It’s a long weekend! So… while Mondays are usually dark days for shows, you still get an extra day to rest, and build up your energy to see more theatre later in the week! How awesome is that? If you want to see what shows are playing in Toronto for the week of August 4th, 2014, they’re listed after the jump. All shows highlighted in red and with two asterisks are highly recommended by our Managing Editor, Wayne.
Already Covered By MoT…
**Confessions Of A Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl by Rebecca Perry (On Stage on Demand). A witty anthropology grad observes humans in a coffee shop. Aug 5 at 7 pm. $5. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. picatic.com/event14054535795363382.
Into The Woods by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim (Randolph Academy). Characters from fairy tales reunite in a musical about wishes and consequences. Opens Jul 31 and runs to Aug 9, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. randolphacademy.com.
**Shakespeare In High Park: As You Like It (Canadian Stage/York University Dept of Theatre). The tale of spontaneous love and friendships is performed outdoors on alternating nights with Titus Andronicus. Previews Jun 26-Jul 1. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Aug 30, Thu, Sat and Tue 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.
**Shakespeare In High Park: Titus Andronicus (Canadian Stage/York University Dept of Theatre) – The brutal revenge tragedy is performed outdoors on alternating nights with As You Like It. Previews Jun 27-Jul 2. Opens Jul 4 and runs to Aug 31, Fri, Sun and Wed 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
Sixteen Scandals Second City presents its spring revue about our unhealthy fascination with political train wrecks, media fiascos and red-carpet meltdowns. Mar 6-Aug 10, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $25-$29, stu $16-$18. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
And the rest…
1,000 Monkeys Playwriting Festival (Red Sandcastle Theatre). Readings of plays created in 24 hours by playwrights who were locked in the theatre over the weekend. Aug 3-4, Sun 8 pm, Mon 2 pm. Pwyc. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.
Adventures In Slumberland (Frolick). This all-ages show about a young boy’s dream world features puppets, music, masques and more. Opens Jul 2 and runs to Aug 30, Wed-Sat 11:11 am, 12:12, 1:11 and 2:22 pm (weather permitting). Pwyc. Olympic Island Lagoon Theatre, near Centre Island ferry dock, over the bridge. frolick.ca.
Animal Nature by David Anderson, Tamara Romanchk, Anna Sapershteyn, Maria Woszinska (Clay & Paper Theatre). Creature characters and giant puppets search for the way home on a journey to the edges of the earth. Opens Jul 26 and runs to Aug 17, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm. Pwyc, $10 suggested. Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. clayandpapertheatre.org.
**Dusk Dances presents outdoor dance featuring choreographies by Peter Chin, Sylvie Bouchard, Milan Gervais, Sis Robin Hibbert, Kate Franklin & Meredith Thompson and Julia Aplin. Opens Aug 4 and runs to Aug 10, daily at 7:30 pm, mat Thu and Sun at 2 pm (live music starts 30 mins before show). Pwyc ($10 sugg). Withrow Park, 725 Logan (south of Danforth). 416-504-6429, duskdances.ca.
HorseCapades (Canadian National Exhibition). Riders and horses perform barrel racing, trick riding and hip-hop dressage, plus an interactive program with the horses. Opens Jul 27 and runs to Aug 14, daily from 11 am to 2 pm (no show Aug 2). Free. CNE Horse Palace, Exhibition Place, 15 Nova Scotia. theex.com.
Island Soul Harbourfront Centre and Festival Kompa Zouk presents Ballet Creole, Dance Caribe, Melorize, Mapou Ginen and others in performances and dance workshops. Aug 1-4, see website for schedule. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Little Women (No Strings Theatre). Production of Jason Howland’s musical by the not-for-profit musical theatre program for youth 13-21. Opens Aug 8 and runs to Aug 10, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30, srs/stu $22.50, children $15. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-9388, tocentre.com.
Myth Of The Ostrich by Matt Murray (On Stage on Demand). One mother confronts another about their teenage kids’ relationship after finding a letter. Aug 6 at 7 pm. $5. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. picatic.com/event14054535795363382.
Reveal Me Burlesque (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. Opens Aug 6 doors 8 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com.
SOLT 2014 Opera Workshop (Summer Opera Lyric Theatre). The opera training program presents workshop productions of Vanessa (S Barber & G Menotti), The Magic Flute (WA Mozart) and Madame Butterfly (JL Long & D Belasco). Opens Aug 1 and runs to Aug 10, see website for schedule. $28, stu/srs $22 per show. Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College. 416-366-7723, solt.ca.
Tartuffe by Molière (Soulpepper Theatre). A crafty vagrant feigns virtue while trying to seduce his host’s wife and gain an inheritance. Previews Aug 7-11. Opens Aug 12 and runs to Sep 20, see website for schedule. $29-$89, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Terrific WomenThe Ossington presents comedy styled as a 70s cable access show w/ Jess Beaulieu, Sandra Battaglini, DJ Demers, Katie Ford, Diane Flacks and hosts Steph Kaliner & Sara Hennessey. Aug 5 9 pm. Pwyc. 61 Ossington. theossington.com.
**The Bicycle Opera Project (The Bicycle Opera Project). Bicycle-commuting singers perform contemporary opera as part of the Toronto Summer Music Festival. Opens Aug 7 and runs to Aug 8, Thu-Fri 5 pm. Pwyc. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton. bicycleopera.ca.
The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Guild Festival Theatre). Two bachelors’ lies catch up with them in this comedy. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Aug 10, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $25, srs $20, kids under 12 free. Guild Park, Greek Theatre, 201 Guildwood Pkwy. 416-915-6750, guildfestivaltheatre.ca.
The Little Mermaid Jr. (Lower Ossington Theatre). The Disney Broadway production is adapted for younger audiences. Opens Aug 2 and runs to Aug 31, see website for schedule. From $30. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
Play listings based on NOW! Stage Listings.