STAGE

THE AUDIENCE For over 60 years, Queen Elizabeth II has met with each prime minister in a private weekly meeting. This meeting is known as The Audience. No one knows what they discuss, not even their spouses. Canada’s own television, screen and stage star Fiona Reid will take the throne in this riveting new play by Peter Morgan, the writer of the Academy Award-nominated film The Queen. Until Sunday ($35-$119 at 416-872-1212). Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W. THE BODYGUARD Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge . . . what they don’t expect is to fall in love. Until April 9 ($38$139 at 416-872-1212). Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. THE BOOK OF MORMON This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the good word. With standing-room-only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, this show has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. Tuesday until April 16 ($49$200 at 416-872-1212). Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. CIRQUE ÉLOIZE: CIRKOPOLIS combines the worlds of circus, dance and theatre. In the heart of a stern and imposing city in appearance, giant gears and dark portals symbolize a mechanism that crushes individuality. Performing within an inventive stage design and accompanied by an original musical score and video projections, 11 acrobats and multidisciplinary artists rebel against monotony, reinvent themselves and challenge the limits of the factory-city. Wednesday until March 12 ($39-$99 at 855-872-7669). Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E. CONFIDENTIAL MUSICAL THEATRE PROJECT Some of the bravest actors in Toronto will take to the stage and perform a musical in its entirety, having met each other only one hour before and having had no group rehearsals. The audience also shows up with no knowledge of the show they are about to see. Curious? This will be a magical evening of theatre as you’ve never experienced it before. Monday-Tuesday ($20-$30 at 416-915-6747). Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington Ave. THE CURATOR is inspired by a different piece of art, chosen and introduced by that month’s curator. The curator has five minutes to set the stage for awardwinning cast members, who then take over to create a completely improvised one-act comedy inspired by that work of art. Saturday ($15-$10 at 416-491-3115). Bad Dog, 875 Bloor St. W. DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS In keeping with VideoCab’s vivid re-imaginings of Canadian history, Genevieve Adam has borrowed from Canada’s little-told story of Les Filles du Roi (King’s Daughters) and spun a dark and sexy historical romance that examines the tale through the unique perspective of history’s often forgotten voices: women and First Nations peoples. Set in 1667 Quebec, this play is not the Canadian history of your Grade 7 textbook. Until Sunday (PWYC-$25 at 416-504-9971). Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. FIVE FACES FOR EVELYN FROST Five friends vie to increase their online status by revealing their innermost secrets on the Internet — but at what cost? In this historic collaboration between Canadian Stage and Théâtre français Toronto, audiences are taken to the deepest and darkest corners of virtual reality and the incisive imagination of virtuoso Quebec auteur Guillaume Corbeil. With performances in both English and French, this electrifying multimedia production features five bilingual performers propelled by the pulse of today’s social media. Until March 25 ($35.10-$69 at 416-368-3110). Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. GEIMARUZA: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE DANCE RE-IMAGINED FOR THE 21ST CENTURY Enjoy an evening of breathtaking beauty and entertainment performed by a world-renowned troupe of Japanese dancers. Geimaruza choreographers reach back to the origins of Japanese classical dance as popular entertainment to create a dynamic performance full of energy, humour and emotion. The result is as graceful and beautiful as traditional Kabuki dance. Wednesday ($50 at 416-441-2345). Japanese Canadian Culture Centre, 6 Garamond Court. GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG Deceit, betrayal and revenge, all assisted by magic potions drive the drama in this final instalment of Wagner’s Ring and Siegfried’s journey. Ultimately, the worlds of both men and gods are destroyed to rise again in an unforgettable affirmation of rebirth and renewal. Until Saturday ($35-$350 at 416-363-8231). Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W. JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH This rollicking musical version of the beloved children’s classic returns due to overwhelming demand after a nearly sold-out run in 2014. This is a wonderfully whimsical journey to warm up the winter months. Look for the giant peach on the theatre’s roof. Recommended for Grades 1-6. Until March 18 ($10-$41 at 416-862-2222). Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front St. E. KIM’S CONVENIENCE Soulpepper Academy alumnus Ins Choi’s hilarious and touching play set in a Regent Park Korean convenience store has been winning over audiences from coast to coast. The journey of a fractured, but loving family confronting the future and forgiving the past is a Toronto classic in the making. Special event tonight includes the show, a postshow dessert social, talkback and Q&A with the cast and artists and a backstage tour, all for $65. Until March 4 ($32-$89 at 416-866-8666). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. MARY POPPINS Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s

Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven TONY Awards. Until April 2 ($54.99-$64.99 at 888-324-6282). Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. MY NIGHT WITH REG At Guy’s London flat, old and new friends gather to party through the night. This is the summer of 1985, and for Guy and his friend circle, the world is about to change forever. Deliciously funny and bittersweet, this show perfectly captures the fragility of friendship, happiness and life itself. Until Sunday ($39-$92 at 416-872-1212). Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St. STUPID F--KING BIRD by Aaron Posner is an adaption from The Seagull by Anton Chekhov. Posner’s critically acclaimed work was originally produced by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co. in Washington, D.C. in 2013. This highly anticipated Canadian premiere is an irreverent update, a completely fresh version of the masterpiece looking at unrequited love and emotional misery in a entirely hilarious new way. A comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel. Tuesday until March 19 ($20-$35 at 416-872-1212). Pop-Up Theatre, 270 King Street W.