Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of January 30th

Maybe you want to know How Black Mothers Say I love You? Or maybe you’re looking for some sex, violence, and Tudor-style drama? Perhaps Shakespeare, or Stephen King are more your style? Whatever you fancy, there’s a good chance it’s on Toronto stages this week.  Luckily our managing editor Wayne is here to highlight a fews shows that caught his eye in red text. Check them out below the cut:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Passing Strange by Stew, Heidi Rodewald and Annie Dorsen (Acting Up Stage Company/Obsidian Theatre). In the late 1970s, a Black teen is driven from L.A. to Amsterdam and Berlin in search of himself and a place to call home in this rock/soul coming-of-age musical. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 5, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $35-$55. At The Opera House. Show Info.

Métis Mutt by Sheldon Elter (Native Earth Performing Arts). Elter recounts his coming-of-age story amid two distinct cultures. Using music, comedy, storytelling and multi-character vignettes, Elter reveals a personal tale that unravels racial issues and embraces the choice of life. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$25 (Jan 25 and 31 pwyc at the door). At Daniels Spectrum. Show Info.

The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (Groundling Theatre). The King of Sicilia descends into a world of jealousy, murder and conspiracy. Previews Jan 17-19, opens Jan 20 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule (runs in rep with Measure For Measure). $29-$79. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.

Sequence by Arun Lakra (Tarragon). Two intertwined stories about the interplay between science, faith, probability and luck. Previews from Jan 3, opens Jan 11 and runs to Feb 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$65. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

The Magic Flute by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). The classic opera offers a both comic and profound exploration of the trials of growing up, seeking ideals and finding love. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 24, see website for schedule. $35-$235 (box seats $350). At the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Carrie: The Musical by Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford and Lawrence D. Cohen (Hart House Theatre). A high school outcast pushes back against bullies in this musical based on the book by Stephen King. Opens Jan 20 and runs to Feb 4, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 4 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. At Hart House Theatre. Show Info.

The Gut Girls by Sarah Daniels (Alumnae Theatre). London women look for their place in the world after the gutting sheds close down in Victorian London in this play about women’s and workers’ rights, social expectations and the struggle for self-worth. Opens Jan 20 and runs to Feb 4, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed $10, Sun pwyc. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.

Alien Creature by Linda Griffiths (TPM). A poet uses magic, stories and rhymes to entice audiences with a glimpse of her life. Previews from Jan 12, opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 5, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm (and Jan 17), Sat-Sun 2 pm (no Sat mat on Jan 14). $17-$33, mat pwyc at the door. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

The Wedding Party by Kristen Thomson (Crow’s Theatre/Talk Is Free Theatre). Comedy about two families, a wedding, mistaken identities and love. Previews Jan 12-17, opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 11, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20-$40. At Crow’s Theatre. Show Info.

The Audience by Peter Morgan (Mirvish/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). This play imagines the meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and various British prime ministers over the course of 60 years. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$119. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.

Liv Stein by Nino Haratischwili (Canadian Stage). A famous pianist gives up her career and retreats from life after the death of her son, until she meets a young piano student who claims to have known him. Previews from Jan 24, opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 12, Tue-Thu and  Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $35-$99. At Bluma Appel Theatre. Show Info.

Rabbit Hole by David-Lindsay Abaire (DEELEN with TROUBLE). This blend of drama and comedy looks at the way a family deals with the loss of a child. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

The Last Wife by Kate Hennig (Soulpepper). Sex, violence and women’s rights shape a contemporary look at Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII. Previews from Jan 20, opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 11, see website for times. $32-$89. At the Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.

And the rest:

How Black Mothers Say I Love You by Trey Anthony (Trey Anthony/Girls in Bow Ties). This drama looks at Caribbean mothers who make the hard choice to leave children behind and go to work in Canada. Previews from Feb 4, opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.

Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts (Coal Mine Theatre). A donut shop owner and his young employee swap jokes and social commentary as they navigate their cross-racial, cross-generational friendship in the Uptown neighbourhood of Chicago. Previews from Feb 5, opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, preview/rush $25. At The Coal Mine Theatre. Show Info.

Rumpelstiltskin by Peter Bond (The NAGS Players). Social climbing parents “sell out” their daughter to a dimwitted king in this English pantomime comedy. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 11, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Sat 1:30 pm. $15-$20. At The Tranzac. Show Info.

Götterdämmerung by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). Deceit, betrayal and revenge drive the drama in this conclusion of the Ring cycle operas. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 25, see website for schedule. $35-$235 (box seats $350). At Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Freedom Singer (Project: Humanity/Crow’s Theatre/Urban Ink). Documentary theatre piece inspired by the journey of singer-songwriter Khari Wendell McClelland in retracing his great-grandmother’s steps to escaping slavery in the U.S. Previews Feb 1-2, opens Feb 3 and runs to Feb 11, Mon-Sat 8:30 pm (except Feb 1 at 7:30 pm), mat Feb 7 & 9 at 1 pm. $20-$40. At Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.

True Stories (Told Live) Toronto. Storytellers tell a personal story without notes in less than 10 minutes, with Chris Graham, Jess Beaulieu, Jonathan Ramoutar, Colleen Diamond and Dan Mossip-Balkwill. Hosted by Marsha from YesYesMarsha.com. Jan 31 at 7:30 pm (doors 6:45 pm). Free. At The Garrison. Show Info.

Stomp by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas (Mirvish). The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments in this high-energy music/dance/theatre performance. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$99. At Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.

Strictly Murder by Brian Clemens (Stage Centre Productions). An English couple live quietly in the French countryside until the wife finds out the husband is not who he claims to be. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 4, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Jan 29 and Feb 4 at 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25. At Fairview Mall. Show Info.

Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare (Groundling Theatre). The classic tale is staged in a gender-twist production. Previews Jan 24, 25 and 27, opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule (runs in rep with The Winter’s Tale). $29-$79. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.

The Big “What Now?” by Sandra Shamas (Everything But the Kitchens Inc). Comic artist Shamas performs a solo show about her personal exploration of life after age 50. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $45-$55. At Fleck Dance Theatre. Show Info.

John by Annie Baker (The Company Theatre). A young couple struggling to stay together meet a cheerful innkeeper. Previews Jan 29, opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule. $20-$47. At Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

The Ugly Duckthing by Marty Stelnick (SSCT). Re-telling of the Hans Christian Andersen classic using puppetry, music and multimedia for ages 5 and up. Jan 14-Feb 5, see website for schedule. $17. At Solar Stage Children’s Theatre. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.