Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of August 5th, 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
**Angels In America: Parts I & II by Tony Kushner (Soulpepper). Seven individuals navigate NYC during the AIDS crisis in the 80s in this two-part show about human reactions to the epidemic. Previews Jul 19-30. Opens Jul 31 and runs to Sep 14, (part II opens Aug 1), see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Anything Goes by Cole Porter, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Mirvish/Roundabout Theatre Company). A stowaway and a nightclub singer get in trouble aboard an ocean liner in this musical. Previews Jul 17. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Aug 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.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 adult musical puppet show. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Oct 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm (no shows Aug 4-28). $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, avenueq.ca.
Buster Canfield And His Amazing Fleas by Eric Woolfe (Pocket Carnival Productions). This play for young audiences features puppets, masks, magic and a flea circus. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Aug 10, Sat at 11 am and 1 pm. $12.50-$15. Wychwood Barns, 76 Wychwood. pocketcarnival.com.
Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Nu Musical Theatricals/Classic Theatre Project/Starvox Entertainment). The popular musical featuring feline frolic at the Jellicle Ball returns. Previews May 28-Jun 9. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Sep 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.com.
Egg Zeppelin: The Original Bacon, Music & Comedy Show Kris Siddiqi and Marcel St. Pierre present the comedy talk show, w/ guests Derek Forgie, Collette Savard and Amanda Brooke Perrin. Aug 8 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, eggzeppelin.com.
Entertaining Mr. Sloane by Joe Orton (Soulpepper). A charming lodger manipulates his hosts in this dark comedy. Previews Jul 5-15. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Aug 17, see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Faking Bad Bad Dog Theatre presents serialized, unscripted shows inspired by the AMC crime series, w/ Bruce Hunter, Conor Holler, Dale Boyer and others. Opens Jul 10 and runs to Aug 7, Wed Wednesdays 9:30 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). A resourceful orphan grows into a London gentleman in this classic tale. Previews Jul 6-13. Opens Jul 16 and runs to Aug 17, see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
Legally Blonde by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach (Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts). A sorority girl makes it to law school in this musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Aug 1 and runs to Aug 10, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. randolphacademy.com.
**Memory In The Mud (Words In Motion). This movable drama and tour tells the stories of brick makers, POWs and transients who spent time at the Brick Works. Opens Aug 7 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $10, child $5. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. ebw.evergreen.ca/whats-on/memory-in-the-mud.
P-Dale Ep 4: Rise Of Los Muchos by Luis Fernandes (Unit 102 Actors Company). This multimedia theatrical series looks at the residents of Parkdale fighting gentrification. Opens Jul 31 and runs to Aug 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $15. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. facebook.com/PDaletheShow.
**Shakespeare In High Park: Macbeth (Canadian Stage). The classic tragedy is performed outdoors on alternating nights with The Taming Of The Shrew. Previews Jun 26-Jul 2. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Sep 1, Fri, Sun and Wed 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.
**Shakespeare In High Park: The Taming Of The Shrew (Canadian Stage). The classic comedy is performed outdoors on alternating nights with Macbeth. ? ?. Opens Jul 4 and runs to Aug 31, Thu, Sat and Tue 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.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 Aug 18, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (see website for other shows). $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
And the Rest…
Amusement by Johnnie Walker (Nobody’s Business Theatre). Two screw-ups escape Toronto to find their fortune at a U.S. theme park. Aug 10 at 8 pm. $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. amusementpreview.eventbrite.ca.
Anne of Green Gables: The Musical (No Strings Theatre). Based on the novel by the same name, written by author Lucy Maud Montgomery, and was adapted for stage by Canadian composers/writers Don Harron and Norman Campbell. The show is suitable for all ages. Opens Aug 8 and runs to Aug 11, Thurs through Sat at 7:30pm, Sun at 2pm. Children $12, Stu/Sen $22.50, Adults $30. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. www.nostringstheatre.com
Big City Improv T.K.O.! Big City Improv Festival presents 16 teams in an 8-week improv competition. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Sep 16, Mon Mondays 9:30 pm (excluding holidays). $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. bigcityimprovfestival.com.
