COMEDY AS THERAPY IS WORTH TELLING
Get patriotic with a Confederation play, and don’t miss The Sound of Music live
Chris Gethard
Watch this if: You think everyone has a story worth telling.
Chris Gethard is a very unusual performer and a rare comedian — lots of people use their personal demons for material, but Gethard’s approach to comedy is virtually therapeutic.
Frank discussions around his issues, like alcoholism and depression, is disarming and endearing, and it has led to his Off-Broadway-turned-HBO special Career Suicide and a hit podcast Beautiful/Anonymous, where he talks to a random anonymous caller for an hour (often covering mental health issues as well, Gethard has developed a certain fan base). As his star rises (he recently appeared in the cult comedy Don’t Think Twice and is often featured on This American Life), this is a great opportunity to catch him live, with both standup and a live recording of Beautiful/Anonymous.
Thursday, The Royal Theatre, 608 College St.
Confederation Part 1: Confederation & Riel
Watch this if: You need to brush up on all this Canada 150 business.
In the middle of the run of Confederation Part 1, Soulpepper Theatre will be moving to New York City for a month-long residency.
But while the rest of the team is across the border, VideoCabaret will be holding the fort in Canada, delivering one of its signature Canadianhistory plays — this one with a particularly timely bent.
Covering the period between John A. Macdonald’s arrangement of Canadian Confederation and his clash with Louis Riel and the Métis in the west, this is the best way to brush up on the details surrounding all of these celebrations happening this year.
Friday to Aug. 19, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane
The Sound of Music
Watch this if: You haven’t said so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye.
Even if you’ve seen Julie Andrews in the movie a million times, there’s nothing like seeing The Sound of Music live — especially with the original book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.
But this touring production, only stopping in Toronto for a week, apparently features some refreshing changes from director Jack O’Brien (three-time Tony Award winner, including 2003’s award for his direction of Hairspray), such as a higher political presence, more sensual women and an unusually young Maria (22-year-old Kerstin Anderson in her first professional role).
Tuesday to Sunday, Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St.