Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of May 21st, 2018

Toronto live theatre for the week of May 21st, 2018. This week’s picks feature some very popular movies adapted to the stage, and plenty of choices for younger audiences! Our Editor Samantha is on hand with a few of her top picks in red. Check them out below the cut:

Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:

Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Previews from Feb 13, opens Feb 18 and runs to Sep 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $69 and up. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.

The Best is Yet To Come Undone. The Second City presents the Spring 2018 MainStage sketch revue, tackling this generation’s minefield of crushing clichés and relatable revelations. Limited run, Tue-Sun see website for times. $27 & up, stu from $16. At Second City. Show Info.

Girls Like That by Evan Placey (Tarragon). A naked photo of a young woman goes viral in this play about the evolution of feminist consciousness and modern female friendships. Previews from Apr 17, opens Apr 24 and runs to May 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (see website for other mats). $20-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Anna Bolena by Gaetano Donizetti (Canadian Opera Company). Sondra Radvanovsky helms this Italian opera about the final days of Henry VIII’s second wife. Sung in Italian w/ English surtitles. Opens Apr 28 and runs to May 26, see website for times. $35-$225 (box seats $350). At The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom by August Wilson (Soulpepper). In 1920s Chicago, a routine music recording session becomes the front line for issues of race, power and opportunity. Previews from May 4, opens May 10 and runs to Jun 2, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

After the Blackout Soulpepper Theatre and RARE Theatre Company present the world premiere of a play by Judith Thompson. An interwoven group meets to find connection through adversity in this play performed and informed by a cast of artists who are blind, deaf, living with brain injury or amputees. Previews from May 8, opens May 11 and runs to May 26, see website for times. $35-$50. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Annie by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, Thomas Meehan (Mirvish). A plucky orphan finds a home in this family musical. Downton Abbey‘s Lesley Nicol will play Miss Hannigan. Opens April 24 and runs to June 3, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $29-$229. At Mirvish Theatre. Show Info.

And everything else:

The 6th Degree. The Lighthouse Troupe present an interactive murder mystery showin which you will aid in the investigation. Opens May 23 and runs to Jun 2, Wed-Sat 6 & 9 pm (no 6 pm show May 26). $25. At Campbell House Museum. Show Info.

Brighton Beach Memoirs. Harold Green Jewish Theatre presents the play by Neil Simon. A boy dreams of escaping his mundane life in Depression-era Brooklyn in this coming-of-age story. Previews from May 22, opens May 28 (at 8 pm) and runs to Jun 10, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, May 27 at 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm, Sat 2 pm. $TBA. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.

Motown The Musical by Berry Gordy (Mirvish). American Dream story of Motown founder Gordy’s rise to music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many others. Opens May 22 and runs to Jun 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $29-$129. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.

Sweet Charity by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields (Mainstage Theatre Company). An irrepressible dance hall hostess seeks love in 60s New York City. May 24-27, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $25, stu $20. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Frozen by Bryony Lavery (Seven Siblings Theatre). This form-defying drama intertwines the lives of a serial killer, a mother searching for her missing child, and an American academic researching the criminal mind.Recommended for adult audiences. Previews May 24, opens May 25 and runs to Jun 3, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Jun 2 at 2 pm. $20-$25, stu/arts worker $15-$20, preview $10. At Artscape Wychwood Barns. Show Info.

Gods of Carnage by Yasmina Reza (East Side Players). Civility turns to hostility when two couples meet to resolve their kids’ playground dispute. Opens May 25 and runs to Jun 9, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $24, stu $15. At Papermill Theatre. Show Info.

Stones Aluna Theatre and The Stones Project presents a collective creation helmed by Anita La Selva. Created by a diverse cast of artists, STONES considers the spectrum and history of violence against women by focusing on one of its most extreme iterations. Previews from May 25, opens May 30 and runs to Jun 10, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$20. At Geary Lane. Show Info.

Music Music Life Death Music: An Absurdical by Adam Seelig (One Little Goat Theatre Company). Musical comedy that explores the unexpected dynamics between three generations of family as they attempt to relate to each other and the society they live in. Opens May 25 and runs to Jun 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$35. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

The Monkiest King by Alice Ping Yee Ho & Marjorie Chan (Canadian Children’s Opera Company). Retelling of the Song Dynasty character in this Chinese-Canadian family opera featuring music and dance. The Canadian Children’s Opera Company will be accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra of Western and Chinese instruments and dancer Xi Yi of Little Pear Garden Dance Company.  May 26-27, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$35. At The Toronto Centre for the Arts. Show Info.

Grease the Musical by Jim Jacobs 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. eturn engagement: Previews from May 24, opens May 31 and runs to Jun 17, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun & Wed 1:30 pm. $29-$149. At The Winter Garden Theatre. Show Info.

The Princess Bride: A Movie Experience. The Secret Sessions is back for their new installment of The Movie Experience; bringing to life your favourite cinema classics by fusing live theatre with film screening – and much more. Join a Royal Wedding to experience the classic film The Princess Bride. Opens May 24 and runs to Jun 2, Thu-Sat 7 pm, mat Jun 2 at 2 pm. $39. At The Redwood. Show Info.

Innocence Lost: A Play About StephenTruscott by Beverley Cooper (Soulpepper). Story of the 14-year-old boy who was wrongly convicted of killing his 12-year-old schoolmate and sentenced to death in 1959 small-town Ontario. Previews from May 14, opens May 24 and runs to Jun 23, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

La Bête by David Hirson (Soulpepper). Two actors compete for survival when their Royal Patron grows weary of their theatre troupe in this comedy. Previews from May 16, opens May 29 and runs to Jun 22, see website for times. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Underwater Overwater (Probably Theatre Collective). Poetic account of the roads, parks, tracks and rivers that carve a path to the lake. May 17-26, contact for schedule and more info. Pwyc. Reserve your spot by emailing probably.theatre.collective@gmail.com.

 

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.