Eye-catching Toronto live theatre for the week of June 20, 2010

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 20, 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.

Best Of Gowntown (Glam-Glam Productions/Queer Pride 2010). The B-Girlz welcome back past winners of the drag ball contest. Jun 25 at 10:30 pm. $10. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, the Cabaret, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, glam-glam.com.

**Cooking Fire Theatre Festival (CFTF). The outdoor celebration of theatre, food and public space returns with works by Clyde Umnie Co and NACL, Theatre Smith-Gilmour, the Alchemical Opera Project and others. Opens Jun 23 and runs to Jun 27, Wed-Sun 7 pm (dinner from 6 pm). Pwyc ($10 sugg). Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin south of Bloor. 416-655-4841, cookingfire.ca.

**Drama & Desire: Artists And Theatre (Art Gallery of Ontario). CanStage Dream in High Park actors and Atelier Ballet dancers perform alongside an exhibit of Stratford Festival props, stage machines and interactive content. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Sep 26, performances on select Saturdays and Sundays. Free w/ admission. 317 Dundas W. ago.net.

Jitters by David French (Soulpepper). This play-within-a-play looks at the comedic catastrophes of opening night. Previews Jun 24-29. Opens Jun 30 and runs to Jul 24, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, see website for mats. $29-$70. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Kisageetin: A Cabaret by Tomson Highway (MDBC/Thunderbird Centre). A post office worker tells the stories of local residents through songs. Jun 24-27, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 1 pm. $25, opening night $75. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, mbdc.ca.

Naked Girls Reading (Skin Tight Outta Sight). Members of the burlesque troupe present queer lit readings in the nude with guests Trixie and Beever. Jun 27, doors 7 pm. $15, couples $25. The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington. skintightouttasightngrqueerlit.eventbrite.com.

**Playwrights Canada Press Spring Launch Party (Playwrights Canada Press). NOW’s Jon Kaplan and Susan G Cole host a night of readings of new plays by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman, Andrew Moodie, Ronnie Burkett, Anusree Roy, Brad Fraser and David Yee. Jun 21, doors 7 pm. Free. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. theatrebooks.com.

Pride Cab (Queer Pride 2010). This multidisciplinary cabaret features songs and monologues by members of Buddies’ Queer Youth Arts Program. Jun 23 at 8 pm. $10, youth 25 and under pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, the Chamber, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park). This year’s outdoor production features the classic tale of ill-fated lovers. Previews Jun 25-27. Opens Jun 29 and runs to Sep 5, Tue-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg); under 14 free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. 416-367-1652, canstage.com.

Shotgun Wedding by Leonard Cervantes (Carlos Bulosan Theatre/Kapisanan Philippine Centre). This joint fundraiser features a musical play followed by a prom-themed dance party. Jun 26, doors 7:30 pm. $20-$50. Unit C, Humbert alleyway entrance, 102 Ossington. 416-979-0600, info@kapisanancentre.com.

Speed-the-Plow by David Mamet (Jeff Seymour). Movie industry players use sex and schemes to make it big. Opens Jun 15 and runs to Jun 25, daily at 8 pm (no show Jun 24). $25, stu/srs $20. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

**The First Time by Paul Hutcheson (Queer Pride 2010/Wog Productions). Hutcheson uses storytelling and comedy to recount his gay firsts. Jun 23 at 8 pm. $10. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, the Cabaret, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and Tectonic Theatre Project (Column 13 Actors Company). Residents react to the beating death of a gay man in this drama based on actual events. Previews Jun 15. Opens Jun 16 and runs to Jun 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $16, preview/Tue pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, column13.org.

**The Wrecking Ball 10: Gee! 20? (Theatre Centre). Roland Schimmelpfennig and other playwrights present new political theatre pieces about the financial crisis and recovery. Jun 21 at 8 pm. Pwyc (proceeds to the Actors Fund of Canada). 1087 Queen W. thewreckingball.ca.

There Comes A Time by Fran Elliot and Roselle Stone (Medina Theatre Ensemble). The company presents a staged reading in honour of its 25th anniversary. Jun 27 at 2 pm. $7. Temple Sinai Congregation, 210 Wilson. 416-633-2057.

Triple Threat by Larry LaForet (Triple Threat Co-op). Two men question their upcoming marriage after meeting a sexy stranger at the Pride parade. Previews Jun 17. Opens Jun 18 and runs to Jun 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15-$20, preview $10, mat pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown by Clark Gesner and John Gordon (Beyond Boundaries). This all-ages musical comedy features vignettes based on the Peanuts comic strip. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jun 26, Thu-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15, child $10. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, da-capo.ca.

Shows still playing that were already reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

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 Sep 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm (no shows Jun 21-27). $28-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky (Open Corps Theatre). A young soldier makes a tragic trade with the devil. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jun 27, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Casa Loma Stables, Walmer at Castle View. opencorpstheatre.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*