Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of June 25, 2012: ** 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

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 Jul 22. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**FUCKING STEPHEN HARPER by Rob Salerno (Ten Foot Pole Productions). The journalist presents a Pride edition of his solo show. Jun 28 at 9 pm. $20. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament. pubaret.com.

HELLO (Huge Picture Productions). The leader of a vigilante group wrestles with existential questions during an alien invasion in this multimedia musical. Opens Jun 21 and runs to Aug 31. $25. Electric Theatre, 299 Augusta. 416-317-8715, hugepictureproductions.com.

**KIM’S CONVENIENCE by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). A Korean family in Toronto struggles with a bitter past and reconciliation. Opens May 17 and runs to Jul 4. $22-$68. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

LIVE WRONG AND PROSPER Second City presents its latest revue of sketches, songs and improvisations. Wed-Sat 8 pm, plus Sat 10:30 pm, Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

ODYSSEO (Cavalia). Theatre artists and horses create a spectacle combining equestrian arts, stage arts and special effects. Opens May 15 and runs to Jul 1. $29.50-$119.50. White Big Top, 324 Cherry. 1-866-999-8111, cavalia.net.

SOCKDOLAGER by Gwynne Phillips and Briana Templeton (The Templeton Philharmonic). This site-specific dark comedy looks at an exciting time in Toronto’s history. Previews Jun 14 at 9 pm. Opens Jun 15 and runs to Jun 29. $17-$20. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. 416-597-0227 ext 2, thetempletonphilharmonic.blogspot.ca.

TOP GUN! THE MUSICAL by Denis McGrath and Scott White (Lower Ossington Theatre). A director tries to keep his musical adaptation of the film afloat in this revival of the 2002 Fringe Fest hit musical. Opens Jun 8 and runs to Jun 29. $35. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

WAR HORSE based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford (National Theatre of Great Britain/Mirvish). An English boy sets out to find his horse after it’s sold to the cavalry and shipped off to France during WWI. Previews Feb 10-27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Sep 30. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

And the rest…

**A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage Shakespeare in High Park). Lovers and actors meet and mingle in an enchanted forest in this classic comedy performed outdoors. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Sep 2. Pwyc ($20 sugg), 14 and under free.High Park Amphitheatre, Bloor W and Parkside. canadianstage.com.

BELLY DANCE CABARET Chemagne Dance Studio and Diva Girl Entertainment present dance by Chemagne Martin, Gabriela Frias, Ayesha and others. Jun 28 at 7:30 pm. $12-$15. 899 Bloor W. bellydancecabaret.eventbrite.com.

BRAVE INTERVENTIONS (YYZ). Artists perform 20-minute sets every 20 minutes as part of Libby Hague’s installation Be Brave!. Andrea Caswell (Jun 16), Zoja Smutny (Jun 23) and Maev Beaty (Jun 30). Opens Jun 16 and runs to Jun 30. Free. ste 140, 401 Richmond W. 416-598-4546, libbyhague.com.

CANADA DAY: GOING GLOBAL Harbourfront Centre presents an arts and culture festival, including dance workshops and The Call Out, dance performances by b-boy/b-girl crews. Jun 29-Jul 2. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

DARCY MICHAEL The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents Vancouver’s gay stoner dad in a Pride week show. Jun 30 7 pm. $15-$20. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts). Thom Allison hosts the annual theatre, dance and opera awards show. Jun 25 at 8 pm. $65, VIP $165. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, tapa.ca.

**FREAKS AND GEEKS: THE DRAG MUSICAL (Eventual Ashes/Aslan Arts Freedom School/Queer Pride 2012). This glamorous musical celebrates all that is outcast, awkward, unusual and beautiful. Jun 27 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

OPENING NIGHT by Norm Foster (Medina Theatre Ensemble). Foster’s comedy about a couple’s night out on their 25th anniversary gets a staged reading. Jun 27 at 7:30 pm. $7.Temple Sinai Congregation, 210 Wilson. 416-638-2716.

PAUL HUTCHESON’S PRIDE PACKAGE II Wog Productions and Queer Pride 2012 present a stand-up comedy cabaret by Hutcheson w/ Mike Albo, Kristen Becker, Susan Fischer, D’yan Forrest and others. Jun 28 8 pm. $10-$20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

SKETCH COMEDY LOUNGE Rivoli presents The Headliner Series w/ Punch in the Box, Two Weird Ladies, Newsdesk w/ Ron Sparks, MC Laurie Elliott and others. Jun 26 9 pm. Pwyc. 332 Queen W. sketchcomedylounge.com.

SHRINE CIRCUS (iMark Events). Acrobats, clowns, animals and more perform under the big top. Opens Jun 29 and runs to Jul 8. $20. Woodbine Centre Parking Lot, 500 Rexdale Blvd. shrinecircus.ca.

SOME GIRL(S) by Neil LaBute (Empty Suitcase Theatre). A man decides to re-connect with a handful of ex-girlfriends before he gets married. Opens Jun 27 and runs to Jun 30. $25, stu $20.Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, emptysuitcasetheatre.com.

SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE The Sketchersons present weekly sketch w/ guest hosts and musical acts. Sun 9:30 pm. $8. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. thesketchersons.com.

THEATRESPORTS Bad Dog Theatre presents unscripted comedy battles. Undercard warm-up event at 7 pm, main event at 8 pm. Sat. $12, stu $10 (for one or both shows). Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-491-3115, baddogtheatre.com.

THE BEST OF THE SECOND CITY presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Jun 22 11 pm, Jun 29 11 pm, Jul 20 11 pm. $24, stu $15. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

THE BICYCLE OPERA PROJECT (The Bicycle Opera Project). Scenes from six contemporary Canadian operas are adapted and performed in an intimate space. Jun 30 at 8 pm. $20. Rustic Owl Gallery, 993 Bloor W. bicycleopera.ca.

THE EROS CABARET Eros, Thanatos & the Avant-Garde Cabaret Series present music, film, dance and interdisciplinary performances by Winston Spear, Sarah Mills and others. Jun 27 at 9 pm. $12-$15. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. rivoli.ca.

THE GLAM! PRIDE GAME SHOW REVUE (GLAM Cabaret). This benefit for queer youth program SOY features comedian Andrew Johnston, Boylesque’s Mickey D Licious and others. Jun 26-27 at 9 pm. $10. The Flying Beaver Pubaret, 488 Parliament. glamcabaret.blogspot.com.

YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK: (RE)TELLING STORIES OF SURVIVAL AND THRIVAL FOR YOUNG BLACK MEN (Black CAP/Project: Humanity/Ontario HIV Treatment Network). A new play about the experiences of black gay and bisexual youth gets a reading. Jun 27 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*