Eye-catching Toronto live theatre for the week of October 17, 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 October 17, 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.

7A*11D INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF PERFORMANCE ART (7a*11d). Panels, workshops, films and performances by artists from around the world. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Oct 31, see website for schedule and locations. Pwyc-$12, many events free. www.7a-11d.ca.

AIDA by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). The tragic opera is performed in Italian. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Nov 5, Oct 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 27, 30, Nov 2 and 5 at 7:30 pm, mats Oct 2 at 4:30 pm, Oct 24 at 2 pm. $62-$281. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

** A RAISIN IN THE SUN by Lorainne Hansberry (Soulpepper). This drama looks at a black family living in 1950s Chicago. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 13, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, see website for additional performances. $40-$76, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

ABILITIES ARTS FESTIVAL (Abilities Arts Festival). The multi-arts festival celebrating diversity, inclusion and accessibility features visual art, installation, dance, theatre and storytelling for kids, film and more. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 24, see website for venues, dates and times. Various prices, many events free. abilitiesartsfestival.org.

DEATH IN VENICE by Benjamin Britten (Canadian Opera Company). The opera based on Thomas Mann’s novel is performed in English. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 6, Oct 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and Nov 3 at 7:30 pm, mats Oct 31 at 2 pm and Nov 6 at 4:30 pm. $62-$281. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper). Having lost his job in his twilight years, a man confronts his failure to achieve the American Dream. Previews Oct 16-20. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Nov 13, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm (see website for other times). $31.20-$75.33. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**DRACULA – A LOVE STORY by Sharyl Hudson (BTW). Follow actors through the castle’s historic halls in this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel. Oct 22 at 8 pm (and Nov 4-5). $39.95.Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. 416-923-1171, casaloma.org.

**FESTIVAL OF ORAL LITERATURES (Dan Yashinsky/Lisa Pijuan-Nomura). Spoken word and storytelling are blended with dance, theatre, puppetry and more, featuring Evalyn Parry, Chris Gibbs, the National Theatre of the World and others. Oct 21-24, see website for schedule and locations. $15-$30, some free events. foolfestival.ca.

**MADHOUSE VARIATONS by Eric Woolfe (Eldritch Theatre). Horrific scenes from a mental asylum are re-enacted using puppets. Previews Oct 23-24. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Nov 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm (plus Oct 30 at 10:30 pm), mats Oct 31, Nov 6-7 at 2 pm. $20-$25, previews $15, Sun pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, eldritchtheatre.ca.

**MATCHBOX MACBETH adapted by Matthew Walker (Litmus Theatre). Four actors perform and eerie and magical version of the classic in a backyard shed. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Oct 31, Thu-Sun 7 and 9 pm. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Secret Venue in Little Italy. matchboxmacbeth.blogspot.com.

MOONSHINE by Jim Nolan (Toronto Irish Players). A village undertaker struggles to stage a Shakespeare play and fulfill his dreams. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Nov 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $18. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-440-2888, torontoirishplayers.org.

**OPERA 101: DEATH IN VENICE (Canadian Opera Company). Brent Bambury and guests discuss the COC’s upcoming production of the Benjamin Britten opera. Oct 20 at 7:30 pm. Free.Duke Of Westminster, 77 Adelaide W. coc.ca.

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 Oct 9 and runs to Dec 26, Sat 11 am and 1 pm, Sun 1 pm. $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.

**PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott (Mirvish). Three friends take a battered bus across the Australian outback, looking for love and friendship. Previews Oct 12-24. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Jan 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $20-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

PULL THE CHUTE (portrait of a lady theatre). Two one-act plays by Laura Cassis and Natalie Urquhart are performed. Opens Oct 19 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 3:30 pm. $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

RAMBLINGS OF A GENTLEMAN SCUMBAG (John Murdock). Murdock performs his solo show about a balloon guy at a NYC drag bar. Oct 22 at 8 and 10 pm. $10. The Sixth, 1642 Queen W. hutch4u@hotmail.com.

