Shows that Caught our Eye this Week

If you’re a fan of comedy or musicals or both, this is certainly your week to check out some great theatre that Toronto has to offer. From Hairspray to RENT and plenty of laughs to be had over at the Comedy Bar, it’s the perfect opportunity to make this a fun-filled week. I’ve highlighted the shows that I would love to see in red. Have a look at see what grabs your attention.

Already Covered by MoT…

** Bull by Mike Bartlett (The Coal Mine Theatre). Two employees poke fun at a third as the trio wait to find out who will be axed in this dark comedy. Previews Mar 15, opens Mar 17 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $25, preview $20. http://brownpapertickets.com

Cake and Dirt by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). This play takes a darkly comic look at life in Toronto through a fractured family of privilege. Previews from Mar 3, opens Mar 11 and runs to Apr 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (and some Sat). $29-$55, previews $23-$27. http://tarragontheatre.com

The Daisy Theatre Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes presents a cabaret of improvisation that parodies theatrical genres from opera, music hall, Las Vegas, French cabaret and vaudeville through an adult puppet theatre show. Opens March 18 and runs to April 5, Tue-Thu and Sun 8 pm, Fri-Sat 9:30 pm. $30. Studio Theatre. http://factorytheatre.ca

** Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience Starvox Entertainment presents an homage to the John Cleese TV series featuring the audience as guests at the wacky inn in a partially improvised show. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Apr 19, Tue-Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 6 and 8 pm, Sun 6 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $60-$100. In the O’Keefe Lounge. http://sonycentre.ca

How to Kill a Comedian Second City presents its Spring 2015 Mainstage revue. In previews, opens Mar 9, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, plus Sat 10 pm. $25-$45, stu $16-$18. http://secondcity.com

** The Hungry by Luis Fernandes (Unit 102 Actors Company). A band of vampire hunters struggle to update their outmoded methods in this part comedy, part genre horror satire. Opens Mar 20 and runs to Apr 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20, Tue pwyc. http://unit102theatrecompany.com

Subway Stations of the Cross Young Centre for the Performing Arts by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). A homeless vagabond delivers a message from God in Choi’s performance of songs and spoken words. Previews from Mar 18, opens Mar 22 and runs to Apr 4, see website for schedule. $20-$58. http://soulpepper.ca

** Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang (Mirvish). Three siblings named after dysfunctional characters from Chekhov plays try to escape their melancholic curse in this comedy. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for other dates). $19-$99. http://mirvish.com

A Woman is a Secret by John Patrick Shanley and Matthew Barber (Rip Jaw Productions/the Storefront Theatre). Stories are told through a cabaret-like structure of plays and old-fashioned love songs. Previews Mar 19, opens Mar 20 and runs to Apr 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $20 adv. http://theatrecentre.org

And the Rest…

200% VODKA The Social Capital Theatre Weekly improv hosted by Matt McCready. Mar 30, 8 pm. Pwyc. 2nd floor. http://socap.ca

THE BOARD Bad Dog Comedy Theatre Improv show takes on the shady business of big city condo boards and the secret lives of their members. Apr 3 to 17, Fri 8 pm. $12, stu $10. http://baddogtheatre.com

CAGEMATCH! Comedy Bar No-holds-barred improv competition. Mar 31, 8 pm. $10. http://comedybar.ca

CANADA 300 Daniels Spectrum Watermark Theatre presents 9 newly commissioned short plays followed by a public conversation on our hopes for what Canada could be on its 300th birthday, 150 years from now. Apr 3 at 6:30 pm. $20, stu $5. http://canada300.ca

COMEDY KAPOW! 120 Diner Weekly stand-up, improv and sketch with a pro stand-up headliner. Apr 3, 8:30 pm. Free. http://120diner.com

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR Randolph Theatre by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (Lower Ossington Theatre). This family friendly play is based on the Disney movie. Opens Mar 21 and runs to Apr 12, Sat-Sun 11 am and 1 pm. $20-$50. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com

