Here’s what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. Get out there and see a show during the week of July 18th, 2011:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Wayne, our Managing Editor, wish he could exist in multiple parallel universes so he 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.
**BEST OF FRINGE UPTOWN (Fringe Toronto). Encore performances of Hypnogogic Logic By Uncalled For; ELLAmentary; Living With Henry; Kim’s Convenience; Love, Virtually; Mickey & Judy; Pitch Blond; Remember, Maggy?; The Soaps; The Travelling Salesman & His Magical Suitcase Of Desires; and Tiki Bikini Beach Paradise Party A-Go-Go. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Aug 5, shows performed in rep, nightly at 7 and 9 pm, mats Jul 29-30 at 4 pm. See website for details. $15. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. tocentre.com.
And the rest…
BLUE MAN GROUP (Mirvish). The multimedia theatrical troupe presents its latest creation. Opens Jul 19 and runs to Jul 30, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Thu and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $40-$99. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
THE CHERRY ORCHARD by Anton Chekhov (Guildwood Festival Theatre). Chekhov’s play about an aristocratic family in financial trouble is presented outdoors. Opens Jul 7 and runs to Jul 31, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $20, kids under 12 free. Guild Inn Gardens, Greek Theatre, 201 Guildwood Pkwy. 416-392-1421, guildfestivaltheatre.ca.
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by William Shakespeare (Humber River Shakespeare Co). Mistaken identities lead to trouble in this comedy presented outdoors. Jul 23 at 7 pm. Pwyc. Etienne Brulé Park, Bloor W at Riverside. 416-209-2026, humberrivershakespeare.ca.
DYING CITY by Christopher Shinn (en(LIVE)n Productions). A therapist confronts her late husband’s identical twin when he comes to talk about his brother. Jul 21-24, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$20. Jare’s Place Bed & Breakfast, 47 Bain. enliven.productions@gmail.com.
**THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams (Soulpepper). A broken family struggles to fulfill their dreams in this memory play. Previews Jul 1-5. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Sep 10, see website for schedule. $45-$65, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
HAMELIN by Juan Mayorga (NewTeatro). A judge’s efforts to help a troubled youth put a strain on his family life in this play performed in English and Spanish. Jul 21-24, Thu-Sun 7 pm. $22, stu/srs $17. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, newteatro.com.
JENNY’S HOUSE OF JOY by Norm Foster (Scarborough Players). A Wild West brothel is the scene for catfights, comedy and a lesson about friendship. Opens Jul 7 and runs to Jul 23, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Jul 17, 23 at 2 pm. $17. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.
**THE KREUTZER SONATA adapted by Ted Dykstra (Soulpepper). Dykstra performs his adaptation of Tolstoy’s novella inspired by Beethoven’s sonata. Previews Jul 12-14. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Aug 11, see website for schedule. $25-$35, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**LYSISTRATA – THE SEX STRIKE adapted by Germaine Greer (Hart House Theatre/Canopy Theatre). Aristophanes’s Greek comedy about women who withhold sex until the men end the wars gets an outdoor staging. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Aug 6, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $10, stu/srs $8, Wed pwyc. Philosopher’s Walk, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-978-8849, canopytheatre.ca.
MARAT/SADE by Peter Weiss (Soup Can Theatre). In this play within a play, the Marquis de Sade stages a drama about the French Revolution inside a mental institution. Opens Jul 19 and runs to Jul 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. maratsade.ca.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare (Frolick/Feed Your City). The classic comedy is presented outdoors to benefit local and ethical food growing projects. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 30, Thu-Sat 6 pm, mat July 31 at 2 pm (pwyc). $35, stu $20, kids under 10 free. Carrot Common Green Roof, 348 Danforth. frolick.ca.
**NEXT TO NORMAL by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Dancap Productions). A woman struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect of her illness on her family in this musical. Previews Jul 19. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Jul 31, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $34-$129. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.
ONE MAN SHOW by Evan O’Donnell (Docket Theatre). A man stages a play to say goodbye to the world before he kills himself. Jul 21-23 at 8 pm. $15, stu $10. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. dockettheatre.com.
THE PEDALER’S WAGER (Clay & Paper Theatre). The theatre and CYCLOPS troupes present a production featuring puppets and bicycles. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Aug 14, Wed-Sun 7 pm, mat Fri 2 pm (weekend mobile matinees at 2 pm; see website for details). Pwyc ($10 suggested). Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. clayandpapertheatre.org/cyclops.
POINT NO POINT by Noah Davis (Chainsaw Theatre Co-Op). A relationship is thrown into turmoil when a buried trauma resurfaces. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $22. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, chainsawtheatre.com.
**SHARRON MATTHEWS SUPERSTAR: JESUS THINKS I’M FUNNY (Buddies in Bad Times). The cabaret diva debuts her new show interpreting classic pop songs. Jul 23-24 at 8 pm. $20. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
THIS WIDE NIGHT by Chloe Moss (Mermaid Parade). On her release from prison, a woman seeks out her former cellmate but finds the friendship has changed. Previews Jul 20-21. Opens Jul 22 and runs to Jul 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and Jul 30) 2 pm. $25-$50, stu/srs $20, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, thiswidenight.com.
TIRGAN IRANIAN FESTIVAL (Harbourfront Centre). This cultural festival features the Silk Road Dance Company, Les Ballets Persans, Golden Puppet Theatre and more. Jul 21-24, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING OR THE GOLFER’S CURE AT THE SEX CLINIC (Harvey Markowitz). A rich golfer struggles with his game and marriage in this farce. Previews Jul 20 at 8 pm (dress rehearsal). Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm. Free. Solar Stage Theatre, 4950 Yonge. 416-368-8031.
TORONTO BURLESQUE FESTIVAL: BURLESQUE BALL (Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque/Great Canadian Burlesque). This night of live music, striptease, performance art and aerials features Jett Adore, Scarlett James, Tanya Cheex, Coco Framboise and others. Jul 23, doors 6 pm. $35-$40. Mod Club, Ballroom, 722 College. torontoburlesque.com.
**THE WINTER’S TALE by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Dream in High Park). A jealous king puts his wife on trial in this outdoor production. Opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 4, Tue-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg); under 14 free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. canadianstage.com/dream.
WISHFUL DRINKING by Carrie Fisher (Mirvish). Fisher recalls the true tale of her life in Hollywood in this solo show. Opens Jul 12 and runs to Aug 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $35-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*
… maybe worth noting is that “dying city” — in the listings above — has been widely and quite continuously regarded as one of the finest plays to deal with the ongoing conflict in iraq. … i’m far from a theatre expert, but, just knowing the text a bit, i think there’s probably some truth to this. what really comes across is, at least for the characters of “dying city,” that the war brings out a lot of moral equivocating. it wasn’t just a simple, black and white matter, like, “yes, it’s totally right” or “no, it’s totally wrong.” what the play explores in the little microcosm of three characters is, “what happens when good comes of bad, and bad of good?” and does it in pretty concrete terms; there’s not a whole lot of abstract talk. actually, from what big balls intellectually because the characters speculate so incisively on the psychological motives of one another — and, it makes for totally absorbing dialogue …
(that should have read “from what i remember, there’s pretty much none. but it still has big balls intellectually …” not, as it does above, “from what big balls intellectually” — which makes no sense. typo — sorry!)