canadian history beyond the Underground Railroad. Opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$50.
Kopernikus — A Ritual Opera For The Dead. Theatre Passe Muraille. by Claude Vivier (Against The Grain Theatre). A woman wanders through the afterlife in this edgy opera. Opens Apr 4 and runs to Apr 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $25-$85.
Hot Brown Honey. Bluma Appel Theatre. (Civic Theatres Toronto/Native Earth/Why Not Theatre). All-female musical revue smashes stereotypes, remixes the system and dares to celebrate our similarities and differences. Apr 5-7, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $62-$85. *Suitable for ages 15+
The Shimmering Verge. Theatre Français Studio 21. Molly Peacock presents a solo show in poems, featuring readings by local poets in celebration of National Poetry Month. The play will be performed in double bill with readings from a selection of dynamic Toronto page and stage poets. Opens Apr 4 and runs to Apr 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15-$25.
Under the Stairs. Young People’s Theatre. by Kevin Dyer and Reza Jacobs (Young People’s Theatre). A boy seeks refuge from his parents’ bickering in a magical cupboard. Opens Apr 1 and runs to Apr 16, see website for times. $10-$39. Recommended for Grades 3-8 / ages 8 and up.
And Everything Else:
George Brown Theatre Spring Repertory Season. Young Centre for the Performing Arts. George Brown Theatre presents Monsieur d’Eon Is A Woman by Mark Brownell and Neil Bartlett’s adaptation of Oscar Wild’s The Picture Of Dorian Gray. Performed in rep, opens Apr 9 and runs to Apr 20, see website for schedule. $25, srs $20 stu $10.
All Of Our Dreaming. Grace Toronto Church. Dreamwalker Dance Company presents choreographies by Sarah Chase, Peggy Baker and Andrea Nann that explore the inherent struggle in the rites of passage. Opens Apr 9 and runs to Apr 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm. $22-$30, mat pwyc.
Beautiful — The Carole King Musical. Princess of Wales Theatre. book by Douglas McGrath (Mirvish). 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 Apr 9 and runs to May 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $59-$259.
Virgin. Aki Studio. Tache De Naissance pressent a play written and performed by Alyson Renaldo. Renaldo plays 29 characters in her solo play about the notion of virginity as a virtue. Previews from Apr 9, opens Apr 11 and runs to Apr 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3 pm. $25-$35, preview/arts workers $15.
B-The Underwater Bubble Show. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. Drama, mime, dance, puppetry, magic and tons of soap bubbles comprise this modern fairy-tale/cirque show. Apr 10 at 6:30 pm. $25-$35.
Bigre. Berkeley Street Theatre. by Pierre Guillois, Agathe L’Huillier & Olivier Martin-Salvan (Théâtre français de Toronto). Three neighbours combine disaster with clumsiness in this silent clown play. Opens Apr 11 and runs to Apr 21, Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$79.
Four Old Legs. The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance. Citadel + Compagnie presents choreography by James Kudelka featuring dancers Evelyn Hart and Zhenya Cerneacov, in a performance piece celebrating time, memory, experience and with the premise that growing old is something better practiced by young people. Opens Apr 11 and runs to Apr 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $20-$25
Animal Triste. Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Harbourfront Torque and Mayday present a study of the nature and posture of humanity by choreographer Mélanie Demers. Apr 11-13, Thu 12:30 pm (student matinee, open to the public), Fri-Sat 7:30 pm. $20-$45.
Andrea Spaziani’s The Right Eye of Clint. Dancemakers. Dancemakers present a work that deals with notions of the West and with Western film tropes, with a new composition by Matt Smith. Apr 11-13, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $20, stu/srs/arts workers $15.
Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers, and Little Brothers. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. by Makambe K Simamba (b current). Drama about the interactions between Black men and police, inspired by the Trayvon Martin tragedy. Opens Apr 11 and runs to Apr 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20, Sun pwyc.
C’mon, Angie! The Assembly Theatre. by Amy Lee Lavoie (Leroy Street Theatre). Following a one-night stand, a man and a woman spend a fraught morning confronting questions related to intimacy, consent and sexual assault. Opens Apr 12 and runs to Apr 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$35.
Impressionism. Alumnae Theatre. Alumnae Theatre presents a play by Michael Jacobs. Two colleagues revisit painful memories while surrounded by Impressionist art. Opens Apr 12 and runs to Apr 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, Wed half price, Sun pwyc.
Listings Primarily Based on NOW! Stage Listings