22 theatre productions to warm up your fall

SEEDS Corner Gas star Eric Peterson delivers this true tale of a small-time farmer accused of planting patented seeds from a major agriculture corporation. A true David and Goliath story, this play revisits the standoff using actual court transcripts. Neptune Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street, To Oct 1

FIVE BY FIVE If the end of the Halifax Fringe Fest has you mourning local, original theatre offerings, the Dartmouth Players have your back: This sweet lil' set features five new plays by five different playwrights. From a ghost story to the tale of an overbearing mother, these stories cover a swath of ground. Dartmouth Players Theatre, 33 Crichton Street, Dartmouth, Sep 14-17

JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME A theatrical retelling of a young Canada's push westward, Journey of a Lifetime follows European immigrants who arrived at an eastern port of Turtle Island before boarding the Colonist Car railway and making a life for themselves in the Prairies. Showtimes are 11am and 1pm daily, with no showings on September 18. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, 1055 Marginal Road, Sep 14-25, 11am and 1pm

AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR ENCAMPMENT Ever wonder what life was like during the American Revolution? Up to 100 historic re-enactors will give you a glimpse as they set up an authentic military camp inside the Citadel! Displays range from camp cooking to period costumes to musket and cannon firings. Try on period clothing, take in the scent of the camp fires and immerse yourself in the era. Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, 5425 Sackville Street, Sat Sep 16, 10am-5pm; Sun Sep 17, 10am-3pm

NEPTUNE THEATRE SCHOOL STUDENT SEASON LAUNCH See what the students from Neptune's Theatre School have in store for their upcoming season at this launch. Got the acting bug yourself? You'll also be able learn more about the classes open to all ages and skill levels at Neptune. Neptune Studio Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street, Mon Sep 18, 7pm

RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET Eastern Front Theatre celebrates Hal-Con's return with this space-age redux of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Billed as a jukebox musical packed with classics like "Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Good Vibrations", the piece follows a sinister scientist and his daughter as they navigate a new planet with a robot and tentacled monster. World Trade and Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle Street, Fri Sep 22, 8pm, $20

ORDER IN THE HOUSE A stage reading centred on a fictitious Nova Scotia Minister of Finance and his wife—and the skeletons in their closet. Pond Playhouse, 6 Parkhill Road, Sep 28-30, 8pm, $15

2017 CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE PERFORMANCE TOUR Consider this whirlwind hour and 15 minute show an introduction to some of China's most iconic cultural touchstones: A series of variety-show-esque bites share traditional Chinese folk music and dance, Peking opera, Kungfu, traditional Chinese dress and more. Spatz Theatre, 1855 Trollope Street, Sun Oct 1, 7:30-8:45pm

STAGE IT In an attempt to make the stage more accessible to artists in the North End, The Bus Stop Theatre introduces it's new Stage It series, which sees everyone from DJs to dancers get the chance to showcase their skills. Kicking things off is a collaboration between Abena Amoako-Green and the Ecology Action Centre where poetry and a love for the earth will be blended to engage communities of colour in conversations about green jobs. The Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen Street, Sun Oct 1

BONE CAGE Matchstick Theatre presents this 10th anniversary redux of Catherine Banks’ Governor General’s award-winning play, following the lives of seven rural Nova Scotians looking to escape their bleak realities. The Bus Stop Theatre, 2203 Gottingen Street, Oct 5-8; Oct 12-15

ORLANDO When Orlando, a beautiful nobleman who rubs elbows with the likes of Queen Elizabeth and William Shakespeare, wakes up from one morning in a woman's body, 100 years in the future, adventures and challenges await. Sasrah Ruhl's adaptation of Virginia Woolf's classic novel is a meditation on humanity's endless capacity for transformation. Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Avenue, Oct 10-14

SNAKE IN THE GRASS A true story about a runaway daughter's return home after her abusive father's passing, Snake In The Grass lays out a story of shocking twists as claims of foul play come to light. Neptune Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street, Oct 17-Nov 5

THE WIZARD OF OZ Click your ruby red slippers all the way to Alderney Landing for a stage showing of Dorothy's odyssey through Oz. Showtimes are 2pm and 7:30pm and tickets can be purchased through ticketpro.ca. Alderney Landing Theatre, 2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth, Oct 20-21

TAG ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW The details are sparse on this one, but if past Theatre Arts Guild shows are anything to go by, audiences are in for a treat. Pond Playhouse, 6 Parkhill Road, Sat Oct 21

CONFESSIONS OF A MEDIUM George LeBlanc gives a glimpse into the life of being a spiritual medium, sharing true stories and adventures from beyond the veil. Experience the intrigue, receive messages and stick around post-show for a meet and greet. Music Room, 6181 Lady Hammond Road, Sun Oct 22, 7pm, $65

PARIS! THE SHOW Sometimes, you just need to hum "La Vie en Rose" in some rose-coloured glasses to get you through these longs November nights. When that time comes, this show has your back: A sugary-sweet story about a young woman longing to be an artist in post-war France, Paris! The Show follows Françoise as she moves to Montmartre, finds love in the city of love, and becomes besties with Edith Piaf—all while singing and dancing to classics like "Ne Me Quitte Pas." Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, 6101 University Avenue, Tue Nov 7, 8pm, $45-$51

GLORIOUS Critics said she couldn't sing a note, but that didn't stop this delightfully eccentric soprano—who kept singing almost to her death. A feel good story that lives up to its name, this Dartmouth Players piece is based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins. Dartmouth Players Theatre, 33 Crichton Street, Dartmouth, Nov 9-25

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Neptune dishes up a serious dose of holiday cheer by transforming the iconic film about a guardian angel on Christmas Eve into a music-filled stage piece. We suggest stuffing a few tissues in your sleeve for the inevitable tears of holiday joy. Neptune Theatre, 1593 Argyle Street, Nov 21-Dec 31

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL This musical comedy—studded with hits from the ‘60s , ‘70s and ‘80s—follows four women eyeing the same black bra in a department store. Spatz Theatre, 1855 Trollope Street, Nov 21-22, 7:30pm

ALICE IN WONDERLAND This family-friendly pantomime wants to take you down the rabbit hole into a twisted take on a traditional story. Pond Playhouse, 6 Parkhill Road, Nov 23-Dec 9

THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY This combination of musical theatre, original film footage and projected photos presents the story of the music legends Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel: From their time as Tom & Jerry to chart-topping success to a dramatic split in 1970, this immersive show features a full live band performing hits like "Mrs. Robinson", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Homeward Bound." Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, 6101 University Avenue, Sat Nov 25, 8pm, $40-$67

THE MAN OF MODE In this early comedy of manners from Restoration England, appearance matters more than truth; style matters more than substance; and, above all, social success depends on the ability to manipulate language. Dalhousie Arts Centre, 6101 University Avenue, Nov 28-Dec 2