With the air getting chilly, leaves starting to change and pumpkin spice in our grasp, Toronto is heading into the fall season. And that also means the start of theatre season in the city! For those who didn’t know, Toronto is recognized for being the third largest English-speaking theatre centre in the world, just after the West End in London and Broadway in New York City.
This prestigious title should be one reason alone to explore the artistry and talent of Toronto’s vibrant theatre scene. The city has an impressive reputation for unique, high-quality productions housed by the most elegant-looking theatres. It’s no wonder why every year, Toronto is known to host only the best in theatre productions, ranging from critically-acclaimed to local creations.
Among the city’s most popular theatres are the classics, Ed Mirvish Theatre, a historic building owned and operated by Mirvish Productions. Every year, the company presents dozens of plays and musicals separated by two subscription seasons: the Main Season which includes large-scale productions and the Off-Mirvish Season specializing in smaller scale productions.
The same company also purchased the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1963, another historic landmark considered a beauty of architecture. This venue has hosted nearly 3,400 productions since its opening and its stage has been graced by legendary performers, such as Mary Pickford, the Marx Brothers, and Edith Piaf, among others.
On the other hand, the city has a beating heart for its local community theatres. For example, the Tarragon Theatre prides itself on showcasing groundbreaking, Canadian contemporary plays. It describes itself as a creation and playwrights theatre with a goal to experiment with non-traditional practices and methods of storytelling.
Meanwhile, the Coal Mine Theatre is a community favourite theatre in the city, due to its intimate space and stimulating content. In fact, Coal Mine’s successful productions have earned a total of 38 Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations with 11 wins, and nine Toronto Theatre Critics Awards.
With that said, it’s no wonder why visitors and locals alike are so entranced by Toronto’s theatre landscape. If you’re one of them, book your ticket and prepare an outfit, because there are a number of upcoming productions hitting the stage and we’ve rounded up six shows that you definitely won’t want to miss.
The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time
Much like the title, watching this play is equivalent to watching a person on a tightrope. It’s a nail-biting performance of ten characters, all played by one actor, legendary Canadian artist Walter Borden. From Sept. 19 to Oct. 15, The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time is showing at the Tarragon Theatre and it follows a deeply personal reflection of Walter’s journey of life. In this, “Walter explores homosexuality from a Black perspective and offers an experience of the resiliency of the human spirit.” In an exclusive interview with Tarragon Theatre, Walter reveals the production has been a long one in the making. He says he’s excited to unveil the final version of it because it has gone through so much since 2012. Now, he’s ready to perform his completed project in Toronto, a city that holds a special place for him.
Topdog/Underdog
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog is a dark comic fable of brotherly love and sibling rivalry. The plot follows brothers Lincoln and Booth who are haunted by their past. This is a 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning play that is full of betrayal, lies, secrets, competitiveness and tension. This production is being held at Berkeley Street Theatre from Sept. 22 to Oct. 8. This play examines various themes, such as family identity and underlying trauma. It was recently called “the greatest American play in the past 25 years” by the New York Times.
Appropriate
The Coal Mine Theatre presents the full-length drama Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins from Sept. 24 through to Oct. 15. This drama is about the estranged members of the Lafayette family who return to their Arkansas plantation to settle the accounts of their recently deceased patriarch. While looking through old family mementos, they stumble upon a relic that leads them down a dark path and unsettling secrets. Some reviews say this play has the most complex characters who are both unrelatable and extremely likable. Appropriate was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play and even won the 2015 Obie Award for Best New American Play.
Jungle Book reimagined
Have you ever wanted to see a classic childhood story told through a modern lens? This is your chance. In this latest adaptation of the Disney classic Jungle Book, the play tells the journey of Mowgli through the eyes of a refugee caught in a world devastated by the impact of climate change. This version, by the world-renowned Akram Khan, relates to the problems of today and the children who will inherit our world. Jungle Book offers theatre-goers a rare opportunity to see a childhood story in an entirely new way, as it attempts to tackle and balance the crippling issues of today’s society. Jungle Book reimagined is showing at the Bluma Appel Theatre from Oct. 12-14.
The Guide to Being Fabulous
If you want to know the ultimate tips to being fabulous, then look no further. The Soulpepper Theatre Company is hosting a production of The Guide to Being Fabulous from Oct. 24 to Nov. 12. This play centres the life and journey of Sandra Caldwell who goes from a pickpocketing youth to a mega-star on stage. Sandra’s story will take viewers on a ride through history as she joins the Stonewall riots, the New York Ballroom scene, parties at Studio 54 and performances on broadway. Sandra is known as a trailblazer and icon in the trans community. This production will surely take the audience on an adventure through time, as it witnesses Sandra go from one thrilling experience to the next, leading up to her final destination where she emerges as a star.
Knock Knock
The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company introduces the mono-drama Knock Knock from Oct. 21 to 29. This play is about Ilana, a liaison officer for the army and a single mother who supports families who’ve lost their sons and daughters to war. She is faced with a life-changing dilemma when her only son must go to battle. This drama focuses on the deep-rooted effects of national service on everyday life. Throughout the play, audiences will be able to relate to the themes of loss, love and longing. The production will focus on the close relationship between a mother and a son who she never expected to part with. It’s an immersive experience that will have you connecting with the characters on a deeply personal level. At the same time, the play also provides a rare look behind what members of the military and their families endure.
For a list of events, check out our Events Calendar, powered by Now Playing Toronto.
To list your event, click here.
