Cheap Theatre in Toronto for the Week of May 6th, 2013

Five for Pay-What-You-Can or Less

Our cheap theatre picks for this week feature some solo shows, some fledgling dramas eager to stretch their wings, and some celebratory play readings. All of the events are either free or pay what you can, so there’s no need to worry about splurging on trying out something new.

Big Ideas 2013 (Alumnae Theatre). Staged readings of plays by writers of the company’s New Play Development group. Opens May 8 and runs to May 12. Free. Studio, 70 Berkeley. alumnaetheatre.com/npd.html.

Ginger Nation (The Bomb! Shawn Hitchins). Hitchins performs his new solo show about being a sperm donor to a lesbian couple. May 8 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament. shawnhitchins.com.

Histoires by Françios Lavallée (Alliance Française). Lavallée tells stories in French in this solo show. May 10 at 7:30 pm. Free. 24 Spadina Rd. alliance-francaise.ca.

Lovesick: An Evening Of Dark Romance (Unspoken Theatre). Short plays and monologues by Nina Kaye and other female playwrights get a workshop staging. May 10 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Izakaya Sushi House, 294 College. unspokentheatrecompany.weebly.com.

Playwrights Canada Press Spring Launch (PLCN). NOW’s Jon Kaplan and Susan G Cole host a night of readings of works by Michael Healey, Daniel Karasik, MJ Cruise, Yvette Nolan, Joseph Jomo Pierre and others. May 6. Free. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. playwrightscanada.com.