Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of February 25th, 2019.
MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you! The cold weather has finally hit us, so stay warm (and entertained) by enjoying some of the best theatre Toronto has to offer. Our managing editor Wayne is here with his top picks in red!
Already Reviewed by MoT:
The Last Ship. Princess of Wales Theatre. by Sting (Mirvish). Sting stars in his new musical about a man who returns to his community amid the demise of its shipbuilding industry. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $TBA.
Who we are in the dark. Bluma Appel Theatre. Canadian Stage and Peggy Baker Dance Projects present contemporary choreography by Baker featuring seven dancers and live music. Jeremy Gara and Sarah Neufeld of the rock band Arcade Fire are joined by seven dancers in this work that explores shifting identities, betrayals, secrets and intimacies played out in the dark. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Feb 24, Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $51-$111.
Little Menace: Pinter Plays. Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Soulpepper Theatre presents a showcase of short works by Harold Pinter. Previews from Feb 16, opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 10, see website for schedule. $35 & up.
Dance Matters— Series 2, Rebel Yells. Pia Bouman School for Ballet. Dance artists create work that is edgy, highly physical or unconventional. Featuring Elke Schroeder, Angela Blumberg, Rodney Diverlus, Mairéad Filgate and Mushtari Afroz. Feb 23-24, Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $14-$18. A post-show catered reception and cash bar takes place on Saturday and a moderated discussion takes place on Sunday.
Opera Atelier: The Angel Speaks. Royal Ontario Museum. Opera Atelier concert melding Henry Purcell with baroque and contemporary dancing and a new commission by composer/violinist Edwin Huizinga, Feb 21 at 8 pm. $69.
Mules. (Theatrefront/Hit & Myth). Two women are in a life-and-death struggle in an airport washroom in this dark comedy about poverty, class and drug smuggling. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Mar 2, Mon-Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $22.60-$28.25, stu/srs/arts workers $16.95, Mon pwyc.
And Everything Else:
Towards Youth: A Play on Radical Hope. Streetcar Crowsnest. Project: Humanity and Crow’s Theatre present a documentary play by Andrew Kushnir about youth culture in England, Greece, India, Taiwan and Canada. Previews from Feb 25, opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 16, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Mar 13 and 16 at 2 pm. $25-$50.
The 26 Letter Dance. Young People’s Theatre. by Hélène Langevin (Bouge de lá/YPT). This interactive show inspires kids to dance to the beat of their own drum. Opens Feb 26 and runs to Mar 16, see website for times. $10-$39. Recommended for Grades JK-5 / ages 4 to 8.
Tounkande. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Ballet Creole celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Malinke people, part of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Feb 26 at noon. Free.
Kitchen Chicken. Theatre Centre. L’orchestre d’hommes-orchestres present a culinary/musical theatre event as the cast prepares a meal while performing the songs of American 30s yodel queens the Cackle Sisters. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 2, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $45, stu/srs/arts workers $35.
Death And The Maiden. Red Sandcastle Theatre. Schubert’s Beach House presents the political drama by Ariel Dorfman. The play explores a country’s uneasy transition from dictatorship to democracy, and raises the issue of torture and its implications. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20.
The Snow Queen. Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Canadian Children’s Opera Company presents John Greer & Jeremy James Taylor’s version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen story. A young girl, Gerda, embarks on a challenging journey to the far north to rescue her friend Kai from the clutches of the Snow Queen. Feb 28-Mar 3, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (school previews Thu 10 am & 1 pm, Fri 10 am). $35, srs $25, stu $20.
Tourist. Collective Studio & Events Space. Probably Theatre Collective presents a play written and performed by Lou Campbell. Watch as Lou Campbell takes on six different characters in order to investigate what it means to “know thyself” in a comically absurd exploration of identity. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 3, daily at 8 pm. Pwyc. Space is limited; email to reserve a spot (probably.theatre.collective@gmail.com)
No Woman’s Land. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Jaberi Dance Theatre presents a preview of its latest production, based on real stories of women in refugee camps. Part of the Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre. Feb 28 at noon. Free.
Judas Star Supersong: The Resurrection. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. The mcguffin company presents the return of last year’s hit Fringe show, created and performed by Paula Wolfson. Feb 28-Mar 1 at 7:30 pm. $20. All ages.
Bears. Factory Theatre. Factory presents an Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts and Punctuate! Theatre production, written and directed by Matthew MacKenzie. Fleeing from the RCMP, a man undergoes weird physical changes while travelling along the route of an oil pipeline. Don’t miss out on the play that took home the 2018 Dora Awards for Outstanding Production & Outstanding New Play. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30-$50.
Retreat. Hart House Theatre. Hart House Theatre presents a play by Kat Sandler. A look at the darker, and oftentimes comical, side of employment competition. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 9, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 9 at 2 pm. $17-$28, stu $12-$15.
Apollo / Night / The Sea Above, The Sky Below / Paquita. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The National Ballet’s 2018/19 Winter Season opens with a mixed program featuring George Balanchine’s ground-breaking Apollo. This masterpiece of neo-classicism anchors a program of choreographic associate Robert Binet’s captivating pas de trois, The Sea Above, The Sky Below, the virtuoso tour de force Paquita and the company premiere of Julia Adam’s Night. Mar 1-3: Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. And Mar 20-21: Wed-Thu 7:30 pm, mat Thu 2 pm. $40 & up.
Impatience. Berkeley Street Theatre. Conceived by Anne-Marie Ouellet and Thomas Sinou (Théâtre français de Toronto). This spontaneous work is created by students and combines performance and soundscape. Mar 1 at 8 pm. $20-$49. Upstairs.
Bang Bang. The Citadel: Ross Centre for Dance. Citadel + Compagnie present choreography and performance by Manuel Roque that has resistance as a theme. Mar 1-2 at 8 pm. $20-$25.
Leonard Cohen’s DANCE ME. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal present a multidisciplinary creation inspired by the rich and profound work of Montreal-based poet, artist and songwriter, Leonard Cohen. Dance Me combines scenic, visual, musical, dramaturgical and choreographic writing to pay tribute to the famed poet-singer-songwriter. Mar 1-2 at 8 pm. $62.75-$156.50.
Perchance To Dream. Jane Mallett Theatre. Toronto Operetta Theatre presents a romantic adventure musical by Ivor Novello. Mar 3 at 3 pm. $29-$49.
Human Animals. ARC presents a play by Stef Smith. In a future dystopian overcrowded city, the animals are starting to rule the streets. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 16, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm (no shows Mar 7-9). $5-$50 pwyc.
Listings Primarily Based on NOW! Stage Listings