Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of May 6th, 2013. ** 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
Angel City by Sam Shepard (Alec Toller/Circlesnake/The Playwright Project). A reclusive artist is asked to write a disaster movie screenplay. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.
**Carried Away On The Crest Of A Wave by David Yee (Tarragon Theatre). A Thai escort, a Catholic priest in India and a Utah housewife are connected by the 2004 tsunami. Previews Apr 16-23. Opens Apr 24 and runs to May 26. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, rush $13. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith (Pomme Grenade Productions/The Playwright Project). A man goes on a sex- and drug-fuelled bender with a girl who wants to make him a rock star. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.
Falsettos by James Lapine and William Finn (Acting Up Stage Company/Harold Green Jewish Theatre). A man leaves his wife and son for another man and tries to forge a non-traditional family in 1979 NYC. Previews Apr 23-24. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 12. $39-$55. Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-838-3006, actingupstage.com.
Fool For Love by Sam Shepard (Heart in Hand Productions/The Playwright Project). A woman who wants to move on with her life has a tense visit with an ex-boyfriend. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.
Geography Of A Horse Dreamer by Sam Shepard (Red One Theatre Collective/The Playwright Project). A cowboy with a fading gift for predicting horse race winners is kidnapped by two gangsters. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.
Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti (Canadian Opera Company). An old feud and political ambition lead a man to sabotage his sister’s relationship in this Italian tragic opera. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 24. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
**Night Of The Living Dead Live by Trevor Martin, Dale Boyer and Christopher Bond (Nictophobia Films). George A Romero’s 1968 zombie film is performed in black and white in this interactive stage adaptation. Previews Apr 23-25. Opens Apr 26 and runs to May 19. $29.50-$59.50, preview $20. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, nightofthelivingdeadlive.com.
One Act Festival (Sterling Studio Theatre). Works by local playwrights Carolyn Bennett and Adam Hunter Collier, plus plays by Tennessee Williams, Anton Chekhov and others. Opens Apr 16 and runs to May 15. $10-$20, festival pass $45. 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.
Rent by Jonathan Larson (Lower Ossington Theatre). Artists of NYC’s Lower East Side struggle to make ends meet in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic in this musical. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Jun 2. $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
Salome by Richard Strauss (Canadian Opera Company). King Herod’s stepdaughter dances in exchange for the head of John the Baptist in this German opera based on the biblical tale. Opens Apr 21 and runs to May 22. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
Saving Fats by Sam Shepard (Alex McCooeye/Jesse Griffiths/The Playwright Project). A reporter seeks a gripping story in post-Katrina New Orleans in this musical comedy. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.
South Pacific by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein and Joshua Logan (Scarborough Music Theatre). Love blooms on an island paradise during WWII in this musical. Opens May 2 and runs to May 18. $25, stu/srs $21. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.
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 Jun 30. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
The Unseen Hand by Sam Shepard (Theatre Brouhaha/The Playwright Project). Three forgotten legends of the Wild West come back to life to help a desperate alien fight for freedom. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.
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.
When The World Was Green by Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin (surface/underground theatre/The Playwright Project). A journalist in search of her father interviews an old man on death row. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.
And the Rest…
¡Theatresports! Spring Tournament Bad Dog Theatre presents the 30th year of the improv comedy competition. Opens Mar 9 and runs to May 25. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 647-898-5324, baddogtheatre.com.
BEA by Mick Gordon (Actors Repertory Company). A young woman with a debilitating illness struggles to find her voice and make a difficult decision. Previews May 7. Opens May 8 and runs to May 26. $20-$25, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, arcstage.com.
Big Ideas 2013 (Alumnae Theatre). Staged readings of plays by writers of the company’s New Play Development group. Opens May 8 and runs to May 12. Free. Studio, 70 Berkeley. alumnaetheatre.com/npd.html.
Dialogues Des Carmelites by Francis Poulenc (Canadian Opera Company). An order of Carmelite nuns is caught up in the terror of the French Revolution. Opens May 8 and runs to May 25. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
Ginger Nation (The Bomb! Shawn Hitchins). Hitchins performs his new solo show about being a sperm donor to a lesbian couple. May 8 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament. shawnhitchins.com.
Histoires by Françios Lavallée (Alliance Française). Lavallée tells stories in French in this solo show. May 10 at 7:30 pm. Free. 24 Spadina Rd. alliance-francaise.ca.
I Remember Mama by Julia DeSotto (Lulubelle Productions). This solo show looks at love and family through the generations. Opens May 3 and runs to May 10. $25, stu/srs $20. Columbus Centre, Carrier Gallery, 901 Lawrence W. lulubelleproductions.ca.
I Will Not Hatch! by Maya Rabinovitch (Steady State Theatre Project). Passengers deal with their fears on an ill-fated flight. Previews May 6. Opens May 7 and runs to May 11. $15. Berkeley Street Theatre, Upstairs, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, steadystatetheatre.com.
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight by Peter Colley (Nags Players). A city couple seeking tranquility rent a haunted farmhouse in this comedy thriller. Opens May 2 and runs to May 11. $12-$20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 647-338-6247, nagsplayers.com.
John And Beatrice by Carole Fréchette (Should Be Theatre). A woman in an office tower waits for Mr. Right to respond to her personal ad. Opens May 8 and runs to May 18. $20, mat (and May 15) pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529.
Kick It Up! The Korean Dance Korean Dance Studies Society of Canada presents dynamic performances by professionals and trainees of the Soo Ryu School. May 6 at 7:30 pm. $25-$30. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 1-855-985-2787, koreandance.net.
La Fugue (Qui Va Là/SMCQ Jeunesse). Contemporary music, theatre and puppetry are used to tell the story of a runaway and the dark reality of street gangs. Previews May 6. Opens May 7 and runs to May 16. $15-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.
Ladies-In-Waiting by Kate Kudelka and Lise Maher (Little Black Dress Theatre). On the night of his death, all of Henry VIII’s wives get together to welcome him to the afterlife. May 10 at 7:30 pm. $25. First Unitarian Congregation, 175 St Clair W. ladies-in-waiting-at-first.eventbrite.ca.
Life x 3 by Yasmina Reza (Damsels in De-Stress Productions). Three versions of a disastrous evening play out when a couple’s dinner party guests show up a day early. Opens May 2 and runs to May 11. $25, stu/srs $20. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. damselsindestress.ca.
Lovesick: An Evening Of Dark Romance (Unspoken Theatre). Short plays and monologues by Nina Kaye and other female playwrights get a workshop staging. May 10 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Izakaya Sushi House, 294 College. unspokentheatrecompany.weebly.com.
Lovesick: An Evening Of Dark Romance (Unspoken Theatre). Short plays and monologues by Nina Kaye and other female playwrights get a workshop staging. May 8 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Harvest Noon Cafe, 16 Bancroft. unspokentheatrecompany.weebly.com.
Lovesick: An Evening Of Dark Romance (Unspoken Theatre). Short plays and monologues by Nina Kaye and other female playwrights get a workshop staging. May 9 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. unspokentheatrecompany.weebly.com.
Momentum 2013 School of Toronto Dance Theatre presents dancers from the Professional Training Program performing works by Julia Sasso, Sharon B Moore, Allen Kaeja and others. Opens May 2 and runs to May 11. $19, stu/srs $15; gala $60. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-967-6887, schooloftdt.org.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (Fly By Night Theatre). The Bard’s romantic comedy is set in Toronto in 2011 in this modern adaptation. Opens May 8 and runs to May 11. $20, stu/srs $18. Young People’s Theatre, Studio, 165 Front E. flybynighttheatre.ca.
On The Wing (Talisker Players). Graham Abbey reads texts by Diane Ackerman, David Quammen and William Canning as part of a musical show about birds. May 7-8. $15-$35. Trinity St Paul’s Church, 427 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, taliskerplayers.ca.
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.
Playwrights Canada Press Spring Launch (PLCN). NOW’s Jon Kaplan and Susan G Cole host a night of readings of works by Michael Healey, Daniel Karasik, MJ Cruise, Yvette Nolan, Joseph Jomo Pierre and others. May 6. Free. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. playwrightscanada.com.
