Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of March 4th, 2013: ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Sonia, our Editor, wish she could quit her evening job so she could check them all out.
Already Covered by MoT
3 Desis And A Diva by Jenny Alexander (Magnila Media/Orange Shot Productions). A scholar and his alcoholic poet cousin discuss family issues, the creative process and what it means to be a first-generation Canadian. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 10. $15-$20. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. 3desisandadiva.com.
**And Slowly Beauty… by Michel Nadeau (Belfry Theatre/National Arts Centre English Theatre). An uninspired office worker wins tickets to a play and discovers the transformative power of art. Previews Feb 20-26. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 31. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
Bent by Martin Sherman (Hart House Theatre). This drama deals with the Nazi persecution of homosexuals and the significance of the pink triangle. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 9. $25, stu/srs $15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
**Hannah Moscovitch Double Bill (Tarragon/Theatre Crisis/Theatre Panik). Other People’s Children is performed with Little One (to Mar 17) and In This World (Mar 19-24). Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 24. $27-$53, previews $21-$24, rush $13, pwyc Mar 16 mat. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
Laws Of Motion by Ashlin Halfnight (Small Elephant Co-Op). The lives of 11 people are changed when the domino effect of one tragic incident touches each of them in different ways. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 15. $23.53. Jam Factory Co, 2 Matilda. lawsofmotion.ca.
Midden by Morna Regan (Toronto Irish Players). Family secrets and old grudges are unearthed in this play about three generations of women. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 9. $20, stu/srs $18. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-440-2888, torontoirishplayers.com.
**Pomme Is French For Apple by Liza Paul and Bahia Watson (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). Paul and Watson perform a series of vignettes about women and their most embarrassing and empowering moments. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 9. $15-$30. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, pommeisfrenchforapple.com.
Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard (Soulpepper). This absurdist comedy follows the antics of two minor characters from Hamlet. Previews Feb 7-12. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Mar 6. $51-$68, stu $32 (rush $22, stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.
The Cat Came Back by Fred Penner, Jay Brazeau and Kim Selody (Manitoba Theatre for Young People). A group of musicians help their grumpy neighbour and his mischievous cat learn to coexist in this play for ages 4-7. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 16. $15-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.
The Wizard Of Oz adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Really Useful Group/Mirvish/Troika Entertainment/Warner Bros/Bill Kenwright). A twister sends Dorothy over the rainbow in this musical based on the film. Previews Dec 20-Jan 12. Opens Jan 13 and runs to Jun 2. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
And the Rest…
60×60 Dance Toronto Tova Kardonne and Vox Novus present 60 dance works by 60 composer/choreographer pairs, each 60 seconds long, performed continuously in a one-hour performance. Mar 10 at 8 pm. $20. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 60x60dancetoronto2013.eventbrite.ca.
A Date With Dance DanceWorks presents a performance and talk by Nova Bhattacharya about the roots of bharatanatyam and how it informs her contemporary work. Mar 6 at 7 pm. $25. Gladstone Hotel, Gallery, 1214 Queen W. 416-204-1082, danceworks.ca.
AfteRock Play Series (b current). This showcase features workshop presentations of works by Roselyn Kelada-Sedra and Naomi Abiola and a reading of a play by Nourbese Philip. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 10. $20, stu/srs $17 per show, pass $30-$35. Daniels Spectrum, COBA Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 416-533-1500, bcurrent.ca.
**As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). A family hauls their matriarch’s corpse across the Mississippi countryside to honour her dying wish. Previews Mar 8-12. Opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 30. $25-$35, stu $20-$30, mats pwyc; opening night gala $45, stu $22. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, theatresmithgilmour.com.
Choreographic Works Ryerson Theatre School presents new works choreographed and performed by students. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 14. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.
**Communicating Doors by Alan Ayckbourn (East Side Players). A prostitute and two wives use time travel to prevent two murders in this comedic murder mystery. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 9. $22, stu $15. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-425-0917, eastsideplayers.ca.
**Dancing With Rage by Mary Walsh (Mirvish). Walsh performs her solo show featuring characters she has played over the years and scenes about pop culture and politics. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 24. $25-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Eirlys And Eckhart by Arlin Dixon (Cart/Horse Theatre). Two friends reunite and battle old demons in a house where the past is packed up in boxes. Previews Mar 6. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 16. $20, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, carthorsetheatre.wordpress.com.
Everyday Anthems Toronto Dance Theatre and Harbourfront World Stage present a dance work that explores anthems as metaphors with text from Brendan Gall and choreography by Heidi Strauss. Opens Mar 6 and runs to Mar 9. $15-$40. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Full Dark by Sharron Matthews (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Matthews presents a workshop showing of her new work. Mar 4-5 at 8 pm. $20. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
**Iceland by Nicholas Billon (Factory Theatre). Set against the backdrop of the banking crisis, a confrontation between a real estate agent and a tenant takes an unexpected turn. Previews Mar 2-6. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 24. $32-$42, preview $22. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
Jacob And Jack by James Sherman (TEATRON Theatre). An actor confronts professional and personal challenges while preparing to perform a tribute to his grandfather. Previews Feb 27 at 1 pm. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 10. $31-$48, stu/srs $26-$30, preview $19. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, teatrontheatre.com.
