Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of December 5th
This week features more than a few Christmas and Holiday themed shows, a Broadway-bound musical, Burlesque, and Peter Pan… in a Brewery! This week our publisher Megan is here to pick out a few that caught her eye in red text. Check them out below the cut:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Comfort by Diana Tso (Red Snow Collective). A young woman and a man find friendship in their shared love of opera while enduring sexual slavery in WWII Shanghai. Previews Nov 25, opens Nov 26 and runs to Dec 10. Tue Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15-$28, Tue PWYC. At Daniels Spectrum. Show Info.
Black Boys (Saga Collectif/BIBT). Through dance, poetry, scripted scenes and conversation Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Tawiah M’Carthy and Thomas Olajide explore how Black male bodies encounter the world and one another. Previews from Nov 19, opens Nov 24 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$39, Sun pwyc at the door. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.
The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno (Tarragon). This play about neighbouring couples with the same last name explores the extraordinary heroism of the everyday. Previews from Nov 9, opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (see website for other matinee dates and times). $22-$65. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the Sep 11 terrorist attacks. Nov 15-Jan 8. Opens Nov 15 and runs to Jan 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$150. At the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.
The Damage Done by George F Walker (Canadian Rep Theatre). This drama explores a messy love affair and a couple’s mid-life crises. Previews from Nov 19, opens Nov 22 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $26-$32, stu/srs from $21, preview $16, Sun pwyc at the door. At The Citadel. Show Info.
Seussical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (YPT). This all-ages musical is based on the classic books of Dr. Seuss. Opens Nov 14 and runs to Dec 30, see website for schedule. $10-$41. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
Who Killed Spalding Gray? By Daniel MacIvor and Daniel Brooks (reWork/Canadian Stage). MacIvor channels the American monologist in this solo show about truth and lies and the four most important things in life. Previews Nov 30, opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mats Dec 7 and 11 at 1 pm. $39-$69. At Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.
A Better Place by Ramona Baillie (Lily Rose Productions). A widow with a vibrant life is shaken by a life-altering diagnosis. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (LOT). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Jan 29, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm (no shows Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1). $50-$60. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
The Peter Pan Brewery Tour by JM Barrie (Bad Hats Theatre). This folk-music adaptation of the classic tale is performed in various brewpubs Dec 2-10 (see website for all locations and performance schedule). At Left Field Brewery. Dec 6 and 7 at 7 pm. $20, 17 & under $10. Show Info.
And the rest:
Toronto Monologue Slam: Season Finale XVI. The acting showcase celebrates its 5th anniversary. Dec 11 at 6 pm. $10-$15. At The Den. Show Info.
Songbook Series Vol 16: The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber. TPM After Hours Series and the Family Band present a musical cabaret. 10:30 pm. $10-$12.50. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
Kitty Nights Burlesque: House of Noire. Two Dames Productions presents a live interactive burlesque & cabaret show with saucy burlesque teasers, brassy singers, boylesque, circus, go-go dancers and a legendary after party. Starring Perle Noire, Ava Noir, Belle Jumelles, Betsy Swoon, Zyra Lee Vanity and others. After party w/ DJ Johnny B Goode. Doors 9:30 pm, show 10:30 pm, after party from 12:30 am. $15 general admission, VIP tables for two $80. At Revival. Show Info.
Silenced. HERstoryCounts presents 7 diverse female-identified womyn performing 10-minute autobiographical monologues. Dec 8-11, Thu-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Show Info.
It’s a Wonderful Life by Philip Grecian (Soulpepper). Based on Frank Capra’s 1946 film, the holiday classic is reimagined as a 1940s live-radio broadcast. Opens Dec 9 and runs to Dec 24, see website for schedule. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 24, see website for schedule. $32-$96. At the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (Civic Light-Opera Co). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 11, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Dec 10). $28. At Zion Cultural Centre. Show Info.
Sister Act by Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater (LOT). A wannabe diva hides out in a convent after witnessing a crime. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Jan 29, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm (no shows Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1). $60-$70. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
The Man In Black. Shawn Barker performs his theatrical tribute to Johnny Cash. Opens Nov 29 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $39-$79. At The Panasonic Theatre. Show Info.
Twist Your Dickens. Second City presents an interactive seasonal satire on the story of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and three outrageous ghosts. Previews from Dec 2, opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 30, most shows Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm, see website for other times. $25-$90. At Greenwin Theatre, Toronto Centre for the Arts Show Info.
Still/Falling by Rachel Aberle (YPT). Realistic, honest and comedic look at the difference between teen angst and mental illness. Opens Nov 22 and runs to Dec 9, see website for times. $10-$34. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
Wintersong – Dances For A Sacred Season. Harbourfront NextSteps presents Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre’s annual seasonal show, now in its 29th year, including works by Colin Connor and Ryan Lee. Dec 9-10, Fri 8 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22.50-$38. At Fleck Dance Theatre. Show Info.
Munsch All Over. George Brown Theatre presents stage shows based on stories by children’s author Robert Munsch. Dec 3 and 10 at 10:30 am and 1 pm. $20, srs $15, stu/child $8. At Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.