Five For Twenty (or Less)

Looking for cheap but good live theatre in Toronto? Here are five shows for the week of December 5, 2011, that offer a great theatre experience for $20 or less.  We’ve got a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, a women’s theatre festival, a glamourous cabaret, a free Afro-Brazilian dance show, and a dark comedy. Read more for all the details!

Proof by David Auburn (QED Theatre Co-op). The death of a mathematician reunites his estranged daughters and a former student as they seek the line between genius and madness. Previews Nov 29-30. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 18, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $15-$20. The Branding Factory, 136 Geary, unit 215. secureaseat.com.

The New Groundswell Festival – A National Festival of Contemporary Women’s Theatre (Nightwood Theatre). Workshop productions of plays by Lisa Codrington, Jordi Mand and Ann-Marie Kerr & Susan Leblanc Crawford will be staged, plus readings, workshops and more. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 10, performances Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for other events). $20, festival pass $45, some events free/pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, nightwoodtheatre.net

Early Retirement by Laurel Brady (Theatre Bassaris/Girls and Bicycles Productions). A young woman moves into a nursing home to avoid real life and heartbreak in this dark comedy. Dec 8-10, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $10. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. theatrebassaris.com.

Gala! (Les Coquettes). The burlesque troupe performs a cabaret of dance, cirque, music and more inspired by Old Hollywood glamour. Dec 11 at 7 and 10 pm. $15-$30. Revival, 783 College. lescoquettes.com.

The Dance Migration Harbourfront Centre presents the company performing Afro-Brazilian dance, capoeira and more as part of Terra Madre Day. Dec 10 from 2 to 6 pm. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.