Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of October 22nd, 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

AMALUNA (Cirque du Soleil). Acrobatics, music, dance and design are used to look at femininity, renewal, rebirth and balance on a mystical island governed by women. Opens Sep 6 and runs to Nov 4. $58.50-$158.50, stu/srs/child from $43.50. Grand Chapiteau Tent, Port Lands, Commissioners at Cherry. cirquedusoleil.com/amaluna.

BLOODLESS: THE TRIAL OF BURKE AND HARE by Joseph Aragon (Theatre 20). This macabre musical tells the true story of two 19th-century Irish serial killers who sold corpses to anatomy schools in Edinburgh. Previews Oct 9-11. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Oct 28. $49-$69. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, theatre20.com.

DIE FLEDERMAUS by Johann Strauss II (Canadian Opera Company). A woman gets revenge on her philandering husband in this comic operetta. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Nov 3. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

DOC WUTHERGLOOM’S HAUNTED MEDICINE SHOW by Eric Woolfe (Eldritch Theatre). A travelling exorcist and his ghoulish puppets perform a Victorian-Gothic show. Oct 25-28. $25-$30. Secret Venue on Queen E, location revealed with purchase. eldritchtheatre.ca.

IL TROVATORE by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). A troubadour and his rival woo a noblewoman while a gypsy plots revenge in this tragic opera. Opens Sep 29 and runs to Oct 31. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein (Mirvish). A gay man and his drag queen partner prepare to meet the conservative parents of their son’s fiancée. Previews Oct 10-11. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Nov 18. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

P-DALE EP 2: THE NEXT DAY IS THE HARDEST DAY OF ALL by Luis Fernandes (Unit 102 Actors Company). This multimedia theatrical series looks at the pre-gentrified residents of Parkdale. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 27. $15. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. p-dale.com.

SISTER ACT by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater (Whoopi Goldberg/Stage Entertainment/Troika Entertainment). A wannabe diva who witnessed a murder hides from the mob in a convent in this musical comedy. Previews Oct 2-3. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Nov 4. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**THE NORMAL HEART by Larry Kramer (Studio 180 Theatre). A group of friends refuse to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth about the AIDS epidemic in early 80s NYC. Previews Oct 19-20. Opens Oct 23 and runs to Nov 18. $30-$49, stu $25, limited Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-872-1212, studio180theatre.com.

**THIS MUST BE THE PLACE: THE CN TOWER SHOW by the Architect Theatre Collective (Theatre Passe Muraille). This multidisciplinary creation explores the social and cultural changes in Toronto during the tower’s construction in the 70s. Previews Oct 4-6. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Oct 27. $30-$35. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

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 Jan 6. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

WE’VE TOTALLY (PROBABLY) GOT THIS! Second City presents its fall 2012 revue featuring new sketches, songs and improv about stress and juggling priorities. Wed-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm (plus Fri-Sat 10 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011

WHAT YOU WANT: TORONTO by Andrew Templeton (MachineFair/Bring the Buzz). Eight unique presentations of the playwright’s works What You Want: Vancouver and What You Want: Toronto explore true stories of both cities. Opens Oct 18 and runs to Nov 3. Pwyc (except Oct 29 workshop: $25, stu $20). Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, machinefair.ca.

And the rest…

**360 SCREENINGS (360 Screenings). Halloween-themed immersive cinema experience combining a film screening with elements of theatre. Oct 24 at 7 pm. $60, stu $40. Secret Location, see website for details. 360screenings.com.

7A*11D INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF PERFORMANCE ART (7a*11d). Discussions, workshops and multidisciplinary performances by artists from around the world including Margaret Dragu, b. burroughs, Nobuo Kubota and others. Opens Oct 24 and runs to Oct 28. Pwyc. 7a-11d.ca.

ALLIGATOR PIE (Soulpepper). Adapted from the children’s poems of Dennis Lee, this family-friendly production celebrates imagination and invention. Previews Oct 26-Nov 5. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 25. $23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

ART by Yasmina Reza (Scuderia Productions). The purchase of an expensive modernist painting tests the limits of friendship. Performed in French with English surtitles. Oct 25-27. $15-$20. Ecole Gabrielle-Roy, 14 Pembroke. scuderiaproductions.com.

BONE ORCHARD FOLLIES (Les Coquettes). A prom night avenger finds herself in a sensous cabaret in this revue featuring music, comedy, striptease and dance. Oct 28-31. $20-$35. Revival, 783 College. lescoquettes.com.

DARK & DIRTY AT 30/30 (Platinum Production). Witches, vampires, coffins and more are featured in this music, magic and burlesque revue. Oct 26 at 9:30 pm. $12-$15. 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas W. brownpapertickets.com/event/284659.

