Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of September 26

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of September 26, 2011:

** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Wayne, our Managing Editor, wish he could exist in multiple parallel universes so he could check them all out.

Already Covered by MoT

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE! (AND OTHER LIES) Second City presents its latest sketch revue about the things we tell ourselves to get through life. Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8 & 10:30 pm, Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**HIS GREATNESS by Daniel MacIvor (Independent Artists Repertory Theatre). This play is based on two days in 1980 when Tennessee Williams was in Vancouver for the opening of one of his plays. Previews Sep 20-21. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 3 pm. $40-$60, preview $20, limited pwyc Sun. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

**THE ODD COUPLE by Neil Simon (Soulpepper). A meticulous man and his sloppy roommate try to coexist in a small apartment in this comedy. Previews Sep 22. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Nov 19, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

THE MAIDS by Jean Genet (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Two maids are investigated when their mistress and her daughter are found dead in this psychosexual thriller. Previews Sep 17-21. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$33, Sun pwyc at the door. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

PRIVATE LIVES by Noël Coward (Mirvish). Exes meet at the same hotel while honeymooning with new spouses. Previews Sep 16-24. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (no matinee Sep 17). $35-$175. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

THE PANEL SHOW MegaShark Productions presents a comedy quiz show w/ Ron Sparks, Eric Toth, Craig Brown, Even Tapper, Ned Petrie and others. Sep 27 8 pm. $5. Hard Luck Bar, 812 Dundas W. hardluckbar.com.

**THE PRICE by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper). Two estranged brothers reunite in a condemned house to sell their father’s possessions. Previews Aug 29-Sep 1. Opens Sep 2 and runs to Oct 22, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

THE STUDIO by Hélène Langevin (Bouge de là). Four dancers use their bodies, objects, lighting and projections to bring visual art to life. Previews Sep 26. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 6, see website for schedule. $15-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222,youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

SPRING AWAKENING by Frank Wedekind, with music by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater (Lower Ossington Theatre). Teens journey from youth to adulthood in 19th-century Germany in this musical. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Oct 8, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

THE TALE OF A TOWN – QUEEN WEST by Lisa Marie DiLiberto (Fixt Point). This theatrical promenade starts at TPM and goes through the neighbourhood, exploring the history of the area using music and stories. Previews Sep 14. Opens Sep 15 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $20-$25. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

TOTEM by Robert Lepage (Cirque du Soleil). Music, dance, acrobatics and design are used to trace the journey of the human species from amphibians to its desire to fly. Opens Aug 10 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun 1 & 5 pm, Fri-Sat 4 pm. $74-$249, stu/srs $67-$235, kids under 12 $54-$208. Grand Chapiteau, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com.

WHITE BITING DOG by Judith Thompson (Soulpepper). A suicidal lawyer on a bridge is advised by a talking dog. Previews Aug 13-17. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Oct 21, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

 

And the Rest…

A FALL GALA Kemi Contemporary Dance Projects presents excerpts from Jennifer Dallas’s current works, an art auction and more. Sep 27, doors 6:30 pm. $10. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. kemiprojects.ca.

A FOOL’S LIFE by Dan Watson (Ahuri Theatre/Why Not Theatre). Movement, drumming, shadow puppetry and projections are used in this multilingual piece inspired by the life and short stories of Akutagawa Ryunosuke. Previews Sep 29. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 8, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $20, preview/Mon pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, ahuritheatre.com.

A GREEK FAMILY REUNION: GLUCK’S IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS (COC Opera Exchange Series). Artists and academics explore themes in Gluck’s tragic opera. Oct 1 at 9:30 am. $23. Edward Johnson Building, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

AFTER MRS. ROCHESTER by Polly Teale (Alumnae Theatre). This drama interweaves the lives of author Jean Rhys and the character from Jane Eyre with whom she identified. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 7, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com

**ANOTHER AFRICA by Deborah Asiimwe, Binyavanga Wainaina and Roland Schimmelpfennig (Canadian Stage/Volcano Theatre). This play trilogy examines the multi-faceted relationship between Africa and the West. Previews Sep 26-28. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 22, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY MINUTES (Studio 60 Theatre). This musical revue features songs, dance and sketches from various cultures. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 1, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sep 28 and Oct 2 at 2 pm. $20. 60 Six Point. 416-354-2479, studio60theatreboxoffice.com.

BEST OF ARABESQUE Arabesque Dance Company presents a gala celebrating its 15th anniversary with performances, talkback sessions and more. Opens Sep 29 at 7 pm. $49. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-920-5593, arabesquedance.ca.

**BIGGER THAN JESUS by Rick Miller and Daniel Brooks (WYRD/Necessary Angel). Live performance, sound and projections are used in this comedy about the mysteries of life and viewpoints on Christianity. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$55. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

CHESS THE MUSICAL by Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mirvish). Two great chess masters vie for a championship and the love of one woman. Previews Sep 24-27. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $35-$175. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

COMMUNITY DANCE CLASS Kemi Contemporary Dance Projects and Culture Days present a class exploring the relationship between music and movement. Oct 1 at 12:30 pm. Free (RSVP kemiprojects@gmail.com). Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. kemiprojects.ca.

CULTURE DAYS: JAPANESE ARTS (Ahuri Theatre). Workshops in Japanese drumming and dance, readings and more from noon to 6 pm. Screenings of Japanese animé and monster movies from 10 pm to 3 am as part of Nuit Blanche. Oct 1 from noon. Free. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, ahuritheatre.com.

FALLEN RAIN inDANCE presents courtesan-inspired dance from South India, choreographed by Hari Krishnan. Oct 1-2, Sat 7 pm, Sun 3 pm. $25. Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College. indance.ca.

HARD TIMES AT THE HARD LUCK Impulsive Entertainment presents a comedy mashup w/ Smells Like the 80s, Colin & Anders, host Hunter Collins and more. Sep 26 9 pm. $5. Hard Luck Bar, 812 Dundas W. hardluckbar.com.

**IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY by Sarah Ruhl (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). A doctor’s use of a newfangled medical device draws curiosity from his wife. Previews Sep 13-20. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Oct 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm (no mats Sep 17, Oct 15, Oct 22). $20-$47. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS by Christoph Willibald Gluck (Canadian Opera Company). The tragic opera based on a story from Greek mythology is performed in French. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 15, Sep 22, 28, Oct 4, 7, 12 and 15 at 7:30 pm, Sep 25 at 2 pm, Oct 1 at 4:30 pm. $12-$318. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare (Single Thread Theatre Company). The romantic comedy gets a site-specific staging at the historic house and gardens. Previews Sep 28-29. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 15, Wed-Sat (and Oct 16) 8 pm (no show Oct 1). $20. Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd. singlethread.ca.

OPERA 101: RIGOLETTO (Canadian Opera Company). Brent Bambury and members of the COC discuss the upcoming production of the Verdi opera. Sep 27 at 6 pm. Free. Duke of Westminster, 77 Adelaide W. coc.ca.

RIGOLETTO by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). A jester avenges his seduced daughter with tragic consequences in this Italian opera. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 22, Sep 29, 30, Oct 5, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20 and 22 at 7:30 pm, Oct 2 and 16 at 2 pm, Oct 8 at 4:30 pm. $12-$318. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

SOLOS & DUETS Ballet Jörgen presents short works by established and emerging choreographers. Sep 29 at 7 pm. Pwyc. George Brown College, Bldg C, BJC Studio, 160 Kendal. balletjorgencanada.ca.

SUDDENLY MOMMY! by Anne Marie Scheffler (Red Sandcastle Theatre). Scheffler performs her solo comedy about motherhood. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 9, Sep 26-28, Oct 1 and 4-8 at 8 pm, mats Sep 29-30, Oct 2 and 9 at 2 pm. $20-$25. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL by David Nehls and Betsly Kelso (Hart House Theatre). Colourful characters from mobile homes, trailers and caravans deal with daily travails in this musical comedy. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 8, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 8 at 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, harthousetheatre.ca.

THE GREEN DOOR (Lower Ossington Theatre). The cabaret series features jazz with Joe Sealy and Paul Novotny on Friday, and musical theatre artist Michael Burgess on Saturday. Sep 30-Oct 1 at 8 pm. $20. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

THE WINSLOW BOY by Terence Rattigan (Stage Centre Productions). Is a father’s determination to publish his son’s innocence after a petty theft worth the consequent sacrifices, both personal and financial, demanded of his family? September 29th to October 8th, 2011. Fairview Library Theatre. Adults $27.50, Stu/Snrs $22.00. 416-2999-5557. stagecentreproductions.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*

One thought on “Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of September 26”

  1. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing The Winslow Boy at the Fairview Library on opening night.

    The acting was high calibre — far beyond what I would have expected for a community theatre production.

    The performance that stood out the most for me was given by Robin Phillips who played Violet, a servant in the household. She was amazing. She not only delivered her lines like a pro, but she had a unique walk that was totally fitting with her character.

    The script was outstanding. It raised many interesting questions about justice, rights and liberty. Even though the play took place in the 1920s, these concepts still hold huge relevancy in today’s world.

    In terms of things I would have liked to see improved in this production — the pacing seemed slow at times. Of course, life was slower back in the 1920s (even though the times were “roaring”), but, to appeal to today’s audiences, I think the pace needs to be a little quicker at some points,

    As well, some of the sound effects — such as the doorbell and crowds outside the home where the play is set — didn’t seem quite right and sometimes served to confuse me about what was happening until I figured out, “Oh yes, that’s the doorbell” or “Ah-ha there’s a crowd of reporters outside”!

    Perhaps these issues will be resolved as the play continues its run. No matter what, this play is very enjoyable and definitely worthwhile seeing.

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