Cheap Theatre in Toronto for the Week of May 1st, 2013

Seven for Twenty (Or Less)

This week The Playwright Project begins, a seven production company/seven neighbourhood/seven night series featuring seven plays by Sam Shepard. Every night from May 1st to 7th each production company rotates to a different neighbourhood, bringing their show to new venues and new audiences. They’ve got Toronto covered – from the Beaches to the Junction and every ‘hood in between. You can stroll over to your local bar and let each act come to you. Plus – it’s cheap theatre. Individual shows are $15, or you can grab an affordable pass if you’re up for a weeklong theatre bender. Mooney on Theatre will also be covering the project, so check back for reviews. 

Angel City by Sam Shepard (Alec Toller/Circlesnake/The Playwright Project). A reclusive artist is asked to write a disaster movie screenplay. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith (Pomme Grenade Productions/The Playwright Project). A man goes on a sex- and drug-fuelled bender with a girl who wants to make him a rock star. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

Fool For Love by Sam Shepard (Heart in Hand Productions/The Playwright Project). A woman who wants to move on with her life has a tense visit with an ex-boyfriend. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details.playwrightproject.com.

Geography Of A Horse Dreamer by Sam Shepard (Red One Theatre Collective/The Playwright Project). A cowboy with a fading gift for predicting horse race winners is kidnapped by two gangsters. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details.playwrightproject.com.

Saving Fats by Sam Shepard (Alex McCooeye/Jesse Griffiths/The Playwright Project). A reporter seeks a gripping story in post-Katrina New Orleans in this musical comedy. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details.playwrightproject.com.

The Unseen Hand by Sam Shepard (Theatre Brouhaha/The Playwright Project). Three forgotten legends of the Wild West come back to life to help a desperate alien fight for freedom. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details.playwrightproject.com.

When The World Was Green by Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin (surface/underground theatre/The Playwright Project). A journalist in search of her father interviews an old man on death row. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85.Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details.playwrightproject.com.