DELICACY by Kat Sandler (Theatre Brouhaha). A wealthy couple meet a younger couple at a sex club in this play about condo culture, class and growing up. Opens Oct 25 and runs to Nov 3. $20, Wed $15, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. theatrebrouhaha.com.

DER FREISCHÜTZ (The Marksman) by Carl Maria von Weber (Opera Atelier). A young marksman enters a Faustian pact for love in this Romantic-period German opera. Opens Oct 27 and runs to Nov 3. $35-$155. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 1-855-622-2787, operaatelier.com.

DINNER WITH GOEBBELS by Mark Leith (act2studio works). This political satire features an imagined meeting of Joseph Goebbels, Karl Rove and Edward Bernays. Opens ? ?. Oct 25-28. $20, srs $18. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-979-5000 ext 6297, ryerson.ca/~act2.

DRACULA, A LOVE STORY by Sharyl Hudson and Bill Sewers (Brant Theatre Workshop). Follow actors through the castle’s historic halls in this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Nov 9. $39. Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. 647-725-1826, casaloma.org.

DRAG YOU TO HELL (Drag King Flare). This Halloween drag show features IGBY Lizzard, Ryan G Hinds, Molly Mishap, Fluffy Souffle and others. Opens Oct 26 at 10 pm. $12. Club 120, 120 Church. club120.ca.

ENDGAME by Samuel Beckett (Soulpepper). A blind man who is unable to stand gives orders to his servant, who is unable to sit, in this absurdist tragicomedy. Previews Oct 26-30. Opens Oct 31 and runs to Nov 17. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

EYE OF A NEWT AT THE JOKEBOX Impulsive Entertainment and British Teeth present Emma Hunter, Smells Like the 80s, host Ben Miner and sketch troupe British Teeth. Oct 22 8 pm. $5. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. impulsiveent.com.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Encore Entertainment). A Jewish patriarch clings to tradition in a changing world in this musical. Opens Oct 25 and runs to Nov 4. $32.50, stu/srs $30. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, encoreshows.com.

FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS by Alan Ball (Theatre Etobicoke). At a lavish reception, five bridesmaids find they have more in common with each other than they thought. Opens Oct 25 and runs to Nov 4. $22, srs $19. The Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park. 416-246-1889, theatre-etobicoke.com.

FOOL – FESTIVAL OF ORAL LITERATURES (The Tellery). Celebration of spoken word and storytelling with Morgan Jones Phillips, Susan Coyne, Ron Evans, Jan Blake and others. Opens Oct 18 and runs to Nov 11. Free-$20. AGO, Rustic Owl Cafe and Artscape Wychwood Barns, see website for details. foolfestival.com.

HONESTY by Jordan Tannahill (Suburban Beast/Koffler Centre of the Arts). A solo performer works at the store and tells the stories of the city’s working class in this performance intervention. Two 90-minute acts with one-hour intermission. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 4. Free. Honest Ed’s, 581 Bloor W. kofflerarts.org.

HORSES BY THE WINDOW by Matei Visniec (Siavash Shabanpour/Go Play Producing). Three women learn they’ve lost a male family member in this absurdist journey through three centuries of war and destruction. Opens Oct 25 at 7:30 pm. Oct 29-Nov 2. $20, stu $15. The Great Hall Black Box Theatre, 1087 Queen W. horsesatthewindow.tickets@gmail.com.

LES FOURBERIES DE SCAPIN (SCAPIN’S DECEITS) by Molière (Théâtre français de Toronto). Two young men seek a sly valet’s help for their romantic predicaments in this comedy performed in French (some surtitled shows). Previews Oct 24-25. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Nov 10. $33-$57, under 30/srs $28-$57, rush $20. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com.

MARGOT, JANE AND HENRY York U Dept of Dance presents autobiographical, self-choreographed solos by students of the MFA Dance program. Oct 25-27. $25, stu/srs $12.50. York University Accolade East Bldg, McLean Performance Studio, 4700 Keele. 416-736-5888.

MISS CALEDONIA by Melody A Johnson (Lunkamud/Tarragon Theatre). A 1950s farm girl dreams of being an actress in the big city in this musical solo show. Previews Oct 13-23. Opens Oct 24 and runs to Nov 22. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

MY BOY JACK by David Haig (East Side Players). Driven by patriotism, writer Rudyard Kipling presses his son into military service in WW1. Opens Oct 25 and runs to Nov 10. $22, stu $15. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-425-0917, eastsideplayers.ca.

NIGHT OF DREAD (Clay & Paper Theatre). Puppets, stilt dancers and others perform and parade in an interactive exploration of our collective fears. Oct 27. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Dufferin Grove Park, Dufferin S of Bloor. clayandpapertheatre.org.

