Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of February 4th, 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

A Woman Of No Importance by Oscar Wilde (Alumnae Theatre). A woman finds out that her son’s boss is the man who got her pregnant and refused to marry her. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 9. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Actors! Canadian Actors Up Close And Personal by Melissa Major (The Cheshire Unicorn). A scripted performance unfolds while the audience interacts with the performers to learn the ins and outs of living as an actor. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 9. $10. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. cheshireunicorn.com.

Avenue Q by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and works through the transition to adulthood in this musical puppet show. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Oct 7. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Mar 3. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Bharati (Sony Centre for the Performing Arts). A man raised in the U.S. returns to India and rediscovers his heritage in this dance/theatre production. Feb 9-10. $39-$99. 1 Front E. 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.

**Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith (Heart in Hand Theatre). A man embarks on a sex- and drug-fuelled bender with a girl who dreams of making him a rock star. Previews Jan 25-28. Opens Jan 30 and runs to Feb 14. $25, previews $20.Cameron House, 408 Queen W. heartinhandtheatre.com.

**Every Letter Counts by Nina Lee Aquino (Factory Theatre). A woman searching for her path in life examines the legacy of her uncle, a Filipino political icon. Previews Jan 26-30. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 24. $32-$42, preview $22. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot (UC Follies Theatre Company). Young pacifists explore free love and 60s culture while resisting the Vietnam War draft. Opens Feb 1 and runs to Feb 9. $30, stu/srs $15. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Love Letters by AR Gurney (Encore Entertainment). A dutiful lawyer and a lively artist exchange letters over 50 years in this play about love and friendship. Opens Jan 25 and runs to Feb 3. $28-$29.50. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, encoreshows.com.

**Rare by Judith Thompson (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). This collage of real-life stories is put on by an ensemble of co-creators/performers with Down syndrome. Opens Jan 28 and runs to Feb 7. $15-$30. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

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.

La Clemenza Di Tito by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). Emperor Tito chooses to forgive rather than punish those who plotted to assassinate him in this Italian opera. Opens Feb 3 and runs to Feb 22. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.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 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 film. Previews Dec 20-Jan 12. Opens Jan 13 and runs to Jun 2. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Tristan Und Isolde by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). The operatic story of passion and vengeance is performed with video imagery. Opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 23. $12-$390. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

And the rest…

[Title Of Show] by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell (Lower Ossington Theatre). Two writers struggle to write and produce a musical in time for a theatre festival. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 17. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

A Fond Husband by Thomas D’Urfey (George Brown Theatre School). Libertine rascals pursue their sexual desires in this 17th-century comedy. Opens Feb 6 and runs to Feb 16. $18, srs $12 stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666.

A Night Of Shanley (Half-Pint Theatre). The company presents two one-act plays and two monologues by John Patrick Shanley. Opens Feb 6 and runs to Feb 16. $20, stu $15, Sun & Tue pwyc. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. shanley.brownpapertickets.com.

Apartment 3A by Jeff Daniels (Amicus Productions). After leaving her cheating boyfriend, a woman must deal with interest from a neighbour and a co-worker. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 9. $22, srs $20, stu $18. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-860-6176, amicusproductions.ca.

Celtic Harmony (Windmill Theatre). The musical theatre company presents traditional Irish and Scottish melodies with Celtic band Poor Angus. Feb 8-9. $30. Unitarian Congregation Great Hall, 84 South Service Rd. 905-338-5702, windmilltheatre.com.

Dido & Aeneas by Henry Purcell (The Velvet Curtain). Performance of the Baroque opera based on Virgil’s Aeneid. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 16. $20-$25. Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview. thevelvetcurtain.ca.

**Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata by Veda Hille and Bill Richardson (Factory Theatre/Acting Up Stage Company). This musical comedy looks at modern life through the lens of the classifieds website. Previews Jan 30-Feb 5. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Mar 3. $35-$47, preview $22, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Here To Hear by Linda A Carson and Cathy Nosaty (Carousel Players). A girl and her father find harmony despite having different musical tastes in this interactive play for young audiences. Previews Feb 4. Opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 21. $15-$20.Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

La Clemenza Di Tito: Ensemble Studio Performance (Canadian Opera Company). Young talent perform lead roles in the COC’s production of the Mozart opera. Feb 6 7:30 pm. $25-$55. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Les Roses De La Vie: A Parisian Soirée (Toronto Masque Theatre). The magic and beauty of Paris is evoked through music, song, poetry, film and movement. Feb 7-9. $40, srs $35, under 30 $20. Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, 106 Trinity. 416-410-4561, torontomasquetheatre.com.

LIFT Out Loud Series (Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto). TV pilot screenplays by Stephanie Law and Genevieve Heineman get a reading. Feb 6 at 7:30 pm. $5. Magpie Taproom, 831 Dundas W. lift.on.ca/mt/liftoutloud.html.

