Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of February 25th, 2013

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of February 25th, 2013. ** 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

3 Desis And A Diva by Jenny Alexander (Magnila Media/Orange Shot Productions). A scholar and his alcoholic poet cousin discuss family issues, the creative process and what it means to be a first-generation Canadian. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 10. $15-$20. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. 3desisandadiva.com.

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 Oct 7. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Mar 3. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Claire, From The Bus by Kjartan Hewitt (Liars Theatre Co). A thirtysomething man on his way to a party meets a sexually aggressive girl whose age is a mystery in this comedy. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Feb 28. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. clairefromthebus.com.

**Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris (Studio 180/Mirvish). A battle over race and real estate rages over two generations in a suburban Chicago neighbourhood. Previews Feb 12-17. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 3. $45-$79, stu/rush $20. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata by Veda Hille and Bill Richardson (Factory Theatre/Acting Up Stage Company). This musical comedy looks at modern life through the lens of the classifieds website. Previews Jan 30-Feb 5. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Mar 3. $35-$47, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

**Hannah Moscovitch Double Bill (Tarragon/Theatre Crisis/Theatre Panik). Other People’s Children is performed with Little One (to Mar 17) and In This World (Mar 19-24). Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 24. $27-$53, previews $21-$24, rush $13, pwyc Mar 16 mat. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Midden by Morna Regan (Toronto Irish Players). Family secrets and old grudges are unearthed in this play about three generations of women. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 9. $20, stu/srs $18, opening night/reception (at 7 pm) $50. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-440-2888, torontoirishplayers.com.

**Rare by Judith Thompson (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). This collage of real-life stories is put on by an ensemble of co-creators/performers with Down syndrome. Opens Jan 28 and runs to Mar 2. $15-$30. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca

Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard (Soulpepper). This absurdist comedy follows the antics of two minor characters from Hamlet. Previews Feb 7-12. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Mar 6. $51-$68, stu $32 (rush $22, stu $5).Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter (Two Wolves Theatre). An experienced hitman and a newbie pass time in a basement while awaiting instructions for their next job. Previews Feb 21-22. Opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 3. $20, stu/srs $15, preview $10, Sun pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, twowolvestheatre.com.

The Glory Of Living by Rebecca Gilman (Nightrider Co-op/Sterling Studio Theatre Collective). A troubled teen runs away with an older man to escape life with her prostitute mother. Previews Feb 19 at 8 pm. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 2. $20, Tue $10.Sterling Studio Theatre, 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.

The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean (Lower Ossington Theatre). This musical comedy pays homage to high school songleader squads of the 1950s. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Mar 3. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

 The Wizard Of Oz adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Really Useful Group/Mirvish/Troika Entertainment/Warner Bros/Bill Kenwright). A twister sends Dorothy over the rainbow in this musical based on the film. Previews Dec 20-Jan 12. Opens Jan 13 and runs to Jun 2. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

And the rest…

A Day In Hollywood – The MGM Revue (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical revue showcases movie musicals of Hollywood’s Golden Era. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 2. $28. York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch W. 416-755-1717, musictheatretoronto.com.

And Slowly Beauty… by Michel Nadeau (Belfry Theatre/National Arts Centre English Theatre). An uninspired office worker wins tickets to a play and discovers the transformative power of art. Previews Feb 20-26. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 31. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Antigone by Jean Anouilh (UC Follies Theatre Company). This adaptation of Sophocles’s Greek tragedy sets the story in WWII-era Austria. Feb 28-Mar 2. $20, stu/srs $12. University College, JCR, 15 King’s College Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Bent by Martin Sherman (Hart House Theatre). This drama deals with the Nazi persecution of homosexuals and the significance of the pink triangle. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 9. $25, stu/srs $15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Brent Carver (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). The Tony Award-winning actor/singer performs a musical cabaret. Opens Feb 16 and runs to Mar 3. $20-$40. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Communicating Doors by Alan Ayckbourn (East Side Players). A prostitute and two wives use time travel to prevent two murders in this comedic murder mystery. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 9. $22, stu $15. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-425-0917, eastsideplayers.ca.

Dachshund UN (Bennett Miller/Harbourfront World Stage/PawsWay). A meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights is staged with the help of specially recruited dogs in this performance installation. Feb 28-Mar 3. Free. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Fan Fiction: The Hobbit Black Swan Comedy and Adam Ward present fan-generated material performed live by comedy groups w/ the Sushi Boys, the Weaker Vessels and others. Mar 2 8 pm. $7. Black Swan, 154 Danforth. facebook.com/events/339294629519226.

Haptic/Holistic Strata by Hiroaki Umeda and S20 (Spotlight Japan/Canadian Stage). This double bill features a video/light show that combines art installation, dance performance and cyber imagery. Opens Feb 26 and runs to Mar 2. $54. Berkeley Street Theatre, Downstairs, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Heterollectual Pollux Dance presents a show about six adults in love, lust and despair. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 3. $18-$22. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. 647-654-4684, secureaseat.com/heterollectual.

I Aint No Joke: Battle Of The Sexes Edition Big Norm Alconel presents the monthly comedy show, featuring female vs male comics w/ Natalie Norman, Camille Cote, Rush Zilla, Fat Tony, Danish Anwar and others, and hosts Big Norm & Diana Reyes. Feb 28 8 pm. $7 adv, pwyc at the door. Bulwer Space, 37 Bulwer. thebignormshow@gmail.com.

