Cheap Theatre in Toronto for the Week of September 10th, 2012

Five for Twenty (Or Less)

It’s September. Yesterday’s fresh, summer air is filling with dead leaves, the screams of schoolyard children, and a chill. Maybe seasonal death doesn’t necessarily turn your smile upside down, but returning to work or school does. Or maybe your favorite sweater has come out of hiding and you’re seeing the season as half full. Either way, we could all benefit from a full cup of cheer this time of year. Enter this week’s cheap theatre – comedy. Laugh your way through the changing season, with five comedic plays that will hurt your gut more than your wallet (because they’ll make you laugh ‘til you’re sore…not give you food poisoning).

AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare (UC Follies Theatre Company). Love flourishes among exiles in this romantic comedy performed outdoors. Bring your own blanket. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Sep 15. $10, stu/srs $8, Wed pwyc. Hart House Circle, 7 Hart House Circle. uofttix.ca.

BEANS & WIENERS COMEDY Gladstone Hotel presents emerging comedians. Sep 10 8 pm. Free. 1214 Queen W. gladstonehotel.com.

CANCER CAN’T DANCE LIKE THIS by Daniel Stolfi (FroMast Productions). This solo show uses vivid characters and comedy to portray Stolfi’s battle with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Sep 13-14 at 8 pm. $15-$20. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. cancercantdancelikethis.eventbrite.com.

DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by John Patrick Shanley (Sterling Studio Theatre). Two of society’s rejects meet in a bar in this look at love and loneliness. Previews Sep 11. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Sep 22. $15, preview $10. 163 Sterling, unit 5. secureaseat.com/danny.

TILL DEATH DO US MEET Touch My Stereotype presents a comedic whodunit w/ Mike Tanchuk, Paddy MacDonald, Sonia D’Amico and others. Sep 15 10 pm. $15. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. touchmystereotype.com.