Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of June 17th, 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
Avenue Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and works through the transition to adulthood in this musical puppet show for adults. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Oct 6. $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, avenueq.ca.
Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Nu Musical Theatricals/Classic Theatre Project/Starvox Entertainment). The popular musical featuring feline frolic at the Jellicle Ball returns. Previews May 28-Jun 9. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jul 28. $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.com.
Five Fingers (Robin Fulford). Alternating monologues reveal a young couple’s tense home life leading up to an incident of domestic violence. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 22. $12. Secret Location, email for tickets and details. fivefingersTO@gmail.com.
**Kim’s Convenience by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). Choi’s play about a Korean family in Regent Park struggling with the past returns to the stage. Previews May 20-23. Opens May 24 and runs to Jun 19. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl (Outside the March/Convergence Theatre/Sheep No Wool). Amateur actors stage a traditional passion play in three historical eras in this exploration of religion, politics and theatre. Show starts in the park and moves to Eastminster United Church. Previews Jun 6-9. Opens Jun 10 and runs to Jun 30. $25-$30. Withrow Park, 725 Logan. outsidethemarch.ca.
**The Daisy Theatre by Ronnie Burkett (Luminato Festival). Burkett and guests perform a nightly cabaret of improvisation, music, monologues and short plays brought to life by puppets. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 23. $25-$35. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
The Life And Death Of Marina Abramovic by Marina Abramovic, Robert Wilson and Antony (Luminato Festival). Performance artist Abramovic plays herself and her mother in this autobiographical piece. Jun 14-17. $55-$125. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.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 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 Aug 18. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
And the rest….
A Behanding In Spokane by Martin McDonagh (Unit 102 Actors Co). A man’s search for his severed hand leads to a small-town Arizona hotel in this dark comedy. Previews Jun 18. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Jun 29. $20, stu $10, Tue pwyc. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. unit102theatre.com.
Al Khaima Arabesque Dance Studio presents 12 belly dance soloists performing in an Arabian tent. Mar 2 at 8 pm. Jun 22 at 8 pm. $15-$20. 1 Gloucester. 416-920-5593, arabesquedance.ca.
Americandream.ca by Claude Guilmain (Théâtre La Tangente). Six characters struggle to keep up appearances amidst personal tragedy in this multidisciplinary show with English audio translation. Opens Jun 18 and runs to Jun 22. $20-$35.Glendon Campus Theatre, 2275 Bayview. 416-947-7909, americandream.ca.
Belleville-Ville The Joy of Camping presents an improv soap opera about small-town Canada in the 70s w/ Becky Belton, Adam Bailey, Don Berns, Arty Basinski and others. Jun 20 8:30 pm. $10. Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton. stillyourfriend@gmail.com.
Birdbath by Leonard Melfi (Still & Moving Theatre). An uncomfortable night unfolds at an all-night diner when a woman rebuffs the advances of her co-worker. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Jun 22. $15, stu $10. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.
Chamber Magic by Steve Cohen (Luminato Festival). Cohen performs a magic show. Jun 17-19. $60-$75. George Brown House, 186 Beverley. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
CoexisDance Series 54 CoexisDance Duet Series presents dance improvisers performing with AIM Toronto musicians. Jun 22 at 8 pm. $10. Majlis Multidisciplinary Arts, Art Garden, 163 Walnut. coexisdance.wordpress.com.
Compositions by Rafael Benatar (Luminato Festival). Benatar performs his blend of magic and live music. Jun 21-23. $45.Royal Conservatory of Music, Conservatory Theatre, 273 Bloor W. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
Crave by Sarah Kane (Wild Dream Theatre). Four characters distract, elude, seduce and fulfill their desires in this non-linear play about the nature of love and loneliness. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 22. $15, stu $12. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. wilddreamtheatre.wix.com/wilddreamtheatre.
Danse Lhasa Danse Coup de Coeur Francophone and PPS Danse present an original work to honour late singer/songwriter Lhasa de Sela as part of the Luminato Festival. Jun 19 at 9 pm. Free. David Pecaut Square, 55 John. luminatofestival.com.
Evolution Year-End Showcase Evolution Dance Group presents performances by students, a silent auction and prizes. Jun 22 at noon. $5. Seneca Village Community Centre, 1700 Finch E. evolutiondancegroup.wordpress.com.
Feng Yi Ting by Guo Wenjing (Luminato Festival). A seductive beauty ignites an epic rivalry between a warlord and a general in this Chinese opera. Jun 20-22. $25-$65. Edward Johnson Building, MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
Friends And Outsiders (Birdtown and Swanville). This multidisciplinary performance festival features a short play by Meredith Cheesbrough, monologues by Monique Moses, comedy, film and more. Jun 21-23. $10. Videofag, 187 Augusta. news.birdtownandswanville.com.
Gavin Crawford: Sh**ting Rainbows by Gavin Crawford and Kyle Tingley (Idlemind Productions/Queer Pride 2013). Crawford presents characters and impersonations that offer a skewed look at queer culture. Jun 21-22 at 8 pm. $25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
HALCO: Debriefed & Proud! A Musical Cabaret (HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario). This cabaret of show tunes features Donovan LeNabat and Kevin Wong. Jun 22 at 8 and 9:30 pm. $20-$25. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/401133.
