Romeo and Juliet by the Shakespeare in the Ruff company.Cylla von Tiedemann
Romeo and Juliet
"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo." Nobody ever accused William Shakespeare of being modest, but in this case, it's hard to argue with the in-play assessment of his classic tragedy. And speaking of the sweet sorrow of parting, this weekend's shows from the inventive Shakespeare in the Ruff company – whose star-crossed lovers are both played by female actors – are the final performances of the run. To Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. PWYC ($15, suggested donation). Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave., shakespeareintheruff.com.
Oddball Comedy Festival
The name of this touring package of standup acts is peculiar, given that the headliners on the show's Toronto stop aren't exactly the most eccentric on the scene. They're funny though: Sebastian Maniscalco, Brian Regan, John Mulaney and host Jeffrey Ross. Noticeable by their omission, though, is the lack of a female comedian among the top-billed. Odd, that. Sept. 4, 5:15 p.m. $34.20 to $129.25. Molson Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., ticketmaster.ca.
Semer Ensemble
From Berlin comes the Semer Ensemble, a supergroup of American and European musicians who specialize in modern arrangements of Jewish music that existed in the 1930s until the Nazis did what fascists do. The group's repertoire is culled from the catalogue of the Jewish-German label Semer Records of that era, with Berlin cabaret, Russian folk songs, operatic arias, prayer music and Yiddish theatre hits represented. Affecting and dramatic, the material is something of a lost time capsule recovered. Sept. 4, 7 p.m. $20 to $24. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000 or ashkenaz.ca.
TIFF Soirée
Hollywood actors. They light up screens and imaginations. They throw outrageous parties and they pay heavenly bills. One of the better ones is Michael Fassbender, the hunky German-Irish thespian who is the star attraction of an event that kicks off this year's Toronto International Film Festival. He will be interviewed onstage and he will be surreptitiously watched afterward at a rooftop cocktail party, where musical guests Chloe Charles and Kardinal Offishall will do their considerable things. Sept. 7, 6 p.m. $300 to $750. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., tiff.net.
The Container
When it comes to refugees, we tend to spend more time worrying about what happens when they arrive on our shores and less time thinking about the hardship of their journey. With that in mind, the London-based playwright Clare Bayley has created The Container, a play and an experience. Claustrophobically staged in a shipping container, the 60-minute SummerWorks hit from 2014 invites audiences into the close quarters and desperate stakes of international migrant smuggling. The space is as dark as the subject matter. Sept. 4 to 18 (currently in previews). $25 to $44. Berkeley Street Theatre Courtyard, 26 Berkeley St., 416-368-3110 or theatrefix.ca.
Brad Wheeler