Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of June 11, 2012

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of June 11, 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

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 Jul 4. $22-$68. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.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.

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

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.

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.

**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…

APPRENTICE TO MURDER (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). This dinner-theatre whodunit features corporate back-stabbing and boardroom intrigue. Opens Apr 20 and runs to Sep 15. $66-$71. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.

BLACK CORPS: WAR OF 1812 Afro-Caribbean Dance Group presents music and dance about 35 black men who fought for Canada in the War of 1812, choreographed by Anthony ‘Prime’ Guerra. Jun 14-16. $25, stu/srs $15. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

CHROMA/SONG OF A WAYFARER/ELITE SYNCOPATIONS The National Ballet of Canada presents choreographies by Wayne McGregor, Maurice Béjart and Sir Kenneth McMillan. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 17. $25-$234. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

CLASSY LADY (Sandra Battaglini). Canadian Comedy Award-winner Battaglini performs her new solo show. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 24. $25. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-591-1417, sandrabattaglini.com.

DERANGED by Angela Barrow-Dunlap and Vanessa Lynn (Profile Entertainment). A seemingly perfect nanny deceives a young mother while moving in on her husband and kids. Jun 15-16 at 8 pm. $35-$75. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-226-4477, profileent.ca.

EDWARD BOND FESTIVAL (Sheep No Wool Theatre Company). Playwright Edward Bond will attend this exploration of his work and vision. Events include a symposium, an interactive workshop presentation of Have I None, a reading series and a student showcase. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 20. Workshop presentation $20, other events pwyc. edwardbondfestival.wordpress.com.

FOLLOW YOUR FEAR DAY (Todd Charron). Watch Charron follow his own fear by performing a solo improvised set and listen to others talk about their experiences conquering fears. Jun 15 at 8 pm. $12-$20. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. followyourfearday.com.

FREE JANE (Queer Pride 2012/Cabaret Company). Sky Gilbert hosts the annual show featuring a reading of a new play by Hope Thompson, followed by an open stage. Jun 17 at 8 pm. Free.Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

FROM THE DARK (Luminato). Juan Esteban Varella directs a blindfolded audience to create magical feats. Jun 15-17. $35. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.

FUNNY GIRLS AND DYNAMIC DIVAS Sistering presents its annual comedy and music benefit w/ Sandra Shamas, host Elvira Kurt and musical guests. Jun 14 6 pm. $75. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, sistering.org.

GENDERQUEER: BODY POLITIC (Queer Pride 2012/Cabaret Company). Nick Green’s play about the rise and fall of queer publication The Body Politic gets a reading. Jun 16 at 2 pm. Pwyc.Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

HEARTBEATS Dramaway presents a dance review featuring RhythmWorks East and West groups as part of the annual Multi-Arts Showcase. Jun 16 at 1:45 pm. Pwyc ($15-$20 sugg).Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. dramaway.com.

HEROES & VILLAINS: DANCE ANOTHER DAY PushPULL Dance presents non-professional dancers portraying heroes, villains and the relationships between them. Opens Jun 14 and runs to Jun 23. $20-$25. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. pushpulldance.com.

KNOWN TO POLICE (Nomanzland). Residents of a notorious community are backed into a corner by authorities and must decide how to respond in this collective creation for ages 14 and up. Jun 15-17. Free. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

KOFFLER GALA 2012 (Koffler Centre of the Arts). The gala features Batsheva Dance Company’s performance of SADEH21 (as part of Luminato) plus dinner and post-show party. Jun 14 at 5 pm. From $250. Edward Johnson Building, MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park. kofflerarts.org/gala2012.

LAWRENCE AND HOLLOMAN by Morris Panych (Scrim for Rent Productions). A suicidal loser meets a happy-go-lucky salesman in this dark comedy. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 21. $20.Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. brownpapertickets.com/event/252450.

LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL by Alan Knee, Mindi Dickstein and Jason Howland (First Act Productions). The March sisters grow up in Civil War-era Massachusetts in this musical based on the novel. Jun 14-17. $22. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. firstactproductions.ca.

MAMALOSHEN: MANDY PATINKIN IN CONCERT (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). The stage and screen star performs songs from a variety of Jewish musical traditions and some Broadway selections. Jun 16-17. $50-$150. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, hgjewishtheatre.com.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare (Bard in the Park). The classic romantic comedy is performed outdoors. Bring a blanket. Opens Jun 12 and runs to Jun 17. Pwyc. Kew Gardens, Bandshell, 2075 Queen E. 416-691-1113 ext 224.

**NEXT TO NORMAL by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Clearwater Theatre Company). A woman struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect of her illness on her family in this musical. Previews Jun 7. Opens Jun 8 and runs to Jun 17. $25, stu/srs $20, preview $15, rush $12 (Fri & Sun). Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, clearwatertheatre.com.

O MANADA! (Queer Pride 2012). All-male burlesque troupe Boylesque TO perform a tribute to Canada. Jun 15 at 9 pm. $20-$25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

**PLAYING CARDS 1: SPADES by Sylvio Arriolo, Tony Guilfoyle, Sophie Martin, Roberto Mori and others (Luminato/Ex Machina). A deck of cards is the framework for director Robert Lepage’s cross-cultural exploration of war. Opens Jun 13 and runs to Jun 17. $45-$90. Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre, 227 Front E. 416-368-4849, luminato.com/events/spades.

POOR LIZA Show One Produtions and State Theatre of Nations present a dance-theatre piece based on Nikolay Karamzin’s story of seduction, betrayal and social conflict, choreographed by Alla Sigalova. Jun 13 at 8 pm. $55-$115. John Bassett Theatre, 255 Front W. 416-737-6785, showoneproductions.ca.

RESCUE ME (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). This benefit for three animal welfare organizations features live music, dance and theatrical performances by Evalyn Parry, Rose Cullis and others. Jun 14 at 7 pm. $40. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, facebook.com/events/352027041518894.

RUSSELL PETERSAir Canada Centre presents the stand-up comic on his Notorious World Tour. Jun 16 8 pm. $52.75-$125. 40 Bay. ticketmaster.ca.

SADEH21 Luminato and Batsheva Dance Company present a new full-length work by Ohad Naharin about a featureless field that is filled by the visceral power of movement. Jun 14-16. $35-$85. Edward Johnson Building, MacMillan Theatre, 80 Queen’s Park. 416-368-4849, luminato.com/events/sadeh21.

THE CHEAT (Luminato). Blind performer Richard Turner performs card tricks and more. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Jun 14. Free. TIFF Bell Lightbox, RBC Lobby, 350 King W. 416-368-4849, luminato.com.

THE LOYALISTS (Single Thread Theatre Company). This site-specific ensemble creation allows the audience to experience life under American occupation, as it was in 1813 Toronto. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 22. $25. Victoria Memorial Square, (meet at 520 Wellington), Wellington W at Portland. singlethread.ca.

THERE AND BACK (Dramaway). Three groups from the GTA-based creative arts company perform this adaptation of Peter Pan. Jun 16 at noon, 3:30 and 6:15 pm. Pwyc. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-614-1078, dramaway.com.

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.

TRUE ROCK by Jamie Lamb, Tim Evans and Mike Payne (Queen’s Players Toronto). Cast members and cultures clash when the CBC takes over American network NBC in this musical comedy. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jun 16. $20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. queensplayerstoronto.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*