Playlistings in Toronto for the Week of June 6th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of June 6th

June is here at last, and with the heat comes a slew of new shows throwing open their doors to let the Toronto public come flocking in. Air conditioning systems across theatres in the city might be hit or miss, but hopefully these shows will be less so! Editor Samantha is here this week to pick those she’s most anticipating in red!

Instructions (To Any Future Socialist Government Wishing to Abolish Christmas) by Michael Mackenzie (Coal Mine Theatre). Set during the 2008 banking collapse, this play examines the shifting and suspect forces that drive the global financial system. Previews May 29, opens May 31 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm. $35, preview $20. Show Info.

Return to Grace (Mirvish). This theatrical tribute show looks at every phase of Elvis Presley’s career in concert. Opens May 31 and runs to Jun 12, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm. mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $30-$150. Show Info.

You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown by Clark Gesner (The Civic Light-Opera Co). Musical based on the Charles M Schulz comic strip and its characters. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jun 12, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (and Jun 11). $28. Show Info.

** 52 Pick-Up by TJ Dawe and Rita Bozie (The Howland Co). A mix of writing and improvisation is used in this intimate look at relationships told through a game of 52 Pick-up. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jul 27, Wed 8 pm. $15-$20. Show Info.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (LOT). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 26, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $50-$60. Show Info.

** Madam Mao. Collectively created by Paul Thompson, Janet Lo, Samantha Wan and Severn Thompson (Azure River). This play looks at the story of Jiang Qing, wife of Chairman Mao, and her role in China’s Cultural Revolution. Previews from Jun 2, opens Jun 4 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $32, stu/srs $26, Sun pwyc. In the Tarragon ExtraSpace. Show Info.

** Terra Incognita (Terra Incognita Collective/DOC Now). Performance documentary work that involves collective creation and theatre mask technique to explore our complicity within growth culture and the potential degrowth alternative. Jun 3-6, Fri-Mon 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). Show Info.

The Clueless Dead (Players). Mashup of airheads from Clueless and the zombie-slaying crew from the Walking Dead in this comedic show. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 11, Thu-Sat 8:30 pm (doors 7:30 pm). $25, Thu $15 (all proceeds benefit PMCF, Femme International and Lifeline Syria). Show Info.

Toronto Festival of Children’s Opera. The Canadian Children’s Opera Company presents opera for, by and about young people with main stage shows, lectures and a symposium. May 29-Jun 12. Various prices, some events free, see website for schedule. Show Info.

** Golda’s Balcony by William Gibson (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Tova Feldshuh portrays the woman who went from the pogroms of Russia to becoming Israel’s fourth prime minister. Previews from Jun 7, opens Jun 9 and runs to Jun 19, see website for times and prices. Show Info.

MILF Life Crisis. Anne Marie Scheffler performs her comedic solo play about mid-life dating after divorce. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20. Show Info.

Toronto Festival of Clowns. Clown and physical theatre performers including Sketchy & Fesso, Jean Paul Mullet, Adam Bailey, Snack Music Collective, the Amazing Trevor & others. Opens Jun 8 and runs to Jun 12, Wed-Sun from 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 4 pm. $15-$20. In the Main Space & Studio. Show Info.

Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss (Opera 5). Immersive and interactive version of the comedic opera set in modern times with cabaret instead of ballet performances. Jun 8-11, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $40-$50, stu $25. Show Info.

** Choking the Butterfly by James Johnson (Rarely Pure Theatre). Formerly conjoined twins Betty and Barney are surgically separated as teenagers and thrown out of their sheltered institutional life to face the world. Opens Jun 9 and runs to Jun 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Show Info.

The Lawyer Show. Nightwood Theatre presents it’s 7th annual Lawyer Show – a fundraiser for the company in which actual members of the legal community perform. This year’s production is the musical Guys And Dolls. Jun 9-11, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $65-$80. Show Info.

The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God, adapted by Lisa Codrington from a short story by Bernard Shaw (Shaw Festival). Abandoned by her missionary for asking too many questions, a young African girl goes on her own quest to find God. Previews from Jun 10, opens Jun 25 and runs in rep to Sep 11. Lunchtime one-act production, all shows at 11:30 am. $35. Show Info.

Skylight by David Hare (Hidden Cove Productions). Three years after their split, a man looks to reclaim his former mistress after the death of his wife. Previews from Jun 9, opens Jun 15 and runs to Jul 9, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm. $38-$64. Show Info.

** The Hobbit by Dean Burry, adapted from the book by JRR Tolkien (Canadian Children’s Opera Company). Bilbo and Gandalf and their buddies try to outwit elves, goblins, wolves and spiders in their quest to restore the Dwarf king Thorin to his throne. Jun 10-12, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $33, srs $24, stu $19. Show Info.

** The Vagina Monologues. Performance of the Eve Ensler play to benefit North York Women’s Shelter. Jun 10 at 8 pm. $40. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings