Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week
This week is an embarrassment of riches for theatre in Toronto. There’s so much to see so get out to the theatre! The shows I’ve indicated with two asterisks and red text are the ones I’d love to see this week. See if you agree or go check out anything else that speaks to you.
Already Covered By MoT…
52 Pick-Up by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozie (The Howland Company). Improvised and intimate look at relationships told through a game of 52 Pick-up. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 15, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$20. http://howlandcompanytheatre.com
Beneath the Banyan Tree by Emil Sher (Theatre Direct). A young Indian girl copes with moving to Canada in this fusion of theatre, music and dance. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 28, see website for schedule. $7-$25. http://brownpapertickets.com/event/879977
Blood Wedding by Federico García Lorca (Modern Times Stage Company/Aluna Theatre). A young woman runs away with the son of her family’s enemy. Previews Mar 11-12, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed and Sun 2 pm. $18-$25, stu/preview $15, Sun pwyc. http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/
Cake and Dirt by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). This play takes a darkly comic look at life in Toronto through a fractured family of privilege. Previews from Mar 3, opens Mar 11 and runs to Apr 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. http://tarragontheatre.com/
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience Starvox Entertainment presents an homage to the John Cleese TV series featuring the audience as guests at the wacky inn in a partially improvised show. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Apr 19, Tue-Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 6 and 8 pm, Sun 6 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $60-$100. In the O’Keefe Lounge. http://sonycentre.ca/
Harper Regan by Simon Stephens (Canadian Stage). After learning of her father’s impending death, a woman suddenly walks away from her home and family. Previews Mar 1-4, opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 22, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $30-$99. http://canadianstage.com/
The Heart of Robin Hood by David Farr (Mirvish). Robin and his crew steal from the rich and keep it for themselves until Marion steps up for the poor in this version of the tale. Previews Dec 23-Jan 6, 2015. Opens Jan 14 and runs to Mar 29, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King W. http://mirvish.com/
How to Kill a Comedian Second City presents its Spring 2015 Mainstage revue. In previews, opens Mar 9, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, plus Sat 10 pm. $25-$45, stu $16-$18. http://secondcity.com/
My Dinner with Casey Donovan by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). A man must get through a dinner with a gay porn star and his parents, who don’t yet know that he’s gay. Opens Mar 12 and runs to Mar 22, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$24, Sun/preview pwyc. TPM Backspace. http://artsboxoffice.ca/
**Once by Enda Walsh, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (Mirvish). An Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Previews Feb 10-21, opens Feb 22 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $29-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre 244 Victoria. http://mirvish.com/
And the rest…
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (Trinity College Dramatic Society). Overachievers vie for the championship in this musical comedy. Opens Mar 17 and runs to Mar 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $12. http://uofttix.ca/
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland The National Ballet of Canada presents Christopher Wheeldon’s interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s story. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Mar 29, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $26-$250. http://national.ballet.ca/
Big Bad Wolf vs. Lord Underwearface von Schtinker This family musical takes a new look at a fairy-tale character. Mar 16-20 at 1:30 pm, Mar 21 at noon, Mar 22 at 2 pm. $14, family pack $45. http://secondcity.com/
Bull by Mike Bartlett (The Coal Mine Theatre). Two employees poke fun at a third as the trio wait to find out who will be axed in this dark comedy. Previews Mar 15, opens Mar 17 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $25, preview $20. http://brownpapertickets.com/
Burq Off! by Nadia P. Manzoor (Small World Music Centre). Manzoor performs her solo show about being caught between modern London and conservative Pakistan. Opens Mar 18 and runs to Mar 21, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $25. http://smallworldmusic.com/
Cinderella Ballet Jörgen presents the classic fairy tale ballet choreographed by Bengt Jörgen. Mar 21-22, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $tba. http://balletjorgen.ca/
**The Daisy Theatre Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes presents a cabaret of improvisation that parodies theatrical genres from opera, music hall, Las Vegas, French cabaret and vaudeville through an adult puppet theatre show. Opens March 18 and runs to April 5, Tue-Thu and Sun 8 pm, Fri-Sat 9:30 pm. $30. Studio Theatre. http://factorytheatre.ca/
The Gospel According to Mark (Soulpepper). Veteran actor Kenneth Welsh gives a verbatim performance of the Bible chapter. Previews from Mar 18, opens Mar 22 and runs to Mar 29, see website for schedule. $20-$30. http://soulpepper.ca/
