Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of June 4, 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

Bugzzz – A Cautionary Tale by William Mackwood (Out of the Box Productions). In a post-human world, insects find a copy of Puccini’s Tosca and attempt to perform it in order to learn about humankind. Opens May 31 and runs to Jun 9. $17-$25. Wychwood Barns, 76 Wychwood. 416-537-4191, outoftheboxproductions.ca.

Home by David Storey (Soulpepper). The social interaction between five characters reveals their desire to belong and maintain human contact. Previews May 8-16. Opens May 17 and runs to Jun 20. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22/stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Kim’s Convenience by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). A Korean family in Toronto struggles with a bitter past and reconciliation. Opens May 17 and runs to Jun 9. $22-$68. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Live Wrong And Prosper Second City presents its latest revue of sketches, songs and improvisations. Wed-Sat 8 pm, plus Fri & Sat 10:30 pm, Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Lost In Yonkers by Neil Simon (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Marion Ross stars in Simon’s play about two boys who must live with their harsh grandmother. Previews May 12-16. Opens May 17 and runs to Jun 10. $42.50-$79.50. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, hgjewishtheatre.com.

Odysseo (Cavalia). Theatre artists and horses create a spectacle combining equestrian arts, stage arts and special effects. Opens May 15 and runs to Jun 17. $29.50-$119.50. White Big Top, 324 Cherry. 1-866-999-8111, cavalia.net.

Pieces by Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman (Cue6 Productions). The show’s script sequence is randomly drawn before each performance in this play about sex and betrayal. Opens May 24 and runs to Jun 9. $20-$30. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. cue6.ca.

The Hypochondriac by Molière (East Side Players). A man is obsessed with his imaginary ailments in this classic farce. Opens May 24 and runs to Jun 9. $20, stu $15. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-425-0917, eastsideplayers.ca.

**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 Sep 30. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

You Can’t Take It With You by George S Kaufman and Moss Hart (Soulpepper). An eccentric clan experiences unusual order when their daughter finds a fiancé from a conservative family. Previews Apr 19-25. Opens Apr 26 and runs to Jun 21. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22/stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

And the rest…

Asiansploitation Goes Deep Asiansploitation presents a new sketch comedy revue. Opens Jun 6 and runs to Jun 9. $20 (uofttix.ca). George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. 416-978-8849, asiansploitation.com.

Beastie Boys Ballet – Part 1 Toronto Buddhism presents dance by Smiling Flowers and MU-La Dancers in memory of Adam Yauch. Jun 9 at 3:30 pm. Free. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge. 416-604-5711.

Cabaret by Joe Masteroff, John Kander and Fred Ebb (CATS Mainstage Theatre Company). An American writer falls for a nightclub singer in Nazi-era Berlin. Jun 7-10. $30, stu $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, catsmainstage.com.

Dear World by Jerry Herman, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E Lee (Civic Light Opera Company). An eccentric old lady stands up to a corporation and saves the world in this musical. Opens May 23 and runs to Jun 9. $28. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, musictheatretoronto.com.

**Einstein On The Beach by Robert Wilson and Philip Glass (Luminato/Pomegranate Arts). This opera in four acts blends music, poetry and abstract dance to create a dreamlike experience. Jun 8-10. $25-$175. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminato.com/events/einstein.

Hamlet The National Ballet of Canada presents Kevin O’Day’s adaptation of the Shakespeare play. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jun 10. $25-$234. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

**InspiraTO Festival (Dominik Loncar). The annual festival of 10-minute plays presents works by Nina Ki, Robin Pond, Amina Henry, Greg Vovos, Nelson Yu, Stanley Toledo and others. Opens Jun 1 and runs to Jun 10. $12, four-show pass $38. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. inspiratofestival.ca.

**La Belle Et La Bête: A Contemporary Retelling by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon (Luminato/Lemieux Pilon 4D Art). Theatre, film, dance, visual art, poetry, music and sound are used to tell an archetypal story of the redemptive power of love. Opens Jun 8 and runs to Jun 12. $49-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminato.com/events/belle.

Laura’s Cow: The Legend of Laura Secord by Errol Gay and Michael Patrick Albano (Luminato/Canadian Children’s Opera Company). This opera for all ages celebrates the myth and the reality of an iconic Canadian heroine. Previews Jun 6-7. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 10. $35, srs $20, stu $15. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-368-4849, luminato.com/events/laura.

Native Sing And Dancing: The Importance Of Culture Native Canadian Centre of Toronto presents dancing, singing and drumming, followed by a discussion on preserving aboriginal culture and language. Jun 4 at 2 pm. Free. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge. 416-393-7172.

Rent by Jonathan Larson (Toronto Youth Theatre). Artists of NYC’s Lower East Side struggle to make ends meet in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic in this musical. Opens May 24 and runs to Jun 16. $45-$60. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

That 60’s Show (Bellbottom Productions). This multimedia musical revue revives the music, fashion and culture of the 1960s. Jun 9 at 8 pm. $30-$60. The Music Hall, 147 Danforth. ticketmaster.ca.

The Alpha Project (Luminato). British magician Banachek performs psychokinesis, telepathy, hypnotism and more. Jun 8-10. $35-$45. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.

The Green Door Cabaret Series (Lower Ossington Theatre). This series features cabaret performances by various artists. Opens May 11 and runs to Jun 9. $20-$30. 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com/cabaret.

The Lawyer Show: Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (Nightwood Theatre). Toronto lawyers perform the classic romance comedy in this funder for Nightwood. Jun 7-9. $55. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-944-1740 ext 5, nightwoodtheatre.net.

Top Gun! The Musical by Denis McGrath and Scott White (Lower Ossington Theatre). A director tries to keep his musical adaptation of the film afloat in this revival of the 2002 Fringe Fest hit musical. Opens Jun 8 and runs to Jun 29. $35. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Toronto Tango Festival Elizabeth Sadowska and Rhythm & Motion Dance Studio present a celebration of Argentine tango with workshops, practice sessions and performances. Jun 7-10. $10-$30, workshops extra, passes available. Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor W. 416-240-0808, torontotangofestival.com.

 

*Based on NOW Stage listings*