Plays 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 June 6, 2010:
** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.
Dark Star Requiem by Andrew Staniland and Jill Battson (Tapestry New Opera). The Gryphon Trio, Elmer Iseler Singers and soloists perform a dramatic oratorio about HIV-AIDS in Africa and around the world. Jun 11-12 at 8 pm. $30-$50. Royal Conservatory of Music, Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor W. 416-872-1111, luminato.com.
Funny Girl by Jule Styne, Bob Merrill and Isobel Lennart (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical is based on the life of vaudeville and film star Fanny Brice. Opens May 26 and runs to Jun 12, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Jun 12) 2 pm. $25. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.
**InspiraTO Festival (Dominik Loncar). The annual festival of 10-minute plays presents works by Vern Thiessen, Crystal Woods, Kate Fenton and others. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jun 12, Thu-Sat 8 pm (see website for additional performances). $10-$15. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. inspiratofestival.ca.
**Mamma’s Boy/Larger Than Life: The Musical by Randie Parliament/SG Lee and Vanessa LeBourdais. Two Canadian productions run in repertory. Previews May 21. Opens May 22 and runs to Jun 12, see website for schedule. $15-$37.50. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, ghostlightprojects.com.
**One Pure Longing: Táhirih’s Search by Erika Batdorf (Luminato). Iranian, First Nation and African American song, dance and poetry are used to tell the story of a mystical poet executed for not wearing a veil. Jun 11-14 at 8 pm. $35. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-872-1111, luminato.com.
**The Africa Trilogy by Roland Schimmelpfennig, Binyavanga Wainaina and Christina Anderson (Volcano Theatre). This triple bill examines the multi-faceted relationship between Africa and the West. Previews Jun 10-13. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jun 20, Thu-Sat 7 pm, mats Sun (and Jun 19) 1 pm. $35-$45, previews $30-$40. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-872-1111, luminato.com.
**The Infernal Comedy: Confessions Of A Serial Killer by Michael Sturminger (Musikkonzept/Ronacher Theatre). John Malkovich stars in this fusion of Baroque opera and monologue about a notorious Austrian serial killer. Jun 11-12 at 8 pm. $55-$125. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria. 416-872-4255, luminato.com.
**Night/The Two Noble Kinsmen by William Shakespeare/WS and John Fletcher (Urban Bard). The comedies are performed outdoors on alternating nights. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 20, see website for schedule. Pwyc. College Park Courtyard, 444 Yonge, south side facing Gerrard. urbanbard.ca.
Woyzeck by Georg Büchner (red light district). A poor man is driven to insanity and violence by exploitation, infidelity and societal stress. Previews Jun 2. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jun 19, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, stu $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. theredlightdistrict.ca.
Shows still playing that were already reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:
30 Dates by Fenulla Jiwani (Fenstar Productions). A woman in her 30s deals with family pressure to marry while seeking true love in this comedy. Opens Jun 2 and runs to Jun 12, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$28, stu/srs $23-$28. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-367-8243.
Cold Storage by Ronald Ribman (Jeff Seymour). An investment advisor and an immigrant grocer meet and share stories on the rooftop garden of a hospital. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jun 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.
Duet For One by Tom Kempinski (STAGE Toronto). A violinist struggles to get her life back after a diagnosis of MS brings her to an enigmatic doctor. Previews May 27. Opens May 28 and runs to Jun 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $30, stu/srs $20. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, stagetoronto.ca.
Featuring Loretta by George F Walker (Factory Theatre). Desperate characters compete for a young widow’s attention in this comedy about adult relationships. Previews May 1-5. Opens May 6 and runs to Jun 27, Tue-Fri 8 pm, Sat 7 & 9:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$35. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
Fiddler On The Roof by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Mirvish). A Jewish patriarch clings to tradition in a changing world in this musical. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Jan 10. Opens Jun 8 and runs to Jun 13, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $26-$120. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet (Soulpepper). A group of real estate salesmen struggle to make it in their cutthroat industry. Opens Apr 22 and runs to Jun 12, see website for schedule. $37-$70, stu $29; rush $20 (stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Mamma Mia! by Catherine Johnson, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (Mirvish). A wedding brings together new and old lovers in this musical based on ABBA songs. Opens Apr 28 and runs to Jun 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2pm (see website for additional shows). $26-$120. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Rock Of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo (Mirvish). This arena-rock love story takes place LA’s Sunset Strip and features hits from the 80s. Previews Apr 20-May 9. Opens May 11 and runs to Jun 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*