Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of December 7th, 2015
If you love A Christmas Carol, then boy, is this the week for you! No less than four adaptations of the classic tale by Charles Dickens are playing this week. For the ultimate holiday thrill, why not marathon them all? If you’re looking for something different, though, there’s still plenty to pick from, and we’ve highlighted our most anticipated picks in red text. Here are the weekly picks:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Click-bait and Switch The Second City presents its Fall MainStage Revue featuring sketches, songs and improv. Indefinite run, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, late shows Fri-Sat 10:30 pm. $16-$35. Show Info.
Wormwood by Andrew Kushnir (Tarragon Theatre). A man travels to Ukraine to the elections following the Orange Revolution and falls for a local woman. Soon he finds himself becoming an unexpected player in the country’s fractured politics. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (select Sat mats at 2:30 pm on Nov 21, Nov 28, Dec 5; select Wed mats at 1:30 pm on Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 9 and Dec 16). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. Tarragon MainSpace. Show Info.
Domesticated by Bruce Norris (Canadian Stage). A popular politician is discovered by police at the bedside of an injured prostitute. Nov 17-Dec 13. $TBA. Show Info.
The Castle by Howard Barker (Storefront Theatre). Male warriors come home to find the kingdom overrun by feminism in this play about gender, sexuality and religion. Nov 26-Dec 13, details TBA. Show Info.
Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler (Young People’s Theatre). A young boy struggles to be heard in this musical adaptation of Richler’s classic book. Opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 20, see website for schedule. $10-$41. Show Info.
Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones (Irish Stage Company). Inhabitants of a small town in Ireland cope with the presence of a Hollywood film crew trying to film scenes of idyllic rural life in this tragicomedy. Opens Nov 26 and runs to Dec 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Show Info.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Mirvish presents the Tony-award winning Broadway musical based on the fairy tale. Dec 1-Jan 10, see website for times. $35-$200. Show Info.
Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (LOT). Judas makes a choice between Jesus and the Roman rulers in this musical. Opens Dec 3 and runs to Dec 27, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm , mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm (no shows Dec 24-26). Show Info.
Munsch-O-Mania. Based on the stories of Robert Munsch (George Brown Theatre). George Brown’s 29th annual children’s show once again celebrates the world of Robert Munsch. Public shows Dec 5 and 12, Sat 10:30 am and 1 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Magic, Famous People Players black light theatre company presents an all-ages seasonal production. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 2, see website for times. $40-$68 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (Lower Ossington Theatre). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by author Jane O’Connor. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 31, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45, family packs $84-$124. Show Info.
Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale (Starvox Entertainment). A heavy metal band sell their souls to the devil in exchange for success but soon realize that fame is no match for the Christmas spirit. Opens Nov 17 and runs to Jan 3, 2016, Tue-Thu 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, mats Sat-2 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $40-$100. Show Info.
Spy School!: Mission Ridiculous. Written by Danny Wengle, Ken MacDougall, Brian Caws & the Cast, presented by Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre. James Bond and other secret agents go back to school in this interactive dinner-theatre show. Runs to Mar 26, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for other matinees & shows (no shows Dec 25-26). $45-$87. Show Info.
Peter Pan: The 20th Anniversary Family Musical Panto-Monium! (Ross Petty Productions). Petty makes his final appearance as the villain in the annual holiday musical panto production. Previews from Nov 27, opens Dec 3 and runs to Jan 3, 2016, see website for schedule. $27-$99. Show Info.
P@ndora by Sarah Berthiaume (Young People’s Theatre). An online foray reveals the disturbing world of cyber-porn and exacerbates a 16 year-old girl’s self-image issues. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 11, see website for schedule. $19-$24. Show Info.
Mistletoe Magic. Famous People Players black light theatre company presents an all-ages seasonal production. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 2, see website for times. $40-$68 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
The Wild Duck Project (Re:Current Theatre Company). Contemporary adaptation and deconstruction from Henrik Ibsen’s play The Wild Duck. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 13, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Show Info.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Dec 3 and runs to Jan 3, see website for schedule. $39-$89. Show Info.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry (LOT). Frank Capra’s holiday film is adapted as a 1940s radio play. Opens December 3 and runs to Dec 24, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $45. Show Info.
The Christmas Story. Church of the Holy Trinity presents a nativity pageant tradition that spans 78 years. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present the story of the birth of Jesus. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Dec 20, Fri 7:30 pm (and Dec 12, 19-20), Sat-Sun 4:30 pm. $20, child $5 (suggested donation). Sign language interpretation available at some performances. Reservations are recommended via thechristmasstory.ca or call 416-598-4521 ext. 301 to reserve. The church is fully wheelchair accessible. Show Info.
