Toronto theatre openings this week

Here is list of premiering shows this week in Toronto:

B4 the Fringe (Theatre Erindale). This double bill of student one-act plays features Adam Pettle's Therac 25 and Sydney Dunitz's work in progress Stolen Sneakers. Sep 25-27 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Erindale Studio Theatre, 3359 Mississauga N. 905-569-4369.

California Suite by Neil Simon (Stage Centre Productions). Personal dramas unfold at a Beverly Hills hotel in this comedy. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 11, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, srs $20, stu $15. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557.

An Evening With Uncle Val by Andy Jones (Theatre Passe Muraille). A retired fisherman moves to the suburbs of St. John's in this solo comedy (see related story, this page). Previews Sep 30, opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529.

Ghosts and Ladders by Kim Selody (DynamO Théâtre). This acrobatic show about three brothers is presented in English and French. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 11 (see website for dates and times). $20, srs/stu $15. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.

King Lear by William Shakespeare (Hart House Theatre). The classic tragedy gets a staging. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 18 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $12. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, harthousetheatre.ca.

Offensive Shadows by Paul Dunn (Studio 180). This modern sequel to A Midsummer Night's Dream looks at life after the lovers wake up (see related story, page 94). Previews from Sep 26, opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$35, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, studio180.ca.

Opera Briefs 8 (Tapestry New Opera). Short new works by Canadian composers and librettists are presented. Sep 26-28, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $20-$25, stu $10. Ernest Balmer Studio, 55 Mill, bldg 58. 416-537-6066.

Verdict (Vessel Dance Projects). This funder for the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto features music, dance, poetry and theatre by Kathy Bischoping and Michael Scott. Sep 25-27 at 8 pm. Pwyc-$10. Victory Café, 581 Markham. vesseldanceprojects@gmail.com.

Wit by Margaret Edson (Alumnae Theatre). A professor looks back on her life while undergoing cancer treatment. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 11, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed-Thu 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

'Legally Blonde' will close on Broadway

News from New York this morning as Legally Blonde announced yesterday that it will play its final performance at the Palace Theatre on October 19th.

In a statement made yesterday - lead producer Hal Luftig said:

"Producing Legally Blonde has been one of the highlights of my career. Much like Elle Woods, the entire company, creative team and crew has worked with heart, wit, enthusiasm, integrity and style throughout the entire, thrilling run. I can't wait for the rest of the country to be able to experience the show live."

The production will have played 595 regular performances and 30 previews since it opened on April 29, 2007.

Legally Blonde has music and lyrics by both Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach. James Sampliner serves as music director. Orchestrations are by Christopher Jahnke.

Legally Blonde earned seven Tony nominations, including Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Choreography and Best Actress (for original star Laura Bell Bundy).

A national tour of the musical, starring Becky Gulsvig, launched in Providence, RI, Sept. 21 and is currently booking dates through September of 2009.

Opera 101: War And Peace

The Canadian Opera Company is premiering Opera 101: War And Peace tonight in Queen West. The COC's upcoming production of the Prokofiev opera is discussed with director Tim Albery and host Brent Bambury. The talk will be followed by live entertainment.

The evening starts at 7:30 pm. It is Free. It is happening at the Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W. coc.ca

'AGOKWE' opens tonight in Toronto

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre begins its 2008-2009 season this evening with the world premiere of Agokwe, a new work from 23-year-old Ojibwa artist Waawaate Fobister. Agokwe explores unrequited love between teenage boys from neighbouring reserves.

"Agokwe is a multi-character monologue performed and danced by Waawaate Fobister (Death of a Chief - NAC/Native Earth Performing Arts). Agokwe began as a short monologue, performed as part of Buddies' 2005/06 PrideCab, a collectively created, youth-driven cabaret created over 12 weeks and performed as part of Buddies' Cultural Pride Festivities.

During the 2006/07 Season, Agokwe was further developed as part of Buddies' Young Creators Unit, during which Fobister was teamed up with award-winning director Ed Roy. The world premiere of Agokwe marks the first time that one of Buddies' Mainstage presentations has been entirely developed through all stages of Buddies' Queer Youth Arts Programme. This is also the case with Mark Shyzer's Fishbowl, which premieres in the latter half of Buddies' 2008-2009 Season." (artsexy.ca)

Created and performed by Waawaate Fobister, Director and Dramaturg Ed Roy, Original Music by Marc Nadjiwan, Lighting Designer Kimberly Purtell, Set Designer Andy Moro, Costume Designer Erika Iserhoff, Sound Designer Lyon Smith, Stage Manager Tracy Lynne Cann

September 23 - October 12, 2008
Venue: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre Mainspace
Price: $15-$29, PWYC
go to http://www.artsexy.ca/ for info on tickets.

[Title of Show] to close on Broadway

On September 19th producers of [Title of Show] announced will play its final performance October 12th at the Lyceum Theatre.

When it closes, the musical will have played 13 previews and 102 performances. Previews began at the Lyceum July 5 with an official opening July 17.

Originally produced at the Vineyard Theatre in 2006, the entire original cast — including co-creators Jeff Bowen (score) and Hunter Bell (book) as well as co-stars Susan Blackwell and Heidi Blickenstaff — made the leap to the Broadway stage. A Chorus Line's Michael Berresse, who helmed the acclaimed Off-Broadway run, also directs the Broadway version, which features musical director-arranger Larry Pressgrove onstage playing the electric keyboard. (Standbys are Courtney Balan and Benjamin Howes.)

The Broadway staging is produced by the Vineyard as well as Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Laura Camien, Roy Miller, Kris Stewart.

[title of show] debuted in 2004 at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Bowen, Bell and Berresse each won a 2006 Obie Award for work on the subsequent 2006 Off-Broadway production at the Vineyard Theatre.

Theatre Recap

I want to plug Colin Oliver and Laura Cockburn who I had the pleasure of working with at U of T. Laura is an amazing playwright and director. She directed me in Chess and Blood Brothers for the St Mike's Theatre Co. all those years ago. Anyway The show is called Witch Hazel: A Tale of Two Wise Women. If you can, check out their show at the Palmerston Library Space. I have yet to be able to make it out to one of their productions, because I am always working, alas. There is more information below in Justin's what's opening section. Congrats guys and break-a-leg
LM

Sharron's Party

This Woman is fo'real... you must see her tonight and/or tomorrow.
and part II
- So amazing


Justin posted all the info for this event below

LM