Cheap Theatre in Toronto for the Week of January 9, 2012

Five For Twenty (or Less)

This week’s cheap theatre post is a mixed bag of fun with a couple of comedies, a dance show, and a 1820s community looking for a Utopian ideal. And let’s not forget about the Next Stage festival that is still on for another week. This is your chance to see some of the best independent theatre in Toronto and we have reviewed it all, so read a review, take your pick and go see something awesome this week for under $20. 

CHINESE TRADITIONS: THEN AND NOW The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre presents classical and contemporary dance by the Little Pear Garden Collective. Jan 10 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

FOUR DOGS AND A BONE by John Patrick Shanley (Lyric Artist Alliance Co-op/AK Productions). Two female actors, a producer and a screenwriter vie for control of an art-house film in this satirical comedy. Previews Jan 9 at 8 pm. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20, preview $10. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. fourdogsandabone.com.

HENRI FABERGÉ’S HELIGOLAND FOLLIES (Stages). This monthly six-part performance series features music, comedy, film and narrative theatre about an 1820s community trying to reach a utopian ideal. Oct 6 at 9 pm. Nov 3 at 9 pm. Dec 1 at 10 pm (doors 9 pm). Jan 12 at 9 pm. Feb 2 at 9 pm. Mar 1 at 9 pm. Pwyc. Hart House, Arbor Room, 7 Hart House Circle. harthouse.utoronto.ca/arts/stages/henri.

IT’S A WONDERFUL STRIFE Second City Conservatory 6 Class presents a sketch comedy show to benefit the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada w/ Katie Beahen, Jeff Clark, Yitzi Gal, Deborah Ring and others. Dec 18 3 pm, Jan 12 11 pm. Pwyc. Second City, 51 Mercer. itsawonderfulstrife.com.

NEXT STAGE THEATRE FESTIVAL celebrates its fifth anniversary presenting today’s best independent theatre talent! The twelve-day festival, produced by the Toronto Fringe, gives theatre fans a jolt of summertime festival fun in the dead of winter (complete with a heated beer tent provided by McAuslan Brewing Co.) Tickets $12 to $15. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. http://www.fringetoronto.com/nstf/nstf_shows.html