How to find a listing

Theatre listings are comprehensive and appear alphabetically by title. Opening plays begin this week, Previewing shows preview this week, One-Nighters are one-offs, and Continuing shows have already opened. Reviews are by Jon Kaplan (JK), Glenn Sumi (GS) and Debbie Fein-Goldbach (DF-G). The rating system is as follows:
NNNNN Standing ovation
NNNN Sustained applause
NNN Recommended, memorable scenes
NN Seriously flawed
N Get out the hook
= Critics' pick (highly recommended) How to place a listing All listings are free. Send to: stage@nowtoronto.com, fax 416-364-1166 or mail to Theatre, NOW Magazine, 189 Church, Toronto M5B 1Y7. Include title, author, producer, brief synopsis of show/event, times, range of ticket prices (including stu/srs discounts and pay-what-you-can days), venue, address and box office/info phone number. Listings may be edited for space. Deadline is the Thursday before the publication at 5 pm.

Opening

Body & Soul by Judith Thompson (Dove). Real Canadian women between the ages of 45 and 78 look to change the way society sees mature women. Previews May 10 (2 pm), opens May 10 (8 pm) and runs to May 17, Tue and Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $25. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666.
Converse (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). The LKTYP Drama School Ensemble perform new works by Marjorie Chan, Darrell Dennis, Anita Majumdar, Michael Miller, Sonja Mills and Judith Thompson. May 8-11, Thu-Sat 7 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $10, stu/srs $5. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, www.lktyp.ca.
Defending The Caveman by Rob Becker (Jeffrey Latimer Entertainment). The hit comedy about misunderstandings between men and women returns. May 9-10 at 8 pm. $39.50. Diesel Playhouse, 56 Blue Jays Way. 416-971-5656.
The Eco Show by Daniel Brooks (Necessary Angel Theatre). The ecology of one family is changed by the ecology of the world (see related story, page 69). Previews from May 13, opens May 15 and runs to Jun 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, previews $15, Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.
Force over area (The AMY Project). Young women struggle to be strong under pressure in this creation by Artists Mentoring Youth. May 9-11, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$25, Sun pwyc-$15. Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529.
Free To Be... You And Me by Marlo Thomas and Friends (Randolph Young Company). RYC students aged 8 to 14 perform poetry, music and skits that celebrate diversity and community. Opens May 9 and runs to May 19, Fri-Sat 7 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun (and May 19) 11 am and 3 pm. $20. Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-872-1111.
Misery based on the novel by Stephen King (Canadian Stage Company). Injured in a car accident, a novelist finds himself at the mercy of an obsessed and unstable fan. Opens May 8 and runs to May 31, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$89, limited Mon pwyc. Bluma Appel, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, www.canstage.com.
My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe (Dancap Productions). The musical based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion gets a staging. Opens May 8 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7:30 pm, mats select Wed-Thu and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $60-$100. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, www.dancaptickets.com.
The soldier dreams/the domino heart by Daniel MacIvor/Matthew Edison (Column 13 Actors Company). This double bill runs as part of Column 13's Four Play Festival (see related story, page 72). Opens May 13 and runs to May 18, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $18, stu/srs $15, Tue pwyc. Alchemy Theatre, 133 Tecumseth. www.column13.org.
Rapunzel: The Girl With The Golden Hair (Solar Stage Children's Theatre). The fairy tale gets a musical staging, for ages 3 to 10. Opens May 10 and runs to May 25, Sat-Sun at 11 am and 2 pm. $13. 4950 Yonge. 416-368-8031.
Stories from our black books - the play by Carissa Reiniger (Carissa Reiniger/Lindsey Steinberg). Adapted from the book, this play looks at women's relationships. Previews from May 8, opens May 14 and runs to Jun 8, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $29-$59. Six Degrees, 2335 Yonge. 1-888-222-6608, www.storiesfromourblackbooks.com.

Previewing

Breakfast by Anna Chatterton and Evalyn Parry (Theatre Centre/Independent Aunties). A lonely woman seeks advice from a self-help guru in this work-in-progress production. Previews from May 14 , opens May 21 and runs to Jun 1, Wed-Sat (and May 27) 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$20. 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988.

