Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of November 6th, 2017
Toronto’s post-Halloween lineup is as abundant as the autumnal harvest, with numerous new shows opening this week. Our publisher Megan is here to choose her most anticipated shows are highlighted (in red). Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
Bat out of Hell The Musical. Mirvish presents the rock ‘n’ roll musical by Jim Steinman (producers: David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox and Tony Smith). A young rebel falls in love with the daughter of a powerful man in a post-apocalyptic world in this rock ‘n’ roll musical. Previews from Oct 14, opens Oct 25 and runs to Dec 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $29-$139. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Simon Stephens, adapted from the novel by Mark Haddon (The National Theatre/Mirvish). A 15-year old math genius on the autism spectrum comes under suspicion for the killing of his neighbour’s dog. Previews from Oct 10, opens Oct 15 and runs to Nov 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $38-$149. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.
VOLTA by Bastien Alexandre (Cirque du Soleil). Theatrical spectacle about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail featuring music, dance, acrobatic arts and BMX bike stunts. Opens Sep 7 and runs to Nov 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm (and some Tuesdays), mat Sat 4:30 pm (and some Fridays), Sun 1:30 & 5 pm. $49-$300. At Big Top (Lakeshore/Cherry Street). Show Info.
Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) by Rose Napoli (Nightwood Theatre/Crow’s Theatre). A feminist retake on a student/teacher relationship, wrestling with burgeoning sexuality and consent, literature and passion, right and wrong. Previews from Oct 25, opens Oct 28 and runs to Nov 11, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20-$25. Presented as part of The Consent Event, a play series and symposium navigating the minefield of modern sexuality. At The Streetcar Crowsnest. Show Info.
And everything else:
Trace by Jeff Ho (b current performing arts/Factory). This play follows three generations of mother and son from the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong to Canada in the 21st century. Written and performed by Jeff Ho, this stimulating chamber play offers a new look into the lasting implications of sacrifice across generations. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm (and Nov 12 at 7 pm), Sun 2 pm. $30-$50, previews $20. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar (Mirvish/the Hope and Hell Theatre Co). Despite liberal and progressive leanings, everyone at a multicultural NYC dinner party reveals their “tribal” roots. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 14 and runs to Nov 26 Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, Nov 15 at 1:30 pm. $39-$92. At Panasonic Theatre. Show Info.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (Hart House Theatre). Teachers and contestants at a small-town spelling bee wonder if winning is everything in this musical comedy. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Nov 25, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 25 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. At Hart House Theatre. Show Info.
Beauty and the Beast. Young People’s Theatre’s Production of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton. The musical based on the Disney film about hope and being your authentic self is brought to the stage. For ages 5 and up. Previews from Nov 6, opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 31, see website for schedule. $10-$49. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
You’ll Get Use To It: The War Show by Peter Colley (Curtain Call Players). This Canadian musical follows 6 men from training to D-Day with a mixture of comedy and tragedy. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 11, Nov 3-4 & 9-10 at 8 pm, mat Nov 4-5 & 11 at 2 pm. $28. At Fairview Library Theatre. Show Info.
Grimly Handsome by Julia Jarcho (Theatre Animal). This triptych of urban stories features two unusual Christmas tree salesmen, two cops following a serial killer and a vacant lot that transforms people in ways they never thought possible. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and Nov 12), matinees Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $25, stu/arts workers $20. At The Assembly Theatre. Show Info.
Broken Glass by Arthur Miller (TEATRON Jewish Theatre). A Jewish couple in 1938 Brooklyn are profoundly affected by news reports about the horrific events of Kristallnacht. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Nov 18, see website for times. $36-$48. Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.
Mr. Shi and his Lover by Wong Teng Chi and Njo Kong Kie (Macau Experimental Theatre/Music Picnic/Point of View Art Assoc). Chinese opera and vintage pop are used to tell the story of an espionage scandal in which a French diplomat falls in love with a mysterious opera singer. Previews from Nov 7, opens Nov 15 and runs to Dec 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat & Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Daughter. QuipTake and Pandemic Theatre present a play written and performed by Adam Lazarus. In this darkly satirical solo show about toxic masculinity, a man raised in patriarchy is trying to operate as a father. Previews Nov 7-8, opens Nov 9 and runs to Nov 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm (and Nov 19), mat Nov 12 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $22, preview $17 (limited rush pwyc previews available, cash only). At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.
The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia? Soulpepper Theatre Company presents the provocative play by Edward Albee. A married architect falls in love with a goat in this play about infidelity and taboos. Albee invites us to a contemporary Greek tragedy with his trademark subversive humour. Previews from Nov 1, opens Nov 8 and runs to Nov 18, see website for schedule. $35-$95. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Grease The Musical by Jim Jacob and Warren Casey (Irregular Entertainment). The original high-school musical set in the 1950s deals with themes of first love, friendship and themes of identity. Previews from Nov 1, opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 10, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $29-$159. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.
Matt and Ben by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers (Radioactive Ladybird Productions). This fast-paced buddy comedy follows Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (both portrayed by women) as they face a dilemma: the script for Good Will Hunting just fell from the sky – will anyone believe they wrote it? Nov 2-4, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15, at the door or via mattbento.bpt.me. #MattBenTO. At The Commons Space. Show Info.
Reflector. Theatre Gargantua celebrates its 25th Season with the premiere of a new work by Michael Spence. This multimedia work explores the power of image in our techno-connected world as it follows four people processing a soul-shattering photograph. Previews Nov 2, opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 18, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20-$28. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
My Name is Asher Lev by Aaron Posner (Studio 180 Theatre/Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company). A young Jewish artist is torn between his Hasidic upbringing and his need to fulfill his creative promise. Previews from Nov 4, opens Nov 9 and runs to Nov 26, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Nov 12 & 19 at 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm (and Nov 23), Sun 2 pm. $TBA. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.
Evita by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Scarborough Music Theatre). Eva Duarte rises from poverty to become the Argentine president’s wife in this musical. Previews, Nov 2, opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 18, Thu-Sat 8 pm (no evening show Nov 18), mat Nov 5, 12 and 18 at 2 pm. $30, preview $23. At The Scarborough Village Theatre. Show Info.
Curious George and the Golden Meatball. by John Kavanaugh and Jeremy Desmon (Lower Ossington Theatre). The mischievous monkey from kids’ books tries to help his chef friend win a cooking competition in this all-ages musical. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Nov 26, Sat 1 pm, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $30-$40. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Nov 26, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 4 pm. $55-$65. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Dreamgirls by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger. (LOT). A Black female trio from Chicago become superstars in this musical based on the aspirations and successes of R&B acts of the 60s and 70s. Opens Sep 8 and runs to Nov 19, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 4 pm. $55-$75. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.