Plays 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 30, 2010:

**  Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.

30 Dates by Fenulla Jiwani (Fenstar Productions). A woman in her 30s deals with family pressure to marry while seeking true love in this comedy. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 12, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$28, stu/srs $23-$28. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-367-8243.

A Jew Grows In Brooklyn by Jake Ehrenreich (Mirvish). Ehrenreich performs his musical solo show about being the son of Holocaust survivors and trying to fit in. Opens Apr 28 and runs to May 16. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jun 13, Thu 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Thu and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$60. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Agamemnon in translation by Ted Hughes (Theatre Cipher). The effects of constant war are explored in this adaptation of Aeschylus’s Greek tragedy. Opens May 22 and runs to Jun 5, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $10-$20. Christ the Saviour Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 823 Manning. theatrecipher.eventbrite.com.

Cold Storage by Ronald Ribman (Jeff Seymour). An investment advisor and an immigrant grocer meet and share stories on the rooftop garden of a hospital. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jun 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

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.

Funny Girl by Jule Styne, Bob Merrill and Isobel Lennart (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical is based on the life of vaudeville and film star Fanny Brice. Opens May 26 and runs to Jun 12, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Jun 12) 2 pm. $25. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.

**Howie The Rookie by Mark O’Rowe (Red One Theatre). This performance installation piece involves a bizarre feud of honour. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 6, Wed-Sun 7 and 9 pm. Free (by RSVP only). Secret Venue, Meet at NW corner of College and Grace Streets 15 minutes prior to showtime. redonetheatre@gmail.com.

Mamma’s Boy/Larger Than Life: The Musical by Randie Parliament/SG Lee and Vanessa LeBourdais. Two Canadian productions run in repertory. Previews May 21. Opens May 22 and runs to Jun 12, see website for schedule. $15-$37.50. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, ghostlightprojects.com.

Opera Erotique (Out of the Box Productions). Human and cybernetic opera performers interact in a futuristic world. Previews Jun 1. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $25-$35, preview pwyc. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 1-888-222-6608, outoftheboxproductions.ca.

**Theatre Out Of The Box (Act II Studio/Silver Screens Arts Festival). One-act plays by Suzanne Gauthier, Pam Hitchcock, Harold Pinter, David Ives and others will be performed by members of the age 50+ arts program. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 3, Wed 1:30 pm, Thu 2 and 7 pm. $12. Rogers Communications Centre, Eaton Theatre, 80 Gould. 416-979-5103, silverscreens.ca.

**True West by Sam Shepard (Parkdale Players). Two brothers fight over art, freedom, family and human nature. Opens May 25 and runs to Jun 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu $12. Unit 102 Theatre, 46 Noble, unit 102. parkdaleplayers.wordpress.com.

**Twelfth Night/The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare/WS and John Fletcher (Urban Bard). The comedies are performed outdoors on alternating nights. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 20, see website for schedule. Pwyc. College Park Courtyard, 444 Yonge, south side facing Gerrard. urbanbard.ca.

Woyzeck by Georg Büchner (red light district). A poor man is driven to insanity and violence by exploitation, infidelity and societal stress. Previews Jun 2. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jun 19, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, stu $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. theredlightdistrict.ca

Shows still playing that were already reviewed by MoT:

Duet For One by Tom Kempinski (STAGE Toronto). A violinist struggles to get her life back after a diagnosis of MS brings her to an enigmatic doctor. Previews May 27. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $30, stu/srs $20. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, stagetoronto.ca.

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. $15-$35. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

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 12, 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.

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.

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 27, 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.

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 Jun 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun (and Jun 5) 2:30 pm. $15-$30. Cameron House, 408 Queen W. 416-703-1725, videocab.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*