Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of September 23rd, 2013. ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Mike, our 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 28, 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. $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, avenueq.ca.

**Bone Cage by Catherine Banks (Hart House Theatre). Dark poetry and humour are used to explore the despair of young adults in rural Nova Scotia. Opens Sep 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Oct 5 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

**Dine Her by Bruce Hunter (Realspace Theatre). This interactive zombie comedy looks at how gentrification strips neighbourhoods of life. Opens Sep 16 and runs to Sep 23, nightly at 7 pm. $39.95 (dinner & show). The George Street Diner, 129 George. dineher.eventbrite.ca.

The Foursome by Jane Ford (Sterling Studio Theatre). Secrets emerge when three upscale women add a young heiress to their tennis quartet in this dark comedy. Previews Sep 17. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 28, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $20, preview $15. 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.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.

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.

PIG by Tim Luscombe (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Three gay couples push the boundaries of their relationships through acts of emotional domination, sexual submission, compulsion and violence. Previews Sep 14-18. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Pwyc-$37. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Shoreditch Madonna by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Three Seeds Productions). Visual artists living in London’s East End seek meaningful relationships and meaningful work. Opens Sep 13 and runs to Sep 29, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu rush $5 (Wed & Sun). The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

The Underpants by Steve Martin (Alumnae Theatre). A housewife becomes an instant celebrity after accidentally losing her underpants in public. Opens Sep 20 and runs to Oct 5, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

And the Rest…

The Best Brothers by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). Two very different brothers learn about each other and their mother after her death in a freak accident at the Pride parade. Previews Sep 17-24. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$53, preview $21-$25. 30 Bridgman.416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Crash by Pamela Mala Sinha (Theatre Passe Muraille). The death of a loved one forces a woman to face shattering memories in this dance-theatre production. Previews Sep 26-28. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 19, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15-$27.50, mat pwyc. Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

The Emergency Monologues by Morgan Phillips (Hugh’s Room). Phillips performs his solo comedy about the life of an urban paramedic, plus opener Evalyn Parry. Sep 26 at 8:30 pm. $24.50-$26. 2261 Dundas W. 416-531-6604, hughsroom.com.

The Femme Playlist by Catherine Hernandez (Aluna Theatre). Hernandez uncovers the realities of living as a queer woman of colour in this multidisciplinary show. Sep 28 at 8 pm. $10-$13. unit 124, 1 Wiltshire. eventbrite.ca/event/6787919851.

The Firecrackers Present: Bad Girls Of History (The Firecrackers). This burlesque revue celebrates badass women with Fan Tan Fanny, 8-Bit Pinup, Tanya Cheex and others. Sep 27 at 10 pm. $15-$20. Club 120, 120 Church. eventbrite.ca/event/7544083557

The Flood Thereafter by Sarah Berthiume (Canadian Stage/Theatre Dept @ York University). An eerie daily striptease ritual in a small-town bar is interrupted by a stranger’s arrival in this play evoking the sirens of ancient Greek myth. Previews Sep 22-25, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

**Gay Play Day: LGBTQ Theatre Festival (Gay Play Day). Short plays and solo pieces by local LGBTQ writers, including Bruce Harrott, Tina McCulloch, Charles Hayter and Marcy Rogers. Sep 27-28, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm. $10. Alumnae Theatre, Studio, 70 Berkeley. gayplayday.blogspot.ca.

Les Miserables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Cameron Mackintosh/Mirvish). An ex-convict seeks redemption and dodges his nemesis in this musical based on the Victor Hugo novel. Previews Sep 27-Oct 8. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Dec 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (see website for exceptions/extra shows). $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. mirvish.com.

Look Back In Anger by John Osborne (FeverGraph Theatre Company). The female-centred company presents its take on this play about four people crippled by their ideas of societal and interpersonal oppression. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Sep 28, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20 stu/srs $15. Ten 93 Queen W, 1093 Queen W. 416-277-5075, fevergraph.com.

Macarena Perich Rosas/Tomasz Szrama/Gustaf Broms (FADO Performance Art Centre). Artist talk (Wed, 7 pm, free, at Hub 14, 14 Markham) and performances. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Sep 28, Sat and Wed 7 pm. $10. Collective Space, Studio 5, 221 Sterling. performanceart.ca.

