Playlistings in Toronto for the week of July 31st

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of July 31st, 2017

It’s that quiet time in between Fringe and Summerworks where selections for Toronto theatre lovers are slightly more sparse. Don’t fear, select listings are here! Also on hand is our editor Samantha to share her top picks in RED. Check them out below the cut:

Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:

She Stoops To Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith (Guild Festival Theatre). A woman hides her social status to attract a nervous suitor in this comedy of mistaken identities and secret romance. Opens Jul 13 and runs to Aug 13, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Wed 2 pm. $25. At Guild Park. Show Info.

Vimy. Soulpepper Theatre presents a play by Vern Thiessen. Canadian soldiers convalesce in a field hospital after facing the horrors of Vimy Ridge in this WWI drama. Previews from Jun 29, opens Jul 11 and runs to Aug 5, see website for schedule and tickets. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Shakespeare in High Park: King Lear(Canadian Stage/York U Theatre Dept). The classic tragedy is staged outdoors. Previews from Jun 29, opens Jul 13 and runs to Sep 2. Pwyc, $25 reserved seating. In the Amphitheatre, High Park. Show Info.

Permanence by Cyd Casados (Libby Brodie Productions). Sex, art and addiction clash in this raw play that asks at what point does self-expression become self-harm. Opens Jul 19 and runs to Aug 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $32. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Shakespeare in High Park: Twelfth Night. (Canadian Stage/York U Theatre Dept). The comedy of mistaken identities and misplaced love is performed outdoors. Previews from Jun 30, opens Jul 14 and runs to Sep 3. Pwyc, $25 reserved seating. In the Amphitheatre, High Park. Show Info.

Hogtown: The Immersive Experience. The Hogtown Collective presents an immersive theatre experience incorporating drama, music and dance to look at Prohibition-era Toronto and its dark past. Opens Jul 13 and runs to Aug 20, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat & Sun 2 pm. $59. At Campbell House Museum. Show Info.

Confederation Part I: Confederation and Riel. Soulpepper Theatre and VideoCabaret present a new installment of the history plays series by Michael Hollingsworth. Wilfred Laurier meets the rebel Louis Riel while John A. Macdonald masterminds the deal that leads to fireworks on July 1, 1867. Previews from Jun 9, opens Jun 17 and runs to Aug 19, see website for schedule and tickets. $25-$96. At The Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.

Confederation Part II: Scandal and Rebellion. Soulpepper Theatre and VideoCabaret present a new installment of the history plays series by Michael Hollingsworth. Wilfred Laurier and John A MacDonald have their hands full as Louis Riel joins with Gabriel Dumont and Big Bear in a rebellion while business barons compete for railway lines. Previews from Jun 23, opens Jun 29 and runs to Aug 19, see website for schedule and tickets. $25-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

And everything else:

Summerworks Festival. The annual juried festival returns with theatre, dance, live music and art by Donna Michelle St. Bernard, Jesse Wabegijig, Ed Roy, Jasmyn Fyffe and many others. Aug 3-13, see website for show info & schedule. $15-$35, passes $45-$130. At various venues. Show Info.

Territorial Tales. Shakespeare In High Park presents three short plays based on themes of displacement, migration and the recapturing of spirit, penned by selected participants of Canadian Stage’s 2017 youth engagement program. Performed before the SIHP feature play (King Lear or Twelfth Night). Opens Aug 3 and runs to Sep 2, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm. Free/pwyc. At the Amphitheatre in High Park. See website for more info on the show & cast. Show Info.

12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose (The Toronto Stage Company). Personal issues rise to the surface as members of a jury debate a death-penalty case involving an inner-city teen. Opens Aug 1 and runs to Aug 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 3 pm. $35 & up. At Bluma Appel Theatre. Show Info.

SOLT 2017 Opera Workshop. Summer Opera Lyric Theatre presents performances showcasing young artists who have completed an 8-week course of study. Works to be performed: Carmen by Georges Bizet; The Marriage Of Figaro by W.A. Mozart; Night Blooming Cereus by John Beckwith; and the world premiere of A Northern Lights Dream by Michael Rose. Opens Jul 28 and runs to Aug 6, see website for schedule and more details. $28, stu/srs $22 (subscription: $60 for 3 performances). At Robert Gill Theatre. Show Info. 
Carmen – Jul 29 & Aug 6 at 2 pm; Aug 1 & 3 at 8 pm.
The Marriage Of Figaro – Jul 29, Aug 2 & 4 at 8 pm; Aug 2 at 2 pm
Night Blooming Cereus & A Northern Lights Dream – Jul 28 & Aug 5 at 8 pm; Jul 30 & Aug 5 at 2 pm.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical book by Douglas McGrath (Paul Blake/Sony/ATV Music). The story of King’s rise to stardom as a composer and singer-songwriter, marriage and divorce to writing partner Gerry Goffin and friendships with other musical artists. Opens Jun 27 and runs to Sep 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm (no show Jul 1). $50-$149. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.

The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum, Harold Arlen and EY Harburg (LOT). A girl and her dog travel over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home in this musical based on the classic film. Opens Jun 16 and runs to Aug 27, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon and 4 pm. $50-$70. At The Lower Ossington Theatre.  Show Info.

Pirate Life Children’s Theatre. Kids can dress in costume, get face paint tattoos and help discover the mystery of the treasure map in this interactive theatrical show/boat cruise. Opens May 6 and runs to Oct 8, Sat-Sun until Jun 25, daily Jun 26-Sep 4, weekends to Oct 9. Various times from 10:30 am-5 pm. $25. At Island Rogue. Show Info.

Billy Bishop Goes To War. Soulpepper Theatre presents a play by John MacLachlan Gray with Eric Peterson. Peterson and MacLachlan Gray reprise their roles in this two-man stage play about the famous WWI fighter pilot as he looks back on his life. Previews from Jul 1, opens Jul 10 and runs to Aug 5, see website for schedule and tickets. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings