Eye-Catching Theatre for the Week of August 26th, 2013

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of August 26th, 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

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 Sep 29, 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 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (no shows Sep 3-8). $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.

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.

**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.

And the rest…

Anton In Show Business by Jane Martin (Danka Scepanovic/Rhizoma Productions/GO Play Producing). Eight female actors pursue their dream of performing a Chekhov play in Texas. Previews Aug 26. Opens Aug 27 and runs to Sep 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, stu $15, mat $10, preview pwyc. Sterling Studio Theatre, 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.

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.

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.

Exotic Elegance: Dixie Evans Week (Dolly Berlin). This burlesque revue features Coco Framboise, El Toro, Lady Bona and others and pays tribute to the late Dixie Evans. Aug 28 at 8:30 pm. $10-$30. Gladstone Hotel, Melody Bar, 1214 Queen W. exoticeleganceburlesque.eventbrite.com.

Hot & Spicy Food Festival Harbourfront Centre presents food, music and more, including dance by FlamenKathak, P.O.S.E. Dance Company and other plus dance workshops. Aug 30-Sep 2, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

I Seen You On TV The National Theatre of the World presents improv by comics seen on TV shows and ads w/ Matt Baram, Naomi Snieckus, David Shore, Nug Nahrgang, Linda Kash, Ali Hassan and others. Aug 28 8 pm. $18. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W. thenationaltheatreoftheworld.com.

Liar Liar Pants On Fire The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents a tall tales competition w/ host Paul Bellini. Aug 7 7:30 pm, Aug 28 7:30 pm. Free. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

**Liza Live! by Jennifer Walls (Total Betty Productions). Walls plays Liza Minnelli in a solo show about 60 years of music and memories. Aug 27 at 8 pm. $10. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. 416-531-5042.

Next To Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt (Lower Ossington Theatre). This rock musical looks at how a suburban family copes with mental illness. Opens Aug 29 and runs to Sep 29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Princess Polly And The World’s Smallest Ninja Second City presents an all-ages sketch revue. Opens Jun 30 and runs to Aug 29, Thu and Sun 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Singular Sensation: A Music Theatre Open Mic (Jennifer Walls). Sing showtunes with a live band and see previews of upcoming works at this weekly show. Mon 10 pm Free. Statler’s, 487 Church. 416-922-0487.

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.

The Merchant Of Venice by William Shakespeare (Ale House Theatre). A merchant and a lender enter into a grisly contract in the classic drama about intolerance and vengeance. Opens Aug 28 and runs to Aug 31, Wed-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15 adv; or pwyc at the door. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, facebook.com/AleHouseTheatreCompany.

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.

We Can Be Heroes Second City presents previews of the fall mainstage revue. Opening night is Aug 27. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (plus Sat 10:30 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Whedonesque Bad Dog Theatre present an improvised re-imagining of three of Joss Whedon’s most beloved shows. Opens Aug 31 8, 9 & 10 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. baddogtheatre.com.

Yuk Yuk’s Downtown presents Hunter Collins. Opens Aug 28 and runs to Sep 1, Wed-Thu and Sun 8 pm, Fri-Sat 9 pm. $13-$22. 224 Richmond W. 416-967-6425, yukyuks.com.

Yuk Yuk’s Downtown presents the Humber School of Comedy at 7:30 pm, Launching Pad for new stand-ups at 9:30 pm, every week. Tue. $4/show. 224 Richmond W. 416-967-6425, yukyuks.com.