Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of July 25th
This week, we’ve got some interactive theatre on offer, as well as a number of festivals covering burlesque, one-act plays, and lots of other specializations! The summer theatre scene is in full swing, and we have our Editor Samantha here to help you narrow things down. Her picks are highlighted in red text under the cut!
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Matilda: the Musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin (Mirvish/Royal Shakespeare Company/The Dodger). A gifted girl uses her imagination and sharp mind to fight against the cruel and cynical people in her life in this musical based on the novel by Roald Dahl. Opens Jul 5 and runs to Oct 16, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (no performances Sep 6-11). $38-$139. Show Info.
And the rest:
52 Pick-Up by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozie (The Howland Co). A mix of writing and improvisation is used in this intimate look at relationships told through a game of 52 Pick-up. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jul 27, Wed 8 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.
The Taming of the Shrew. Driftwood Theatre’s presents the annual Bard’s Bus Tour, featuring Shakespeare’s comedy performed under the stars at various venues in Toronto and in towns around southern Ontario. Jul 8-Aug 14, see website for schedule and locations. All shows pwyc ($20 reserved). Show Info.
Peter and the Starcatcher by Rick Elice and Wayne Barker (LOT). This prequel to Peter Pan involves an orphan boy stowed away on a ship and a girl protecting a box of stardust. Opens Jul 7 and runs to Aug 28, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
The Hogtown Experience (The Hogtown Collective). An immersive theatre experience incorporating drama, music and dance to look at Prohibition-era Toronto and its dark past. Previews from Jul 6, opens Jul 14 and runs to Aug 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun 2 pm. $45, previews $39, opening night $75. Show Info.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Humber River Shakespeare Company presents its annual outdoor summer production in Toronto and other cities in southern Ontario. All shows Tue-Sat 7 pm, pwyc. Jul 5-30, see website for schedule and locations. Toronto-area shows July 24 & 29-31 at Montgomery’s Inn; July 26 at Etienne Brulé Park; July 27-28 at the Old Mill. Show Info.
Shakespeare in High Park: Hamlet. Canadian Stage and the York University Dept of Theatre present the annual outdoor theatre gig. The classic tale of betrayal, revenge and murder is performed outdoors. Previews from Jun 30, opens Jul 14 and runs to Sep 3, Tue, Thu & Sat 8 pm (All’s Well That Ends Well runs on Wed, Fri & Sun to Sep 4). Pwyc, $20 suggested; advance premium reserved seats $25. At the Amphitheatre. Show Info.
Shakespeare in High Park: All’s Well that Ends Well. Canadian Stage and the York University Dept of Theatre present the annual outdoor theatre gig. The bed-trick romantic comedy is performed outdoors. Previews from Jul 1, opens Jul 15 and runs to Sep 4, Wed, Fri & Sun 8 pm. (Hamlet runs on Tue, Thu & Sat to Sep 3). Pwyc, $20 suggested; advance premium reserved seats $25. At the Amphitheatre. Show Info.
Killer Tunes. Presented by Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre. Music superstars gather at an awards show in this interactive dinner theatre whodunnit. July 8 to Sep 17, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for matinees. $45-$87. Show Info.
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (Soulpepper Theatre). A woman worries about the emergence of a secret while her husband celebrates a big promotion in this drama about gender roles and family values. Previews from Jul 18, opens Jul 27 and runs to Aug 27, see website for schedule. $32-$96. Show Info.
Best of Fringe 2016. Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival presents encore performances of hit shows from the festival. Shows getting an encore staging: Blind To Happiness, Far Away, Peter vs Chris, Dance Animal: Toronto, Everything Else Is Sold Out, Bright Lights, Out, Like A Generation, Tonight’s Cancelled, Romeo & Juliet Chainsaw Massacre. July 13-27, see website for schedule. $17.75. Show Info.
