Toronto Play Listings for the Week of May 25, 2015

Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week

This week in Toronto theatre brings you an eclectic mix of one-person performances, tales based on various historical events, and a couple of comedy specials. I’ve highlighted the shows that our editor Mike would love to see this week with two asterisks ** and in red text. Perhaps they’ll also strike your fancy, or you may find something else that’ll tickle your interest.

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Durango. by Julia Cho (fu-GEN Theatre Company/Theatre Smash). A family unravels during a cross-country road trip in this dramatic comedy about domestic embattlement. Previews May 16-17, opens May 19 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$37, Sun pwyc at the door. http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/2014-15/durango/

The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds. adapted by Anton Piatigorsky (Soulpepper). Otherworldly forces affect a bride in an Eastern European village in this adaptation of the play by S. Ansky. Previews from May 14, opens May 21 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. View Show Info

Half a League. by Scott Garland (Rarely Pure Theatre). Three men in a junkyard play at being soldiers and await the return of their “leader” when an unexpected visitor stumbles upon their “outpost”. Opens May 6 and runs to May 31, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. View Show Info

**How to Kill a Comedian. Second City presents its Spring 2015 Mainstage revue.  Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, plus Sat 10 pm. $25-$45, stu $16-$18. http://secondcity.com

**The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis (Unit 102 Actors Company). Mother Teresa, Sigmund Freud and others testify at the trial of the notorious sinner in this comic drama. Opens May 13 and runs to May 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $24, May 19 pwyc. unit102tix@gmail.com

Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play. by Anne Washburn and Michael Friedman (Outside the March/Starvox Entertainment/Crow’s Theatre). In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors search for food, shelter and classic lines from “The Simpsons” in this show staged without electricity. Previews May 9-12, opens May 13 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (except May 10, at 7 pm), see website for other show. $30. View Show Info

Odysseo (Cavalia). Theatre artists and horses create a spectacle combining equestrian arts, stage arts and special effects. Opens Apr 8 and runs to May 31, see website for schedule. $34.50-$264.50. http://cavalia.net/

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. http://mirvish.com/

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (Tarragon). This Bollywood-inspired adaptation of the classic comedy is set in modern-day Brampton. Previews from Apr 22, opens Apr 29 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun (and some Sat) 2:30 pm. $27-$55, rush $15. http://tarragontheatre.com

The Show That Smells or The Last Temptation of Jimmie Rodgers. by Gemma James Smith and Gil Garratt (Clawhammer). The devil approaches a dying country singer with an offer in this adult puppet show, based on the novella by Derek McCormack. Previews May 13-14, opens May 15 and runs to May 31, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$29, mats pwyc. View Show Info

**Trudeau and Lévesque. by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret/Soulpepper). The Prime Minister and the father of Quebec separatism bang heads in this history play. Previews from Apr 27, opens May 2 and runs to Jun 13, see website for schedule. $26-$56.  View Show Info

And the Rest….

The 39 Steps. by John Buchanan, adapted by Patrick Barlow (Gin Soak’d Productions). This comedy whodunit is based on the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film. Previews from May 29, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 14, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $39-$99. Rear Window Theatre. http://the39steps.ca/

The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine. by Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Leah Cherniak (Off the Grid Theatre/Coffeehouse Theatre). Repressed anger rears its head as a couple strive to maintain the veneer of a perfectly ordered world. Opens May 21 and runs to May 30, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat May 23 at 2 pm. $15-$18. http://ernestandernestine.bpt.me/ 

La Causeuse by Olivia Faye Lathuillière (Toronto Puppetry Collective) Lathuillière performs a wordless show using her body, one puppet head and a loveseat. May 30 at 8 pm. $20-$25. http://puppetallsorts.com/ 

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry (Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company). A Southern woman and her black chauffeur watch Atlanta change over 25 years. Previews from May 30, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 21, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm & Sun 2 pm. $35-$65. In the Greenwin Theatre. https://nowtoronto.com/events/driving-miss-daisy/

