Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of March 21st, 2016
In today’s Caught Our Eye, we have some political experiments, puppet shows, biographical works of famous Victorian writers, and magic shows–all opening this week in the city! We’ve taken the liberty of highlighting her particular picks for the week in red, so check them out under the cut!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Watch Out Wildkat! and Swordplay: A Play of Swords. Sketch troupe Sex T-Rex performs two comedies in repertory: Watch Out WildKat, a saddle ride through the Wild West; and Swordplay, a swashbuckling adventure set in a video game from the 1990s. Mar 11-27, Wed-Sat 7:30 & 9 pm, mat Mar 13 & 20 at 2 pm. $20 per show, $30 for both. Show Info.
Pyaasa by Anusree Roy (TPM). The playwright performs her solo show about an 11-year old untouchable girl dealing with India’s discriminatory caste system. Previews Mar 3-6, opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 27, see website for schedule. $17-$38, mat pwyc at the door. In the TPM Backspace. Show Info.
New Ideas Festival. Alumnae Theatre presents its annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre featuring works by Deanna Kruger, Caitie Graham, Anne Tait, Ramona Baillie, Stacey Iseman, Linda McCready, Carolyn Bennett and others. Opens Mar 9 and runs to Mar 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $15, Sat readings at noon pwyc. Show Info.
You Will Remember Me by François Archambault (Tarragon Theatre/Studio 180 Theatre). A professor and respected intellectual/political figure struggles with dementia. Previews from Mar 1, opens Mar 9 and runs to Apr 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (and Saturdays: Mar 12, 19 & 26 at 2:30 pm). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. MainSpace. Show Info.
The Just. Soulpepper presents the play by Albert Camus in a new translation by Bobby Theodore. Terror stalks the Russian elite in this play based on the true story of the assassination of Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich in 1905. Mar 5-26, see website for details. Show Info.
Spy School!: Mission Ridiculous. Written by Danny Wengle, Ken MacDougall, Brian Caws & the Cast, presented by Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre. James Bond and other secret agents go back to school in this interactive dinner-theatre show. Runs to Mar 26, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for other matinees & shows (no shows Dec 25-26). $45-$87. Show Info.
Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper (Mirvish). A man inherits a shoe company and teams up with a drag queen in this musical based on the 2005 film. Previews from Jun 16, opens Jun 28 and runs to May 15th, 2016 (extended from Dec 20), Tue-Sat 8 pm, see website for other times. $35-$130. Show Info.
Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (LOT). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by Jane O’Connor. Feb 13 to May 1, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45. Show Info.
Jitters by David French (Soulpepper Theatre). This play-within-a-play looks at the comedic catastrophes of opening night. Mar 2-Apr 6, see website for details. Show Info.
Gertrude and Alice by evalyn parry and Anna Chatterton and the collective (Independent Aunties/BIBT). This theatrical show looks at the lives, love and legacy of queer icons Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. Mar 5-27. Previews Mar 5-9, opens Mar 10 and runs to Mar 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$37, Sun pwyc at the door. Show Info.
A Line in the Sand by Guillermo Verdecchia and Marcus Youssef (Factory Theatre). An unlikely friendship between a Canadian soldier and a Palestinian teen takes a tragic turn. Previews Mar 8-10, opens Mar 11 and runs to Mar 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35. Studio. Show Info..
In Search of Cruise Control by James Gangl (Gangland Productions). Gangle performs his solo comedy show about giving his teenage nephew a sex talk and coming to terms with his own sexual miseducation. Opens Mar 10 and runs to Mar 26, Thu-Fri 9 pm (except Mar 25 at 8 pm), Sat 8 pm. $15, stu $12. Show Info.
The Public Servant by Jennifer Brewin, Haley McGee, Sarah McVie and Amy Rutherford (Nightwood Theatre/Common Boots Theatre). An idealistic young civil servant prepares to write her first official memo. Previews Mar 13 and 15, opens Mar 16 and runs to Apr 3, see website for schedule. $18-$35. Show Info.