Hairspray by Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Lower Ossington Theatre). A quirky 60s teen becomes popular and looks to change the world in this musical. Opens Mar 21 and runs to Apr 12, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $tba. http://ticketwise.ca/
The Hungry by Luis Fernandes (Unit 102 Actors Company). A band of vampire hunters struggle to update their outmoded methods in this part comedy, part genre horror satire. Opens Mar 20 and runs to Apr 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20, Tue pwyc. http://unit102theatrecompany.com/
Kaeja D’dance 25th Anniversary Celebration Harbourfront NextSteps presents premieres by both Karen and Allen Kaeja that play with notions of fate, coincidence and choice. Opens Mar 24 and runs to Mar 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $22.50-$40. http://kaeja.org/
Marilla Wex: This Much I Know Wex performs her solo show. 9 pm. $20-$25. Venue changed from the Flying Beaver Pubaret due to fire; original tickets honoured. http://brownpapertickets.com/event/1260776
Memorable Munsch (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). This family-friendly show is based on the stories of Robert Munsch. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 29, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm (see website for other shows). $16. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge. http://solarstage.on.ca/
New Ideas Festival (Alumnae Theatre). The annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre. Opens Mar 11 and runs to Mar 29, see website for schedule. $15, pass $40. http://alumnaetheatre.com/
Oregano by Rose Napoli (Theatre Rhea). A young woman goes on an extraordinary adventure in order to face the death of her father in this magic-realist play. Previews Mar 11-12, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm (and Mar 15), mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$23. http://theatrerhea.ca/
Pack of Lies by Hugh Whitemore (Stage Centre Productions). This drama looks at the turmoil faced by ordinary people when asked by the authorities to spy on their friends. Opens Mar 19 and runs to Mar 28, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 22 and 28 at 2 pm. $27.50, stu/srs $22. http://www.stagecentreproductions.com/
Picnic by William Inge (Scarborough Theatre Guild). A stranger unsettles a 1950s American small town preparing for a Labour Day picnic. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 21, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Mar 15 and 21 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $17. http://theatrescarborough.com/
Pinocchio by Hugo Bélanger (Tout à Trac). The children’s classic comes alive in an inventive new production for ages 6 and up. Opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 21, see website for schedule. $25-$34. http://youngpeoplestheatre.ca/
**Spoon River adapted by Mike Ross and Albert Schultz (Soulpepper). A forgotten town comes back to life in this show inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection. Previews Mar 7-10, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 28, see website for schedule. $29.50-$89. http://soulpepper.ca/
Subway Stations of the Cross by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). A homeless vagabond delivers a message from God in Choi’s performance of songs and spoken words. Previews from Mar 18, opens Mar 22 and runs to Apr 4, see website for schedule. $20-$58. http://soulpepper.ca/
Tap:Ex Tables Turned (Tapestry New Opera). This experimental opera series pitches the virtuosic acoustic voice against the turntable DJ. Mar 20-21 at 8 pm. $35. http://www.tapestryopera.com/
Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters Adapted by Stephen Briggs (Socratic Theatre Collective). Shakespearean tropes are inverted for comic effect in this adaptation of the novel from the Discworld fantasy series. Opens Mar 20 and runs to Mar 29, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. http://socratictheatre.com/
Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies (The TSS Collective). A journalist couple are in sync when on dangerous assignments, but struggle in a domestic environment. Previews Mar 12, opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm (Mar 27 at 7:30 pm), mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22-$38. http://artsboxoffice.ca/
**The Unplugging by Yvette Nolan (Native Earth Performing Arts/Factory Theatre). In a post-apocalyptic world, two Aboriginal women are cast out of their village and forced to wander the desolate landscape. Previews from Mar 14, pens Mar 19 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $23-$45. http://nativeearth.ca/
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang (Mirvish). Three siblings named after dysfunctional characters from Chekhov plays try to escape their melancholic curse in this comedy. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for other dates). $19-$99. http://mirvish.com/
Venus by Suzan-Lori Parks (Theatre @ York). In 1800s South Africa, a young black woman is lured away from a menial job to tour Europe as a freak show attraction. Previews Mar 15-16, opens Mar 17 and runs to Mar 21, Sun-Fri 7:30 pm, mat Wed and Fri 1 pm, Sat 2 pm. $17, stu/srs $12, preview $7. Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, Accolade East Bldg. http://theatre.finearts.yorku.ca/
A Woman is a Secret by John Patrick Shanley and Matthew Barber (Rip Jaw Productions/the Storefront Theatre). Stories are told through a cabaret-like structure of plays and old-fashioned love songs. Previews Mar 19, opens Mar 20 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $20 adv. http://theatrecentre.org/
Listings based on NOW! Stage listings.