Melissa James Gibson’s modern dramedy This plays out in Berkeley Street Theatre’s historic environs

MARCH 18 TO APRIL 13  Life as a 30-something can be fraught with perils and pratfalls—at least according to playwright Melissa James Gibson’s This. Presented by Canadian Stage, this candid, witty, “un-romantic comedy” follows widowed single-mother Jane and her friends as they struggle to deal with love, loss and the sometimes absurd realities of urban life. Sharply observed and thoroughly contemporary, the play is forward-looking but also slightly nostalgic, a sentiment underscored by its historic venue. Berkeley Street Theatre, $22 to $49; call 416-368-3110 or visit Canadian Stage’s website for showtimes and more information.  —Macrina Smart