Frankenstein: Lost in Darkness

At Pacific Theatre until November 2, 2019
Little could 18-year-old Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, travelling across Europe with her married lover Percy Bysshe Shelley and their friend Lord Byron, anticipate that the short story she conceived or began writing (Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus) during that trip, would endure across the centuries.

Poster by Emily Cooper

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Cost of Living

Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre until November 3, 2019
Two parallel scenes are standouts: Jess bathing John in his shower and Eddie washing Ani in her bathtub. There’s physical intimacy in both scenes (naked bodies, washcloths, water) without emotional or sexual connection.

Ashley Wright as Eddie and Teal Sherer as Ani in Cost of Living. Credit: David Cooper

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Luzia: Cirque du Soleil

Under the Big Top at Concord Pacific until December 29, 2019
Monumental and spectacular in every detail, Luzia takes you on a surreal journey into a land blessed with sun and moon, tropics and desserts, exotic birds, butterflies, strange animals, music, song and rain, lots of life-giving rain.

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Company

At Bobby’s Apartment (2531 Ontario Street) until October 26, 2019
How often do you get to sit up close to Jonathan Winsby singing Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics? Not often enough.

The Company cast with Jonathan Winsby (centre, front) as Bobby. Credit: Nicol Spinola 

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Body Awareness

At Studio 16 until October 20, 2019
Under Aaron Craven’s excellent direction, Body Awareness got me thinking about ‘the male gaze’ all over again. I respect a theatre company that consistently recharges my batteries.

Suleka Mathew as Phyllis and Jennifer Copping as Joyce in Body Awareness. Credit: Shimon Photo

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Dancing Lessons

At Jericho Arts Centre until October 20, 2019
Dancing Lessons could go so wrong but this Naked Goddess Productions, under the always thoughtful direction of Sarah Rodgers, gets it right. Putting the autism spectrum on stage is a delicate business especially since the neurological disorder presents itself so variously and lends itself to lampooning at the expense of those not neurotypical.

Andrew Coghlan as Ever and Sandra Medeiros as Senga in Dancing Lessons. Credit: Angelo Renai

 

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The Birds & the Bees

At Arts Club Granville Island Stage until October 26, 2019
If the Arts Club Granville Island stage didn’t have a roof, The Birds & the Bees would simply float away. It’s that light.

Tom McBeath as Earl and Susinn McFarlen as Gail in The Birds & the Bees. Credit: Moonrider Productions

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