Play Listings for the Week of August 25th, 2014

Can you believe it’s the last week of August? We can’t. But we CAN believe that there’s still a lot of cool theatre going on in the city. And you can find out what’s playing by checking our handy dandy Play Listings! Anything highlighted in red with two asterisks in front comes highly recommended by our Editor, Mike. We’re filling the last week of August with theatre, and so should you!

 

Already Covered By MoT…

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.

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…

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.

The Big Bupkis! by Shane Bertram Baker and Allen Lewis Rickman (Ashkenaz Festival). Bertram’s tribute to Yiddish vaudeville includes cheap jokes, magic tricks, ukulele music, hypnotism and more. Aug 31 at 8 pm. $15-$18. Harbourfront Centre, Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, ashkenazfestival.com.

**The Carnegie Hall Show The National Theatre of the World presents the improv variety show w/ Matt Baram, Naomi Snieckus & Chris Gibbs and guests Ashley Comeau, James Gangl and musical guest At Ease. Aug 27 8 pm. $18-$20, stu $10. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. brownpapertickets.com/event/821893.

Catskills Cabaret (Ashkenaz Festival). Novelty songs, comedy, spoken word, jokes, magic tricks, ventriloquism and more. Aug 30 at 10:30 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, Lakeside Terrace, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, ashkenazfestival.com.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper Theatre). A community is thrown into chaos by accusations of witchcraft in 1692 Massachusetts. Opens Aug 30 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.

CUT by ArteBote collective (Living Room Theatre). A young boy must carry his grandmother into the woods to die. Aug 28-30, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm. $10-$15. Videofag, 187 Augusta. 647-999-2694, brownpapertickets.com/event/829215.

**Glenn by David Young (Soulpepper Theatre). Two versions of Bach’s Goldberg Variations frame this look at iconic Canadian artist Glenn Gould. Previews Aug 26-Sep 1. Opens Sep 2 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, soulpepper.ca.

Good News, Toronto Korri Birch presents a live-news parody show w/ comics and improvisers. Aug 29 8 pm. $5. Comedy Bar, Cabaret Space, 945 Bloor W. facebook.com/GoodNewsTorontoTheShow.

Hair: The Musical by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot (Lower Ossington Theatre). Hippie youth of the 60s explore free love and flower power in the shadow of the Vietnam War. Opens Aug 28 and runs to Sep 20, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $39-$70. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen (Leroy Street Theatre). A headstrong new bride wreaks havoc on all around her to keep her checkered past secret. Opens Aug 26 and runs to Sep 7, Tue-Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 5 pm. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. leroystreettheatre.com.

Judy & Igby’s Summer CAMP Talent Show (Drake Hotel). Judy Virago and Igby Lizzard present an evening of CAMP cabaret. Aug 31, doors 8 pm. $10. Underground, 1150 Queen W. facebook.com/events/259587964240317.

**KURIOS – Cabinet Of Curiosities by Michel Laprise (Cirque du Soleil). The Seeker looks to his curio cabinet to give him access to a secret, invisible world in this show featuring acrobatics, music, dance and design. Opens Aug 28 and runs to Oct 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5 pm, mat Sat 4:30 pm, Sun 1:30 pm. $60-$160, stu/srs/child from $50. Grand Chapiteau Tent, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com/kurios.

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.

Mercury Fur by Philip Ridley (Seven Siblings Theatre Company). In a lawless city, two brothers survive by realizing their clients’ darkest fantasies. Opens Aug 27 and runs to Sep 6, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$25. Unit 102, 376 Dufferin. mercuryfurtoronto.bpt.me.

Mixed Company Alan Kliffer presents actors paired with improvisers, w/ Robin Duke, Ted Hallett, Kyle Mac, Stephanie Drummond and others. Opens Aug 25 8 pm. $10-$12. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.

One Voice – Two Worlds (Soulpepper Cabaret Series). Suba Sankaran and her Autorickshaw Trio perform a cabaret about her musical journey as a South Asian Canadian. Aug 30 at 8:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Pinkalicious The Musical by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Sep 28, Sun 1 pm (no shows Aug 10, 17 & 24). $30-$40. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com.

PROCESS (Intergalactic Arts Collective). 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.

rehearsal/performance Ame Henderson presents live rehearsals as part of her residency at the AGO and in preparation for a Nuit Blanche event. Opens Aug 27 from 6 to 8 pm. Sep 10 from 6 to 8 pm. Sep 24 from 6 to 8 pm. Oct 2 from 6 to 8 pm. Free. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas W. 416-979-6648, ago.net/ame-henderson.

Sarah’s Singing Soiree The Social Capital presents a musical theatre open mic w/ Sarah Strange with Chris Tsujiuchi. Opens Aug 27 8 pm. Pwyc. The Social Capital Theatre, 2nd floor, 154 Danforth. 416-903-5388, blackswancomedy.com.

Second City Fall 2014 Mainstage Revue – Second 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.

Seussical The Musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lower Ossington Theatre). This all-ages musical is based on the classic books of Dr. Seuss. Opens Aug 30 and runs to Sep 14, Sat-Sun 11 am and 1 pm. $30-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Summer Intensive Program Performance 2014 ProArteDanza presents students performing works by Shay Kuebler, Benjamin Landsberg, Lauren Cook and others. Aug 29-30 at 8 pm. $20. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. brownpapertickets.com/event/823540.

**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.

The Tide Cassandra Witteman presents dancers and performance artists exploring extremities of the body in relation to our dreams vs reality. Aug 28 at 8 pm. $5-$10 sugg donation. 8-11 Gallery, behind 233 Spadina. facebook.com/events/1013515042008036.

 

Play listings based on NOW! Stage Listings