Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of September 23, 2019

Where did September GO?!?  It has just been an absolute whirlwind with back-to-school, the startup of all kinds of fall activities and programs (I’m taking a Hip Hop Class!), and the deep dive into all of the amazing theatre that the Toronto Arts Scene has to offer.

Welcome to fall, MoT Community! There is such breadth and depth of performance going on that it can be overwhelming to sift through all of the choices that we have in front of us.  So many great choices, so little time… How to choose what to go see?  That is – as always – where we come in.  Read on to check out what has caught our eye this week.  And, from that great list, Samantha has highlighted what is at the top of their list of things to see this week in red.

Already Reviewed by MoT:

Alegria (Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Rd W). Cirque du Soleil reinterprets its 1994 show with new acrobatics, visual design and musical arrangements. Led by an intangible wind of change, the show tells the story of an emerging movement that strives to shake the established order, instilling hope and renewal to bring light to a world in perfect harmony. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Dec 1, see website for schedule. $59-$290.
Show Info

The Band’s Visit (Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St). by David Yazbek and Itamar Moses (Mirvish). In this joyously offbeat story, set in a town that’s way off the beaten path, a band of musicians arrive lost, out of the blue.  Under the spell of the desert sky, and with beautiful music perfuming the air, the band brings the town to life in unexpected and tantalizing ways.  Even the briefest visit can stay with you forever. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Oct 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$175.
Show Info

The Heidi Chronicles (Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St). This comedy follows a woman from 1960s teen to 80s career woman while exploring feminism, friendship and social change. Opens Sep 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, Sun pwyc.
Show Info

Knives in Hens (Coal Mine Theatre, 1454 Danforth Ave). Coal Mine Theatre presents a play by David Harrower. This drama deals with a relationship triangle in a rural setting and a woman’s internal quest to find out what she wants from life. Previews from Sep 22, opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 13, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $47.50-$55.50, preview/rush $25.
Show Info

Piaf/Dietrich: A Legendary Affair (CAA Theatre 651 Yonge St). Mirvish presents a musical drama that explores the fascinating friendship between show business legends. Opens Sep 17 and runs to Dec 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$129.
Show Info

The Rocky Horror Show (Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle) by Richard O’Brien (Hart House Theatre). Staging of the cult-classic musical salute to B-movies and sci-fi. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 12 at 2 pm. $28, srs $20, stu $15.
Show Info

A Streetcar Named Desire. (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane). A delusional Southern belle moves in with her sister and her brutal husband. Previews from Sep 21, opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 13, see website for schedule. $38-$98.
Show Info

Turandot (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W) by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). A man plays a deadly game to win the princess’ hand. Performed in Italian with English surtitles. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 27, see website for schedule. $35-$350 (specially priced $22 tickets are available after September 3 for people under the age of 30).
Show Info

Yaga (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave). by Kat Sandler (Tarragon). Genre-bending dark comedy thriller that brings a murder investigation face-to-face with the Baba Yaga witch fable. Previews from Sep 17, opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$70. MainSpace.
Show Info

And Everything Else:

Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web (Fairview Library, 35 Fairview Mall). Stage Centre Productions presents a conscious parody of the detective thriller involving an intricate plot of murder, police, invisible ink, hidden doorways and secret drawers. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 12, Wed-Fri 8 pm (and Sat Oct 5); mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$30.
Show Info

Being Muslim in Canada: A Comedy Show (Theatre Centre,1115 Queen W). Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Nour Hadidi, Hoodo Hersi, Hisham Kelati, Surer Qaly Deria and Ali Hassan perform. Oct 1 at 9 pm. $15.
Show Info

The Beverly Street Seance (starts at Sin & Redemption, 136 McCaul; moves to George Brown House, 186 Beverly). Mentalist Jaymes White presents a recreation of an authentic Victorian séance at one of the city’s most haunted locations. This soul-shaking psychological experience is not intended for the weak or faint of heart. Restricted to ages 18+.  Sep 13-Nov 30, see website for days and times. $59.99.
Show Info

Broken Tailbone (Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst) by Carmen Aguirre (Factory/Nightswimming). An intimate journey into the hidden world of Latinx dance halls in Canada. Previews Oct 2, opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$50.
Show Info

But That’s Another Story (Free Times Cafe, 320 College). Monthly storytelling showcase w/ Steve Brinder, Donna Dudinsky, Elaine Gold, Anna Kerz and others, hosted by Briane Nasimok. Oct 6 at 7 pm. $10.
Show Info

Caminos 2019 (Aki Studio, 585 Dundas E #120). Native Earth Performing Arts and Aluna Theatre present a festival of new performance works. This year’s #alunaCAMINOS includes new works by Christine Quintana, Monica Garrido, ConQueso Collective, xLq (Jordan Campbell & Maddie Bautista), Majdi Bou-Matar and many more. Oct 3-13. Free-$20. In Ada Slaight Hall & Aki Studio.
Show Info

