by Leanne Milech
This week we highlight five more inexpensive theatre options, including a play about fate, a fresh work from venerable playwright Sky Gilbert and a storytelling festival. Ah, the good old days, when life was simple, and school consisted of sitting in a circle on the carpet, listening to your teacher read a story. This weekend, relive your childhood for just a few dollars. Or spend just a little bit more and see one of the other shows that caught our frugal eye.
1) 32nd Annual Toronto Festival of Storytelling
– Hear some of the finest storytellers around from March 25 to March 28 at various venues across the city
– Star storytellers featured this weekend include NYC’s celebrated Diane Wolkstein, the UK’s Geoff Mead and our very own Stephanie Beneteau
– Tickets are either free, PWYC or affordably priced between $2 and $20. Get them online, by phone (416-656-2445) or in person
2) KISMET one to one hundred
– Part of the Theatre Centre’s Free Fall ’10 Festival, this production is based on the revelations of 100 Canadians who were interviewed about the role that fate and destiny play in their lives
– This show runs from March 25 to March 28, and tickets are $20
– For showtime details and to purchase tickets online click here
3) Wit in Love
– Another Theatre Centre Free Fall ’10 Festival event, presented by avant-garde theatre company DNA Theatre and written by Sky Gilbert, this show about Ludwig Wittgenstein, the great philosopher, is described as a “performance installation” in NOW
– The DNA description goes something like this: “Wit is none other than Ludwig Wittgenstein – arguably the greatest, most influential philosopher of the last century. And who is he in love with? Well, among others, his brilliant brother. Wit must visit him. … Why?”
– Intrigued? See it at DNA Theatre (133 Bathurst) daily from March 24 through March 28; shows run at 6:45 p.m. for only $20
– Reserve your tickets in advance by e-mailing hillar@dnatheatre.com or by phoning 416-504-5099
– There’s nothing better than a free festival, especially one that features young, up-and-coming artists. The Paprika Festival takes over Tarragon Theatre this week, and it features works completely developed and produced by artists 21 and under.
– There are a whole host of different productions and events slated every night this week, so be sure to take a peek at this schedule for details about what’s on and how to snag tickets.
– Performances run until Friday, March 26, but there’s a closing night gala party on Saturday (partying with emerging talent has got to be at least as much fun as watching their work!)
– The Movement Project, a collective comprised of a writer, director, dancer, composer and actor, presents this piece, which attempts to capture Toronto’s unheard voices and wrestles with issues of migration and settlement
– How We Forgot Here is a multidisciplinary work combining music, theatre and spoken word, so prepare to witness some experimental goodness
– Get advance tickets for $15 at The Toronto Women’s Bookstore (73 Harbord), or for $20 at Walnut Studio Loft (83 Walnut)
– Shows run until March 28, Tuesday to Saturday at 8 pm, with 2 pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday