theatre listings œcontinued from page 64
Dec 16 and runs to Dec 30, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm (no show Dec 24, 25, 26) mats Dec 21, 23, 28 at 4:30 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, child/previews $10. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. 416504-7529, theatrecolumbus.ca. 2000 CANdLES (The Arts Engine). This musical theatre show features vignettes of Christmas celebrations and traditions. Opens Dec 20 and runs to Dec 23, Tue-Fri 8 pm. $16.50-$28. Walmer Centre Theatre, 188 Lowther. 2000candles.com.
One-Nighters
FCAt BENt’S 2Nd ANNUAL ChRiStMAS CABAREt (Cat Bent). This show features music,
comedy and dance. Dec 15 at 8 pm. Free. Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas E. catbent.com. FA ChRiStMAS CARoL by Charles Dickens (Humber River Shakespeare Co). Five actors perform the timeless tale of greed, ghosts, salvation and hope. Dec 15 at 7 pm. $15, child $10. Sheridan Park Alliance Church, 2440 Fifth Line W, Mississauga. 416-209-2026, humberrivershakespeare.ca.
FKENSiNgtoN MARKEt WiNtER SoLStiCE (Red Pepper Spectacle Arts). Artists
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and performers participate in this annual outdoor solstice celebration and parade. Dec 21 at 6:30 pm. Free. Kensington Market, corner of Oxford and Augusta. 416-598-3729, redpepperspectaclearts.org. FWiNtER SoLStiCE CoNCERt & CELEBRAtioN (Children’s Peace Theatre). This family-friendly celebration features an outdoor lantern parade, a peace flag ceremony and more. Dec 21 at 6:30 pm. Free. 305 Dawes. 416-752-1550, peacetheatre.org.
Continuing thE ChiLdREN’S REPUBLiC by Hannah Mosco-
vitch (Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company). Moscovitch’s latest play deals with a doctor and champion of children’s rights, Janusz Korczak, who runs a Warsaw orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto. Though the first act contains more setup than drama, the second act, with the help of a strong cast, involves us emotionally in the lives of the doctor and his charges. Runs to Dec 18, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $38-$47, srs $33-$45, stu $20-$24. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, hgjewishtheatre.com. N NN (JK) FthE ChRiStMAS StoRY (Church of the Holy Trinity). Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present a nativity pageant. Runs to Dec 24, Fri-Sat (and Dec 22) 7:30 pm, mat SatSun 4:30 pm. $20, child $5 (suggested donation). 10 Trinity Square. 416-598-8979, holytrinitytoronto.org. dYiNg CitY by Christopher Shinn (surface/underground theatre). A therapist’s relationship with twin brothers in two time periods offers a look at the fragile nature of love and commitment. Under director Peter Pasyk, actors Lesley Faulkner and Sergio Di Zio (he plays both brothers) involve viewers in this
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theatre review
Melissa D’Agostino’s Lupe delivers a unique take on the holidays.
Liking Lupe A VERY LUPE XMAS by Melissa D’Agostino (Fault Line). At Gallery 918 (918 Bathurst). To December 17. $20$25. 416-538-0868, totix.com. See Continuing, this page. Rating: NNN
Ever participated in a posada? Well, sensual South American Guadalupe Maria Milagrosa Josefina Paz Dominguez (Melissa D’Agostino) is here to guide you through the holidays in her typical authoritarian style. The result is a funny, satiric nativity pageant with tinsel made of razor wire. Lupe’s Three Wise Men are an Arab (Sam Kalilieh), a Jew (Adam Lazarus) and an energetic gay hairdresser (Phil Luzi) who won’t stay on book, much to Lupe’s mounting irritation. After his particularly disquieting version of Got To Be Real, she ejects him from the production, and subsequently finds fault with all the cast-mates. The second act brings her back a changed woman, and she spends the remainder of the show sourcing her new Wise Men from the audience via contests, including a high-stakes taco-stuffing competition. intimate production by giving nuance to the lives of this troubled threesome. Runs to Dec 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor W. dyingcity.com. N NNN (JK) hAiR by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot (Mirvish). Young bohemian pacifists explore free love, drugs and 60s culture as the Vietnam War draft looms in this musical. Runs to Dec 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat 2 pm (no eve show Dec 24); see website for additional days and times. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-8721212, mirvish.com. FhoLLY JoLLY ChRiStMAS (Studio 60 Theatre). This musical revue features songs, dance and sketches with a seasonal theme. Runs to Dec 18, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mats Dec 7 and 18 at 2 pm. $20. 60 Six Point. 416-354-2479, studio60theatreboxoffice.com.
JoSEPh ANd thE AMAziNg tEChNiCoLoR dREAMCoAt by Andrew Lloyd Webber and
Tim Rice (Lower Ossington Theatre). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Runs to Dec 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm (no show Dec 24), mats Dec 18 at 4 pm, Dec 20-21 & 27-28 at 1 pm. $45-$60, stu $20.
D’Agostino brings lots of energy to the Gloria Estefan-loving Lupe, flirting and flouncing her way through the audience, and Khalileh, Lazarus and Luzi throw themselves into Monica Dottor’s wonderfully silly choreography. But it’s not all fun: together with co-creator and director Lazarus, D’Agostino makes a strong point about the way stereotypes persist in holiday shows. The scene where Khalileh drops
his Middle Eastern accent to call out Lupe on her hypocrisy is particularly resonant. The second act might be a bit longer than necessary, but that’s Lupe’s style – to draw things out a little past the point of comfort. The show is a charming, comic take on the stuff we love/hate to put up with every holiday season. And if it comes with a silent lackey (Hart Massey) serving Timbits on a machete, NAoMi SKWARNA who’s complaining?
100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
Players). The blacklight theatre company presents a holiday musical about kindness, peace and love. Runs to Dec 30, Tue-Sat noon and 6:45 pm. $62, srs $56, child $40 (includes meal). 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org. MARY PoPPiNS by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman (Mirvish/Disney Theatrical Productions/Cameron Mackintosh). A breathtaking spectacle, this big-budget Disney musical brings to life all the songs and magic of the original film. Picture-perfect as the mysterious nanny, Rachel Wallace impresses by singing, dancing and... um, believably flying. Runs to Jan 8, 2012, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (no eve show Dec 24; see website for other dates). $38-$185. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416872-1212, mirvish.com. N NNN (Jordan Bimm) MEMPhiS by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan (Dancap Productions). A white DJ falls in love with a black rock-and-roll singer in the 50s in this musical (see review, page 64). Runs to Dec 24, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for more performances). $51-$180. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416644-3665, dancaptickets.com. N NN (JK)
thE LifE ANd tiMES of MACKENziE KiNg: thE hiStoRY of thE ViLLAgE of thE ñ SMALL hUtS, 1918-1939 by Michael Hollings-
worth (VideoCabaret). This instalment of Video Cabaret’s long-running Canadian history series follows Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King from the Roaring Twenties through the Great Depression to the beginnings of World War II. Highly stylized sets and props, as well as attention to all levels of society makes this hilarious take on history both engaging and comprehensive. Runs to Dec 18, Fri and Sun 2:30 pm, Sat 1 pm. $20$40. Cameron House, 408 Queen W. 416-7031725, videocab.com. N NNN (Jordan Bimm) LiKE AN oLd tALE (Jumblies Theatre). Audience members participate in this multicultural retelling of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale with dance, opera, puppets, projections and more. Runs to Dec 18, Wed-Sat (and Dec 11) 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $30, stu/srs $20; Dec 16 gala $50. Commercial Studios Ltd, 793 Pharmacy. jumbliestheatre.org. FA MAgiCAL tiME of YEAR (Famous People
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“the writing is both poetic and muscular, the images are vivid, breathtaking and heartsqueezing… pulsing with life and emotions.” —lynn Slotkin, Here and Now, cBc radio
WInnEr of thE 2011 GovErnor GEnEral’S lItErary aWard for drama playWrIGhtScanada.com avaIlaBlE at thEatrEBookS december 15-21 2011 NOW
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= Critics’ Pick
MY MothER’S itALiAN, MY fAthER’S JEWiSh & i’M iN thERAPY by Steve Solomon (Philip Roger
Roy/Dana Matthow/Bud Martin). Solomon performs his solo show about growing up in a wacky, bi-ethnic family. Runs to Jan 29, 2012, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $51.50-$56. Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 1-855-985-2787, italianjewish.ca. FPARfUMERiE by Miklós László (Soulpepper). Shop clerks who don’t get along at work exchange anonymous love letters as pen pals (see review, page 64). Runs to Dec 31, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca. N NNN (Jordan Bimm) PiNKALiCioUS, thE MUSiCAL by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family show. Runs to Jan 29, 2012, Sun 1 pm. $20. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca. PRoof by David Auburn (QED Theatre Co-op). The death of a mathematician reunites his estranged daughters and a former student as they seek the line between genius and madness. Runs to Dec 18, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $15-$20. The Branding Factory, 136 Geary, unit 215. secureaseat.com. REd by John Logan (Canadian Stage/Vancouver Playhouse/Citadel Theatre). Logan’s twohander pairs abstract expressionist master Mark Rothko (Jim Mezon) with an eager new assistant (David Coomber) as the former begins a lucrative commission. There’s some vivid imagery in the script, and Mezon exudes narcissism and alpha-male aggression as the painter, but Kim Collier’s fussy direction distracts from the uneven piece. Runs to Dec 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com. N NN (GS) SEUSSiCAL by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Young People’s Theatre). Based on several Dr. Seuss works, including Horton Hears A Who and Horton Hatches An Egg, this lively musical is great family entertainment, despite a dip in energy near the end. Director Alan MacInnis’s production features some first-rate performers, including George Masswohl as Horton and Damien Atkins as a charming Cat in the Hat. Runs to Dec 30, SatSun 2 pm, see website for other dates and times. $15-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca. N NNN (JK) 2 PiANoS 4 hANdS by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt (Mirvish). Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt’s cozy, clever 2P4H still has the thing that endeared itself to audiences fifteen years ago: the charming writer/ performers making it all look easy, even when it isn’t Runs to Jan 5, 2012: Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm to Dec 18; no shows Dec 19-26; Dec 27Jan 5 Mon-Fri 8 pm, mat Wed 2 pm. $49-$69. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. N NNN (Naomi Skwarna) UNChARtEd zoNES by DJ Sylvis (Monkeyman Productions). Travelling through space and time, this sequence of four episodes explores the borders between human experience and the unknown. Runs to Dec 17, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm. $15-$20. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston. monkeymanproductions.com. FA VERY LUPE XMAS by Melissa D’Agostino (Fault Line Theatre). A feisty South American immigrant hosts a Christmas party in this solo comedy (see review, this page). Runs to Dec 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25 (food bank donations appreciated). Gallery 918, 918 Bathurst. totix.com. N NN (Naomi Skwarna) FWhitE ChRiStMAS by Irving Berlin (Civic Light Opera Company). This holiday musical is based on the 1954 film with Bing Crosby. Runs to Dec 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $28. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.
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If We Were Birds by Erin Shields
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MURdER At tWiLight by Brian Caws and Barb Scheffler (Mysteriously Yours... Dinner Theatre). Modern-day vampires, old-school monsters and humans try to coexist in this murder mystery. Runs to Dec 23, Fri-Sat 6:30 pm (see website for other dates). $79-$85. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.
NNNNN = Standing ovation
NNNN = Sustained applause
NNN = Recommended, memorable scenes
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thE WizARd of oz: thE WiCKEdLY WACKY
fAMiLY MUSiCAL adapted by Lorna Wright and Nicholas Hune-Brown (Ross Petty). When a snowstorm carries the Toronto-dwelling Dorothy (Elicia Mackenzie) away in a blue bin, her destination isn’t so much over the rainbow as overseas – down under Australia. While no musical number is a real standout in this holiday panto, the wild variety and funky footwork on the Yellow Brick Road makes it lots of fun. Runs to Jan 6, 2012, TueSat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for other dates and holiday exceptions). $27-$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, rosspetty.com. NNN (Naomi Skwarna) 3 NN = Seriously flawed
N = Get out the hook