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Queer Toronto Theatre Events
The Inside Story is one of Gay Toronto's leading media publications, with the hottest happenings in the coolest places
The Inside Story newspaper online since 1996. Did you know out of town visitors can plan an entire trip to Queer Toronto using using the Inside Story? We’re not just an online e-newspaper; we’re a complete resource guide, with detailed listings for: Hotels, B&B, Hostels · Restaurents, Bars, Clubs and other places to hang out · Shopping · Daily, Weekly, and Monthly events, Local and National News. We are a top search result, on most major search engines when using key words such as ‘ queer Toronto’, with a growing number of affiliate links with key websites around the world. The Inside Story enewspaper is committed to promoting the excellence within the Queer West Village arts and culture community, with over 500 listings, which are not exclusively gay or lesbian. Don Quixote, editor: insidestory_toronto@yahoo.ca | Parcel Post & Letters: Box 204, Station C - West Toronto ON M6J 3M9. Phone: 9 am to 9 pm.(7x) 416-551-1709 Subscribe to E-Mail Edition
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Queer - Theatre | Stage (updated weekly) Our top entertainment pages average of 42, 000 hits a day! Because our reporters are out in the community every single day of the week, digging up obscure events, news stories, talking to music promoters, theatre companies, festivals, DJ's and community groups to find out what's hot and what's not.
Theatre & Stage - Queer Toronto, Ontario
Culture and the Arts is a fundamental part of life in Queer West Toronto. Toronto welcomes 18 million visitors a year and is the most visited tourist destination in Canada. As the third largest English language theatre market in the world (behind New York and London), Toronto loves theatre. Toronto theatre venues are spread across the city. Theatre places off the beaten path in queer west Toronto Theatre Passe Muraille , Equity Showcase Factory Theatre , Tarragon Theatre and the The Village Playhouse. In the summer, CanStage in Toronto’s High Park, come alive with outdoor theatre. There are 123 not for profit performing arts groups. Torontonians appreciate film and we have the festivals and screenings to prove it! The Toronto International Film Festival is the largest public film festival in the world. Other festivals include Hot Docs , which focuses on documentary film and Sprockets which focuses on children’s film. More than 100 films premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and the Annual Inside Out Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival of Toronto, showed over 300 films in 2007.
Alias Godot @ Tarragon Theatre April 22 to Jun 1st by Brendan Gall is a "clever and comic counterpoint" to Samuel Beckett's classic Waiting for Godot. Here, two detectives are baffled by a suspect named Godot. Set in a dank interrogation room, the interrogation gets derailed by the Domestic Terrorism Unit, the cops' own ineptitude and Godot's own honest, talk of a mysterious package and a preoccupation with a pressing appointment. The North American premiere runs Tues. to Jun. 1 (PYWC-$38 at 416-531-1827). Tarragon Theatre's 30 Bridgman Ave.www.tarragontheatre.com (at the corner of Howland Ave. And Bridgman Ave. One block north of Dupont St., two blocks east of Bathurst St.)
Breakfast @ Theatre Centre until June 1 Ffrom Independent Aunties, follows a middle-aged, depressed and single woman who is trying out a self-help programme, but things take a turn to the bizarre. A production in progress, performances take place Wed. to Jun. 1 ($15-$20 at 416-538-0988). Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen St. W.
Canadian Explosion: @ Stage West Until July 6 A Musical Revue takes a look at the Canadian music scene, from the 1950s and groups like the Four Lads right through to the present and performers like Avril Lavigne and Celine Dion. Performances run tonight to Jul. 6 (buffet/show from $55 at 905-238-0042). Stage West, 5400 Dixie Rd. Mississauga.www.stagewest.com
Dance Of The Red Skirts @ Tarragon Extra Space until May 25 This ensemble creation is inspired by Paul Klee's painting Previews from May 3, opens May 7 and runs to May 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$25, previews $12, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, www.theatrecolumbus.ca
Free to Be... You and Me @ Bathurst Street Theatre until May 19 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. (call 416-872-1111). Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst St.
Friday Night Magic @ Revival Bar (Indefinite run) - Canadian magicians and conjuring artists perform in a weekly show. Indefinite run, Fri 8 pm (doors 6 pm). $20, three-show pass $39. 783 College. 416-535-7888. | Queer West, Toronto Ontario.
I Decide (Happens Every Saturday night) @ Knightflight Studio - Knight Flight Production¹s unique and inspirational, one-of-kind loft show, has sold out every time since August 2003 in their eclectic 2,000 square foot loft. DECIDE, an urban centric themed, inspirational musical for adults with an ethnically diverse cast of five, takes place in the perfectly situated hip downtown Queen and Bathurst area. The loft, holding audiences up to 130, provides the ideal backdrop for the show. This usical entertains audiences by combining an exceptional mixture of R&B, beat boxing, comedy sketches, spoken word, hip hop, dance, film, and audience participation. This show is truly unique to West Toronto; it is an urban musical that literally turns into a party. After the show the LOFT turns into a full party that creates a new social alternative for people. Every Saturday night @ 8:00 PM Knightflight Studio, 721 Queen St. W. | Tickets: $20 at the door, or click here to reserve in advance. www.decideshow.com | Queer West, Toronto Ontario.
Inspirato festival (Inspirato Festival).@ Alchemy Theatre May 1-10 Ten-minute plays by Joe Musso, Dominik Loncar, Catherine Frid and others are featured. Opens May 1 and 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
Mask and Madness in Macbeth @ Joseph Workman Theatre April 21 to May 10 explores themes in Shakespeare's great tragedy through an edited text, movement, music and the theatrical technique of mask. The Shakespeare in Action/Workman Arts production runs Mon. to May 10 ($25/$18 at 416-703-4881). Joseph Workman Theatre, 1001 Queen St. W. Queer West, Toronto Ontario.
Medieval Times @ CNE. Indefinite run Enjoy a feast while knights on horseback compete to win the hand of the princess. Wed-Thu 7 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3:30 pm. $56.95, child $38.95. Call 1-888-WE-JOUST or 416-260-1234. Exhibition Place . 416-260-1234.www.medievaltimes.com
Nags Music Hall @ Tranzac Club (Nags Players May 2 to 9 ). Comedy, music, dance, ventriloquism and more are offered in this Victorian-style arts show. Opens May 2 and runs to May 9, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $12-$15. Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick. 647-338-6427, 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. Opens May 6 and runs to May 24, May 6, 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 @ Theatre Passe Muraille Sat. to May 11. Written by Leon Aureus, Rose Cortez, Nicco Garcia, Christine Mangosing and Nadine Villasin and dramaturged by Nina Lee Aquino, explores the lives of ordinary people during the 1980s People Power Revolution in the Philippines. The Carlos Bulosan Theatre production runs Sat. to May 11 (PWYC-$29 at 416-504-7529).Theatre Passe Muraille 16 Ryerson Ave. (E. Of Bathurst St., N. of Queen St. W.) | for tickets.www.passemuraille.on.ca
Performance Spring Festival ( Factory Theatre ). New works by indie artists: Sexual Practices Of The Japanese (May 7-18); 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). Opens May 7 and 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, presented by the Bloor West Village Players. Runs Fri. to May 17 ($18/$15 at 416-767-7702). The Village Playhouse, 2190 Bloor St. W.
The Barber of Seville@ Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts By Gioacchino Rossini (Canadian Opera Company). Count Almaviva looks to steal Rosina from her fiance in this Italian comedic opera. Opens Apr 16 and runs to May 23, Apr 16, 19, 25, May 2, 8, 13, 16, 21 and 23 at 7:30 pm, May 4 at 2 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.
The Soldier Dreams - The Domino Heart @ Alchemy Theatre Daniel MacIvor/Matthew Edison (Column 13 Actors Company). This double bill runs as part of Column 13's Four Play Festival 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.
West Side Story @ The Equity Showcase Theatre Runs May 28 to May 31. One of the greatest musicals ever written is to grace the stage of C.A.T.S. MAINSTAGE COMPANY in May. West Side Story is a glorious tale of hope in the face of adversity, and combines excellent storytelling with sumptuous music to tell the story of two groups of adolescents in New York Slums. For a strictly limited run beginning Wednesday, May 28th to Saturday, May 31st, 2008, Bernstein’s classic musical, directed by Gina Anki, will open its doors at Equity Showcase Theatre.
C. A.T.S. Mainstage Company is an acting school dedicated to teaching and developing a passion for theatre at a dedicated professional level. The intensive actor-training program provides an opportunity for aspiring actors to make the most of their potential, unlocking, developing and teaching them to use their own unique creative talent. This intensive 17-week rehearsal session will culminate in a final performance, with an extended run of shows. C.A.T.S. mission is simple: act as if everything you desire is already here… treat yourself as if you already know what you’d like to become. Embrace your dreams.
Marking its 50th anniversary in 2007, West Side Story is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and set in the contemporary slums of urban America. With familiar songs such as Maria, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere and America, Bernstein and Sondheim created an unforgettable mix of poignancy, tenderness, hilarity and hope. Sharp, snappy dialogue of the streets, combined with Jerome Robbins’ choreography, meant that dance could enter new and exciting realms for this production. West Side Story became a timeless show that redefined the musical genre of its time.
The Details: Show information for West Side Story Venue: Equity Showcase Theatre Date: Wednesday, May 28, Thursday, May 29, Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 8 PM. Matinee Saturday, May 31st at 2:00p.m. Tickets: $20.00 per ticket Ticket reservations are available by phone at 905-823-5151 x3, on-line at www.catsdrama.com or at the Box Office on the evening of each performance. The Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin St., a few doors north of Dundas St. W. www.catsdrama.com
SHAW FESTIVAL
Getting Married by Bernard Shaw (Shaw Festival). A bishop's daughter and her fiance have doubts about their nuptials. opens May 22 and runs in rep to Nov 1. $45-$89, previews $45-$59, special mats srs $40, stu $25. Royal George Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake. 1-800-511-SHAW, www.shawfest.com.
An inspector Calls by JB Priestly (Shaw Festival). Family secrets emerge during a murder investigation. opens May 21 and runs in rep to Nov 2. $45-$105, previews $45-$89, special mats srs $40, stu $25. Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake. 1-800-511-SHAW,
The Stepmother by Githa Sowerby (Shaw Festival). A woman helps her stepdaughters while their father drives the family to ruin. opens May 23 and runs in rep to Oct 4. $45-$89, previews $45-$59, special mats srs $40, stu $25. Court House Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake. 1-800-511-SHAW.
Wonderful Town @ Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake by Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov. Two sisters from Ohio seek their fortunes in New York City in 1935. Opens May 24 and runs in rep to Oct 5. $45-$105, previews $45-$70, special mats srs $40, stu $25. Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake. 1-800-511-SHAW, www.shawfest.com.
The Stratford Shakespeare Festival features five works by the Bard himself and a variety of other works. In previews now: Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet (opens May 27); Meredith Willson's The Music Man (opens May 28); Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (opens May 26). Kander & Ebb's Cabaret starts previews Tues. (opens May 29) and The Trojan Women by Euripides, with a new translation by Nicholas Rudall starts previews Wed. (opens May 30). Full ticket and production info at www.stratfordfestival.ca or 1-800-567-1600.
