How to find a listing

Theatre listings are comprehensive and appear alphabetically by title. Opening plays begin this week, Previewing shows preview this week, One-Nighters are one-offs, and Continuing shows have already opened. Reviews are by Jon Kaplan (JK), Glenn Sumi (GS) and Debbie Fein-Goldbach (DF-G). The rating system is as follows:
NNNNN Standing ovation
NNNN Sustained applause
NNN Recommended, memorable scenes
NN Seriously flawed
N Get out the hook
= Critics' pick (highly recommended) How to place a listing All listings are free. Send to: stage@nowtoronto.com, fax 416-364-1166 or mail to Theatre, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7. Include title, author, producer, brief synopsis of show/event, times, range of ticket prices (including stu/srs discounts and pay-what-you-can days), venue, address and box office/info phone number. Listings may be edited for space. Deadline is the Thursday before the publication at 5 pm.

Opening

The Anger In Ernest And Ernestine by Leah Cherniak, Robert Morgan and Martha Ross (Beacon Theatre Company). A man and woman experience love, anger and the stress of cohabitation. Opens Jan 22 and runs to Jan 30, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat and Wed 2 pm. $15, stu $10. Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston. beacon.theatre.company@gmail.com.
Attempts On Her Life by Martin Crimp (University College Drama Program). Five performers examine the life of a mysterious woman in this multimedia piece. Opens Jan 27 and runs to Feb 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
A Boiler Room Suite by Quenten Doolittle and Rex Deverell (Tryptych). Two street people share stories while huddling for warmth in this original opera. Jan 23-24 at 7:30 pm. $40, stu/srs $30 (fundraiser for Street Haven at the Crossroads.) Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2737 Bayview. 416-763-5066 ext 1, tryptych.org.
Drawing Blood: Therapists, Movie Stars And Other Vampires (Obstructed View). Six characters interact in a series of vignettes by Mitchell Cushman, Natasha Greenblatt and Johnny Walker. Jan 23-24 at 8:30 pm. Pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529.
The Famous Remains Of Piggy Palace (18 Hands Theatre Collective). Inspired by the Pickton farm murders, this musical cabaret looks at how 65 women can vanish. Jan 25-26 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 18hands.t35.com.
Fiddler On The Roof by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Theatre Unlimited). A Jewish patriarch clings to tradition in a changing world in this musical. Opens Jan 23 and runs to Jan 31, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $23, stu/srs $21. Meadowvale Theatre, 6315 Montevideo. 905-615-4720.
Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven (Canadian Opera Company). A woman disguised as a man works at a prison where her husband is unjustly incarcerated (see Q&A, page 54). Opens Jan 24 and runs to Feb 24: Jan 24, 27, 30, Feb 4, 12, 18, 21 and 24 at 7:30 pm, Feb 7 at 4:30 pm, Feb 15 at 2 pm. $60-$290, youth $30-$98. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
Groundswell Festival (Nightwood Theatre). The festival of new works by women offers staged readings of plays by Lisa Codrington, Natalie Meisner, Florence Gibson, Sally Stubbs, Beatriz Pizano and Madeleine Blais Dahlem. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Jan 31, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley, upstairs. 416-368-3110, nightwoodtheatre.net.
Hallaj by Soheil Parsa and Peter Farbridge (Modern Times Stage Company). The new play about a Sufi mystic gets a staged reading as part of Flurrious. Jan 22-23 at 8 pm. $10. Arta Gallery, 55 Mill, bldg 9. 416-214-1428, moderntimesstage.com.
Stranger by Simon Rice and Shaun McComb (Praxis Theatre). Existential dilemmas are explored regarding a man's murder and his killer's trial. Opens Jan 23 and runs to Feb 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. praxistheatre.com.
Ubuntu (The Cape Town Project) (Neptune Theatre/Theatrefront). A South African man and a Canadian woman find they are haunted by the same family ghosts (see Spotlight, page 53). Previews to Jan 27. Opens Jan 28 and runs to Mar 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $32-$38, previews $19, Fri rush $10. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
You Fancy Yourself by Maja Ardal (Contrary Company). A young Icelandic girl tries to fit in on the rough streets and schoolyards of 50s Edinburgh (see Q&A, page 56). Previews Jan 27. Opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $25-$28, stu/srs $20-$25, preview $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, contrarycompany.com.

Previewing

Lady In The Red Dress by David Yee (fu-GEN Theatre). Toronto's Chinatown is the setting for characters embroiled in a world of corruption and deceit (see story, page 52). Previews Jan 24-28. Opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 21, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $10-$26. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, fu-gen.org.

One-Nighters

Appetite For Opera: Desire For Rusalka (Canadian Opera Company). This evening features Russian cuisine plus a talk by Robert Morasutti about the COC's production of Dvorak's opera. Jan 22 at 7 pm. $89. Tundra, 145 Richmond W. 416-860-6800, coc.ca.
Armagideon by Sandra Dempsey (First Draft Theatre Company). Dempsey's play about a warmongering world gets a reading. Jan 26 at 7 pm. Pwyc. Epicure Café, 502 Queen W. firstdrafttoronto@gmail.com.
Circus O Burlesque A Mania (Gladstone Hotel). Mysterion the Mind Reader hosts a night of sideshow feats and burlesque. Jan 23 at 9 pm. $20. 1214 Queen W. mysterionthemindreader.com.
Conversations On The Green (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Ralph Benmergui talks to writer/activist Michele Landsberg. Jan 25 at 7:30 pm. $15. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723.
Sharron's Party (Living Arts Centre). Cabaret artist Sharron Matthews performs. Jan 23 at 8:30 pm. $25. 4141 Living Arts, Mississauga. 905-306-6000.
Talk.In.Gold (b current). Artist/director ahdri zhina mandiela talks and answers questions. Jan 24 at 6:30 pm. Pwyc. AnitAFRIKA! Dub Theatre, 62 Fraser. anitafrika.com.

