What to see, do, hear and read in Toronto this May
A revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, a night of comedy with Gerry Dee and more
1 Trance-funk trio Khruangbin are passing through Toronto this month to promote their freshly released full-length EP, A La Sala. Hailing from Houston, Texas, the group is known for instrumental tracks featuring grooves from bassist Laura Lee, hazy guitar licks from Mike Speer and beats by drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson, whose timing is so impeccable that it’s become a meme: clips from Khruangbin’s 2018 NPR Tiny Desk concert are still circulating the web, with fans praising Johnson’s metronomic precision. History, May 31 to June 2
2 R. O. Kwon, who has edited an anthology about kinky sex and written a bestselling romance novel featuring violent extremists, has earned a reputation as a master of red-hot writing. Her latest book, Exhibit, fits into the same catalogue. Opening at a lavish party near San Francisco, it follows two ambitious young women artists as they fall into a deep conversation in which one reveals a secret curse that promises to bring death and ruin. The two become entangled in more ways than one over the course of this intoxicating story of queer desire. Out May 21
3 The Canadian Opera Company is closing its season with a captivating tale of violence, cruelty and retribution. Luigi Cherubini’s Medea tells the story of the ancient Greek sorceress who famously helped Jason and his Argonauts steal the Golden Fleece. After she bears his sons, Jason abandons her for a high-born woman, and on the eve of their wedding, the spurned Medea gets her brutal revenge. Renowned soprano Sondra Radvanovsky plays the title role— known as one of the most vocally challenging in opera—and knighted Scottish showrunner Sir David McVicar directs. Four Seasons Centre, May 3 to 17
4 Long before comedian Gerry Dee became the host of Family Feud Canada or starred alongside Joel McHale in Animal Control, he was a kid growing up in Scarborough. His path to fame in the 1990s was rocky and started only after he gave up his job as a gym teacher at Summerhill’s De La Salle College. From there, he weathered no-show DVD signings, performances for drunken fishermen in the Bahamas and other amusing (or humiliating, depending on your point of view) gigs. The chapters from Dee’s wild ride have been collected in his new book, Funny You Should Say That. He shares them onstage this month. Massey Hall, May 10
5Like the good shepherd himself, Mirvish’s hit production of Jesus Christ Superstar has risen from the dead. Acclaimed showrunner Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie lead this production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera about the last days of Christ’s life. After Covid- and scheduling- related cancellations, this 50th-edition performance is finally getting a proper tour. CAA Theatre, May 3 to 12
6 Almost everyone has a story about an eccentric roommate from their past, but Kaliane Bradley’s debut novel takes the idea to another level. Set in the not-so-distant future, The Ministry of Time follows a civil servant whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to live with a man from 1845 named Commander Graham Gore. After the classic adjustment period—she adapts to his chain-smoking, he adapts to the modern world—an unlikely romance ensues, and the rest, as they say, is history. Out May 7
7 Massey Hall and Gordon Lightfoot share a special connection: the legendary late Canadian musician holds the record for most performances—more than 170—at the venue. Lightfoot, who died last May, is now being honoured with a tribute show. Led by Blue Rodeo and the Lightfoot Band, it will include performances from such notable Canadian artists as Tom Cochrane, Allison Russell and Aysanabee. Massey Hall, May 23
8 Playwright Matthew MacKenzie and actor Mariya Khomutova found love in the worst of circumstances: during the ravages of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Khomutova’s native Ukraine. Out of their unlikely union comes an autobiographical play, written and performed by the pair and put on by MacKenzie’s Punctuate theatre troupe. The story straddles the couple’s homelands, from the beaches of the Black Sea to the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, where MacKenzie is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta. It’s a tale of love in defiance of illness and war—a parable for our times. Soulpepper Theatre, May 8 to 19
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