Opening this week in the city

Here are the theatre listings for the upcoming week in Toronto.

Alibi by Lukasz Wylezalek (Atlas Stage Productions). This crime drama is performed in Polish with simultaneous English translation. May 15-16, Fri-Sat 8 pm (and Sat 6 pm). $28-$32, stu $25, rush $15. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, atlasstage.com.

The Book Of Judith by Michael Rubenfeld and Sarah Stanley (Theatre Centre/Absit Omen/Die in Debt). This musical looks at changing lives through the story of quadriplegic author Judith Snow. Opens May 19 and runs to May 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats May 23-24 and 30 at 2 pm, May 31 at 11 am. $20. Centre For Addiction And Mental Health, 1001 Queen W. 416-538-0988, theatrecentre.org.

Burlesque A La Carte (Toronto Burlesque Festival). This funder for the festival features Skin Tight Outta Sight, Boylesque T.O., Mysterion, the Harlettes and others. May 14 at 8:30 pm. $18-$25. Revival, 783 College. torontoburlesquefestival.com.

Dragball On Parade (Girly Productions). This funder for the 2009 pageant features host Stephanie Stephens and others. May 14 at 10 pm. $20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-323-0772.

Eternal Hydra by Anton Piatigorsky (Crow's Theatre). Controversy surrounds the discovery of a long-lost literary masterpiece. Previews May 17-20. Opens May 21 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$30, previews/Sat mat $15, Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, crowstheatre.com.

In Good King Charles's Golden Days by Bernard Shaw (Shaw Festival). Philosophy, art, love and other topics are debated at Sir Isaac Newton's house in this comedy. Previews Apr 17-May 20. Opens May 21 and runs in rep to Oct 9. $30-$110; special mats srs $40, stu $25. Royal George Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.

John/Yoko Bed Piece by Risha Yorke (draft89). This installation piece uses performance, film, art and music to look at the 1969 Bed-In for Peace in Montreal. Opens May 20 and runs to Jun 7, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $28, stu/srs $25. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 647-887-3319, draft89.com.

The Marriage Of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland (AfriCan Theatre Ensemble). The spider/man storyteller Ananse decides to auction his daughter in this West African play. Opens May 15 and runs to May 23, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat May 16 at 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $15. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, africantheatre.org.

Murder On The Dance Floor (Fairly Lucid Productions). This funder for FLP's Fringe production features a 50s/60s-themed prom party. May 15 at 9 pm. $15. Revival, 783 College. fairlylucid.blogspot.com.

The NTS Directors' Showcase & Exchange (Crow's Theatre/National Theatre School of Canada). This weekend event features a panel discussion plus a performance showcase featuring works by Caryl Churchill, Anita Rochon and others. Some performances at Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson) and at the lot at 90 Lisgar. May 15-17, see website for days, times and venues. Free. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. crowstheatre.com.

Of All The People In All The World by Stan's Cafe (Harbourfront World Stage). Performers manipulate 15 tonnes of rice to represent populations and statistics in this performance installation. Opens May 13 and runs to May 24, Mon-Fri 10 am to 7 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am to 6 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

On Stage Performing Arts Series (Toronto Public Library). TPL presents conversations with artists. May 14, 7 pm, with choreographer Christopher House. May 22, 7 pm, with actor Sheila McCarthy. May 29, 7 pm, with opera singer Isabel Bayrakdarian. Free. Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge. 416-395-5577.

Pleasure Addicts by Brenda Goldstein (FADO Performance Art). This performance installation explores mass media conceptions of femininity. May 16, from 4 pm to midnight. Free. Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor W. 416-913-0461.

Ricky Jay – A Rogue's Gallery (Bathurst Street Theatre). The sleight-of-hand artist, actor and author appears in an evening of conversation and performance. May 14-16 at 8 pm. $79-$99. 736 Bathurst. 416-870-8000.

Riverdance by Bill Whelan, Moya Doherty and John McColgan (Mirvish). The theatrical celebration of Irish music, song and dance returns on its farewell tour. Opens May 19 and runs to Jun 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $20-$99. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Ten Green Bottles by Vivian Kaplan (Te-Amim Music Theatre). This drama is based on the true story of a Viennese family's escape from Nazism to China and eventually Canada. Previews May 14-15. Opens May 16 and runs to May 24, call or see website for days and times. $10-$25. Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina. 416-924-6211, te-amim.com.

Three Plays By Sam Shepard (Candles Co-op). Killer's Head, 4-H Club and Cowboys#2 are performed in the mansion ballroom. Previews May 20. Opens May 21 and runs to May 31, Wed-Thu and Sun 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7 pm. $15. KA Mansion, 160 St George. 416-535-6520.
Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov (Stratford Festival). Sisters seek to escape their small-town lives and find a meaningful future in Moscow. Previews May 9-30. Opens Jun 3 and runs in rep to Oct 3. $29-$99, stu/srs $25-$79. Tom Patterson Theatre. 1-800-567-1600, stratfordfestival.ca.

Tobor The Robot (Toronto Youth Theatre). This family musical tells the story of a robot who longs to become a real boy. Opens May 20 and runs to May 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20, student $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747 ext 221, torontoyouththeatre.org.

Toronto International Circus Festival (Zero Gravity Circus). This all-ages weekend features aerial acrobatics, stunts, cabaret acts, comedy, music, clowns and more, as part of HarbourKIDS: Impact! May 16-18 from 11 am to 5 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, tocircusfestival.com.
Courtesy of nowtoronto.com