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 September 19, 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.**[Title Of Show] by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell (Angelwalk Theatre). Two writers struggle to write and produce a musical in only three weeks for a theatre festival. Previews Sep 22-23. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 10, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$45. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, angelwalk.ca.
Banana Shpeel by David Shiner (Cirque du Soleil). This production combines slapstick comedy, dance, circus acts, acrobatics and music. Previews Sep 14-18. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 10, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun (and some Wed) 1:30 pm. $25-$110. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Blasted by Sarah Kane (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Sex, violence and the horrors of war are explored by a man and woman sheltering in a hotel. Previews Sep 22-26. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$33, Sun pwyc. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
Closer by Patrick Marber (Parkdale Players). Two London couples engage in a game of partner swapping and self destruction. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 2, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu $12. Unit 102 Theatre, 46 Noble, unit 102. parkdaleplayers.wordpress.com.
Codex Nocturno by Tatiana Jennings (Kadozuke Kollektif). The collective presents a multimedia fusion of theatre and performance art. Opens Sep 9 and runs to Sep 25, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $20, stu $15. 1581 Dupont. 647-367-1015, zuke.ca.
**Fernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter: An Attempt At The Truth by Tankred Dorst (Canadian Stage Company). A millionaire uses deceit and manipulation to get his betrothed to love him in this metaphysical fable. Previews Sep 18-22. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 16, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
Happyview P.S. by Michael McMurtry and Derek Williams (Spicy Mike Productions). The audience plays the role of students at a school assembly in this family comedy. Opens Sep 20 at 7 pm. Sep 25-Oct 3, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $10. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston. 416-539-8437, spicymike.ca.
**My Gaza, ‘Tis Of Thee by Alex Rubin and JIv Parasram (Pandemic Theatre/UC Drama). A peace agreement that hinges on an Israeli soldier’s release from a Gaza prison is at risk when he refuses to leave his cell. Sep 16-19, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Fri and Sun 2 pm. Sep 24-26, Fri-Sun 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $12. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. pandemictheatre.com.
The 3rd Degree by Anthony Rein and Terence Vince (Chicken Coop Theatre). A Broadway star, young actors, a broke producer and a shady publicist are part of this musical murder mystery. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Sep 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. the3rddegree.webs.com.
**The Clockmaker by Stephen Massicotte (Tarragon Theatre). A man is intrigued by a married woman who brings a broken clock to his shop. Previews Sep 14-21. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$44, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
**The Great Farini Project by Sharon B Moore (Harbourfront NextSteps). This dance-theatre piece portrays a rivalry between two hi-wire walkers. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Sep 25, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $34, stu/srs $28.50. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
This Is The Thing by Jeff Jones (Charcoal Sketch Productions). Songs and stories evoke memories for a man standing at the edge. Previews Sep 15. Opens Sep 16 and runs to Sep 25, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, charcoalsketchproductions.com.
Already covered by Mooney on Theatre:
**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.
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 Sep 4. Opens Sep 10 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 Dec 19, 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 Shadow Of A Boy by Gary Owen (Royal Porcupine Productions). An orphaned boy living with his grandmother turns to a comic book hero for support. Previews Sep 15. Opens Sep 16 and runs to Sep 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and Sep 18) 2:30 pm. $20-$30, preview/mats $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, royalporcupineproductions.com.
**Through The Leaves by Franz Xaver Kroetz (Company Theatre). This drama looks at the relationship between a female butcher and her abusive companion. Previews Sep 10-11. Opens Sep 14 and runs to Oct 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$40. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, companytheatre.ca.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*