Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of July 16th, 2012: ** 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
**A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Shakespeare in High Park). Lovers and actors meet and mingle in an enchanted forest in this classic comedy performed outdoors. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Sep 2. Pwyc ($20 sugg), 14 and under free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. canadianstage.com
AVENUE Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and works through the transition to adulthood in this musical puppet show. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Jul 22. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com
HELLO (Huge Picture Productions). The leader of a vigilante group wrestles with existential questions during an alien invasion in this multimedia musical. Opens Jun 21 and runs to Aug 31. $25. Electric Theatre, 299 Augusta. 416-317-8715, hugepictureproductions.com
ODYSSEO (Cavalia). Theatre artists and horses create a spectacle combining equestrian arts, stage arts and special effects. Opens May 15 and runs to Jul 11. $29.50-$119.50. White Big Top, 324 Cherry. 1-866-999-8111, cavalia.net
WAR HORSE based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford (National Theatre of Great Britain/Mirvish). An English boy sets out to find his horse after it’s sold to the cavalry and shipped off to France during WWI. Previews Feb 10-27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Sep 30. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com
And the Rest…
ALTAR BOYZ by Kevin Del Aguila, Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker (Lower Ossington Theatre). A boy band perform their Christian-themed hit songs in this musical comedy. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Aug 3. $45. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
BACKBEAT by Iain Softley, Michael Thomas and Stephen Ward (Mirvish). The Beatles seek fame in Germany and lose their original bassist when he falls in love with a local photographer. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Sep 2. $36-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Linda Woolverton (Dancap Productions). This musical is based on the animated feature film. Previews Jul 3-4. Opens Jul 5 and runs to Jul 22. $42-$150. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.
KING JOHN REDUX (The Pure Carbon Collective). The collective explores the character of Philip the Bastard for Shakespeare’s The Life And Death Of King John. Jul 19-21. $20, stu $15. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. totix.ca.
MEMORY IN THE MUD (Words In Motion). This movable drama and tour tells the stories of brick makers, POWs and Depression-era homeless people who spent time at the Brick Works. Opens Jul 11 and runs to Sep 29. $20, child $10. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. ebw.evergreen.ca/whats-on/memory-in-the-mud.
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux (Dancap Productions). This musical recounts the 1956 impromptu jam session featuring Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley at a record company studio. Opens Jul 10 and runs to Jul 29. $51-$180. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.
**MR.MARMALADE by Noah Haidle (Outside the March). A four-year-old’s imaginary friend is a violent drug addict in this black comedy. Previews Jul 16. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Jul 28. $20, under 30 $10 (Mon & Wed only). Holy Family Catholic Church School, 1372 King W. outsidethemarch.ca.
PORCH VIEW DANCES Kaeja d’Dance presents dance performed by residents on their own porches. Choreographies by Nova Bhattacharya, Michael Caldwell, Karen and Allen Kaeja and others. Jul 19-22. Pwyc. Seaton Village, near Euclid and Bloor, starts at 84 London. kaeja.org.
RETURN TO YOUR ROOTS BURLESQUE BRUNCH (Toronto Burlesque Festival). Performances by Nasty Canasta, the Saucy Tarts, Kitty Kane and others. Jul 22 at noon. $10-$20. Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen W. torontoburlesque.com.
SHARRON MATTHEWS SUPERSTAR: GOLD (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Cabaret singer Matthews performs her latest solo show. Jul 19-22. $20. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.
SOLFERINO by Emily Johnson (Rogue & Peasant Theatre). In his final years, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross struggles with his memories and mental demons. Previews Jul 19. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Jul 21. $10. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. 905-330-9829, rogueandpeasanttheatre@gmail.com.
**SPEED-THE-PLOW by David Mamet (Soulpepper). Movie industry big shots use sex and schemes to succeed in Hollywood. Previews Jul 5-14. Opens Jul 16 and runs to Sep 22. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22, stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
THE BURLESQUE BALL (Toronto Burlesque Festival). This night of live music, striptease and performance art features St Stella and James the Giant Pasty, Sauci Calla Horra, Skin Tight Outta Sight, Roxi Dlite and many others. Jul 21 at 7 pm. $35-$80. Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College. torontoburlesque.com.
THE SUNSHINE BOYS by Neil Simon (Soulpepper). Two vaudeville veterans must overcome their mutual dislike to reunite for a TV special. Previews Jul 14-25. Opens Jul 26 and runs to Sep 22. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22, stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
TORONTO BURLESQUE FESTIVAL (Toronto Burlesque Festival). Performances, parties, the International Strip Search Competition and more featuring Dolly Berlin, Burgundy Brixx, Pastel Supernova, Les Coquettes and many others. Jul 19-20. $20-$80, Thu Meet & Greet free. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W. torontoburlesque.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*