Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of February 27, 2012: ** 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

Dani Girl by Christopher Dimond and Michael Kooman (Talk is Free Theatre/Show One Productions). A young girl with leukemia goes on a magical journey to reclaim her health in this musical. Previews Feb 16-17. Opens Feb 18 and runs to Mar 4. $33. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, tift.ca.

Forbidden Broadway by Gerard Alessandri (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical revue salutes and spoofs famous musicals. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 10. $28. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.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.

**High Life by Lee MacDougall (Soulpepper). An unlikely group of masterminds plan ‘the perfect crime,’ with dangerous and comic results. Previews Feb 13-20. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 28. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22/stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Hughie by Eugene O’Neill (The Alley Theatre Workshop). A night clerk at a NYC hotel hears a small-time hustler’s tale of woe in this one-act play. Previews Feb 7. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Mar 3. $25, stu/srs $20. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill (Soulpepper). O’Neill’s story of isolation, addiction and despair reveals a day in the life of his own family. Previews Feb 14-22. Opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 28. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22/stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti (Toronto Opera Repertoire). This story of tragic love, set during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, is performed in Italian with surtitles. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Mar 3. $25, stu/srs $15. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, toronto-opera.com.

Obeah Opera by Nicole Brooks (b current Performing Arts/Theatre Archipelago). Based on historical texts about the Salem witch trials, this opera tells the story of five women accused of abominable spiritual acts. Previews Feb 16-19. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 4. $25, stu/srs $20. 918 Bathurst Cultural Centre, 918 Bathurst. 416-533-1500, bcurrent.ca.

Penny Plain by Ronnie Burkett (Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes). A reclusive old woman’s sanctuary is disrupted by a chaotic outside world. Previews Jan 20-22. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Mar 4. $38-$55. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Potted Potter by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner (Starvox Entertainment/Potted Productions). Clarkson and Turner use costumes, props and music to perform all seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes. Previews Feb 11-12. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 4. $29.95-$99.95. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 1-800-461-3333, mirvish.com.

The Big Smoke by Amy Nostbakken and Nir Paldi (Theatre Ad Infinitum Canada/Why Not Theatre). This solo a cappella performance is inspired by the lives of Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. Previews Feb 21. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 4. $25, stu/srs $18, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh (Toronto Irish Players). A young priest tries to resolve violent disputes between two brothers following their father’s death. Opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 10. $20, stu/srs $18; opening night $50. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. torontoirishplayers.com.

The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar (Toronto Opera Repertoire). A rich widow’s trip worries those who want her money in this comic operetta. Opens Feb 17 and runs to Mar 4. $25, stu/srs $15. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, toronto-opera.com.

And the Rest

Black History Month And The Politics Of Playwriting (Obsidian Theatre). Panel discussion with George Elliot Clarke, Marcia Johnson and others. Feb 27 at 6 pm. Free. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. obsidiantheatre.blogspot.com.

Can I Really Date A Guy Who Wears A Yarmulke? by Amy Holson-Schwartz (TEATRON Theatre). A secular PhD candidate meets a religious Zionist doctor in this romantic comedy. Opens Feb 29 and runs to Mar 11. $31-$48, stu/srs $26-$30, preview $19. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, teatrontheatre.com.

Carla Collins The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents the actor/comic in a live show. Mar 2-3. $20-$25. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/227410.

**Dark Matters Canadian Stage and Kidd Pivot Frankfurt RM present a theatrical fable combining dance and puppetry, choreographed by Crystal Pite. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 3. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Dido And Aeneas by Henry Purcell (York U Faculty of Fine Arts). Students of the music, theatre and dance programs perform the tragic baroque opera. Mar 1-2 at 7:30 pm. $17, stu/srs $12. York University Accolade E Bldg, 4700 Keele. 416-736-5888.

**Entity Harbourfront World Stage and Random Dance present choreography by Wayne McGregor blending bodies, technology and film. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 3. $45, srs $36. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Four At The Winch Quebec Toronto Dance Theatre presents works by Estelle Clareton, Lina Cruz, Deborah Dunn and Jean-Sébastien Lourdais. Opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 3. $20-$26, Sun pwyc. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-967-1365, tdt.org.

Fragments – Volume 1 DanceWorks and Harbourfront NextSteps present a collage of miniatures by Sylvain Emard Danse, co-produced with Canadian Dance Festival and the Goethe-Institut. Mar 3 at 8 pm. $28-$33.50, stu/srs $19-$22.50. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

**Free As Injuns by Tara Beagan (Native Earth Performing Arts). This poetic drama looks at blood ties, entitlement, inheritance and legacy. Previews Feb 28-29. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 18. $10-$20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, nativeearth.ca.

Funkyland (Famous People Players). The blacklight theatre company presents a twist on Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland. Opens Jan 24 and runs to Apr 28. $62, srs $56, child $40 (includes meal). 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

Ghetto Thuperthtar: A Speech Impediment Cabaret (Nathan Carroll). Carroll presents a show with Hailey Gillis, Fraser Elsdon and Chris Tsujiuchi. Mar 2 at 9 pm. $10, stu $6. Free Times Cafe, 320 College. 416-967-1078.

La Fille Mal Gardée The National Ballet of Canada presents Sir Frederick Ashton’s version of the ballet about young love. Opens Feb 29 and runs to Mar 4. $25-$234. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

La Liste by Jennifer Tremblay (Théâtre français de Toronto/Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui). A woman neglects a neighbour’s request and inadvertently causes her death. Previews Feb 29-Mar 1. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 4. $33-$48, srs $28-$41. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com.

Mosaic Storytelling Festival (The Open Door East End Arts Collective). Lorne Brown presents Canadian folk songs and folk tales in this interactive performance. Mar 4 at 3 pm. Pwyc ($5 sugg). St David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands. 416-466-3142, stdavidstoronto.ca/mosaic/mosaic.html.

Move(me.)ant by Dan Pelletier (Theatre Glendon). This adaptation of Peter Weiss’s Marat/Sade looks at the Occupy Wall Street movement. Performances will also be livestreamed online. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 3. $10, stu $5. Glendon Campus Theatre, 2275 Bayview. 416-487-6822, facebook.com/OccupyTheatreGlendon.

Older & Reckless #25 MOonhORsE Dance Theatre presents short works by Serge Bennethan, Susie Burpee, David Earle, James Kudelka, Davida Monk, Sylvie Bouchard, Karen Kaeja, Claudia Moore and Coleman Lemieux. Mar 2-4. $22, stu/srs $18. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. danceumbrella.eventbrite.com.

**Paprika Festival (Tarragon Theatre). This festival presents new works by emerging artists, alumni and more, including works by Evan Vipond, Rosamund Small, Josh Korngut, the Creators’ Unit and more. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 10. $5, Occupy Paprika $20. Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, paprikafestival.com. 

**Seeds by Annabel Soutar (Crow’s Theatre/Porte Parole). A Canadian farmer battles a biotech giant in court in this documentary play about the future of food. Previews Feb 18-21. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 10. $10-$35. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666,crowstheatre.com. 

Speakeasy (Les Coquettes). The cabaret theatre company presents burlesque, music and more inspired by vintage NYC nightclubs in a dinner theatre show. Mar 4. Mar 7. Mar 18. $35-$85. Revival, 783 College. lescoquettes.com.

Starship Pinafore: The Lass Who Loved A Trekkie (North Toronto Players). Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore is fused with Star Trek in this adaptation. Opens Feb 24 and runs to Mar 4. $27, srs $22, stu $10. York Woods Library, 1785 Finch W. northtorontoplayers.com.

The Campbell House Story by Alex Dault (Single Thread Theatre Company). This walking-tour play of one of Toronto’s oldest buildings takes the audience back to 1827 and the politics of the time. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 17. $20 (totix.ca). Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. singlethread.ca.

The Lost Sagas Of Tjorvi The Flaccid by Jiv Parasram (Pandemic Theatre). This farcical tale of an insecure Viking warlord explores society’s obsession with power and libido. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 10. $10-$15. Unit 102 Studio, 376 Dufferin. pandemictheatre.ca.

The Neverending Story based on a novel by Michael Ende, adapted by David S Craig (Roseneath Theatre). A bullied boy seeks refuge in books and is drawn into an epic adventure. Previews Feb 27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 17. $10-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

**The Night Of The Iguana by Tennessee Williams (Hart House Theatre). Sexual tension and soul searching surround a defrocked minister as he leads female tourists around 1940s Mexico. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 10. $25, stu/srs $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, harthousetheatre.ca.

The Open Couple by Dario Fo and Franca Rame (G&T Productions Co-op). This satire looks at gender politics and the evolving nature of marriage. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Feb 27. $22, stu/srs $15. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

The Producers by Mel Brooks (Chicken Coop Theatre/Oy Oy Productions). The hit musical is staged to benefit the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Mar 3-4. $36-$72. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. algreentheatre.ca.

The Small Room At The Top Of The Stairs by Carole Fréchette (Tarragon Theatre). A woman debates entering her husband’s secret room. Previews Feb 29-Mar 6. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Apr 8. $21-$51. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

This Wide Night by Chloë Moss (Mermaid Parade). Two women just out of prison try to survive and connect with the outside world. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 17. $20, stu/srs $15, Sun pwyc. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

**War Horse based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford (National Theatre of Great Britain/Mirvish). An English boy sets out to find his horse after it’s sold to the cavalry and shipped off to France during WWI. Previews Feb 10-27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Jun 30. $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Zero Hour by Jim Brochu (Lia and Danna Matthow). This solo show looks at the art, humour, temper and wit of Jewish artist Zero Mostel. Previews Feb 8. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Mar 11. $59-$69.50. Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 1-855-985-2787, zerohourshow.com.

 

*Listing based on NOW stage listings*