☛ TORONTO ✭ MARCH 2019 ☚

---Larger Theatres--- 

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland  (ballet) by Christopher Wheeldon to music by Joby Talbot.  A balletic interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s famous novel.  Opens Mar 7, runs to 17.  Four Seasons Centre, https://national.ballet.ca. 

Apollo / Night / The Sea Above, The Sky Below / Paquita (ballets).  Short ballets by George Balanchine, Julia Adams, Ronert Binet and Marius Petipa.  Opens Mar 1, runs to 3 & Mar 20 to 21.  Four Seasons Centre, https://national.ballet.ca. 

Come From Away  (musical) by Irene Sankoff and David Hein.  On September 11th, 2001, 38 planes with 6,579 passengers are stranded in Gander, Newfoundland.  Opened Feb 13, 2018, booking to Jun 30, 2019.  Royal Alexandra Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.  Runtime: 1h40m.  ✭✭✭✭✭  

Dance Me  (dance) by Andonis Foniadakis, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa & Ihsan Rustem.  Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal pays homage to the songs of Leonard Cohen.  Mar 1 only.  Sony Centre, www.sonycentre.ca/calendar-event-details/?id=501.

Dear Evan Hansen  (musical) by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul.  A high school senior with social anxiety fabricates a lie after the death of a classmate.  Previews from Mar 5, opens Mar 28, runs to Jun 30.  Royal Alexandra Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

A Doll’s House, Part 2  (comedy) by Lucas Hnath.  Nora returns to her husband in this modern sequel to Ibsen’s 1879 play.  Runs Mar 23 to Apr 14.  CAA Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Jersey Boys  (musical) by Marshall Birckman & Rick Elice.  The rise and fall of the 1960s pop group The Four Seasons.  Runs Mar 5 to 17.  Ed Mirvish Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Last Ship  (musical) by Sting.  A young man returns to Tyne and Wear after 17 years to discover the local shipyard is being closed.  Opened Feb 9, runs  to Mar 24.  Princess of Wales Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical  (musical) by Rob Rokicki & Joe Tracz.  A boy discovers he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon and must stop a war between the gods.  Runs Mar 19 to 24.  Ed Mirvish Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com. 

Oslo  (drama) by J.T. Rogers.  The true story of the back-channel talks, unlikely friendships and quiet heroics that led to the Oslo Peace Accords.  Opened Feb 9, runs to Mar 3.  CAA Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com. 

PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue”  (children).  The heroic pups race to rescue Mayor Goodway when he goes missing.  Opens Mar 15, runs to Mar 17.  Sony Centre, www.sonycentre.ca/calendar-event-details/?id=501.

Revisor  (dance) by Crystal Pite & Jonathon Young.  A dance version of the classic comedy by Nikolai Gogol.  Opens Mar 7, runs to Mar 16.  Bluma Appel Theatre, 416-368-3110, www.canadianstage.com.     

Shen Yun 2019  (variety).  A showcase of 5000 years of Chinese culture in music and dance.  Opens Mar 26, runs to Mar 31.  FourSeasons Centre, 1-888-974-3698.

---Smaller Theatres (Professional)---  

Bears  (drama) by Matthew MacKenzie.  The prime suspect in a workplace accident, flees through the Rockies to escape the RCMP and undergoes a startling transformation.  Runs Feb 28 to Mar 17.  Factory Theatre, 416-504-9971, www.factorytheatre.ca.

The Cherry Orchard  (drama) by Anton Chekhov.  A family loves their orchard for sentimental reasons but do nothing to save it.  Previews from Mar 25, opens Mar 29, runs to Apr 13.  Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave., http://crowstheatre.com.   

Chico  (comedy) by Augusto Bitter.  An ashamed-queer-Catholic-man-boy from Venezuela attempts to feel beautiful.  Previews from Mar 7, opens Mar 12, runs to Mar 24.  Theatre Passe Muraille, 416-504-7529, www.passemuraille.ca/wp/18-19-season.

Crying Hands  (drama) by Theatre Manu.  The fate of a deaf political prisoner in Auschwitz.  Opens Mar 20, runs to Mar 24.  Theatre Passe Muraille, 416-504-7529, www.passemuraille.ca/wp/18-19-season.       

Guarded Girls  (drama) by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman.  A complicated relationship formed between two female prisoners and their guard.  Previews from Mar 26, opens Apr 3, runs to May 5.  Tarragon Theatre Extraspace, 416-531-1827, http://tarragontheatre.com. 

Isitwendam  (drama) by Meegwun Fairbrother.  A young man’s search leads to a discovery about the father he loathed and lost.  Runs Mar 17 to 31.  Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St East, 416-531-1402, www.nativeearth.ca/isitwendam.

Little Menace: Pinter Plays  (comedies) by Harold Pinter.  A performance of 10 of Pinter’s very short plays.  Opened Feb 21, runs to Mar 10.  Young Centre, 416-866-8666, http://www1.soulpepper.ca.     

The Little Prince: Reimagined  (children) by Richard Lam.  An adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s story places it in the 21st century.  For ages 7+.  Preview Mar 22, opens Mar 23, runs to Apr 13.  Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave., http://crowstheatre.com.

Magic Tonight  (magic).  James Alan presents a weekly live magic show with guest magicians.  Every Sunday.  The Cage, 292 College St., 416-995-1736, www.magictonight.ca/tickets/.

Merry Munsch Pyjama Party  (children).  Some favourite Robert Munsch stories acted out by actor in pyjamas.  For ages 4+.  Runs Feb 9 to May 5.  Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St., 416-368-8031, http://solarstage.on.ca.

Mules  (comedy) by Beth Graham & Daniela Vlaskalic.  Two friends from high school, one of whom is smuggling drugs, hide in an airport washroom.  Opened Feb 15, runs to Mar 2.  Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave, www.theatrefront.com. 

New Magic Valley Fun Town  (comedy) by Daniel MacIvor. A Cape Bretoner visits his old childhood pal after an absence of 25 years.  Opened Feb 27, runs to Mar 31.  Tarragon Theatre Mainspace, 416-531-1827, http://tarragontheatre.com.

Once On This Island  (musical) by Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens.  A peasant girl on a tropical island uses the power of love to bring people together.  Runs Dec 6, 2018-Mar 3, 2019.  Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington Ave., https://tickets.ticketwise.com/event/once-on-this-island-toronto.

Paolozzapedia  (performance) by Adam Paolozza.  Commedia dell’arte, storytelling and family anecdotes create a show about the creative nature of memory through the fragmenting act of immigration.  Opened Feb 20, runs to Mar 3.  Theatre Passe Muraille, 416-504-7529, www.artsboxoffice.ca. 

Perchance to Dream  (operetta) by Ivor Novello.  The story of inhabitants of the same house in the Regency period, in the Victorian era and in 1945.  Mar 3 only.  Jane Mallett Theatre, www.torontooperetta.com.

Rear Window  (drama) by Emily Dix.  A stage version of the famous 1954 Hitchcock film.  Runs Mar 9 to 17.  Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave,    www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3618099.

Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny  (opera) by Kurt Weill.  Three criminals on the run find they can go no further and found a city – Mahagonny, a city of gold.  In concert.  Opens Mar 30, runs to Mar 31.  Jane Mallett Theatre, 1-800-708-6754, http://www.operainconcert.com. 

School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play (comedy) by Jocelyn Bioh.  The reigning queen bee at Ghana’s most exclusive boarding school is unhappy when a rival appears.  Previews from Mar 5, opens Mar 8, runs to Mar 24.  Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., 416-975-8555, http://buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Shove It Down My Throat  (drama) by Johnnie Walker.  In 2013 a gay man was arrested for knife fight – was it his aggression or a queer bashing?  Previews from Mar 30, opens Apr 4, runs to Apr 21. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., 416-975-8555, http://buddiesinbadtimes.com. 

Songbook IX  (opera).  Highlights from Tapestry Opera’s 39-year collection of Canadian repertoire..  Opens Mar 29, runs to Mar 30.  Ernest Balmer Studio, Distillery District, https://tapestryopera.com/songbook_ix.

Towards Youth: a play on radical hope  (performance) by Andrew Kushnir.  A play exploring the use of drama by young people to express their anxieties about the world.  Opened Feb 28, runs to Mar 16.  Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave., http://crowstheatre.com. 

La Traviata  (opera) by Giuseppe Verdi.  Alfredo and a concubine fall in love, but Alfredo’s father disapproves of the relationship.  In Italian with English surtitles.  Opens Mar 28, runs Mar 29 & 31.  Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina Ave, 1-800-838-3006, www.torontocityopera.com.   

The 26 Letter Dance  (drama) by Hélène Langevin.  A journey through the world of letters and words.  For ages 4-8.  Runs Feb 26 to Mar 16.  Young People’s Theatre, 416-862-2222, www.youngpeoplestheatre.ca. 

Unsafe  (performance) by Sook-Yin Lee & Zach Russell.  An attempt to untangle the anxieties and taboos that make some art acceptable and some art not.  Previews from Mar 12, opens Mar 14, runs to Mar 31.  Berkeley Street Theatre, 416-368-3110, www.canadianstage.com.   

Wedding at Aulis  (drama) by Sina Gilani.  In order for his fleet to sail for Troy, Agamemnon must sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia.  Previews from Mar 22, opens Mar 28, runs to Apr 14.  Young Centre, 416-866-8666, http://www1.soulpepper.ca.     

---Smaller Theatres (Community & Student)---

The Dutch Courtesan  (comedy) by John Marston.  Both the pleasure-loving Frevill and the Puritan Malheureux have a relationship with a passionate Dutch courtesan.  Opens Mar 19, runs to Mar 24.  [student]  Venue TBA, http://groups.chass.utoronto.ca/plspls. 

The Mousetrap  (drama) by Agatha Christie.  A murderer takes revenge on guests trapped at Monkswell Manor Guest House.  Opens Mar 8, runs to Mar 23.  [community]  Scarborough Village Theatre, 416-267-9292, https://theatrescarborough.com. 

New Ideas Festival  (festival).  An annual, three-week, juried festival of new works and works-in-progress.  Opens Mar 6, runs to Mar 24.  [community]  Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St., 416-364-4170, www.alumnaetheatre.com. 

☛ ELSEWHERE ✭ MARCH 2019 ☚

*BARRIE*

The Gamblers  (comedy) by Selma Dimitrijevic.   Based on Nikolai Gogol’s tale, a simple game between gamblers becomes an intricate trail of deceits within deceits within deceits.  Preview Mar 28, opens Mar 29, runs to Apr 6.  Five Points Theatre, 705-792-1949, www.tift.ca.       

*CAMBRIDGE*

Rocky: The Musical  (musical) by Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens.   A musical based on the 1976 movie.  Runs Mar 6 to 31.  Hamilton Family Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.       

*GUELPH*

Ripopée  (children) by L’Augergine.  Four performers fall asleep only to wake up to find their audience has already arrived.  For ages 5-12.  Opens Mar 26, runs to Mar 28.  River Run Centre, 519-763-3000, http://riverrun.ca.    

*HAMILTON*

Shen Yun 2019  (variety).  A showcase of 5000 years of Chinese culture in music and dance.  Opens Mar 23, runs to Mar 24.  FirstOntario Concert Hall, 1-855-872-5000, www.coreentertainment.ca/events/event-calendar.

Steel City Gangster  (drama) by George F. Walker.  The story of Rocco Perri, the larger-than life organized crime boss and “King of the Bootleggers” and his wife Bessie Starkman.  Previews from Mar 13, opens Mar 15, runs to Mar 30.  Dofasco Centre, 1-800-465-7529, www.theatreaquarius.org. 

*KINGSTON*

This is the Point (drama) by Ahuri Theatre.  A joyous and unflinching portrait of four individuals whose lives have been shaped, in part, by cerebral palsy.  Opens Mar 6, runs to Mar 10.  Grand Theatre, www.kingstongrand.ca.

*KITCHENER/WATERLOO*

Bloomsday  (drama) by Steven Dietz.  An older couple travel back through time to discover their younger selves.  Staged reading.  Mar 13 only.  The Registry Theatre, Kitchener, www.irishreallifekw.com. 

Ripopée  (children) by L’Augergine.  Four performers fall asleep only to wake up to find their audience has already arrived.  For ages 5-12.  Mar 30 only.  Centre in the Square, 1-800-265-8977, https://centreinthesquare.com.     

*LONDON*

Fences  (drama) by August Wilson.  In the 1950s, a former Negro League baseball star now works as a trash collector.  Runs Mar 19 to Apr 6.  Grand Theatre, 519-672-8800, www.grandtheatre.com. 

Vigilante  (musical) by Jonathan Christenson.  The ghosts of the Donnelly family massacred in Lucan in 1880 tell their side of the story.  Opened Feb 22, runs to Mar 9.  Grand Theatre, 519-672-8800, www.grandtheatre.com.   

*MISSISSAUGA*

Good Morning, Viet Mom  (comedy) by Franco Nguyen.  Through stand-up, storytelling and film, Nguyen shares stories about living with his mother and with Vietnam.  Opens Mar 5, runs to Mar 7.  Living Arts Centre, 905-306-6000, www.livingartscentre.ca.   

True Crime  (drama) by Torquil Campbell.  Campbell tells the story of a famous con man.  Opens Mar 21, runs to Mar 23.    Living Arts Centre, 905-306-6000, www.livingartscentre.ca.       

*NIAGARA FALLS*

Broadway Showstoppers  (revue) by Lee Siegel.  An all-new tribute to Broadways greatest musicals.  Runs Feb 22 to Apr 15.  Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show, 8585 Lundy’s Lane, 1-800-467-2071, www.ohcanadaeh.com.      

Wild Magic  (magic) by Greg Frewin.  Frewin performs stunning large-scale illusions including one with a white Siberian tiger.  Runs Jan 2 to Jun 30.  Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, http://gregfrewintheatre.com. 

*OTTAWA*

Angélique  (drama) by Lorena Gale.  In 1734, “troublesome slave” Marie-Joseph Angélique sets fire to the city of Montreal.  Preview Mar 20, opens Mar 21, runs to Mar 31.  NAC, 1-866-850-2787, http://nac-cna.ca.   

Behaviour   (drama) by Darrah Teitel.  Maria’s life appears happy but hides a history of sexual assault.  Preview from Mar 12, opens Mar 14, runs to Mar 31.  Great Canadian Theatre Company, 613-236-5196, www.gctc.ca.

Bingo Ladies  (musical) by Grant Tilly.  Three women are in major competition at a Friday night bingo.  Preview Feb 26, opens Feb 27, runs to Mar 2.  The Gladstone, 613-233-4523, www.thegladstone.ca.  

Ce qu’on attend de moi  (drama) by Philippe Cyr & Gilles Poulin-Denis.  An audience member chosen at random becomes the centre of a stage device that explores the workings of the imagination.  In French.  Opens Mar 26, runs to Mar 30.  La Nouvelle Scène, 1-866-850-2787, http://nac-cna.ca.

The King and I  (musical) by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein.  Anna Leonowens becomes governess to the children of the King of Siam.  Opens Mar 12, runs to Mar 17.  NAC, 1-866-850-2787, http://nac-cna.ca.   

