Eye-catching Toronto live theatre for the week of October 3, 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 October 3, 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.

**Abilities Arts Festival (Abilities Arts Festival). The multi-arts festival celebrating diversity, inclusion and accessibility features visual art, installation, dance, theatre and storytelling for kids, installation art, film and more. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 24, see website for venues, dates and times. Various prices, many events free. abilitiesartsfestival.org.

Aida by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). The tragic opera set in ancient Egypt is performed in Italian. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Nov 5, Oct 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 27, 30, Nov 2 and 5 at 7:30 pm, mats Oct 2 at 4:30 pm, Oct 24 at 2 pm. $62-$281. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

**Almighty Voice And His Wife by Daniel David Moses (Native Earth Performing Arts). An aboriginal man hunting food crosses a line and becomes a martyr in colonial Saskatchewan. Oct 9 at 8 pm. $35. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 55 Mill, bldg 58, studio 313. nativeearth.ca.

An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley (Stage Centre Productions). A rich family’s secrets emerge during a police investigation of a suicide. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $27.50, stu/srs $22. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com.

Creeps by David Freeman (Tarragon Theatre). This Actor’s Fund of Canada benefit features a reading of the play that launched the Tarragon Theatre. Oct 4 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Main Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Death In Venice by Benjamin Britten (Canadian Opera Company). The opera based on Thomas Mann’s novel is performed in English. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 6, Oct 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and Nov 3 at 7:30 pm, mats Oct 31 at 2 pm and Nov 6 at 4:30 pm. $62-$281. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

**De Colores Festival (Alameda Theatre Company). The festival of new creations by Latin-Canadian playwrights includes works in development by Amaranta Leyva, Martha Chaves, Marilo Nuñez and Juan Carlos Velis. Oct 7-8 at 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $12, pass $28. Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie. 416-652-5442, alamedatheatre.com.

**Fresh Meat Showcasing some of Toronto’s best up and coming comedians. October 4 Second City. secondcity.com

**Global Cabaret Festival (Global Toronto). This arts fest features music, dance, poetry and more with Sharron Matthews, Andrea Nann, Don Francks and others. Sep 30-Oct 3, see website for schedule. $20 per show, stu rush pass $30. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. globalcabaret.ca.

Gleeks An improvised musical homage to Glee. October 9 at 10 pm. Comedy Bar. comedybar.ca

Happyview P.S. by Michael McMurtry and Derek Williams (Spicy Mike Productions). The audience plays the role of students at a school assembly in this family comedy. Opens Sep 20 at 7 pm. Sep 25-Oct 3, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $10. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston. 416-539-8437, spicymike.ca.

**Hard Times based on the novel by Charles Dickens (Puppetmongers/the night kitchen). Mask and puppetry are used in this satire of capitalism and Utilitarian philosophy. Previews Sep 30-Oct 2. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 16, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

Pinkalicious, The Musical by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Dec 26, Sat 11 am and 1 pm, Sun 1 pm. $29.50-$39.50; family 4-pack $100 (till Oct 8). Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.

Sex, Relationships and Sometimes… Love by Joelle Arqueros (Kingston 6 Entertainment/Ryan Singh Enterprises). This monologue show features men and women from various backgrounds and sexual orientations. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 8, Fri 8 pm. $15-$25 (ticketweb.ca). The Annex Live, 296 Brunswick. sexrelationshipsandsometimeslove.ca.

Sex Tape Project by Adrienne Wong, Donald Woo and David Yee (fu-GEN Theatre). The audience views crime and passion through binoculars in this workshop presentation. Oct 1-3, Fri-Sun at 8 and 9 pm. $10 (space limited; please reserve). Centre for Social Innovation, 215 Spadina. 416-920-2828, fu-gen.org.

Shakespeare In Hollywood by Ken Ludwig (Scarborough Players). Oberon and Puck find themselves on a 1930s Hollywood film set in this comedy. Opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 23, Thu-Sat 8 pm (except Oct 23), mats Oct 17 and 23 at 2 pm. $17. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

SoulSeek (Birdland Theatre). Music, video and theatre help tell the story of a woman’s journey to find love and reinvent her destiny. Opens Oct 7 and runs to Oct 23, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $30, stu/srs $20. Walmer Centre Theatre, 188 Lowther. 416-504-7529, birdlandtheatre.com.

**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-$44, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

The New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh (MacKenzieRo). Three sisters in a remote fishing village in Ireland are obsessed by dark memories. Opens Oct 8 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $26, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, mackenziero.com.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler (Ghost Light Projects). A cast of 26 women, men and a drag queen read monologues from Ensler’s collection. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 7, Tue-Thu 7 and 9 pm. $25-$30. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 1-888-222-6608, ghostlightprojects.com.

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare (Direct Flight Theatre/GromKat Productions). Shakespeare’s comedy is set in the present-day Gladstone Hotel. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 5, Sun-Tue (and Oct 6) 7:30 pm, mats Oct 5-6 at 2 pm. $25, stu $15. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen W. directflighttheatre.com.

**You Are Here by Daniel MacIvor (Alumnae Theatre). A woman relives her choices alongside those close to her and learns how to be happy. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 9, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Already Covered by Mooney on Theatre:

[Title Of Show] by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell (Angelwalk Theatre). Two writers struggle to write and produce a musical in only three weeks for a theatre festival. Previews Sep 22-23. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 10, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$45. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, angelwalk.ca.

Ali & Ali: The Deportation Hearings by Camyar Chai, Guillermo Verdecchia and Marcus Youssef (Cahoots Theatre Company). Five Arab/Muslim men are held without charges in Canada in this satire. Previews Sep 28-29. Opens Sep 30 and runs to Oct 17. $15-$32, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

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.

Billy Twinkle: Requiem For A Golden Boy by Ronnie Burkett (Factory Theatre). A puppeteer evaluates his life and rekindles his passion after losing his job. Previews Sep 24-26. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$48, previews $15-$25, Sun pwyc. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Blasted by Sarah Kane (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Sex, violence and the horrors of war are explored by a man and woman sheltering in a hotel. Previews Sep 22-26. Opens Sep 28 and runs to Oct 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$33, Sun pwyc. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com. – To be posted asap

Blood by Tom Walmsley (Doghouse Riley Productions). A prostitute in need of drug money considers an incestuous three-way hook-up. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Oct 3, Wed-Sat and Mon 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15. Somewhere There Studio, 227 Sterling, unit 112. dhproductions.com.

Cancer Can’t Dance Like This by Daniel Stolfi (Jennifer De Lucia). Stolfi performs his solo show about his battle with the disease. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 9, Mon-Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20-$25 (partial proceeds to Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre). Pia Bouman School for Ballet, 6 Noble. cancercantdancelikethis.com.

Fernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter: An Attempt At The Truth by Tankred Dorst (Canadian Stage Company). A millionaire uses deceit and manipulation to get his betrothed to love him in this metaphysical fable. Previews Sep 18-22. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 16, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

ID by Jeannot Painchaud (Cirque Éloize). The streets of a big city are transformed through music, urban dance and circus arts. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 9, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35-$77. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-872-2262, sonycentre.ca.

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 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed and Sat 2 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 Dec 19, 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.

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.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*