Eye-catching Toronto live theatre for the week of July 19, 2010

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 July 19, 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.

***A Taste Of Empire by Jovanni Sy (Cahoots Theatre Company). Sy prepares a Filipino dish while weaving stories of conquest and colonialism. Previews Jun 29-Jul 3. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Jul 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm (no shows July 1 and 17). $30-$40, previews $20-$30. The Market Kitchen, South St Lawrence Market West Mezzanine, 93 Front E. cahoots.ca.

Can You See Me Yet? by Timothy Findley (Randolph Centre for the Arts). A new arrival threatens the peace at an insane asylum. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Jul 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. 416-872-1111, randolphacademy.com.

Death On The Bridle Path by Margot Meijer and Susan Fischer (Evelyn Reese). Evelyn Reese and Jamie the computer guy star in this play-within-a-play. Opens Jul 2 and runs to Jul 23, Fri 10 pm. $10. Bad Dog Theatre, 138 Danforth. 416-491-3115, baddogtheatre.com.

***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.

Hamelin by Juan Mayorga (NewTeatro). This drama fuses theatre, butoh dance and text in a story about a judge who tries to help abused kids. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Jul 25, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15, Sun pwyc. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. totix.ca.

Imbalance by Michael Clarke (Pandemic Theatre). A man’s mental illness takes over his life after his daughter goes missing. Previews Jul 20. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15, stu/srs $12. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. pandemictheatre.com.

Legally Blonde The Musical by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach (Mirvish). A sorority girl makes it to law school in this musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Jul 7 and runs to Aug 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $28-$124. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Love, Loss, And What I Wore by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron (Michael Rubinoff/Daryl Roth). Mary Walsh, Margot Kidder, Sharron Matthews, Andrea Martin and others perform stories about women. Previews Jul 16-20. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Sep 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed and Sat 2 pm. $35-$65. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, lovelossonstage.ca.

***MeToPolis: The Future Of Burlesque (Toronto Burlesque Festival). The 2010 festival features film, performances and parties with Michelle L’Amour, Roxi Dlite, Dirty Martini, Amber Ray, Tigger!, Foxy Tann and others. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 25, Wed-Sun see website for venues and schedule. $15-$70, passes $135-$225. torontoburlesquefestival.com.

Pinkalicious, The Musical by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Sep 19, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $29.50, family 4-pack $100. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.

Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles (Mirvish). This multimedia show recreates performances from the 60s and 70s. Opens Jul 10 and runs to Aug 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $30-$99. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage 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.

***The Circus Of Dark & Light by David Anderson and Krista Dalby (Clay & Paper Theatre). A circus crew discovers how community can change the world in this outdoor show featuring puppets, music, a human cannonball and more. Opens Jul 16 and runs to Aug 15, Wed-Sun 2 and 7 pm. $10 or pwyc. Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. clayandpapertheatre.org.

The Sugar Witch by Nathan Sanders (Rep 21). A legacy of tragedy and danger afflicts a family living under a curse in this Southern Gothic drama. Jul 22-24, Thu and Sat 8 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, rep21.ca.

The Taming Of The Shrew by William Shakespeare (Humber River Shakespeare Co). The touring company presents the battle-of-the-sexes comedy. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Aug 1, Tue-Sat 7 pm, Sun and holiday Mon 2 pm. Pwyc ($15 sugg). Various outdoor venues, see website for details. 416-209-2026, humberrivershakespeare.ca.

Twisted Elegance And Madame Muse by Jason Murray (Upstage Productions). This event features a play and a hip-hop dance show. Jul 23-25, Fri-Sun 8 pm. $20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. upstageproductions.ca.

***You Are Here by Daniel MacIvor (Rep 21). A woman searches for meaning in her life in this drama. Jul 21-23, Fri and Wed 8 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, rep21.ca.

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

Stephen Harper: The Musical by the Shehori Brothers and Jay McCarrol (Second City). This musical satire looks at the trials and tribulations of our current prime minister. Previews Jul 5 at 8 pm. Opens Jul 13 and runs to Jul 25, Tue-Sun 7 pm. $24-$29. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Best Of The Fringe (Fringe Toronto/CanStage). Encore performances of Short Story Long, Fairy Tale Ending, Sia, [sic], Oy! Just Beat It!, A Freudian Slip Of The Jung and Silent City. Opens Jul 14 and runs to Jul 24, schedule tba. $17. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
–    although we haven’t reviewed best of fringe, we reviewed most of the shows during fringe.

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 Oct 31, 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.

A Month In The Country by Ivan Turgenev (Soulpepper). A bored wife’s roving eye leads to trouble in this romantic comedy. Previews Jul 6-10. Opens Jul 12 and runs to Aug 7, Mon-Sat 8 pm, see website for mats. $32-$76. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*