NOW Magazine Online Edition

Soulpepper launches its eighth season with something old that's also something new - Ferenc Molnar 's 1928 Olympia , adapted by Michael (The Drawer Boy) Healey . The tale of a princess and a hussar captain, the piece looks with a comic eye at manners, morals and class differences. Albert Schultz directs Oliver Dennis , Healey, Stuart Hughes , Nancy Palk and Brenda Robins . Previews begin July 13, opens July 21 and runs to September 29 at the Premiere Dance Theatre (207 Queens Quay West). 416-973-4000.

Impressive improv

The Jamboree Toronto International Improv Festival is entering its fourth year, and here's hoping audiences - and not just participants - come to savour some of the best comedy around. Local improv aces Slap Happy , Mosshammer & Morency , Shortweird Radio and the cast of Hairy Patter And The Improviser's Stone are joined by Chicago fishion-duo improvisers Bassprov , the wickedly funny D & J and Sutton & Hallal . The big opening headliners are the writers from a little show called Saturday Night Live who will be performing - live in T.O. The fest runs August 15 to 21 at the Alumnae Theatre (70 Berkeley), the Bad Dog Theatre (138 Danforth) and the newly added space Betty's Upstairs Lounge (240 King East). www.torontoimprovfest.com.

Kate Lynch joins this year's Fringe Festival frenzy.

Fringe frenzy

Get set for the year's busiest 12 days of theatre, as the Toronto Fringe kicks off its 17th year. Bigger than ever - it features 134 shows chosen by lottery - the fest's a great way to see new works by established artists, but perhaps more importantly to discover artists new to the scene. Participants this year include T.J. Dawe , Nicola Gunn , Brock Simpson , Kate Lynch , Judith Thompson , Chris Abraham , Eli Batalion and Jerome Sable . Opens July 6 and runs to July 17. St. Vladimir's (620 Spadina), Robert Gill (214 College), Artword (75 Portland), Factory (125 Bathurst), Tarragon (30 Bridgman), Royal St. George (120 Howland), Poor Alex (296 Brunswick), Helen Gardiner Phelan (79A St George), Glen Morris (4 Glen Morris), Palmerston Library (560 Palmerston) and various bring-your-own-venues. 416-966-1062.

Venetian variety

The Merchant Of Venice is in several ways a comedy, but the character of the Jewish moneylender Shylock gives the play a darker undercurrent. See how Shakespeare in the Rough handles the play's comic and serious sides, especially with the cross-gender and cross-cultural casting of aboriginal actor Jani Lauzon as Shylock. Helmed by artistic director Sanjay Talwar , the production also features Richard Alan Campbell , Carly Street , Richard Harte , Pip Dwyer and Jennifer Villaverde . Opens July 21 and runs to September 5 in Withrow Park . 647-438-6742.

Calling all Cullen fans

Now that Brent Butt's daytimer is full up, Seán Cullen has become the next comedy guy who ought to be better known in this country. His act includes irreverent silliness, dead-on pop observations and surreal songs. Maybe he'll throw in an anecdote or two about his regular stint on the Jay Leno show or the aborted local production of The Producers, in which he starred. He makes a rare headlining appearance at the Laugh Resort (370 King West), July 12 to 16. 416-364-5233.

Move me to the lake

If you find a big hole in your wallet come the end of the summer, head down to the waterfront for some performing arts on the cheap. The National Ballet of Canada 's annual Ballet By The Water series is free of charge and performed al fresco. This summer's lineup includes the world-class company dancing outgoing artistic director James Kudelka 's Full Circles and Romeo And Juliet Just Before Parting - both companies premieres - and excerpts from perennial faves like Swan Lake and La Sylphide , both on next year's NBC lineup. Hint: go with someone special; it makes a very romantic date. August 23 to 25 at Harbourfront Centre 's concert stage (235 Queens Quay West). 416-345-9595, 416-973-4000.

