Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of June 18, 2012

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of June 18, 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

AVENUE Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and works through the transition to adulthood in this musical puppet show. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Jul 22. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

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.

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.

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 Jul 1. $29.50-$119.50. White Big Top, 324 Cherry. 1-866-999-8111, cavalia.net.

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.

**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.

**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…

AER TIME (Femmes du Feu/Zero Gravity Circus). This workshop performance series features new works by aerial artists. Jun 23 at 2 pm. $10. Centre of Gravity West, south entrance, 213 Sterling, suite 100. hollytreddenick@gmail.com.

**AIRSHIP (Queer Pride 2012/Femmes du Feu). This sexy steampunk circus features aerial dance, music and acrobatics. Jun 23 at 8:30 pm. $15-$20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

BAGGAGE by Kelly Aija Zemnickis (Green with Envy Productions). While stuck in an airport overnight, a soon-to-be-married writer meets a woman who makes him question his future. Jun 19-20 at 7:30 pm. $15. Black Swan, 154 Danforth. greenwithenvyproductions.ca.

BROADWAY SHOWSTOPPERS (The Velvet Curtain). A vocal ensemble performs hits from Rent, Chicago, Evita, Mamma Mia and more. Jun 23 at 8 pm. $25. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen E. thevelvetcurtain.ca.

COOKING FIRE THEATRE FESTIVAL (CFTF). The outdoor celebration of theatre, food and public space returns with works by TheatreRUN, SNAP Productions, Hare Theatre and others. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Jun 24. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin south of Bloor. 416-655-4841, cookingfire.ca.

DAVID TOMLINSON: MEMOIRS FROM CRACKTOWN The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents the comedy writer/performer in an autobiographical solo show. Jun 22 7:30 pm. $15-$20. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

HELLO (Huge Picture Productions). The leader of a vigilante group wrestles with existential questions during an alien invasion in this multimedia musical. Opens Jun 21 and runs to Aug 31. $25. Electric Theatre, 299 Augusta. 416-317-8715, hugepictureproductions.com.

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.

PAM ANN – AROUND THE WORLD (Mirvish). The celebrity air hostess comic performs her new solo show about the conundrums of air travel. Jun 21-23. $35-$55. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

PEÑA: ALAMEDA’S 5TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISER (Alameda Theatre). This benefit for the company’s upcoming season features live music by Son Aché, a silent auction, host Martha Chaves and more. Jun 19. $50-$60, stu $25. Revival, 783 College. alamedatheatre.com.

PRIDECAB (Queer Pride 2012). This multidisciplinary cabaret features songs and monologues by members of Buddies’ Queer Youth Arts Program. Jun 20 at 8 pm. Free for youth 25 and under, $10 for others; all adv tickets $10. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

SHAWN HITCHINS: FIRE(CROTCH) SALE! (Queer Pride 2012/Run Ginger Run Entertainment). Hitchins gives a farewell cabaret performance featuring older material from his solo shows, new laughs and special guests. Jun 21 at 8 pm. $20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

**SOCKDOLAGER by Gwynne Phillips and Briana Templeton (The Templeton Philharmonic). This site-specific dark comedy looks at an exciting time in Toronto’s history. Previews Jun 14 at 9 pm. Opens Jun 15 and runs to Jun 29. $17-$20. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. 416-597-0227 ext 2, thetempletonphilharmonic.blogspot.ca.

STAGING A REBELLION (Docket Theatre). Contemporary plays Performing Occupy by Rosamund Small and A Farewell Party by Evan O’Donnell are featured in this double bill. Jun 21-24. $20, stu $15. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St George. dockettheatre.com.

THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? by Edward Albee (ATIC Productions). A married architect falls in love with a goat in this play about societal taboos. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Jun 24. $25.Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, aticproductions.com.

THE GREEN DOOR CABARET SERIES (Lower Ossington Theatre). This series features jazz-themed cabaret performances by various artists. Opens Jun 21 and runs to Jun 30. $20-$30. 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com/cabaret.

THE WRECKING BALL 13: THE WRECKING BOND (Theatre Centre). Brad Fraser, Rosa Laborde, Djanet Sears and other playwrights present political theatre pieces as part of the Edward Bond Festival. Jun 20 at 8 pm. Pwyc (proceeds to the Actors Fund of Canada). 1087 Queen W. thewreckingball.ca.

TWO WEIRD LADIES SELL OUT! Laura Salvas and Mandy Sellers present a fundraiser for their troupe’s shows at the Hamilton and Toronto Fringe Fests, w/ guests 2-Man No-Show, British Teeth, Joel Buxton and others. Jun 20 9 pm. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. twoweirdladies.com.

VOICES OF SUMMER (Toronto Operetta Theatre). This gala celebrating the Golden Age of Operetta features the music of Johann Strauss, Jacques Offenbach, Gilbert & Sullivan, Franz Lehar and others. Jun 23 at 3 pm. $35. 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, torontooperetta.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*