Shows That Caught Our Eyes in Toronto the Week of September 7th, 2015

Don’t want to let go of summer yet? Neither do we. This week brings you choices of a more modernist variety, such as stories inspired by real life, and others that could have been so based. We’ve highlighted those we’d most like to see in red text. Here are the picks:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

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

**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

Blind Date When Mimi’s date for the evening fails to show up, she turns to the audience for someone brave enough to answer Love’s call. What happens next is anybody’s guess, and different each night. Plays at the Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgeman Ave.) until October 4th. Shows are Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm (with 7:15pm open lobby with cash bar) and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30pm. Tickets from $28 to $60 Tickets can be had online, by calling 416-531-1827 or in person at the box office

Hot 5 by Scotty Dont and Zoey Gould (Upside Downside Theatre). This site-specific, immersive theatre and circus performance delves into one of life’s greatest mysteries: where do emotions come from? Sep 11-13, Fri-Sun 8 pm. $30, stu/srs $22. Venue is south of the park, see website for details.  Wells Hill Park 145 Hilton  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

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 Arts  50 Tank House Lane   

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. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre 2026 Yonge, Show Info.

And the Rest:

The 20th of November by Lars Noren (Buddies In Bad Times). A young man talks about why he plans to kill as many people as possible in this drama based on the video diaries and blog of an actual German school shooter. Previews Sep 12-16 at 8 pm, opens Sep 17 and runs to Oct 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$37, Sun pwyc at the door.  Show Info

Albertine in Five Times   by Michel Tremblay, translated by Linda Gaboriau (Freelance Intern Productions). One woman, presented over five decades of her life, reflects upon a life of abuse, love, regret and happiness. Opens Sep 10 and runs to Sep 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu $10  Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse 79A St George  fiptix@gmail.com

Crawlspace  by Karen Hines (Videofag). Hines performs a darkly comedic solo show based on her experiences with home ownership. A woman buys a tiny house the perfect neighbourhood, then finds hidden defects and problems that drain her savings and threaten to ruin her life. Previews from Sep 11, opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 27, Mon-Sat 7 pm (and Sep 27). $30, stu $15.  Videofag 187 Augusta, Toronto, Ontario  Show Info

The Dead   by Anthony MacMahon (Soulpepper Studio Series). Workshop presentation of a new play based on James Joyce’s short story The Dead about tensions in an Irish family. Sep 8 and 12 at 8 pm, mat Sep 12 at 3 pm. $30. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane  Show Info

Escape From The Cursed Forest  Find clues, solve riddles and be the first to break the witch’s curse and wake the sleeping princess in this team escape game. Cosplay/dressing up encouraged, 25 teams of 6. To Sep 13, Wed-Sun 6:30 pm, matinees Sat-Sun 1 and 4 pm. $25.  Polish Combatants Hall 206 Beverley  Show Info

Filthy  Former SNL cast member Paul Brittain joins some of Bad Dog Theatre’s dirtiest minds in a crass display of racy unscripted comedy. 9:30 pm. $15.  Bad Dog Comedy Theatre 875 Bloor W   Show Info

Goldilocks: Beyond the Bears  The Cabbagetown Theatre Company presents an original play by Kim Sprenger as part of the 2015 Cabbagetown Festival. Goldilocks goes on a Toronto-based adventure with Robin Hood in this panto-style comedy for all ages. 30-minute show. Sep 12-13 at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm. $5.  200 Winchester  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

Hello Dolly by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart (The Civic Light-Opera Co). A meddlesome widow plays matchmaker in this musical. Opens Sep 9 and runs to Sep 20, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Sep 19) 2 pm. $28.  Zion Cultural Centre 1650 Finch E  http://musictheatretoronto.com/

Life as a Pomegranate   by Dawna Wightman (Red Sandcastle Theatre). A quirky Montreal actor pursues success in the U.S. despite her indifferent husband and strange neighbours. Sep 11-12 at 7 pm. $20 Red Sandcastle Theatre 922 Queen E Show Info

Milf Life Crisis Anne Marie Scheffler (Suddenly Mommy!) performs her new comedic solo play. Sep 10-12 at 9 pm. $10.  Red Sandcastle Theatre 922 Queen St East  Show Info

The One More Night Festival The Box presents successful theatre & stage productions getting an encore performance. Sep 10-13, see website for details. $15/show. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com

Sep 10:

The Woolgatherer (by William Mastrosimone; KD Productions). Sizzle And Spin (by Sandra Cardinal; Plan A Theatre Company).  Double bill, $15 both shows. 7 pm  bpt.me/2166249

Sep 11:

Meaningful Activity (by Chelsea Ferrando; Isoprox Theatre). 7:45 pm  bpt.me/830147

Nudity, Free Beer, Good For Kids (by Drew Murdoch; Wet Bullet Productions). 9:30 pm  bpt.me/216843

Sep 12:

Myra’s Story (by Brian Foster; PrACTical TheACTrics). 3:30 pm  bpt.me/2181449

(Don’t Splash) Shelley Rae (by Jaime Hernandez Lujan; Vertebrae Undone). 6 pm. bpt.me/2181420

Paleoncology (by Kira Hall, Moon Dinosaur Theatre). 7:45 pm. bpt.me/2168929

The Princess Of Porn: The Musical (by Vikki Velenosi, Me and Snow White Productions). bpt.me/2169147

Sep 13:

Kneel! Diamon Dogs (by Michael Posthumus; Mikeylikesit Productions). 4 pm. bpt.me/2169120.

Homeschool Dropout (by Adam Bryan; Red Pants Productions). 7:45 pm. bpt.me/2185004  at The Box Toronto 89 Niagara  Show Info

 

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage listings.