Shut Up, It’s Christmas! (Lola Kringle/Thom Allison). Kringle & Allison perform a holiday-themed musical theatre cabaret. Dec 5 & 11 at 8 pm. $17.50-$20. Show Info.
The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe (Cameron Mackintosh). Super-sized staging of the iconic musical about love and obsession in 19th century Paris. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Jan 23, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 1 pm (see website for holiday schedule). $59-$210. Show Info.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (John D Huston). Huston performs and the MadriGALS sing in this theatrical adaptation of the tale. Dec 8 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg).
A Christmas Carol. Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church and Harbord Village Residents’ Association present a benefit reading of the Charles Dickens classic in support of the Scott Mission. Dec 8 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Show Info.
A Disney Spectacular (The Civic Light-Opera Co). This family show features a mashup of musical moments from Walt Disney movies. Opens Dec 9 and runs to Dec 20, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Dec 19). $28. Show Info.
Man To Man/Licking Knives by Manfred Karge/Melanie Hrymak (Headstrong Collective). Double bill of solo plays. Previews Dec 9, opens Dec 10 and runs to Dec 20, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25, stu $20, preview $15. TPM Backspace. Show Info.
The Naughty Nutcracker. Love Letters Cabaret presents burlesque revue about the toys that are too naughty for Santa’s bag, w/ Pastel Supernova, Kage Wolf, Ruckus, Gina Margarita, James and the Giant Pasty and others. Dec 10, shows at 7 and 10 pm. $25-$45. Show Info.
Cinderella. ARTS Mackenzie presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Tony-award winning Broadway musical based on the fairy tale. Dec 10-11 at 7 pm. $17-$23. Show Info.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry (LOT). Frank Capra’s holiday film is adapted as a 1940s radio play. Opens December 3 and runs to Dec 24, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $45. Show Info.
Tails From The City by Marjorie Chan (Common Boots Theatre). A young girl goes on a magical winter adventure when she follows a raccoon family out of her yard in this outdoor all-ages show. Previews Dec 10-12, opens Dec 14 and runs to Dec 30, daily at 7:30 pm (no shows Dec 13, 20, 24-26), plus matinees at 4:30 pm Dec 19, 21 & 23. $30, srs $22, youth 25 & under $12, preview pwyc. Show Info.
A Very Leila Christmas (Unveiled Productions). The bearded Persian performer seeks out Santa Claus in this seasonal musical theatre show with a different special guest each night. Dec 10-13, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20. Show Info.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Humber River Shakespeare Co). The timeless tale of greed, ghosts, salvation and hope comes to life onstage. Opens Dec 5 and runs to Dec 20: Dec 5 at 2 pm, Dec 10-11 at 7 pm, Dec 19 at 2 & 7 pm, Dec 20 at 7 pm. $20, child $10. See website for performances outside Toronto. Show Info.
Pippin by Roger O Hirson and Stephen Schwartz (Mainstage Theatre Company). A young prince searches for true happiness in glorious exploits, but ultimately finds it in everyday moments. Dec 11-13, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35, stu $20. Show Info.
The Christmas Story. Church of the Holy Trinity presents a nativity pageant tradition that spans 78 years. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present the story of the birth of Jesus. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Dec 20, Fri 7:30 pm (and Dec 12, 19-20), Sat-Sun 4:30 pm. $20, child $5 (suggested donation). Show Info.
To Live in the Age of Melting by evalyn parry (TPM). Work-in-progress staging of an audio/visual storytelling show that travels from Franklin’s doomed 19th century expedition to contemporary Arctic sovereignty. Dec 11-12 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc at the door. Show Info.
Tarantella the Musical. ArtWorld Studio Productions presents songs, music and dance from southern Italy and the Mediterranean in this cabaret. Dec 11-13, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$35. Show Info.
A Medieval Christmas: This is a Marvellous Hearing! Poculi Ludique Societas presents episodes from the N-Town manuscript about events leading up to the Nativity. Dec 11-12 at 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $10. Show Info.
Krampus the Original Christmas Curmudgeon by Roger Rousseau (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Santa’s mean sidekick comes to tell a little girl that she’s on the naughty list in this seasonal show for ages 4 and up. Dec 12-Jan 3, see website for schedule. $16. Show Info.
Parfumerie by Miklós László (Soulpepper Theatre). Shop clerks who don’t get along at work exchange anonymous love letters as pen pals. Opens Dec 11 and runs to Dec 27, see website for schedule. $29.50-$58. Show Info.
The Christmas Tree by Norm Foster (Baby Gumm Productions). A man and woman argue over the last tree in the lot on Christmas eve. Dec 12 at 8 pm, Dec 13 at 3 pm. $25, stu/srs $21. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings