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 August 22, 2010:
4-Play (Panfish Productions). The company performs four one-act plays by Tad Mosel, John Patrick Shanley and John Lazarus. Opens Aug 20 and runs to Aug 29, Fri-Sun 8 pm. $15. Unit 102 Studio, 46 Noble. panfishproductions.ca.
Doc by Sharon Pollock (Soulpepper). A woman returns home to mend her relationship with her parents. Previews Aug 19-25. Opens Aug 26 and runs to Sep 18, Mon-Sat 8 pm (see website for mats). $32-$76. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Drama & Desire: Artists And Theatre (Art Gallery of Ontario). CanStage Dream in High Park actors and Atelier Ballet dancers perform alongside an exhibit of Stratford Festival props, stage machines and interactive content. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Sep 26, performances on select Saturdays and Sundays. Free w/ admission. 317 Dundas W. ago.net.
Duffle Bag Children’s Theatre (Earl Bales Park). This all-ages show features comedy and audience participation. Aug 26 at 7 pm. Free. Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre, 4169 Bathurst. 416-395-7873.
Jamaica, Farewell by Debra Ehrhardt (Kingston 6 Entertainment). Ehrhardt performs her solo show about escaping political unrest in 70s Jamaica to start over in America. Aug 28 at 4 and 8 pm. $25-$35. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front W. 416-872-4255, k6e.ca.
Lyme And Tings (Trey Anthony/See Saw Live Productions). Singers, spoken word artists and others compete in an interactive talent show hosted by comedian Trixx. Opens Aug 5 and runs to Aug 26, Thu 7:30 pm. $10. The Annex Live, 296 Brunswick. seesawlive.com.
Overnight For The G20 Arrestees (G8/G20 Toronto Community Mobilization Network). Performances and installations, bike repairs, speeches and more. Aug 22-23, Sun-Mon 5 pm to 5 am. $5 min donation to G20 legal fund. Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil. 416-531-4957, g20.torontomobilize.org.
Schlapentickle Family Burlesque And Revue (Gladstone Hotel). This queer-friendly cabaret burlesque show features strip tease, ragtime music and comedy. Aug 24 at 9 pm. $15. 1214 Queen W. 416-531-4635.
Shameless Showcase/Everybody Dies by Janus Jansons and Steve Worton (Ambitious Pictures). Previews of a new dark musical comedy accompany a series of cabaret nights featuring music, comedy, puppets, burlesque and more. Opens Aug 19 and runs to Aug 27, Thu-Sat cabaret 9 pm, see website for musical preview times. $10-$15. The Poor Alex, 772A Dundas W. everybodydiesthemusical.com.
SHOELESS, a full-length sketch comedy revue! Comedy! Singing! Dancing! Free love!
The nine member Toronto-based sketch comedy troupe Shoeless has been gracing the stage with their presence since 2007. Shoeless likes to bring song, dance and absurdist take on everyday humour. Think your stage is too small to fit all nine of us? No worries, we’re totally comfortable squishing together. That’s what happens when we’ve all seen each other naked.
Bread and Circus Theatre – 299 Augusta Avenue
Friday August 27th, 8pm; Saturday August 28th, 8pm, Sunday August 29th, 6pm
The Wormwood Prince by Reg Matson (Next Stage Theatre Company). This modern fairy tale features sword fights, sorcery, laughs and love. Opens Aug 25 and runs to Aug 29, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15, stu/srs $12. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. nextstagecompany@gmail.com.
What The Butler Saw by Joe Orton (Soulpepper). Sexual indiscretions meet bureaucratic incompetence in this satiric play. Previews Aug 19-24. Opens Aug 25 and runs to Sep 18, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm (see website for mats). $32-$76. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Window On Toronto (Soulpepper). The Lab Series presents a mix of improvisation and documentary theatre as Academy members tell stories about the city. Opens Aug 20 and runs to Aug 28, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Aug 28 at 2 pm. $22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Wolfboy by Brad Fraser (Mnemonic Productions). Two teenage boys in a mental institution form a friendship. Previews Aug 18. Opens Aug 19 and runs to Aug 29, Mon-Sat 8:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23, stu $18, preview $10, Mon pwyc. Annex Theatre, 736 Bathurst. wolfboy.ca.
Shows still playing that were already reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
How Now Mrs. Brown Cow! by Brendan O’Carroll (Mirvish). A feisty Irishwoman prepares for Christmas with her dysfunctional family. Previews Aug 17-18. Opens Aug 19 and runs to Sep 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$75. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Love, Loss, And What I Wore by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron (Michael Rubinoff/Daryl Roth). Mary Walsh, Margot Kidder, Sharron Matthews, Andrea Martin and others perform stories about women. Previews Jul 16-20. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Oct 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed and Sat 2 pm. $35-$65. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, lovelossonstage.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 Oct 31, 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.
Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Dream in High Park). This year’s outdoor production features the classic tale of ill-fated lovers. Previews Jun 25-27. Opens Jun 29 and runs to Sep 5, Tue-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg); under 14 free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. 416-367-1652, canstage.com.
Sexual Perversity In Chicago by David Mamet (Red One Theatre). Two buddies tackle the swinging 70s single scene. Opens Aug 16 and runs to Aug 27, Mon-Fri 8 pm, plus Aug 20 at 11 pm and Aug 28 at 8 pm. $15, Tue $10. Unit C, 102 Foxley Place. redonetheatre.com.
South Pacific by Rodgers & Hammerstein (Dancap/Lincoln Center Theater). Love blooms on an island paradise during WWII in this musical. Previews Aug 12-14. Opens Aug 15 and runs to Sep 5, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (except opening night, at 7:30 pm). $28-$200. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.