Cheap Theatre in Toronto for the Week of March 19, 2012

Five For Twenty (or Less)

This week’s cheap theatre post features our Managing Editor, Wayne Leung’s, top picks. This list narrows down the hottest shows under $20 playing in Toronto this week. We’ve picked five shows so all you have to do is choose one and watch some live theatre. There’s a play reading, a drama, a comedy, a dance show and even a festival. 

MY GRANNY THE GOLDFISH by Anosh Irani (Factory Theatre). A neurotic man’s Indian grandmother comes to Canada to help him recover from illness. Previews Mar 17-21. Opens Mar 22 and runs to Apr 15. $30-$40, mat pwyc, previews $20. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971,factorytheatre.ca.

NEW IDEAS FESTIVAL (Alumnae Theatre). The annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre features plays and staged readings with works by Donna Langevin, Megan Coles, Gerry McBride, Jordan Mechano, Stacy Gardner, Kelly DuMar, Radha Menon and others. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Apr 1. $15, pass $35, Sat readings pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

PROUD by Michael Healey (Dancing Without Mary). The third piece in Healey’s trilogy of plays about Canadian values gets a reading. Mar 19 at 7:30 pm. $15-$30. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

SEX, RELIGION & OTHER HANG-UPS Gangland Productions presents James Gangl in his solo comedy from the Fringe about dealing with sexuality and strict beliefs. Mar 25 10 pm. $15.Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011. secondcity.com

THE CALM BEFORE… The Chimera Project and Harbourfront NextSteps present urban, contemporary choreography by Malgorzata Nowacka about the fear, fight and success of the human condition. Opens Mar 19 and runs to Mar 25. $15-$35, stu mat $5-$10, Sun pwyc.Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.