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 June 13, 2011:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Megan, our editor in chief, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.
Already covered by MoT
**BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR by Eric Peterson and John Gray (Soulpepper Theatre Company). Soulpepper remounts its hit production about the famous WWI fighter pilot. Previews Jun 1. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Aug 4, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $22 (stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL by Lee Hall and Elton John (Mirvish). A boy leaves boxing for ballet while his family struggles with economic troubles in small-town England. Previews Feb 1-28. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Sep 3, Tue 7 pm, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $36-$130. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
**CHOCOLATE WOMAN DREAMS THE MILKY WAY (The Chocolate Woman Collective). This collective creation looks at feminine strength from an indigenous perspective. Previews May 31-Jun 1. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $10. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St George. 647-717-6129, totix.ca.
**DOUBLE BILL (Soulpepper). The Academy presents (re)Birth: E.E. Cummings In Song and Lab Series creation Window On Toronto. Previews Apr 30-May 8. Opens May 9 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $28-$65. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder (soulpepper). A stage manager paints a portrait of life in a small american town around 1900. Previews Apr 7-12. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**REEFER MADNESS: THE MUSICAL by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney (Jr theatre company). This musical comedy satirizes the 1930s propaganda film about the dangers of marijuana. Opens Jun 9 and runs to Jun 18, Thu-sat 8 pm, plus Fri-sat 11:30 pm. $27.50-$37.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100a Ossington. 416-915-6747, reefertoronto.com.
THE ALEPH by Jorge Iuis Borges (soulpepper). Diego Matamoros performs this adaptation of Borges’s short story. Previews May 13-16. Opens may 17 and runs to Jun 18, see website for schedule. $25-$35. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN by Edith Nesbit (Mirvish). Three siblings struggle to survive after their father is imprisoned in Edwardian England. Opens may 3 and runs to Jun 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats sat-sun and wed 2 pm (no shows May 29, Jun 12, 25; see website for other times). $25-$140. Roundhouse Theatre, 255 Bremner blvd. mirvish.com.
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE by William Saroyan (Soulpepper). Various characters speak of their dreams in a Depression-era San Francisco bar. Previews Mar 16-17. Opens Mar 18 and runs to Apr 16. Opens Jun 6 and runs to Jun 15, see website for schedule. $45-$60, stu $28; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
…and the rest
ANDROMACHE by Jean Racine (Necessary Angel/Luminato). Following a war, a woman must give herself to the new leader or let her son be executed in this adaptation of the Greek myth. Previews Jun 10. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 19, daily at 8 pm. $51.50. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.
**BLOOM ON THE BEACH (Anna Livia Productions). Actors and musicians re-enact scenes from James Joyce’s Ulysses along the beach. Jun 16 from 8:30 am to noon. Free. Neville Park Streetcar Loop, Queen E at Nursewood. 416-365-7877, pathcom.com/~livia.
CELEBRATING GRETA: MOZARTIANA & OTHER DANCES & IN THE UPPER ROOM. National Ballet of Canada presents a tribute to principal dancer Greta Hodgkinson on her 20th anniversary with NBC, with works by Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp. Opens Jun 15 and runs to Jun 19, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Thu and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $24-$227. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.
CODEX NOCTURNO (Kadozuke Kollektif). The collective presents a multimedia fusion of theatre and performance art about dreams and fallen angels. Opens Jun 10 and runs to Jul 3, wed-sun 8 pm. $25, stu $20. Imagefoundry, 1581 dupont. 647-367-1015, zuke.ca.
CONFLUENCE Luminato and Sadler’s Wells present choreographer Akram Khan and members of his company in a collaboration with composer/DJ Nitin Sawhney. Jun 16-18, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $31.50-$71.50. Edward Johnson building, Macmillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s park. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.
**DAY OF DELIGHT (Clay & Paper Theatre). The annual celebration of love and courtship features dance, theatre, storytelling, a giant puppet and bicycle parade and more. Jun 19 from 2 to 5 pm. pwyc. Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. clayandpapertheatre.org.
**FREE JANE (Queer Pride 2011/Cabaret Company). Sky Gilbert hosts the annual show featuring a reading of a new play by Nick Green, followed by an open stage. Jun 19 at 8 pm. free. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
**I NEED TO KNOW MY FATHER by Marcia Brown and Cleveland O Mcleish (Marcia Brown Productions). Fifteen years after race and class divides two families, a teen sets out to find her father. Jun 17-19, Fri-Sat 8 pm, sun 6 pm. $30. Jamaican Canadian Centre, 995 Arrow. marciabrownproductions.com.
**IN THE BEGINNING: A Jewish Playwrighting Festival (Harold Green Jewish Theatre/Koffler Centre of the Arts/mnjcc). New plays by Kathy Kacer & Jake Epstein, Natasha Greenblatt, Daniel Karasik and Michael Ross Albert get staged readings. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 16, Mon-Thu 7 pm. Free. Miles Nadal jcc, 750 Spadina. hgjewishtheatre.com.
JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare (Bard in the Park Productions). The classic tragedy about the plot to assassinate Caesar is performed outdoors. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. pwyc ($10 sugg). Kew Gardens, bandshell, 2075 Queen E. 416-529-5178.
LU XUN BLOSSOMS (Theatre Smith-Gilmour/Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre/Luminato). Five stories by Chinese poet Lu Xun are performed in English and Mandarin. Opens Jun 15 and runs to Jun 18, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $54.50-$71.50. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles W. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.
MR. MARMALADE by Noah Haidle (Fly by Night Theatre). A four-year-old’s imaginary friend is a violent drug addict in this black comedy. Jun 16-18, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat sat 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $18, mat $15. The Village Playhouse, 2190 Bloor W. flybynighttheatre.ca.
**NEW OPERA SHOWCASE (Tapestry New Opera). Excerpts from works in development by Maja Ardal, Marjorie Chan, David Brock and others will be performed. Jun 14-15, Tue 7:30 pm, Wed 6:30 pm. $25, stu $20. Ernest Balmer Studio, 55 Mill, bldg 58, studio 315. 416-537-6066 ext 222, tapestrynewopera.com.
**ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS (Dash Arts/Luminato). Scenes from the famous Arabian stories are performed in English, French and Arabic with surtitles in this two-part show. Previews Jun 7-10. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $49-$115. Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, 227 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.
PRIVATE PAIN IN PUBLIC PEWS adapted from the book by Elaine A Brown Spencer (Music Hall). The connections between a minister, his wife and their congregants are explored. Jun 18 at 6 pm. $30-$45. 147 Danforth. 416 728-1345, drelainespencer.com.
RENT by Jonathan Larson (Fallen Rock Productions/Effort Trust). The award-winning musical is presented to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 18, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm. $25-$55 (uofttix.ca). Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-978-8849, fallenrock.ca.
SOMETHING RED by Tom Walmsley (Red Root Collective). A sexual secret is revealed as two couples play scrabble, leading to betrayal and revenge. Opens Jun 16 and runs to Jul 2, wed-sun 8 pm. $20, Sun pwyc. Meta Gallery, 124 Ossington. somethingredtoronto@gmail.com.
STEPS FROM HOME PushPull Dance presents non-professional dancers performing styles from ballet and jazz to modern, African and salsa. Opens Jun 9 and runs to Jun 18, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and jun 18) 2 pm. $20, mat $15. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. pushpulldance.com.
SUMMERWORKS LAUNCH PARTY (SummerWorks). The funder for the August festival features performances by Hannah Moscovitch, Susanna Hood and others, an auction and more. Jun 18, doors 7 pm. pwyc ($10 sugg). Edward Day Gallery, and Mocca Courtyard, 952 Queen W. summerworks.ca.
**THE CARNEGIE HALL SHOW The National Theatre of the World presents a weekly variety show. Wed 9 pm. Pwyc. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. thecarnegiehallshow.com.
THE OFFICE SPACEBALLS by Tim Suthervans, Kristian Bruun and Ben Birchard (Queen’s Players Toronto). Office workers fight a maniacal mayor in this mashup of the Office and Spaceballs. Previews Jun 15. Opens Jun 16 and runs to Jun 25, Thu-Sat 8:30 pm. $20, preview $15. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. queensplayerstoronto.com.
**TOUT COMME ELLE (JUST LIKE HER) by Louise Dupré (Necessary Angel/Luminato). Love, loss and the mother-daughter bond are explored by a cast of 50 women. Previews Jun 13. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $55.50-$95.50. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.
TRIGGER FESTIVAL (Hank Tre Whan & Bronwyn Davies Glover). This arts festival for queer survivors features a film night, solo play bait by D-lishus, dance crew Ill Nana, Trio Lal and more. Jun 16-18, Thu 7:30 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 9 pm. $5-$10. Steelworkers Hall, (closing party Sun at Raging Spoon, 761 Queen W), 25 Cecil. triggerfestival.wordpress.com.