There’s lots of amazing work to see this month! Here’s a list of shows I unfortunately can’t make it to, but if you see them, make sure to let me know what you think!

Unclearing – The Chimera Project Dance Theatre

The program features two contemporary works from Canadian choreographers: the inquisitive exploration of authenticity in Agrimony from Sophie Dow and an athletically-charged contemplation of the futility of modern-day life in Soft from Chimera Artistic Director Malgorzata Nowacka-May.
Agrimony is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Dow and songwriter Laura Reznek, who will perform an original indie pop musical score live on stage. The work is an exploration of the masks we wear in life to shield us from life’s challenges and traumas, and features four dancers in intricately carved masks.
Named after the natural healing properties of the small yellow flower, agrimony, Dow’s choreography speaks to her own deeply personal experiences overcoming life-altering challenges, including a series of traumatic brain injuries in 2016, deeply impacting her sense of self and connection to loved ones.
Nowacka-May’s Soft features eight dancers and explores the dissonance of life’s mundane, daily tasks and the raw, instinctual fear that holds us back from realizing our greatest potential.
Nowacka-May can speak to the many influences of this highly kinetic work: her fascination with the horror genre and its commentary on societal values, her exasperation with the mundanity of online life – filling out forms, changing passwords, neverending email inboxes AND – the intense limits to which she pushes her dancers in preparation for her athletic dance works.

April 5&6
Harbourfront Centre Theatre – 231 Queens Quay W.
https://chimeradt.com/works/

COMIC BOOKS LIVE!!! – THE ASSEMBLY THEATRE

COMIC BOOKS LIVE!!! returns with a comedic reading of DC comic’s 1993 DEATH OF SUPERMAN SAGA, a live reading of Superman #75, The Adventures of Superman #500, Action Comics #500, Superman #22, Superman The Man of Steel #22 and Superman #78 along with an improvised musical score provided by indie musical artist CAT & THE QUEEN (CATQ)!
Each installment of COMIC BOOKS LIVE!!! plucks a comic book from all eras of graphic fiction history, chosen by series host, Assembly alumni and all-around comic fanboy LUIS FERNANDES (Therac 25, The Assembly Theatre; Tough Jews, Dora Award nomination Outstanding Ensemble) and gives it a high-energy dramatic reading by some of Torontoʼs finest live performers! First 20 pre-sold ticket purchases include a poly-bagged original copy of SUPERMAN #500 courtesy of WEST END COMICS!

April 6
The Assembly Theatre, 1479 Queen Street West
https://www.theassemblytheatre.com/comicbookslive

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark – Côté Danse, Ex Machina, and Show One Productions

A wordless take on the emblematic tale of a man consumed by doubt and perhaps descending into madness, this new HAMLET from Côté and Lepage mines the essential narratives of Shakespeare’s complex examination of the human condition, with a weaving of classic and contemporary choreography. Performed by a company of hand-picked dancers, Côté himself stars as the troubled Dane. Côté and Lepage’s creation pulls the audience deep into a world of deceptiveness, where phantoms and humans mingle on a minimalist set on which light, shadow and transparency play a central role. This metaphorical reinterpretation of the Shakespearian drama draws a fine line connecting movements of the body with what may or may not be lurking within the corners of the mind.
April 3 – 7
Elgin Theatre – 189 Yonge St.
https://showoneproductions.ca/event/the-tragedy-of-hamlet-prince-of-denmark-202404/

Swan Lakes + Minus 16 – Gauthier Dance//Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart

The program opens with Chouinard’s feminist manifesto LE CHANT DU CYGNE : LE LAC, turning Swan Lake’s oppressed swans into assertive rebels, inspired by Un Violador en Tu Camino (A Rapist in Your Path), a viral anthem written by the Chilean feminist collective Las Tesis. Eight dancers costumed in white tutus and feathery wigs dance in fierce movement as a battle cry against their oppressors, backed by Louis Dufort’s electronic soundscape.
What follows is Shechter’s Swan Cake, his rousing, high-spirited interpretation of the iconic work with colourful costumes designed by Shechter and Gudrun Schretzmeier and a Tchaikovsky-inspired electronic score.
Both interpretations premiered as part of Gauthier Dance’s mixed program, Swan Lakes, at the Theaterhaus Stuttgart in June 2021.
Closing the program is Naharin’s lively and playful Minus 16, set to an eclectic score ranging from Dean Martin and mambo to techno and folk music. One of the dancemaker’s most well-known and beloved works, Minus 16 is considered an opus of Naharin’s acclaimed improvisational Gaga movement language for which he is lauded internationally. Featuring a full ensemble of 16 dancers, Minus 16 “explodes with power and energy” (The Irish Times), ultimately breaking down the fourth wall between dancer and audience member in a vibrant celebration of life and the joy of dancing.

