June 30, 2009 21:06
Red Machine — Part One
LOWER OSSINGTON THEATRE
Boasting an impressive theatrical pedigree, Red Machine — Part One is the first section of a planned trilogy set to be mounted next year. In part one, an author suffering from writer’s block checks into a motel and becomes entangled in a mystery. Among the three directors and seven (!) playwrights are Alias Godot–scribe Brendan Gall, and Michael Rubenfeld, whose The Book of Judith recently played at the Over the Top festival. July 1-5, 7-12. 7pm. $10. 100A Ossington.
The Fever HELEN GARDINER PHELAN PLAYHOUSE
Venerated performer Risa Morris tackles one of playwright Wallace Shawn’s more complex pieces, a hallucinatory monologue of a privileged woman coming to terms with the realities of the developing world. As with many of Morris’ productions, proceeds from the show go to
a worthy cause: this time, Doctors Without Borders. July 1 6:30pm; July 3 10:30pm; July 5 1:15pm; July 6 8:15pm; July 7 1pm; July 10 5:15pm; July 12 7pm. 79A St. George.
The King’s Conscience HELEN GARDINER PHELAN PLAYHOUSE
Finding the dramatic intersection between Shakespeare’s tragedies and The College Dropout, The King’s Conscience explores a young man’s efforts to find solace in hip-hop following the death of his father. Like Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman’s (pictured) last play, Scratch, this one deals with loss, childhood and becoming an artist. July 2 7pm; July 3 1:45pm; July 5 5:15pm; July 7 10:45pm; July 9 noon; July 10 9:15pm; July 12 3:30pm. 79A St. George.
Moving AlongTARRAGON THEATRE MAINSPACE
Chris Craddock, co-creator of Fringe play-cum-off-Broadway-hit BASH’d: A Gay Rap Opera, returns with Moving Along, a mile-a-minute story of a life in progress. While speeding through topics like religious parents and teenage unpopularity, Craddock also runs the lighting design through his theatrical invention, the Electro-chair. July 2 6:30pm; July 4 noon; July 6 4:30pm; July 8 9:15pm; July 9 4pm; July 10 7pm; July 12 1:45pm. 30 Bridgman.
Chicken LickenPALMERSTON LIBRARY THEATRE
Following the Fringe hits Three Billy Goats Gruff and Three Magic Wishes, Cow Over Moon Theatre is back with a new take on the classic tale of Chicken Licken. Using improv, song and audience participation, Michael and Terrance Balazo, Laugh Sabbath co-founder Chris Locke and Maggie Maloney present a smart, contemporary show for kids of all ages, turning the titular fusspot into a victim of celebrity culture. July 3 1:40pm; July 4 5:25pm; July 5 3:45pm; July 7 6:50pm; July 8 12:40pm; July 9 11am; July 10 4pm; July 12 12:25pm. 560 Palmerston.
Politically Correct Bedtime StoriesTARRAGON THEATRE MAINSPACE
Based on James Finn Garner’s bestseller in which Cinderella becomes a tranny activist, and the Emperor a dignified nudist, director Jessica Beaulieu and the Pheasant Plucker’s Mates Theatre Company’s irreverent production features performances by alums of the University College Drama Program. July 1 7pm; July 3 1:15pm; July 5 6:30pm; July 7 1:15pm; July 8 11pm; July 10 3:30pm; July 11 8pm. 30 Bridgman.
ArtifactsTHEATRE PASSE MURAILLE MAINSPACE
Written by Anthony Furey (pictured, also in Blue Velvet at the Bloor) and directed by Gemini-winner Jani Lauzon, Artifacts examines the nature of Canadian identity through an alterna-history in which archaeologists discover that Aboriginals were not the first peoples in North America. July 2 6:30pm; July 4 2:15pm; July 5 7:30pm; July 6 5:15pm; July 8 9:30pm; July 9 noon; July 10 11:30pm. 16 Ryerson.
Head FirstTHEATRE PASSE MURAILLE MAINSPACE
Aerial dance meets indie rock in the first full-length production from Toronto-based dance company Femmes du Feu. Also appearing at the London and Hamilton Fringe festivals, Head First uses trapezes, harnesses, bungees, window frames, chairs and whatever else is lying around, promising a show that “never manages to settle in one spot long enough to slap a label on it.” Choreographed and performed by Sabrina Pringle and Holly Treddenick. July 3 11pm; July 6 8:45pm; July 8 12:15pm; July 9 7pm; July 10 6:15pm; July 11 1:45pm. 16 Ryerson.