Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of September 5

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of September 5, 2011:

** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Wayne, our Managing Editor, wish he could exist in multiple parallel universes so he could check them all out.

Already covered by MoT

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE! (AND OTHER LIES) Second City presents its latest sketch revue about the things we tell ourselves to get through life. Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8 & 10:30 pm, Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, Stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com. 

EXIT THE KING by Eugene Ionesco (Soulpepper). An aging king with a crumbling kingdom gets more bad news in this absurdist play. Previews Aug 6-15. Opens Aug 16 and runs to Sep 9, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams (Soulpepper). A broken family struggles to fulfill their dreams in this memory play. Previews Jul 1-5. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Sep 10, see website for schedule. $45-$65, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca 

TOTEM by Robert Lepage (Cirque du Soleil). Music, dance, acrobatics and design are used to trace the journey of the human species from amphibians to its desire to fly. Opens Aug 10 and runs to Oct 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun 1 & 5 pm, Fri-Sat 4 pm (no show Sep 6). $74-$249, stu/srs $67-$235, children under 12 $54-$208. Grand Chapiteau, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com 

**WHITE BITING DOG by Judith Thompson (Soulpepper). A suicidal lawyer on a bridge is advised by a talking dog. Previews Aug 13-17. Opens Aug 18 and runs to Oct 1, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca

And the rest…

ARABESQUE FALL GALA Arabesque Dance Company presents Yasmina Ramzy and 200 student and company belly dancers. Sep 10 at 8 pm. $15-$20. Estonian House, 958 Broadview. 416-920-5593, arabesquedance.ca. 

ARTISTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE Canadian National Exhibition presents music and dance from around the world, with performances by Tango Soul, Grupo Chile, Jasenka, Orient Dance Co, Gilchrist Irish Dance School and many others. Opens Aug 19 and runs to Sep 5, see website for schedule. Free w/ admission. Direct Energy Centre, Hall B, 100 Princes Blvd, Exhibition Place. theex.com/concerts-events/artists-on-the-international-stage/.

BESIDEMYSELFWORLD (Tones of Voice and the Goethe Institute Toronto) New collective, Tones of Voice, is pleased to announce the debut of besidemyselfworld, a multi-disciplinary solo piece based on the autobiographical writings of the German autistic mute teenager. September 6 to 11, 2011 at the Artscape Wychwood Barns. http://tonesofvoice.wordpress.com  

BEST. MONDAY. EVER. Second City presents a weekly show featuring sketch, songs and improvisation. Sep 5 8 pm. $12. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com. 

CAROUSEL by Rodgers & Hammerstein (Civic Light Opera Company). Love blooms at a carousel ride in this classic musical. Opens Sep 7 and runs to Sep 24, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and Sep 24) 2 pm. $28. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.

COMEDY AT THE OSSINGTON presents Chris Locke, Mikey Kolberg, Darryl Orr, Sam Feldman, Adam Christie, hosts Steph Kaliner, Sara Hennessey, Greg Alsop and others. Sep 7 9 pm. Pwyc. The Ossington, 61 Ossington. 416-850-0161. comedyattheossington

ELEFANT (Cheshire Unicorn). This funder for the company’s upcoming productions features burlesque, music, a fashion show, an auction and more. Sep 10, doors 7 pm. $10. Annex Theatre, 736 Bathurst. cheshireunicorn.com.

LADYSTACHE GONE WILD Comedy Bar presents stand-up and sketch w/ Jape, Desiree Lavoy-Dorsch, Ladystache and hosts Freddie & Miguel Rivas. Sep 8 9:30 pm. $8. 945 Bloor W. Comedybar.ca. 

HISPANIC FIESTA Fernando Valladares presents a cultural festival featuring dance by Danzarte, Grupo Chile, Esmeralda Enrique and others. Sep 2-5, Fri from 7:30 pm, Sat-Mon from 3 pm. Free. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge. hispanicfiesta.com.

HOT + SPICY FOOD FESTIVAL Harbourfront Centre and NOW Magazine present a cultural festival with food, music and more, including dance by Baby Boyz Dance Group and Compania Carmen Romero. Sep 2-5, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com. 

IF LOOKS COULD KILL… THEY WILL (Glam Gam Productions). This funder for AIDS Action Now features a mystery queer burlesque show. Sep 9 at 8 pm. $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. glamgam.com. 

PETER AND THE WOLF by Sergei Prokofiev (Theatre Rusticle). On the eve of Peter’s death, he and the Wolf recall their lives in this adult version of the children’s story. Previews Sep 3-5, Sat and Mon 7:30 pm. Opens Sep 6 and runs to Sep 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22, stu/srs $15, previews $5-$10, mat pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988,theatrerusticle.org.

SEA CHANGE (Theatre Caravel). This performance showcase features works by playwright Noah Davis, clown Nicole Ratjen and others. Sep 9 at 8 pm. $7-$10. CineCycle, 129 Spadina. theatrecaravel.com.

THE SPECIALS IN 9/11/11 The Specials presents sketch comedy about a security-obsessed mayor and a talent agency. Opens Sep 9 and runs to Sep 11, Fri-Sun 8 pm. $20. Scotiabank Studio Theatre, 6 Noble. Brownpapertickets.com/event/193474.

THEATRESPORTS Bad Dog Theatre presents ast and furious improv matches. Sat 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com. 

**THE QUEENS by Normand Chaurette (Glasswater Theatre). Six royal women scheme to gain power in this play inspired by Shakespeare’s Richard III. Opens Sep 8 and runs to Sep 18, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca

TOUCH MY STEREOTYPE Comedy Bar presents videos, sketches, songs and improv w/ Anna Sudac, Dan Ramos, Mike Tanchuk, Sonia D’Amico, Ryan Galloway and others. Sep 9 10 pm. $10. 945 Bloor W. Touchmystereotype.com.

URBANNOISE FESTIVAL (Expect Theatre/Arts Etobicoke). This festival features arts workshops for youth on Friday and spoken word, music and dance performances in the parking lot on Saturday. Sep 9-10, Fri 5 to 8 pm, Sat 3 to 8 pm. Free. Albion Library, 1515 Albion. urbannoise.ca. 

*Listing based on NOW stage listings*