Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of April 29th, 2019.
MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you! Spring has finally arrived, and so has Toronto’s busiest theatre season. There are so many amazing options this week, but have no fear, assistant editor, Katee has put her top picks in red! Take a look at our list below and we guarantee you’ll find your next theatrical obsession!
Already Reviewed by MoT:
The Things I Carry. Scadding Court Community Centre. Dancemakers & Theatre Passe Muraille present a dance/theatre show by Lee Su-Feh and battery opera Performance. This performance/storytelling hybrid looks at what happens as people spread across our planet, both voluntarily and involuntarily. Previews from Apr 23, opens Apr 24 and runs to Apr 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$33.
Hand To God. Coal Mine Theatre. by Robert Askins (Coal Mine Theatre). A Texas widow running a church puppet club must deal with a satanic sock puppet in this blasphemous black comedy. Previews from Apr 21, opens Apr 24 and runs to May 12, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $42.50, previews/rush $25.
The Sad Blisters. The Commons Theatre. Glass Hammer Productions presents a comedy by Andrew Batten. Serial monogamist Joanne is getting married – again. And she wants her sisters to wear their bridesmaid dresses from her previous weddings. And Aunt Sara’s been getting free samples from the bar. What could possibly go wrong? Opens Apr 12 and runs to Apr 27, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs/arts workers $15.
Blood + Soil. Theatre Passe Muraille. Theatre Artaud presents a surrealist parable by Rouvan Silogix. A small town in Quebec secedes from Canada to create their own utopia, “Tanganyika”. Ideals descend into chaos as the town becomes the focal point of an attempted revolution amidst unconscious forces and helpless accomplices that take possession of the town. Lord Of The Flies meets Ionesco. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 5, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $18-$75.
And Everything Else:
Antigone. Young People’s Theatre. Antigone 方 by Jeff Ho (YPT). Adaptation of the Greek myth inspired by Hong Kong’s 2014 student umbrella protest and the 1989 uprising in Tiananmen Square. Previews from Apr 29, opens May 2 and runs to May 16, see website for times. $10-$39. Recommended for Grades 7-12 / ages 12 and up.
Traversée (Passage). Berkeley Street Theatre. by Estelle Savasta (Théâtre français de Toronto). A deaf actor and a hearing actor tell a story of resilience and transmission. Apr 26 at 8 pm. $20-$49. Upstairs Theatre.
Lies And Consequences. Red Sandcastle Theatre. by Carol Libman (Rare Day Projects). Drama about family secrets and how two people can remember the same event very differently. Opens Apr 30 and runs to May 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Thu, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$25.
Listen To Our Defeat (Écoutez Nos défaites) Berkeley Street Theatre. by Laurent Gaudé (Groupe de la veillée/ACT Opus/Théâtre français de Toronto). Two men confront each other in this spy thriller that asks what happens if you see yourself in the eyes of your adversary. May 1-4, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 3:30 pm. $20-$49, pwyc Wed-Thu. Upstairs Theatre.
Tune In. Al Green Theatre. Momentum Dance Toronto presents our 9th annual full length production: TUNE IN. This year Momentum Dance Toronto’s dancers and choreographers are bringing the small screen to the stage. Channel surf through feelings of escape, joy and nostalgia through music and movement inspired by some of our favourite TV shows. May 1-4, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20-$30.
Unmoored. The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance. Citadel + Compagnie presents a spoken word & movement piece created by dance story innovator Sarah Chase in collaboration with dance artist Peggy Baker. May 1-4, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25.
Office Hours. Tranzac. by Norm Foster (NAGs Players). This play intertwines the lives of the employees of six different offices on a Friday afternoon. Opens May 2 and runs to May 11, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $15-$20.
Pregnancy Pact The Musical. Bravo Academy. By Julia Meinwald and Gordon Leary (The Edge Productions). Pregnancy Pact is a pop-rock musical that tells the story of a group of teens who make a pact to become single mothers together. Inspired by the 2008 news story of the Gloucester pregnancy pact that took the world by storm, Pregnancy Pact provides a unique chance to examine the intense journey this kind of decision creates. Previews May 1, opens May 2 and runs to May 19, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35, stu/srs/arts workers $30, high school students $25, preview pwyc.
887. Bluma Appel Theatre. by Robert Lepage (Ex Machina). This production explores the collection and recall of memories in the digital age, and how theatre is still relevant today. Opens May 3 and runs to May 12, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $51-$126.
PlayMe Past: Montgomery’s Inn. Montgomery’s Inn. by Rose Napoli, Marjorie Chan and Andrew Moodie (Expect Theatre/PlayME Podcast). This live radio drama features three short plays about three distinct historical periods at the Inn. The plays will be recorded live at Montgomery’s with the help of the audience creating sound effects. May 3, 10 and 24 at 7 pm. Free.
Stars On Ice. Scotiabank Arena. Display of artistry and athleticism featuring ice skaters Patrick Chan, Kaetlyn Osmond, Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje, Elvis Stojko and others. May 3 at 7:30 pm. $25-$100.
Impulso. Fleck Dance Theatre. Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company presents an expressive and captivating work fuelled by the impulses that draw the artists to their chosen form. May 3-5, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $34-$48, stu/srs from $28.
Night Games. Trinity-St. Paul’s Church. Join The Toronto Consort and Montreal’s master commedia dell’arte director, actor and dancer Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière for an irreverent evening of 16th-century madrigal comedy. May 3-5, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3:30 pm. $29.
Lilies; Or, The Revival Of A Romantic Drama. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. by Michel Marc Bouchard (lemonTree creations/Why Not Theatre/BIBT). Two schoolboys fall in love performing a play about Saint Sebastian in 1912 in this look at love, lies and colonialism. Previews from May 4, opens May 9 and runs to May 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$40, some pwyc available.
The Brothers Size. Young Centre for the Performing Arts. by Tarell Alvin McCraney (Soulpepper Theatre). In the Deep South, music and ritual intertwine with Yoruba mythology in the story of a prodigal brother’s return home. Previews from May 4, opens May 10 and runs to May 26, see website for schedule. $35 & up.
Beautiful Man. Factory Theatre. by Erin Shields (Factory Theatre). Women and their sexual fantasies take centre stage and the men are hunted, victimized and objectified in this satire. Previews from May 4, opens May 9 and runs to May 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$50.
Junction City Wrestling: Mayhem. Junction Craft Brewery. Junction City Wrestling returns with a family-friendly matinée, featuring episodic storytelling with entertaining characters and extraordinary athleticism. May 5 at 1:30 pm. $20.
Shakesbeers Showdown: Revenge of the Fifth. 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture & the Arts. Indie theatre companies cold read scenes from Shakespeare in this competitive show, proceed benefit the Shakespeare-In-Hospitals program. May 5 at 6 pm. $17-$25. Presented by Spur-of-the-Moment Shakespeare Collective.
Listings Primarily Based on NOW! Stage Listings