One-Nighters

Happy 20th birthday toronto fringe (Toronto Public Library). Trey Anthony, Gideon Arthurs and Sky Gilbert talk about their experiences with the Fringe festival. May 9 at 6:30 pm. Free. Reference Library, 789 Yonge. 416-393-7131, www.torontopubliclibrary.ca.
Joon's Henhouse by Adam Wilson (Sette Productions). Vaudeville meets burlesque in this musical show. May 11 at 5 pm (doors 4 pm). $40 (portion donated to cancer research). Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.
mussorgsky project 2 (Obsidian Theatre). The Playwright's Unit presents short plays by Rita Deverell, Leah Simone Bowen, Rosemarie Stewart and Rachael Lea-Rickards as part of the CrossCurrents Festival. May 8 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Factory Studio Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971
opera exchange (Munk Centre/Canadian Opera Company). Academics and members of the COC participate in a symposium about the music in Debussy's Pelléas Et Mélisande. May 10 from 9 am to 1 pm. $15, stu $5. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles W. 416-363-8231, www.coc.ca.
waiting for godot by Samuel Beckett (Tarragon). Beckett's play gets a reading with cast members from the Tarragon's Alias Godot, in support of the Actors' Fund of Canada. May 11 at 7 pm (doors 6 pm). Pwyc. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827.