The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by Patrick Buchan (Soulpepper Theatre). An everyday man is thrust in a mysterious romance and dangerous manhunt in this comedy whodunit. Previews from Jul 21, opens Aug 3 and runs to Aug 22, see website for schedule. $32-$96. Show Info.
Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts I, II, III) by Suzan-Lori Parks (Soulpepper Theatre). This trilogy looks at America’s ongoing and turbulent relationship with tells a tale of homecoming, family and heroism set against the US Civil War. Previews from Jul 25, opens Aug 4 and runs to Aug 27, see website for schedule. $32-$96. Show Info.
Cracked: New Light on Dementia. Partnerships in Dementia CareAlliance (PiDC) present a research-based theatre production that looks at the dominant “tragic” ways persons with dementia are understood and treated in our society. Inspired in part by Leonard Cohen’s words in Anthem, the play is intended to inspire alternative ways of seeing persons with dementia as vital human beings with agency and possibility. Jul 26 at 5:45 pm (also Jul 27, 7:30 pm, at Isabel Bader Theatre; and Jul 28, 7:30 pm, at Baycrest Health Sciences). $20, stu/srs $10 (AAIC delegates free). Show Info.
Shakesbeer: The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). Classical Theatre Project presents a comedic play in a tavern setting. This comedic romp through a medley of the Bard’s works is performed in a tavern setting alongside buskers, musicians and more. Opens Jul 27 and runs to Aug 31, Wednesdays 6:30 & 9 pm. $29-$59. Live jazz by Django Futuro. Show Info.
20/40. Bad Dog Theatre presents an experimental theatre show composed of 20 acts performed in 40 minutes, featuring theatre, performance art, dance and audience participation. Jul 27-30, Wed-Fri 9:30 pm, Sat 11 pm; $10-$15. Show Info.
Toronto Burlesque Festival. Performance art, striptease, comedy, aerial performances, theatrical play, workshops, parties and more w/ Dirty Martini, Ava Noir, Charlie Chapless, Miss Mitzy Cream, The Stage Door Johnnies, Medianoche, Dolly Berlin and others. At Revival and Mod Club (722 College). Jul 28-31, see website for details. $25-$60/ show, festival passes available. Show Info.
Eos Festival. Second Strike Productions presents one-act plays by Nina Kaye, David Guaspari, Jimmy Zhao and Sara D’Agostino. Jul 28-31, details TBA. Show Info.
Luzia by Daniele Finzi Pasca and Julie Hamelin Finzi (Cirque du Soleil). Acrobats, musicians, dancers, storytellers and more are used to tell a story inspired by the monarch butterfly’s journey from Canada to Mexico. Opens Jul 28 and runs to Oct 2, see website for schedule. $49 & up. Show Info.
Rumplestiltskin. Dufflebag Theatre presents a family-friendly show outdoors at the Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre. Activities from 6 pm, show 7-8 pm. Free. Show Info.
Footloose by Dean Pitchford and Tom Snow (Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts). A young rebel comes to a small town where dancing is banned in this musical. Opens Jul 28 and runs to Aug 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Show Info.
Solt 2016 Opera Workshop (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre). Young artists perform The Tales Of Hoffman by Jacques Offenbach, A Tale Of Two Cities by Victor Davies & Eugene Benson and Giulio Cesare by GF Handel. Opens Jul 29 and runs to Aug 7, see website for schedule. $28, stu/srs $22. Show Info.
Thank You For Being a Friend (Joseph Patrick/LOT). Dorothy, Sophia, Rose and Blanche of TV’s Golden Girls take the stage in puppet form in this tribute show. Opens Jul 29 and runs to Sep 24, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Tue, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $60-$80. Show Info.
Catherine’s Creed by Jeremy Jagusch (Live History Theatre Company). This interactive show transports you back in time to a funeral reception in 1907, where you and an eccentric character will solve clues to find a hidden treasure. Jul 30-31, Sat-Sun 4:30 & 7:30 pm. $25, mat $15. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings. Illustration by Gracia Lam.