**Iceland by Nicholas Billon (Factory Theatre). Set against the backdrop of the banking crisis, a confrontation between a real estate agent and a tenant takes an unexpected turn. Previews Mar 2-6. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 24. $32-$42, preview $22. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Jackie And Jack by Jim Christy (Theatre Lab/Back Burner Productions). This play imagines a meeting between Jackie Kennedy and Jack Kerouac on a beach in 1959. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 2. $15-$20, Sun mat pwyc. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. totix.ca.

Jacob And Jack by James Sherman (TEATRON Theatre). An actor confronts professional and personal challenges while preparing to perform a tribute to his grandfather. Previews Feb 27 at 1 pm. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 10. $31-$48, stu/srs $26-$30, preview $19. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, teatrontheatre.com.

Kafka/Janacek/Kurtag (Against the Grain Theatre). This song-cycle double bill features Kafka Fragments by György Kurtág and The Diary of One Who Disappeared by Leoš Janácek. Mar 1-2. $30. The Extension Room, 30 Eastern, 2nd flr. againstthegraintheatre.com.

Laws Of Motion by Ashlin Halfnight (Small Elephant Co-Op). The lives of 11 people are changed when the domino effect of one tragic incident touches each of them in different ways. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 15. $23.53. Jam Factory Co, 2 Matilda. lawsofmotion.ca.

Lunacy Cabaret – Wig Out! (Zero Gravity Circus). This vaudeville-style show features clown, circus, comedy, burlesque, music and more in support of Circus Without Borders. Mar 2 at 9 pm. $20. Centre of Gravity, 1300 Gerrard E. circuswithoutborders.org.

Once Upon A Murder (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). Preparations for a royal wedding are interrupted by a murder in this interactive dinner-theatre mystery. Opens Jan 25 and runs to May 31. $40-$71. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.

Pomme Is French For Apple by Liza Paul and Bahia Watson (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). Paul and Watson perform a series of vignettes about women and their most embarrassing and empowering moments. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 9. $15-$30. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, pommeisfrenchforapple.com.

**Rhubarb Festival (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). The new works festival features plays, dance, performance art and more by Sook-Yin Lee, Nina Arsenault, Nicolas Billon, Alex Tigchelaar, Fay Slift and others. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 3. $20/evening pass, One-To-One Performances pwyc, Mobile Works free. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Ruffing It (Shakespeare in the Ruff). The company experiments with the Bard’s Henry V, Part III, followed by a dance party. Mar 3 at 8 pm. $10-$15. Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton. facebook.com/events/485607978173378.

Sayonara/I, Worker by Oriza Hirata (Spotlight Japan/Canadian Stage). This double bill features human and robot actors exploring the intersection between human and artificial intelligence. Opens Feb 26 and runs to Mar 2. $54. Berkeley Street Theatre, Upstairs, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Spike Heels by Theresa Rebeck (Starfish Productions). This modern twist on Shaw’s Pygmalion looks at love, sex, class and gender roles. Previews Feb 28. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 9. $17-$22, preview pwyc. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. starfishproductions.ca.

Spring 2013 Mainstage Revue Second City presents previews of the upcoming revue, featuring sketches, songs and improvisation. Opens Mar 5. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm (and Sat 10 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Stereophonic Peggy Baker Dance Projects presents a mixed bill of multidimensional contemporary works by Peggy Baker. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 3. $30, stu/srs $25; Thu pwyc. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. 1-888-838-3006, peggybakerdance.com.

The Barber Of Seville by Gioachino Rossini (Toronto Opera Repertoire). A barber helps a nobleman woo his true love in this Italian comic opera. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Mar 3. $28, srs $20, stu $15. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, toronto-opera.com.

The Best Of The Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Opens Feb 1 and runs to Feb 25. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Cat Came Back by Fred Penner, Jay Brazeau and Kim Selody (Manitoba Theatre for Young People). A group of musicians help their grumpy neighbour and his mischievous cat learn to coexist in this play for ages 4-7. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 16. $15-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

**The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and Tectonic Theatre Project (Studio 180 Theatre). Studio 180 celebrates its 10th anniversary with a staged reading of the dramatic play based on actual events, followed by a party. Feb 25 at 7 pm. $25.Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, studio180theatre.com.

The Meeting by Jeff Stetson (AfriCan Theatre Ensemble). This drama explores an imaginary meeting between Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X. Feb 26 at 7:45 pm. Free. Hart House, Reading Room, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, harthouse.ca.

The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh (Rarely Pure Theatre). A writer’s brilliant but grotesque stories illuminate the line between comedy and cruelty in this meditation on the tricky power of words to shape the world. Opens Feb 27 and runs to March 3. $10.99. The Propeller Gallery, 984 Queen W. rarelypuretheatre.com.

The Process Revealed: Everyday Anthems Toronto Dance Theatre presents a sneak peek at the upcoming show and discussion with choreographer Heidi Strauss. Feb 25 at 7 pm. Free. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. tdt.org.

The Tales Of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach (Toronto Opera Repertoire). A drunken poet recalls his lost loves in this French opera. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Mar 2. $28, srs $20, stu $15. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, toronto-opera.com.

The Weir by Conor McPherson (Fly on the Wall Theatre). Staged reading of McPherson’s play about a night of supernatural tales at a rural Irish pub. Mar 3-4. Pwyc. Fionn MacCool’s Pub, 181 University. 416-363-1944.

Till Eulenspeigel (In The Afterlife Of Jerzy Kosinski) (Humber Theatre). The merry prankster figure from German folklore takes the audience through startling images, motifs and themes from Kosinki’s most visceral writings. Opens Feb 22 and runs to Mar 2. $15, stu/srs $10. Humber College Studio Theatre, 300 Birmingham. 416-675-6622 ext 3080, humber.theatre@humber.ca.

*Listings are based on NOW stage listings*