Five for Twenty (Or Less)

Engage in some funny bone activity with our pickings for affordable theatre this week. We’ve got dark humour, dancing and singing male gynecologists, clowns galore, spoken word and improv to name a few examples. Laugh a little louder, will ya?

Hold Mommy’s Cigarette (Shelley Marshall). Marshall performs her solo dark comedy about life, mental illness and survival. Opens May 23 and runs to Jun 2. $20-$25, Sun pwyc. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-821-1754, holdmommyscigarette.com.

Gynecolo-LOL-ogy: The Musical by Nathalie Younglai (b current). Workshop presentation of a comedy about an upbeat male gynecologist and a woman who’s anxious about her fertility. May 30 at 8 pm. $10-$15. Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie. 416-533-1500, bcurrent.ca.

rock.paper.sistahz: A Festival Dating Experience… (bcurrent). This arts festival features theatre, film, comedy, spoken word, visual art and more by Camille Turner, ahdri zhina mandiela, Catherine Hernandez and others. Opens May 25 and runs to May 31. Pwyc-$15, passes $10-$45. Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie. 416-533-1500, bcurrent.ca.

Toronto Festival Of Clowns (Adam Lazarus/Dave McKay). Clowns, bouffons and physical theatre performers including dancers Susie Burpee & Linnea Swan, Keystone Theatre, Avant-Vaudeville, Morro & Jasp and others. Opens May 29 and runs to Jun 2. $15. Pia Bouman Studio Theatre, and Unit 102, 376 Dufferin, 6 Noble. torontofestivalofclowns.com.

You Are Here Bad Dog Repertory Players present an improvised show where suggestions form a map that shapes the show. Opens May 30 and runs to Jun 20. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.