No Strings (Attached) by Sunny Drake (BIBT). This theatrical cabaret looks at the romantic lives of queer and trans* folk. Mar 16-26. Previews Mar 16, opens Mar 17 and runs to Mar 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20, stu/srs $15, mat pwyc. Cabaret Stage. Show Info.
Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig (Stage Centre Productions). Two struggling actors try to con a wealthy old lady into leaving them her fortune in this mistaken identities comedy. Opens Mar 17 and runs to Mar 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 20 and 26 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Great Balls of Fire. Famous People Players presents a black light dinner theatre show featuring iconic rock n’ roll anthems. Opens Jan 15 and runs to May 31, see website for times. $40-$65 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
Blood Wedding. Soulpepper Theatre presents the play by Federico García Lorca, translated by Guillermo Verdecchia. A young couple’s engagement rekindles buried passions and threatens a deep-seated blood feud in a small rural town. Mar 2-Apr 9, see website for details. Show Info.
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Mar 10-Apr 3, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Up the Garden Path by Lisa Codrington (Obsidian Theatre). A Caribbean woman poses as a man in order to come to Canada as a migrant farm worker in the 1960s. Opens Mar 23 and runs to Apr 10, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$35. Show Info. by Lisa Codrington (Obsidian Theatre). A Caribbean woman poses as a man in order to come to Canada as a migrant farm worker in the 1960s. Opens Mar 23 and runs to Apr 10, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$35. Show Info.
The Judas Kiss by David Hare (Hampstead Theatre/Mirvish). At the height of his success, author/playwright Oscar Wilde must choose between his lover and his freedom. Opens Mar 22 and runs to May 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$119.
NOTE: This production was originally scheduled to play at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Due to the extension of Kinky Boots, it will now be staged in the Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.
The Crackwalker by David French (Factory Theatre). A couple trapped in a booze-fuelled cycle of violence struggle with raising a baby and a bogeyman from their dreams. Previews Mar 22-23, opens Mar 24 and runs to Apr 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview $25. Show Info.
IBlithe. Red Sandcastle Theatre presents Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit reinvented for the digital age. Directed by David Huband. Opens Mar 24 and runs to Apr 2, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $20. Show Info.
Viva Cabaret: Tribute to the Greatest Divas. Yury Ruzhyev presents a musical cabaret tribute to Cher, Tina, Liza, Madonna, Freddy, Gaga and many more. Mar 24 at 8 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
Toronto Passion Play. The Christian Performing Arts Centre, in association with Church on the Queensway, presents a theatrical and musical Easter pageant featuring singers, dancers, actors, full orchestra and live animals on stage. Mar 25-27, Fri-Sat 2 & 7 pm, Sun 4 pm. $5. Show Info.
#BlackLivesMatter: The Making of the Myth of Black Dangerousness. Jackman Humanities Institute and Wind in the Leaves Collective present a performance and lecture followed by a talk-back session with creators/performers Kevin A Ormsby, Mikhail P Morris, Melissa Noventa, Pierre Clark, Tereka Tyler-Davis and charles c. smith. Mar 25-26 at 8 pm.$20, artists $10, stu $5. In the Aki Studio. Show Info.
The Death of the King by Bahram Beyza’ie (Modern Times Stage Company/Theatre Centre). Mar 26-Apr 11. A family must prove their innocence after a king is found dead in their flour mill. Previews Mar 26-27, opens Mar 29 and runs to Apr 10. Details TBA. $15-$25 Show Info.
Old Man and the River by Lynda Hill and Thomas Morgan Jones (Theatre Direct/SSCT). A solitary, grumpy old man finds a friend in this puppetry show for ages 3 and up. Mar 26 at 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
I Spy. Phil, The Magic Guy, performs for ages 4 and up. Mar 27 at 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings