Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of October 10, 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
**ANOTHER AFRICA by Deborah Asiimwe, Binyavanga Wainaina and Roland Schimmelpfennig (Canadian Stage/Volcano Theatre). This play trilogy examines the multi-faceted relationship between Africa and the West. Previews Sep 26-28. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 22, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
CHESS THE MUSICAL by Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Mirvish). Two great chess masters vie for a championship and the love of one woman. Previews Sep 24-27. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $35-$175. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE! (AND OTHER LIES) Second City presents its latest sketch revue about the things we tell ourselves to get through life. Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8 & 10:30 pm, Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
**HIS GREATNESS by Daniel MacIvor (Independent Artists Repertory Theatre). This play is based on two days in 1980 when Tennessee Williams was in Vancouver for the opening of one of his plays. Previews Sep 20-21. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 3 pm. $40-$60, preview $20, limited pwyc Sun. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY by Sarah Ruhl (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). A doctor’s use of a newfangled medical device draws curiosity from his wife. Previews Sep 13-20. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Oct 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm (no mats Sep 17, Oct 15, Oct 22). $20-$47. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS by Christoph Willibald Gluck (Canadian Opera Company). The tragic opera based on a story from Greek mythology is performed in French. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 15, Sep 22, 28, Oct 4, 7, 12 and 15 at 7:30 pm, Sep 25 at 2 pm, Oct 1 at 4:30 pm. $12-$318. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
PRIVATE LIVES by Noël Coward (Mirvish). Exes meet at the same hotel while honeymooning with new spouses. Previews Sep 16-24. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $35-$175. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
**RIGOLETTO by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). A jester avenges his seduced daughter with tragic consequences in this Italian opera. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 22, Oct 5, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20 and 22 at 7:30 pm, Oct 2 and 16 at 2 pm, Oct 8 at 4:30 pm. $12-$318. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.
**SEX, RELIGION & OTHER HANG-UPS by James Gangl (Gangland Productions). Gangl performs his solo comedy from the Fringe about dealing with sexuality and strict beliefs. Previews Oct 4-5. Opens Oct 6 and runs to Oct 22, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7 and 9 pm. $15-$25. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, sexhangup.com.
THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller (Ryerson Theatre School). Young women dancing around a fire leads to panic and conflict in the small community of Salem. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 13, Tue-Fri 8 pm, Sat 2 pm. $18, stu/srs $14. Abrams Studio Theatre, 46 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.
THE ODD COUPLE by Neil Simon (Soulpepper). A meticulous man and his sloppy roommate try to coexist in a small apartment in this comedy. Previews Sep 22. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Nov 19, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**THE PRICE by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper). Two estranged brothers reunite in a condemned house to sell their father’s possessions. Previews Aug 29-Sep 1. Opens Sep 2 and runs to Oct 22, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
THE UGLY ONE by Marius von Mayenburg (Theatre Smash). A man enjoys his new beauty until his plastic surgeon offers his face to others in this black comedy. Previews Sep 30-Oct 2. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $18-$34. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com
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 21, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
And the Rest
A WORLD TO SHAKE Ballet Jörgen presents an all-ages dance story about a girl who finds adventures in her future. Oct 16 at 2 pm. $15-$25. George Brown College, Bldg C, BJC Studio, 160 Kendal. 416-978-8849, balletjorgencanada.ca.
BITTER TEA Little Pear Garden Collective presents Chinese contemporary dance. Oct 14-15 at 7:30 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-504-6429, littlepeargarden.com.
DANCER: THE STORY OF AN IMMIGRANT (MariProject). This show combines visual art, music and theatre. Oct 14 at 8 pm. $20. Studio 561, 561 Bloor W. mari-project.com
EROS, THANATOS & THE AVANT-GARDE – THE CABARET SERIES Rivoli presents music, dance and more with Anjelica Scannura and Ritmo Flamenco, Hip Kik, Valeriya Korobko, Winston Spear and others. Oct 12 at 9 pm. $10-$12. 332 Queen W. 416-553-1352, dancetodansefestival@hotmail.com.
GHOSTS by Henrik Ibsen (Soulpepper). A woman’s decision to stay with her cheating husband comes back to haunt her. Previews Oct 10-13. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Nov 18, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
**HARDSELL by Rick Miller (WYRD/Necessary Angel). This multimedia solo show takes a satirical look at consumerism. Opens Oct 13 and runs to Oct 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$55. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
INFINITUM by Melissa Major (The Cheshire Unicorn). Performers draw from the aerial arts, butoh and contortion to explore the concepts of infinity and repetition. Previews Sep 29. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 16, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun 2 pm (no show Oct 9), Wed 2:30 pm. $25, stu $15. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. 416-538-1772, cheshireunicorn.com.
I SEND YOU THIS CADMIUM RED Art of Time Ensemble and Canadian Stage present a stage exploration of the correspondence between artist John Berger and filmmaker John Christie paired with a pas-de-deux by James Kudelka. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 22, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.
MATCHBOX MACBETH by William Shakespeare and the company (Litmus Theatre). Music, shadow play and trickery are used to tell the classic tale of witchcraft and murder. Opens Oct 13 and runs to Oct 30, Thu-Sun 7 and 9 pm. $15. Secret Location, revealed with ticket purchase. litmustheatre.com.
MONSTER MAKERS (Mammalian Diving Reflex). This interactive performance for children and parents looks at the perils of success and the freedom of failure. Oct 13-16, Thu-Sat 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15, child $10. Harbourfront Centre, harbourfrontcentre.com.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare (Single Thread Theatre Company). The romantic comedy gets a site-specific staging at the historic house and gardens. Previews Sep 28-29. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 15, Wed-Sat (and Oct 16) 8 pm (no show Oct 1). $20. Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd. singlethread.ca.
MURDER ON OSSINGTON by Tom Arthur Davis and Alex Rubin (Pandemic Theatre). Inspired by true events, this psychological drama explores themes of violence from different perspectives. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Oct 30, Fri-Sun 8 pm. Pwyc (must reserve). Secret Location, revealed with ticket purchase. tix@pandemictheatre.ca.
MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH & I’M IN THERAPY by Steve Solomon (Philip Roger Roy/Dana Matthow/Bud Martin). Solomon performs his solo show about growing up in a wacky, bi-ethnic family. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Jan 1, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $51.50-$56. Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 1-855-985-2787, italianjewish.ca.
NAME IN VAIN (DECALOGUE TWO) by André Alexis (Tarragon Theatre). A monk breaks his vow of silence and the second commandment, sending the brotherhood into upheaval. Previews Oct 4-18. Opens Oct 19 and runs to Oct 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and Oct 22, 29) at 2:30 pm. $15-$22. ExtraExtra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
SATURDAY NIGHT CABARET SERIES (Soulpepper Theatre Company). Derek Boyes and Mike Ross host a weekly arts talk-show cabaret. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 15, Sat 10 pm. $10. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.
SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM (Sonus Stage Productions). This musical revue features well-known and obscure works by Stephen Sondheim. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. Walmer Centre Theatre, 188 Lowther. sonusstageproductions.ca.
STRIA Chartier Danse, DanceWorks CoWorks and Harbourfront NextSteps present a solo by Marie-Josée Chartier inspired by the terrain of the Badlands. Oct 14-15 at 8 pm. $28, stu/srs $23. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
THE GREEN DOOR CABARET SERIES (Lower Ossington Theatre). The series features words and music by Louise Pitre, W Joseph Matheson and Diane Leah on Friday, and A Weimar Kabarett with Bremner Duthie on Saturday. Oct 14-15 at 8 pm. $20-$30. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.
THE JONES BOY by Tom Walmsley (surface/underground theatre). Heroin addicts and hookers struggle to survive in this drama. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 15, Tue-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8 and 10 pm, Sun 2 pm (no show Oct 14). $20, Sun pwyc (partial proceeds to CAMH). Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor W. thejonesboy2011@gmail.com.
THE NORMAL HEART by Larry Kramer (Studio 180 Theatre). A group of friends refuse to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth about the AIDS epidemic in early 80s NYC. Previews Oct 14-15. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$35. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, studio180theatre.com.
THOSE WHO CAN’T DO… by Erin Fleck (Theatre Passe Muraille). A sex scandal at a high school forces a teacher to confront her own perceptions of sexuality and shame. Previews Oct 6-8. Opens Oct 11 and runs to Oct 29, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$30, previews $15, mat pwyc. Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.
A WOMAN’S WORK Dance Matters presents works that explore the perception of women in society, featuring Olga Barrios, Stephanie Fromentin, Jasmyn Fyffe/Kyra Jean Green, Terril Maguire and Kate Nankervis. Oct 15-16 at 4 pm. $12, stu/srs $10. Pia Bouman Studio, 6 Noble. 416-556-0347, dancematters.ca.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*