Opening this week in Toronto

Here is your listings for theatre opening this week in and around the GTA; also I have to give a shout out to the show Festen which begins previews on November 17th at the Berkeley Street Theatre. The show is based on the 1998 Danish Dogme film of the same name ("The Celebration" is the English translation). The film is a masterpiece. Let's hope the staging will be equally as gratifying.


Bressani by Frank Spezzano (The Italian Pastoral Commission /The Pirandello Theatre). This historical drama looks at the life of the first Italian Jesuit in North America. Nov 13-16, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm, student mats Thu-Fri 1 pm. $20, student mats $10. Don Bosco Catholic School Auditorium, 2 St Andrews Blvd. 416-781-9000.

Duet For One by Tom Kempinski (Duet for One Co-Op). This drama is based on the life of cellist Jacqueline du Pré. Nov 14-16, Fri-Sun 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton. 416-696-5950 ext 2.

Hay Fever by Noel Coward (Markham Little Theatre). The self-centred Bliss family drives away its guests in this manners comedy. Opens Nov 19 and runs to Nov 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $22, seniors/students $19 (Wed-Thu only). Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts, 171 Town Centre. 905-305-7469.

Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen (Stage Centre Productions). A headstrong new bride causes chaos in order to keep her checkered past secret. Opens Nov 13 and runs to Nov 29, Thu-Sat (and Nov 26) 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, seniors $20, student $15. Fairview Library, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com.

Hospitality 3: Individualism Was A Mistake by Caroline Dubois, Claudia Fancello and Jacob Wren. (Harbourfront World Stage/Quebec Now!). Indie rock meets theatre in PME-ART's performance piece about collaboration. Opens Nov 19 and runs to Nov 22, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15-$30. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Miss Julie: Sheh'mah (KICK Theatre). This adaptation of a play by August Strindberg looks at sex between upper and lower classes. Opens Nov 13 and runs to Nov 29, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20, Sun pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, kicktheatre.ca.

Murderous Women adapted from the book by Frank Jones (Theatre Erindale). Historical murders committed by women are re-enacted in this drama. Previews Nov 13. Opens Nov 14 and runs to Nov 22, Tue-Thu 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 22 at 2 pm. $9-$14. Erindale Studio Theatre, 3359 Mississauga Rd N. 905-569-4369, theatreerindale.com.

My Name Is Rachel Corrie adapted by Katherine Viner and Alan Rickman (Organic Underground Theatre Collective). This solo drama is based on the diaries and e-mails of the American peace activist killed in Gaza in 2003. Nov 14-15, at 7:30 pm. $10-$15. Multimedia Studio Theatre, 3359 Mississauga Rd N. 888-222-6608, cjpme.ca.

Paradise By The River by Vittorio Rossi (Shadowpath Theatre). This drama looks at the internment of Italian-Canadian men during WWII. Nov 13-14, Thu 8 pm, Fri 1 and 7 pm. $25-$28. City Playhouse Theatre, 1000 New Westminster, Vaughan. 905-882-7469.

The Paranormal Show (Campbell House Museum). Vladimir Eisengrimm performs mind reading, hypnotism, a seance and other sideshow feats. Opens Nov 13 and runs to Nov 29, Thu-Sat 9 pm (except Nov 27). $40. 160 Queen W. 416-597-0227, theparanormalshow.net.

Talking Heads by Alan Bennett (Alumnae Theatre). Three of Bennett's darkly comedic monologues produced for BBC-TV are presented on stage. Opens Nov 14 and runs to Nov 29, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed-Thu 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley, 3rd floor studio. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Tosca by Giacomo Puccini (Opera Lirica Italiana). The dramatic opera is fully staged and presented in Italian with English surtitles. Nov 13-15, Thu and Sat 8 pm. $30, student/seniors $25, child $20. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. 416-882-0246, operaliricaitaliana.com.

The Trial Of Mary And Joseph/The Woman Taken In Adultery (Poculi Ludique Societas). Two short plays based on biblical tales examine medieval views of female sexuality. Nov 13-16, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, seniors $15, students $10. Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris. 416-978-5096.

Trudeau Stories by Brooke Johnson (Theatre Passe Muraille). Johnson's solo show dramatizes memories, letters and journal entries relating to her friendship with the former prime minister. Previews Nov 14-18. Opens Nov 19 and runs to Dec 6, Tue-Sat 7 pm (except Nov 14 at 8:30 pm and no evening show Nov 15), mat Sat 2:30 pm. $30-$35, previews $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown by Clark Gesner (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). This family musical is based on the 'Peanuts' comic strip characters. Opens Nov 13 and runs to Dec 30, opening night 7 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm (call for other times). $20, student/seniors $15. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.