Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of June 3rd, 2013. ** 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
**Kim’s Convenience by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). Choi’s play about a Korean family in Regent Park struggling with the past returns to the stage. Previews May 20-23. Opens May 24 and runs to Jun 19. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
The Meme-Ing Of Life Second City presents its spring mainstage revue about the wins and epic fails of living on and off the digital highway. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Jun 30. $24-$29,rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts,secondcity.com.,soulpepper.ca.
Sister Mary’s A Dyke?! by Flerida Peña (Cahoots Theatre Company). A teen learns the truth about her all-girl Catholic boarding school in this coming-of-age story. Previews May 25-26. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 16. $15-$25,stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011,stu $32
The Wizard Of Oz adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Really Useful Group/Mirvish/Troika Entertainment/Warner Bros/Bill Kenwright). A twister sends Dorothy over the rainbow in this musical based on the film. Previews Dec 20-Jan 12. Opens Jan 13 and runs to Aug 18. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre,mirvish.com.
And The Rest
Asiansploitation: The Text Generation Asiansploitation presents a new sketch comedy revue about the virtues and tragedies of the digital age. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 15. $15-$20. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. asiansploitation.com.
The Best Of The Fest Encore Show Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and NXNE present sketch troupes She Said What, Deadpan Powerpoint and the Rocket Scientists. Jun 14 8 pm. $15 (free for first 50 NXNE wristband/pass holders). Measure, 296 Brunswick. torontosketchfest.com.
Carmen The National Ballet of Canada presents Davide Bombana’s adaptation of Bizet’s opera about lust, betrayal and murder. Opens Jun 5 and runs to Jun 9. Jun 15-16. $25-$239. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.
Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Nu Musical Theatricals/Classic Theatre Project/Starvox Entertainment). The popular musical featuring feline frolic at the Jellicle Ball returns. Previews May 28-Jun 9. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jul 28. $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.com.
Concerto For Piano & Pasteboards by Miguel Puga and Miguel Aparicio (Luminato Festival). This show blends music with card tricks by magician Puga. Jun 14-16. $45. Royal Conservatory of Music, Mazzoleni Hall, 273 Bloor W. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
Confessions Of A Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl by Rebecca Perry (Seren Lannon/Theatre After Secrets/Black Sheep Theatre). A young woman learns about urban culture, people and life while working as a barista in this solo show. Jun 13-16. $18. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redheadedcsg.com.
CRAVE by SARAH KANE (Wild Dream Theatre) A love story caught in a whirlpool of miscommunication, Crave questions the complex dimensions of when love becomes a selfish act and how much of ourselves will we ever truly give? Jun 13-15, 20-22 at 8pm. Jun 16 at 2pm. $15. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. reserveticketswilddreamtheatre@gmail.com. wilddreamtheatre.wix.com/wilddreamtheatre
**The Daisy Theatre by Ronnie Burkett (Luminato Festival). Burkett and guests perform a nightly cabaret of improvisation, music, monologues and short plays brought to life by puppets. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 23. $25-$35. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
Egg Zeppelin: The Improvised Bacon, Music & Comedy Show Bad Dog Theatre and NXNE present Kris Siddiqi and Marcel St. Pierre’s comedy talk show, w/ guests Dan Galea and Bob Wiseman. Jun 13 8 pm. $10-$12 or NXNE wristband. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. nxne.com.
Five Fingers (Robin Fulford). Alternating monologues reveal a young couple’s tense home life leading up to an incident of domestic violence. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 22. $12. Secret Location, email for tickets and details. fivefingersTO@gmail.com.
Free Jane (The Cabaret Company/Queer Pride 2013). Sky Gilbert hosts the annual show with a reading of a new play by Jonathan Seinen followed by an open mic. Jun 16 at 8 pm. Free. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
Fringe Kitchen Party (Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival). This funder for the festival is hosted by chef Matt Basile and features dinner, a silent auction, DJ party and more. Jun 13. Dinner $95, party only $25. Centre for Social Innovation Annex, 720 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.
Genderplay: A Reading Of Rob Salerno’s Raw (The Cabaret Company/Queer Pride 2013). Reading of a play about the impact of HIV/AIDS on romantic and sexual relationships. Jun 16 at 2 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig (Scarborough Theatre Guild). A hapless understudy impersonates a famous tenor in this musical comedy. Opens May 30 and runs to Jun 15. $18, stu/srs $15. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.
