Opening this week in Toronto

Here is the weekly listing of openings in the city for May 7-14.


Anne Of Green Gables – The Musical by Don Harron, Norman Campbell, Elaine Campbell and Mavor Moore (Dancap Productions/Charlottetown Festival). LM Montgomery's novel about the precocious orphan is presented as a musical. Previews May 7-12. Opens May 13 and runs to May 24, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (call/see website for other times). $25-$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.

Antique Fables And Fairy Toys: Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Canadian Opera Company). The COC presents a symposium about its current production as part of the Opera Exchange series. May 9, from 9:30 am to 1 pm. $15, stu $5. Edward Johnson Building, 80 Queen's Park. 416-368-8231, coc.ca.

Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin (Shaw Festival). A corrupt tycoon's scheme to educate his girlfriend backfires in this comedy. Previews May 5-22. Opens May 23 and runs in rep to Nov 1. $30-$110; special mats srs $40, stu $25. Festival Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.


The Cleansing Of Constance Brown by Stan's Cafe (Harbourfront World Stage). This fusion of installation and theatre features various scenarios enacted in a corridor. Opens May 5 and runs to May 9, Tue 8 pm, Wed-Fri 6:30 and 9 pm, Sat 2 and 8 pm. $40. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Conversations On The Green (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Ralph Benmergui talks to actor Hal Linden. May 10 at 7:30 pm. $15. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723.

Coyote City by Daniel David Moses (Centre for Indigenous Theatre). A phone call from a ghost draws an Aboriginal woman into the city. May 8-10, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15 suggested donation. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. 416-506-9436, indigenoustheatre.com.


Dave Curran (Dave And Buster's). The hypnotist performs a family show followed by an adult-themed show. May 9 at 7 pm. $10 plus a food bank donation. 120 Interchange Way. 416-806-1892, davecurranlive.com.


Four Voices, No Walls (OUTwrites). The GLBT writing group presents staged readings of works by Caroline Azar, Don Bapst, Bruce Bell and Sonja Mills. May 9 at 8 pm. By donation. Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina. 416-924-6211, outwrites.org.

Godspell by John Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz (Feast of Fools Theatre). This family musical is based on the gospel of St Matthew. May 8-10, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $24, stu/srs $18. The Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park. 416-231-3131, feastoffoolstheatre.com.

Growing Peace (Children's Peace Theatre). This benefit for CPT's Peace Leaders arts program features live music, an auction and more. May 9 from 1 to 4 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, kids under 12 free. Massey Goulding Estate, 305 Dawes. 416-752-1550, childrenspeacetheatre.org.

Hardwired (Early Seedling Development). This outdoor, site-specific performance features a trio of scenes about human behaviour during economic crises. Previews May 10 at 9 pm. Opens May 11 and runs to May 13, Mon-Wed 7 and 9 pm (rain or shine). Pwyc. Distillery District, 55 Mill. earlyseedlingdevelopment.netne.net

Heart And Vision Award For Social Justice (Toronto United Church Council). This tribute to award recipients Gordon Winch and Norman Jewison features performances by Louise Pitre, Jackie Richardson, Thom Allison and others. May 11 at 7 pm. $150 (proceeds to TUCC's Community Relief Fund). Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen E. 905-771-5124 ext 31.

The Highwayman – A New Musical by Sonja Seiler (Art'Sake Theatre Company). Alfred Noyes's poetic ballad about an outlaw who finds love is adapted for the stage. May 12 at 8 pm. $30. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, highwaymanmusical.com.

How Amazing We Can Be (Kid-Safe Productions). This family musical features singing frogs, dragons and lessons about friendship. May 9 at 11 am and 1 pm. $5. Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston. 416-586-2466, kidsafeproductions.com.

The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Stratford Festival). Two bachelors' lies catch up with them in this comedy. Previews May 9-Jun 1. Opens Jun 2 and runs in rep to Oct 30. $29-$99, students/seniors $25-$79. Avon Theatre. 1-800-567-1600, stratfordfestival.ca.

King Lear by William Shakespeare (New Allegro Theatre/the Youngest Shakespeare Company). The classic tragedy gets a staging. May 8-9 at 7:30 pm. $12-$15. Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College. 416-588-8077, newallegro.com.

Mamapalooza Festival (Bread & Circus). This Mother's Day celebration features music, poetry, comedy and more. May 10 from 1 to 5 pm. $10. 299 Augusta. 416-925-8898, breadandcircus.ca.
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, students/seniors $15. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, africantheatre.org.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in Action). The romantic comedy is adapted for young audiences with puppets, acrobatics, music and more. Previews May 7-8. Opens May 9 and runs to May 23, call or see website for dates and times. $22, stu $17. Workman Theatre, 1001 Queen W. 416-703-4881, shakespeareinaction.org

A Moon For The Misbegotten by Eugene O'Neill (Shaw Festival). Economic and emotional tensions develop between a woman, her father and their landlord. Previews Apr 28-May 22. Opens May 23 and runs in rep to Oct 9. $30-$110; special mats srs $40, stu $25. Court House Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.

Mother's Day Show (Caribbean Dinner Theatre). Comedy from The Saga Of Bobo plus live music and dance are part of this show hosted by Marvin Trini Ishmael. May 10 at noon. $25-$30 (includes brunch). De Great Iron Pot, 55 Nugget. 416-915-0227.

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.


Performance Spring Festival (Factory Theatre). The annual showcase features Fear Of Flight by Artistic Fraud, Pyaasa by Anusree Roy, As It Is by adelheid dance projects and sketch comedy by the Dance Party of Newfoundland. Opens May 12 and runs to May 24, Tue-Sat evenings, Sun mats (see website for specific show dates, times and prices). $18-$37, some Sun pwyc shows. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Spies Like Us – A Murder Mystery (Lakeview Arts Barn). A scientist uses the audience as guinea pigs in this interactive show. May 7-9 at 6:30 pm. $56.50 (dinner and show). 2300 Pigeon Lake. 1-800-304-7897, lakeviewartsbarn.com.

Sunday In The Park With George by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim (Shaw Festival). This musical looks at love, art and inspiration in the life of painter Georges Seurat. Previews Apr 1-May 21. Opens May 22 and runs in rep to Nov 1. $30-$110; special mats seniors $40, students $25. Royal George Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.

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, students/seniors $25-$79. Tom Patterson Theatre. 1-800-567-1600, stratfordfestival.ca.

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Albom's memoir about his former professor's battle with ALS is adapted for the stage. Previews May 8-10. Opens May 12 and runs to May 31, Tue-Sat 8:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2:30 pm (no mat May 9). $55-$92. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, hgjewishtheatre.com.

Unwrap Your Candy by Doug Wright (Royal Porcupine Productions). Wright's quartet of one-act plays are performed at local bars. May 7-13, Wed-Thu 8 pm. $11.50-$15. Clinton’s, 693 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott (Stage Centre Productions). Thugs seeking a mislaid drug stash terrorize a blind woman in her apartment. Opens May 7 and runs to May 23, Thu-Sat (and May 20) 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25, seniors $20, students $15. Fairview Library, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com.



When I Grow Up by Lesley Carlberg and Barbara Jensen (Toy Box Productions). This benefit for Tour for Kids features stand-up comedy, singing, dancing, clown and more. May 8 at 11 pm. $25. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011.

The Yeomen Of The Guard by Gilbert & Sullivan (The Alexander Players and Singers). This romantic comic opera is set in the Tower of London. Previews May 6. Opens May 7 and runs to May 10, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25, students/seniors $20. York Woods Library, 1785 Finch W. 416-324-1259, alexandersingers.com.