**Lear by Philip McKee (Harbourfront World Stage). The title character must divide her legacy of work to others in this adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy that confronts decline and change. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 10. $15-$30. Harbourfront Centre, Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
New Art Night (Living Room Theatre). Short original works and excerpts of longer works by local theatre and literary artists will be presented. Mar 4-6. Pwyc. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. facebook.com/livingroomtheatreto.
New Ideas Festival (Alumnae Theatre). The annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre features plays and staged readings. Opens Mar 6 and runs to Mar 24. $15, pass $35, Sat readings pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.
Nijinsky The National Ballet of Canada presents choreography by John Neumeier exploring the life and work of Russian dancer/choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 8. $25-$239. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.
Odyssey: The Musical by Khamsina (Victoria College Drama Society). Homer’s epic tale is combined with contemporary music, lyrical dance and choral work. Mar 7-9. $12, stu/srs $10. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles W. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
Older & Reckless – Edition 28: 2 Solos/A Duet/An Ensemble MOonhORsE Dance Theatre presents works by Peter Chin, Denise Fujiwara, Peter Bingham and Nancy Latoszewski (Greyeyes). Mar 8-10. $25, stu/srs $22. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. 416-504-6429 ext 30, moonhorsedance.com.
Once Upon A Murder (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). Preparations for a royal wedding are interrupted by a murder in this interactive dinner-theatre mystery. Opens Jan 25 and runs to May 31. $40-$71. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.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 Dec 2 and runs to Apr 28. $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, vitaltheatre.ca.
Rock by Kat Sandler (Paper Scissors Collective). A pitch black comedy about love and how far you would go to protect someone you care about who has recently started bludgeoning people to dead with rocks. Opens Mar 8 and runs to Mar 23. $20, Mar 10 pwyc, Mar 20 half price. The StoreFront Theatre, 955 Bloor St. W. theatrebrouhaha.com/portfolio/rock
Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck (Starfish Productions). This modern twist on Shaw’s Pygmalion looks at love, sex, class and gender roles. Previews Feb 28. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 9. $17-$22, preview pwyc. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. starfishproductions.ca.
Stinky Kids The Musical by Britt Menzies (Lower Ossington Theatre). A girl and her friends try to fix a sticky mess in this play for young audiences. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Apr 27. $29-$39. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
The F Word by Jennifer Phillips (360 Productions). A series of vignettes tell true stories of the female experience in celebration of International Women’s Day. Previews Mar 7. Opens Mar 8 and runs to Mar 15. $16-$36. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, totix.ca.
**The Meme-Ing Of Life Second City presents its spring mainstage revue about the wins and epic fails of living on and off the digital highway. Opens Mar 5 and runs to May 29. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
The Weir by Conor McPherson (Fly on the Wall Theatre). Staged reading of McPherson’s play about a night of supernatural tales at a rural Irish pub. Mar 3-4. Pwyc. Fionn MacCool’s Pub, 181 University. 416-363-1944.
Theatre Ball: Happy 25! (Canadian Stage). The company’s annual fundraising gala features Jason Priestley and others. Mar 7. $750. Carlu, 444 Yonge. 416-367-8243 ext 311, canadianstage.com.
Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Fratwurst, Punch in the Box and Rabbit Rabbit (7 pm); Charles, Primo and the Feeko Brothers (9 pm). Mar 9. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.
Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Ned & Dave, Cory! and Jape (7 pm); Sunday Night Live w/ the Sketchersons and guest host Kurt Braunohler (9 pm). Mar 10. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.
Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Parker & Seville, the Weaker Vessels and Ladystache (7 pm); the Local Drysdales Pink Slip and Tony Ho (9 pm); Teh Internets Quiz Show w/ Tom MacKay (11 pm). Mar 7. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.
Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Rabbit Rabbit, the Ladies and British Teeth (7 pm); Smells Like the 80s, the Templeton Philharmonic and the Feeko Brothers (9 pm); Rap Battlez (11 pm). Mar 8. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.
Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Charles and Hot Thespian Action (8 pm); She Said What, Vest of Friends, STAG and Kurt Braunohler (10 pm). Opens Mar 8. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. The LOT Comedy Club, 100 Ossington. torontosketchfest.com.
Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents STAG and Hot Thespian Action (8 pm); Uncalled For presents Ready, Set, Götterdämmerung! (10 pm). Mar 9. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. The LOT Comedy Club, 100 Ossington. torontosketchfest.com.
Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents the Short Form Richards , the Hooligans and Two Weird Ladies (8 pm); Rulers of the Universe, Beggar’s Canyon and 2-Man No-Show (10 pm). Mar 7. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. The LOT Comedy Club, 100 Ossington. torontosketchfest.com.
*Listings are based on NOW stage listings*