Once Upon A Murder (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). Preparations for a royal wedding are interrupted by a murder in this interactive dinner-theatre mystery. Opens Jan 25 and runs to May 31. $40-$71. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.

Orlando by GF Handel (Opera in Concert/Aradia Ensemble). A warrior in Charlemagne’s army is led astray by unrequited love in this Baroque opera performed in Italian with surtitles. Feb 3 at 2:30 pm. $52-$73. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, operainconcert.com.

Psycho Bitch by Tamara Lynn Robert (P.k. Pin Up Productions). A woman battles her demons, therapists and happy pills in this comedic drama about living with mental illness. Feb 8-10. $15, stu/srs $10 (fundraiser for Youthline). Electric Theatre, 299 Augusta. secureaseat.com/psycho-bitch.

Rapunzel by Ginty Burns (Nags Players). The classic fairy tale is performed in panto style. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 16. $12-$20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 647-338-6247, nagsplayers.com.

Reveal Me Burlesque (Rivoli). The Incredible Edible Akynos, Charlie Quinn, Madam Poynter, Lisbon Maginot, the Serpentina North Ensemble and others put on a show. Feb 6 at 8 pm. $10. 332 Queen W. 416-596-1908.

Risky Business & Rebel Yells Dance Matters presents boundary-pushing works by Greg Krypto Selinger, Emma Kerson & Ana Groppler, Alysa Pires and Constance Cooke. Feb 9-10. $15, stu/srs $12. Pia Bouman Studio, 6 Noble. 416-533-3706, dancematters.ca.

Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard (Soulpepper). This absurdist comedy follows the antics of two minor characters from Hamlet. Previews Feb 7-12. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Mar 2. $51-$68, stu $32 (rush $22, stu $5).Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

**Shakespeare’s Nigga by Joseph Jomo Pierre (Obsidian Theatre/3D Atomic/Theatre Passe Muraille). Two iconic black characters, Shakespeare’s Othello and Titus Andronicus’s Aaron, confront their creator. Previews Feb 2-6. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 23. $15-$35. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, obsidiantheatre.com.

The American Caruso: The Tragedy Of Mario Lanza (TrypTych). This musical revue looks at the life and music of the legendary American tenor. Feb 9 at 7:30 pm. $25-$30, srs $20-$25, stu $10. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2737 Bayview. 416-763-5066 ext 1, tryptych.org.

The Best Of The Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Opens Feb 1 and runs to Feb 25. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Classics: The Girl From Maxim’s by Georges Feydeau (Ryerson Theatre School). A chanteuse finds herself entangled with a married doctor in this comedy set in 1904 Paris. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 14. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

The De Chardin Project by Adam Seybold (The Quickening Theatre Company). A Jesuit priest crosses continents and cultures seeking the link between faith and science. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 16. $15-$25, Tue pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, thequickeningtheatre.com.

The Humourless Feminist Comedy Night Toronto Rape Crisis Centre & Multicultural Women Against Rape present a comedy fundraiser w/ Ben Beauchemin, Christina Walkinshaw, Steph Tolev, Bobby Knauf, Darryl Orr, host Natalie Norman and others. Feb 7 7 pm. $10 sugg donation. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas W. trccmwar.ca.

The Love Project Artistic Edge Dance Company presents contemporary dance works that revolve around the universal emotion and experience of love. Feb 9-10. $28. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-253-5050, aedcloveproject.com.

The Piper by Colleen Murphy (Ryerson Theatre School). A meek musician falls in love with the daughter of a tyrannical mayor in this dark comedy based on the Pied Piper legend. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 14. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

The Power Of Harriet T! by Michael Miller (Young People’s Theatre). Harriet Tubman helps black Americans escape to Canada in the 1800s in this historical play for ages 8-15. Previews Feb 4-6. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 22. $15-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

Theatre Foreplay Reading Series (Actors Repertory Company). Playing The Victim by the Presnyakov Brothers gets a reading. Feb 3 at 7 pm. Pwyc. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. arcstage.com.

Three Farces From Three Lands (Poculi Ludique Societas). The medieval/Renaissance theatre company performs The Stolen Shrovetide Cock, The Farce Of The Fisherman and John John The Husband. Feb 8-10. $20, srs $15, stu $10. Glen Morris Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris. plspls.ca.

Truth Or Dare? by Jamie Northan and Lindsay Mullan (The Distinctly Average Duo). Northan and Mullan perform an improv show based on the classic game. Feb 7-9. $20, stu $15. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

Turtleneck by Brandon Crone (safeword). A recovering sex addict deals with threats to her recovery in this play about pornography, gender roles and human limitations. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 17. $15. Hub 14, 14 Markham. facebook.com/events/128447767321116.

*Listings are based on NOW stage listings*