Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of November 9th, 2015
The spread this week includes classical comedies, irreverent sex romps and historical thrillers. It’s all included in the listings this week, and if you’re having a hard time narrowing down the choices, we’re here to offer our top picks in red text. Here are the picks:
Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
Old Jews Telling Jokes by Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent (Playhouse Productions Inc). One-liners, double-entendres, songs, skits and comedy routines. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Dec 6, Wed-Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $45-$65. Show Info.
Click-bait and Switch The Second City presents its Fall MainStage Revue featuring sketches, songs and improv. Indefinite run, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, late shows Fri-Sat 10:30 pm. $16-$35. Show Info.
The Trouble With Mr. Adam by Gord Rand (Tarragon Theatre). A high school volleyball coach falls in love with his star player in this dark comedy. Previews from Oct 20, opens Oct 28 and runs to Nov 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and Sat mats at 2:30 pm on Oct 31, Nov 7, Nov 14). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. Tarragon ExtraSpace. Show Info.
Banana Boys by Leon Aureus (Factory Theatre). Five young Asian-Canadian men wrestle with issues of race and identity. Previews Nov 3-5, opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35, previews $25. In the Studio. Show Info.
Butcher by Nicolas Billon (Why Not Theatre/Butcher’s Block). A mysterious old man appears at a police station wearing a foreign military uniform and a meat hook in this play about a past that won’t stay buried.Opens Oct 24 and runs to Nov 15, see website for times. $22-$30. Part of the November Ticket @ Theatre Centre ($60 for all three shows). Show Info.
We are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915. Theatre Centre presents the Obie Award-winning play by Jackie Sibblies Drury. A group of young actors come together to tell the little-known story of the first genocide of the 20th century. Previews Nov 3-4, opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 29, see website for times. $22-$30, preview $17. Show Info.
Edmond by David Mamet (The Storefront Theatre). A tarot reading leads a morally adrift businessman to act on violent instincts in NYC. Previews Nov 5, opens November 6 and runs to Nov 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, preview $10. Show Info.
And the Rest:
Legally Blonde: The Musical by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach (Lower Ossington Theatre). A sorority girl makes it to law school in this musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Oct 22 and runs to Nov 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$70. Show Info.
The Immigrant: A Musical by Mark Harelik, Sarah Knapp and Steven M Alper (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). A young Jew flees Russia and lands in Texas in 1909. Previews Oct 31-Nov 4, opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 22 see website for times and prices. In the Greenwin Theatre. Show Info.
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett (Precisely Peter Productions). The Outside Dog, Playing Sandwiches and A Lady Of Letters are performed from Bennett’s collection of BBC monologues. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 22, see website for schedule. $25. Show Info.
The River by Jez Butterworth (Coal Mine Theatre). A man takes his girlfriend to a secluded cabin in this drama about the darker side of human nature. Previews Nov 1, opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 22, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, preview $20. Show Info.
Avaricious (Theatre Gargantua). This collectively created play explores greed, hope and humanity at the end of the world. Previews Nov 4, opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 21, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. $25, stu/srs $21, preview $19. Show Info.
Fireworks Festival. Three full-length plays are presented in repertory along with playwright talks and roundtables. Divine Wrecks by Chloe Whitehorn (Nov 4-8); Cottage Radio by Taylor Marie Graham (Nov 11-15); and Radical by Charles Hayter (Nov 18-22). Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 28, see website for schedule. $15, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare (Hart House Theatre). Staging of the classic tragedy about betrayal, revenge and murder. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 21, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 21 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $12-$15. Show Info.
Spoon River adapted by Mike Ross and Albert Schultz (Soulpepper Theatre). A forgotten town comes back to life in this show inspired by Edgar Lee Masters’s 1915 poetry collection. Nov 5-22, see website for schedule. $29.50-$94. Show Info.
Mistletoe Magic, Famous People Players black light theatre company presents an all-ages seasonal production. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 2, see website for times. $40-$68 (includes lunch/dinner). Show Info.
The Stone Princess by Zoe Henderson (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Two princesses are born as twins, but only one can be Queen in this fairy tale about sibling rivalry, stolen identities, magic and the importance of appreciating your own special gifts. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Nov 29, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm. $16. Show Info.
Potosí by Alexander Offord (good old neon). A young emissary from a Canadian mining company is sent to a remote country to investigate reports of sexual violence at the mine. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 21, Mon and Wed-Sat 8 pm (no show Nov 12). $15-$20. Show Info.
Interview With a Demon by Mark Terry (B.SMART Productions/Beech Street Theatre Company). When his wife is possessed by a demon, a successful talk show host decides to turn her exorcism into a TV event for ratings in this horror-comedy. Previews Nov 10, opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 15, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 3 pm. $25, preview $15. Show Info.
Objections to Sex and Violence by Caryl Churchill (The Sex + Violence Collective). Released from jail, a female anarchist runs from her family and lovers in this drama about feminism, sexual politics and social change. Previews Nov 5, opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 14, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $25, preview/mat $20. Show Info.
Heretic. Soup Can Theatre presents a theatrical retelling of the story of French warrior/martyr Joan of Arc, written and performed by Sarah Thorpe. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 22, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$22. TPM Backspace. Show Info.
Protected: Dark Days, Bright Victory. Hart House and historian Hugh Brewster present a dramatic multimedia tribute to the Canadians in World War II with Shaw Festival actors, Elora Festival singers and video projections. Followed by a reception with the performers. Nov 11 at 7:30 pm. $30, srs $20, stu $10. In the Great Hall. Show Info.
Alvis Choi and Alvis Parsley in Residence. The artist/performer presents the next incarnation of their storytelling-driven performance, Never Left Canada, exploring British colonialism, family relations, border violence, being queer and trans and being multiple beings. Nov 11 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Show Info.
Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde (George Brown Theatre). A woman learns that one of her party guests is her husband’s mistress in this satire on Victorian morals. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 21, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat (and Nov 18) 1:30 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.
Heart of the Storm by Bil Antoniou (Port Moresby Productions). A couple meet 30 years after their divorce at a hotel on a Caribbean island that’s been hit by a hurricane. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 15, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.
A Play to Pay for My Divorce by Rosemary Doyle (Zed House). Doyle performs an autobiographical musical cabaret. Nov 11-14, details TBA. Show Info.
Weesageechak Begins to Dance 28. Native Earth Performing Arts presents a festival of new works by indigenous performing artists. Works by Yolanda Bonnell, Jani Lauzon, Lara Kramer, Brian Solomon, Michelle Thrush, Kenneth T. Williams and more. Nov 11-21, see website for schedule. $15, pass $60. Show Info.
Wormwood by Andrew Kushnir (Tarragon Theatre). A man travels to Ukraine to the elections following the Orange Revolution and falls for a local woman. Soon he finds himself becoming an unexpected player in the country’s fractured politics. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (select Sat mats at 2:30 pm on Nov 21, Nov 28, Dec 5; select Wed mats at 1:30 pm on Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 9 and Dec 16). $28-$60, srs $45-$49, stu $29, rush $15. Tarragon MainSpace. Show Info.
Hold Mommy’s Cigarette. Shelley Marshall performs her solo dark comedy about life, mental illness and survival. Opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 15, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25. Show Info.
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Nov 12-Dec 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.
Armstrong’s War by Colleen Murphy (Canadian Rep Theatre). A young soldier recovering from injury is visited by a girl in a wheelchair looking to earn her service badge for Pathfinders. Previews from Nov 11, opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $30-$35, previews $20, Sun pwyc. Show Info.
The Road to Paradise by Jonathan Garfinkel and Christopher Morris (Human Cargo/Crow’s Theatre). A child suicide bomber in Pakistan, a Canadian soldier in Kandahar, an Afghan immigrant in Toronto: three worlds collide in this play about love and loss in the time of war. Based on interviews, presented in English & Dari with English surtitles. Previews Nov 14-15 at 8 pm, opens Nov 17 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $32-$37, previews $20, Sun pwyc at the door. Show Info.
Dead End by Dvir Shreiber (Aspaklaria Theatre). A successful New York City lawyer finds himself in a park at midnight, searching for his runaway daughter. He meets a troubled teen from an orthodox Jewish family. Each one sees the other as a nuisance but eventually realize the power of communication. Nov 14 at 8 pm. $36, stu $18. Show Info.
Seminar by Theresa Rebeck (Mirvish/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). Four aspiring young writers pay big bucks to be mentored and mocked by a cantankerous, once-celebrated novelist in this comedy. Nov 14-Dec 6, see website for details. Show Info.
Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (Lower Ossington Theatre). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by author Jane O’Connor. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 31, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45, family packs $84-$124. Show Info.
Perfect Crime by Warren Manzi (Nags Players). This cat-and-mouse thriller involves a sultry psychiatrist, a series of strange accidents and a bizarre, unsolved murder. Opens Nov 5 and runs to Nov 14, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $20 (adv $18), stu/srs $15, Thu rush $12 at the door. Show Info.
Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings