Opening this week in the city!

African Women Are As Strong As The Baobab Tree (Baobab Youth Theatre Group). A woman survives an abusive relationship and struggles to support her family. Jul 24 at 8 pm. $25. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front W. 416-253-4799, baobabtheatregroup.com.

As Bees In Honey Drown by Douglas Carter Beane (Rep 21 Contemporary Theatre). A diva tries to transform an earnest novelist into a glitzy screenwriter for her biopic. Jul 23-25, Thu 8 pm, Sat 2 pm. $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, rep21.ca.

Bare: A New Musical by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo (WatersEdge Productions). Teenage boys at a Catholic boarding school deal with a secret romance and facing the future. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Aug 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $35, stu/srs $25. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, watersedgeproductions.net.

Benefits Without Borders (Burners Without Borders). This fundraiser variety show features burlesque, belly dance, comedy games and more. Jul 18 at 9 pm. $10. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. benefitwithoutborders.com.

Best Of The Best (Famous People Players). The blacklight theatre company performs old favourites and new material as part of its final week at its current location. Jul 22 fundraiser features show and live music. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 25, Tue-Sat 6 pm. $35-$54.50. Famous People Players, 110 Sudbury. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

The Best Of The Fringe (Fringe Toronto/CanStage). Encore performances of Hipcheck – The Musical, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, Head First, As You Puppet, Morro And Jasp Do Puberty and A Singularity Of Being. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Jul 25, nightly at 7 and 9 pm, see website for exact schedule. $16.50. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, fringetoronto.com.

Between Sea & Sky by David Anderson and Krista Dalby (Clay & Paper Theatre). Puppets and live actors take a nautical journey in this outdoor presentation. Opens Jul 10 and runs to Aug 9, Wed-Sun 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. clayandpapertheatre.org.

Farther West by John Murrell (Rep 21 Contemporary Theatre). A brothel madam seeks independence from male control in 1800s western Canada. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 24, Fri and Tue 8 pm. $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, rep21.ca.

The Foursome by Norm Foster (Flower City Theatre Festival). College buddies reunite after 15 years for a round of golf. Jul 15-19, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Thu and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$35. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane. 905-874-2800, rosetheatre.ca.

Half Life by John Mighton (Flower City Theatre Festival). Two nursing home residents fall in love in this drama. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Aug 1, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane. 905-874-2800, rosetheatre.ca.

The Harder They Come by Perry Henzell (Theatre Royal Stratford East/UK Arts/Mirvish). A country boy enters the reggae music scene of Kingston, Jamaica, and becomes an outlaw. Previews Jul 21-22. Opens Jul 23 and runs to Aug 23, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $20-$99. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

High School Musical 2: On Stage (Jonathan Randall Productions). The stage version of the Disney Channel movie is performed. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Jul 25, Sat-Sun and Wed 7:30 pm, mats Wed-Thu and Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $22. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111.

Hockey Mom, Hockey Dad by Michael Melski (Blyth Festival). Two single parents meet at their sons' hockey game. Previews Jul 22-23. Opens Jul 24 and runs in rep to Sep 5. $25-$28, previews $20, youth $15 . Blyth Memorial Community Hall, 431 Queen. 1-877-862-5984, blythfestival.com.

I Ought To Be In Pictures by Neil Simon (Globus Theatre Inc.). A has-been Hollywood scriptwriter meets his long-lost daughter, who wants to be a star. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Jul 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm (see website for mats). $26.50, stu $20. Lakeview Arts Barn. 1-800-304-7897, lakeviewartsbarn.com.

The Lieutenant Of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh (Rep 21 Contemporary Theatre). An Irish thug seeks revenge for the murder of his cat. Opens Jul 22 and runs to Jul 25, Sat and Wed 8 pm. $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, rep21.ca.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry (Resurgence Theatre Company). The classic tale for all ages is presented outdoors. Opens Jul 14 and runs to Aug 23, see website for days and times. $27, stu/srs $22. Fairy Lake Park, 500 Water. resurgence.ca.

Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare (Hart House Theatre/Canopy Theatre). The classic tragedy is staged outdoors. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Aug 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $10, stu/srs $8, Wed pwyc. Philosopher's Walk, 80 Queen's Park. 416-978-8849, canopytheatre.ca.

Sharron Matthews: Back To Basics (Statler’s). The cabaret artist performs new and old material. Opens Jul 8 and runs to Jul 29, Wed 8:30 pm. $12. 487 Church. 416-962-1209, statlersonchurch.com.


Top Girls by Caryl Churchill (Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts). A career woman interacts with notorious women from history at a dinner party. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Jul 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $22. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. 416-872-1111, randolphacademy.com.

Toronto Burlesque Festival: Tassels Without Borders (Toronto Burlesque Festival). The 2009 festival features Michelle L'amour, Kitten DeVille, the Wet Spots, Skin Tight Outta Sight, Miss Mitzy Cream, Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art Show and more. Jul 23-26, see website for venues and schedule. $20-$35, weekend pass $100. torontoburlesquefestival.com.

Ways Of The Heart by Noel Coward (Shaw Festival). The Astonished Heart, Family Album and Ways And Means are performed as part of the Tonight At 8:30 cycle of one-act plays. Previews Jul 21-31. Opens Aug 1 and runs in rep to Oct 11. $30-$110; special mats srs $40, stu $25. Court House Theatre. 1-800-511-7429, shawfest.com.

Courtesy of nowtoronto.com