Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of September 4th, 2017
Happy Labour Day! The last day of a beautiful long weekend—and the last weekend of a beautiful summer—is the perfect time to check out Toronto’s latest stage offerings. From Shakespeare to circus to live storytelling and musicals, there is something to excite everyone’s senses this week! Our editor Lin is here with her select picks in red. Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
Pippi: The Strongest Girl in the World by Astrid Lindgren (Fourth Gorgon Theatre). In this adaptation, Pippi is surprised by her pirate crew who show up to take everyone on a musical sailing adventure. 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 Aug 23 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. $25. At Pirate Life Toronto. Show Info.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in the Ruff). The romantic comedy is performed outdoors. Previews from Aug 15, opens Aug 18 and runs to Sep 3, Tue-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc. At Withrow Park. Show Info.
And everything else:
Confabulation: Second Chances. Storytelling show about re-dos, do-overs and starting from scratch. Sep 6 at 7:30 pm. $8-$10. At Burdock. Show Info. At Burdock. Show Info.
ASMRtist (Alma Matters Productions/Pink Door Productions). This production blends performance, sound and video and explores Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) as an accessible way to calm anxiety. Opens Sep 7 and runs to Sep 16, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $15-$35, Sep 8 pwyc. At Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse. Show Info.
VOLTA by Bastien Alexandre (Cirque du Soleil). Theatrical spectacle about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail featuring music, dance, acrobatic arts and BMX bike stunts. Opens Sep 7 and runs to Nov 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm (and some Tuesdays), mat Sat 4:30 pm (and some Fridays), Sun 1:30 & 5 pm. $49-$300. At Big Top (Lakeshore/Cherry Street). Show Info.
Mockingbird Close by Trevor Schmidt (INpulse Theatre). Buried secrets come to light for a seemingly perfect family in a seemingly safe neighbourhood when a little boy disappears. Opens Sep 8 and runs to Sep 16, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sep 10 & 16 at 2 pm. $15-$20. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.
Dreamgirls by Tom Eyen and Henry Krieger. (LOT). A Black female trio from Chicago become superstars in this musical based on the aspirations and successes of R&B acts of the 60s and 70s. Opens Sep 8 and runs to Nov 19, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 4 pm. $55-$75. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Nunsense by Dan Goggins (The Civic Light-Opera Co.). A group of nuns stage a fundraising variety show in this irreverent musical revue. Opens Sep 6 and runs to Sep 17, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Sep 16). $28. At Zion Cultural Centre. Show Info.
Toronto International Buskerfest for Epilepsy. Local and international clowns, comedians, escape artists, acrobats, aerial artists, sword swallowers, musicians, magicians, fire jugglers and other street performers fill the park with amazing sights and sounds at this annual spectacle that raises funds for Epilepsy Toronto. Sep 1-4, admission by donation. At Woodbine Park. Show Info.
Bandits in the Valley. Tapestry Opera presents a site-specific multimedia opera by playwright Julie Tepperman and composer Benton Roark. Set in 1860s Toronto, it tells the story of a local bandit group, aided by a troupe of travelling Gilbert & Sullivan players, who attempt to steal a mysterious object from a wealthy citizen’s home in the Don Valley. Opens Sep 2 and runs to Sep 30, Sat-Sun various times, see website (no show Sep 17). Free (ticket required). At Todmorden Mills. 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.
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.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.