Going Out: Top theatre and dance performances in Toronto in May
We pick the best theatre and dance openings in the city every month. This May, the best things to do in Toronto include Fiddler on the Roof at Stratford, Rodin at the Sony Centre and Guys and Dolls in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Fiddler on the Roof
Five decades of suns rising and setting on the little Russian village of Anatevka haven’t dimmed the twinkle in Tevye’s eyes, the love in his heart or the faith that his faith will carry him through—no matter how many times his daughters flout tradition. Scott Wentworth plays the irresistible milkman, and Kate Hennig his devoted crank of a wife, Golde. May 28 to Oct. 20. $49–$135. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford, 1-800-567-1600, stratfordfestival.ca.
The Barber of Seville
Soulpepper updates the classic tale about the best servant ever. Adapted by playwright Michael O’Brien and composer John Millard from Beaumarchais’ play and Rossini’s opera. May 15 to June 8; previews from May 9. $51–$68. Young Centre, 50 Tank House Ln., Distillery District, 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
The Charge of the Expormidable Moose
Devoted to contemporary poetic theatre, One Little Goat is the force behind this English language premiere of Claude Gauvreau’s absurdist show about a poet getting hassled by a motley crew that may be his fellow inmates. May 10 to 26. $25–$28. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827, onelittlegoat.org.
Guys and Dolls
Lady Luck watches over the cops, gamblers, chorus girls and Salvation Army sergeants that populate this classic American musical in which the guy’s only doing it for some doll. May 11 to Oct. 12. $50–$130. Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.
Kamp (Camp)
The Dutch company Hotel Modern has found a way to talk about the Holocaust that is original and heartbreakingly poignant. Moving through a scale model of Auschwitz the size of the stage, puppeteers manipulate thousands of tiny prisoners and guards to the sound of howling wind, screeching trains and German marching songs. May 23 to 26. $15–$35. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Major Barbara
Father-daughter dynamics are a doozy in this George Bernard Shaw play about an arms dealer and his offspring, a major in the Salvation Army. When the pair pulls a switcheroo, they realize that things are more complex than anticipated. May 10 to Oct. 19; previews from May 2. $50–$104. Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.
Rodin
No piece about Auguste Rodin would be complete without a glimpse of insanity. Russian choreographer Boris Eífman and his Eífman Ballet of St. Petersburg don’t skimp: the show opens and closes on the asylum where Rodin’s lover, muse and fellow sculptor Camille Claudel spent her final decades. May 23 to 25. $55–$145. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.
Romeo and Juliet
There’s little to say about history’s most famous lovelorn teens—played here by Daniel Briere and Sara Topham—that hasn’t already been said. So just lean back and appreciate the play for all its tragic gorgeousness. May 27 to Oct. 19; previews from May 1. $29–$120. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford, 1-800-567-1600, stratfordfestival.ca.
Stopheart
The Factory debut by rising young playwright Amy Lee Lavoie is a dark comedy about surviving small-town life when you’re a misfit and your parents are obsessed with fantasy funerals. May 10 to 26; previews from May 4. $22–$42. Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
What We Are Saying
Choreographer Ame Henderson, last seen at World Stage in 2010 with Relay, launches a new show featuring her usual topics—collaboration, interdisciplinary art, the human condition—at Harbourfront. May 22 to 25. $15–$25. The Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
X-ODUS and Crave
Power couple Allen and Karen Kaeja of Kaeja d’Dance offer up a double bill about intimacy. Allen explores the pitfalls of getting close in X-ODUS, while in Crave, Karen tackles the breaking and mending of hearts. May 7 to 11. $18–$39. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Vector[s]
The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre nurtures its next generation of choreographers with a five-artist showcase that includes contributions from former José Limón Dance Company dancer Colin Connor (in a premiere, plus a remount of the 2012 hit Breath of Rivers) and Alexander Whitley of British it-outfit Wayne McGregor–Random Dance. May 24 and 25. $22.50–$38. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/things-to-do-in-toronto-theatre-dance/&title=Going Out: Top theatre and dance performances in Toronto in May&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/going-out-theatre-and-dance-toronto-may-2013-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_211241" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Fiddler on the Roof (Image: courtesy of the Stratford Festival)[/caption]
We pick the best theatre and dance openings in the city every month. This May, the best things to do in Toronto include Fiddler on the Roof at Stratford, Rodin at the Sony Centre and Guys and Dolls in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Fiddler on the Roof
Five decades of suns rising and setting on the little Russian village of Anatevka haven’t dimmed the twinkle in Tevye’s eyes, the love in his heart or the faith that his faith will carry him through—no matter how many times his daughters flout tradition. Scott Wentworth plays the irresistible milkman, and Kate Hennig his devoted crank of a wife, Golde. May 28 to Oct. 20. $49–$135. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford, 1-800-567-1600, stratfordfestival.ca.
The Barber of Seville
Soulpepper updates the classic tale about the best servant ever. Adapted by playwright Michael O’Brien and composer John Millard from Beaumarchais’ play and Rossini’s opera. May 15 to June 8; previews from May 9. $51–$68. Young Centre, 50 Tank House Ln., Distillery District, 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
The Charge of the Expormidable Moose
Devoted to contemporary poetic theatre, One Little Goat is the force behind this English language premiere of Claude Gauvreau’s absurdist show about a poet getting hassled by a motley crew that may be his fellow inmates. May 10 to 26. $25–$28. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave., 416-531-1827, onelittlegoat.org.
Guys and Dolls
Lady Luck watches over the cops, gamblers, chorus girls and Salvation Army sergeants that populate this classic American musical in which the guy’s only doing it for some doll. May 11 to Oct. 12. $50–$130. Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.
Kamp (Camp)
The Dutch company Hotel Modern has found a way to talk about the Holocaust that is original and heartbreakingly poignant. Moving through a scale model of Auschwitz the size of the stage, puppeteers manipulate thousands of tiny prisoners and guards to the sound of howling wind, screeching trains and German marching songs. May 23 to 26. $15–$35. Enwave Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Major Barbara
Father-daughter dynamics are a doozy in this George Bernard Shaw play about an arms dealer and his offspring, a major in the Salvation Army. When the pair pulls a switcheroo, they realize that things are more complex than anticipated. May 10 to Oct. 19; previews from May 2. $50–$104. Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.
Rodin
No piece about Auguste Rodin would be complete without a glimpse of insanity. Russian choreographer Boris Eífman and his Eífman Ballet of St. Petersburg don’t skimp: the show opens and closes on the asylum where Rodin’s lover, muse and fellow sculptor Camille Claudel spent her final decades. May 23 to 25. $55–$145. Sony Centre, 1 Front St. E., 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.
Romeo and Juliet
There’s little to say about history’s most famous lovelorn teens—played here by Daniel Briere and Sara Topham—that hasn’t already been said. So just lean back and appreciate the play for all its tragic gorgeousness. May 27 to Oct. 19; previews from May 1. $29–$120. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford, 1-800-567-1600, stratfordfestival.ca.
Stopheart
The Factory debut by rising young playwright Amy Lee Lavoie is a dark comedy about surviving small-town life when you’re a misfit and your parents are obsessed with fantasy funerals. May 10 to 26; previews from May 4. $22–$42. Factory Theatre Mainspace, 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
What We Are Saying
Choreographer Ame Henderson, last seen at World Stage in 2010 with Relay, launches a new show featuring her usual topics—collaboration, interdisciplinary art, the human condition—at Harbourfront. May 22 to 25. $15–$25. The Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
X-ODUS and Crave
Power couple Allen and Karen Kaeja of Kaeja d’Dance offer up a double bill about intimacy. Allen explores the pitfalls of getting close in X-ODUS, while in Crave, Karen tackles the breaking and mending of hearts. May 7 to 11. $18–$39. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Vector[s]
The Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre nurtures its next generation of choreographers with a five-artist showcase that includes contributions from former José Limón Dance Company dancer Colin Connor (in a premiere, plus a remount of the 2012 hit Breath of Rivers) and Alexander Whitley of British it-outfit Wayne McGregor–Random Dance. May 24 and 25. $22.50–$38. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.){kind=link}