Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of September 30th, 2013. ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Mike, our Editor, wish he could exist in multiple parallel universes so he could check them all out.

Already Covered by MoT

The Best Brothers by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). Two very different brothers learn about each other and their mother after her death in a freak accident at the Pride parade. Previews Sep 17-24. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$53, preview $21-$25. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

** Bone Cage by Catherine Banks (Hart House Theatre). Dark poetry and humour are used to explore the despair of young adults in rural Nova Scotia. Opens Sep 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 5 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Crash by Pamela Mala Sinha (Theatre Passe Muraille). The death of a loved one forces a woman to face shattering memories in this dance-theatre production. Previews Sep 26-28. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 19, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15-$27.50, mat pwyc. Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

The Flood Thereafter by Sarah Berthiume (Canadian Stage/Theatre Dept @ York University). An eerie daily striptease ritual in a small-town bar is interrupted by a stranger’s arrival in this play evoking the sirens of ancient Greek myth. Previews Sep 22-25, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Memory In The Mud (Words In Motion). This movable drama and tour tells the stories of brick makers, POWs and transients who spent time at the Brick Works. Opens Aug 7 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $10, child $5. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. ebw.evergreen.ca/whats-on/memory-in-the-mud.

PIG by Tim Luscombe (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Three gay couples push the boundaries of their relationships through acts of emotional domination, sexual submission, compulsion and violence. Previews Sep 14-18. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc-$37. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Shrek The Musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori (Lower Ossington Theatre). A swamp-dwelling ogre goes on a journey of redemption in this musical based on the film. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 19, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm (and Oct 16), mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

** A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (Studio BLR). A punk rock couple host Stella’s sister in this adaptation that features a live band practice scene instead of the poker game. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 5, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $10. Dragon Alley, Dragon Alley Lane, Dufferin N of College. 416-364-4556, facebook.com/events/210188342480254.

Tainted by Kat Lanteigne (Gromkat Productions/Moyo Theatre). Set against the backdrop of Canada’s tainted blood scandal, a family fights to stay intact when tragedy strikes. Previews Sep 25. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 12, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $27-$42. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-204-0855, gromkat.com.

** Tick, Tick… Boom! by Jonathan Larson (Angelwalk Theatre). This autobiographical musical depicts the journey that led to the creation of the Broadway blockbuster RENT. Previews Sep 21-24. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Thu 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 1-855-985-2787, angelwalk.ca.

The Underpants by Steve Martin (Alumnae Theatre). A housewife becomes an instant celebrity after accidentally losing her underpants in public. Opens Sep 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

We Can Be Heroes (Second City) presents a new collection of sketches, songs and improvisations inspired by the world around us. Indefinite run, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $24-$29, stu $15 (limited spaces for JFL42 pass holders between Sep 19-28, see jfl42.com). 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

And the Rest…

La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). A poet and a seamstress have a tragic love affair in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 30, see website for schedule. $12-$365. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Dora’s Pirate Adventure (Lower Ossington Theatre). Dora the Explorer take a trip to Treasure Island in this kids’ show based on the Nickelodeon cartoon. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 20, Sat-Sun 11 am and Sun 1 pm. $29-$39. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Dust Motes Dancing by Neil Naft (act2studio works). Jordan and Suzanne’s chance meeting changes the course of their lives. Oct 3-5, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Fri-Sat 2 pm. $22, srs $20. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. act2studio.ca.

Exploring Manhood (Batuki Music Society). Reading of three one-act plays by Kwame Stephens that explore notions of manhood, followed by discussion. Oct 5 at 1:30 pm. Free. Trinity St. Paul’s Church, 427 Bloor W. bitly.com/ManHood.

** Fixed by Zack Russell (Videofag). Gay inventors look for their pleasure fix from 1950s London to 2050 Los Angeles. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 13, Sep 26-29 Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, Fri 9 pm, Oct 9-13 Wed-Sun 8 pm (no shows Sep 30-Oct 8). $10, Oct 9 pwyc. 187 Augusta. fixed.eventbrite.com.