**POLITICAL MOTHER Canadian Stage presents a dance/rock spectacle about political oppression and manipulation by choreographer Hofesh Schechter. Opens Oct 24 and runs to Oct 28. $24-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

ROOTS OF BRAZIL The Dance Migration presents Afro Brazilian dance and live music. Oct 25 at 8 pm. $10-$15. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas W. thedancemigration.com.

SERIES 8:08 presents a choreographic performance workshop featuring Tracey Norman, Gita Harris, Newton Moraes, Jannine Saarinen and Susan Kendal. Oct 27 at 8:08 pm. $10. Pia Bouman School Studio Theatre, 6 Noble. series808.ca.

SOUNDSPOETIC coexisDance presents an evening of dance, poetry and musical improvisation w/ Raphael Roter, Jessica Houghton and Chelsea Papps. Oct 25 at 8 pm. $10. Somewhere There Studio, 227 Sterling. coexisdance.wordpress.com.

SUMMERFOLK by Maxim Gorky (Ryerson Theatre School). Bourgeois Russians drink, flirt, complain and consider their changing society at an early 1900s garden party. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Nov 2. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE The Sketchersons present weekly sketch comedy w/ guest hosts and musical acts. Sun 9 pm. $10.Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. thesketchersons.com.

THE 20TH OF NOVEMBER by Lars Norén (CR4B/Rand Ink). A young man plans a massacre at his school in this workshop production of a play based on the journals of Sebastian Bosse. Oct 25-28. $15. 499 Dundas West, south-east corner of Spadina and Dundas. secureaseat.com.

THE BEST OF THE SECOND CITY presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Mon 8 pm. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

THE HOURS THAT REMAIN by Keith Barker (New Harlem Productions). Haunted by her sister’s disappearance, a woman seeks answers and closure. Opens Oct 19 and runs to Nov 3. $21, mats $11-$16. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-204-0855, thehoursthatremain.ca.

THE SECOND CITY’S IMPROV ALL-STARS Second City presents a fast-paced, completely improvised weekly show. Opens Sep 4 and runs to Dec 18. $20, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) (The Classical Theatre Project). Three actors perform all 37 plays in 87 minutes. Oct 26 at 7:30 pm. Nov 3 at 7 and 9:30 pm. $28-$42. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6750, completeworksabridged.com.

THE FINE ART OF MURDER (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). This dinner-theatre whodunit features a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Dec 29. $66-$71. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.

THE GHOSTS OF MARIPOSA by SC Pinney (The Arts Engine). A man with intellectual disabilities falls in love with a ghost in this play about those living unseen amongst us. Opens Oct 24 and runs to Oct 28. $21.50-$29.50. Walmer Centre Theatre, 188 Lowther. theartsengine.ca.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by Richard O’Brien (Lower Ossington Theatre). A newly engaged couple stumble upon a freaky castle in this classic rock musical. Opens Oct 19 and runs to Nov 3. $35-$45. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by Richard O’Brien (Fallen Rock Productions/Effort Trust). The popular rock musical is presented to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario. Opens Oct 25 and runs to Nov 3. $25-$50. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

TORONTO IMPROV FESTIVAL Impatient Theatre Co presents improv featuring 2-Man No-Show, Smash Hit Musical, Dharma, the Cheeky Chappies, Pomp and others. Opens Oct 22 and runs to Oct 23. $10-$20. Clinton’s, 693 Bloor W. torontoimprovfestival.ca.

TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel (Toronto Irish Players). Tensions arise in 1833 when the British Army comes to change Irish place names to English ones in a small town. Opens Oct 18 and runs to Nov 3. $20, stu/srs $18, opening night $50, Oct 25 pwyc ($10 min). Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-440-2888, torontoirishplayers.com.

WAR FOR DESSERT by Adrianna Prosser (Theatre in the Schoolhouse). British officers sharing a meal with American soldiers learn they will soon meet on the battlefield in this play about the War of 1812. Oct 26-27 at 7:30 pm. $18. Historic Zion Schoolhouse, 1091 Finch E. 416-395-7432.

WOUNDS TO THE FACE by Howard Barker (Theatre @ York). This tragicomic series of narratives examines how we see ourselves and others and the elusive quality of identity. Previews Oct 21-22. Opens Oct 23 and runs to Oct 27. $17, stu/srs $12, previews $5. York University, Joseph G Green Studio Theatre, 4700 Keele. 416-736-5888.

WRECKED by Chris Craddock (Roseneath Theatre). The public is invited to previews of this play for Grades 7-12 about alcohol abuse in the lives of teens. Oct 27 at 11 am and 3 pm. Free. 651 Dufferin. 416-686-5199, roseneath.ca.