With theatre season continuing in Toronto, it is time for another edition of this personally curated Theatre Crawl listing. The variety of shows currently on-stage include reinterpretations of Shakespeare, and also works based on Robert Munsch’s stories.
Currently On-stage
Prince Hamlet
Why Not Theatre / Soulpepper Theatre Company
An English / American Sign Language Bilingual Production
Directed and Adapted by Ravi Jain
Franco Boni Theatre, The Theatre Centre
Until April 29th, 2017
Pay-What-You-Can-AFFORD Tickets: $5/$25/$50/$75
Tickets: 416-538-0988 or online
*Photo by Dahlia Katz, featuring Christine Horne
Ravi Jain’s reordered, reconstructed and bilingual Prince Hamlet features a gender-bending, cross-cultural cast which illuminates the contemporary relevance of the 400-year-old play. Not yet two months after the death of his father the King, his mother has remarried and Prince Hamlet struggles to understand the world they live in. The ghost of his father directs Hamlet to avenge his murder, but is that the right thing to do? What is Hamlet’s responsibility? How does someone exist in a world that is not their truth?
Sound of the Beast
Written and performed by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
with ASL components by Tamyka Bullen
Direction/Dramaturgy: Andy McKim and Jivesh Parasram
Theatre Passe Muraille
Until May 7th, 2017
Tickets: 416-504-7529 or online
In this solo performance, two-time Governor General’s Award Nominee Donna-Michelle St. Bernard aka Belladonna the Blest speaks truth to power using spoken word, storytelling, and hip-hop. Inspired by Tunisian emcee Weld-El 15 — who was jailed for his song Boulicia Kleb (The Police Are Dogs) – St. Bernard riffs on oppression, poverty, and systemic injustice. As the piece progresses and her rhymes take edge, the emcee quickly learns that if you strike against authority, authority strikes back.
Banana Boys
Written by Leon Aureus | Adapted from the Novel by Terry Woo
Directed by Nina Lee Aquino
Factory Theatre
Until May 14th, 2017 | Return Engagement
Tickets: 416-504-9971 or online
Five Asian-Canadian men must confront unrealized potential, devastating loss, and time travel — all while trying not to punch too many white boys in the face. Banana Boys delves into Asian-Canadian stereotypes while also dealing with death, rage, addiction, racism and familial expectations. The play is set for an extended run in celebration of Asian Heritage Month in May.
For The Whole Family
Munschtime!
Based on the stories of Robert Munsch
Adapted by Stephen Colella and Allen MacInnis
Directed by Herbie Barnes
Young People’s Theatre
Until May 14th, 2017
Tickets: online
The protagonists in all of Munsch’s tales learn how their actions affect others, and about their own place in their communities. At the centre of this is A Promise is a Promise, which Munsch co-wrote with Michael Kusagak – a story focused on Indigenous people and based on an Inuit tale.
Upcoming Shows
Dom Juan
Written by Molière
Directed by Joël Beddows
Théâtre français de Toronto | Berkeley Street Theatre
Runs from May 10th to 28th, 2017
In French; English Surtitles available Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays
Tickets: 416-534-6604 or online
Rebellious rake. Inveterate skirt-chaser. Dom Juan doesn’t want to be a son. He doesn’t want to be a spouse. He doesn’t want to be a master. He doesn’t want to be a hypocrite. Dom Juan wants to be free to seduce women non-stop — and especially — without limits, without worrying about the consequences. A classical work, the play — very controversial at its time — is as contemporary as ever in its exploration of impossible utopias: absolute pleasure and instant gratification devoid of moral obligation.
Strangers, Babies
Written byLinda McLean
Directed by Paul Lambert
Artscape Sandbox
Runs from May 11th to 28th, 2017
Tickets: available online
At the centre the show a woman is trying to live a normal life, but with the constant reminder of a horrifying past.Outwardly, she seems fine. But as the play unfolds in five mysterious playlets with each of the men in her life, it becomes obvious that May’s history continues to haunt her.When she decides that she wants to bring a baby into the world, the audience is forced to decide whether May’s past can ever be forgiven.
