There’s a lot of great theatre going on in Toronto for the week of June 16th, 2014. ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Samantha, our Editor, wish there were more hours in a day so she could check all of them out.

 

Already Covered by MoT…

**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 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.

Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Apr 10 and runs to Jun 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Aug 10. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.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 (and Jun 25), mat Sat 2 pm. $20-$25. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.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.

**Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (16Endean Collective). An all-female cast performs the classic play. 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 Productions). 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.

 

And the rest…

**A Chorus Queen (Time of the Month Drag Productions). This drag musical depicts the lives of three drag queens as they try to achieve their dreams in life. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Jun 28, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Jun 21 and 25 at 2 pm. $45-$49 (proceeds to the Toronto People With AIDS Fdn). Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle.416-978-8849, uofttix.ca/acq.

Back End Burlesque (Red Herring Productions). Daytona Bitch hosts a showcase of burlesque, boylesque, drag, circus and more. Mar 19 at 9 pm. Apr 16 at 9 pm. May 21 at 9 pm. Jun 18 at 9 pm. $10. Crews/Tango, 508 Church. aprofessionaldistraction.com.

From The Horse’s Mouth Celebrates World Pride by Tina Croll and Jamie Cunnigham (Queer Pride 2014). See 25 local performers share humorous and personal stories in a dance/theatre show. Jun 19-20 at 8 pm. $25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Indigenous Arts Festival (Fort York). This arts and culture festival features a workshop presentation of Article 11’s The Ministry Of Grace by Tara Beagan, storytelling, dance and more. Jun 20-22, see website for schedule. Free. 100 Garrison. 416-392-6907, toronto.ca/fortevents.

James Alan: The Uncertainty Project (Abracadabaret). Alan presents an experimental magic and illusion show. Opens Jun 18 and runs to Jun 21, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $24-$30. Wychwood Barns Theatre, 76 Wychwood. theuncertaintyproject.com.

Just Me, You And The Silence by ADONG Lucy Judith (IFT Theatre/Obsidian/WorldPride Toronto/Queer Pride 2014). Reading of a play that looks at the anti-gay laws that have divided Uganda,followed by a panel discussion. Jun 22 at 7 pm. $10 adv, pwyc at the door (proceeds to Freedom and Roam Uganda). Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Lesbians Who Wear Lipstick: The Middle Ages by Marcy Rogers (The Flying Beaver Pubaret). Rogers presents a sequel to her 1989 show about a fearless young misfit who braves stone butches and orthodox feminists. Jun 20 at 9 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

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.

**Pelléas et Mélisande by Claude Debussy (Against the Grain Theatre). The French opera about a love triangle is performed outdoors. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Jun 25, Wed-Thu, Sat and Mon 7:30 pm. $40-$60. Max Tanenbaum Courtyard Gardens, 227 Front E. againstthegraintheatre.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.

PrideCab (Queer Pride 2014). This multidisciplinary cabaret features songs and monologues by members of Buddies’ Queer Youth Arts Program. Jun 18 at 8 pm. $10, free for youth 25 & under. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Prince Charming: Missing Person by Kelly Aija Zemnickis (Green with Envy Productions). A woman meets a man who is nothing like what she was promised in childhood storybooks. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Jun 29, Sun 7 pm. $20. Black Swan, 154 Danforth.416-839-8810, greenwithenvyproductions.ca.

Puppet Allsorts Slam & Fundraiser (Toronto Puppetry Collective). The puppet performance series ends the season with an adult show and party. Jun 16 at 7 pm. $15-$20. 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas W. puppetallsorts.com.

ReJoyce! Bloomsday Hooley (Anna Livia Productions). This celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses features readings and music. Jun 16 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Performing Arts Lodge, 110 the Esplanade. pathcom.com/~livia.

Rise (Pole Club/Queer Pride 2014). Sasha Van Bon Bon hosts a night of art, dance, strip tease and aerial acrobatics with Axel Blows, Femmes du Feu, Nari and others. Jun 21 at 8:30 pm. $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Shrine Circus (FestivalXpress). The annual event features high-wire acts, acrobats, clowns, animals and more under the big top. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 22, see website for schedule. $30. Woodbine Centre Parking Lot, 500 Rexdale Blvd. shrine-circus.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.

**Spamalot by Eric Idle, John Du Prez and Neil Innes (Lower Ossington Theatre). The Monty Python-based musical retells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Aug 3, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Tales Of… Pride (Erin Rodgers). This storytelling show features Dorianne Emmerton, Scott Dagostino, host Robert Keller and others. Jun 18 at 8 pm. Pwyc. The Ossington, 61 Ossington. facebook.com/events/773117252709256.

The B-Girlz: Pride Nation! (Queer Pride 2014). The drag troupe sings and dances in this disco-cabaret tribute to gay life. Jun 21 at 8 pm. $25-$28. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

The Bizarre Ball At Buddies: Rainbow Warriors (Queer Pride 2014). This Pride ball features vogueing performers the House of Nuance. Jun 20 at 10:30 pm. $10. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.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.

The Foolish Cabaret (Foo Productions). This bimonthly cabaret for physical theatre artists features bouffon, clown and mime. Nov 4 at 8 pm. Feb 24 at 8 pm. Apr 21 at 8 pm. Jun 16 at 8 pm. $10. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. fooproductions.com.

The Ground From Which We Grow (Unapologetic Burlesque Showcase). Queer, consensual, anti-racist, unapologetic, not-your-average burlesque is performed for Pride week. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jun 18, Tue-Wed 7 pm. $5-$25 sliding scale. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W. unapologeticburlesque.weebly.com.

The Sankofa Trilogy by d’bi.young.anitafrika (Anitafrika Dub Theatre). The stories of three generations of Jamaican women are told in the plays blood.claat (Mon), benu (Tue) and word! sound! powah! (Wed). Jun 16-18, Mon-Wed 8 pm. $25/show, 2 for $45, all 3 shows $65. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 416-531-1402 ext 34, dbi333.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.

Well-Born by Celeste Percy-Beauregard (O Muse Plays for Parents Series).Reading of a play about an expectant mother trying to make peace with her past in a casual, baby-friendly setting.Jun 16 at 1:30 pm. $10 per adult. BeboMia, 1 Munro. omuse.ca.

Wrecking Ball 16: YesAllWomen (The Wrecking Ball). Theatre, comedy and spoken word performances exploring misogyny and women’s rights. Jun 16 at 8 pm. Pwyc (proceeds to the Actors’ Fund of Canada). Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. thewreckingball.ca.

 

*Play listings based on NOW stage listings.