Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of July 29th, 2019.

Make the most of summer in Toronto by catching one of the stellar shows performing around the city this week! There’s something for everyone: musicals, opera, progressive dance, improv, pirates (!), and a whole lot of Shakespeare in the Park. MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you!  Our editor Leanne is back this week to highlight some of the most eye-catching options in red! Take a look at our list below and check out something you already love, or try something new!

Already Reviewed by MoT:

Come From Away. (Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St). By Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Feb 5-Nov 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Matinees Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$169, Limited rush $25 (premium tickets also available).
Show Info

Fool For Love (Soulpepper Theatre). (Young Center for the Performing Arts – Distillery District). Some people you just can’t quit. On the edge of the desert, passions are buried deep, and secrets even deeper. Eddie has come to bring May out of hiding and win her back, no matter who stands in the way. This celebrated work from Sam Shepard combines his characteristic dark humour with a raw energy that won’t let go. July 13 – August 11. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm with matinees on Wednesdays and weekends at 2:00 pm. Tickets range from $38 – $108 or $38 for students with ID.
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The Lion King. (Princess of Wales Theatre. 300 King St W) by Tim Rice, Elton John, Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi (Mirvish). The circle of life returns to Toronto in this musical based on the Disney film. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Aug 4, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Sat 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $99-$250.
Show Info

Measure for Measure (Canadian Stage). (High Park Ampitheatre (1873 Bloor St W) July 4 -September 1. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. Tickets are PWYC (suggested $20) at the gate or you can reserve a spot online for $30 (for adults). Admission for children 14 and under is free.
Show Info

Much Ado About Nothing (Canadian Stage). (High Park Ampitheatre (1873 Bloor St W). July 4 – September 1. Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 8:00 pm. Tickets are PWYC (suggested $20) at the gate or you can reserve a spot online for $30 (for adults). Admission for children 14 and under is free.
Show Info

A (Musical) Midsummer Night’s Dream. (Toronto shows: Jul 26-27 at Withrow Park, Jul 30 at Guild Park, Aug 15 at Daniels Spectrum Courtyard) Driftwood Theatre presents a musical version of William Shakespeare’s comedy as part of the Bard’s Bus Tour. Various parks from Napanee to Orillia to Ingersoll  . The Bard’s Bus Tour runs Jul 19-Aug 18, see website for schedule, locations and more details. PWYC.
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SOLT Mini-Festival of Opera. (Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College St.) Summer Opera Lyric Theatre presents performances showcasing young artists from the 8-week summer intensive course. The program consists of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata; Victor Davies and Eugene Benson’s Earnest, The Importance Of Being; and a double bill of Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi & Ralph Vaughn Williams’s Riders To The Sea. July 27-Aug 4, see website for schedule. $28, stu/srs $22; subscription $60.
Show Info

Waitress. (Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St.)  By Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson (Mirvish). A server/expert pie-maker dreams of escaping her small town and rocky marriage. July 9-Aug 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Matinees Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $59-$179.
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Walking on Bombshells. (Second City, 51 Mercer St.) Second City’s 82nd MainStage Revue features Allana Reoch, PHATT Al, Chris Wilson, Sharjil Rasool, Stacey McGunnigle and Nadine Djoury. From toxic masculinity to turtle murder, this show turns our universal internal monologues into reflections that probably shouldn’t even be legal to say out loud.  Runs to  Sep 8: Tue-Thu 8 pm; Fri 7:30 pm; Sat 10 pm (and 7:30 pm, starting Jul 27); Sun 7:30 pm. See website for more days and times, exceptions and to buy tickets. $27 & up
Show Info

And Everything Else:

All’s Well That Ends Well. (Berczy Park at Front and Church) Dauntless City Theatre presents an outdoor, ambulatory production in ,  of the societal and political comedy that tackles desire, consent, trickery and toxic masculinity.  Aug 2-25, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Matinee Sat-Sun 1 pm (no show Aug 9). PWYC.
Show Info

Anne. (Guild Park & Gardens, 201 Guildwood Pkwy, Scarborough)  Guild Festival Theatre presents outdoor theatre by Paul Ledoux, adapted from the Canadian novel Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery. Wed-Sun, 7:30 pm, July 18 – August 10th. $10-$30.
Show Info

Dusk Dances: 25th Anniversary Season. (Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave.) The annual outdoor dance festival celebrates its 25th season in 2019. This year’s edition features a community-based project by Kate Franklin and Meredith Thompson. Aug 4-11, daily at 7 pm, Matinee Aug 11 at 2 pm. PWYC.
Show Info

False Claims. (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St.)  A man poses as his late aunt’s husband in order to collect her life insurance policy in this farce. Preview Aug 1 (PWYC). Aug 2-11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $24-$30.
Show Info

Far East Comedy Tuesdays (The Corner Comedy Club, 946 Queen E) Ernie Vicente hosts a weekly diverse stand-up comedy showcase. Shows at 8 and 10 pm. $10.
Show Info

Finding Freedom: The Joshua Glover Story. (Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St W, Etobicoke) Dramatic first-person performance exploring the extraordinary true story of an escaped slave who used the Underground Railroad to find his way to Upper Canada and Montgomery’s Inn, where he lived and worked. Aug 3 & 4 at 5 pm. $25.
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Nicole, Mark & Dan Improvise a Show. (Bad Dog Theatre Company, 875, First Floor, Bloor St W.) Improv comedy show featuring Mark Little, Dan Beirne and Nicole Passmore. Aug 2, 8 pm. $10.
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Not On Our Watch. (Burdock Music Hall, 1184 Bloor St W.) Six female storytellers tell true stories about women’s reproductive rights and female empowerment to benefit Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds in the United States. July 31st & August 1st,  6:30-8 pm. $20, adv $15.
Show Info

The Office! A Musical Parody. (CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St.) By Bob and Tobly McSmith (Mirvish/Right Angle Entertainment). See the daily lives of the employees of a paper sales company in this musical parody of hit TV show The Office. Opens Jul 30 and runs to Aug 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $45-$79.
Show Info

Pirate Life 2019. (Pirate Life Toronto, 333 Lake Shore Blvd E.) Children’s interactive adventure theatre show aboard a 50-foot pirate ship that sails along the harbour. Kids get pirate names, dress in costumes & face paint, fire water cannons and search for sunken treasure. May 4 – Oct 13, see website for schedule. $27.
Show Info

Scenes and Sequins (Social Capital, 154 Danforth) A night of improv comedy and burlesque, presented by Dottie Champagne and Mescaline Van Go-Go. Every first Friday of the month witness a rotating group of talented improvisers create comedy gold inspired by some of the sexiest burlesque Toronto has to offer! There will be tits & titters, butts & buffoonery, racks & repartee. Aug 2 10:15. $25 (Save $5 on advance tickets)
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So Fresh N’ So Clean. (Comedy Bar. 945 Bloor W. ) Clean comedy show on the first Friday of each month hosted by Nour Hadidi and Courtney Gilmour. Aug 2 8:00 pm. $15
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Yas Kween. (Bad Dog Theatre Company, 875 Bloor W.) Monthly comedy on the first Thursday of each month featuring Women of Colour, hosted by Nelu Handa.  Aug. 1 9:30 pm. $10.
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Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.