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 9, 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.

A MOLIÈRE CELEBRATION (Toronto Masque Theatre). This bilingual double bill features abridged versions of Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme and La Malade Imaginaire. Opens May 12 and runs to May 15, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $35, stu/srs $25. MNJCC Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-410-4561, torontomasquetheatre.com.

ALMOST, MAINE by John Cariani (Little Tiny Things Productions). The residents of a small town look to find and sustain love on a cold night. Previews Apr 28-29. Opens Apr 30 and runs to May 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $21. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827.

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.

FEATURING LORETTA by George F Walker (Factory Theatre). Desperate characters compete for a young widow’s attention in this comedy about adult relationships. Previews May 1-5. Opens May 6 and runs to Jun 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (except May 2 preview at 7 pm). $15-$35. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.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.

**FRAGMENTS DE MENSONGES INUTILES by Michel Tremblay (Théâtre français de Toronto). Two teens from different eras mingle in parallel worlds and learn about love. Previews Apr 28-29. Opens Apr 30 and runs to May 15, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun 2:30 pm, May 8 and 15 at 3:30 pm. $32-$56, stu/srs $27-$40, Wed pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com.

**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.

**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 and runs to May 21, call or see website for schedule. $10-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.

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.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM IDOMENEO (Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre). Young artists of the COC Ensemble Studio perform. May 13 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

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.

**LIKE AN OLD TALE (Jumblies Theatre). The company’s Community Arts Guild presents an evolving installation, storytelling and performance event. Opens May 3 and runs to May 13, see website for schedule. Pwyc. Cedar Ridge Gallery, 225 Confederation. 416-203-8428, jumbliestheatre.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.

PEDRO AND THE CAPTAIN/FOREIGNER by Mario Benedetti/Fernando Palle (Grupo Teatro Libre). This double bill is performed in Spanish with English subtitles. Opens May 8 and runs to May 16, Sat 7 pm, Sun 6 pm. $15. Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston. infogrupoteatrolibre@gmail.com.

PU-ERH by Norman Yeung (k’Now Theatre). A Chinese-Canadian family deals with language and cross-cultural issues. Previews May 6. Opens May 7 and runs to May 15, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $25, stu/srs/previews $15, Sat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.

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.

SWEET CHARITY by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields (Scarborough Music Theatre). A dancer seeks true love in 60s New York City. Opens May 6 and runs to May 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (May 22 at 2 pm; no eve show). $24, stu/srs $20 (Thu & Sun only), stu rush $10. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.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 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.

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.

**THE TALE OF A TOWN – QUEEN WEST (Fixt Point). This theatrical promenade starts at TPM and goes to SCAR MFC (609 Queen W), and looks at the history of the area using music and stories. Opens May 1 and runs to May 16, Thu-Sun 7:30 pm. $10-$15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, thetaleofatown.com.

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.

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 see them all.

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.

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.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*