Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of June 27, 2011

Here’s what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. Get out there and see a show during the week of June 27th, 2011:

** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Wayne, our managing editor, wish he could exist in multiple parallel universes so he could check them all out.

Already covered by MoT

**BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR by Eric Peterson and John Gray (Soulpepper Theatre Company). Soulpepper remounts its hit production about the famous WWI fighter pilot. Previews Jun 1. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Aug 4, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $22 (stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL by Lee Hall and Elton John (Mirvish). A boy leaves boxing for ballet while his family struggles with economic troubles in small-town England. Previews Feb 1-28. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Sep 3, Tue 7 pm, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $36-$130. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

CODEX NOCTURNO (Kadozuke Kollektif). The collective presents a multimedia fusion of theatre and performance art about dreams and fallen angels. Opens Jun 10 and runs to Jul 3, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $25, stu $20. Imagefoundry, 1581 Dupont. 647-367-1015, zuke.ca.

SOMETHING RED by Tom Walmsley (Red Root Collective). A sexual secret is revealed as two couples drink and play games. Opens Jun 16 and runs to Jul 2, Wed-Sun 8 pm (post-show cabarets Jun 16, 24 and Jul 2). $20, Sun PWYC. Meta Gallery, 124 Ossington. secureaseat.com.

And the rest…

9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL by Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick (Dancap Productions). A group of secretaries plot revenge against their sexist boss in this adaptation of the 80s film. Opens Jun 29 and runs to Jul 10, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (no show Jul 1; see website for additional times). $41-$154. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare (Urban Bard). The company presents the classic comedy outdoors. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jul 2, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm (no show Jul 1). PWYC ($15 sugg). Dundee Place Courtyard, 1 Adelaide E. urbanbard.ca.

BITCH SALAD GIVES BACK Queer Pride 2011 presents Drew Droege (as Chloe Sevigny), the Cheeto Girls, Dini Dimakos, Rebecca Kohler, Allyson Smith, host Andrew Johnston and others. Jul 1 8 pm. $20 (partial proceeds to AIDS committee of Toronto and Buddies). Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts). Craig Lauzon and Michaela Washburn host the annual theatre, dance and opera awards. Jun 27 at 8 pm. $65, VIP tickets $165. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, tapa.ca.

**GAVIN CRAWFORD’S MENAGE Cirque du Sogay and Queer Pride 2011 present the character comedian in a live show. Opens Jun 28 8 pm. $15-$20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

GLAM! PRIDE EDITION (Topher McFarlane). This variety show features comedy, music, dance and more by Vong Sundara, the Kinky Kabaret, Vicki Licks and others. Jun 27 at 8 pm. $10 (all proceeds to the LGBT Youth Line). Supermarket, 268 Augusta. glamcabaret.blogspot.com

HOMO NIGHT IN CANADA Glam Glam Productions and Queer Pride 2011 present queer comedy w/ Kristen Becket, Vicki Licks, Ian Lynch, Vong Sundara, David Tomlinson, Zoe Whittall, Dawn Whitwell, host Richard Ryder and others. Opens Jul 2 8 pm. $25 (proceeds to CAMH and Buddies). Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, glam-glam.com.

**MUSIC INSPIRED BY SHAKESPEARE (BlackCreek Summer Music Festival). Dame Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons recite verses as the Castleton Festival Orchestra and Chorus perform. Jun 29 at 8 pm. $45-$125. Rexall Centre, 1 Shoreham. blackcreekfestival.com.

NEARLY LEAR Adapted from Shakespeare by Susanna Hamnett and Edith Tankus (Red Sandcastle Theatre). Hamnett performs a solo show based on King Lear using storytelling, film and music. Opens Jun 24 and runs to Jul 3, Fri-Sun 7 pm (no show Jul 1). $12 (opening gala $27). 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411. redsandcastletheatre.com

**O MANADA! (Boylesque T.O.). The all-male burlesque troupe presents a Canadian-themed show and Pride party. Jul 1 at 9 pm. $20. Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor W. boylesqueto.com.

ON THE PULSE (Harbourfront Centre). This celebration of discovery and surprise in the arts includes hoop dance and Cumbia workshops, improv and theatre games, Maori arts and more. Jul 2-3, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

SIDE BY SIDE WITH SONUS (Sonus Stage Productions). The company presents a cabaret funder for its upcoming production with performances by Janna Polzin, Kelly Holiff and others. Jun 27 at 8:30 pm. $15. Smiling Buddha, 961 College. sonusstageproductions.ca.

SVADBA – WEDDING by Ana Sokolovic (Queen of Puddings Music Theatre). Folk tales and traditions surround a woman the night before her wedding in this opera performed in Serbian with English surtitles. Opens Jun 24 and runs to Jul 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm (no show Jul 1). $49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, queenofpuddingsmusictheatre.com.

**THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams (Soulpepper). A broken family struggles to fulfill their dreams in this memory play. Previews Jul 1-5. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Sep 10, see website for schedule. $45-$65, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST by Oscar Wilde (Brant Theatre Workshops). Victorian manners and morals are exposed in this comedy performed in the castle’s gardens. Jun 27-29, Mon-Wed 8 pm. $20. Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. 416-923-1171, casaloma.org.

THE WAR & PEACE MARATHON (tiny bird theatre/Sore for Punching You). Leo Tolstoy’s entire novel will be read for 55 uninterrupted hours by members of the arts community. Jun 28-30, from Tue 9 am until Thu 5 pm. Free. Nathan Phillips Square, SW corner near Winston Churchill statue, 100 Queen W. tinybird.ca.

**THE WINTER’S TALE by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Dream in High Park). A jealous king puts his wife on trial in this outdoor production. Opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 4, Tue-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg); under 14 free. High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. canadianstage.com/dream.

TRANSCENDENTAL MIRROR: THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW (Waterfalls). This weekly show offers live music and painting, improv, dance, theatre, comedy and more. every Thu 9 pm $5. 303 Augusta. ultimatevarietyshow.blogspot.com.

VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF SODOM by Charles Busch (Pandemic Theatre). Two vengeful vampires travel through time and feud with each other in this theatrical burlesque play. Opens Jun 23 and runs to Jul 2, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and Sat 11 pm; no show Jul 1). $25-$50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, pandemictheatre.ca.

VIVA CABARET (Queer Pride 2011). Yura Ruzhyev performs a cabaret tribute show to Cher, Madonna and other divas. Jun 29 at 8 pm. $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, rushow.ru.