Play Listings for the Week of August 18th, 2014

Summerworks is over – we’re just as sad as you are, and we can’t do anything about it. But we can still tell you all the other theatre that’s going on in the city! Anything you see that’s highlighted in red with two asterisks before it is highly recommended by Wayne, our Managing Editor. So get over those post-Summerworks blues by seeing some of the awesome shows that are still going on in Toronto this week!

Already Covered By MoT…

**Shakespeare In High Park: As You Like It (Canadian Stage/York University Dept of Theatre). The tale of spontaneous love and friendships is performed outdoors on alternating nights with Titus Andronicus. Previews Jun 26-Jul 1. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Aug 30, Thu, Sat and Tue 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.

**Shakespeare In High Park: Titus Andronicus (Canadian Stage/York University Dept of Theatre). The brutal revenge tragedy is performed outdoors on alternating nights with As You Like It. Previews Jun 27-Jul 2. Opens Jul 4 and runs to Aug 31, Fri, Sun and Wed 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Spamalot by Eric Idle, John Du Prez and Neil Innes (Lower Ossington Theatre). The Monty Python-based musical retells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Sep 21, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Tartuffe by Molière (Soulpepper Theatre). A crafty vagrant feigns virtue while trying to seduce his host’s wife and gain an inheritance. Previews Aug 7-11. Opens Aug 12 and runs to Sep 20, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

 

And the rest…

A Midsummer Night’s Improv 3 We Happy Few presents an improvised play in the style of Shakespeare with host Colin Sharpe and musical comedy by Gord Oxley. Opens Aug 21 8 pm. $5. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

A Tender Thing by Ben Power (Soulpepper Theatre). An elderly Romeo and Juliet reminisce on their lives together in this re-working of Shakespeare’s text. Previews Aug 14-18. Opens Aug 19 and runs to Oct 1, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Adventures In Slumberland (Frolick). This all-ages show about a young boy’s dream world features puppets, music, masques and more. Opens Jul 2 and runs to Aug 30, Wed-Sat 11:11 am, 12:12, 1:11 and 2:22 pm (weather permitting). Pwyc. Olympic Island Lagoon Theatre, near Centre Island ferry dock, over the bridge. frolick.ca.

Big Bad Wolf (Vs Lord Underwearface Von Schtinker)Second City presents a family musical that takes a new look at a fairy-tale character. Opens Jul 2 and runs to Aug 28, Wed-Thu 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Bitch Salad: Live Album Taping Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents Andrew Johnston and Sara Hennessey w/ guests Emma Hunter, Tim Gilbert and Heidi Brander. Aug 22 8 pm. $10. 12 Alexander. femaledogsalad@gmail.com.

BuskerFest (Scotiabank). This outdoor festival features European street theatre, aerial arts, dance, music, clown and more with FlameOz, Les Frères Taquins, Reuben DotDotDot and many others. Opens Aug 21 and runs to Aug 24. Pwyc (donations to Epilepsy Toronto). Downtown Yonge Area, between Queen and College. torontobuskerfest.com.

Chansons Refusées (Soulpepper Cabaret Series). Alex Samaras and Bobby Hsu present a night of great songs from Broadway’s golden age that have been overlooked in the jazz repertoire. Aug 23 at 8:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

CoexisDance Series 65 presents dance improvisers performing with AIM Toronto musicians. Aug 23 at 8 pm. $10. Majlis Art Garden, 163 Walnut. coexisdance.wordpress.com.

Cymbeline’s Reign by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in the Ruff). A princess who married against her father’s wishes risks everything for love. Previews Aug 12-13. Opens Aug 14 and runs to Aug 31, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm (pre-show live music from 7 pm). Pwyc ($15 sugg). Withrow Park, 725 Logan. shakespeareintheruff.com.

Love In The Age Of Autocorrect (Loose TEA Music Theatre). This double bill features two short comedic operas that comment on dating in the modern age based on works by Mozart and Stravinsky. Aug 21-24, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $30, stu $25. Atelier Rosemarie Umetsu, 198A Davenport. looseteamusictheatre.com.

Maggie Cassella: Because I Said SoThe Flying Beaver Pubaret presents Cassella and her panelists dissecting hot, fun and obscure topics. Wed 7:30 pm. Pwyc. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

Munsch At Play (Mystic Forest/Tetrault Arts Productions). Classic Robert Munsch stories are performed by professional actors with disabilities. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Aug 24, Fri and Sun-Wed 2 and 4 pm, Thu 5 and7 pm. $10, child $5. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston. eventbrite.com/e/12368467419.

PROCESS (Intergalactic Arts Colelctive). This collective presents interdisciplinary performances of works-in-process. Opens Aug 3 and runs to Aug 31, Sun 8 pm. $10. Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw. 416-530-2787, artscapeyoungplace.ca.

Second City Fall 2014 Mainstage RevueSecond City presents previews of its upcoming fall show. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm (and Fri-Sat 10 pm). $25-$29, stu $16-$18. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Tales Of… NSFW (Erin Rodgers). This storytelling show features Rob Norman, Sophie Delancey and Samantha Fraser. Aug 20 at 8 pm. Pwyc. The Ossington, 61 Ossington. theossington.com.

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

The Little Mermaid Jr. (Lower Ossington Theatre). The Disney Broadway production is adapted for younger audiences. Opens Aug 2 and runs to Aug 31, Thu-Sun, see website for times. $15-$30. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Warpath: A New Cabaret (Shane J Gramlich). Gramlich presents contemporary pop fused with musical theatre repertoire in a show about his battles in life, alongside Chris Tsujiuchi, Laura Harding and others. Aug 19 at 7:30 pm. $10-$15.Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

West End Girls: The Musical Edition WEG presents stand-ups with a musical bent w/ Laura Bailey, Amy Lockwood, Winston Spear and others. Aug 23 7 pm. $10-$15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. westendgirls.ca.

 

Play listings based on NOW! Stage Listings