REVELATIONS by Jason Morneau and Damien Gulde (Agawa Sapphire Productions). Four strangers visiting a therapist become the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Nov 2, Sun-Tue 8 pm (except Oct 17 and 31 at 3 pm). $10-$12. Bad Dog Theatre, 138 Danforth. unclemaoandtheredstarreview@yahoo.ca.

ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in Action). This adaptation for young audiences sets the story in a modern, culturally diverse city. Opens Oct 15 and runs to Nov 6, see website for schedule. $15, stu/srs $12. Central Commerce CI, 570 Shaw. 416-703-4881, shakespeareinaction.org.

SHINE (Movement Centre). New works in dance, comedy, music and theatre are performed by Jen Hum, Winston Spear, Simla Civelek, Lo Bill, Carolyn Bennett, host Mike Sobreira and others. Oct 15-17 at 8 pm. $10. 2480 Dun

**THE ANDERSEN PROJECT by Robert Lepage (Canadian Stage Company/Ex Machina). An artist explores questions of sexual identity and unfulfilled fantasies in this multimedia solo show. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Oct 30, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$92. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

**THE GIRLS WHO SAW EVERYTHING by Sean Dixon (Ryerson Theatre School). A book club explores life and death, love, identity and belonging through an ancient epic. Previews Oct 13 at 8 pm. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Nov 12, see website for schedule. $18, stu/srs $14. Abrams Studio Theatre, 46 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

**THE INVISIBLE GIRL by Michele Riml (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). A girl learns about perceptions of fashion and beauty after being shunned by her popular friends. Previews Oct 12. Opens Oct 13 and runs to Oct 23, see website for schedule. $10-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.

**THE LIST by Jennifer Tremblay (Nightwood Theatre/Canadian Stage). A busy woman neglects a friend’s request and inadvertently causes her death. Previews Oct 11-13. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Nov 6, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$49, limited Mon pwyc.Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, nightwoodtheatre.net.

THE MIDDLE PLACE by Andrew Kushnir (Theatre Passe Muraille). Based on Project: Humanity interviews, the stories of homeless youth are brought to the stage. Previews Oct 21-23. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Nov 20, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM by Enda Walsh (MacKenzieRo). Three sisters in a remote fishing village in Ireland are obsessed by dark memories. Opens Oct 8 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $26, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, mackenziero.com.

TWISTED ELEGANCE by Jason Murray (Upstage Productions/pivotal(arts) theatre). A reclusive student must interact with a popular girl, forcing each one to examine their choices. Opens Oct 19 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $8-$12. Unit 102 Theatre, 46 Noble. twistedelegance.eventbrite.com.

UNITY (1918) by Kevin Kerr (Ryerson Theatre School). A small town in Saskatchewan is hit with the Spanish Flu after WWI. Previews Oct 20 at 8 pm. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Nov 13, see website for schedule. $18, stu/srs $14. Abrams Studio Theatre, 46 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

WICKED by Stephen Sondheim and Winnie Holzman (Mirvish). The hit musical revealing the backstory of the witches of Oz returns. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$129. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Already Reviewed by MoT:

**BILLY TWINKLE: REQUIEM FOR A GOLDEN BOY by Ronnie Burkett (Factory Theatre). A puppeteer evaluates his life and rekindles his passion after losing his job. Previews Sep 24-26. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$48, previews $15-$25, Sun pwyc. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

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. Opens Sep 10 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed and Sat 2 pm. $35-$65. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, lovelossonstage.ca.

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 Dec 19, 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.

SOULSEEK by Ognen Georgievski (Birdland Theatre). Music, video and theatre help tell the story of a woman’s journey to find love and reinvent her destiny. Opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 23, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $30, stu/srs $20. Walmer Centre Theatre, 188 Lowther. 416-504-7529, birdlandtheatre.com.

**THE CLOCKMAKER by Stephen Massicotte (Tarragon Theatre). A man is intrigued by a married woman who brings a broken clock to his shop. Previews Sep 14-21. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$44, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*