What do disenchanted youth, carnies in love, six queens, “The Little Rascals”, and Rob Ford have in common? Nothing, except that they’re currently trending in Toronto’s theatre scene this week, and with that mixed bag, you’re bound to catch a show you’ll surely enjoy.
Pains of Youth
Ah, youth. Whether you’re living in 1920s Vienna or modern-day Toronto, it’s still a tricky thing – what with all the hormones, peer pressure, and everyday temptations. And it doesn’t get much better even after you’ve grown up. This production, taken from Martin Crimp’s translation of the original by Ferdinand Bruckner, attempts to explore the pain of it all.
Unit 102 Theatre, 46 Noble Street. Sept. 7 – Sept. 17
Carousel
If you have yet to catch a performance of what’s considered by many to be Rodgers and Hammerstein’s finest musical, now’s your chance. It has all the fabulous makings of a great musical: star-crossed lovers who spontaneously burst into bittersweet love songs (like the slyly sweet “If I Loved You”), dancing in the streets, birds singing — you know the drill. And, yes, it does feature a carousel.
Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall Drive, 416-395-5750. Sept. 7 – Sept. 24
The Queens
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Richard III, this tale is about what goes down when six royal women scheme to gain power as they struggle against the ties of blood and marriage. No doubt being female doesn’t help their cause either.
Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. Sept. 8 – Sept. 18
The Specials in 9/11/11
An original music comedy that commemorates Sept. 11. No really. It involves Rob Ford making the city terrorist-proof and performers having to save their talent agency from becoming his new security headquarters. Anything with RoFo is guaranteed a laugh, no?
The Scotiabank Studio Theatre, 6 Noble Street. Sept. 9 – Sept. 11
Touch My Stereotype
This troupe calls itself “The Little Rascals” of comedy. It sounds cute, but the comedy is anything but.
Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor Street West, 416-551-6540. Sept. 9 @ 10 p.m.