Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of October 16th, 2017
As the leaves begin their descent towards the ground and summer reluctantly departs, Toronto’s vibrant theatre scene is in full swing. Lin, one part of the Mooney editorial team, is on hand to highlight her most anticipated shows (in red). Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Simon Stephens, adapted from the novel by Mark Haddon (The National Theatre/Mirvish). A 15-year old math genius on the autism spectrum comes under suspicion for the killing of his neighbour’s dog. Previews from Oct 10, opens Oct 15 and runs to Nov 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $38-$149. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.
The Adventures of Tom Shadow. Theatre Lab presents a comedic musical, written and performed by Mark Little, Lisa Gilroy, Natalie Metcalfe, Christian Smith, and Kevin Vidal. The play is a twisted, not-for-kids take on Peter Pan. Previews Oct 11, opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $23-$43. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
North by Northwest by Ernest Lehman (Mirvish). In a case of mistaken identity, an advertising executive is tormented by thugs in this adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 film. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $38-$150. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. 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.
Lukumi by d’bi.young anitafrika (The Watah Theatre). Set in post-apocalypse Turtle Island, a group of freedom fighters use try to survive and redeem humanity in this Afro-futuris dub opera. Previews from Sep 22, opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2:30 pm. $27-$32, Wed mat pwyc. Extraspace. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Bello by Vern Thiessen (Concrete Theatre/L’Unithéâtre/YPT). A young boy gets lost coming home from school in a snowstorm. The chance encounters he has along the way teach him about himself, family and the importance of compassion. Presented in French and English, for ages 5-9. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 20, see website for schedule. $10-$34. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
Unapologetically Me: Sharron’s Cabaret For Kids. Sharron Matthews performs her musical cabaret for young audiences featuring pop, rock and funk music and storytelling. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 21, see website for schedule. $24, youth/srs $19. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
And everything else:
Testify: Indigenous Laws + the Arts. Celebration of Indigenous Laws as expressed through art. Script reading of Justin Neal’s Boundary Bay, performance of (Il)legal Let us Cry (Mariel Belanger/Greg Younging) and dialogue with artists and authors. The dialogue invited by this project puts the idea of reconciliation into practice by creating a space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians to dream a way forward which respects and reflects the diversity, strength and hope embodied within Indigenous traditions. Oct 16, 7-9:30 pm. $15-$30, child 12 & under free, available at eventbrite.ca. At Osgoode Hall. Show Info.
Other Side of the Game. Cahoots Theatre and Obsidian Theatre present a documentary theatre work by Amanda Parris. Inspired by interviews conducted with individuals in Toronto and Halifax, this play explores the lives of Black women who support their men, their families and communities, even in the face of dire consequences. Previews from Oct 14, opens Oct 18 and runs to Nov 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $37, stu/arts workers $25, previews $20. At Daniels Spectrum. Show Info.
Asking For It by Ellie Moon (Crow’s Theatre/Nightwood Theatre/Necessary Angel). This documentary play explores gender roles and sexual consent in the wake of the Ghomeshi scandal and looks at shame, power, ambiguity and misunderstanding in communication about sex. Previews Oct 6, opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm (and Oct 16), mat Oct 14 & 21 at 2 pm. $20-$25. At Streetcar Crownsnest. Show Info.
Huff by Cliff Cardinal (Soulpepper Theatre/Native Earth Performing Arts). Wind and his brothers are caught in a torrent of solvent abuse as they struggle to cope with the death of their mother. Previews Oct 16, opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 28, see website for times. $35. At The Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.
Future Theatre Festival. Seven Siblings Theatre presents a new festival featuring brand new Canadian plays by Genevieve Adam, Nawi Moreno-Valverde and Becky Tanton, plus a staged reading, Halloween party and acting workshop. Oct 19-29, see website for times. $20, stu $15, festival pass $50. At The Attic Arts Hub. Show Info.
The One More Night Festival. Brick & Mortar presents a remount of shows that got Critic’s Choice, Patron’s Pick and rave reviews. Oct 18-22, see website for schedule. $20/show, available at nowtickets.ca. At The Commons. Show Info.
You, Me, We, Us by John Rowntree (Gambler Productions). This two-hander follows two strangers on their journeys to accept themselves after a freak accident brings them together. Oct 19-21, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $20, stu/artists $15. Cash only at the door. At The Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.