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl (Soulpepper). The Orpheus myth is retold from his dead bride’s point of view. Previews from May 19, opens May 28 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. View Show Info

Fever/Dream. by Sheila Callaghan (Seven Siblings Theatre Company). A long-time customer service rep suddenly finds himself in charge of a billion-dollar company in this workplace satire. Opens May 22 and runs to May 31, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. View Show Info

Fourplay. Daisy Productions presents a series of one-act plays: Much Ado About Cooties by Maddox Campbell; Dial L For Latch Key by Scott Fivelson; Sure Thing by David Ives; and When I’m Gone, Will Anyone Notice? by Lisa Hagen. May 28-30, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $20. http://daisyproductions.ca/ 

Hedwig and the Angry Inch. by John Cameron Mitchell (Lower Ossington Theatre). An East German transgender rocker moves to America to start a band and find love. Opens May 21 and runs to Jun 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $50. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com/

InspiraTO Festival. Theatre InspiraTO presents performances of 10-minute plays by 24 local and international playwrights, plus art, readings, live music and more. May 28 to Jun 6, see website for schedule. $5-$20, some free events; passes $12-$60. Visit Event Website

Of Human Bondage. by Vern Thiessen (Soulpepper). W Somerset Maugham’s novel is adapted for the stage in a tale of loss, lust, obsession and the pursuit of beauty. May 2 to Jun 20, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. View Show Info

The Lawyer Show: Loves Labours Lost by William Shakespeare (Nightwood Theatre). Toronto lawyers perform the romantic comedy in this funder for Nightwood. May 28-30, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $60-$75. http://nightwoodtheatre.net/

Macbeth. by William Shakespeare (Wolf Manor Theatre Collective). Contemporary physical exploration of Shakespeare’s bloody story of ambition and power lust. Opens May 21 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Visit Event Website

M’dea Undone by Marjorie Chan and John Harris (Tapestry Opera). The unraveling of mythology’s most controversial heroine is set against the industrial backdrop of the reclaimed brick factory. Opens May 26 and runs to May 29, Tue-Fri 8 pm. $50-$95. http://tapestryopera.com/

Possible Dances. Jessica Runge presents dance works on themes of loss and hope, created in collaboration with Susie Burpee, Deborah Dunn, Susanna Hood and Heidi Strauss, performed by Runge and Brendan Wyatt. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 7, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, Sun pwyc. Visit Event Website

Quartet. by Ron Harwood (East Side Players). Four elderly opera singers reminisce at a retirement home for musicians. Opens May 21 and runs to Jun 6, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. Visit Event Website

Ratmansky & Côté. The National Ballet of Canada presents Symphony #9 and Piano Concerto #1 by Ratmansky, and Being And Nothingness by Côté. Opens May 30 and runs to Jun 6, call/see website for times. From $26. Visit Event Website

Space Interrupted. Harbourfront NextSteps presents Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre performing Colin Connor’s The Weather In The Room and Ofilio Sinbadinho Portillo’s Anomykz, plus recent works by Alexander Whitley and Deborah Lundmark. May 29 & 30 at 8 pm. $22.50-$38. http://harbourfrontcentre.com/

Sunday Night Live. The Sketchersons’ weekly sketch and live music show. Sundays at 9 pm. $10.  View Show Info

The Teacher Show AKA Teaching Shakespeare (RAAT Productions). William Shakespeare finds himself in the year 2015, defending the teaching of his work in high schools, in this funder for Shakespeare in the Ruff theatre company. May 29-31, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35, stu $20 View Show Info

**Titanic: the Musical. by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone (Mirvish). The story of the ill-fated ship and its passengers is presented onstage. Opens May 19 and runs to Jun 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$130. View Show Info

Trout Stanley. by Claudia Dey (Severely Jazzed Productions). Orphaned twins who’ve isolated themselves from the world meet a mysterious runaway on their 30th birthday. Opens May 21 and runs to Jun 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (no mat May 23). $15-$25.  Visit Event Website

 

Listings based on NOW! Stage listings.