Eye-Catching Theatre for the Week of September 9th 2013

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of September 9th, 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

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (Echo Productions). A teen grows up in a culture of extreme youth violence and endures the state’s reform program. Opens Sep 11 and runs to Sep 15, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$35. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. echoproductions.ca.

**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 28, 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

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 Sep 29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, avenueq.ca.

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 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (no shows Sep 3-8). $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.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.

Next To Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt (Lower Ossington Theatre). This rock musical looks at how a suburban family copes with mental illness. Opens Aug 29 and runs to Sep 29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

We Can Be Heroes Second City presents a new collection of sketches, songs and improvisations inspired by the world around us. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

And the Rest…

Annie Get Your Gun by Irving Berlin, Herbert and Dorothy Fields (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical portrays the life of Wild West sharpshooter Annie Oakley. Opens Sep 11 and runs to Sep 22, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, musictheatretoronto.com.

Arabesque Fall Gala Arabesque Dance Company presents more than 200 student and company belly dancers. Sep 14 at 8 pm. $15-$20. Estonian House, 958 Broadview. 416-920-5593, arabesquedance.ca.

Balfolk Dancing Emilyn Stam presents a weekly social dance. Jul 22-Sep 9, Mon 8 pm. Pwyc. El Cafecito Espresso Bar, 3 Westmoreland. emilynstam.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.

Brainstorm: Magic, Suggestion & Psychology (Gabriello Pitman). Pitman performs an interactive show. Sep 14 at 10 pm. $12-$15. Black Swan, 154 Danforth. shows.gplive.me.

Brazil, The Land Of Tears And Soul Newton Moraes Dance Theatre presents Afro-Brazilian and contemporary dance to celebrate the company’s 15-year anniversary and showcase Brazilian culture. Opens Sep 11 and runs to Sep 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, child $10. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. newtonmoraesdancetheatre.com.

Dr. Draw And The Strange Parade (Dr. Draw). This multi-arts performance features live music, painting, circus arts and more. Sep 12 at 8 pm. $20-$25. Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College. drdraw.ca/tickets.

In A Forest, Dark And Deep by Neil LaBute (Leach & Levy Productions). Secrets from their past emerge as siblings clean out the sister’s cottage retreat. Previews Sep 10-11. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Sep 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $27.50, stu/srs $22.50. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.

Lady Julie adapted by Natalie Feheregyhazi (Apuka Theatre/Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter). A noblewoman lets loose with the hired help in this adaptation of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie. Previews Aug 29. Opens Aug 30 and runs to Sep 14, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm (no show Sep 10). $20, preview pwyc. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. apukatheatre.com.

Mother’s Day (Casa Salvador Allende/Lula Centre for the Arts). This multi-arts performance tells the stories of Hector Aviles, who was imprisoned during the 1973 coup in Chile. Q&A with Aviles to follow. Sep 11 at 8 and 10 pm. $20-$25, stu/srs $10. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas W. 416-588-0307, lula.ca.

Piece of Mine Festival (Natasha Adiyana Morris). Showcase of works in development by black playwrights, including Amanda Parris, Araya Mengesha and Sebastien Heins. Sep 13-15, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm. $10, pass $25. Palmerston Library, Theatre, 560 Palmerston. pieceofminefest.com.

PIG by Tim Luscombe (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Three gay couples push the boundaries of their relationships through acts of emotional domination, sexual submission, compulsion and violence. Previews Sep 14-18. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc-$37. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

**Shoreditch Madonna by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Three Seeds Productions). Visual artists living in London’s East End seek meaningful relationships and meaningful work. Opens Sep 13 and runs to Sep 29, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu rush $5 (Wed & Sun). The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

Strolling Player by Richard Willis and Heidi Reimer (Red Sandcastle Theatre). From falling off the stage to falling in love, Willis recounts the ups and downs of one actor’s life. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Sep 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

**Tenderpits/Revenge Of The Popinjay by Anthony Johnston (AnimalParts Theatre Co). A young gay wizard goes from Canada’s wilderness to NYC, and a young gay rapper gets fame as a serial killer of heterosexuals in this double bill. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Sep 15, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $18. Videofag, 187 Augusta. animalparts.org.

The Back To School Special (Les Femmes Fatales/Dainty Box). Good girls, bad girls, cheerleaders and PTA moms feature in this burlesque revue. Sep 12 at 10 pm. $12. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W. gladstonehotel.com/event/les-femmes-fatales.

The Best Of The Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Sep 9 8 pm, Sep 23 8 pm. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (UC Follies). The Roman emperor is brought down by his colleagues in the classic tragedy presented outdoors. Opens Sep 13 and runs to Sep 21, Thu-Sat. $10, stu/srs $8. University College, Quadrangle, 15 King’s College Circle. 416-978-8849, ucfollies.org.

Toronto Monologue Slam: TIFF Edition (TMS). Up-and-coming actors deliver performances in front of a panel of judges. Sep 15, doors 2:30 pm. $5-$10. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. toslam.com.

Vital Signs Darryl Tracy presents contemporary dance with choreographies by Yvonne Coutts, Sylvain Emard, Ginette Laurin and Heidi Strauss, performed by Tracy and Strauss. Opens Sep 11 and runs to Sep 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. vital-signs.eventbrite.com.

YouTopia by Bruce Barton (Vertical City). A woman and a computer that runs her life must adapt as their world literally crumbles in this interdisciplinary play about the bonds of humans and technology. Previews Sep 10. Opens Sep 11 and runs to Sep 22, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Glen Morris Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris. totix.ca.

**Listings based on NOW stage listings