Playlistings in Toronto for the Week of February 8th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of February 8th, 2015

Lots of shows are ending on Valentine’s Day, so this would be a good time to snatch up tickets for a theatre-going loved one, or–alternatively–to enlist a friend or two to help celebrate Singles Awareness Day. This week, managing editor Wayne has curated his picks in red under the cut!

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper (Mirvish). A man inherits a shoe company and teams up with a drag queen in this musical based on the 2005 film. Previews from Jun 16, opens Jun 28 and runs to Mar 6, 2016 (extended from Dec 20), Tue-Sat 8 pm, see website for other times. $35-$130. Show Info.

Spy School!: Mission Ridiculous. Written by Danny Wengle, Ken MacDougall, Brian Caws & the Cast, presented by Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre. James Bond and other secret agents go back to school in this interactive dinner-theatre show. Runs to Mar 26, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for other matinees & shows (no shows Dec 25-26). $45-$87. Show Info.

Within the Glass by Anna Chatterton (Tarragon Theatre). Two very different couples meet after a critical mistake at a fertility clinic. Previews from Jan 6, opens Jan 13 and runs to Feb 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (see website for Wed & Sat mats). $28-$60, rush $15. In the MainSpace. Show Info.

Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton (Mirvish). A woman’s husband manipulates her into believing that she’s going insane in fog-bound 1880s London. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$119. Show Info.

Siegfried by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). The third opera in Wagner’s ring cycle follows Siegfried on a heroic comin-of-age journey. Opens Jan 23 and runs to Feb 14, see website for times. $TBA. Show Info.

Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose (Soulpepper Theatre). Jurors deliberate the case of a young man accused of killing his father in a capital murder case. Previews from Jan 19, opens Jan 22 and runs to Feb 13, see website for schedule. $35-89. Show Info.

The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown (LOT). Two 20-something New Yorkers spend five years falling in and out of love in this musical. Opens Jan 21 and runs to Feb 14, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50. Show Info.

The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (Groundling Theatre Company/CMT). Leontes, King of Sicilia, descends into a world of jealousy, murder and conspiracy. Previews from Jan 26, opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 20, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, rush $30, preview $25, Sun pwyc. Show Info.

The Trial of Judith K by Sally Clark (Thought For Food Productions). This reimagining of Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial sees a woman arrested for an unnamed crime in 1980s Vancouver. Previews Jan 28, opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 14, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $25, preview $20, mat pwyc at the door or $20 adv. Backspace. Show Info.

The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov (The Chekhov Collective/Theatrus). The lives of a dozen Russians undergo enormous change after the 1861 emancipation of the serfs. Previews Jan 28, opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $24-$48. Show Info.

Taking Care of Baby by Dennis Kelly (Storefront Theatre). A woman is accused of murdering her two infant children. Jan 29-Feb 14. Details TBA. Show Info.

The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine by Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Leah Cherniak (Soulpepper Theatre). Repressed anger rears its head as a couple strive to maintain the veneer of a perfectly ordered world. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 20, see website for schedule. $25-$60. Show Info.

Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen (Theatre 20). Musical cabaret tribute show. Feb 3-21, see website for times. $25-$55. Show Info.

The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). Figaro and Susanna’s wedding is jeopardized by the wandering eye of their employer in this popular comedic opera. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 27, see website for times. $TBA. Show Info.

Cowboy Versus Samurai by Michael Golamco (Soulpepper Theatre). A Korean high school teacher falls for a colleague in a small American midwest town in this romantic comedy. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Feb 20, see website for schedule. $25-$60. Show Info.

And the Rest:

Great Balls of Fire. Famous People Players presents a black light dinner theatre show featuring iconic rock n’ roll anthems. Opens Jan 15 and runs to May 31, see website for times. $40-$65 (includes lunch/dinner). 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-Feb 14, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.

