Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of January 20, 2020
Not that I am a winter superfan, but I admit I had been yearning a bit for a crisp white snowy day. With the weather the past few weeks, it had been hard to remember what season it is! I do miss the idyllic winter I remember from childhood. And my kids missed making snowmen and tobogganing… and the hot chocolate and marshmallows afterward.
The thing adult me enjoys most about winter though is all of the amazing theatre. And we are in the midst of one of the best theatre seasons in awhile (in my opinion!). This week it’s our erstwhile Publisher Megan’s opportunity to let you know what shows this week have her itching to hit a theatre this week. Check out Megan’s ‘red’ listing of things that caught her attention and head out to see a show!
Already Reviewed by MoT:
Casimir & Caroline (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by Ödön von Horváth (The Howland Company). At a glitzy Toronto rooftop office party, two star-crossed lovers navigate clingy co-workers, the playboy boss and more in this play about love in the cold atmosphere of modern capitalism. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Feb 9, see website for schedule. $25-$40.
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Come From Away (Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge) by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Continuing at the Elgin after an 11-month run at the Royal Alex: Dec 13, 2019 to Mar 1, 2020, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for holiday performance schedule and other schedule exceptions). $39-$169, limited rush $25 (premium tickets also available).
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If I Could #Throwback Time (Second City, 51 Mercer). Second City’s 83rd sketch comedy revue basks in the neon glow of nostalgia, mining comedy gold from ancient treasures like old school video games, Power Rangers and Canada’s long, complicated history of sweeping social injustices. Previews from Sep 10. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Mar 1: Tue-Thu 8 pm; Fri 7:30 pm; Sat 7:30 & 10 pm. See website for more days and times, exceptions and to buy tickets. $28 & up.
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Julius Caesar (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by William Shakespeare (Crow’s Theatre/Groundling Theatre Company). Alarmed at their leader’s populist, authoritarian reforms, a coalition of educated elites conspire to bring him down. Previews from Jan 7, opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$55.
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Legally Blonde: The Musical (Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle) by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin, Heather Hach (Hart House Theatre). Musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 1 at 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15.
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Midsummer Night’s Dream (Buddies in Bad Time Theatre, 12 Alexander). Theatre Rusticle presents an imagistic and and physically poetic interpretation of William Shakespeare’s iconic tale. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Jan 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$30, some rush PWYC available.
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The Phantom of the Opera (Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W) by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cameron Mackintosh). New production of Webber’s iconic musical. Jan 8-Feb 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$230.
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Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman) by Hannah Moscovitch (Tarragon). The archetypal “student-teacher romance” gets turned on its head and re-envisioned for the post-#MeToo era. Previews from Dec 31, opens Jan 8 and runs to Feb 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm & some Weds 1:30 pm, see website for more info and tickets. $22-$70. MainSpace.
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Sweat (Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley) by Lynn Nottage (Canadian Stage). Tensions threaten a group of steel mill workers when the company starts hiring non-union workers for less money. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Feb 2, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$79.
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And Everything Else:
8 Minutes 17 Seconds (Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W). Blue Ceiling Dance presents a new dance creation by Lucy Rupert. The length of time it takes light to travel from the Sun to Earth is the launching point for this kaleidoscopic contemporary dance theatre work, exploring the metaphors and soul of cosmology, the behaviour of light in space and the implications of 8:17 on our sense of mortality. Jan 23-26, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$30.
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The Art of Magic (Super Wonder Gallery, 584 College). The Toronto Magic Company presents Mark Correia headlining two nights of art and illusions performed by professional magicians. Jan 22 & 23 at 8 pm (doors 7:30 pm). $25.
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The Barber of Seville (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W) by Gioachino Rossini (Canadian Opera Company). A barber helps a nobleman woo his true love in this Italian comic opera. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 7, see website for schedule. $35-$225, box seats $350.
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Dance Ontario DanceWeekend ’20 (Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W). Dance Ontario presents the annual feast of globally inspired dance, featuring 20 professional companies, hundreds of performers and world premieres by Tracey Norman and Maddie Hansen. Companies include The Parahumans, Little Pear Garden Dance Company, Sashar Zarif Dance Theatre, tiger princess dance projects, Jade’s Hip Hop Academy, Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company and more. January 25-26, Sat 1-7:30 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. $15, children 8 and under free.
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The Ethnic Rainbow: A QPOC Comedian Showcase (Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W). The Ethnic Rainbow is Canada’s first & only live comedy show featuring exclusively queer comedians of colour, with Anasimone George, Ben Sosa Wright, Brendan D’Souza, Rush Zilla and host Brandon Ash-Mohammed. Jan 25 at 9:30 pm. $10 online, $15 door, stu $5.
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The Ghost Project (Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W). Unit 5 Theatre Collective presents a play created and performed by Karie Richards. When a person dies, does it mean they no longer exist? Featuring verbatim accounts of encounters with the spirit world, this documentary solo show invites the audience into an engaging conversation about life and what may come after. Opens Jan 21 and runs to Jan 26, Tue-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $18-$30.