Meet the Young Artists (Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre). Young artists of the COC Ensemble sing their favourite arias. Sep 26 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn (Soulpepper). A librarian seeks a tryst but must dodge his wife in this trilogy where each play is viewed from a different part of the home. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Nov 16, 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.

On the Rocks by Louise Pitre (Theatre Passe Muraille). Pitre tells her story of her journey through life and love in this solo musical show. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Sep 29, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$32.50, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

Pinkalicious, The Musical by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Jun 23, Sun (see website for times). Aug 25-Sep 29, Sun, see website for times. $30-$40. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, pinkaliciousthemusical.com/toronto.

**Renovations by Elizabeth Ellwood (Mississauga Players). A woman inherits money, stewardship of her mother and family secrets following the death of her father in this comedy. Sep 26-29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20, srs $17. Maja Prentice Theatre, 3650 Dixie. 647-858-2153, eventbrite.ca/event/7985636253.

Ricky Gervais (NBA Comics) the story of David Andrew Brent (MTV, Much Music), his life and life’s work told in 70 hysterical, beautiful minutes. Friday September 27th @ 8pm & 10pm The Lower Ossington Theatre – 100 Ossington Ave, Toronto Ticket price: $20. notrickygervais.brownpapertickets.com

The Road To Jellotown (Mystic Drumz). Video projections and live percussion instruments are part of this family show about a safari adventure. Sep 29 at 11 am and 1:30 pm. $15. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 1-888-222-6608, mysticdrumz.com.

Shine Cabaret (Rachelle Elie/Miko Sobreira). Dance, clown, poetry, music and comedy with Lucy Rupert, Stevie Jay, Chris Gibs, Paul Thompson and others. Sep 26-28, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15-$20. DANZoN Studio, 2480 Dundas W, suite 104. shinecabaret5.eventbrite.ca.

**Shrek The Musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori (Lower Ossington Theatre). A swamp-dwelling ogre goes on a journey of redemption in this musical based on the film. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 19, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm (and Oct 16), mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**The Space Between by Simeon Taole (Cinematoscape). A boy in South Africa longs to reunite with his childhood sweetheart in Canada in this solo show. Opens Sep 24 and runs to Sep 28, Tue-Fri 8 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20. Ernest Balmer Studio, 9 Trinity, suite 315. thespacebetweenstage.com

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (Studio BLR). A punk rock couple host Stella’s sister in this adaptation that features a live band practice scene instead of the poker game. Opens Sep 19 and runs to Oct 5, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $10. Dragon Alley, Dragon Alley Lane, Dufferin N of College. 416-364-4556, facebook.com/events/210188342480254.

Strolling Player by Richard Willis and Heidi Reimer (Red Sandcastle Theatre). From falling off the stage to falling in love, Willis recounts the ups and downs of one actor’s life. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Sep 28, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

Suddenly Mommy! by Anne Marie Scheffler with Rosie Shuster (Anne Marie Scheffler). Scheffler performs her solo comedy about motherhood. Sep 27-28, Fri-Sat 8:30 pm. $15. John Candy Box Theatre, 70 Peter. 416-340-7270, suddenlymommy.com.

Tainted by Kat Lanteigne (Gromkat Productions/Moyo Theatre). Set against the backdrop of Canada’s tainted blood scandal, a family fights to stay intact when tragedy strikes. Previews Sep 25. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 12, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $27-$42. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-204-0855, gromkat.com.

Tick, Tick… Boom! by Jonathan Larson (Angelwalk Theatre). This autobiographical musical depicts the journey that led to the creation of the Broadway blockbuster RENT. Previews Sep 21-24. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 6, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Thu 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$55. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 1-855-985-2787, angelwalk.ca.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by Rebecca Feldman, William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (Easy Street Productions). Overachievers vie for the championship in this musical comedy. Sep 26-28, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-924-6211, algreentheatre.ca.

Theatresports (Bad Dog Theatre Company). Experience a retro tournament-style take on improv. Armed with suggestions from the audience, two opposing teams perform hilarious head-to-head scenes and each week the crowd decides who wins. Comedy Bar (945 Bloor St. West) September 21st to December 14th. Saturdays at 8pm, tickets are $12 regular/ $10 student and are available at the door. 416-551-6540 baddogtheatre.com

Venus In Fur by David Ives (Canadian Stage). A young actress determined to land the lead plays a cat-and-mouse game with the play’s director. Previews Sept 29-Oct 2, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $24-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

**Listings based on NOW stage listings