Pop, Persia and a wandering Othello
Girl Crush Watch this if: You want a different kind of dream in High Park.
The High Park Amphitheatre is synonymous with the annual Canadian Stage summer production of one or two Shakespeare plays. But for one night only, Canadian Stage will be sharing the space with the Musical Stage Company to present a much smaller — but likely no less dramatic — theatrical evening of story and song.
“Canadian goddess of cabaret” Sharron Matthews is bringing her new cabaret performance Girl Crush to the park, mixing her signature storytelling style with performances of music by the Police, Blondie, Beyoncé, Cyndi Lauper and more.
Monday, High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor St. W. Tirgan Festival Watch this if: You want a four-day immersion in Persian culture.
The Tirgan Festival only happens every two years and it brings a huge crowd when it does (about150,000 to be specific).
This year, the festival has expanded to include the Distillery District as well as its usual home at the Harbourfront Centre, so even more people can experience the Iranian food, markets, panels and talks, photography exhibits, films, concerts and performances.
A highlight in this year’s program is Arash, a Persian myth adapted into a play by Iranian playwright and film director Bahram Beyzaie, directed by Modern Times Stage Company’s artistic director Soheil Parsa. It’s the return of a 1998 production that became Modern Times’ most-travelled project, and the first time the company will produce a work in Persian.
Wednesday to Sunday, various locations. Othello Watch this if: You prefer a darker Shakespeare play when the sun goes down.
In the trend of outdoor summer Shakespeare productions, Othello is a rare choice — the darkness of the story is often at odds with the familyfriendly atmosphere.
But anyone interested in a change from the typical comedies would be pleased with Driftwood Theatre, the Shakespeare troupe that travels around Ontario through July and August. Their Toronto stops will jump around the city, so it’s likely that this tale of jealousy, manipulation and anger will unfold closer to your own home than you’d like.
Wednesday to Aug. 1, various locations.