Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of August 5, 2019.
Even in the heat of summer, there is so much great live theatre going on in Toronto. Indoors or outdoors, the choice is yours! Whether it’s for date-night, girl’s/guy’s/pal’s night, or introducing the young ones in your life to a live theatre performance, there is something for every occasion, and MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you! This week our assistant editor Jen is here to highlight the theatre events that she would love to see in red! Take a look at our theatre listings below to see what has caught our eye this week.
Already Reviewed by MoT:
All’s Well That Ends Well. (Berczy Park at Front and Church) Dauntless City Theatre presents an outdoor, ambulatory production in , of the societal and political comedy that tackles desire, consent, trickery and toxic masculinity. Aug 2-25, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Matinee Sat-Sun 1 pm (no show Aug 9). PWYC.
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Anne. (Guild Park & Gardens, 201 Guildwood Pkwy, Scarborough) Guild Festival Theatre presents outdoor theatre by Paul Ledoux, adapted from the Canadian novel Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery. Wed-Sun, 7:30 pm, July 18 – August 10th. $10-$30.
Show Info
Come From Away. (Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St). By Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Feb 5-Nov 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Matinees Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$169, Limited rush $25 (premium tickets also available).
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Dusk Dances: 25th Anniversary Season. (Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave.) The annual outdoor dance festival celebrates its 25th season in 2019. This year’s edition features a community-based project by Kate Franklin and Meredith Thompson. Aug 4-11, daily at 7 pm, Matinee Aug 11 at 2 pm. PWYC.
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False Claims. (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St.) A man poses as his late aunt’s husband in order to collect her life insurance policy in this farce. Preview Aug 1 (PWYC). Aug 2-11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $24-$30.
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Fool For Love (Soulpepper Theatre). (Young Center for the Performing Arts – Distillery District). Some people you just can’t quit. On the edge of the desert, passions are buried deep, and secrets even deeper. Eddie has come to bring May out of hiding and win her back, no matter who stands in the way. This celebrated work from Sam Shepard combines his characteristic dark humour with a raw energy that won’t let go. July 13 – August 11. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm with matinees on Wednesdays and weekends at 2:00 pm. Tickets range from $38 – $108 or $38 for students with ID.
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Measure for Measure (Canadian Stage). (High Park Ampitheatre (1873 Bloor St W) July 4 -September 1. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. Tickets are PWYC (suggested $20) at the gate or you can reserve a spot online for $30 (for adults). Admission for children 14 and under is free.
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Much Ado About Nothing (Canadian Stage). (High Park Ampitheatre (1873 Bloor St W). July 4 – September 1. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 8:00 pm. Tickets are PWYC (suggested $20) at the gate or you can reserve a spot online for $30 (for adults). Admission for children 14 and under is free.
Show Info
A (Musical) Midsummer Night’s Dream. (Toronto show: Aug 15 at Daniels Spectrum Courtyard) Driftwood Theatre presents a musical version of William Shakespeare’s comedy as part of the Bard’s Bus Tour. Various parks from Napanee to Orillia to Ingersoll . The Bard’s Bus Tour runs Jul 19-Aug 18, see website for schedule, locations and more details. PWYC.
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The Office! A Musical Parody. (CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St.) By Bob and Tobly McSmith (Mirvish/Right Angle Entertainment). See the daily lives of the employees of a paper sales company in this musical parody of hit TV show The Office. Opens Jul 30 and runs to Aug 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $45-$79.
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Waitress. (Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St.) By Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson (Mirvish). A server/expert pie-maker dreams of escaping her small town and rocky marriage. July 9-Aug 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Matinees Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $59-$179.
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Walking on Bombshells. (Second City, 51 Mercer St.) Second City’s 82nd MainStage Revue features Allana Reoch, PHATT Al, Chris Wilson, Sharjil Rasool, Stacey McGunnigle and Nadine Djoury. From toxic masculinity to turtle murder, this show turns our universal internal monologues into reflections that probably shouldn’t even be legal to say out loud. Runs to Sep 8: Tue-Thu 8 pm; Fri 7:30 pm; Sat 10 pm (and 7:30 pm, starting Jul 27); Sun 7:30 pm. See website for more days and times, exceptions and to buy tickets. $27 & up
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And Everything Else:
Art. (Soulpepper Theatre Young Centre for the Performing Arts – Distillery District). Friendships are tested when a man’s friends react to his purchase of an expensive painting. Preview shows Aug 9-14, opens Aug 15 and runs to Sep 1, see website for times. $38-$98.
Show Info
D&D Live! The Legend of T’Rannah. (Bad Dog Theatre, 875 Bloor W.) A bi-weekly Wednesday evening live, improvised love letter to the most popular role-playing game of all time, D&D Live is adventure comedy at its finest, brought to you by multi-award winning comedy company Sex T-Rex! Armed with their Player’s Handbooks (the show program), audiences will be called upon to take up the giant, twenty-sided Die of Power to determine the fates of the heroes! August 7 (1st & 3rd Wednesday each month) 8:00pm. $10(online or at the door), $8 In Costume (door only).
Show Info
FEELINGS Open Mic Night. (Social Capital, 154 Danforth.) FEELINGS is an open mic show held on the 2nd Saturday of each month prioritizing space for LGBTQ2IAS+ folks QPOC POC WOC femme comedians. We invite performers of all levels of experience to take the stage and FEEL the FEELS. ALL. THE. FEELS. And not just feels but feeeeelz, you know? SENSATIONS, MOODS, E-MO-TIONS, feel me? Come and share it all and feel it ALL–tall, big, small feelings and everything else in between. August 10, 10:00pm. Free
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Herbeaver presents: Bush Party. (Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W.) Herbeaver’s style of comedy ranges from total absurdity to calculated social commentary. They indulge in mocking the world around them at every opportunity, using musical comedy, satire, and absolute idiocy; and they always keep it fast-paced, feminist, and in your face. Join them on the first Thursday of every month for new material to always keep you laughing. Aug 8, 8:00pm. $12.00
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Hookup. (Bad Dog Theatre, 875 Bloor W.) Bad Dog Theatre presents a weekly Saturday evening improvised romantic comedy based on the lives of two random audience members. Aug 10, 9:30 pm. $12-$20.
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Jillian Jiggs. (Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood.) Jillian and her pals dress up and go on adventures in this family show based on the books by Phoebe Gilman. For ages 4 and up. July 6-Sep 2, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22.60.
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A Night at the Improv. (Social Capital, 154 Danforth.) Join some of our favourite improvisers in a narrative, character-driven long-form set every Sunday evening! Aug 11, 7:00pm. PWYC
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Pirate Life 2019. (Pirate Life Toronto, 333 Lake Shore Blvd E.) Children’s interactive adventure theatre show aboard a 50-foot pirate ship that sails along the harbour. Kids get pirate names, dress in costumes & face paint, fire water cannons and search for sunken treasure. May 4 – Oct 13, see website for schedule. $27.
Show Info
PRIDE LGBTQ+ Comedy Show. (Comedy Bar. 945 Bloor W. ). A weekly showcase that focuses in on the diverse, eclectic, intersectional voices of the 2SLGBTQQIAA+ Rainbow. Week by week the queer comedy community will lift up community members by celebrating each individual letter of the Rainbow. As a community we are our strongest when we stand together. Tuesdays 8:00pm. $10 advance, $15 at the door.
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Summerworks Performance Festival. (Various Shows & Venues). Annual juried festival of theatre, dance and performance art. Aug 8-18. Check out the Summerworks Performance Schedule.
Festival Info
Working Women Comedy. (Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W.) August edition of the queer-focused comedy show w/ headliner Al Val, Michelle Collins, Ben Stager, Jin Lee and others. Aug 6, 8 pm. $10 advance, $15 at the door.
Show Info
Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.