Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of October 3rd.
We have some post-apocalyptic doom on stage this week in Toronto, playing right alongside stories of war, identity, and oppressive regimes. And as usual much, much more. This week we have our editor Samantha here to choose her most-anticipated shows in red text.
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
The Watershed by Annabel Soutar (Crow’s Theatre/Porte Parole/La Coop Fédérée). This play follows an artist and a nation struggling to chart a sustainable course between economic growth and environmental stewardship. Previews from Sep 20, opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (see website for other matinee dates and times). $22-$65. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Noises Off by Michael Frayn (Soulpepper Theatre). A misfit company of actors juggle their lines, love lives and lunches just hours before opening night in this classic farce. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Oct 22, see website for schedule. $32-$94, youth/rush $5-$25. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Hosanna by Michel Tremblay (Soulpepper Theatre). A drag performer and her partner confront insecurities and illusions about identity. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 15, see website for schedule. $32-$94, youth/rush $5-$25. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
The Stranger. DopoLavoro Teatrale presents the walkabout theatrical production by Daniele Bartolini, in which the city is the stage and the audience is the protagonist. Sep 20-Oct 9, Tue-Fri 5-9:20 pm (shows every 25 minutes); Sat-Sun 3-8:10 pm (shows every 25 minutes). Location revealed with ticket purchase (Queen West area). $30. Show Info.
One Things Leads to Another returns to Young People’s Theatre (YPT) by popular demand. An innovative work of theatre commissioned by YPT and created specifically for infants, One Thing Leads to Another transforms everyday objects into fabulous, fanciful phenomena. Sep 22 – Oct 8. $18.65. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info
Blind Date by Rebecca Northan (BIBT). This new version of the clown play see Mimi and Mathieu finding love with a different person (from the audience) every night. Previews from Sep 20, opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $29-$39, previews $25, rush $20, Sun PWYC at the door. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.
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. At Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.
And the rest:
“Master Harold”…And The Boys by Athol Fugard (Obsidian Theatre/Shaw Festival). A young man struggles with his father and racial tensions in apartheid-era South Africa. Oct 8-23. Previews Oct 8, opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (no Sat mat on Oct 8). $29.50. At the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.
Italian Mime Suicides / Three Red Days. (Bad News Days). This double bill explores the loneliness and isolation of artist by society and oppressive regime. Oct 8-23, see website for schedule and details. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.
Rutas Panamericanas. Presented by Aluna Theatre & Native Earth Performing Arts. Artists from North and South America come together two weeks of theatre, music, visual arts and conversations about performance and human rights in this festival. Oct 5-16, see website for details. At the Native Earth Performing Arts Centre. Show Info.
Turkey Shoot by Alex Dault (Single Thread Theatre). This work of historic fiction imagines a friendship between Anishnaabe holy man Kahkewaquonaby and Scottish surveyor David Gibson in the mid 1800s, and takes place in Gibson’s 180-year-old historic home. Previews Oct 6, opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 22, see website for schedule. Free w/ museum admission ($8). At Gibson House. Show Info.
This Is Why We Live . (Open Heart Surgery Theatre). Inspired by the work of Polish poet Wisława Szymborska, this fusion of poetry-theatre, live music and collage takes two actors and a musician on a journey through fragmented and visceral encounters with the world. Oct 6-9, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $25, stu $20. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.
Mary Poppins by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman and Julian Fellowes (LOT). This musical is based on the PL Travers book and the 1964 film. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Nov 20, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $55-$65. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
The Possibilities by Howard Barker (Ryerson School of Performance). Themes of war, violence, repression and revenge are explored in this vignette play that spans from 550 BC to a futuristic dystopia. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 6, Fri-Sat & Mon-Thu 8 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. At Abrams Studio. Show Info.
Dead End by Jonny Sun (Theatre Lab). Two survivors of the zombie apocalypse contemplate survival, fear, humanness and their relationship with each other. Previews Oct 5, opens Oct 6 and runs to Oct 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$30, preview $15, Tue pwyc. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Norma by Vincenzo Bellini (Canadian Opera Company). A secret love affair brings two enemies together in a time of war in this bel canto opera. Opens Oct 6 and runs to Nov 5, see website for times. $35-$350. At the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Entertaining Angels by Richard Everett (Stage Centre Productions). A widowed clergy wife starts enjoying her freedom until her missionary sister returns. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 8, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 2 and 8 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. At Fairview Library. Show Info.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, adapted by Matthew Thomas Walker (Litmus Theatre/KABIN/TPM). Stage adaptation of the novel by Aldous Huxley about a dystopian future society of infinite distractions and what it means to be human. Previews Sep 27-28, opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 16, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm (see website for other times). $22-$42. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
Concord Floral by Jordan Tannahill (Canadian Stage). Teens deal with a mysterious plague they’ve brought upon themselves in this re-imagining of Boccaccio’s Decameron. Previews from Sep 27, opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 16, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $35-$79. At Bluma Appel Theatre. Show Info.
The Numbers Game by The Pulp Collective (The Pulp Collective/Storefront). This six-part serial looks at the gang and race war that tore through Harlem after prohibition ended and organized crime turned from booze to gambling. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Nov 6, see website for schedule. $20 per episode, $35 for two episodes. At The Storefront Theatre. Show Info.
Diaspora Dub – Performance #1. b current takes their cue in this return to their roots from legendary poet and theatre artist ahdri zhina mandiela’s original work, dark diaspora….in dub. The series of performances is popping up throughout Toronto October 1, 7 and 9, 2016. Saturday Oct 1 – 10PM. $13-$30. Various Locations. Show Info.
Junie B. Jones The Musical. A delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books, brought to life in a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical developed by TheatreworksUSA. Awaken a young person’s desire to read with the sassy little diva, Junie B. Jones, and her adventures in first grade! Oct. 1-16. $29.99-$39.99. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.