Retro Radio Hour Fundraiser (Bygone Theatre). This funder for the company features old radio plays, a silent auction and raffle. May 11 at 8 pm. $5. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. bygonetheatre.com.
Stopheart by Amy Lee Lavoie (Factory Theatre). A young man copes with growing up ‘different’ in a small town in northern Ontario in this dark comedy. Previews May 4-8. Opens May 9 and runs to May 26. $32-$42, preview $22. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
The Barber Of Seville (Soulpepper). A barber helps a nobleman woo his true love in this adaptation of the play by Beaumarchais and the opera by Rossini. Previews May 9-14. Opens May 15 and runs to Jun 8. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
The Best Of The Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Mon 8 pm. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
The Biographer by Daniel Karasik (Tango Co.). A father searches for his missing daughter in the wreckage of an abandoned seaside carnival. Previews May 2-3. Opens May 4 and runs to May 19. $15-$23. Videofag, 187 Augusta. secureaseat.com.
The Book Of Mormon by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone (Mirvish). Two naive missionaries go to a volatile region in Uganda in this religious satire musical. Previews Apr 30-May 1. Opens May 2 and runs to Jun 9. Sold out: see website for info on ticket lottery. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
The Charge Of The Expormidable Moose by Claude Gauvreau (One Little Goat). A poet is envied, mocked and ultimately sacrificed by his housemates. Opens May 10 and runs to May 26. $25-$28, stu $20-$23, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, onelittlegoat.org.
The Dreamer Examines His Pillow by John Patrick Shanley (Column 13 Actors Company). A woman deals with her alcoholic father and an ex-boyfriend who seduced her sister. Previews May 12 at 2 pm. Opens May 14 and runs to May 25. $15. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. 416-536-0048, column13.org.
The Eyes Of Helios Northern Lights Dance Theatre presents a new work by Debbie Wilson that explores focus and why some people stand out while others do not. May 6-7 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-516-5262, debbiewilson.ca.
The Golden Mean Compagnie Marie Chouinard and Canadian Stage present a tribute to the poetry of the human body and balance and beauty in the cosmos. Opens May 8 and runs to May 12. $24-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
The Happening: An Evening Of Mad Variety (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Sharron Matthews hosts an event featuring comedians, magicians, singers, clowns and more. Mar 11 at 8 pm. May 12 at 8 pm. $10 adv or pwyc at the door. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
The Lessons Of Love (Toronto Masque Theatre). This double bill features John Blow’s Baroque classic Venus And Adonis, and a tale from the East, The Lesson Of Da Ji, by Alice Ping Yee Ho and Marjorie Chan. May 10-12. $20-$40. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-924-6211, torontomasquetheatre.com.
The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie (Lower Ossington Theatre). A police detective seeks a murderer among seven strangers stranded in a guest house. Opens Apr 25 and runs to Jun 2. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
The War Of 1812: The History Of The Village Of The Small Huts, 1812-1815 by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret). This history play looks at the war and its effects on a First Nations confederation that fought in defence of Canada. Previews Apr 9-16. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 18. $20-$50. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.
Throne of Games Season 2 Bad Dog Theatre presents serialized, unscripted shows inspired by the HBO series, w/ Paul Bates, Evany Rosen, Sarah Hillier and Bruce Hunter. Apr 3-May 8. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.
Trixx: Unspoken Words Ree Ree Productions presents Trixx in a solo comedic commentary about his life, the club scene and more. May 11 8:30 pm. $27-$32. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, stlc.com.
TTG Planning Session 1 (Theatre the Good). Learn about plans for a theatre dedicated to telling the stories of Toronto residents. May 7 at 7 pm. Free. 519 Church Street Community Centre. ttg-planningsession-1.eventbrite.ca.
Visitations (The Mission Business). A girl discovers an ancient supernatural artifact in this interactive adventure. Opens Apr 21 and runs to May 7. $40-$80. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W. drakevisitations.com.
X-Odus And Crave Kaeja d’Dance and Harbourfront NextSteps present two new works by Allen and Karen Kaeja about intimacy, solitude and the desire to connect. Opens May 7 and runs to May 11. $18-$39, Sat gala $100. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, kaeja.org.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*