Continuing

Alias Godot by Brendan Gall (Tarragon). Two NYC detectives interrogate a mysterious foreigner (see review, page 73). Runs to Jun 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$32, stu/srs $20-$32, Sun pwyc-$17. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, www.tarragontheatre.com.
... And Counting! (Letter Three) by Tony Nardi (Tony Nardi). Nardi completes his trilogy of letters on the state of the arts in Canada with a two-hour musing on the nature of theatre funding and the money he didn't receive to stage the first two letters. Passionate, bright and filled with a multitude of references and recognizable figures, the piece is only the first half of the evening - after the performance, Nardi encourages an audience dialogue on the subjects he's discussed. Runs to May 22, May 9-10, 7 pm, at Alison Smith Contemporary Art Gallery (1410 Dundas W), and May 17 and 22, 9:30 pm at Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst). $20, stu/srs $10, shows at Factory Theatre pwyc. www.twoletters.ca. NNNN (JK)
The barber of seville by Gioacchino Rossini (Canadian Opera Company). Michael Patrick Albano's heavy-handed direction kills most of this effervescent opera's comedy, but debuting baritone Rodion Pogossov makes a delightful Figaro. Runs to May 23, May 8, 13, 16, 21 and 23 at 7:30 pm and May 10 at 4:30 pm. $60-$275, stu $30-$95. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, www.coc.ca. NN (JK)
Crosscurrents Festival (Factory Theatre). Plays by Guillermo Verdecchia, Ruth Madoc-Jones, Andrew Moodie, Yvette Nolan, Mark Cassidy and Marjorie Chan, plus works by Obsidian Theatre, Carlos Bulosan Theatre and Cahoots Theatre Projects challenge political and social consciousness. Runs to May 11, Thu-Fri and Sun 8 pm, Sat 2 pm. Pwyc. Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, www.factorytheatre.ca.
Dance Of The Red Skirts (Theatre Columbus). This ensemble creation is inspired by Paul Klee's painting. Runs to May 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$25, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, www.theatrecolumbus.ca.
Dancing with stars can be murder (Mysteriously Yours... Dinner Theatre). This interactive dinner show spoofs the reality dance show. Limited run, Fri-Sat 8 pm (dinner 6:30 pm). $40-$45 (show only). 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, www.mysteriouslyyours.com.
Dead Ahead by Edward Roy (Topological Theatre). This drama looks at video games in teen violence (see review, page 75). Runs to May 11, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, www.lktyp.ca. NNN (GS)
the december Man by Colleen Murphy (Canadian Stage Company) Inspired by the 1989 massacre at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique, Murphy's award-winning drama explores the stages of grief felt by one of the surviving male students and his working-class parents, all of whom commit suicide. Murphy unspools the story in reverse, so that we begin with the parents' deaths and then travel back, discovering what lead up to the tragedies. Director Micheline Chevrier gets strong performances by Nicola Lipman and Brian Dooley as the parents, and the set and lighting tell us as much about the characters as the script, but a few wobbly symbols feel contrived and by the midway point there's a lack of surprise and subtext. Runs to May 17, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$47, limited Mon pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, www.canstage.com. NN (GS)
dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on stage by Eleanor Bergstein (Mirvish). The 80s film about a politically aware (we're told, anyway) young woman's sexual and social awakening at a Catskills resort in the early 60s has been adapted for the stage, word for literal word. What's passable on the screen - especially with two charismatic leads - gets tiresome and banal on stage. The staging is awkward, the dance - dirty or otherwise - unimpressive and the film's period songs haven't been integrated in any surprising fashion. Put this show in a corner and keep it there. Runs to Nov 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $36-$120. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, www.mirvish.com. N (GS)
Et Si On Chantait... by Guy Mignault (Théâtre français de Toronto) French songs and stories celebrate happiness over 40 years. Runs to May 10, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm (surtitled shows May 8 and 10). $29-$46, stu/srs $24-$32. Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604.
Evil Dead: the Musical based on the film by Sam Raimi (Jeffrey Latimer Entertainment). College kids accidentally unleash an evil force in the woods in this comedy. Runs to Jun 14, Mon-Thu 8 pm, Fri 7:30 and 11 pm, Sat 7 and 11 pm. $29.50-$75. Diesel Playhouse, 56 Blue Jays Way. 416-971-5656.
Hairspray by Mark O'Donnell, Thomas Meehan, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (NETworks Presentations). The 50s musical comedy returns. Runs to May 11, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $36-$94. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, www.mirvish.com.
Inspirato festival (Inspirato Festival). Ten-minute plays by Joe Musso, Catherine Frid, Dominik Loncar and others are featured. Runs to May 10, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sat mat 2:30 pm and late show 10:30 pm. $18-$25, late show $12. Alchemy Theatre, 133 Tecumseth. www.inspiratofestival.ca.
An Italian Straw hat by Eugène Labiche and Marc Michel (Stage Centre Productions). A wedding is delayed by uninvited guests and a hat-eating horse in this musical farce. Runs to May 17, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, srs $20, stu $15. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557.
Lucky Stiff by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Toronto Youth Theatre). A man takes a corpse on vacation in hopes of inheriting a fortune in this comedy. Runs to May 17, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$50, stu $15-$30. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666.
Mask and Madness In Macbeth (Workman Arts/Shakespeare In Action). Director Michael Kelly wants to emphasize the parallels between the topsy-turvy world in Shakespeare's tragedy and that faced by many who receive mental health services. Intriguing idea, but the production, using masks and relying on actors who can't always interpret the text, is too limp to provide much insight. The stand-out performer is Xuan Fraser, who makes Macbeth a Falstaffian clown without ever losing the murderous usurper's gravitas. Runs to May 10, Fri-Sat 8 pm. $25, stu $18. Joseph Workman Theatre, 1001 Queen W. 416-703-4881.
Nags Music Hall (Nags Players). Comedy, music, dance, ventriloquism and more are offered in this Victorian-style arts show. Runs to May 9, Thu-Fri 8 pm. $12-$15. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick. www.nagsplayers.com.
Pelleas et Melisande by Claude Debussy (Canadian Opera Company). Love and jealousy lead to tragedy in this French opera adapted from a play by Maurice Maeterlinck. Runs to May 24, May 9, 14, 17, 20 and 22 at 7:30 pm, May 11 at 2 pm and May 24 at 4:30 pm. $60-$275, stu $30-$95. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, www.coc.ca.
People Power by Leon Aureus, Christine Mangosing, Nicco Lorenzo Garcia, Rose Cortez and Nadine Villasin (Carlos Bulosan Theatre). Tracing the grassroots energy in the Filipino People Power Revolution of the 80s, this collective creation takes the fast-moving action out into the audience. Under director Nina Lee Aquino, the five-member cast creates dozens of characters and makes us believe in them all. Runs to May 11, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25-$29, Sun pwyc-$15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, www.passemuraille.on.ca. NNNN (JK)
Performance Spring Festival (Factory Theatre). New works by indie artists: Sexual Practices Of The Japanese (runs to May 18); Two Stroke Roll (May 13-18); The Facts Behind The Helsinki Roccamatios (May 21-25); plus Tony Nardi's ...And Counting (May 17 and 22 at 9:30 pm). Runs to May 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$36, Fri rush $10, Sun pwyc-$20, stu/srs discounts and passes available. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, www.factorytheatre.ca.
Relatively Speaking by Alan Ayckbourn (Bloor West Village Players) A man mistakes his new girlfriend's married lover for her father in this comedy. Runs to May 17, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $18, srs/stu $15. Village Playhouse, 2190 Bloor W. 416-767-7702.
Rock. paper. sistahz 7 (b current). This arts showcase features spoken word, theatre, play readings and more. Runs to May 31, various venues, dates and times. $7 per event. 416-504-7529, www.bcurrent.ca.
The Space Between (C!RCA/Harbourfront World Stage) Music, theatre, acrobatics and dance are used to explore intimacy, control and desire. To May 10, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $30, stu/srs rush $13. Premiere Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, www.harbourfrontcentre.com.
WE WILL ROCK YOU by Ben Elton (Mirvish). This quasi-musical featuring Queen songs works best as a rock show. The tunes hold up, and the performers have the vocal heft to belt them out. The silly story loses steam in the second act. To May 11, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$94. Canon, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, www.mirvish.com. NN (GS)