One Night Only: The Greatest Musical Never Written (Kliffer Entertainment). Fully improvised musical that challenges assumptions about improv and theatre. Previews Jan 27, opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $45-$55, stu/srs $30. Show Info.

Mustard by Kat Sandler (Tarragon Theatre). A teen deals with her drinking mother and an imaginary friend who lives under her bed in this darkly comic fairy tale. Previews from Feb 2, opens Feb 10 and runs to Mar 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm (see website for Wed & Sat mats). $28-$60, rush $15. ExtraSpace. Show Info.

You Can’t Take It With You by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart (Ryerson Theatre School). An eccentric clan is shaken up when their daughter finds a fiancé from a conservative family. Feb 5-11. $20, stu/srs $15. Show Info.

One Thing Leads to Another by Maja Ardal and others (YPT). A work engaging all the senses developed specifically for infants 3-24 months. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 21, see website for schedule. $20, srs/youth $10. Show Info.

Mistatim by Erin Shields and Sandra Lalonde (Red Sky Performance/YPT). A young man seeks to tame a wild horse in this coming-of-age story. For ages 6 & up. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 19, see website for schedule. $10-$34. Show Info.

A Night With Janis Joplin (Mirvish). Musical tribute show starring Mary Bridget Davies. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $30-$99. Show Info.

One Night Only: The Greatest Musical Never Written (Kliffer Entertainment). Fully improvised musical that challenges assumptions about improv and theatre. Previews Jan 27, opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $45-$55, stu/srs $30. Show Info.

Huff by Cliff Cardinal (Native Earth Performing Arts). Wind and his brothers are caught in a torrent of solvent abuse as they struggle to cope with the death of their mother. Feb 10-12, Wed-Fri 8 pm. $25-$30. Show Info.

U of T Drama Festival. Hart House Theatre and the University of Toronto Drama Coalition present the 80th annual festival, where nine one-act plays compete for five awards. This competitive showcase features plays written, directed and performed by students. Feb 10-13, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $12, stu/srs $10. Show Info.

playGround: Fringe Festival of New Plays in Development. Works created and produced by undergraduate students in the Department of Theatre at York University. Feb 9-12, Tue-Fri 7:30 pm, mat Wed & Fri 1 pm. $7. At Joseph G. Green Studio Theatre, Centre for Film and Theatre, York University. Show Info.

The Suicide by Nicholai Erdman (George Brown Theatre). An unemployed man contemplates suicide until a host of malcontents beg him to kill himself as a gesture for their cause in this Russian dark comedy. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 20, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat (and Feb 17) 1:30 pm. $20, srs $15, stu $8. Show Info.

Cold Blood (Charleroi Danses/Canadian Stage/Manège.Mons). This interdisciplinary show follows a boy on his journey through manhood into a darker, more uncaring world. Feb 10-14, Wed-Thu & Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sun 1 pm. $24-$99. Show Info.

Dalton and Company by Paul Dunn (Cart/Horse Theatre). A newcomer shakes things up in the lives that revolve around a renowned academic in this play about wanting to be recognized. Previews Feb 11, opens Feb 12 and runs to Feb 28, Tue-Sat 7 pm, Sun 3 pm. $25, Tue pwyc. Show Info.

Anything Goes by Cole Porter, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (LOT). A stowaway and a nightclub singer get in trouble aboard an ocean liner in this musical. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Mar 20, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare (Theatre Erindale). The mistaken identities comedy is performed as part of The Blackfriars Project 2016. Feb 11-13 and 28, Thu 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Feb 28 at 7:30 pm. $18, stu/srs $12. Show Info.

The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (Theatre Scarborough). Overachievers vie for the championship in this musical comedy. Previews Feb 4, opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 20, Thu-Sat 8 pm (except Feb 20, show at 2 pm), mat Sun 2 pm. $27, preview $20. Show Info.