The Valley. East Side Players presents a play by Joan MacLeod. Inspired by the 2007 Tasering death of Robert Dziekanski at the Vancouver airport, The Valley dramatizes the volatile relationship between law enforcement and people in the grip of mental illness. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 4, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm.. $24, stu $15. At The Papermill Theatre. Show Info.
Thirteen Hands by Carol Shields (Alumnae Theatre). Four women, their daughters and granddaughters find connection through a weekly game of bridge. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 4, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $25, (opening gala reception & show $50); Wed 2 for $25, Sun pwyc. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.
Cloud by Daniel Pagett (Scapegoat Collective). This mutlidisciplinary production tells of humanity’s creation of a collective consciousness: an internet that can share thought and emotion files and tactile experience. The production explores themes of ownership, love, non-monogamy and the need to feel special. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 5, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $30. At Artscape Sandbox. Show Info.
Villains: And 80s Musical Cabaret by Melly Magrath & Caitlin Turner (Small but Mighty Productions). An original musical cabaret about a place to reform criminals with superhuman abilities set to 80s hits. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Oct 29, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (and Oct 29), mat Sat 1:30 pm (and Oct 22). $22. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.
Guswenta Gathering. Soulpepper Theatre presents theatre, dance, solo shows, storytelling and talks by Indigenous artists, including the play Huff by Clifford Cardinal, dance show Neoindigena by Santee Smith, the First Story Bus Tour and more. Oct 16-21, see website for schedule and details. $5-35, some events free. At The Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.
The Times They Are A Changin’. (Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company). Louise Pitre and W. Joseph Matheson perform songs by Bob Dylan, Mama Cass, Leonard Cohen, Carole King and others to celebrate the Jewish voices who contributed to the music of a generation. Previews from Oct 17, opens Oct 19 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$91. Greenwin Theatre. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.
Breaking Legs by Tom Dulack (Mortar & Pestle Productions). A playwright gets mixed up with mobsters looking to make it big in the world of theatre. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 21, Thu-Fri 8 pm (and Oct 14), mat Sat 2 pm. $15. At Gerrard Art Space. Show Info.
Tragedie of Lear. Adapted from William Shakespeare (Tragedie of Lear). This play uses Shakespeare’s classic tragedy to explore the relationship between aging parents and their adult children through the lens of mental illness. Previews Oct 12 (1:30 & 7:30 pm), opens Oct 13 and runs to Oct 22. Fri-Sat & Mon 7:30 pm. mat Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $28, stu/srs/preview $20. At the Palmerston Library Theatre. Show Info.
Salt-water Moon. Mirvish presents the Factory Theatre production of the play by David French, directed by Ravi Jain. A young man returns home to woo a former sweetheart who has moved on in 1926 Newfoundland. Previews from Oct 12, opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$92. At The Panasonic Theatre. Show Info.
Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott (Scarborough Theatre Guild). A blind woman is threatened by thugs who believe she has their drug-filled doll in her apartment. Opens Oct 6 and runs to Oct 21, Thu-Sat 8 pm (no evening show Oct 21), mat Oct 8, 15 and 21 at 2 pm. $24. At Scarborough Guild Theatre. Show Info.
Life After by Britta Johnson (Canadian Stage/Yonge Street Theatricals). A 16-year-old girl must navigate her life after her self-help-guru father dies in a car accident. Previews from Sep 23, opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 22, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $35-$59. See website for details and to buy tickets. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.
Undercover by Rebecca Northan and Bruce Horak (Tarragon/Vertigo Theatre). An audience member will become a rookie detective and try to separate clues from red herrings to solve a murder mystery. Previews from Sep 19, opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (and Sep 30 & Oct 14). $22-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Legends of Horror. Host Dracula leads an immersive theatrical 1.5 km indoor/outdoor walk through the bowels of the historic castle to encounter classic horror figures. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 31, daily every half hour from 7 pm-midnight. $40-$45. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. At Casa Loma. Show Info.
Curious George and the Golden Meatball. by John Kavanaugh and Jeremy Desmon (Lower Ossington Theatre). The mischievous monkey from kids’ books tries to help his chef friend win a cooking competition in this all-ages musical. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Nov 26, Sat 1 pm, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $30-$40. At Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Nov 26, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 4 pm. $55-$65. At The Lower Ossington 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.
Bat out of Hell The Musical. Mirvish presents the rock ‘n’ roll musical by Jim Steinman (producers: David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox and Tony Smith). A young rebel falls in love with the daughter of a powerful man in a post-apocalyptic world in this rock ‘n’ roll musical. Previews from Oct 14, opens Oct 25 and runs to Dec 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $29-$139. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.