Shows That Caught Our Eyes in Toronto the Week of August 31st, 2015
There are plenty of great theatre options to choose from this week. We’ve highlighted those we’d most like to see in red text. Check it out below the cut!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
** Jeffrey by Paul Rudnick (Capricorn 9 Productions). A gay actor/waiter swears off sex after too much drama, then meets the man of his dreams. Opens Aug 27 and runs to Sep 5, Thu-Fri 8 pm (and Aug 29), matinees Aug 30 and Sep 5 at 2 pm. $20. Red Sandcastle Theatre 922 Queen E Show Info
Keeper by Tanisha Taitt (Fine Wine Theatre). Two women are bonded and blistered by death, doubt and distance. Opens Aug 25 and runs to Aug 31, daily at 8 pm. $22, stu $18. Artscape Youngplace 180 Shaw Show Info
** Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper (Mirvish). A man inherits a shoe company and teams up with a drag queen in this musical based on the 2005 film. Previews from Jun 16, opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 27, see website for schedule and prices. Show Info
** Shakespeare in High Park: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage/York U MFA Program). The tale of ambition, lust and betrayal is performed outdoors on alternating nights with The Comedy Of Errors. Previews from Jul 2, opens Jul 16 and runs to Sep 6, see website for schedule. Pwyc ($25 reserved). Show Info
** Shakespeare in High Park: Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage/York U MFA Program). With the most recent graduates of the York University-Canadian Stage MFA program, and one sparkling cast, here’s your opportunitiy to take in this summer tradition under the stars in the High Park Amphitheatre. Runs to Sep 6, see website for schedule. Pwyc ($25 reserved). Show Info
And the Rest:
Americandream.ca. Théâtre la Tangente presents the second chapter of a trilogy by Claude Guilmain. A French-Canadian family gather for a birthday party but are unsettled by information about an ancestor they never knew in this multidisciplinary show with English audio translation. Sep 3-5, Thu-Fri 8 pm (Part 2 ), Sat 6 pm (Parts 1 & 2); Saturday show followed by a panel discussion on the vitality of Franco-Ontarian dramaturgy. Tickets $25-$50. Glendon Campus 2275 Bayview Show Info
Babelle et Barbarie Collectif BUS 1.2.3. presents a multimedia and multilingual theatre performance. Live video, live music, humour and visual poetry are used in the search for meaning in a cacophony of media. Sep 2-5, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Winchester Street Theatre 80 Winchester, Toronto, Ontario M4X 1B2 Show Info
** Big Plans. by Jeremy Taylor (Theatre Brouhaha/Storefront Arts Initiative). Two men meet on the internet and look to turn fantasy into gruesome reality in this dark comedy based on the story of the Rotenburg Cannibal. Opens Sep 3 and runs to Sep 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, Sep 9 pwyc. The Storefront Theatre 955 Bloor W, Show Info
The Bicycle Opera Project: Shadow Box Bicycle-commuting singers present eight contemporary opera scenes with one vision: exploring our mind’s relationship to memory. Sep 5 at 8 pm. $17. Also Sep 4 at Curbside Cycle (412 Bloor W); and Sep 6 at Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview). See website for details and to buy tickets. Music Gallery 197 John Show Info
Empire. Spiegelworld presents burlesque artists, live musicians, foot jugglers, contortionists, daredevil roller skaters and others create a 21st-century circus/cabaret spectacle. Previews from Sep 1, opens Sep 8 and runs to Sep 27, Tue-Wed & Fri-Sat 8 pm; Thu-Sat 10 pm (except Sep 3 at 8 pm); Sun 7 pm. $45-$129. Spiegeltent at Harbourfront 318 Queens Quay W, at Rees Show Info
Full House the Musical! A Tanner Family Parody! by Bob and Tobly McSmith (Starvox Entertainment). Wholesome dad Danny Tanner discovers his dark side in this unauthorized musical parody of the late 80s/early 90s sitcom. Previews from Aug 18, opens Aug 26 and runs to Sep 6, Tue-Fri 7 pm, Sat-Sun 4 & 8 pm. $30-$100 At
Randolph Theatre 736 Bathurst Street (1 block south of Honest Ed’s)
** The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown (Vanier College Productions). All-female version of the musical about two New Yorkers in their 20s who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. Opens Aug 28 and runs to Sep 6, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu $12. At Fred Thury Studio Theatre, 258 Vanier College. Tickets can be purchased online until 4 hours prior to curtain on the day of the performance, or at the door (cash only) subject to availability starting one hour prior to the start of the performance. To reach the theatre, take the stairs or elevator on the east side of Vanier College to the second floor. Show Info
Happy Place by Pamela Mala Sinha (Soulpepper Theatre). This play looks at seven women living amidst each other in extraordinary of circumstances. Previews from Sep 4, opens Sep 10 and runs to Oct 17, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane Show Info
** Holodeck Follies. The Dandies present their improvised Star Trek adventure based on audience suggestion. With variety acts Ron Sparks, Elizabeth Rose Morriss and Rocket Scientists. 8 pm. $10. The Social Capital Theatre 154 Danforth, Show Info
The Play’s the Thing by Ferenc Molnár, adapted by PG Wodehouse (Soulpepper Theatre). A playwright schemes to save a relationship and his operetta in this romantic comedy. Previews from Sep 2, opens Sep 9 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts50 Tank House Lane
The Second City Fall 2015 Mainstage Revue. Previews of Second City’s latest sketch comedy revue. Preview performances begin July 14. Tickets starting at $25. Performances every Tuesday to Sunday. Official Opening in August (date tbd). Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm. $25, stu $16-$18. Show Info
** Superhero! A Bam! Zap! Pow! Murder Mystery Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre presents an interactive dinner-theatre whodunit set at a superhero convention. Runs to Oct 31, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for mats. $37-$87. Show Info
Under the Big Top Famous People Players presents a black light theatre show for all ages about the magic of the circus. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Oct 28, Tue-Sat, call/see website for times. Show Info
Vampire Campfire A silly gang of ghouls spend summer at a remedial camp for monsters in this all-ages interactive music and sketch show. To Sep 3, Wed-Thu 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. Show Info
** Varekai (Cirque du Soleil). A young man parachutes down into the shadows of a magical forest at the summit of a volcano in this show featuring acrobatics, music, dance and design. Opens Sep 2 and runs to Sep 6, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 5 pm, mats Fri-Sat 4 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $50-$120. Air Canada Centre 40 Bay Show Info
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage listings.