Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of November 27th, 2017
With some classics well under way, and a slough of new shows opening this week, there is something for everyone hungry for live theatre in Toronto. Our managing editor Wayne is here to choose his most anticipated shows are highlighted (in red). Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
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
Beauty and the Beast. Young People’s Theatre’s Production of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton. The musical based on the Disney film about hope and being your authentic self is brought to the stage. For ages 5 and up. Previews from Nov 6, opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 31, see website for schedule. $10-$49. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
Grease The Musical by Jim Jacob and Warren Casey (Irregular Entertainment). The original high-school musical set in the 1950s deals with themes of first love, friendship and themes of identity. Previews from Nov 1, opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 10, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $29-$159. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.
Poison by Lot Vekemans (Coal Mine Theatre). A couple meet for the first time in years following a harrowing breakup. Old wounds re-open, new truths surface and the real reason behind their separation is revealed. Previews from Nov 12, opens Nov 15 and runs to Dec 3, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $42.50, preview/rush $25. At The Coal Mine Theatre. Show Info.
Marine Life by Rosa Laborde (Aluna Theatre/Tarragon). An ecological activist is caught between her own environmental extremism and falling in love with a man who has a secret dependency on plastic. Previews from Nov 8, opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat & Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$60. Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
Mr. Shi and his Lover by Wong Teng Chi and Njo Kong Kie (Macau Experimental Theatre/Music Picnic/Point of View Art Assoc). Chinese opera and vintage pop are used to tell the story of an espionage scandal in which a French diplomat falls in love with a mysterious opera singer. Previews from Nov 7, opens Nov 15 and runs to Dec 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat & Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.
And everything else:
Tapestry Briefs: Winter Shorts. Tapestry Opera presents bite-sized opera works by composers Afarin Mansouri, Iman Habibi, Kit Soden and Norbert Palej in tandem with librettists Bobby Theodore, Marcia Johnson, Phoebe Tsang and Jessica Murphy-Moo. Nov 30-Dec 3, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $45. At Dancemakers Studio 313. Show Info.
Charlie: Son of Man by Adrian Yearwood (Echo Productions). This play puts a modern twist on the events surrounding the rise and fall of murderer Charles Manson. Manipulation achieved by 60s sex and drugs is replaced with today’s drug of choice: smartphones. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 9, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$28. At Walmer Centre Theatre. Show Info.
This Is The Point by Tony Diamanti, Liz MacDougall, Karin Randoja, Christine Serra and Dan Watson (Ahuri Theatre/Theatre Centre). Two couples draw from their lives to explore questions of representation and the nature of companionship for people with disabilities. Dec 1-3, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, stu/srs $25. At The Theatre Centre. Show Info.
7th Cousins by Christine Brubaker and Erin Brubacher (Nightwood Theatre). Pop-up performance based on the true story of two women who walked a 700 km journey tracing the migration route of their Mennonite ancestors. Dec 2-3, Sat and Sunday at 2:30 pm. $15-$30. At Emmet Ray Bar. Show Info.
Never Swim Alone by Daniel MacIvor. Two egotistical men are locked in a ruthless battle of one-upmanship for seemingly no reason in this play about masculinity and competition. This show is about relationships, what time does to friendships and how we deal with loss. But MacIvor’s work always layers it’s serious themes between clever comedic banter. All true comedy is rooted in truth, and sometimes the funniest moments come out of the darkest truths we can offer. Dec 1-3, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25, adv $20. At The Commons Space. Show Info.
Moll by Leslie Arden and Cathy Elliott (Randolph College). Contemporary Canadian musical, loosely based on Moll Flanders. Born to a suicidal drug addict, raised in foster care, abused and desperate, a young woman tries to navigate a life out of abuse and sex work to a future of family and hope. Nov 28-Dec 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22, at ticketweb.ca. ADVISORY: mature themes, including drug use/overdose, rape, sexual situations and profanity. At The Annex Theatre. Show Info.
Heisenberg by Simon Stephens (Canadian Stage). In a crowded London train station, an unexpected kiss drives life-changing events for two strangers. Previews from Nov 28, opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 17, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $39-$69. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.
Instant by Erin Shields (Young People’s Theatre/Geordie Productions). Three young people striving to be noticed find themselves in the midst of a social media controversy. For ages 12 & up. Opens Nov 28 and runs to Dec 15, see website for schedule. $19-$24. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.
Wake Up And Smell The Coffee by Eric Bogosian (LowDown Theatre Company). 16 male actors directed by 13 female directors perform 18 monologues that skewer pop culture, conformity and human nature itself. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 3, daily 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, at BPT. At The Assembly Theatre. Show Info.
Climb The Musical. Duane Forrest presents an original musical about navigating the ups and downs of a relationship in search of lasting love. Through a collection of songs written and performed by singer-songwriter Forrest, Climb The Musical follows the journey of Diego from a devastating breakup to meeting the beautiful Mariela, who also is grappling with her own difficult past. Nov 26-27 at 7 pm. $20, available on eventbrite.com. Proceeds support Genesis Community of the Arts charity in Honduras. At Wychwood Theatre. Show Info.
Trace by Jeff Ho (b current performing arts/Factory). This play follows three generations of mother and son from the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong to Canada in the 21st century. Written and performed by Jeff Ho, this stimulating chamber play offers a new look into the lasting implications of sacrifice across generations. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm (and Nov 12 at 7 pm), Sun 2 pm. $30-$50, previews $20. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
Pygmalion by George Bernad Shaw (Alexander Showcase Theatre). A London professor wagers that he can pass of a Cockney flower girl as a duchess in this classic social comedy play. Opens Nov 23 and runs to Dec 3, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $22-$28. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info.
Unholy by Diane Flacks (Nightwood Theatre). Four women – a progressive Muslim lawyer, an Orthodox Jewish spiritual leader, an excommunicated nun and a lesbian atheist pundit – debate religion and misogyny. Previews from Nov 23, opens Nov 25 and runs to Dec 10 Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$35, Sun pwyc. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.
Oleanna by David Mamet (Theatre Penumbra). A power struggle ensues when a female student accuses a professor of sexual harassment. Opens Nov 21 and runs to Dec 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $20-$25. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.
A&R Angels by Kevin Drew (Crow’s Theatre). Two songwriting angels who write music to uplift people worry that they’ve lost the hitmaker’s touch in this rock fable. Broken Social Scene band member Drew stars in the play along with Billy Talent front man Ben Kowalewicz. Previews from Nov 20, opens Nov 23 and runs to Dec 9, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed & Sat 2 pm. $20-$50. At Streetcar Crowsnest. Show Info.
Cake by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard (New Harlem Productions/Theatre Passe Muraille). This play takes a stark and poetic look at the things we use, how we are used and what happens when we’re all used up. Previews from Nov 17, opens on Nov 21 and runs to Dec 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$33 (weekend mats pwyc at the door; $22.50 in advance). At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.