Tara Rosling and Juan Chioran star in Much Ado About Nothing, opening July 3 in High Park.

Sparring partners

Shakespeare's wittiest and most quarrelsome lovers, Beatrice and Benedick, spark the action and, surprisingly, the emotions in Much Ado About Nothing , which also features a more conventional pair of sweethearts in the romantic Hero and Claudio. James MacDonald directs CanStage 's latest Dream in High Park , featuring Juan Chioran and Tara Rosling as the battling Bs, with Aviva Hoffman , Brett Christopher , Xuan Fraser , Kerry Ann Doherty and Jim Warren . Previews begin June 28, opens July 3 and runs to September 4 in the outdoor amphitheatre at High Park.

SummerWorks sizzles

Turning 15 this year, SummerWorks has proven that it's a potent breeding ground for original theatre. Under new artistic producers Keira Loughran and Kimahli Powell , the juried fest offers 42 pieces by established and new writers, among them Sonja Mills , Hannah Moscovitch , Norman Yeung , Byron Abalos and Mike McPhaden . Begins August 4 and runs to August 14. Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst) and Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson). 416-410-1048.

Merchant of Withrow

The Merchant Of Venice is a troubling play for today's audiences because of the character of the Jewish moneylender Shylock. Shakespeare in the Rough tackles the play's comic and serious sides and offers this summer's most fascinating piece of cross-gender and cross-cultural casting: native actor Jani Lauzon as Shylock. Helmed by artistic director Sanjay Talwar , the cast also includes Richard Alan Campbell , Carly Street , Richard Harte , Pip Dwyer and Jennifer Villaverde . Opens July 23 and runs to September 5 in Withrow Park . 647-438-6742.

Sexy Shepard

Sensuality and savagery burn through the works of American playwright Sam Shepard . Soulpepper lassoes one of his most riveting works, the cowboy-themed and passionate Fool For Love , with Ted Dykstra directing Kevin Bundy , Megan Follows - no Anne of Green Gables here - and Stuart Hughes . Previews from August 4, opens August 10 and runs to October 1 at Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queens Quay West). 416-973-4000.

Wives make merry

Had enough of Shakespeare in the parks? Try DareDen Theatre 's contribution to the summer Bard shows, The Merry Wives Of Windsor , presented in the downtown courtyard of St. Andrews United Church and attempting to capture the flavour of London's open-air Globe Theatre. Dennis O'Connor plays the self-impressed Falstaff, with Allegra Fulton , Catherine McNally , Elley-Ray Snow , Rick Waugh and Eli Ham ; Jeannette Lambermont directs. Previews July 14, opens July 15 and runs to August 14. 117 Bloor East. 416-504-7529.

Fringe benefits

The largest theatre event of the year keeps growing. This year's Fringe Festival boasts an amazing 134 shows chosen by lottery, with some returning and some first-time Fringe artists. The roll call includes T.J. Dawe , Nicola Gunn , Brock Simpson , Kate Lynch , Judith Thompson , Chris Abraham , Eli Batalion and Jerome Sable . Opens July 6 and runs to July 17 at eight venues and other bring-your-own sites. 416-966-1062.

Shrew on the bay

ShakespeareWorks returns for its second season and jumps right into the middle of the battle of the sexes with The Taming Of The Shrew , directed by David Ferry with an eye to the play's comedy as well as its issues. His Kate and Petruchio are Elizabeth Saunders and Paulino Nunes , with Marian Day and Paul Braunstein also in the cast. Previews begin June 26, opens June 29 and runs to August 7. Ashbridges Bay . 416-872-1111.

Cirque works

Toronto audiences have a thing for Cirque du Soleil , so it's no surprise that the company's returning to Toronto with its latest touring show, Corteo , created and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca . Filled with clowns, acrobats and amazing aerial work, Corteo begins August 4 and runs to September 11 at the troupe's trademark blue-and-yellow tent at Ontario Place . 1-800-678-5440.