Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of October 7, 2019
We are well and truly swept up in the Toronto’s Fall Theatre whirlwind! There is just so much great theatre to see right now that we feel a bit swept off of our feet. If you are feeling the same way, keep reading below to take a peak at what has caught our eye this week. Our Publisher Megan takes on the challenge of highlighting (in red) what is at the top of their list of things to see this week.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Almighty Voice and His Wife (Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House)by Daniel David Moses (Soulpepper Theatre). Drama based on a true story about a Cree man on the run from the RCMP in 1800s Canada. Previews begin Oct 11. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Nov 10, see website for times. $38-$98.
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
Critically Acclaimed Superhero Movie (The John Candy Box Theatre, 99 Blue Jays Way). An hour-long, improvised Super Hero Movie based off of Audience suggestions. You pick the Hero. You pick the Villain. You pick the Powers. Each Audience member will fill out suggestions pre-show that will determine the fate of our Show and our Universe. Oct 11 at 8:00pm.
Show Info
Congruence 2 (Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester). BoucharDanse presents two choreographic works: Woman In Blue Softly Breathing by Lina Cruz, performed by Sylvie Bouchard; and Gravity Of Descent by Gerry Trentham, performed by Sylvie Bouchard and Learie Mc Nicolls. Oct 10-12 at 8 pm. $30, stu/srs/CADA $25.
Show Info
Dock Mother God Society (Grand Canyon, 2 Osler) by Bryce Hodgson (Blood Pact Theatre). Set in BC during the worst wildfire season in Canadian history, this play explores modern western community and its relationship to death, family, generosity, resentment, forgiveness and our connection to the land. Previews begin Oct. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $15-$25.
Show Info
The Election (Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson) by Natasha Greenblatt & Yolanda Bonnell (Theatre Passe Muraille / Common Boots Theatre / Nightwood Theatre). Provocative and hilarious investigation of how Canadians engage in democracy. Previews begin Oct 9. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$38. Pwyc previews, matinees and Tuesday evenings.
Show Info
Far East Comedy Tuesdays (The Corner Comedy Club, 946 Queen E) Ernie Vicente hosts a weekly diverse stand-up comedy showcase. Oct 8, shows at 8 and 10 pm. $10.
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
Hookup. (Bad Dog Theatre, 875 Bloor W.) Bad Dog Theatre presents a weekly Saturday evening improvised romantic comedy based on the lives of two random audience members. Oct12 9:30 pm. $12-$20.
Show Info
If I Could #Throwback Time (Second City, 51 Mercer). Second City’s 83rd sketch comedy revue basks in the neon glow of nostalgia, mining comedy gold from ancient treasures like old school video games, Power Rangers and Canada’s long, complicated history of sweeping social injustices. Previews from Sep 10. Opens Oct 10 for an indefinite run: Tue-Thu 8 pm; Fri 7:30 pm; Sat 7:30 & 10 pm. See website for more days and times, exceptions and to buy tickets. $28 & up.
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
La Boheme (The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick). Against the Grain Theatre celebrates its landmark 10th anniversary season with the production that started it all, and uproots opera from the opera house. A modern adaptation and English translation of the Puccini classic shifts the tale of struggling artists to the present-day, and unfolds entirely inside a historic dive bar in the heart of Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood. Open Oct 11 runs to Oct 25, Tues-Sun 8 pm. $40.
Show Info
The Life and Death of Fred Herko (Dead End Studie, 7 Fraser #13) by Natalie Liconti (Rendezvous With Madness Festival). Interactive performance about a young, queer dancer who jumped from his ex-lover’s window in 1964. The Life and Death of Fred Herko is an interdisciplinary, site-specific performance that sheds light on a footnoted figure in queer history and examines the collateral damage of art. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 20, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $12-$20.
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
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
Rendezvous With Madness Festival (Events take place at Workman Arts, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, AGO, Comedy Bar and others) Arts festival that uses art to investigate and illuminate the realities and myths surrounding mental illness and addiction. RWM is a multidisciplinary event that includes visual art, performance, music, theatre and dance in addition to its core emphasis on media arts, panel discussions and in-conversation events. Oct 10-20, see website for schedule. Pwyc-$20, passes $44-$100.
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
Rusalka (Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W) by Antonín Dvořák (Canadian Opera Company). A water sprite risks everything for love in this mermaid-myth opera. Performed in Italian with Czech surtitles. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 26, see website for schedule. $35-$350 (specially priced $22 tickets are available after September 3 for people under the age of 30).
Show Info
Something for the Buoys (George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire Place). In this parody of a 1930s nautical musical, a starry-eyed sailor named Jimmy feels lonely and wants nothing more than to find his true love. Accompanied by Larry, his womanizing best pal, he sneaks ashore and enters the wonderful world of New York City. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Oct 20, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm.
Show Info
Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.