Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of September 16th, 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
**Angels In America: Parts I & II by Tony Kushner (Soulpepper). Seven individuals navigate NYC during the AIDS crisis in the 80s in this two-part show about human reactions to the epidemic. Previews Jul 19-30. Opens Jul 31 and runs to Sept 28, see website for schedule. $51-$68, student $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
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 adult musical puppet show. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Sept 29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $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 Sept 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (no shows Sept 3-8). $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.com.
In A Forest, Dark And Deep by Neil LaBute (Leach & Levy Productions). Secrets from their past emerge as siblings clean out the sister’s cottage retreat. Previews Sept 10-11. Opens Sept 12 and runs to Sept 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $27.50, stu/srs $22.50. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.
Memory In The Mud (Words In Motion). This movable drama and tour tells the stories of brick makers, POWs and transients who spent time at the Brick Works. Opens Aug 7 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $10, child $5. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. ebw.evergreen.ca/whats-on/memory-in-the-mud.
Next To Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt (Lower Ossington Theatre). This rock musical looks at how a suburban family copes with mental illness. Opens Aug 29 and runs to Sep 29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
Shoreditch Madonna by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Three Seeds Productions). Visual artists living in London’s East End seek meaningful relationships and meaningful work. Opens Sept 13 and runs to Sept 29, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu rush $5 (Wed & Sun). The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (UC Follies). The Roman emperor is brought down by his colleagues in the classic tragedy presented outdoors. Opens Sept 13 and runs to Sept 21, Thu-Sat. $10, stu/srs $8. University College, Quadrangle, 15 King’s College Circle. 416-978-8849, ucfollies.org.
YouTopia by Bruce Barton (Vertical City). A woman and a computer that runs her life must adapt as their world literally crumbles in this interdisciplinary play about the bonds of humans and technology. Previews Sept 10. Opens Sept 11 and runs to Sept 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Glen Morris Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris. totix.ca.
And the Rest…
Annie Get Your Gun by Irving Berlin, Herbert and Dorothy Fields (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical portrays the life of Wild West sharpshooter Annie Oakley. Opens Sept 11 and runs to Sept 22, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, musictheatretoronto.com.
**Bone Cage by Catherine Banks (Hart House Theatre). Dark poetry and humour are used to explore the despair of young adults in rural Nova Scotia. Opens Sept 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 5 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
The Company We Keep (Theatre 20). Nora McLellan hosts a cabaret dedicated to Songs Sung Too Young. Sept 22 at 7 pm. $20. The Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria. theatre20.com.
Dine Her by Bruce Hunter (Realspace Theatre). This interactive zombie comedy looks at how gentrification strips neighbourhoods of life. Opens Sept 16 and runs to Sept 23, nightly at 7 pm. $39.95 (dinner & show). The George Street Diner, 129 George. dineher.eventbrite.ca.
The Foursome by Jane Ford (Sterling Studio Theatre). Secrets emerge when three upscale women add a young heiress to their tennis quartet in this dark comedy. Previews Sept 17. Opens Sept 18 and runs to Sept 28, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $20, preview $15. 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.
Fresh Meat Tim Sims Encouragement Fund presents a showcase of new talent w/ host Robert Keller. Opens Sept 16 8 pm. $12. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (Christian Performing Arts Centre). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Sept 21-22, Sat 7 pm, Sun 4 pm. $10. Church on the Queensway, 1536 the Queensway. 416-255-6750, itickets.com.
Killer Diction by Matti McLean (Big Picture Cinema). A man faces killer cats and zombie actors after accidentally throwing the god of death out of his theatre in this comedy. Sept 20-22, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$25. 1035 Gerrard E. guestlistapp.com/events/179958.
Ladies In Trouble (HH Theatre). This funder for HHT’s upcoming show features performances by Sky Gilbert, Kirsten Johnson, David-Benjamin Tomlinson, RM Vaughan and others, plus host Keith Cole. Sept 22 at 7 pm. $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com/event/ladies-in-trouble.
Look Back In Anger by John Osborne (FeverGraph Theatre Company). The female-centred company presents its take on this play about four people crippled by their ideas of societal and interpersonal oppression. Opens Sept 18 and runs to Sept 28, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20 stu/srs $15. Ten 93 Queen W, 1093 Queen W. 416-277-5075, fevergraph.com.
PIG by Tim Luscombe (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Three gay couples push the boundaries of their relationships through acts of emotional domination, sexual submission, compulsion and violence. Previews Sept 14-18. Opens Sept 19 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc-$37. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
Strolling Player by Richard Willis and Heidi Reimer (Red Sandcastle Theatre). From falling off the stage to falling in love, Willis recounts the ups and downs of one actor’s life. Opens Sept 12 and runs to Sept 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.
Tapestry Briefs (Tapestry New Opera). Short creations by librettist/composer combos are performed, featuring playwrights Morris Panych and Julie Tepperman, composers Jocelyn Morlock and Patrick Arteaga and others. Sept 19-22, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35. Ernest Balmer Studio, 9 Trinity, suite 316. tapestryopera.com.
Tick, Tick… Boom! by Jonathan Larson (Angelwalk Theatre). This autobiographical musical depicts the journey that led to the creation of the Broadway blockbuster RENT. Previews Sept 21-24. Opens Sept 25 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Thu 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 1-855-985-2787, angelwalk.ca.
The Underpants by Steve Martin (Alumnae Theatre). A housewife becomes an instant celebrity after accidentally losing her underpants in public. Opens Sept 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.
**Listings based on NOW stage listings