April is always such a whirlwind of a month, however it looks like May will be just as busy! I’m excited to see plenty of exciting new theatre this May, and to share my thoughts with all of you!

Unwritten: The Improv Show – Young People’s Theatre

For the first time in its 58-year history, Young People’s Theatre (YPT) is stepping into the world of improv for young audiences with Unwritten: The Improv Show. This delightfully unscripted production is directed by YPT Artistic Director Herbie Barnes and features some of Canada’s finest improv artists: Comedian Tim Blair – a founding member of CBC’s award-winning comedy sketch show TallBoyz; multiple Canadian Comedy Award-winner Lisa Merchant; and Second City performer, writer and director Paloma Nuñez.
Together, Blair, Merchant and Nuñez will demonstrate the art of play, the power of “yes”, and how to lose the fear of failure. Their thoughtful approach to the art form will often be inspired by prompts from the audience, resulting in a hilarious and spontaneous exchange of ideas.

Recommended for Ages 11+ | Gr. 6+
May 7 – 16
Ada Slaight Stage at Young People’s Theatre – 165 Front Street E
https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/shows-tickets/unwritten-the-improv-show/

In Seven Days – The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company

When Rachel returns to her family home in London, Ontario, her only
concern is whether she bought the right bagels for her step-mother to bring
to Temple. But when her father reveals his decision to end his life by
medically-assisted death in seven days, poppy-seed bagels become the
least of her concerns. Torn between love, her Jewish faith, and conscience,
Rachel must decide: does she try to change the mind of the family patriarch
or does she honour the wishes of her ailing father?
A world premiere co-production with The Grand Theatre, In Seven Days is
a powerful reminder of the preciousness of life and the challenges of saying
goodbye to the people we love most.

May 4 – 16
The Greenwin Theatre, Meridian Arts Centre – 5040 Yonge Street
https://www.hgjewishtheatre.com/2023-2024-InSevenDays.html

Hedda Gabler – Coal Mine Theatre

Coal Mine co-founder Diana Bentley assumes one of the most complex and heralded characters in the theatre cannon, HEDDA GABLER, in a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s timeless drama by Liisa Repo-Martell. The production is directed by Moya O’Connell who astounded Toronto audiences with her performance in THE SOUND INSIDE at COAL MINE last season, and Bentley is joined on stage by an exceptional acting company that includes Nancy Beatty, Andrew Chown, Shawn Doyle, Qasim Khan, Nancy Palk, and Fiona Reid. METRIC’s luminous lead singer Emily Haines joins the team to compose the original score and Joshua Quinlan designs Set and Costumes, incorporating special pieces on loan from beloved Toronto design house Horses Atelier.

May 5 – June 2
The Coal Mine Theatre – 2076 Danforth Ave
https://www.coalminetheatre.com/hedda-gabler

First Metis Man of Odesa – Soulpepper Theatre Company

Matt and Masha’s love spans continents, but distance can’t tame their passionate connection. After meeting on a theatre research trip in Kyiv, a Métis Playwright and a Ukrainian artist spark up a romance that takes them from the beaches of the Black Sea to the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, through the onset of a global pandemic and the eruption of a brutal war, plus many moments of joy through it all including marriage and the birth of their son.

Based on actual events, this captivating real-life love story is set against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Award-winning playwright Matthew MacKenzie joins forces with his wife, award-winning Ukrainian actress Mariya Khomutova, to tell the story of their COVID courtship and share an intimate perspective on the personal impacts of the war in Ukraine.

Winner of three Dora Mavor Moore Awards including Outstanding Production, Outstanding New Work, and Outstanding Direction.

May 8 – May 19
Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts – 50 Tank House Lane
https://www.soulpepper.ca/performances/firstmetisman

Insert Clown Here – Parlous Theatre with support from Common Boots Theatre

In a comedic collision of Chekhovian drama and Clown Chaos, INSERT CLOWN HERE follows a troupe of actors in a fully rehearsed, 19th-century melodrama that is upended when the lead actor goes missing and is replaced by a completely unrehearsed Clown. While the Clown attempts to improvise lines and blocking from a script they haven’t read, the remaining cast will try to keep the story on track, resulting in a comedy-of-errors newly created every performance. What could go wrong? Only everything.

May 8 – 19
The Theatre Centre Incubator – 1115 Queen St W
https://www.parloustheatre.com/insert-clown-here

A Goat, A Ghost, and A Guinness – The Flare Productions

Set in rural county Kerry, three sisters go about their day running their family pub. But everything changes when an American wanders into town seeking answers to her own family mystery.

May 16 – 19
Al Green Theatre – 750 Spadina Avenue
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6291603

seven methods of killing kylie jenner – Obsidian Theatre in association with Crow’s Theatre

Revolving around close friends Cleo and Kara who are grappling with the pervasive influence of social media and celebrity culture in their lives, this electric and provocative play explores ownership of Black bodies, cultural appropriation, social media, and female friendships. This new production is directed by Jay Northcott and features rising stars Jasmine Chase (Truth/YPT) and Déjah Dixon-Green (King Lear/Stratford).

May 12 – 26
Studio Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest – 345 Carlaw Avenue
https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/seven-methods

Come Home – The Legend of Daddy Hall – Tarragon Theatre

When John Hall is confronted by his ancestors, he is forced to revisit his entire life.
Worlds collide as he travels back through time rediscovering life as a husband, father, son, war scout and freedom fighter. As he relives his dangerous past, John must decide – continue life as the oldest man, abandon everything and serve those on the earthly plane or exist in the Unknown.

Based on true events, Come Home – The Legend of Daddy Hall is told through poetic text, music and song.

A play about the afterlife, love, legacy and being legendary. Come Home asks where we come from, where we’re headed and what we may be asked to do when we get there.

May 14 – June 9
Tarragon Mainspace – 30 Bridgman Avenue
https://tarragontheatre.com/plays/current-season/come-home-the-legend-of-daddy-hall/

Alice by Heart – Thaumarope Theatre

In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward. This musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times. (Via Music Theatre International)

May 30 – June 1
Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace – 16 Ryerson Ave
https://www.thaumatropetheatre.com/alice-by-heart

The Wrong Bashir – Crow’s Theatre

Bashir Ladha, a bohemian philosophy podcaster, finds himself unwittingly thrust into the spotlight when he is chosen to assume a distinguished religious position that his parents have eagerly accepted on his behalf. Before Bashir can object, two committee representatives are at his door to congratulate him. As the representatives start to suspect a mistake has been made, Bashir’s jubilant grandparents and relatives arrive to commemorate the honour. A charming farce ensues, prompting questions around whether the seemingly wrong Bashir may, in fact, be the right one.

May 21 – June 9
Crow’s Theatre – 345 Carlaw Avenue
https://www.crowstheatre.com/whats-on/view-all/wrongbashir