Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of April 4th
This week is particularly rich in cabarets and revues, but of course we have all the traditional fare as well: plays, musicals, table-reads and all sorts of theatrical ventures are playing in the city! I’m in charge of the picks this week, and I’ve highlighted those I’m most excited for in red under the cut!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chimerica by Luck Kirkwood (Canadian Stage/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). A photojournalist returns to China 20 years after capturing an iconic image of protest in Tiananmen Square. Previews Mar 29-30, opens Mar 31 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $24-$99. Show Info.
Esu Crossing the Middle Passage by d’bi.young anitafrika (Watah Theatre/Storefront). This solo play (part 1 of a new trilogy) looks at the journey into the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, embodied by the spirit of Esu – the trickster God of Ifa, told through movement, poetry and sound. Opens Apr 1 and runs to Apr 17, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25. 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.
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.
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.
Caught by Jordi Mand (TPM). A teen caught shoplifting tries to persuade a female security guard to let him go. Previews Mar 31-Apr 3, opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 24, see website for schedule. $17-$38, mat pwyc at the door. TPM Backspace. Show Info.
The Great War: The History of the Village of the Small Huts, 1914-1918, by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret/Soulpepper Theatre). Apr 1-May 14, see website for details. Show Info.
Hold Mommy’s Cigarette. Shelley Marshall performs her solo dark comedy about life, mental illness and survival. Opens Apr 1 and runs to Apr 10, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25. Show Info.
Princesses Don’t Grow on Trees by Andrea Scott (SSCT). A girl’s wish comes true, taking her to a fairy-tale land, in this play for ages 4 and up. Apr 2-24, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar (Mirvish). A Pakistani-American lawyer and his white American wife host a dinner party where – despite everyone’s liberal and progressive views – everyone is drawn into a conversation that reveals their “tribal” roots. Opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (and Apr 13). $39-$89. Show Info.
Downtown Manhatten – the Melting Pot. Soulpepper Concert Series presents a theatrical concert that explores the history and culture of the original neighbourhoods of New York. Apr 4 & 8 at 7:30 pm, Apr 9 at 2 pm. $25-$60. Show Info.
Killer Joe by Tracy Letts (surface / underground). A man decides to kill his alcoholic mother to collect insurance money and pay off his drug debts. Previews Apr 3, opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 24, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, preview $20. Show Info.
We Three by Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman (Cue6 Theatre/Tarragon Theatre Workspace initiative). Three university friends reunite but find that everything has changed in this drama about 4th wave feminism and being a woman in 2016. Previews Apr 3-6 Sun 2:30 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm, opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $17-$37. In the Workspace. Show Info.
The Assholes: A Cabaret (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). Workshop presentation of TSG’s exploration of Bouffon theatre. This productions mocks the hypocrites who are responsible for the stark inequality of wealth distribution in the world. Previews Apr 1-2, opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $18.50, preview $10, Sun pwyc at the door. In the Studio. Show Info.
The Terrible Parents by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). This gender-bending take on family life looks at the secrets lurking in the shadows of a seemingly perfect 1960s family. Previews Apr 6, opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 17, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc-$37. Show Info.
Matt & Ben by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers (Fancy Bits Theatre). All-female production of the play about the Hollywood golden boys before J-Lo, before Gwyneth and before anyone cared. Opens Apr 6 and runs to Apr 9, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15. In the BackSpace at Imperial Pub. Show Info.
The Best Plan for Living Happily by Julia Lederer (QuestionMark-Exclamation Theatre/Birdtown and Swanville). A woman deals with an existential crisis in the wake of her best friend’s wedding. Previews Apr 7, opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. Show Info.
Lucio Silla by WA Mozart (Opera Atelier). The Roman emperor lusts after the daughter of his enemy in this early Mozart opera. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 16, Apr 7, 9, 12 and 15 at 7:30 pm, Apr 10 at 3 pm, Apr 16 at 4:30 pm. $38-$191. Show Info.
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts (Alumnae Theatre). A family must confront its secrets when its alcoholic patriarch disappears in this darkly comic drama. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
Consolation by Charles George (Wishing Well Players). A hospitalized woman can’t get the peace and quiet she needs in this short comedy play. Opens Apr 2 and runs to Apr 9, Fri-Sat 6:30 pm. $25 (dinner and show). Show Info: 416-497-6216.
The Addams Family Musical by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice and Andrew Lippa (Alexander Showcase Theatre). This musical comedy is based on the TV series about the ghoulish, quirky family. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 16, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $32, stu/srs $27. Show Info.
Mahalia Jackson Broadway Musical Play (Lavarious & Co/Kaleo Productions). Musical tribute show about the life and music of the singer/civil rights activist also known as The Queen Of Gospel. Apr 8-9, Fri 8 pm, Sat 3 & 7:30 pm. $25-$40. Show Info.
Golden Flamingo Revue. Vintage Vegas show experience with a classic burlesque twist w/ Pastel Supernova, Esther De Ville, Laura Desiree, Dolly Berlin, plus guests Kitten Monroe, Kassandra Love & others, live musicians and more. Apr 8 at 10:30 pm (doors 9:30 pm), followed by after party with DJ Misty. $25-$35. VIP $45. After Party may be attended without show ticket, cover is $10 at Door from midnight-2am. All Show Tickets include the after party. Show Info.
Objects Lie on a Table. Workshop performance of Gertrude Stein’s 1922 play featuring members of the University of Toronto drama community. Apr 2 at 2 pm, Apr 10 at 7 pm. Free. In Justina M. Barnicke Gallery. Show Info.
Toronto Cold Reads. Incubator reading series for new film, TV and theatre scripts read by professional actors. Weekly, Sundays at 9 pm. Pwyc. 2nd floor. Show Info.
A Rhapsody in Gershwin. Harold Green Jewish Theatre presents a company fundraising concert highlighting some of the greatest Jewish composers and lyricists. Apr 10 at 7:30 pm. $25-$180. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings