Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of April 22nd, 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. Our editor Samantha is on deck to highlight a few she’s super excited for in red. Take a look at our list below and we guarantee you’ll find your next theatrical obsession!
Already Reviewed By MoT:
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.
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.
La Bohème. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). Young bohemians navigate art, love, loss and poverty in 19th-century Paris. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 22, see website for schedule. $35-$350 (under 30 from $22).
And Everything Else:
The Things I Carry. Scadding Court Community Centre. Dancemakers & Theatre Passe Muraille present a dance/theatre show by Lee Su-Feh and battery opera Performance. This performance/storytelling hybrid looks at what happens as people spread across our planet, both voluntarily and involuntarily. Previews from Apr 23, opens Apr 24 and runs to Apr 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$33.
Out. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. by Greg Campbell (Big Bappis Productions/Buddies in Bad Times). Campbell brings 22 characters to life in a story about coming out of the closet in 1970s Montreal. Previews Apr 24, opens Apr 25 and runs to May 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$25, Sun pwyc.
Too Good To Be True. VideoCabaret Theatre & Studio. by Cliff Cardinal (VideoCabaret). A mom and her teenage kids hold a last supper as police close in on them. Previews from Apr 24, opens Apr 27 and runs to May 19, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $20-$40.
YESfest. Theatre Centre. York University’s Department of Theatre presents a festival of experimental theatre, featuring performances by graduating MFAs. Apr 24-28, see website for schedule. $22, stu $17 (three-show festival pass).
The Merry Widow. Jane Mallett Theatre. Toronto Operetta Theatre presents the opera by Franz Lehár. Opens Apr 24 and runs to Apr 28, Wed, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $55-$95.
Blood + Soil. Theatre Passe Muraille. Theatre Artaud presents a surrealist parable by Rouvan Silogix. A small town in Quebec secedes from Canada to create their own utopia, “Tanganyika”. Ideals descend into chaos as the town becomes the focal point of an attempted revolution amidst unconscious forces and helpless accomplices that take possession of the town. Lord Of The Flies meets Ionesco. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 5, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $18-$75.
Hit The Floor. John Bassett Theatre. Multi-style dance competition: 2,000 talented dancers of all ages from over 50 dance schools nationwide will take the stage to compete for $15,000 in cash prizes and scholarships. Apr 25-28, All-Star Showcase Apr 27 at 9 pm ($40, tickets at eventbrite.ca), see website for complete schedule. $15-$40.
Underwater Overwater. Secret Location. Probably Theatre Collective Presents the second iteration of its debut show. This piece is a poetic, immersive, experiment in storytelling that explores the waterways and seasonal shifts of Toronto’s past, present and future. Join us for an hour long performance at a venue in Regal Heights. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 3, Tue-Sun, see website for times and address. Pwyc. Email probably.theatre.collective@gmail.com to reserve tickets.
Opera Express: Bohème on the Go! Union Station. Union Station and the Canadian Opera Company present a commuter-friendly performance of the popular opera, featuring fun narration to fill in the blanks. Drop in to hear a few hits or stay for the whole thing. Apr 25 from noon-1 pm. Free. Union and the Canadian Opera Company present a commuter-friendly performance of the beautiful – and beloved – La Bohème, featuring fun narration to fill in the blanks. Stay for the 45 min version of the opera or drop in to hear a few of its greatest hits. Trust us: you’ll want to take the later train.
Dogfight. Alumnae Theatre. First Act Productions present a new musical by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. On November 21, 1963, three Marines decide to spend their last night before their deployment for one final night of debauchery & partying. A “dogfight” ensues: who can find the ugliest girl and bring her to a party where she will be judged? Corporal Eddie Birdlace finds his winner in a young waitress named Rose – who rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 4, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$30.
Mirrors. The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance. DanceWorks CoWorks & Squash Court Collective present a piece created and performed by Paulina Derbez and Lucy Rupert, featuring music, movement, text and digital painting. Apr 25-27 at 8 pm. $25. To reserve tickets, email squashcourtcollective@gmail.com
The Empire Strikes Back: A Burlesque Parody. (Live Nation). Sexy Stormtroopers and other Star Wars characters combine striptease, song and dance in this live show. Apr 25 at 8 pm. $59.50-$99.50.
Next To Normal. CAA Theatre. Musical Stage Company presents the musical drama by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt. This rock musical looks at a family dealing with grief, drugs, medical ethics and mental illness. Opens Apr 26 and runs to May 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for additional shows and to buy tickets). $60-$110.
Coppélia: A Comedy With Love. Betty Elephant Theatre. Canada’s Ballet Jörgen presents the popular comic ballet. A daring, bold and funny story that takes us into the mysterious mind of a lonely and disillusioned toy maker who wishes he could bring a perfect doll to life. Apr 26 & 27, Fri 8 pm, Sat 7:30 pm. $35-$62.
Shakespeare’s Criminal. Factory Theatre. Orpheus Productions presents workshop presentations of a new chamber opera with music by Dustin Peters and libretto by Sky Gilbert. Apr 26-28, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. Fri & Sun $35, stu/srs $25; Saturday fundraiser for future production of the show, $80.
Otello. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). The Shakespearean tragedy is sung in Italian with English surtitles. Opens Apr 27 and runs to May 21, see website for schedule. $35-$350 (under 30 from $22).
Words + Motion: An Evening of Dance and Stories. Gallery 1313. Dancers Caroline Niklas-Gordon and Jamee Valin, writer Marianne Apostolides and special guest Melanie Gordon. Apr 27 at 8 pm. $15, cash only at the door or by reserving at email below.
Listings Primarily Based on NOW! Stage Listings