Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of January 14th, 2013

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of January 14th, 2013. ** 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

**Hedwig And The Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask (breathe.feel.love). An East German transsexual indie rocker seeks stardom and love in this biographical rock concert. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 26. $35, stu $25. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. hedwigtoronto.brownpapertickets.com.

Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy by Kieren MacMillan, William Foley, Jeremy Hutton, Jesse MacLean, Kevin MacPherson and Kate Smith (Hart House Theatre). This musical looks at how social, political and religious constructs inform our notions of status and wealth distribution. Opens Jan 11 and runs to Jan 26. $25, stu/srs $15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

**Someone Else by Kristen Thomson (Crow’s Theatre/Canadian Stage). A middle-aged couple are forced to confront their stagnant existence after a sobering encounter with a stranger in this dark comedy. Previews Jan 7-9. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Feb 2. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, crowstheatre.com.

The Amorous Adventures Of Anatol by Arthur Schnitzler (Tarragon Theatre). A young playboy pursues women without commitment or care in this contemporary adaptation of the 1895 play. Previews Jan 1-8. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Feb 10. $27-$53, rush $13. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

**The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood (Nightwood Theatre). Odysseus’s wife gives her response to Homer’s epic, told through classical tragedy, Victorian melodrama, burlesque and song. Previews Jan 8-9. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Feb 10. Pwyc-$49. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, nightwoodtheatre.net.

The Wizard Of Oz adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Really Useful Group/Mirvish/Troika Entertainment/Warner Bros/Bill Kenwright). A twister sends Dorothy over the rainbow in this musical based on the classic film. Previews Dec 20-Jan 12. Opens Jan 13 and runs to Mar 31. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**This Is War by Hannah Moscovitch (Tarragon Theatre). A Canadian Forces captain in a volatile region of Afghanistan must deal with a threat from within. Previews Dec 28-Jan 2. Opens Jan 3 and runs to Feb 3. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott (Red One Theatre Collective). A blind woman is terrorized by thugs after unwittingly taking possession of a drug-filled doll. Opens Jan 11 and runs to Jan 26. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

We’ve Totally (Probably) Got This! Second City presents its fall 2012 revue featuring new sketches, songs and improv about stress and juggling priorities. Opens Aug 23 and runs to Jan 31. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

And the Rest…

Body 13 by the Company (MT Space/Theatre Passe Muraille). Characters from different cultures encounter one another in this play about the politics of the sexualized body. Previews Jan 16. Opens Jan 17. $30-$35, stu/srs $25-$30, preview $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

Cafe Daughter by Kenneth T Williams (Native Earth Performing Arts/Gwaandak Theatre). A Chinese-Canadian-Cree girl dreams of becoming a doctor in 50s rural Saskatchewan in this solo show based on a true story. Previews Jan 15-16. Opens Jan 16 and runs to Jan 20. $20, mat $15, elders/stu $10. Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-204-0855, nativeearth.ca.

Catalpa by Donal O’Kelly (Blood in the Alley). A screenwriter tells the story of six Irish expats who undertake a risky trip to free rebels from an Australian prison in 1875. Previews Jan 15. Opens Jan 16 and runs to Feb 2. $20, preview $15, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

Dance Weekend (Dance Ontario/Harbourfront Centre) Celebrate Dance Weekend’s 20th anniversary! Featuring ballet, b-boys and bharanatyam, jazz, flamenco, contemporary, Middle Eastern, two premieres and much more that promise to dazzle and inspire you. Jan 18-20. Minimum $10 donation. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay West. harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps/danceontario.

Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley (UC Follies/Bygone Theatre). A feisty nun suspects a priest of improper conduct at a 60s Bronx Catholic school. Jan 17-19. $20, stu/srs $12. University College, East Hall, 15 King’s College Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Help Yourself by Kat Sandler (The Falling Baby Co-op). This dark comedy looks at a man whose job is to clear consciences by justifying his clients’ immoral acts. Opens Jan 11 and runs to Jan 19. $20, Thu $10, Sun pwyc. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

History Boys: First Period by Jeremy Willard and Michael Lyons (Videofag). The Fab Magazine writers present readings from their irreverent columns on gay history followed by a Q&A. Jan 16 at 8 pm. $5. 187 Augusta. facebook.com/events/527834787228690.

In Vino Veritas by Teige Reid (Pubcrawl Theatre). Reid performs a monologue show about the twists of fate that haunt the denizens of a small pub. Oct 19 at 7 pm. Nov 16 at 7 pm. Dec 14 at 7 pm. Jan 18 at 7 pm. Feb 15 at 7 pm. Mar 22 at 7 pm. Apr 19 at 7 pm. May 17 at 7 pm. $20. Fox & Fiddle, 27 Wellesley E. pubcrawltheatre.com.

The Accidental Death Of An Anarchist by Dario Fo (Victoria College Drama Society). A psychological puppeteer creates confusion at a police station after a suspect dies in custody in this political farce. Jan 17-19. $12, stu/srs $10. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles W. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean (Lower Ossington Theatre). This musical comedy pays homage to high school songleader squads of the 1950s. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Feb 10. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Body in Question presented by Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT) featuring TDT Artistic Director, Christopher House, in bold new adaptations of two Deborah Hay choreographies. Jan 18 & 19 at 7 pm. Jan 20 at 2 pm.  $20-$26. Winchester Street Theatre. 80 Winchester Street. 416-967-1365, tdt.org.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (Stage Centre). The bard’s classic comedy of mismatched lovers, dubious fairies and a bumbling troupe of thespians. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 19. $27.50, stu/sen $22. York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch Avenue West. 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com