Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of January 29th, 2018
If you’re a fan of queer-centred shows, festivals, and diversity on stage, this week’s picks will warm your heart. There is much to choose from, so here to help you chose is our editor Samantha, with a few of her top picks in red. Check them out below the cut:
Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:
Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Tarragon). The classic tragedy is re-examined through the lens of rock ‘n’ roll. Previews from Jan 2, opens Jan 10 and runs to Feb 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (see website for Saturday and Wednesday matinees). $20-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show info.
Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett (Singing Swan Productions/TPM). Bob Nasmith plays Krapp reviewing tapes he made when he was younger in this solo show. Previews on Jan 17, opens on Jan 18 and runs to Jan 28, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. EXTENDED: will also run Feb 6-11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (no shows between Jan 28 and Feb 6). $20, mat pwyc at the door. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
Calpurnia Nightwood Theatre and Sulong Theatre present a provocative look at class, race and family dynamics by Audrey Dwyer. A screenwriter seeks to redress To Kill A Mockingbird through the perspective of Calpurnia, the Finch family maid. Previews from Jan 14, opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$35, Sun pwyc. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Show Info.
Dark Heart. Written by Genevieve Adam, directed by Tyler J. Seguin. (Thought For Food) New France, 1661. A young bride disappears into the forest. Has she run off to be with her lover, or is there something more sinister in the woods? Previews from Jan 24, opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 11, Thu-Sun 8 pm (and Jan 24, 30 & 31). $20-$25, preview $12.50. At The Assembly Theatre. Show Info.
A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee (Soulpepper Theatre). The uneasy life of upper-middle class suburbanites is upset when a divorced daughter returns home and old friends need a place to crash. Previews from Jan 13, opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 10, see website for times. $35-$95. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Omission by Alice Abracen (Alumnae Theatre Company). On the eve of a papal conclave, a journalist confronts a cardinal about his activities during a military junta. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25, Wed 2-for 1, Sun pwyc. At Alumnae Theatre. Show Info
Declarations by Jordan Tannahill (Canadian Stage). Five performers chronicle a life through mythology, political and environmental calamity, pop culture and everyday happenings. Previews from Jan 23, opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 11, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $39-$69. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller (Hart House Theatre). The classic cautionary tale looks at what happens when a society allows fear, suspicion and superstitious gossip to rule over facts and reason. Opens Jan 19 and runs to Feb 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 3 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. At Hart House Theatre. Show Info.
And everything else:
Ipperwash by Falen Johnson (Native Earth Performing Arts/Blyth Festival). An Anishinaabe corporal visits Camp Ipperwash military base and sees how damage done by forced evictions in 1924 still reverberates through the communities. Previews from Feb 4, opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $22, preview $15-$20. At Daniel’s Spectrum. Show Info.
The Watah Theatre Double Bill. The Watah Theatre presents a workshop staging of Once Upon A Black Boy by d’bi.young anitafrika and the world premiere of I Cannot Lose My Mind by Najla Nubyanluv. Opens Jan 30 and runs to Feb 17, Tue-Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $25-$30. At The Streetcar Crowsnest. Show Info.
Progress: International Festival of Performance and Ideas. SummerWorks and the Theatre Centre present progressive and transgressive performances, workshops and conversations. Works include MDLSX by Motus, minor matter by Ligia Lewis, Race Cards by Selina Thompson, LOST in TRANS by Dickie Beau and more. Feb 1-18, see website for schedule. $25, three-show pass $60. At The Theatre Centre. Festival Info.
Chicho. Pencil Kit Productions presents a solo comedy written and performed by Augusto Bitter. An ashamed-queer-Catholic-man-boy from Venezuela attempts to feel beautiful despite his warring identity politics. Feb 3-4, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $10 adv, pwyc at the door. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
Acha Bacha by Bilal Baig (Buddies in Bad Times/Theatre Passe Muraille). This play boldly explores the intersections between queerness, gender identity and Islamic culture in the Pakistani diaspora. Previews from Jan 30, opens Feb 6 and runs to Feb 18, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$38 (weekend mats pwyc at the door; $22.50 in advance). At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.
Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Coal Mine Theatre presents a theatrical concert performance of the 1977 album. Conceived and guided by Ted Dykstra. Previews from Feb 4, opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 25, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $42.50, preview $25. At The Coal Mine Theatre. Show Info.
Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine (Encores by Encore). Characters from fairy tales are shown what would happen should all of their wishes come true. Feb 24-25, Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 and 7:30 pm. $29-$31.25. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.
Beauty and the Beast by Ben Crocker (Nags Players). Family show tells the popular story in the style of an English traditional pantomime. Opens Feb 1 and runs to Feb 10, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $15-$20, kids’ matinee $5. At The Tranzac. Show Info.
Bang Bang by Kat Sandler (Factory Theatre). A white playwright uses the police shooting of an unarmed Black man as inspiration to write a hit play that draws interest for a movie deal. Previews from Jan 27 (Sat, Tue-Wed 8 pm, Sun 7 pm), opens Feb 1 and runs to Feb 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30-$50, preview $20. At Factory Theatre. Show Info.
The Drowning Girls by Beth Graham, Charlie Tomlinson and Daniela Vlaskalic (Mortar & Pestle Productions). The ghosts of three women murdered by the same husband tell their stories. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 3, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Jan 27 at 2 pm. $15-$20 at eventbrite.ca. At Gerrard Art Space. Show Info.
Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). A father’s anger and vengeance lead to murder and tragedy in this Italian opera. Opens Jan 20 and runs to Feb 23, see website for schedule. $22-$350. At The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum, Harold Arlen and EY Harburg (LOT). A Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home in this musical based on the classic film. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Feb 18, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon and 4 pm. $55-$75. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.