THEATRE | A Jew Grows In Brooklyn
They say that comedy is tragedy plus time. The 20th century visited disproportionate tragedies on the world's Jews, so perhaps it's no surprise that it also produced a disproportionate amount of Jewish comedians. Actors from Woody Allen to Billy Crystal have famously reminisced about growing up Jewish in New York, making films about excursions to the Catskills and playing stickball on the crowded city streets. Veteran stage actor Jake Ehrenreich has followed suit with his acclaimed play A Jew Grows in Brooklyn, which makes its Canadian debut tonight courtesy of Mirvish Productions. Ehrenreich wrote, directed, and stars in the play, and found inspiration for his story in his family's survival of the Holocaust and their struggles with Alzheimer's disease. The play ran for over a year on Broadway and broke box office records at the historic Lamb's Theatre in New York. Runs til May 16.
Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge Street, $25 - $60, Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 8 pm, matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 2 pm

BOOKS AND LIT | No One Can Tell Your Story But You - Pink Ink's Zine Launch
Pink Ink is a drop-in creative writing program directed by Supporting Our Youth, a community development organization designed to help improve the lives of Toronto's queer young people. The writing program is run by artist and community activist Karine Silverwoman, and encourages lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth to express themselves positively by giving them a chance to meet their peers and learn writing and publication skills. Their annual project is the publication of the Pink Ink Zine, which contains the stories of queer youth as only they can tell them. The zine gets launched at the Gladstone tonight with an evening of readings followed by DJ set by Elle Nino, co-founder of hip hop party Yes Yes Y'All.
The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West, Free for youth, $5 - $10 sliding scale for adults, 7:30 pm

GALLERY | Before and After
Conjuring up images of late-night infomercials, the words "Before and After" are a perfect summation of modern consumer culture. Before you were unhappy. You buy something, and afterwards you're happier. Over the years, the before and after picture has become integral to our conception of that magical transaction. A new exhibition at Adelaide gallery Launch Projects commandeers the genre of the before and after pic to examine the connection between photography, mass media, and consumerism. Works by a dozen artists including Steven Beckly, Christopher Durocher, Linda Fitz, Sandra Hawkins, Ben Lenzner, Scott Massey will be on display, and the show is Launch's contribution to the upcoming Contact Photography Festival. Runs til May 16.
Launch Projects, 404 Adelaide Street West, Wednesday to Saturday 12 pm - 5 pm

THEATRE | Almost, Maine
After spending the past few months playing Mary Delgado in the Toronto staging of the smash hit musical Jersey Boys, Jennifer Copping is switching gears to direct Tiny Little Things Productions' Almost, Maine. The play by American John Cariani takes us to a fictional small town in Northern Maine symbolically named Almost, where local residents can't quite seem to figure out who's in love with whom, and why. Comedy and romance ensue. Since debuting off-Broadway in 2005, the play has been produced all over the world, winning audiences over with its clever take on modern romance. Toronto's production stars Mike Lobel, who plays that dickish guy on Degrassi: The Next Generation. Runs to May 15.
Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Avenue, $21, Tuesday - Saturday 8 pm, Sunday matinees 2:30 pm

GALLERY | Next Big Thing
After spending the past 4 years struggling through all-nighters, early morning classes, and jam packed exam schedules, senior OCAD students are finally graduating this month. And now that school's over, it's time to make some money. For the next three weeks, visual art in a variety of media by more 25 graduating students will be on display and up for sale at the OCAD Student Gallery, giving collectors a chance to grab a creation by the art stars of tomorrow at pre-fame prices. The show opens tonight, with a reception tomorrow evening.
OCAD Student Gallery, 285 Dundas Street West, Gallery hours 12 pm - 6 pm, Reception Thursday 5 pm - 7 pm

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