Cheap Theatre in Toronto for the Week of April 23, 2012

Five For Twenty (or Less)

This week’s cheap theatre post lists five plays that are $20 or under per ticket. Watch two modern-day versions of Shakespeare’s works, a classic by William Faulkner, a funny folk rock musical, and a drama about the life of John Merrick.


AS I LAY DYING by William Faulkner (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). A family hauls their matriarch’s corpse across the Mississippi countryside to honour her dying wish in this workshop production. Opens Apr 19 and runs to Apr 29. $15 (Apr 26 fundraiser gala $45, stu $22). Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, theatrecentre.org.

PAPER LACED WITH GOLD by Maggie MacDonald (Paper Laced Productions/HATCH). A waitress recognizes the man trying to steal her car as a kid she used to babysit in this folk-rock musical. Apr 28 at 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $12. Harbourfront Centre, Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in Action). This adaptation for young audiences sets the story in a modern, culturally diverse city. Apr 28 at 2 pm. $18, stu/srs $15. Central Commerce CI Theatre, 570 Shaw. 416-703-4881, shakespeareinaction.org.

THE ELEPHANT MAN by Bernard Pomerance (The Bench Theatre Initiative). Appearance versus reality and the limits of charity are explored in this drama about the life of John Merrick. Opens Apr 20 and runs to May 12. $12-$15. Sanctuary, 25 Charles E. thebenchtheatre.com.

TWELFTH NIGHT, OR, WHATEVER by William Shakes (Snobbish Theatre). Wear neon and become part of the play at this rave-inspired party adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy. Opens Apr 16 and runs to Apr 25. $15, stu $10. Breakout Studios, 1541 Bayview. snobbishtheatre.com.