Even though we talk a lot about fashion, beauty and events, we also love a good dose of culture on a regular basis. There’s always tons of great theatre happening in Toronto, but here are five of the shows we’re most looking forward to seeing over the next few months.
1. Kim’s Convenience: We love the premise of this production – a glimpse into the life of a Korean family that owns a convenience store in Regent Park. We’re hoping for a slice of Toronto life that many of us are familiar with and can relate to in some way. Based on the excellent reviews that this play has gotten, we think our hopes will be fulfilled. It’s sold out through it’s original February 11 run, but it was recently announced that it will return to the Yonge Centre for the Performing Arts from Thursday, May 17 to Saturday, June 9.
In rehearsal: Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Clé Bennett, Wenyi Mengesha.
Photo by Sian Richards.
2. Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff: Even if we weren’t helping with publicity for this play (full disclosure) we’d be extremely excited for it. More than a few of us are serious Potter fans, and this is one of the first productions to come out of the internationally popular series. It’s a fun and funny play that has two guys – Dan and Jeff – perform all characters, from each of the seven Potter books, in 70 minutes. They’ve been compared to Monty Python, and we’re suckers for some good British humour. Playing at the Panasonic Theatre from Saturday, February 11 to Sunday, March 4. Buy tickets here!
Jeff Turner and Daniel Clarkson in Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience – A Parody by Dan and Jeff
3. Cruel and Tender: We’re big Atom Egoyan fans (and well, who isn’t, really?) so were very excited when a few of us got to check out a preview of the show. It was definitely not theatre for the faint of heart – there are heavy hitting themes, scenes and monologues. Egoyan’s wife, Arsinée Khanjian gives a strong performance as the wife of the General, dealing with an absent husband and the truth about his actions while at war. Go see it if you want a challenge – those of us who’ve not been yet will see you there! At the Bluma Appel Theatre until Saturday, February 18. Tickets here.
Thomas Hauff, Arsinée Khanjian and Abena Malika in Cruel and Tender.
Photo by Bruce Zinger.
4. Hughie: A short but powerful production in the west end that we’re excited to check out (another client – full disclosure). Hughie has played internationally – notably by Al Pacino back in ’96 – and depicts the conversation between alcoholic gambler Erie and hotel nightclerk Charlie set in a 1920s NYC hotel. The one-act play makes for a perfect way to start our evening with a 2-man cast and intimate audience. And if you’re looking to give back, they’re donating 100% of their proceeds of their Feb 20 performance to Anaphlaxis Canada. At the Theatre Centre Toronto from Wednesday February 8 until March 3. Tickets available at 416.538.0988
5. Penny Plain: Plays with puppets seem to be popping up all over in Toronto as of late (War Horse, Avenue Q) and we’re most intrigued by this marionette production about Penny Plain, a blind old woman sitting in her living room, listening to news about the end of the world and interacting with a host of complex characters. We’re told that many Kleenexes are needed to sit through this play, which is by turns sad, uplifting, funny and serious. We love a good evening running through the gamut of our emotions, so we’ll be there, tissue box in hand. At the Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes until Sunday, February 26. Tickets here.
Penny Plain.
RIB 2 