Dealt by Stephen Chen (dissonance productions). This endurance operatic political performance piece reimagines Carmen’s card scene. Aug 9, from 4 to 8 pm (drop-in). Free. Lemontree Studio, 196 Spadina. dissonanceonline.com/dealt.
Fall 2013 Mainstage Revue Second City presents previews of a new collection of sketches, songs and improvisations. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm (and Sat 10 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
Holodeck Follies Episode 7: Seven Of Mime The Dandies present a Star Trek-inspired improv comedy variety show. Aug 7 8 pm. $7. Black Swan Comedy, 2nd floor, 154 Danforth. fb.me/torontodandies.
Island Soul Harbourfront Centre presents a Caribbean arts and culture festival with dance by Kay-Ann Ward, Mapou Ginen Dance Troupe and others. Aug 2-5, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.
Kultura Filipino Arts Festival (Kapisanan Philippine Centre). This cultural festival features play readings, live music, art, food and more. Opens Aug 7 and runs to Aug 11, see website for schedule. Most events free. and other venues, 167 Augusta. kapisanancentre.com.
Nobody Famous by DM Larson (Regent Park Youth Theatre Program). Students perform a play about a young woman who wants to be a star. Aug 10 at 6 pm. $5. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio, 585 Dundas E. rpytp.ca.
Our Last Best Hope by David Anderson and Angela Loft (Clay & Paper Theatre). This play uses satire, puppets, mask, song and dance to address our growing indifference to realities that threaten our future. Opens Jul 25 and runs to Aug 17, Wed-Sat 7 pm. Pwyc. Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. clayandpapertheatre.org.
**Parade by Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry (StageWorks Toronto). A Jewish factory manager is framed for the rape and murder of a teenage worker in 1913 Atlanta. Opens Aug 8 and runs to Aug 18, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Aug 17) 2 pm. $25. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. stageworkstoronto.com.
Princess Polly And The World’s Smallest NinjaSecond City presents an all-ages sketch revue. Opens Jun 30 and runs to Sep 1, Thu and Sun 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
Reveal Me (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. Jun 5 at 8 pm. Jul 3 at 8 pm. Aug 7 at 8 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com.
StArt Youth Presenting Art Festival (SuiteLife Arts for Youth). Young artists from Scarborough showcase singing, dance, spoken word and more. Aug 10, noon to 7 pm. Free. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. startypa.org.
SummerWorks (SummerWorks). The annual juried festival returns with works by Theatre Brouhaha, Sook Yin-Lee and Ben Kamino, Wide Night Collective and others, plus live music and more. Opens Aug 8 and runs to Aug 18. $15, passes $40-$120, art/live music pwyc-$20. Various venues, see website for schedule and locations. 416-504-7529, summerworks.ca.
Ted & Lisa (Ted Hallett/Lisa Merchant). The secrets of suburbia emerge in this improvised play with audience participation. Opens Aug 9 and runs to Aug 30, Fri 8:30 pm. $5. John Candy Box Theatre, 70 Peter. 416-340-7270.
The Best Of The Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Fri 10:30 pm. $24, stu $15. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.
The Misanthrope by Molière (Guild Festival Theatre). A man scorns superficial manners, but falls for a vapid socialite in 17th-century France in this comedy performed outdoors. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Aug 11, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $25, kids under 12 free. Guild Inn Gardens, Greek Theatre, 201 Guildwood Pkwy. 416-915-6750, guildfestivaltheatre.ca.
The Weaker Vessels Present Would You Rather…?Baltic Avenue presents the sketch troupe in a new revue. Aug 8-10, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $10. 875 Bloor W. facebook.com/TheWeakerVessels.
Theatresports Bad Dog Theatre presents the classic improv comedy competition. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Aug 24, Sat Saturdays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.
this is a held note… and other stories Coexisdance presents a musical poem cycle with dancers Jessica Houghton, Chelsea Papps and Raphael Roter, plus a duet with Colin Anthony and Germaine Liu. Aug 10 at 8 pm. $10. Majlis Art Garden, 163 Walnut. coexisdance.wordpress.com.
Toronto, I Love You Bad Dog Repertory Players present an improvised romantic comedy based on stories of our city. Opens Aug 2 and runs to Aug 30, Fri Fridays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. baddogtheatre.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*