Comedy Against Humanity. (The Social Capital, 154 Danforth). This monthly (first Friday of the Month) interactive comedy show for horrible people. Your terrible suggestions fuel our reprehensibly talented cast of improvisors to create a night of memorable, deplorable comedy. Oct 4 at 8 pm. $10.
Show Info

Comedy Is Art (Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W). Festival in support of comedy and comedians, featuring performances by TallBoyz II Men, Courtney Gilmour, Arthur Simeon, Nelu Handa and others. Oct 1-5, shows at 7 & 9 pm. $10-$25.
Show Info

Fall for Dance North (Meridian Hall, 1 Front E). The 2019 festival will showcase a range of expression including a special focus on international Indigenous artists plus three FFDN commissions, five North American premieres, lots of live music and free programming at Union Station. Perfomers include Brazil’s Grupo Corpo, Indian classical solo artist Shantala Shivalingappa, the contemporary New Zealand Dance Company, and much more. Oct 2-6, see website for details. $15. At Meridian Hall and Ryerson Theatre.
Show Info

The Flick (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by Annie Baker (Outside the March/Crow’s Theatre). Three ushers in an indie movie theatre navigate life as they attend to the last 35mm film projector in town. Previews from Oct 6, opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 27, see website for schedule. $30-$55.
Show Info

Ghost Quartet (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by Dave Malloy (Crow’s Theatre/Eclipse Theatre Company). Interwoven narratives spanning 7 centuries run through this haunted song cycle about love, death and whiskey. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Nov 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$47.
Show Info

Girl From the North Country (Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W) by Conor McPherson (Mirvish). This musical using the songs of Bob Dylan looks in on a tense community in 1934 Minnesota. Previews from Sep 28, opens Oct 6 and runs to Nov 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $39-$175.
Show Info

Hilot Means Healer (Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W) by Jo SiMalaya Alcampo (Cahoots Theatre/b current). Set during WWII, this play explores the social and political consequences of war and occupation in the Philippines. Drawn from traditional Philippine folklore, legends and Indigenous spirituality, it tells a story of unexpected bonds formed during cataclysmic change. Previews from Oct 5, opens Oct 9 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, preview $15.
Show Info

The Jungle (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman)by Anthony MacMahon and Thomas McKechnie (Tarragon). Two hard-working immigrants find love between shifts in Toronto. Previews from Oct 1, opens Oct 9 and runs to Nov 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$70. ExtraSpace.
Show Info

Lipsynched (Bad Dog Theatre, 875 Bloor W). Lip-syncing comedy party where the audience decides who will stay and who sashays away. Friday Oct 4, 11 & 18 at 9:30 pm. $10-$12.
Show Info

Monkey Toast: The Improvised Talk Show October Edition (The Social Capital 154 Danforth Ave., 2nd Floor). Monthly (first Saturday) Canadian Comedy Award winning talk/improv show. Each show our host interviews two different celebrity guests. After an interview segment the focus shifts to the Monkey Toast Players, who use the interview as springboard for their improvised scenes. The show then goes back and forth between interview and improv.  October celebrity guests are Karen Bliss and Andrew Coyne. Oct 5,  8:00pm.  $15 online, $20 at the door.
Show Info

Night Shift (The Citadel: Ross Center for Dance, 304 Parliament). Citadel + Compagnie present a late-night event showcasing innovative, dynamic and thought-provoking dance by Toronto movement artists. Styles range from urban dance to kathak, western contemporary dance to flamenco, tap to bharatnatyam, and ballet funk. Oct 2-5, Wed-Sat 10:30 pm (doors 9 pm). $10-$15.
Show Info

No Change in the Weather (Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E) by Walter Schroeder & Bernardine Stapleton (Terra Bruce Productions). A family reunion is portrayed through songs, traditional sounds and instruments and memorable characters. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $68.
Show Info

Un Poyo Rojo (Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley). Canadian Stage presents a dance/theatre comedy choreographed and performed by Nicolás Poggi and Luciano Rosso. In an empty locker room, two men move effortlessly from wrestling to dance, acrobatics to physical comedy in this irresistible distortion of the expectations of manhood. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 11, Tue-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $49-$79.
Show Info

Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst).  Based on the Oscar-winning movie, Priscilla is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for the Outback to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Nov 3. See website for show dates and times. $49-$79.
Show Info

The Rocky Horror Show (Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington) by Richard O’Brien (LOT). A newly engaged couple land in the home of a mad scientist in this schlocky cult classic. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Nov 10, Thu-Sat, see website for times. $40.
Show Info

Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.