If I Could Turn Back Time: Big Gay Time Travel Show Neil Cameron presents a kickoff party for his upcoming Fringe show w/ comedy, song and dance. Jun 20 7:30 pm. Free. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.
In The Beginning: A Jewish Playwriting Festival (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). New plays by Barry Lipson, Jennifer Wise, Daniel Karasik and Michael Ross Albert & Simon Vidoczy get staged readings. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jun 20. Free.Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. hgjewishtheatre.com.
Insignia Red Sky Performance presents a dance/theatre piece about sign talkers and language without speech choreographed by Roger Sinha. Jun 18 at 8 pm. $15. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-585-9969, redskyperformance.com.
L’Allegro Movement Project Luminato Festival, Mark Morris Dance Group and Dancing with Parkinson’s present a collaboration between the dance company, elementary school students and people with the disease to celebrate the expressive possibilities of movement through dance and music. Jun 19 at 7 pm. Free. Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
L’Allegro, Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato Luminato Festival, Mark Morris Dance Group and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra present Morris’s interpretation of Handel’s oratorio combined with John Milton’s poetry and William Blake’s paintings. Jun 21-23. $45-$95. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminatofestival.com.
Lost & Found: Uncovering the Spirit of Pride (Unapologetic Burlesque). This burlesque show looks at the spirit of Pride, how it’s changed over time and what it means to different people. Opens Jun 18 and runs to Jun 19. $5-$25. Gladstone Hotel, Ballroom, 1214 Queen W. gladstonehotel.com/event/unapologetic-burlesque-showcase.
My Second Smile (Noah Spitzer). Spitzer performs his solo show about a 16-year-old’s brush with mortality. Jun 17 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.
Never-Nudes: An Arrested Development Burlesque (Scarlett LaFlamme). Burlesque inspired by the TV show with Ab Horrence, Paralee Pearl, LaFlamme, host Dick Dastardly and others. Jun 22 at 10 pm. $10-$15. Club 120, 120 Church. nevernudes.eventbrite.com.
**PrideCab (Queer Pride 2013). This multidisciplinary cabaret features songs and monologues by members of Buddies’ Queer Youth Arts Program. Jun 19 at 8 pm. $10, free for youth 25 and under. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
Socialist* Games (Mammalian Diving Reflex). The performance artists invite strangers to play with strangers in summer-camp style activities. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 27. Pwyc/sliding scale. Theatre Centre Pop-Up, 1095 Queen W. mammalian.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 Company We Keep (Theatre 20). Louise Pitre performs a bilingual cabaret in celebration of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day. Jun 23 at 7 pm. $20. The Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria. theatre20.com.
The Honouring Kaha:wi Dance Theatre presents choreographer Santee Smith’s multidisciplinary performance about the perspective of First Nations warriors of the War of 1812, as part of the Indigenous Arts Festival. Jun 20-22. Free. Fort York, 100 Garrison. kahawidance.org.
The Man In Black/Pur Ti Miro/No. 24/Theme And Variations The National Ballet of Canada presents a mixed program with choreographies by James Kudelka, Jorma Elo, Guillaume Coté and George Balanchine. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Jun 23. $25-$239. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.
The Puppet Factory Fundraiser (Clay & Paper Theatre). Music, dance and puppetry performances are part of this funder for the company. Jun 21 at 8 pm. $60 or 2 for $100. 35 Strachan. clayandpapertheatre.org.
The Space Between Us Tziporah Productions presents a fusion of dance, theatre and spoken word to explore our astronomical origins and the human need to connect. Previews Jun 19. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Jun 22. $20-$25, stu/srs $15-$20, preview pwyc. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. tziporahproductions.ca.
The State Of Tennessee by Steven Jackson (Minmar Gaslight Productions). A young playwright visits Tennessee Williams for advice and both men confront personal issues. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Jun 29. $20, stu/srs $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. artsboxoffice.ca.
The Way Of All Fish/ Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet by Elaine May/Alan Bennett (Kourage Theatre/Cric Crac Collective/Crazy Folk Productions). Three women perform two short plays in this double bill. Previews Jun 19. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Jun 23. $20-$25, preview $15, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
Torn by Sol Express (L’Arche Toronto). This collective creation by adults with intellectual disabilities presents a comical journey through love and loss. Jun 19-20. $20. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. larchetoronto.org.
Toronto Comedy Brawl Round One Empire Comedy Live presents amateur comedians competing for $1,000. Eight comics per night. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jul 22. $5. Johnny Jackson, 587 College. empirecomedylive.com.
Toronto’s Original Choreographer’s Ball – Summer Edition thamovement presents an urban dance showcase. Jun 23 at 8:30 pm. $20-$25. Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College. 647-477-5225.
Unsung Sequel, 007 Edition Special Features Musical Improv presents a musical improvised sequel to a movie chosen by the audience w/ host Diana Bailey and others. Jun 22 8 pm. $5. Black Swan Comedy, 2nd fl, 154 Danforth. fb.com/specialfeaturesmusicalimprov.
Wish You Were Here PushPULL Dance presents non-professional dancers showcasing various styles in a show about the various journeys that life has to offer. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 22. $20-$25. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. pushpulldance.com.
Zombie Toronto Bad Dog Theatre presents an improvised zombie apocalypse w/ Mark Little, Hannah Spear and others. Opens May 22 and runs to Jun 19. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*