Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of October 5th, 2015
This week we have a number of great shows for kids opening up, as well as a bit of opera, a medicine show, and an Ibsen classic! With such an eclectic mix, we’re here to highlight those we’d most like to see in red text. Here are the picks:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton, adapted by David Jacklin (Stage Centre Productions). A woman’s husband manipulates her into believing that she’s going insane in fog-bound 1880s London. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 10, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 4 & 10 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. Show Info.
SÉANCE Illusionist Nicholas Wallace invites you to join him in exploring the world of the Victorian spirit medium. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $30-$35. Show Info.
Buddy: the Buddy Holly Story. Lower Ossington Theatre presents the tribute musical by Alan Janes. This musical tells the story of the rock pioneer’s rise to fame, from his first hit in 1957 until his tragic death less than two years later. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 25, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$70. Show Info.
Click-bait and Switch The Second City presents its Fall MainStage Revue featuring sketches, songs and improv. Indefinite run, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, late shows Fri-Sat 10:30 pm. $16-$35. Show Info.
Empire. Spiegelworld presents burlesque artists, live musicians, foot jugglers, contortionists, daredevil roller skaters and others create a 21st-century circus/cabaret spectacle. Previews from Sep 1, opens Sep 8 and runs to Nov 8 (extended from Sep 27; final extension, must close Nov 8), Tue-Wed 8 pm, Thu-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun 7 pm. $45-$129. Show Info.
The House of Yes by Wendy MacLeod (The Dynasty Collective). A dysfunctional family passes a tense Thanksgiving when the oldest son arrives with his new fiancée. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
Happy Place by Pamela Mala Sinha (Soulpepper Theatre). This play looks at seven women living amidst each other in extraordinary of circumstances. Previews from Sep 4, opens Sep 10 and runs to Oct 17, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts50 Tank House Lane Show Info
Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss (Soulpepper Theatre). In this play within a play, the Marquis de Sade stages a drama about the French Revolution inside a mental institution. Previews from Sep 14, opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 17. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
Motown the Musical by Berry Gordy (Mirvish). American dream story of Motown founder Gordy’s rise to music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many others. Sep22-Nov 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed & Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$140, premium orchestra seats $150-$200. Show Info.
The Play’s the Thing by Ferenc Molnár, adapted by PG Wodehouse (Soulpepper Theatre). A playwright schemes to save a relationship and his operetta in this romantic comedy. Previews from Sep 2, opens Sep 9 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane Show Info
Superhero! A Bam! Zap! Pow! Murder Mystery. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre presents an interactive dinner-theatre whodunit set at a superhero convention. Runs to Oct 31, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for mats. $37-$87. Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre 2026 Yonge Show Info
Yours Forever, Marie-Lou by Michel Tremblay (Soulpepper Theatre). Two sisters reunite and clash over their family’s tumultuous past. Previews from Sep 14, opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 17, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Mary Poppins by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (LOT). This musical is based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Previews from Jul 9, opens Jul 16 and runs to Oct 10, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Under the Big Top. Famous People Players presents a black light theatre show for all ages about the magic of the circus. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Oct 28, Tue-Sat, call/see website for times. Show Info.
Upside Downton by Luke Kempner (Mirvish). Kempner performs his solo musical comedy show that fuses pop culture with TV show Downton Abbey. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$79. Show Info.
They Say He Fell by Nir Bareket (Pandemic Theatre). This memory play is based on Bareket’s recollections of events surrounding the death of his elder brother during the repartition of British Palestine. Previews Oct 2-4, opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$30, previews $15, mat pwyc at the door. Show Info.
Albert Schultz’s Frankly, Sinatra (Soulpepper Concert Series). Schultz weaves words and music to celebrate the life and artistic legacy of Ol’ Blue Eyes. Oct 2 at 7:30 pm, Oct 4 and 11 at 2 pm. From $22. Show Info.
Toronto Cold Reads. Incubator reading series for new film, TV and theatre scripts. Portions of six scripts will be read by professional actors. Weekly, Sundays at 9 pm to Dec 6. Pwyc. 2nd floor. Show Info.
An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen (Tarragon Theatre). A doctor clashes with officials who want to cover up a public health risk to protect the economy. Opens Oct 7 and runs to Nov 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun 2:30 pm (Wed mats at 1:30 pm on Oct 14, Oct 21, Oct 28). $55-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. Tarragon MainSpace. Show Info.
The Art of Being Alone by Stephane Garneau-Monten (Moose + Moa Theatre Company). This solo show looks at the humour and heartache of a bad breakup. Opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 7-11, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu $15. Show Info.
Doc Wuthergloom’s Haunted Medicine Show by Eric Woolfe (Eldritch Theatre). A travelling exorcist and his ghoulish puppets perform a Victorian-Gothic show. Oct 7-10 at 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
Hana’s Suitcase by Emil Sher (Young People’s Theatre). An old suitcase from Auschwitz leads a teacher and her students on a historical journey. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 30, see website for schedule. $10-$34. Show Info.
Rowing by Aaron Jan (Then They Fight). The evening takes a dark turn when a small-town community rowing team loses its first race in 51 years. Previews Oct 6, opens Oct 8 and runs to Oct 17, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Oct 10, 11 and 17 at 2 pm. $15-$18. Show Info.
Selfie by Julie Tepperman and Chris Thornborrow (Tapestry Opera). The struggles of growing up and friendship in the social media age are explored in this workshop presentation. Oct 8-9, Thu 7:30 pm, Fri 2:30 pm. Pwyc. Studio 315. Show Info.
La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). A Parisian courtesan finds true love in this tragic Italian opera. Opens Oct 8 and runs to Nov 6, see website for times. $50 and up; under 30 $22-$35, limited standing room $12. Show Info.
Defending the Caveman by Rob Becker (I Love It Productions). This comedy looks at the ongoing misunderstandings between men and women. Previews Oct 1-2, opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 31, Fri-Sat 8 pm. $40, stu $20, previews $15-$20. Show Info.
Oasis by Johnny Salib (Sisyphean Productions). A love-stricken boy navigates his first relationship in this solo show written and performed by Johnny Salib. Oct 8-10 at 8 pm. $15, adv $10. Show Info.
Sleepy Hollow by Adrienne Kress (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Ichabod Crane shares the tale of his spooky encounters in this kid-friendly ghost story play. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 25, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
Huff by Cliff Cardinal (Native Earth Performing Arts). Wind and his brothers are caught in a torrent of solvent abuse as they struggle to cope with the death of their mother. Previews Oct 10-11, opens Oct 13 and runs to Oct 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$30, preview/Tue pwyc. Aki Studio Theatre. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings