Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of August 22

Here’s what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of August 22, 2011:

** 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

**BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL by Lee Hall and Elton John (Mirvish). A boy leaves boxing for ballet while his family struggles with economic troubles in small-town England. Previews Feb 1-28. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Sep 3, Tue 7 pm, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $36-$130. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com

COME FLY AWAY Dancap Productions presents a dance-theatre piece by Twyla Tharp about four couples at a night club, featuring the music of Frank Sinatra. Previews Aug 16-17. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Aug 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $42-$135. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.

**THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams (Soulpepper). A broken family struggles to fulfill their dreams in this memory play. Previews Jul 1-5. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Sep 10, see website for schedule. $45-$65, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

THE WINTER’S TALE by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Dream in High Park). A jealous king puts his wife on trial in this outdoor production. Opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 4, Tue-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg); under 14 free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. Canadianstage.com/dream.

**TOTEM by Robert Lepage (Cirque du Soleil). Music, dance, acrobatics and design are used to trace the journey of the human species from amphibians to its desire to fly. Opens Aug 10 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm (opening night 7:30 pm), mats Sun 1 & 5 pm, Fri-Sat 4 pm (no show Sep 6). $74-$249, stu/srs $67-$235, children under 12 $54-$208. Grand Chapiteau, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com.

TWEED A NEW CANADIAN MUSICAL by Tim Porter and Andre Morin (Iana Theatre Company). A couple’s new love is torn apart by the coming war in this play based on the history of the town of Tweed, Ontario. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Aug 27, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $28.25, stu/srs $25. Papermill theatre, 67 Pottery. Tweedthemusical.com.

 

And the rest…

AQUILA SLAMMERS Aquila Restaurant presents Rocket Hotdog, Dom Pare, James Gangl & Friends and Cameron Wyllie. Aug 23 8:30pm. Pwyc. 347 Keele. 416-761-7474. snapbloorwest.com

BABES in SPACE II: THE WRATH of THONG Red Herring Productions presents the return of the popular Star Trek vs Star Wars burlesque show. Enjoy the titillating mystique of space beauties such as Red Herring, Obskyura, Trixi Jones, and Keela Watts. It’s phaser vs lightsaber in two nights of unforgettable naughtiness! Aug 28 & Sep 1 at Revival Night Club. Adv $20, door $25. BabesinSpace2

BINGO: the show Dot Winters (Megan Fraser) returns with the full original cast (from the 2009 Toronto Fringe hit!) Partly written. Partly improvised. Mostly comedy. 100% Bingo. $8 for as many games we can cram in and a baked treat! BINGO: the show.

BUSKERFEST (Scotiabank). The outdoor performance showcase features European street theatre, aerial arts, dance, music, clown and more by Axé Capoeira, Tumble Circus, Gazzo, Herciniarts Collective and many others. Aug 25-28, Thu-Fri noon to 11 pm, Sat 11 am to 11 pm, Sun 11 am to 8 pm. Pwyc donations to Epilepsy Toronto. St Lawrence Market District, Front E between Yonge and Jarvis. Torontobuskerfest.com.

CAGE MATCH Impatient Theatre presents 16 improv teams battling for a cash prize w/ Blank Stare Cowboys, Substitute Dandwich, Not Dead Yet, gandhi’s Flip Flop and others. Aug 23 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 & 10”30pm. $5 per show. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-238-7337, impatient.ca

‘DA KINK IN MY HAIR by Trey Anthony (Trey Anthony Studios). Eight women tell their stories in a Caribbean hair salon in Toronto. Previews Aug 11-12. Opens Aug 13 and runs to Aug 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $37-$67, previews $30, opening VIP $99. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, treyanthonystudios.com.

DAUGHTER OF THE DUST by Robin Sharp (created independently). A young country singer fears her drunken mother will ruin her chances for fame in this musical comedy. Aug 25-28, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 6 pm. $12-$15. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. 416-336-3399, trixiedixon.wordpress.com/tickets. 

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE! (AND OTHER LIES) Second City presents previews of its upcoming sketch revue about the things we tell ourselves to get through life. Opens Aug 30. Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8 & 10:30 pm, Sun 7 pm. $29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**EXIT THE KING by Eugene Jonesco (Soulpepper). An aging king with a crumbling kingdom gets more bad news in this absurdist play. Previews Aug 6-15. Opens Aug 16 and runs to Sep 9, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca

GAME PLAYA THURSDAYS John Candy Box Theatre presents The Young And The Guestlist, an improvised puppet soap opera, followed by longform improv by the Game Of The Scene class. Thu 8:45 pm. Pwyc. 70 Peter. 416-340-7270. John Candy Box Theatre

JASON ALEXANDER United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto presents the comic/actor in a live show. Aug 23 7:30 pm. $35-$125. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-635-2883 ext 5329, ujaevents.com.

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE YOUNG (Soulpepper Theatre Company). Derek Boyes and Mike Ross host a weekly arts talk-show cabaret. Opens Aug 6 and runs to Aug 27, sat 10 pm. $10, rush pwyc-$5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

The Regulars Monthly Comedy Extravaginza at the Hard Luck It’s that time of the month again- when werewolves get their periods and The Regulars tie one on at the Hard Luck! $5, Doors 7:30, Show 8:00, Bitchin’ Karaoke 9:30. Hard Luck Bar, 812 Dundas W.

Two Weird Ladies HEADLINE the Hard Luck This week Two Weird Ladies (Mandy Sellers and Laura Salvas) takes to the Hard Luck stage!!! The show also features stand up from Steve Patrick Adams, solo performance from Jess Grant and an improv set by Lashings of Apologies (Jen Littlewood and Carmine Lucarelli). Hard Luck Bar, 812 Dundas W.

**WHITE BITING DOG by Judith Thompson (Soulpepper). A suicidal lawyer on a bridge is advised by a talking dog. Previews Aug 13-17. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Oct 1, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*