Eye-catching Toronto live theatre for the week of September 12, 2010

Here are all of the shows we wish we could get out and see this week!  Take your pick from our list of great theatre escapes for the week of September 12, 2010:

**  Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.

Actionable (Bob Wiseman). Wiseman performs his solo multimedia show about various lawsuits against him. Sep 15 at 8:30 pm. $17-$20. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas W. 416-531-6604, hughsroom.com.

Allende Arts Festival (LACAP). Art exhibits, music, dance, artist talks, kids activities, film and more celebrate art as a force for social change. Opens Sep 10 and runs to Sep 25, see website for details. Free (closing party $15). Artscape Wychwood Barns, and other venues, 601 Christie. allendefestival.com.

Banana Shpeel by David Shiner (Cirque du Soleil). This production combines slapstick comedy, dance, circus acts, acrobatics and music. Previews Sep 14-18. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 10, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun (and some Wed) 1:30 pm. $25-$110. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Paint Your Wagon by Frederick Loewe and Alan J Lerner (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical is set in a mining town in California during the Gold Rush era. Opens Sep 8 and runs to Sep 25, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Sep 25) 2 pm. $25. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.

Richard III by William Shakespeare (Hart House Theatre). A ruthless Duke marries and murders his way to the top. Opens Sep 15 and runs to Oct 2, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 2 at 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

**The Clockmaker by Stephen Massicotte (Tarragon Theatre). A man is intrigued by a married woman who brings a broken clock to his shop. Previews Sep 14-21. Opens Sep 22 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$39, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

**The Producers by Mel Brooks (Talk Is Free Theatre). Theatre critics and arts personalities perform a concert version of the musical to benefit the Actors’ Fund of Canada. Sep 13 at 8 pm. $27-$125. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, stlc.com.

**The Shadow Of A Boy by Gary Owen (Royal Porcupine Productions). An orphaned boy living with his grandmother turns to a comic book hero for support. Previews Sep 15. Opens Sep 16 and runs to Sep 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and Sep 18) 2:30 pm. $20-$30, preview/mats $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, royalporcupineproductions.com.

This Is The Thing by Jeff Jones (Charcoal Sketch Productions). Songs and stories evoke memories for a man standing at the edge. Previews Sep 15. Opens Sep 16, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, charcoalsketchproductions.com.

**Through The Leaves by Franz Xaver Kroetz (Company Theatre). This drama looks at the relationship between a female butcher and her abusive companion. Previews Sep 10-11. Opens Sep 14 and runs to Oct 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$40. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, companytheatre.ca.

Already covered by Mooney on theatre

Doc by Sharon Pollock (Soulpepper). A woman returns home to mend her relationship with her parents. Previews Aug 19-25. Opens Aug 26 and runs to Sep 18, Mon-Sat 8 pm (see website for mats). $32-$76. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Drama & Desire: Artists And Theatre (Art Gallery of Ontario). CanStage Dream in High Park actors and Atelier Ballet dancers perform alongside an exhibit of Stratford Festival props, stage machines and interactive content. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Sep 26, performances on select Saturdays and Sundays. Free w/ admission. 317 Dundas W. ago.net.

Love, Loss, And What I Wore by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron (Michael Rubinoff/Daryl Roth). Mary Walsh, Margot Kidder, Sharron Matthews, Andrea Martin and others perform stories about women. Previews Jul 16-20. Opens Jul 21 and runs to Sep 4. Opens Sep 10 and runs to Oct 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed and Sat 2 pm (plus Sep 12 at 2 and 7 pm). $35-$65. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, lovelossonstage.ca.

Rock Of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo (Mirvish). This arena-rock love story takes place LA’s Sunset Strip and features hits from the 80s. Previews Apr 20-May 9. Opens May 11 and runs to Oct 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com

Shawn Hitchins Is A Single White Douche (Shawn Hitchins). Hitchins performs his comedic musical cabaret. Opens Sep 9 and runs to Sep 18, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $10-$15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, shawnhitchins.com.

What The Butler Saw by Joe Orton (Soulpepper). Sexual indiscretions meet bureaucratic incompetence in this satiric play. Previews Aug 19-24. Opens Aug 25 and runs to Sep 18, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm (see website for mats). $32-$76. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.