by Leanne Milech
Shows that Caught Our Eye This Week
Here are all of the shows we wish we could get out and see this week! Take your pick from our list of great theatre escapes for the week of April 11, 2010:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.
COCK-A-DOODLE DANDY/CLÉRAMBARD by Sean O’Casey/Marcel Aymé (George Brown Theatre). The Irish and French classic comedies are performed on alternating days as part of the Spring Repertory Season. Opens Apr 10 and runs to Apr 23, see website for schedule. $15, srs $10, stu $6. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.
CROCOSMIA (Little Bulb Theatre). Imaginative siblings try to make sense of life through cake puppetry, slide shows and experiments. Previews Apr 13. Opens Apr 14 and runs to Apr 24, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20-$25, preview $15, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.
** CROSSCURRENTS (Performance Spring Festival). The play development series features staged readings of works by Nina Lee Aquino, Byron Abalos, Daniel MacIvor and others, plus artist talks and more. Opens Apr 4 and runs to Apr 25, see website for schedule. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
**DIS PLACE (New Harlem Productions). This evening features theatre, dance, spoken word and more by Allison Chung, Gein Wong, Audrey Dwyer, Truth Is… and others. Apr 12 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. newharlemproductions.wordpress.com.
EVE UNDERGROUND 1: THE TREATMENT by Eve Ensler (V-Day Toronto). A traumatized soldier and his female psychiatrist explore fear and intimacy in this drama. Apr 10-11, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $18, stu $13 (proceeds to METRAC). Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. ticketbreak.com.
**FEMCAB 2010 (Nightwood Theatre). This multi-arts performance cabaret in honour of International Women’s Day features Jean Stilwell & Patti Loach, Andrea Nann, Sandra Battaglini and others. Apr 13 at 8 pm. $30. Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-944-1740 ext 8, nightwoodtheatre.net
**GIIWEDIN by Spy Dénommé-Welch and Catherine Magowan (Native Earth Performing Arts/An Indie(n) Rights Reserve). This opera blends baroque and indigenous music and languages to look at Canadian history and cultural identity. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 24, Wed-Fri 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $25, Fri-Sat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.
IF WE WERE BIRDS by Erin Shields (Groundwater Productions). A man’s lust for his wife’s sister leads to horrific consequences in this adaptation of Ovid’s myth. Previews Apr 14-20. Opens Apr 21 and runs to May 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $33-$39, srs $28, stu $21, previews $20, rush $10. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
MORRO & JASP GO GREEN (Little Monsters/Mixed Company/Up Your Nose and In Your Toes). This all-ages clown show looks at how to help the environment. Apr 11 at 11 am and 2 pm. $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
A NIGHT OF THIS AND THAT by Laura Cassis (Bread & Circus). Two modern-retro romantic comedies are performed. Apr 10-11, Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. $10. 299 Augusta. breadandcircus.ca.
**OPERA 101 (Canadian Opera Company). Brent Bambury and guests discuss the COC’s upcoming production of The Flying Dutchman. Apr 14 at 7:30 pm. Free. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W. coc.ca.
POST EDEN by Jordan Tannahill (Suburban Beast). Newcomers upset the status quo in a quiet, suburban community. Opens Apr 14 and runs to Apr 18, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15, stu $12. Abrams Studio Theatre, 46 Gerrard E. 647-342-8177, suburbanbeast.ca.
**RECONCILIATION by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). A country dweller and his urbanized brother clash over lifestyle, sexuality and their father’s inheritance. Previews Apr 14. Opens Apr 15 and runs to Apr 25, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$25, Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, artsexy.ca.
RIDIQULESQUE BURLESQUE (Hells Belles). This burlesque revue features Miss Mitzy Cream, Fan Tan Fanny, Sauci Calla Horra and others. Apr 11, doors 7 pm. $20-$25. Revival, 783 College. 416-504-4355.
**ROCK.PAPER.SISTAHZ.9 (bcurrent). The annual arts festival features poetry, spoken word, music, staged readings, dance, film and more. Opens Apr 9 and runs to Apr 30, see website for full schedule and offsite events. $9.99, pass $49.99; some pwyc events. Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie. 416-533-1500, bcurrent.ca.
SLAGUE, L’HISTOIRE D’UN MINEUR by Mansel Robinson (Théâtre français de Toronto/Théâtre du Nouvel Ontario). A wheelchair-bound heroin addict tries to rectify his mistakes in this solo show. Previews Apr 7-8. Opens Apr 9 and runs to Apr 11, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $29-$46, stu/srs $24-$32, Wed pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com.
**THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT by Daniel MacIvor and Daniel Brooks (Canadian Stage/Necessary Angel). MacIvor performs his solo show about addiction, divorce and life in the modern world. Previews Apr 12-14. Opens Apr 15 and runs to May 8, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$45. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
TRIBUTE TO PAUL QUARRINGTON (Judith Keenan/Rebecca Campbell). The Canadian artist’s life is remembered through scenes adapted from his literary and stage work, music, film and more. Apr 13 at 7 pm. $38 adv. Opera House, 735 Queen E. ticketbreak.com.
WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES by Kevin Loring (Vancouver Playhouse Theatre/Belfry Theatre/Savage Society). A survivor of the residential school system reunites with his daughter and confronts the past. Part of the Performance Spring Festival. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $25-$35; limited rush $10. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
**WOMAN IN A MONKEY CAGE by Berni Stapleton (Royal Porcupine Productions). Stapleton’s play about the last woman alive is presented along with staged readings of works by Megan Liley and Rosmary Doyle. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 28, Wed 7 pm. $15. Clinton’s, 693 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
Shows Reviewed by MoT:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could see them all.
A BOY CALLED NEWFOUNDLAND by Graeme Gillis (Theatre Smash). A 15-year-old boy deals with growing up and family issues. Previews Mar 26-28. Opens Mar 30 and runs to Apr 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$30.Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, theatresmash.com.
MY MOTHER’S LESBIAN JEWISH WICCAN WEDDING by David Hein and Irene Carl Sankoff (Mirvish). A woman comes out to her son as a lesbian and a Jew in this expanded version of last summer’s Fringe hit. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Jan 3. Opens Feb 26 and runs to Apr 11, Tue-Fri 8 pm, Sat 5 and 9 pm, Sun 7 pm. $25-$60. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN by Mel Brooks, Irving Berlin and Thomas Meehan (Mirvish). This comedy musical is based on Brooks’s 1974 film. Opens Mar 17 and runs to Apr 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $26-$120. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*