King Lear  (tragedy) by William Shakespeare.  John Koensgen plays the king who plans to divide his kingdom among his three daughters.  Preview Mar 20, opens Mar 21, runs to Mar 30.  The Gladstone, 613-233-4523, www.thegladstone.ca.     

Love and Human Remains  (drama) by Brad Fraser.  Gay David and bi Candy sleep around while a serial killer stalks the city’s women.  Preview Mar 6, opens Mar 7, runs to Mar 16.  [community]  The Gladstone, 613-233-4523, www.thegladstone.ca.     

Of Mice and Men  (drama) by John Steinbeck.  George and Lenny man-child he looks out for dream of a homestead of their own.  Runs Feb 13-Mar 2.  [community]  Ottawa Little Theatre, 400 King Edward Ave., 613-233-8948, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.   

Prince Hamlet  (tragedy) by William Shakespeare.  An adaptation of the play featuring a cross-cultural, gender-bent cast.  Preview Feb 27, opens Feb 28, runs to Mar 9.  NAC, 1-866-850-2787, http://nac-cna.ca.   

Revisor  (dance) by Crystal Pite & Jonathon Young.  A dance version of the classic comedy by Nikolai Gogol.  Opens Feb 28, runs to Mar 2.  NAC, 1-866-850-2787, http://nac-cna.ca. 

*RICHMOND HILL*

Don Giovanni  (opera) by W. A. Mozart.  The famous womanizer finally receives his comeuppance.  Mar 1 & 3.  Richmond Hill Centre, www.rhcentre.ca. 

*ST. CATHARINES*

Girls Nite Out  (comedy).  A stand-up, improv and sketch comedy show by an award-winning ensemble.  Mar 9 only.  FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 905-688-0722, www.firstontariopac.ca.   

The Team  (drama) by Michael Kras.  Bobbie return to school after dealing with the suicide of her brother.  Opens Mar 20, runs to Mar 23.  FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, 905-688-0722, www.firstontariopac.ca.   

*ST. JACOBS*

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert  (musical) by Stephan Elliott & Allan Scott.  Three drag queens set out on a journey into the Australian outback.  Runs Mar 13 to Apr 7.  St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.  

*SUDBURY*

Across the Pond: The British Invasion  (revue) by Leisa Way.  A celebration of over 50 years of British pop and rock music.  Opens Mar 15, runs to Mar 24.  Sudbury Theatre Centre, 705-674-8381, www.sudburytheatre.com.

*THUNDER BAY*

Buying the Farm  (comedy) by Shelley Hoffman & Stephen Sparks.  A bachelor farmer’s health takes a bad turn and a real estate developer is ready to make an offer.  Opens Mar 14, runs to Mar 20.  Magnus Theatre, 807-345-5552, www.magnus.on.ca. 

☛ TOURS IN ONTARIO ✭ MARCH 2019 ☚

Buying the Farm  (comedy) by Shelley Hoffman & Stephen Sparks.  A bachelor farmer’s health takes a bad turn and a real estate developer is ready to make an offer.  http://royalmtc.ca/Festivals-Events/Regional-Tour.aspx

Mar 3: Pope John Paul II School, Kenora

Mar 4: Red Lake Madsen Public School, Red Lake

Mar 5: Dryden PAC, Dryden

Mar 6: Queen Elizabeth High School, Sioux Lookout

Mar 7: St. Patrick’s School Auditorium, Atikokan

Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure  (performance) by Scott Wright.  Actors and puppets take you to visit prehistoric marine reptiles.  http://prehistoricaquarium.com  

Mar 20: Capitol Theatre, Chatham

Mar 21: Burlington PAC, Burlington

Mar 23: FirstOntario PAC, St. Catharines

Mar 24: Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Oakville

Mar 25: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Richmond Hill

Mar 27: The Grand Theatre, Kingston

Mar 28: Centrepointe Theatre, Ottawa

Mar 30: St. Clair College Centre for the Arts, Windsor