Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of August 19th, 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

**Angels In America: Parts I & II by Tony Kushner (Soulpepper). Seven individuals navigate NYC during the AIDS crisis in the 80s in this two-part show about human reactions to the epidemic. Previews Jul 19-30. Opens Jul 31 and runs to Sep 14, see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca. 

Anything Goes by Cole Porter, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Mirvish/Roundabout Theatre Company). A stowaway and a nightclub singer get in trouble aboard an ocean liner in this musical. Previews Jul 17. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Aug 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.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 adult musical puppet show. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Oct 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm (no shows Aug 4-28). $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, avenueq.ca.

Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Nu Musical Theatricals/Classic Theatre Project/Starvox Entertainment). The popular musical featuring feline frolic at the Jellicle Ball returns. Previews May 28-Jun 9. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Sep 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.com.

Memory In The Mud (Words In Motion). This movable drama and tour tells the stories of brick makers, POWs and transients who spent time at the Brick Works. Opens Aug 7 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $10, child $5. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. ebw.evergreen.ca/whats-on/memory-in-the-mud.

**Shakespeare In High Park: Macbeth (Canadian Stage). The classic tragedy is performed outdoors on alternating nights with The Taming Of The Shrew. Previews Jun 26-Jul 2. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Sep 1, Fri, Sun and Wed 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.  

**Shakespeare In High Park: The Taming Of The Shrew (Canadian Stage). The classic comedy is performed outdoors on alternating nights with Macbeth. Opens Jul 4 and runs to Aug 31, Thu, Sat and Tue 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.  

The Rascals: Once Upon A Dream by Steven Van Zandt, Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati (Mirvish). Live narrative and performance is used to tell the story of the 60s pop/soul group. Opens Aug 13 and runs to Aug 25, Fri-Sat and Tue-Wed 8 pm (Aug 13 at 7:30 pm), Sun 7 pm. $25-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

And the rest…

Adventures In Slumberland (Frolick). This all-ages show about a young boy’s dream world features puppets, music, masques and more. Opens Jul 1 and runs to Sep 2, daily at 11 am, noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm (weather permitting). Pwyc. Olympic Island Lagoon Theatre, near Centre Island ferry dock, over the bridge. frolick.ca.

**Babes In Space: Where No Man Has Gone Before (Red Herring Productions). Spaceships and sequins come together in this burlesque revue. Opens Aug 25 and runs to Aug 29, Thu and Sun 8 pm. $17-$45. Revival, 783 College. babesinspace4.eventbrite.ca.

Beggar’s Canyon Comedy Bar presents sketch comedy w/ the Templeton Philharmonic, the Rocket Sceintists hosts Beggar’s Canyon (Pete Hill and Ian MacIntyre). Aug 23 9:30 pm. $8. 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.

Big City Improv T.K.O.! Big City Improv Festival presents 16 teams in an 8-week improv competition. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Sep 16, Mon Mondays 9:30 pm (excluding holidays). $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. bigcityimprovfestival.com.

**BuskerFest (Scotiabank). The outdoor performance festival features European street theatre, aerial arts, dance, music, clown and more by Seb Whipits, Lisa Lottie, Fireguy, the Twin Tango and others. Aug 22-25, see website for schedule. Pwyc (donations to Epilepsy Toronto). Downtown Yonge, from Queen to College. torontobuskerfest.com.

Emma Hunter Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents the comedic performer with special guests. Aug 23 7:30 pm. $15. Cabaret, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Fall 2013 Mainstage Revue Second City presents previews of a new collection of sketches, songs and improvisations. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm (and Sat 10 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Follow Your Fear Day (Todd Charron). Charron performs his solo show about conquering fear and helps others set goals to do the same. Aug 24 at 8 pm. $20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. followyourfearday.com.

King Lear/The Double Hook by William Shakespeare/Sheila Watson (Bill Kischuck). Kischuck presents his adaptations of the two plays. Opens Aug 17 and runs to Aug 24, Sat 2 pm. Free. Muzzo Family Alumni Hall, Room 400, 121 St Joseph. kinglear_doublehook@yahoo.ca.

Laugh Sabbath Comedy Bar presents Nick Flanagan, Sean Cullen, Pete Zedlacher, Ryan Horwood, Kathleen Phillips, host Chris Locke and others. Opens Aug 22 9:30 pm. $5. 945 Bloor W. laughsabbath.com.

**Lilies, or, The Revival of a Romantic Drama by Michel Marc Bouchard (Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives). Bouchard’s drama about a wrongly imprisoned man gets a reading in this benefit for the CLGA. Aug 22 at 8 pm. $20. 34 Isabella. facebook.com/events/165174360337302.

Minority Report Ethnic Comedy Show Silvarado presents Chris Robinson, Moe Ismail, Jordan Sowunmi, Michael Jagdeo and host Silvarado. Aug 25 8 pm. $15. Calabria Restaurant, 2450 Sheppard E. 416-930-3349, silvarado@live.ca.

Odds And Ends Festival (Newborn Theatre). New short works by LaDarrion Williams, Catherine Weingarten, Graham Bowlin, Muhammad Waqas and Paul Hufker will be performed each day. Aug 22-25, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $tba. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. oandefest.weebly.com.

Princess Polly And The World’s Smallest Ninja Second City presents an all-ages sketch revue. Opens Jun 30 and runs to Sep 1, Thu and Sun 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Richard III by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in the Ruff). A ruthless Duke marries and murders his way to the English throne in this outdoor show. Bring a blanket or chair. Previews Aug 13-14. Opens Aug 15 and runs to Sep 1, Wed-Sun 7 pm (plus Aug 26). Pwyc. Withrow Park, 725 Logan. shakespeareintheruff.com.

Russell Brand Just For Laughs presents the actor/comic in a live show. Aug 22 8 pm. $55.50-$65.50. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.

Ted & Lisa (Ted Hallett/Lisa Merchant). The secrets of suburbia emerge in this improvised play with audience participation. Opens Aug 9 and runs to Aug 30, Fri 8:30 pm. $5. John Candy Box Theatre, 70 Peter. 416-340-7270.

Theatresports Bad Dog Theatre presents the classic improv comedy competition. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Aug 24, Sat Saturdays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

Toronto, I Love You Bad Dog Repertory Players present an improvised romantic comedy based on stories of our city. Opens Aug 2 and runs to Aug 30, Fri Fridays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. baddogtheatre.com.