Here are all of the shows we wish we could get out and see this week! Take your pick from our list of great theatre escapes for the week of October 24, 2010:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.
**Avec Quel Accent Tu Joues? (Les Indisciplinés de Toronto). This comedic show looks at the difficulties of communicating in French. Nov 18-20 at 7:30 pm. $10. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Rd. 416-922-2014, alliance-francaise.ca.
**Bethune Imagined by Ken Gass (Factory Theatre). This drama looks at the medical pioneer and three women in his life. Previews Nov 13-17, Sat and Tue-Wed 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. Opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$40, previews $15, Sun pwyc. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
Beyond The Moors (Shaista Latif/Sarah Behl). A different improvised show based on the novels of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters is performed each week. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 27, Sat 8 pm. $15/show, 4-pack $50. Annex Theatre, 736 Bathurst. beyondthemoors.wordpress.com.
Binti’s Journey adapted by Marcia Johnson (Theatre Direct). A young African girl seeks her grandmother after losing her family to HIV/AIDS. Opens Nov 20 and runs to Dec 4, Sat 4 and 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $10-$15. Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood. 416-537-4191 ext 224, theatredirect.ca.
**Eonnagata by Robert Lepage (Sadler’s Wells London/Ex Machina & Sylvie Guillem). This dance-theatre piece looks at the 18th-century French cross-dressing spy Charles de Beaumont. Nov 18-19 at 8 pm. $39-$159. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-872-2262, sonycentre.ca.
Equus by Peter Shaffer (Hart House Theatre). A psychiatrist tries to understand why a boy blinded six horses. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Nov 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 27 at 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
**For You, Emmy by bekky O’Neil (Quality Slippers Productions). This puppet play looks at the life and work of puppeteer Emmy Hennings. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Nov 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. qualityslippers.ca.
Ghetto Klown by John Leguizamo (WestBeth Entertainment). The actor performs his solo show about his life on stage and screen. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Nov 20, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $65. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
Kosher Lutherans by William Missouri Downs (TEATRON Theatre). A Jewish couple pose as Lutherans to adopt a young woman’s baby. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Nov 21, Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $26-$48. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-781-5527, teatrontheatre.com.
Naked Girls Reading Rock N’ Roll (Skin Tight Outta Sight). Members of the burlesque troupe perform. Nov 14 at 7 pm. $15, couples $25. The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington. ngrrocknrollskintightouttasight.eventbrite.com.
**Photog by Sherry J Yoon and Jay Dodge (Harbourfront World Stage). Performance group Boca del Lupo looks at the life of war photographer Thomas Smith in this multidisciplinary piece. Opens Nov 17 and runs to Nov 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15-$35. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Pinkalicious, The Musical by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Dec 26, Sat 11 am and 1 pm, Sun 1 pm. $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.
Private Eyes by Steven Dietz (Rogue and Peasant Theatre). A man worries that his wife is deceiving him in this comedy. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$20, Sun pwyc. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, roguetheatre.org.
**Roshni by Anusree Roy (Theatre Passe Muraille). Two youths beg, steal and dream of a better life at a Calcutta train station. Previews Nov 18-20. Opens Nov 24 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.
Routes by Collin Doyle (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). A boy deals with violence in his home, school and community. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Nov 18, see website for schedule. $15-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.
**Swing In The Night: A Vaudeville Cabaret (Ladyluck Productions). This cabaret features burlesque, music, acrobats, comedy and more. Opens Nov 14 and runs to Nov 28, Sun 7 pm. $25-$30. Revival, 783 College. ladyluckproductions.ca.
**The Cure For Everything by Maja Ardal (Theatre Passe Muraille). Ardal’s character from You Fancy Yourself returns as a teenager in this solo show. Previews Nov 10-13. Opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 4, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.
**Voice-Box by Julia Aplin, Anna Chatterton and Juliet Palmer (World Stage/urbanvessel). This multi-arts piece uses music, movement and boxing to look at perceptions of aggression in women. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Nov 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$35. Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Wide Awake Hearts by Brendan Gall (Tarragon Theatre). A suspicious producer casts his wife and his best friend as lovers in his latest film. Previews Nov 2-9. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Dec 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$44, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
Already Reviewed by MoT:
**A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (Soulpepper). This drama looks at a black family living in 1950s Chicago. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, see website for additional performances. $40-$76, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Death Of A Salesman by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper). Having lost his job in his twilight years, a man confronts his failure to achieve the American Dream. Previews Oct 16-20. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Nov 20, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm (see website for other times). $31.20-$75.33. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**Lenin’s Embalmers by Vern Thiessen (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Two scientists chosen to immortalize Lenin gain influence in this absurdist dark comedy. Previews Oct 30-31. Opens Nov 2 and runs to Nov 20, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, mats Wed and Sat 2 pm (see website for other days and times). $40.50-$64.50. MNJCC Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-366-7723, hgjewishtheatre.com.
**Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott (Mirvish). Three friends take a battered bus across the Australian outback, looking for love and friendship. Previews Oct 12-24. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Jan 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $20-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Rock Of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo (Mirvish). This arena-rock love story takes place LA’s Sunset Strip and features hits from the 80s. Previews Apr 20-May 9. Opens May 11 and runs to Jan 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Spent by Michele Smith, Dean Gilmour, Ravi Jain and Adam Paolozza (Theatre Smith-Gilmour/Why Not Theatre/TheatreRUN). This blend of clown and physical comedy takes an absurd look at the financial crisis. Opens Oct 29 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $18-$28, stu/srs $15-$24, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
**The Great War: The History Of The Village Of The Small Huts, 1914-1918 by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret). This satire looks at conquest and the absurdity of war. Previews Oct 26-28. Opens Oct 29 and runs to Dec 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$30. Cameron House, 408 Queen W. 416-703-1725, videocab.com.
The Year Of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (Tarragon Theatre). A woman deals with the sudden loss of her husband and child in this drama. Previews Nov 2-6. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$44, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman (Mirvish). The hit musical revealing the backstory of the witches of Oz returns. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$129. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*