Continuing

Annie Jr by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin (Toronto Youth Theatre). Little Orphan Annie seeks her birth parents in this musical. Runs to Jan 24, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30, stu $25. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, TorontoYouthTheatre.org.
Bear With Me by Diane Flacks (Nightwood Theatre). Moms or people who've lived with a pregnant woman will appreciate Flacks's tales of the trimesters and beyond. Much of the humour comes from the sometimes unattractive realities of changing bodies and hormones in flux, but unlike most comedies about motherhood, this one never insults or condescends. Director Kelly Thornton helps Flacks weave in music and physicality, creating a show that really delivers. Runs to Jan 24, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Thu 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$42. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley, upstairs. 416-368-3110, totix.ca. NNNN (DF-G)
The British Invasion by Nevin Grant, Howard Pechet and Anne Allan (Stage West). This musical revue revisits hits from the 60s to the 80s. Runs to Feb 8, Tue-Sat 6:30 pm, Sun 11 am and 5 pm. $55-$90. 5400 Dixie. 905-238-0042, stagewest.com.
Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage by Eleanor Bergstein (Mirvish). The 80s film about a politically aware (we're told, anyway) young woman's sexual and social awakening at a Catskills resort in the early 60s has been adapted for the stage, word for literal word. What's passable on the screen - especially with two charismatic leads - gets tiresome and banal on stage. The staging is awkward, the dance - dirty or otherwise - unimpressive and the film's period songs haven't been integrated in any surprising fashion. Put this show in a corner and keep it there. Runs to Mar 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $36-$120. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King West. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. N (GS)
East Of Berlin by Hannah Moscovitch (Tarragon Theatre). When Rudi, a German teen living in Paraguay, discovers that his father had been a doctor at Auschwitz, he takes revenge by having a gay affair and later becomes involved with an American Jew. Moscovitch's sharp dialogue and fascinating story are strongly realized in this remount, with Brendan Gall anchoring the play as the confused, ironic Rudi. Runs to Feb 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm (except Feb 8), mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $35-$45, Fri rush $15. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com. NNNN (JK)
Friday Night Magic At Revival (Revival Bar). Magicians and conjurers perform in a weekly show. Indefinite run, Fri 8 pm (doors 6 pm). $20. 783 College. 416-535-7888.
Impromptu Splendor (The National Theatre of Canada). An audience suggestion spawns an improvised play. Indefinite run, Thu 8 pm. Pwyc. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. nationaltheatreofcanada@gmail.com.
Jerry Springer - The Opera by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee (Hart House Theatre). This musical merges opera with the daytime trash TV show (see review, page 53). Runs to Jan 31, Wed-Sat 8 pm (plus midnight show Jan 24). $25, stu/srs $15. 7 Hart House. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca. NNN (GS)
Jersey Boys by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Dancap Productions). This musical chronicling the careers of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is boosted by its four central performers, who can all sing, play instruments and handle complex choreography at the same time. The story is thin and there are stereotypes about women, Italians and gays, but as soon as the boys come out in their red suits midway through Act I to give a breakthrough performance on American Bandstand, you'll forget all that and get sucked right in. Runs to Mar 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $55-$125. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, dancaptickets.com. NNNN (Susan G Cole)
Medea adapted by Robinson Jeffers (Mirvish/Manitoba Theatre Centre). This production of Medea, a rejected woman who takes revenge on those around her, rightly gets its power from lead Seana McKenna, alternately scornful, desperate, ironic and duplicitous. There's also strong work by Patricia Conolly as her nurse, but not all of director Miles Potter's staging is as involving as it could be. Runs to Feb 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $30-$85. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. NNNN (JK)
Medieval Times (Medieval Times). This tournament features jousting knights on horseback. Indefinite run, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 1 and 4 pm. $62.95, child $43.50. 10 Dufferin, at Exhibition Place. 416-260-1234.
Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck (Theatre Scarborough). Two drifters' search for a place to call home ends in tragedy. Runs to Jan 24, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $17, stu/srs $14 (Thu only), stu rush $10. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-396-4049.
Pride & Prejudice adapted from the novel by Jane Austen (Alumnae Theatre). Austen's classic love story gets a staging (see review online at nowtoronto.com/stage). Runs to Jan 31, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed-Thu 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com. Nn (JK)
Ravenscroft by Don Nigro (The Village Players). A brilliant detective looks for the truth in this spoof of British mysteries. Runs to Feb 7, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs (except Fri-Sat) $16. The Village Playhouse, 2190 Bloor W. 416-767-7702, villageplayers.net.
The School For Wives by Molière (Stage Centre Productions). A man's scheme to make a young girl into the perfect wife goes awry in this comedy. Runs to Jan 31, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, srs $20, stu $15. Fairview Library, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com.
The Sound Of Music by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Mirvish). This oh-so-familiar musical about a feisty nun/governess, a stern Austrian Captain and his brood of kids makes great use of the scope and grandeur of the Princess of Wales Theatre. The sets and costumes are handsome, occasionally eye-popping but never ostentatious. Director Jeremy Sams shapes the scenes efficiently and gets fine work from even the smallest roles. Elicia MacKenzie uses her energy and clear voice to solve the problem called Maria, but her leading man, Burke Moses, remains as stiff as a Nazi salute. Runs to Mar 29, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $26-$120. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. NNNN (GS)
Them & Us by Tracy Dawson (Theatre Passe Muraille). Dawson's new piece - in which she and Sarah Dodd, Gray Powell and Michael Healey play multiple characters in situations that explore love and loss - is more sketch than fully realized play. As such, the writing is sharp, funny and never dull. Healey shows terrific chops throughout, but Dawson's performance should be broader - she's way more nuanced than the material. Strange that a piece about love and sex is so straight. Still, this is a fun night out - just not too deep. Runs to Jan 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $15, mats pwyc, Jan 27 free. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca. NNN (Susan G Cole)
We Will Rock You by Ben Elton (Mirvish). This quasi-musical featuring two dozen Queen songs works best as a rock show. The tunes hold up, and the performers have the vocal heft (if not always the personality) to belt them out. The silly futuristic story about rock as some Holy Grail loses steam in the second act. Runs to Mar 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$85. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. NN (GS)
Zona Pellucida & The Needle Exchange (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Montreal's 2boys.tv dominate this unusual double bill with their confident multimedia examination of sexuality and guilt. Stephen Lawson dons archetypal international-woman-of-mystery garb and lipsynchs to some familiar and obscure scenes in American movies, while Aaron Pollard's haunting projections add layers of meaning and a dreamlike logic to the piece. Keith Cole's cabaret part of the night is lots of fun, especially in Cole's amusing opening number, which references some of his own more notorious shenanigans. Runs to Jan 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$29, stu rush $15. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, artsexy.ca. NNNN (GS)