This Week In Theatre: April 29, 2008

Once the theatre festivals start then you know it's getting to be summer in Toronto. This week marks the first one of the season - CrossCurrents. As always, if there is not a description with the show it has be described in a previous entry.

Listings after the jump.

Inspirato Festival, May 1- 10, Alchemy Studio Theatre (133 Tecumseth Street)
Theatre Inspirato was launched over three years ago with the idea to reach audiences who don't usually bother with theatre and encourage people to participate as well. The question was how to excite people about live theatre that is original, relevant - and edgy? 8 plays in the first week, 7 different 10 minute plays in the second week.

Alumnae Theatre - Main Stage (70 Berkeley Street)
Daughter Of The House, April 18 - May 03

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander Street)
We're Funny That Way, April 30 - May 3
It's time for queer cheer and a debaucherous comedy line-up! Buddies proudly welcomes back the brash and sassy Maggie Cassella, for the 12th incarnation of North America's premiere queer comedy festival. Annually, We're Funny That Way showcases the most unique comedic talent from Canada and the U.S.

Canstage
- Misery, Baluma Appel Theatre (27 Front Street East), May 5 - 31.
- The December Man (L'homme décembre), Berkely Street Theatre (26 Berkeley Street) April 7 - May 17.

Diesel Playhouse (56 Blue Jays Way)
- Evil Dead - The Musical, February 14 - June 14.
- Paranormal Show, March 25 - May 03.

Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst St)
- Beyond Mozambique, March 30 - May 4.
This show was featured in a Thursday Theatre Review.
- Sexual Practices of the Japanese , May 7 - May 18
Theatre Replacement, one of Vancouver's most consistently innovative and critically acclaimed theatres, comes to the Factory with the Toronto premiere of The Sexual Practices of the Japanese. In a scintillating peek at the world of sexual stereotypes surrounding Japanese culture, Theatre Replacement's trilogy of interweaving stories moves from a crowded commuter train to one of Tokyo's infamous love hotels.
- CrossCurrents Festival, May 2 - 11
CrossCurrents is both a celebration of the great diversity emanating on the national scene and a focus for the development of new plays that explore the intersection of cultures. The playwrights are new, fresh and vital as are the dozens of talented artists who contribute to CrossCurrents each year. Once again, expect this exciting 10-day festival to charge ahead full throttle to reveal fascinating glimpses of the future of Canadian Theatre. The details on the website are a bit sketchy right now 'cause of a glitch that is being fixed, so for general information, all show are pay what you can, and most of them start at 8, with a different show every night.

Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People - Mainstage (165 Front Street E)
- Cranked, April 22 - May 3
- Dead Ahead, April 28 - May 6
Cory, Andrew and Tiga are all avid players of the violent video game Dead Ahead. The goal of the game is "Gangland Supremacy in Mega City" where society's rules, mores, and morality have little currency. Using the game format as a framing device, this teen thriller examines group dynamics, societal responsibility, and ultimately - teen homicide. As the drama unfolds, the play's characters are thrust into a moral dilemma when one of them commits murder. Is the murder justified? Is murder ever justified? Should they cover up the crime, or should they call the police? In a striking conclusion, the play becomes interactive - and the audience must decide how the ending will be played out.

Tarragon Theatre (30 Bridgman Avenue)
Alias Godot, April 30 - June 1
In a gritty New York police station, a vagrant is being interrogated by two policemen. But he's not answerin' their questions, just complainin' that he's going to be late for an important meeting. Can they trust him? Particularly as he's from France? Inspired by the classic Beckett play, Alias Godot is a one-way mirror to paranoid characters grappling with their fears.

Theatre Passe Muraille - Main Stage (16 Ryerson Avenue)
People Power, Carlos Bulosan Theatre, April 11 - May 11

The Second City (51 Mercer St)
Tazed and Confused, February 8 - June 29
This was reviewed in last week's Thursday Theatre Review.

Shakespeare In Action in association with Workman Arts
Mask and Madness in Macbeth , April 24 - May 10 (Joseph Workman Theatre, 1001 Queen St. W)

Soulpepper - Young Centre for the Performing Arts (Distillery District)
- The Odd Couple, Feb 27 - May 3.

Théâtre français de Toronto
Et si on chantait / Shall we sing, April 23 - May 10 (Berkeley Street Theatre Upstairs - 26 Berkeley Street)

If you know of something else going on this week that you think people should know about please include it in the comments.

Photo by blogTO contributer Jon Currie.