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BANANA BOYS Mental White Noise, mindshifting, sexloverelationships and the dreaded Small Penis Bomb. Five young Asian Canadian men must confront unrealized potential, devastating loss and time travel while creating a new language around what it means to be a Banana Boy. Adapted from Terry Woo’s novel of the same name, this is a smart and wickedly funny play exploring race, identity and death and has helped define Asian-Canadian theatre. Tuesday until May 14 ($25$55 at 416-504-9971). Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. THE BODYGUARD Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge . . . what they don’t expect is to fall in love. Until May 14 ($38$139 at 416-872-1212). Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. THE BOOK OF MORMON This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing-room-only productions in London, on Broadway and across North America, this show has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language. Until Sunday ($49-$200 at 416872-1212). Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W. CINDERELLA The Victoria Ballet Company presents this production full of happiness, humour and kindness. Cinderella is a light fairy tale for the whole family; its rags-to-riches story of a young woman is easily relatable by our multicultural society. THE CLEAN HOUSE After the unusual death of her parents, aspiring comedian Matilde moves from Brazil to Connecticut to clean the house of married doctors. When the husband falls in love with a patient, the household is thrown into a messy (and sometimes magical) whirlwind of hilarity and heartache. Until April 22 (PWYC-$20 at 416-364-4170). Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley St. CRACKED: NEW LIGHT ON DEMENTIA is an innovative research-based theatre production that casts a critical light on society’s one-dimensional view of dementia as an unmitigated tragedy. The play is intended to inspire alternative ways of seeing persons with dementia, installing the importance of maintaining strong relationships with them and reinforce the imperative for good ethical care. Tuesday until April 20 ($15 at 416-924-6211). Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina St. CRAWLSPACE A perfect little coach house turns into a real life nightmare in Karen Hines’ comic, Kafkaesque tale about the darker side of home ownership. Inspired by true events, this play moves past cautionary as it snakes through the brutal battleground of Toronto real estate, decorative twig orbs and the transcendence of the human soul. Until Saturday ($36-$44 at 416-866-8666). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. THE DRAUPADI PROJECT is a reimagining of the world-famous Indian epic the

Mahabharat, told from the point of view of an amazing woman. Relevant to today’s war-torn world, this play takes us back in time that is half history, half myth and wholly magical. The piece is based in an exploration of the character of Draupaid from a contemporary perspective as her spirit is channelled through the character of a 19-year-old girl who is on trial. Confined in a cell, the young woman wrestles with a multitude of voices, the futility of war and the role and status of a woman in today’s society. Monday until April 26 ($15 or $20 for any two RISER shows at 416-538-0988). Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. W. EVERY TIME I SEE YOUR PICTURE I CRY is the story of an art school failure turned garbage man who attempts to create a catalogue of the city’s inhabitants. But this dream is doomed when the artist’s

modus operandi, spying through windows and searching through garbage for information, is appropriated by a homicidal maniac who follows behind him, killing all who appear in his masterwork. Until April 15 ($25 at 416-973-4000). Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay St. W. I TAKE YOUR HAND IN MINE... (THE CHEKHOV COLLECTIVE) is a play suggested by the love letters of Anton Chekhov and Olga Knipper, tracing the passionate relationship between the world famous dramatist and Russia’s leading actress. This six-year correspondence spans the birth of the Moscow Art Theatre and the production of Chekhov’s four major plays. Embedded into the everyday are gems of theatre history and insights into Chekhov’s creative process as well as revealing a real-life drama that is as tempestuous, teasing and spontaneous as any Chekhov play. Until April 23 ($32 at 416-531-1827). Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman Ave. KAMP presents a single, unremarkable day in a city purpose-built for the annihilation of the Jewish people. An enormous scale model of Auschwitz fills the stage. This colossal scale model is inhabited by thousands of handmade puppets that represent the prisoners and their executioners at an astonishing ratio of 1 to 10. Filming with tiny cameras and setting the puppets to tasks both horrific and banal, the extraordinary artists of the Netherlands’ Hotel Modern themselves become models. Their resolution in this work is to salvage human creativity from the banality of evil and depravity. Until Sunday ($15-$35 at 416-973-4000). Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay St. W. KISS Two couples meet for dinner to take their minds off the war raging around them. An unexpected profession of love, an untimely proposal and one kiss later, one of the foursome lies dead on the floor. Chilean playwright Guillermo Calder√≥n’s newest play breaks open cul- tural barriers, challenging us to confront the limits of our own understanding . Until Sunday ($35.10-$69 at 416-368-3110). Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS A down-and-out floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination. Until May 14 ($54.99-$64.99 at 416-9156747). Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. ME AND MY GIRL This delightful comic romp from the ‘30s follows the fortunes of Bill Snibson, a proud Cockney who is amazed to learn that he’s actually the 14th Earl of Hareford. But if he wants to claim his title, it looks as if he will have to shed his old life and love. Until Oct. 15 ($25-$117 at 905-468-2172). Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade (Niagara-on-the-Lake), Niagara-on-theLake. THE MOST RACES SHOW ON EARTH! is a stand-up comedy show that finds and features the best multicultural comedians in North America. Since 2005, the mission of the show has been to unabashedly push diversity by simply bringing comedians and audiences together of all colours, cultures, religions and sexual orientations, showing that despite our differences it’s all good. If you’re cool with us, then we’re cool with you. Today ($20 at 647-344-1234). Adelaide Hall 250 Adelaide St. W. THE MOVIE EXPERIENCE: SECRET SESSIONS is the fusion of live theatre and film that allows you to be transported into the world of a cult classic film. Disclaimer: You won’t know what movie you’re starring in until you arrive at the event. You’ll dress in character, play a role and interact in order to bring a film to life! Delicious food inspired by the movie is included. Alcohol will be available for purchase. Exact location will not be revealed until one day before the event. A topsecret email will be sent with the address, as well as instructions regarding dress code and how to prepare. Friday ($60 at thesecretsessions.ca). Secret location in downtown Toronto. MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS It’s 1937 in London and recently widowed eccentric Laura Henderson is looking for a way of spending her time and money when her attention falls on a run-down former cinema in Great Windmill Street. Hiring feisty impresario Vivian Van Damm to look after the newly renovated Windmill Theatre, the improbable duo present a bill of non-stop variety acts. But as war looms something more is required to boost morale and box office sales . . . When Mrs. Henderson comes up with the idea of the Windmill Girls, glamorous young women posing as nude statues, audiences flock. Until April 23 ($38-$139 at 416-872-1212). Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W.