Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of August 29, 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 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.
COME FLY AWAY Dancap Productions presents a dance-theatre piece by Twyla Tharp about four couples at a night club, featuring the music of Frank Sinatra. Previews Aug 16-17. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Aug 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $42-$135. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.
EXIT THE KING by Eugene Ionesco (Soulpepper). An aging king with a crumbling kingdom gets more bad news in this absurdist play. Previews Aug 6-15. Opens Aug 16 and runs to Sep 9, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**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 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.
**TOTEM by Robert Lepage (Cirque du Soleil). Music, dance, acrobatics and design are used to trace the journey of the human species from amphibians to its desire to fly. Opens Aug 10 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm (opening night 7:30 pm), mats Sun 1 & 5 pm, Fri-Sat 4 pm (no show Sep 6). $74-$249, stu/srs $67-$235, children under 12 $54-$208. Grand Chapiteau, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com.
TWEED A NEW CANADIAN MUSICAL by Tim Porter and Andre Morin (Iana Theatre Company). A couple’s new love is torn apart by the coming war in this play based on the history of the town of Tweed, Ontario. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Aug 27, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $28.25, stu/srs $25. Papermill theatre, 67 Pottery. Tweedthemusical.com.
And the Rest
ARTISTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE Canadian National Exhibition presents music and dance from around the world, with performances by Tango Soul, Grupo Chile, Jasenka, Orient Dance Co, Gilchrist Irish Dance School and many others. Opens Aug 19 and runs to Sep 5, see website for schedule. Free w/ admission. Direct Energy Centre, Hall B, 100 Princes Blvd, Exhibition Place. theex.com/concerts-events/artists-on-the-international-stage/
CHURCH GIRL by Angela Barrow-Dunlap (Profile Entertainment). A pastor’s daughter is seduced by the material world and her secret life is revealed in this musical stage play. Aug 12-13 at 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. Sep 2-3, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $48-$98. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-250-8500, ticketmaster.ca.
FUNK FO YO FEET 2011 Fantastic Poppers presents a popping and locking urban dance competition and show. Sep 3. $20-$25. Trinity St. Paul’s Church, 427 Bloor W. fantasticpoppers@hotmail.com.
IMPATIENT THEATRE CO presents improv by its students. 7 pm. Free. House Party, scenes by ITC teams. 8 pm. $10. Munchausen, rapid-fire improv based on true stories. 10 pm. Aug 17, Aug 31. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-238-7337, impatient.ca.
**LAB CAB FESTIVAL (Lab Cab). This festival of dance, theatre, music, comedy, film, art and more features Shadowland Theatre, Newton Moraes, Gadfly Dance, Sara Farb, Morro & Jasp, Sarah Carver and others. Sep 3-4, noon to 6 pm. Free. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. labcab.ca
PETER AND THE WOLF by Sergei Prokofiev (Theatre Rusticle). On the eve of Peter’s death, he and the Wolf recall their lives in this adult version of the children’s story. Previews Sep 3-5, Sat and Mon 7:30 pm. Opens Sep 6 and runs to Sep 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22, stu/srs $15, previews $5-$10, mat pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, theatrerusticle.org.
SKETCHCOMEDYLOUNGE Rivoli presents The Twitter Gong Show! w/ judges Matt O’Brien, Rob Bebenek, Garret Jamieson, and host Mark DeBonis. Opens Aug 30 9 pm. Pwyc. 332 Queen W. sketchcomedylounge.com.
THE PANEL SHOW MegaShark Productions presents a comedy quiz show w/ Ron Sparks, Rhonda Riche, Mike Kiss, Chris Leveille, Ned Petrie and others. Aug 30 8 pm. $5. Hard Luck Bar, 812 Dundas W. hardluckbar.com.
**THE PRICE by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper). Two estranged brothers meet in a condemned house to sell their father’s possessions and discover that actions, memories, and regret have more of a price than any family heirlooms ever could. Opens Aug 29 and runs to Oct 6, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
WHITE BITING DOG by Judith Thompson (Soulpepper). A suicidal lawyer on a bridge is advised by a talking dog. Previews Aug 13-17. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Oct 1, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*