April 18-20
Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay West (3rd Floor)
https://harbourfrontcentre.com/event/swan-lakes/

MY LITTLE BRONY: THE MUSICAL – Sky Gilbert

MY LITTLE BRONY: THE MUSICAL explores the inner private worlds of two young men struggling with their brony fandom and their feelings for each other. Cecil is an aspiring animator and Maximillian is a computer programmer. They meet online — and then finally in person — at a My Little Pony conference, and share their enthusiasm. Are Cecil and Maximillian falling in love, or are they just two very sensitive young men experiencing the magic of friendship? Will they finally solve all their problems? And perhaps the most pressing question of all — will they finally be able to remove their glasses?

April 9, 10, 16, 17, 21
The Epochal Imp – 123 Danforth Avenue
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/25c527f8-6030-435c-bb60-d085e53ec3f5

DARK TALES: AN EVENING WITH SHIRLEY JACKSON – RAVEN’S QUILL

DARK TALES: AN EVENING WITH SHIRLEY JACKSON presents four eerie tales by one of America’s best writers. We open with “What a Thought” in which a loving and good wife has several dark desires all of which will lead to her husband’s murder if she acts upon them. This is followed by “All She Said Was Yes” about an ignored but prophetic young girl—does this suggest how Jackson herself felt and different times of her life—ignored? Our third story is “Jack the Ripper”. A caring husband; a wife who, maybe, turns a blind eye. And we end with “The Bus” about an elderly woman caught up in her past and frustrated by the people she encounters.

April 3-6
Extra Space theatre at the TARRAGON THEATRE, 30 Bridgman Avenue
https://www.ravensquillproductions.com/

Keyed Up! – Soundstreams

Keyed Up! #1
VARIATIONS ON GOLDBERG VARIATIONS | THURSDAY, APRIL 18
The festival opens with a dazzling array of newly composed, world premiere variations on J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations by four extraordinary Canadian composers: Taylor Brook, Dorothy Chang, Emily Doolittle and André Ristic, plus the North American premiere of Australian composer/pianist Paul Grabowsky’s jazz-inflected take on Bach’s masterpiece – Improvisations on the Aria from Bach’s Goldberg Variations.
Keyed Up! #2
NOTATIONS | FRIDAY, APRIL 19
RBC BRIDGES Composer Showcase
The first half of this free program showcases new works by emerging composers by participants in this year’s RBC Bridges program, chosen through a juried international competition: Uko Abara, Alexandra Gorlin-Crenshaw, Gustav Knudson, Maria-Eduarda Mendes Martins, Prokhor Protasoff, and Hsiu-Ping Patrick Wu.
The second half showcases short works by celebrated composers: T. REX by Ana Sokolović (North American premiere) performed by John Paul Farahat, Mutations by Alvin Singleton performed by Jackie Leung, Toile de Jouy by Monica Pearce performed by Wesley Shen, and Glass Houses (#5) by Ann Southam performed by Gregory Oh.
Keyed Up! #3
6 PIANOS 12 HANDS | SATURDAY, APRIL 20
For the festival’s finale, Soundstreams presents three spectacular works for six grand pianos: Steve Reich’s iconic Six Pianos, Terry Riley’s A Rainbow in Curved Air, André Ristic’s Vivaldi Variations plus two works for two pianos: Trois Études by Ana Sokolović and My Lips From Speaking by Julia Wolfe.

April 18-20
Jane Mallett Theatre (Toronto Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St E)
https://soundstreams.ca/soundstreams-presents-keyed-up/

SPRING DOUBLE BILL – Toronto Dance Theatre

SPRING DOUBLE BILL sees the resident company and guest dancers share the stage in two new enticing works. For KIOKU NO MA – 記憶の間, long-time company dancer Yuichiro Inoue choreographs his first full piece with members of the ensemble, reflective of his virtuosic career with TDT. Artistic Duo KINAJ (Kin Nguien and AJ Velasco) shares ALIENS, a piece that incorporates their cross-genre practices in street styles and contemporary dance, building upon the ideas and conversations they began during their
2022/23 Pilot Episodes residency at TDT.

APRIL 4 – 6 AND APRIL 11 – 13
Winchester Street Theatre – 80 Winchester Street
https://tdt.org/events/spring-double-bill/

THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE – Promise Productions

Things We Lost in The Fire is a riveting exploration into the aftermath of a tragic fire that engulfed a downtown building leaving behind a trail of destruction and uncovering the hidden truths of its residents’ lives. As investigators delve deeper into the ashes, secrets long buried begin to emerge, shedding light on the tangled webs of deceit, love, and loss.
Set against the backdrop of a community grappling with grief and redemption, this powerful play takes audiences on a journey of discovery, as characters confront their pasts and grapple with the consequences of their actions. With each revelation, the lines between truth and deception blur, challenging perceptions and unraveling the fabric of trust.
Featuring a talented ensemble cast and masterful storytelling, Things We Lost in The Fire is a poignant exploration of human resilience, the bonds that unite us, and the scars that remain long after the flames have been extinguished. Don’t miss your chance to witness this unforgettable theatrical experience.

Apr 13 – Apr 21
Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue
https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/things-we-lost-in-the-fire

El Terremoto – Tarragon Theatre

Twenty years have passed since the three Jurado sisters lost their parents, and life just seems to continue on in their East Vancouver home.
A birthday party, a failed proposal, and a missed connection fill the days and months until an earthquake nearly destroys the city, and brings forward a shocking turn of events that splits their world wide open.
From Dora-Award winning playwright Christine Quintana El Terremoto is a dramatic comedy about how nothing matters, so everything matters.

March 26 – April 21
Tarragon Mainspace Theatre – 30 Bridgman Avenue
https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/current-season/el-terremoto/

How Fabulous Is That?! – Tom Hearn

Tom Hearn will premiere his new show How Fabulous Is That?! from March 29-30, 2024 for four shows at the Burdock before heading on an international tour with a stop at Edinburgh Fringe this summer. Tom’s FABULOUS extravaganza will include a hit parade of his iconic impressions of Martha Stewart, James Corden, and, of course, Ina Garten. This new hour of comedy will spotlight Tom’s comedic prowess featuring jaw-dropping musical performances, fan favourite impressions, and gag-worthy original characters.

April 26 at 9pm
Comedy Bar Danforth – 2800 Danforth Avenue
https://www.isthattomhearn.com/tour

WOKING PHOENIX – Theatre Passe Muraille and Silk Bath Collective

From the Silk Bath Collective, WOKING PHOENIX is an epic exploration of two decades of a family’s survival. Woking Phoenix tells the story of three siblings, their mother, and their restaurant as they seek to find belonging within small-town Ontario. An intergenerational Chinese love story about creating community and the food that reminds us of home.
Co-created, co-written, and co-directed by Silk Bath Collective members Bessie Cheng, Aaron Jan, and Gloria Mok, WOKING PHOENIX has many inspirations, including the company’s shared family legacies of running multi-gen immigrant family businesses. In fact, Jan’s family owned a Chinese restaurant in small town Ontario called The Blue Tavern. After making two shows with science fiction elements, the artists were interested in focusing on an intergenerational family story and exploring the multifaceted food culture within the Chinese diaspora.

April 12 – 27
Theatre Passe Muraille – 16 Ryerson Ave.
https://www.passemuraille.ca/woking-phoenix/

Murder With No Mystery: A Murder Mystery – Radioactive Ladybird Productions

Set at a remote cottage, Frankie (Seema Lakhani) and Sandy (Laura Salvas) are the only guests who brave a storm to attend a murder mystery party. When the host is actually murdered it becomes very obvious who killed him. Still, the play continues to honour the tropes of a classic murder mystery: an abundance of clues, twists and laughs, and, finally, the reveal of a bigger mystery to be solved.

April 25 – 27
The Theatre Centre – BMO Incubator – 1115 Queen Street West, Toronto
https://theatrecentre.org/event/murder-with-no-mystery/

HUFF – Crow’s Theatre Presents the Cunning Concepts & Creations Production

Cliff Cardinal returns to Crow’s Theatre for a special, one-week presentation of his critically acclaimed, award-winning solo show HUFF.
HUFF is the savagely funny and harrowing tale of Wind and his brothers as they struggle with their mother’s death, a reserve school system that’s failing them, and a solvent-abuse problem. Wind’s fantastic, gas-induced dream world blurs his harsh reality in this powerful, disturbing, and comic tale of family, love, and despair.

April 23 – 28
Streetcar Crowsnest – 345 Carlaw Avenue
https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/huff

NOMADA – Canadian Stage and Dance Works

NOMADA blends aerial dance, installation art, and contemporary Mexican Indigenous dance. Inspired by personal stories of displacement, dances and stories from the P’urepecha and Otomi nations of Michoacan, and the relationship between our bodies and the earth, NOMADA is a visually stunning and visceral experience

Thursday April 18 – Saturday April 20 ( 8PM)
Berkeley Street Theatre – 26 Berkeley Street
https://www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/nomada

Montreal Clown Festival

Founded in 2016 in Canada’s circus capital by two female clowns, Vanessa Rigaux and Kendall Savage, the festival creates opportunities for performers to present original works that fall under the Clown, Bouffon or Physical Theatre spectrums. Our goal is to showcase local, national and international clown artists, creating links to Montreal with clown communities throughout the world. The festival is designed to create opportunities for emerging artists and professional artists to meet, experiment, perform, and exchange clown practices, and to offer audiences at large the opportunity to enjoy and discover the subversive and ancient art of clowning.

Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, April 28, 2024
Le Gésù – Centre de Créativité – 1200 Rue de Bleury, Montreal
https://www.mtlclownfest.com/2024/