Playlistings for the Week of August 3rd, 2015

As the summer weather beats down on us, we’ve got a great lineup of comedy shows to help you take your mind off the heat. From improv to Shakespeare to murder mysteries, there’s plenty to choose from if you want a good laugh this week–but don’t worry, there’s still plenty to choose from if you’re looking for something a little more traditional. We’ve highlighted those we’d most like to see in red text. Check it out below the cut!

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

Animal Nature  by David Anderson, Tamara Romanchuk, Anna Sapershteyn (Clay & Paper Theatre) A tale with giant puppets and an epic papier-mâché fight for the future of the planet. Preview Jul 22, runs Jul 23 to Aug 16, 7:30 pm. Pwyc, $10 suggested. Show Info

Dive (The Mermaid Collective). A mermaid guides a young journalist and an old professor through the maze of their desires in this electroacoustic music theatre salon and sound installation. Previews Jul 30, opens Jul 31 and runs to Aug 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30, preview $15, Aug 6 gala $55. Show Info

Kinky Boots. by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper (Mirvish). A man inherits a shoe company and teams up with a drag queen in this musical based on the 2005 film. Previews from Jun 16, opens Jun 28 and runs to Sep 27, see website for schedule and prices.  Show Info

Newsies. Mirvish presents the Tony Award-winning musical by Alan Menken, Jack Feldman and Harvey Fierstein. A charismatic NYC newsboy leads a ragged band of youth in a strike against a greedy publishing titan in this musical inspired by the “Newsboy Strike” of 1899. Previews Jul 8, opens Jul 9 and runs to Aug 30, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $35-$130.  Show Info

Romeo and Juliet.  Guild Festival Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s timeless romance on the open-air Greek Stage in Guild Park. July 16-August 9. Show Info

Shakespeare in High Park: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage/York U MFA Program). The tale of ambition, lust and betrayal is performed outdoors on alternating nights with The Comedy Of Errors. Previews from Jul 2, opens Jul 16 and runs to Sep 6, see website for schedule. Pwyc ($25 reserved). Show Info

Shakespeare in High Park: Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage/York U MFA Program). With the most recent graduates of the York University-Canadian Stage MFA program, and one sparkling cast, here’s your opportunitiy to take in this summer tradition under the stars in the High Park Amphitheatre. Show Info

Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind, with music by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater (Randolph Academy). Teens in 19th-century Germany explore their sexuality and deal with the consequences in this musical. Opens Jul 30 and runs to Aug 8, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22. Show Info

And the Rest…

Birds of a Feather. AGC/Plein Air Garden concerts present storytelling featuring Diana Tso and Rubena Sinha. Sinha presents traditional monkey tales from East India, woven with poetic movement. Aug 5 at 7:30 pm. $10 at the door 30 minutes before the show, or online at eventbrite.ca. Show Info

Double Oh: An Improvised James Bond Tribute. Double Oh is a James Bond-themed comedy show. A cast of improvisers take you to exotic locations and introduce you to the world’s most sexy and dangerous characters. Each month see a completely new and improvised mission featuring 007! 9:30 pm. $5. 3rd floor. Show Info

Dusk Dances Flamenco, high-energy African dance, original contemporary works and more are part of the annual outdoor dance event. Performances by Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company, Lua Shayenne and Company and others. Aug 3-9, dance performances start at 7:30 pm (live music and salsa class from 6:45 pm). Pwyc ($10 suggested). Withrow Park 725 Logan, Toronto, Ontario M4K 3B9 Show Info

Exit, Pursued by a Bear & Friends. Comedy variety show w/ Gillian English and Brie Watson and guests: Go Go Ghost Death, The Bee’s Dees, Ned & Dave, Peggy Plummer, Amanda Brooke Perrin and more. 8 pm. $5. 2nd floor. Show Info

Holodeck Follies. The Dandies continue their improvised Star Trek adventure based on audience suggestion. With variety acts Dana Jean Phoenix, Daphney Joseph and Parker & Seville. August 5, 8 pm. $10. Show Info

In Spirit. by Tara Beagan (Article 11/Planet IndigenUs). A young aboriginal girl relives the final moments of her life. Aug 5-6 at 8 pm, at Harbourfront Centre’s Studio Theatre AND Aug 8, 10 pm, at Fort York (250 Fort York Blvd). Free. Show Info.

James Judd: A Minor Midcareer Retrospective. SOULO Theatre presents the monologist performing a different show each night as part of a funder for the company. Aug 7-9 at 8 pm. $20-$45, pass $85 (includes Sun afternoon workshop). Show Info

Livin’ La Vida Imelda. by Carlos Celdran (Kultura Filipino Arts Festival/Kapisanan Philippine Centre). This solo show takes a metaphorical scalpel to the beloved/hated, infamous former first lady to reveal how she influenced history and the Filipino identity for better and for worse. Opens Aug 5 and runs to Aug 8, Wed 6 pm (gala fundraiser), Thu-Fri 8 pm, Sat 1 pm. $30, Wed $60. Show Info.

Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare (Dauntless City Theatre). The audience gets up close while King Ferdinand, the Princess of France and their companions navigate duty, adulthood and love in the court of Navarre. Runs Jul 23 to Aug 16, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. Pwyc.  35 Wellington E.  Show Info

Panamania Live Dance Toronto 2015 Committee presents outdoor dance performance as part of PANAMANIA. Including Greta Hodgkinson’s Venom, Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre, Debra Brown’s Pulse, Peggy Baker’s FluxDelux, Canada’s National Ballet School, Alejandro Ronciera and more. Jul 10-Aug 12, at Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen West) and Pan Am Park (100 Princes’ Blvd). See website for dates and times of individual shows. Free. Show Info

Reveal Me Burlesque. Red Herring Burlesque presents virgin vixens and professional peelers. Aug 5, doors 8 pm. $10. Show Info

The Second City Fall 2015 Mainstage Revue. Previews of Second City’s latest sketch comedy revue. Preview performances begin July 14.  Tickets starting at $25. Performances every Tuesday to Sunday. Official Opening in August (date tbd). Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm. $25, stu $16-$18.  Show Info

She Was A Hurricane. This production incorporates dance, circus, spoken word, music, and performance art to create explosive immersive theatre. Inspired by art, music, and literature, and fueled by the female experience. Aug 9 at 8:30 pm (doors 8 pm). $20, adv $15 Show Info

SummerWorks Performance Festival. For 11 days from Aug. 6 to 16, SummerWorks 25 takes over stages, concert halls, parks, and unconventional performance spaces across the city with more than 50 productions and performances. Show Info

Superhero! A Bam! Zap! Pow! Murder Mystery Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre presents an interactive dinner-theatre whodunit set at a superhero convention. Runs to Oct 31, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (dinner from 6:30 pm), see website for mats. $37-$87. Show Info

Te Amo Argentina. Music, dance and video together in an homage to Argentina with cellist Antonio Lysy, the Borromeo String Quartet, and tango dancers Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrioneuvo. Aug 5 at 7:30  pm. From $35. Show Info

Under the BigTop  Famous People Players presents a black light theatre show for all ages about the magic of the circus. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Oct 28, Tue-Sat, call/see website for times.  Show Info

Vampire Campfire A silly gang of ghouls spend summer at a remedial camp for monsters in this all-ages interactive music and sketch show. To Sep 3, Wed-Thu 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45.  Show Info

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage listings.