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Hookup (Bad Dog Company Theatre, 875 Bloor W). Bad Dog Theatre presents improvised romantic comedy based on the lives of two random audience members. Jan 25 at 9:30 pm, upstairs. $20, stu/arts workers $15.
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Jesus Hopped the A Train (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House). When justice locks you up, what sets you free? Two notorious men await trial for murder, only to discover justice and goodness where it is least expected. Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Adly Guirgis delivers an uncompromising drama about contradiction, contrition, and hypocrisy. Previews Jan 23, opens Jan 30 and runs to Feb 23, see website for showtimes. $25 – $98.
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Living With Olivia Cadence Donovan (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House) by Allison Shea Reed (RedWit Theatre). This play explores the inner life of a young woman struggling with OCD and shines a light on the people in her life that love her. Previews Jan 14, opens Jan 15 and runs to Jan 25, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$35.
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Marjorie Prime (Coal Mine Theatre, 1454 Danforth) by Jordan Harrison (Coal Mine Theatre). It’s the age of artificial intelligence, and 85-year-old Marjorie has a handsome new companion who’s programmed to feed the story of her life back to her. Previews from Jan 26, opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 16, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $47.50-$55.50, previews/rush $25.
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Mother’s Daughter (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House). Soulpepper Theatre presents a play by Kate Hennig. The story of Bloody Mary and the battle for the Tudor throne is presented as a contemporary exploration of women and power. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 16 and runs to Feb 9, see website for schedule. $25-$98.
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My Mother’s Lesbian Wiccan Jewish Wedding (Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W). Mirvish presents a one-night-only, 10th anniversary staging of the musical by David Hein and Irene Sankoff. This dual coming of age story of a son and his mother, who undergoes a major life change. Jan 21 at 8 pm. $29-$99, gala premium $150.
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Patience: A G&S Opera (St. Anne’s Anglican Church, 270 Gladstone). St. Anne’s Music & Drama Society presents a comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is a satire on the aesthetic movement of the 1870s and 80s in England and on fads, superficiality, vanity, hypocrisy and pretentiousness. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 2, Thu-Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$30.
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RICE – Asian Comedy Show: Chinese New Year Special (Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front W). Ron Josol hosts this special edition of the comedy show, featuring Vong Show, Cassie Cao, Jennifer Hsiung and Leonard Chan. Jan 24 at 7:30 pm. $40-$75.
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Roses & Thorns (Bad Dog Theatre Company, 875 Bloor W). Bad Dog Theatre Company is delighted to announce the world premiere of Roses & Thorns, an original unscripted comedy that invites the audience to reflect on the highs and lows of their day as the expert cast transforms those memories into big laughs. Roses & Thorns is an improvised comedy aimed at audiences looking for a shot of optimism to fend off the winter blues and kick off the new year with a hopeful lens. Fri (Jan 10, 17, 24, 31) at 9:30 pm. $15, stu/arts workers $10.
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The Second City Totally Likes You (Second City, 51 Mercer). The Second City aims Cupid’s bow at dating, sex, meet-cutes and meet-uglies in this hormone-charged show that marries classic archive material with brand new swipes at relationships. Jan 11-Mar 30, Mon 8 pm, Sat-Sun 4 pm.
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Send Noobs (Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College). Comedy show w/ Yaw Attuah, Surer Deria, Che Durena, Jennifer Hsiung, Karine Kazan, Emily Poulin, Nicole Witherall and Emma Wooley. Jan 21 at 8 pm. $5.
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Shift (Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester). ACE Dance Theatre presents premieres by Tara Pillon, Liana Bellissimo & Alysa Pires. Jan 24-26, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 1 & 6 pm. $20-$35.
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StoryFusion Cabaret: Hidden in Plain Sight (Centre for Social Innovation Annex, 720 Bathurst). Lynn Torrie and Eden Nameri break the silence around the LGBTQ world by unearthing its presence in traditional tales. Jan 25 at 8 pm. $20.
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Suitcase/Adrenaline (Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson) by Ahmad Meree (Theatre Mada/TPM). This drama examines the lives of refugees and the series of liminal spaces they inhabit. Previews from Jan 16, opens Jan 21 and runs to Feb 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $17-$38.
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This is How We Got Here (Aki Studio, 585 Dundas E. #120) by Keith Barker (Native Earth Performing Arts). Struggling after a tragedy, a quartet of sisters and spouses meet a mysterious fox with a curious gift. Previews from Jan 26, opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$30, previews $15, Tue PWYC.
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The Trip to Bountiful (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley) by Horton Foote (Alumnae Theatre Company). An elderly woman longs to return to her idealized home town. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $25, Sun PWYC.
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Women of Comedy (The Social Capital, 154 Danforth). Comedy Nuggets presents an all-female stand-up show. Jan 25 at 8pm. $15 adv, $20 at the door.
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Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.