Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of January 6, 2020
Welcome to a new year and decade with Mooney on Theatre! Also to so many new and exciting theatre experiences, and even a few returning fan favourites onto Toronto stages. This month (and year!) is gearing up to be an amazing opportunity to check out theatre, dance, and comedy both new and old. And Mooney is looking forward to being right there alongside you as we check out what is on all of those stages right alongside you.
Ringing in our New Year is senior editor Lin to let you know what shows have caught their eye this week – check it out what is listed in ‘red‘ below to see what they think is worth opening up your wallet for this week.
Already Reviewed by MoT:
Anastasia (Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria) by Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Opera Atelier). Romantic musical, inspired by the films, about the twilight of the Russian empire and a young woman’s quest to discover the mystery of her past. Opens Dec 3 and runs to Jan 12, see website for schedule. $39-$175.
Show Info
Come From Away (Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge) by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Continuing at the Elgin after an 11-month run at the Royal Alex: Dec 13, 2019 to Mar 1, 2020, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for holiday performance schedule and other schedule exceptions). $39-$169, limited rush $25 (premium tickets also available).
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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 and runs to Mar 1: 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.
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And Everything Else:
The Bacchae (Supermarket, 268 Augusta). Panoply Classical Collective presents a new devised creation that reimagines Euripides’ Greek tragedy through the Riot Grrl movement of punk history. Jan 7-9, Tue-Thu 8 pm. $10-$15.
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Becoming Her (York University, 4700 Keele). Bridge to Artists present a contemporary dance work about living as your true self. Jan 11 at 2 and 7 pm. $45, stu $30. In the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, Accolade East Bldg, York University.
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Chris Hadfield’s Generator (Roy Thompson Hall, 60 Simcoe). Scientists, comedians, dancing cyborgs, musicians and others appear at this funny and educational stage show. Jan 10 at 8 pm. $15-$105.
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Holodeck Follies – Spontaneous Star Trek (Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W). Season 8: The Dandies create improvised Star Trek episodes in front of a live audience. Plus variety comedy from Meg MacKay and Amish Patel. Jan 11 at 8 pm. $15.
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Hookup (Bad Dog Company Theatre, 875 Bloor W). Bad Dog Theatre presents improvised romantic comedy based on the lives of two random audience members. Jan 11 at 9:30 pm, upstairs. $20, stu/arts workers $15.
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Julius Caesar (Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw) by William Shakespeare (Crow’s Theatre/Groundling Theatre Company). Alarmed at their leader’s populist, authoritarian reforms, a coalition of educated elites conspire to bring him down. Previews from Jan 7, opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$55.
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Known (Artscape Young Place, 180 Shaw). Kemi Contemporary Dance Projects Artistic Director Jennifer Dallas has brought together a cast of remarkable dancers, musicians and designers for Known, a work of Dance-Theatre. Known is a coalescence of dance, clown, voice and design to illuminate the most venerable aspects of humanity through the messy, honest and vulnerable language of the clown combined with the awe-inspiring precision of experienced dancers and musicians. Jan 9 to 18 at 8pm. $25, stu/sr/artists $20.
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Lipsynched: RiRi V. Gaga (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander). om Hearn hosts a drag/comedy game show where improvisers lip sync for their lives, w/ Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Gillian Bartolucci, Laura Cilevitz, Andrea Marston, Kris Siddiqi and others plus the Drag Assassins. Jan 10 at 8 pm. $15-$20.
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Next Stage Theatre Festival (Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst). The Next Stage Theatre Festival is the curated, boutique festival produced every winter by the Toronto Fringe. This year features Tita Jokes by the Tita Collective; Morro & Jasp: Save The Date by U.N.I.T. Productions; Winter of ‘88 from Nowadays Theatre Company; Pearle Harbour’s Agit-Pop! by Pearle Harbour and more. January 8-19, see website for schedule. $18 (exceptions: U-R-U staged readings $15; Tallboyz – Live $25-$95); passes $64-$120.
Festival Info
The Phantom of the Opera (Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W) by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cameron Mackintosh). New production of Webber’s iconic musical. Jan 8-Feb 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$230.
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Roses & Thorns (Bad Dog Theatre Company, 875 Bloor W). Bad Dog Theatre Company is delighted to announce the world premiere of Roses & Thorns, an original unscripted comedy that invites the audience to reflect on the highs and lows of their day as the expert cast transforms those memories into big laughs. Roses & Thorns is an improvised comedy aimed at audiences looking for a shot of optimism to fend off the winter blues and kick off the new year with a hopeful lens. Fri (Jan 10, 17, 24, 31) at 9:30 pm. $15, stu/arts workers $10. ** FUNDRAISER/PREVIEW SHOW: JAN 9 at 8PM IN SUPPORT OF CAMP OOCH.
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The Second City Totally Likes You (Second City, 51 Mercer). The Second City aims Cupid’s bow at dating, sex, meet-cutes and meet-uglies in this hormone-charged show that marries classic archive material with brand new swipes at relationships. Jan 11-Mar 30, Mon 8 pm, Sat-Sun 4 pm.
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Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman) by Hannah Moscovitch (Tarragon). The archetypal “student-teacher romance” gets turned on its head and re-envisioned for the post-#MeToo era. Previews from Dec 31, opens Jan 8 and runs to Feb 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm & some Weds 1:30 pm, see website for more info and tickets. $22-$70. MainSpace.
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The Solitudes (Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W). Aluna Theatre and Nightwood Theatre presents a play created by the cast. Eight women follow the thread of history and the bloodlines that brought each of them to this land, to this moment in their journeys towards home. Previews from Jan 7, opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 18, see website for times. $20-$24, preview $15.
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Theatresports & The Early Show (Bad Dog Company Theatre, 875 Boor W).
The Early Show: Bad Dog Featured Players perform a brand new, unscripted comedy show every week. Starring: Carley Thorne, Freddie Rivas, Bita Joudaki, Kate Fenton, Rob Lewin, Patrick Murray, Cihang Ma, Rob Lewin, Rosh Abdullah, Tyra Banda, Dana Puddicombe, Amanda Cogan, Geoff Cork & Randl Morales. Saturdays at 7 pm, Jan 4-May 23. $5 (free w/ Theatresports ticket).
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Theatresports: Bad Dog’s flagship show/improv competition mixes the thrill of improv with the energy of a sporting event. Saturdays at 8 pm, Jan 4-May 23. $15, stu/arts workers $10.
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Some listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.