The Life And Death Of Marina Abramovic by Marina Abramovic, Robert Wilson and Antony (Luminato Festival). Performance artist Abramovic plays herself and her mother in this autobiographical piece. Jun 14-17. $55-$125. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
Mad Hot Ballet: Dangerous Love The National Ballet of Canada presents its gala fundraiser inspired by Davide Bombana’s Carmen, with a dance performance and Spanish-themed reception. Jun 12 at 6:30 pm. $55-$133. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, madhotballet.ca.
Making A Stage For Our Stories Showcase ILL NANA/DiverseCity Dance Company present queer and trans artists in dance and movement celebrating resilience, sexuality and strength, as part of Queer Pride 2013. Jun 13-14 at 7 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. illnana-dcdc.com.
Miss Conception: Stage To Screen (Lash Entertainment/Queer Pride 2013). The drag performer pays tribute to Broadway and film divas. Jun 11-12 at 8 pm. $25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
The Merry Wives Of Windsor by William Shakespeare (Bard in the Park). The classic comedy is performed outdoors. Bring a blanket. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 16. Pwyc/$10 sugg. Kew Gardens, 2075 Queen E. bardinthepark.com.
**Next To Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Clearwater Theatre Company). A woman struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect of her illness on her family in this musical. Previews Jun 5. Opens Jun 6 and runs to Jun 16. $25, stu/srs $20, preview $15, rush $12 (Fri & Sun). Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, clearwatertheatre.com.
No Problem Too Big To Ignore Bagged Lunch presents a full-length sketch revue that focuses on life’s frustrations w/ Kristopher Bowman, Jess Bryson, Hayley Kellett and Tyler Kostyk. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 16. $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com.
Paul Hutcheson’s Pride Package III Wog Productions and Queer Pride 2013 present a stand-up comedy cabaret by Hutcheson w/ Trixie & Beever, Sharron Nowlan, D’yan Forrest and others. Jun 14-15. $10-$15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
**Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl (Outside the March/Convergence Theatre/Sheep No Wool). Amateur actors stage a traditional passion play in three historical eras in this exploration of religion, politics and theatre. Show starts in the park and moves to Eastminster United Church. Previews Jun 6-9. Opens Jun 10 and runs to Jun 30. $25-$30. Withrow Park, 725 Logan. outsidethemarch.ca.
Potluck Festival (fu-GEN Theatre Company). The annual event features five short environmental plays by emerging Asian Canadian playwrights, followed by a potluck reception. Jun 15 at 8 pm. $12 adv, pwyc at the door. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. fu-gen.org.
SAPPHO…in 9 fragments by Jane Montgomery Griffiths (Jer’s Vision). Ancient Greece’s first love poet laments her erasure from history, while a chorus girl is seduced into a modern-day Sapphic romance. Jun 14-15. $15. Videofag, 187 Augusta. sapphotoronto.eventbrite.co.uk.
The Second Time Around by Henry Denker (Medina Theatre Ensemble). Weiss’s comedy about widowed seniors who find love and their disapproving adult children gets a staged reading. Jun 10 at 7:30 pm. $10. Temple Sinai Congregation, 210 Wilson. medinatheatre.blogspot.ca.
Shaping Sound Break the Floor Productions presents a show by Travis Wall, Nick Lazzarini, Teddy Forance and Kyle Robinson from All The Right Moves and So You Think You Can Dance. Jun 15 at 7 pm. $39-$89. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Snow White’s Ever After (DramaWay). A sequel to the fairy tale looks at current environmental and labour concerns, plus a dance showcase. Jun 15. $15 (dance showcase $10). Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-614-1078, dramaway.com.
Socialist* Games (Mammalian Diving Reflex). The performance artists invite strangers to play with strangers in summer-camp style activities. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 27. Pwyc/sliding scale. Theatre Centre Pop-Up, 1095 Queen W. mammalian.ca.
The Socrates Cabaret (Bovine Sex Club). This monthly event features music, magic, burlesque, circus acts and more. May 8 at 9 pm. Jun 12 at 9 pm. Jul 10 at 9 pm. Free. 542 Queen W. socratescabaret.com.
Wish You Were Here PushPULL Dance presents non-professional dancers showcasing accessible dance works in a variety of styles. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 22. $20-$25. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. pushpulldance.com.
Soldiers of Song: Canada’s Famous ‘Dumbells’ (Jason Wilson/Lorne Brown). Storyteller Lorne Brown and a live band present the story of the WWI-era Canadian soldiers turned singers. Jun 15 at 8:30 pm. $20-$22.50. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas W. 416-531-6604, hughsroom.com.
Tarantino Tease: Volume 1 (The Underground Peep Show). This geeky burlesque show offers a tribute and parody of Tarantino flicks. Jun 7. Jun 15. $20-$25. Metro Theatre, 677 Bloor W. undergroundpeepshow.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*