Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of June 24th, 2013

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of June 24th, 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

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.

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 Sep 1. $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 28. $12. Secret Location, email for tickets and details. fivefingersTO@gmail.com

**Hedwig And The Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask (breathe.feel.love). An East German transsexual indie rocker seeks stardom and love in this biographical rock concert. Jun 27-29. $35. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. breathefeellove.com/Hedwig.html.

**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 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 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 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….

BeerProv: 3-Year Anniversary Show Jim Robinson presents the monthly improv competition w/ special guest Colin Mochrie. Opens Jun 28 10:30 pm. $15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.

Bitch Salad Queer Pride 2013 presents female comedy w/ Dini Dimakos, Sara Hennessey, Emma Hunter, the Cheeto Girls, headliner Julie Klausner and host Andrew Johnston. Jun 28 8 pm. $25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Class Dismissed (Boylesque T.O.). The all-male burlesque troupe presents a high school-themed show to celebrate Pride week. Jun 29 at 10 pm. $20-$25. Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor W. boylesqueto.com.

Cloud 9/7e Ciel Young Centre for the Performing Arts presents new choreographies by Susie Burpee and Tedd Robinson, performed by Sylvie Bouchard, Karen Kaeja, Claudia Moore and others. Previews Jun 26 at 8 pm. Opens Jun 27 and runs to Jun 29. $25, stu/srs $18, preview $15. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Dirty Plotz (Operation Snatch/Queer Pride 2013). Jess Dobkin, Hoa Nguyen, the Ghost Taco and host Alex Tigchelaar perform in a sexy celebration of female creativity. Jun 26 at 8:30 pm. $20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Dora Mavor Moore Awards (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts). Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus host the annual theatre, dance and opera awards show. Jun 24 at 7 pm. $65. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, tapa.ca.

Dudettes: Pride Edition (The Flying Beaver Pubaret). Ryan Kelly, Dale Miller and Jeannie Wyse pay tribute to gay icons of the musical theatre and pop world. Jun 29 at 9 pm. $15-$20. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/402841.

Eyes On Queer West Gladstone Hotel presents comedy w/ Paul Hutchinson and Sabrina Jalees, host Stephen Eyes and the cast of Portrait Of A Serial Monogamist. Jun 24 8 pm. $10-$20. 1214 Queen W. gladstonehotel.com.

History Boys: Academic Discipline by Jeremy Willard and Michael Lyons (Videofag). The Xtra! mag writers present readings from their irreverent columns on gay history. Jun 27 at 8 pm. $5. 187 Augusta. facebook.com/HistoryBoys.

Hypnorrish Paul Norrish presents an interactive hypnosis comedy show. Jun 27 9:30 pm. $10. Shoxs, 2827 Dundas W. brownpapertickets.com/event/401002.

Impro Fierte Les Improbables de Toronto present improv battles en français with Montreal’s Gailaxie and drag queens. Jun 30 7:30 pm. $15. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. facebook.com/events/180125222151076.

Let’s Misbehave (Unspoken Theatre). This night or 1920s-themed music, dance and film raises funds for a new play by Natalie Kaye. Jun 28 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Riverside, 808 Queen E. unspokentheatrecompany.weebly.com.

Nerdgasm 2 – Miyazaki Madness! (IlluminAir Entertainment). This variety show features fire artists, aerialists, burlesque performers, dancers and more. Jun 30 at 7 pm. $15-$40. Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College. nerdgasm-miyazaki.eventbrite.com.

Princess Polly And The World’s Smallest Ninja Second City presents an all-ages sketch revue. Opens Jun 30 and runs to Sep 1. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Q.E.D. (Gabriello Pitman Live/Soul City Social Club). This interactive show features a perplexing display of magic, suggestion and psychology. Jun 27 at 8 pm. $12-$15. Chalkers Pub, 247 Marlee. gabriellopitmanlive.com.

Scottish Dancing RSCDS Toronto presents weekly dancing and live music. Jun 4-25. Free/pwyc. Edwards Gardens, SW corner, Leslie and Lawrence E. rscdstoronto.org.

Shakespeare In High Park (Canadian Stage). The Taming Of The Shrew and Macbeth will be performed outdoors on alternating nights. Previews Jun 26-Jul 2. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Sep 1. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.

Sik Comedy For SickKids Monkey Boy Comedy presents a benefit w/ Matt Holmes, Christina Walkinshaw, Ryan Horwood, Todd Owen Daniel Downey and host Mike Rita. Jun 29 9 pm. $15. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 416-870-8280.

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.

Suddenly Mommy! by Anne Marie Scheffler (Perfectly Norma Productions). Scheffler performs her solo comedy about motherhood. Jun 27-29. $20-$30, stu $15. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. suddenlymommy.com.

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 Big Hero by Tom Mcintire (ReelHeART International Film Festival). A friendship is tested when two families in the restaurant business compete in this screenplay reading. Jun 27 at 11:30 am. $12. Harbourfront Community Centre, 627 Queens Quay W. reelheart.org.

The Oak Room Funder (Fracas Theatre). Live music and entertainment in this benefit for the company’s Fringe show with performances by Piper Hayes, Kirk Jorgensen and others. Jun 26 at 7 pm. $10. Boat, 158 Augusta. 416-593-9218.

The Return Of Haha And Lala The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents the twin sisters, singer/songwriter Jane Ford and writer/stand-up Katie Ford. Jun 27 7:30 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/400366.

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.

Truth/Dare: A Satire (With Dance) (Queer Pride 2013). This song-and-dance recreation of the Madonna backstage doc features Salvatore Antonio, Adamo Ruggerio, Keith Cole, Sharron Matthews and others. Jun 26-27. $15-$20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.