Shows that Caught Our Eye This Week
Here are all of the shows we wish we could get out and see this week! Take your pick from our list of great theatre escapes for the week of May 16, 2010:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.
**9 Parts Of Desire by Heather Raffo (Seventh Stage Theatre). Nine Iraqi women give their perspectives on war and peace, love, family and more. Opens May 19 and runs to May 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25, mats pwyc-$20. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, seventhstageproductions.com.
Abracadabaret (James Alan). Anastasia Synn, Paul Pacific and others perform in this magic show. May 19 at 8 pm. $10. Trane Studio, 964 Bathurst. 416-995-1736, abracadabaret.com.
**Aurash adapted by Soheil Parsa and Brian Quirt (Modern Times Stage Company). The play based on a Persian myth by Bahram Beyza’ie looks at the consequences of nationalism and war. Previews May 14. Opens May 15 and runs to May 29, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $12-$28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, moderntimesstage.com.
**Beckett Live… And Then Some (Theatre Columbus). Beckett’s absurdist play Happy Days is performed, followed by screenings from the Beckett On Film series (May 19-22) and a performance of the radio play All That Fall (May 27-28). Previews May 7-11. Opens May 12 and runs to May 29, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $17.50, previews $12.50, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.
Death And The Maiden by Ariel Dorfman (Osculum Productions). A stranger’s arrival arouses horrifying memories for a woman in a post-dictatorship country. Previews May 6. Opens May 7 and runs to May 21, Mon-Fri (and May 22) 8 pm, mats May 9 and 15 at 2 pm. $40-$50, Mon pwyc. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, stlc.com.
Decalogue 2 by Andre Alexis (Tarragon Theatre). A monk breaks his vow of silence and the second commandment, leading to tragedy. Opens May 14 and runs to May 22, Fri-Sat 8 pm. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Near Studio, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
Faith Healer by Brian Friel (Soulpepper). Three characters tell different versions of the same story in this Irish drama. Previews Apr 29-May 3. Opens May 4 and runs to Jun 4, see website for schedule. $37-$70, stu $29; rush $20 (stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**Festival Of Ideas And Creation (Canadian Stage). This artist development festival features talks, workshops and readings of new plays by Linda Griffiths, David S Craig, Leah Cherniak, d’bi.young anitafrika, Marjorie Chan and others. Opens May 10 and runs to May 22, see website for details, schedule and offsite events. Most events free. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-860-4685, canadianstage.com/festival.
**Fucking Stephen Harper by Rob Salerno (Ten Foot Pole Productions). The gay journalist releases his memoir and performs his solo show. May 18 at 8 pm. $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. tenfootpole.ca.
Hana’s Suitcase by Emil Sher (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). An old suitcase from Auschwitz leads a teacher and her students on a historical journey. Previews Apr 18-20. Opens Apr 21.
Heart Strings by Reynold Nathaniel (Mole Productions). Two men fight over a rare gift. Opens Apr 27 and runs to May 25, Tue 8 pm. Pwyc-$32. Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore W. 416-668-5329.
Idomeneo by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). A king’s promise to the God of the Sea has tragic consequences. Opens May 9 and runs to May 29, May 9 at 2 pm, May 12, 15, 18, 21, 25 and 27 at 7:30 pm, May 29 at 4:30 pm. $62-$292. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
If We Were Birds by Erin Shields (Groundwater Productions). A man’s lust for his wife’s sister leads to horrific consequences in this adaptation of Ovid’s myth. Previews Apr 14-20. Opens Apr 21 and runs to May 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $33-$39, srs $28, stu $21, previews $20, rush $10. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
In This World by Hannah Moscovitch (Youtheatre). Two high school girls get in a fight in this drama about culture, sexuality, class and race. Previews May 10. Opens May 11 and runs to May 20, see website for schedule. $10-$20. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.
Italian Arias And Art Songs (Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre). Italian soprano Serena Farnocchia performs. May 18 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.
La Sagouine by Antonine Maillet (Pleiades Theatre). Viola Léger stars in this solo show about the observations of an Acadian washerwoman. Previews May 14-17. Opens May 18 and runs to Jun 5, in English to May 29, in French May 31 to Jun 5 – see website for schedule. $12-$37. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, pleiadestheatre.org.
Maria Stuarda by Gaetano Donizetti (Canadian Opera Company). This Italian opera looks at the rivalry between Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Opens May 1 and runs to May 30, May 4, 10, 13, 22 26 and 28 at 7:30 pm, May 30 at 2 pm. $62-$292. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
One Touch Of Venus by Ogden Nash, SJ Perelman and Kurt Weill (Shaw Festival). The ancient goddess of love visits Manhattan in this musical. Previews May 16-27. Opens May 28 and runs in rep to Oct 10. $23-$105. Royal George Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.
**Speakeasy Cabaret (Soup Can Theatre). This evening features the Cinnamon Girls burlesque, vaudeville comedy duo Parker & Seville, games and more. May 18 at 7 pm. $5. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. 416-336-3399, soupcantheatre.com.
**The Great War: The History Of The Village Of The Small Huts, 1914-1918 by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret). This satire looks at conquest and the absurdity of war. Previews May 1-2 at 1 pm. Opens May 6 and runs to May 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$30. Cameron House, 408 Queen W. 416-703-1725, videocab.com.
The Market by Bobby Del Rio (Billionaires Before 30 Co-op). Four young traders crash the stock market on purpose and cash in. Opens May 6 and runs to May 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20, stu $15, Sun pwyc. Ideal Minds, suite 300, 207 Adelaide E. themarketplay@gmail.com.
Toronto International Circus Festival (Zero Gravity Circus). This all-ages weekend features aerial acrobatics, stunts, cabaret acts, comedy, music, clowns and more. May 22-24, 11 am to 5 pm daily. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, tocircusfestival.com.
**Where’s My Money? by John Patrick Shanley (Alley Co-op). Six thirtysomethings look at relationships and infidelity in this comedy. Opens May 13 and runs to May 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm (except May 15: show at 1 pm), Sun 2 pm. $20, May 15 pwyc. Pia Bouman Studio Theatre, 6 Noble. 416-504-7529, alleyco-op.org.
Who Am I This Time?/Lone Star by Kurt Vonnegut Jr/James McLure (PrettyFeet Productions). This double bill features two one-act comedies. Previews May 19. Opens May 20 and runs to May 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827.
Shows Reviewed by MoT:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Canadian Stage/Catalyst Theatre). This adaptation of the gothic novel uses poetic verse, music and movement to tell the classic tale. Previews Apr 29-May 5. Opens May 6 and runs to May 29, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$92, limited rush and Mon pwyc. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canstage.com.
Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet (Soulpepper). A group of real estate salesmen struggle to make it in their cutthroat industry. Opens Apr 22 and runs to Jun 5, see website for schedule. $37-$70, stu $29; rush $20 (stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Mamma Mia! by Catherine Johnson, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (Mirvish). A wedding brings together new and old lovers in this musical based on ABBA songs. Opens Apr 28 and runs to Jun 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2pm (see website for additional shows). $26-$120. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Rock Of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo (Mirvish). This arena-rock love story takes place LA’s Sunset Strip and features hits from the 80s. Previews Apr 20-May 9. Opens May 11 and runs to Jun 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Sunday On The Rocks by Theresa Rebeck (Robinson Street Co-op 2). Four roommates drink and talk about sex, religion, abortion and feeling lost in this comedy. Opens May 6 and runs to May 23, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $10-$15. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. 416-336-3399, breadandcircus.ca.
The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). A cursed sailor looks for love to save him in this German opera. Opens Apr 24 and runs to May 20, Apr 24, 28, May 11, 14, 17 and 20 at 7:30 pm, May 2 at 2 pm, May 8 at 4:30 pm. $62-$292. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown (Angelwalk Theatre). Different views on a relationship are revealed in regular and reverse chronology in this musical. Previews May 7. Opens May 8 and runs to May 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm (no mat May 8). $25-$40. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, angelwalk.ca.
Waiting For The Parade by John Murrell (Soulpepper). This drama looks at the lives and loves of five Canadian women during WWII. Previews May 1-4. Opens May 5 and runs to May 29, see website for schedule. $37-$70, stu $29; rush $20 (stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*