THE GAME Comedy Bar Weekly show where stand-up comics improvise a set based on audience suggestions drawn from a bucket. This week w/ Matt O’Brien, Faisal Butt, Jeff Elliot, Julia Hladkowicz, hosts Nick Martinello & Tim McDonald and others. Mar 30, 10 pm. $5. http://comedybar.ca

HAIRSPRAY Randolph Theatre by Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Lower Ossington Theatre). A quirky 60s teen becomes popular and looks to change the world in this musical. Opens Mar 21 and runs to Apr 12, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $30-$60. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com

THE HIVE The Social Capital Theatre Weekly improv w/ 8 rotating teams. Apr 1, 8 pm. Pwyc. 3rd floor. http://socap.ca

** HOLODECK FOLLIES The Social Capital Theatre The Dandies present an improvised Star Trek adventure based on audience suggestion, stand-up from Suhan Hanifa and sketch comedy by Vest of Friends. Apr 1, 8 pm. $8. http://socap.ca

** I TAKE YOUR HAND IN MINE Red Sandcastle Theatre (Carol Rocamora). The love letters of Anton Chekhov and Olga Knipper are woven into a theatrical story. Apr 1-4, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20. http://redsandcastletheatre.com

IMPROV NIGHT IN CANADA Comedy Bar Comedy with Lance Byrd and Paul Barnes. Apr 1, 8 pm. $5. http://comedybar.ca

** INFINITY Tarragon Theatre by Hannah Moscovitch  A brilliant young woman and her parents smash together like particles colliding in an accelerator. Her father is a theoretical physicist and her mother a composer; she is a mathematician. Together, they learn that love and time are connected in ways they couldn’t have imagined. Apr 1 – May 3, Tue – Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm, Sat Apr 4, 11, 18 2:30 pm. $27-$55. http://tarragontheatre.com

** LIFE ON MARS: THE MUSIC OF DAVID BOWIE Randolph Theatre by Kevin Connelly and Heroes (Lower Ossington Theatre). Classic Bowie music is presented in a live theatrical concert. Mar 31, 8 pm. $30-$60. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com

** OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD Annex Theatre by Timberlake Wertenbaker (Randolph Academy). A lieutenant stages a play with a cast of convicts and marines on Britain’s new penal colony in 1789 Australia. Opens Mar 31 and runs to Apr 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. http://www.randolphacademy.com

PUSHPINS Bad Dog Comedy Theatre Unscripted comedy is put on the map as audience suggestions drive this show about places, landmarks, characters and their stories. Mar 6-Apr 10, Fridays 9:30 pm. $12, stu $10. http://baddogtheatre.com

QUEERCAB Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Buddies’ monthly open-mic night for youth features music, spoken word, stand-up, drag and more. Apr 1, 8 pm. PWYC http://buddiesinbadtimes.com

** RENT: THE MUSICAL Lower Ossington Theatre By Jonathan Larson (Lower Ossington Theatre). Young artists struggle to survive and create living in New York City’s Lower East Side in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic. Opens Apr 2 and runs to May 24, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $50-$70. http://lowerossingtontheatre.com

** REVEAL ME BURLESQUE Rivoli Red Herring Burlesque presents virgin vixens and professional peelers. Apr 1, 9 pm (doors 8 pm). $10. http://www.aprofessionaldistraction.com

STUDENT BODIES The Social Capital Theatre Weekly improv showcasing the teams and players from the Social Capital Rep Players and House Teams. Mar 31, 8 pm. Pwyc. 2nd floor. http://socap.ca

SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE Comedy Bar The Sketchersons’ weekly sketch and live music show. Sundays at 9 pm. $10. http://comedybar.ca

UP THE GARDEN PATH Dancemakers Centre for Creation Obsidian Theatre Development Series presents a workshop presentation of a new play by Lisa Codrington. Apr 4, 2 pm. Pwyc. http://obsidiantheatre.com

Based on NOW! Stage Listings