Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of July 2nd, 2012: ** 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
**A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Shakespeare in High Park). Lovers and actors meet and mingle in an enchanted forest in this classic comedy performed outdoors. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Sep 2. Pwyc ($20 sugg), 14 and under free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. canadianstage.com
AVENUE Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and works through the transition to adulthood in this musical puppet show. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Jul 22. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com
HELLO (Huge Picture Productions). The leader of a vigilante group wrestles with existential questions during an alien invasion in this multimedia musical. Opens Jun 21 and runs to Aug 31. $25. Electric Theatre, 299 Augusta. 416-317-8715, hugepictureproductions.com
**KIM’S CONVENIENCE by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). A Korean family in Toronto struggles with a bitter past and reconciliation. Opens May 17 and runs to Jul 4. $22-$68. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca
ODYSSEO (Cavalia). Theatre artists and horses create a spectacle combining equestrian arts, stage arts and special effects. Opens May 15 and runs to Jul 11. $29.50-$119.50. White Big Top, 324 Cherry. 1-866-999-8111, cavalia.net
WAR HORSE based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford (National Theatre of Great Britain/Mirvish). An English boy sets out to find his horse after it’s sold to the cavalry and shipped off to France during WWI. Previews Feb 10-27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Sep 30. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com
And the Rest…
**TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL presents dance and dance-theatre performances including works by Ten Toes, KOKUS, Ink on Paper, Kiri Figueiredo Dance, Olga Barrios and others. Opens Jul 4 and runs to Jul 15. $10-$11, passes $45-$82. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com
**TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL (Fringe Toronto). The annual festival offers more than 150 shows featuring plays, dance, comedy and kids’ shows, plus art, music, talks and multidisciplinary events. Opens Jul 4 and runs to Jul 15. $10 (adv $11), passes $45-$82. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com
CANADA DAY: GOING GLOBAL Harbourfront Centre presents an arts and culture festival, including dance workshops and The Call Out, dance performances by b-boy/b-girl crews. Jun 29-Jul 2. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Linda Woolverton (Dancap Productions). This musical is based on the animated feature film. Previews Jul 3-4. Opens Jul 5 and runs to Jul 22. $42-$150. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com
INJUNCTION IN THE JUNCTION St Stella presents comedy, music, burlesque and more w/ Sandra Battaglini & Phil Luzi, Belle Jumelles, Rob Testa and others. Jul 6 Doors 8 pm. $10. 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas W. saintstella.com
MARKET 707 OUTDOOR THEATRE (Market 707). Numerous companies preview their Fringe fest shows. Jul 6 from 6 to 10 pm. Free. Scadding Court Community Centre, 707 Dundas W. scaddingcourt.org/market_707
REVEAL ME (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. Jul 4 at 8 pm. Aug 1 at 8 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com
SPEED-THE-PLOW by David Mamet (Soulpepper). Movie industry big shots use sex and schemes to succeed in Hollywood. Previews Jul 5-14. Opens Jul 16 and runs to Sep 22. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22, stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca
THE BICYCLE OPERA PROJECT (The Bicycle Opera Project). Scenes from six contemporary Canadian operas are adapted and performed in an intimate space by bicycle-commuting singers in this travelling show. Opens Jul 2 and runs to Jul 10. $20. Peterborough, Cobourg, Belleville, Prince Edward County, Kingston and Gananoque. bicycleopera.ca
THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW by Richard O’Brien (Something-Something Productions). A newly engaged couple stumble upon a freaky castle in this rock musical. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Jul 15. $30, stu/srs $25. Corks Winebar & Eatery, 19 Queen. 289-868-9527, rockyhorrorniagara.com
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*