Tibet: Through a Red Box. Presented by The Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies and the Jackman Humanities Institute at the University of Toronto. The Czech experimental puppet theatre company Cakes and Puppets (Buchty a Loutky) Theatre presents an adaptation of Petr Sis’s book about his father’s travels to China. Feb 11-13 at 8 pm. $20, stu/srs $10. Show Info.

Villette adapted from the novel by Charlotte Brontë (Amicus Productions). A lonely schoolteacher is drawn to a young doctor and a charismatic colleague. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 7 & 13 at 2 pm. $22, stu/srs $20. Show Info.

The 10/10/10 Project: Our Idiot Friend is Dead (Then They Fight). Workshop production of an interdisciplinary experiment involving 36 writers, choreographers, composers, filmmakers and visual artists who’ve never talked to each other. Feb 11-14 at 8 pm. $15. Show Info.

The Avey Sideshow. Isoprox Theatre & The Box present a musical play based on work and text by Philip Dimitri Galas. Facing financial ruin, a sideshow of bearded ladies, conjoined twins, burlesque artists and more puts on one final, provocative performance. Feb 11-14, Thu-Sun 9 pm. $20. Show Info.

Defending the Caveman by Rob Becker (I Love It Productions). This comedy looks at the ongoing misunderstandings between men and women. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Feb 26, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $16.50-$37.70. Show Info.

Evil Dead: The Musical by Christopher Bond, George Reinblatt, Frank Cipolla and Melissa Morris (Starvox Entertainment). The musical based on the Evil Dead film franchise returns. Feb 12-28, see website for details. Show Info.

Three Little Pigs. Presented by The Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies and the Jackman Humanities Institute at the University of Toronto. The Czech experimental puppet theatre company Cakes and Puppets (Buchty a Loutky) Theatre presents a modern retelling of the classic children’s story. Feb 12-13 at 1 pm. $15, child $5. Show Info.

In Chaos I Trust. Darlene Chrissley performs her solo show. Feb 12-13 at 8 pm. $25. Show Info.

The Vagina Monologues. Benefit performance of Eve Ensler’s monologue showing support of Sistering. Feb 12-13 at 8 pm. $25 (limited pwyc at the door, if available). ‘Afterglow’ reception after each show with cash bar and free nosh. Show Info.

Fancy Nancy: The Musical by Susan DiLallo and Danny Abosch (LOT). Stage adaptation for families of the picture book Fancy Nancy And The Mermaid Ballet by Jane O’Connor. Feb 13 to May 1, Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am & 1 pm. $25-$45. Show Info.

Barb Scheffler – Songs in the Key of Love. The musical theatre performer/comedian performs a cabaret-style show live with Robert Graham. Feb 13 at 8 pm. $20. 3rd floor. Show Info.

Sweet Swan of Avon: Shakespeare’s Lives of Girls & Women. The Musicians In Ordinary present live music and readings from Hamlet, Richard III and others by Ruby Joy, to mark 400 years since William Shakespeare’s death. Feb 13 at 8 pm. $20-$30. Show Info.

The Valentines Day Rag Bag Cabaret (Rachelle Elie/Luke Jackson). Rachelle Elie hosts the annual variety show featuring music, comedy, dance and more with Christopher Sawchyn, Mélanie Brulée, St. Stella, Esther De Ville, DJ Demers and others. Feb 13-14 at 8 pm. $20 adv, $25 at the door. Show Info.

Venus’ Daughter by Meghan Swaby (Obsidian Theatre). Inspired by the life of Sara Baartman, this play uses song, comedy and rhythm to look at myths, fable and realities that surround how women and their bodies are viewed. Feb 14-28, details TBA. Show Info.

Voulez-Vous Valentine: The Nude Wave of Burlesque. Burlesque troupes Skin Tight Outta Sight and Boylesque T.O.’s new production is a nod to French new wave cinema. Live music by Big Rude Jake and performances by Tanya Cheex, Sauci Calla Horra, Honey B Hind, CoCo LaCreme and others. Feb 12 & 14 at 7:45 pm (doors 7 pm). $25-$45. Show Info.