The Blue Dragon
Robert Lepage, Canada’s own theatrical Renaissance man, returns to Toronto with this multilingual dance theatre spectacle about a Canadian expat living in Shanghai whose life is turned upside down by — what else? — two women.
The Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W., 416-872-1212. Jan. 10 – Feb. 19.
The Penelopiad
In Margaret Atwood’s so-called “feminist” take on Homer’s The Odyssey, Penelope recounts her life’s story and the murder of her twelve handmaidens by her vengeful husband Odysseus.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, 416-975-8555. Jan.10-29.
This is the last week to check out the Next Stage Festival — the winter companion to the Toronto Fringe Festival — so if you haven’t been able to catch some shows, now’s your chance. There are 10 productions in total, but here is our top three:
Tiki Bikini Beach Paradise Party A-Go-Go!
If you love those old beach party flicks from the ‘60s like Beach Blanket Bingo, then you’ll love this teen musical about love and surfboards, accompanied by a live band.
Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst Street, 416-966-1062. Jan. 4-15.
Modern Love
With 600 Facebook “friends,” how can anyone feel lonely in the digital age, right? Wrong. Conceived, written, and performed by Jessica Moss, this story connects to us all — even if we’re really disconnected from each other.
Factory Theatre, Studio Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street, 416-966-1062. Jan. 5 –15.
LoveSexMoney
Another stab — or is that a poke? — at our society’s obsession with all things online and instant, this naughty and hilarious play depicts the imagined meeting between a young woman who is auctioning off her virginity online, the businessman who buys it and the boyfriend who tries to stop it.
Factory Theatre, Studio Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street, 416-966-1062. Jan. 4 – 15.