There’s a lot of great theatre going on in Toronto for the week of June 9th, 2014. ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Mike, our Editor, wish there were more hours in a day so he could check all of them out.

 

Already Covered by MoT…

A Spirit’s Face by Jeff D’Hondt (Spiderbones Performing Arts). A social worker and an addictions counsellor fall in love and unmask each other’s demons. Previews Jun 3. Opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 14, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $10-$20.Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 416-531-1402, totix.ca.

Angels In America: Parts I & II by Tony Kushner (Soulpepper). Seven individuals navigate NYC during the AIDS crisis in the 80s in this two-part show about human reactions to the epidemic. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 15. Opens Jun 16 and runs to Jul 12, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Cineastas by Mariano Pensotti (Luminato Festival). The lives and cinematic works of four Buenos Aires filmmakers are adapted into a mulitmedia stage show. Jun 7-9, Sat-Mon 7:30 pm. $35-$55. Edward Johnson Building, MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.

**The God That Comes by Hawksley Workman and Christian Barry (2b theatre company). The slaves, women and outlaws of a city flee the oppressive king to worship the god of wine, sex and ecstasy in this rock and roll cabaret. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jun 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $40. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

The Lion King by Elton John, Tim Rice and Roger Allers (Mirvish). The musical based on the Disney film returns. Previews Apr 30. Opens May 1 and runs to Jun 15, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Sun 1 pm, Sat 1:30 pm (see website for more dates/exceptions). $35-$155. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

 

And the Rest…

35 Years & Counting (Queer Pride 2014). Buddies celebrates its 35th anniversary with a party, performances and more. Jun 12 at 10 pm. Free. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

A Clown’s Life (Joey Condello/Alex Lloyd/Roger Galvez). A clown, an agent and a movie star experience life in the professional buffoonery business in this absurd tragicomedy. Jun 12-14, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu $10. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St George. clowndirectors@gmail.com.

All The Sex I’ve Ever Had: The International Edition by Mammalian Diving Reflex (Luminato Festival). Seniors tell true stories of sexual adventures and misadventures in this performance challenging attitudes towards elder sexuality. Jun 12-15, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles W. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.

Aluna Cafe: Adio´s Ayacucho by Julio Ortega (Aluna Theatre). The soul of a peasant who was tortured and killed by the military seeks eternal peace in this reading/performance experiment. Jun 12 at 7:30 pm. Free. 1 Wiltshire, unit 124. alunatheatre.ca.

Birthday (The Theatre Relay). Members perform each other’s short original solo creations on the theme of birthdays. Jun 13-14, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $10, mat pwyc. The Box Studio, 89 Niagara. theatrerelay.com.

**Cockfight by Kat Sandler (Theatre Brouhaha/Red One Theatre Collective). Hoping to find their fortune, three brothers try to train a rooster to fight in this dark comedy. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 29, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20-$25. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

The Company We Keep (Theatre 20). Host Shawn Wright and others perform. Jun 15 at 7 pm. $25. Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge. theatre20.com.

The Deliverance Of Juliet And Her Romeo by Harrison Thomas, Ashleigh Kasaboski and Anne Van Leeuwen (Leroy Street Theatre/Avant Bard Productions). The daughters of rival families try desperately to be together in this adaptation of the Shakespeare play. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20-$25. Unit 102, 376 Dufferin. totix.com.

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin (Show One Productions). The Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia performs a theatrical adaptation of Pushkin’s tale of unrequited love. Jun 10 at 7:30 pm. $62-$159. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 1-855-985-2787, showoneproductions.ca.

Factory Wired 14 (Factory Theatre). Staged readings of new works in progress by Morro & Jasp, Joseph Jomo Pierre, Jonathan Seinen, Karen Hines, Marjorie Chan and others. Opens May 30 and runs to Jun 15, see website for schedule. Pwyc. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

First Look (Obsidian Theatre Playwright’s Unit). Excerpts of new plays by Tawiah McCarthy, Teneile Warren and Makambe Simamba will be presented. Jun 9 at 8 pm. Free/pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. pd@obsidiantheatre.com.

Free Jane (The Cabaret Company/Queer Pride 2014). The annual show features a reading of a new play by Sonny Mills followed by an open mic. Jun 15 at 8 pm. Free. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Genderplay: Fun With Dick (And Jane) by JP Larocque (The Cabaret Company/Queer Pride 2014). Reading of Larocque’s play about a man who found love in an unlikely place. Jun 15 at 2 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

The Glorious Ones by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (The Civic Light-Opera Co). This musical looks at the lives, loves and troubles of a comedia dell’arte troupe in 17th century Italy. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 15, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28. Zion Cultural Centre, 1650 Finch E. 416-755-1717, musictheatretoronto.com.

If I Loved You: Gentlemen Prefer Broadway by Rufus Wainwright and Stephen Oremus (Luminato Festival). Wainwright performs duets with David Byrne, Boy George, Josh Groban and others in this celebration of universal love. Jun 14 at 7:30 pm. $45-$150. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (16Endean Collective). The classic tragedy is performed by an all-female cast. Previews Jun 11. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 22, Wed-Sat and Mon 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15, preview pwyc. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

Kate And Sam Are Not Breaking Up by Joel Kim Booster (Cue6 Theatre Company). An obsessed fan plots to reunite two movie stars whose onscreen-to-offscreen romance has ended. Previews Jun 4-5. Opens Jun 6 and runs to Jun 21, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $20-$40. Fraser Studios, 76 Stafford. cue6.ca.

LemonTree Gala (lemonTree Creations). This funder for the company’s upcoming production of MSM [men seeking men] features a three-course dinner. Jun 15 at 7:30 pm. $65. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament. picatic.com/lemonTreegala.

Magic @ The Cage (Abracadabaret). Magicians, mind readers and mystery entertainers perform weekly magic and comedy. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Jun 29, Sun and Tue 7 pm. $15-$20. The Cage 292, Crimson Lounge, 292 College. 416-995-1736, abracadabaret.com/cage.

Naked Girls Reading: Mysterious Mysteries (Red Herring Burlesque). Beaver Gallore, Lilla Koi and others read and perform. Jun 15 at 8 pm. $20. Round Venue, 152A Augusta. ngrtoJune.eventbrite.ca.

Orange Is The New Burgundy by Mike Payne, Tim Evans and Paul Levia (Queen’s Players Toronto). Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy comes to Toronto and ends up in a co-ed jail in this comedy. Opens Jun 5 and runs to Jun 14, Thu-Sat 8:30 pm. $20-$25. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. queensplayerstoronto.com.

Paradisiacal Rites by Derrick Ryan Claude Mitchell (Luminato Festival/Saint Genet). Actors, dancers, musicians and other artists participate in a narrative exploration of American hysteria, nationalistic vanity and utopian fervour. Opens Jun 10 and runs to Jun 14, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm. $35. MOCCA, 952 Queen W. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.

Pinkalicious by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Mar 30 and runs to Jun 29, Sun 1 pm. $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Queer Bathroom Stories by Sheila Cavanagh (Libido Productions/Queer Pride 2014). Based on hundreds of interviews of LGBTQ people, this play examines sex and gender politics in public washrooms. Previews May 31-Jun 1. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jun 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Rumors by Neil Simon (Scarborough Players). Secrets and lies derail a couple’s 10th anniversary dinner party in this comedy. Opens May 30 and runs to Jun 14, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

Shelter by Juliet Palmer and Julie Salverson (Tapestry/Edmonton Opera). This darkly comic fable fuses classical and contemporary music to tell the story of a picturesque family with a secret. Jun 12-15, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $55-$75. Berkeley Street Theatre, Downstairs, 26 Berkeley. tapestryopera.com.

Singular Sensation: A Music Theatre Open Mic (Jennifer Walls). Sing showtunes with a live band and see previews of upcoming works at this weekly show. Mar 17-Jun 30, Mon 10 pm. Free. Statler’s, 487 Church. 416-922-0487.

Transgressive Magic: Bullet Catch by Rob Drummond (Magicana/Luminato Festival). Drummond’s mind-reading, levitation and storytelling show is inspired by a trick that has claimed the life of many magicians. Jun 14-15, Sat 2 and 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $45. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.

Transgressive Magic: Card Table Artifice & Turn On The Dark (Magicana/Luminato Festival). Magician David Ben, the Art of Time Ensemble and narrator RH Thomson present a show inspired by a 1902 magic book, plus a macabre illusion show by Rob Zabrecky. Jun 13-14, Fri-Sat 8 pm. $45. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.

**Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose (Soulpepper). Jurors argue over the case of a young man accused of killing his father in a capital murder case. Previews Jun 11-16. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jul 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, see website for mats. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Unisex’d by Jay Whitehead and Daniel Judes (Theatre Outré/Queer Pride 2014). Two actors fight for the role of Lady Macbeth in 17th century England in this crude dramatic comedy. Jun 13-14 at 8 pm. $20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

 

*Play listings based on NOW stage listings.