Funny Girl In Concert by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). This funder for HGJT features a concert version of the iconic musical. Sep 30 at 7:30 pm. $42-$209. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, hgjewishtheatre.com.

The Glass Cage by JB Priestly (Snowdrop Productions). Issues of racism, class, guilt and more are explored in the living room of a wealthy family in 1906 Toronto. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 12, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. Alumnae Theatre, Studio, 70 Berkeley. theglasscage-eorg.eventbrite.ca.

Illusions Of Grandeur (Abracadabaret). Tyler Wilson and James Alan perform a magic show. Oct 4-5, Fri-Sat 7, 9 and 11 pm. $20. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. abracadabaret.com.

Les Miserables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Cameron Mackintosh/Mirvish). An ex-convict seeks redemption and dodges his nemesis in this musical based on the Victor Hugo novel. Previews Sep 27-Oct 8. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Dec 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (see website for exceptions/extra shows). $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. mirvish.com.

** The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn (Soulpepper). A librarian seeks a tryst but must dodge his wife in this trilogy where each play is viewed from a different part of the home. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Nov 16, see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca

Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten (Canadian Opera Company). An alienated fisherman struggles under the judgment of his neighbours in a seaside English village. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 26, see website for schedule. $12-$332. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Peter Pan by John Caird and Trevor Nunn (Theatreworks USA). Children escape to Neverland and learn the importance of friendship in this adaptation of JM Barrie’s classic tale. Oct 5 at 1 and 3 pm. $20, child $15. Living Arts Centre, 4141 Living Arts. 905-306-6000, livingartscentre.ca.

Reveal Me (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. Oct 2, doors 8 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com.

Salon: 10 Years Of Toronto Masque Theatre – a retrospective (Toronto Masque Theatre). Artistic Director Larry Beckwith and others elaborate on the company’s first decade, including discussions about casting, design and the creative process. Sep 30 at 7:30 pm. $20 sugg donation (seating limited; RSVP required). The Studio, 21 Shaftesbury. 416-410-4561, torontomasquetheatre.com.

Season 2013 ProArteDanza and Harbourfront NextSteps present choreographies by Roberto Campanella, Robert Glumbek and Guillaume Co^te´, performed by Valerie Calam, Justin De Luna, Mami Hata, Ryan Lee and others. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20-$39. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

ShakesBeer: Twelfth Night (The Classical Theatre Project). The company performs the comedy in a pop-up theatre tavern setting. Oct 1-3, Thu and Tue 6:30 and 9 pm. $57, stu/srs $37. Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie. shakesbeer.ca.

The Stressed Out Impresario (VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert). This spoof on the antics of dueling divas and divos is based on Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor. Oct 6 at 2:30 pm. $40-$52. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, stlc.com.

** Tempo by Mike Batistick (Tavistock Arts). A man chasing the American Dream feels his life slipping away. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. tavistockarts.com.

TFN For All Seasons (Toronto Field Naturalists). Skits, stories and songs by TFN members celebrate the group’s history and love of nature. Oct 4 at 7:30 pm. $15, child $5. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. torontofieldnaturalists.org.

** Venus In Fur by David Ives (Canadian Stage). A young actress determined to land the lead plays a cat-and-mouse game with the play’s director. Previews Sep 29-Oct 2, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $24-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com

** The Video Game Show: An Improvised Final Showdown (Bad Dog Theatre Company) Comedians vs. Video Games! The Video Game Show features unscripted comedy, gameplay and discussion inspired by both classic and current games. Wednesdays Oct. 2, 9 & 16 at 8pm. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. West. Comedy Bar Box Office 416-551-6540 Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. Media Contact: Lisa Amerongen, 416-706-1945, Lisa@BadDogTheatre.com baddogtheatre.com

 

**Listings based on NOW stage listings