Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of February 11th, 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

A Night Of Shanley (Half-Pint Theatre). The company presents two one-act plays and two monologues by John Patrick Shanley. Opens Feb 6 and runs to Feb 16. $20, stu $15, Sun & Tue pwyc. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. shanley.brownpapertickets.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 musical puppet show. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Oct 7. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Mar 3. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith (Heart in Hand Theatre). A man embarks on a sex- and drug-fuelled bender with a girl who dreams of making him a rock star. Previews Jan 25-28. Opens Jan 30 and runs to Feb 14. $25, previews $20.Cameron House, 408 Queen W. heartinhandtheatre.com.

**Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata by Veda Hille and Bill Richardson (Factory Theatre/Acting Up Stage Company). This musical comedy looks at modern life through the lens of the classifieds website. Previews Jan 30-Feb 5. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Mar 3. $35-$47, preview $22, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Every Letter Counts by Nina Lee Aquino (Factory Theatre). A woman searching for her path in life examines the legacy of her uncle, a Filipino political icon. Previews Jan 26-30. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Feb 24. $32-$42, preview $22. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Here To Hear by Linda A Carson and Cathy Nosaty (Carousel Players). A girl and her father find harmony despite having different musical tastes in this interactive play for young audiences. Previews Feb 4. Opens Feb 5 and runs to Feb 21. $15-$20.Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

La Clemenza Di Tito by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). Emperor Tito chooses to forgive rather than punish those who plotted to assassinate him in this Italian opera. Opens Feb 3 and runs to Feb 22. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Rapunzel by Ginty Burns (Nags Players). The classic fairy tale is performed in panto style. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 16. $12-$20. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 647-338-6247, nagsplayers.com.

**Rare by Judith Thompson (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). This collage of real-life stories is put on by an ensemble of co-creators/performers with Down syndrome. Opens Jan 28 and runs to Mar 2. $15-$30. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Shakespeare’s Nigga by Joseph Jomo Pierre (Obsidian Theatre/3D Atomic/Theatre Passe Muraille). Two iconic black characters, Shakespeare’s Othello and Titus Andronicus’s Aaron, confront their creator. Previews Feb 2-6. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 23. $15-$35. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, obsidiantheatre.com.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Hugh Wheeler (Scarborough Musical Theatre). A murderous barber takes revenge on the judge who ruined his family, helping his neighbour make the best meat pies in London. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 22. $25. Scarborough Village Theatre. 3600 Kingston Rd. 416-267-9292. theatrescarborough.com.

The De Chardin Project by Adam Seybold (The Quickening Theatre Company). A Jesuit priest crosses continents and cultures seeking the link between faith and science. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 16. $15-$25, Tue pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, thequickeningtheatre.com.

The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean (Lower Ossington Theatre). This musical comedy pays homage to high school songleader squads of the 1950s. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Mar 3. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Power Of Harriet T! by Michael Miller (Young People’s Theatre). Harriet Tubman helps black Americans escape to Canada in the 1800s in this historical play for ages 8-15. Previews Feb 4-6. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 22. $15-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

The Wizard Of Oz adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Really Useful Group/Mirvish/Troika Entertainment/Warner Bros/Bill Kenwright). A twister sends Dorothy over the rainbow in this musical based on the film. Previews Dec 20-Jan 12. Opens Jan 13 and runs to Jun 2. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Tristan Und Isolde by Richard Wagner (Canadian Opera Company). The operatic story of passion and vengeance is performed with video imagery. Opens Jan 29 and runs to Feb 23. $12-$390. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Turtleneck by Brandon Crone (safeword). A recovering sex addict deals with threats to her recovery in this play about pornography, gender roles and human limitations. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 17. $15. Hub 14, 14 Markham. facebook.com/events/128447767321116.

And the rest…

[Title Of Show] by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell (Lower Ossington Theatre). Two writers struggle to write and produce a musical in time for a theatre festival. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 17. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

3 Desis And A Diva by Jenny Alexander (Magnila Media/Orange Shot Productions). A scholar and his alcoholic poet cousin discuss family issues, the creative process and what it means to be a first-generation Canadian. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 10. $15-$20. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. 3desisandadiva.com.

360 Screenings: Valentine’s Edition (360 Screenings). Valentine-themed immersive cinema experience combining a film screening with elements of theatre. Feb 14 at 7 pm. $40-$60. Secret Location, see website for details. 360screenings.com.

4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane (Necessary Angel Theatre Company). This freeform piece provides a stark look behind the veil of severe clinical depression. Previews Feb 11-13. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Feb 23. $25-$38, previews $10-$15, Feb 18 pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, necessaryangel.com.

A Fond Husband by Thomas D’Urfey (George Brown Theatre School). Libertine rascals pursue their sexual desires in this 17th-century comedy. Opens Feb 6 and runs to Feb 16. $18, srs $12 stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666.

A Kick Ass Night Of Comedy & Musical Hijinks Patricia Tomasi presents a fundraiser for mental health w/ Amy Zuch, Dan Hershfield, Lindsay Grant and others plus a performance of her solo musical comedy. Feb 12 7 pm. $10. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. kickassdreams.com.

Be Mein Valentine! (Skin Tight Outta Sight Rebel Burlesque). The troupe performs a show in the tradition of Weimar Republic Berlin with Boylesque T.O. and others. Feb 13-15. $25-$40. Gladstone Hotel, Ballroom, 1214 Queen W. bemeinvalentineburlesque2013.eventbrite.com.

Blush (Les Coquettes). This Valentine’s-themed cabaret features dance, cirque, live music and elements of burlesque. Feb 14 at 7 and 10 pm. $20-$35. Revival, 783 College. lescoquettes.com.

Brent Carver (Young Centre for the Performing Arts). The Tony Award-winning actor/singer performs a musical cabaret. Opens Feb 16 and runs to Mar 3. $20-$40. 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Chinese New Year Carnival (Legend of China Production). Acrobats, dancers, musicians and other artists put on a cultural spectacle to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Feb 16 at 2:30 and 8 pm. $38-$108. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. legendofchina.net.

Claire, From The Bus by Kjartan Hewitt (Liars Theatre Co). A thirtysomething man on his way to a party meets a sexually aggressive girl whose age is a mystery in this comedy. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Feb 28. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. clairefromthebus.com.

**Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris (Studio 180/Mirvish). A battle over race and real estate rages over two generations in a suburban Chicago neighbourhood. Previews Feb 12-17. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 3. $45-$79, stu/rush $20. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Comedy, Cabaret, And Coffee Talk (The Flying Beaver Pubaret). This cabaret variety/chat show features Catherine Hernandez, Man Chyna, Fay Slift and host Ryan G Hinds. Feb 15 at 7 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. pubaret.com.

Dido & Aeneas by Henry Purcell (The Velvet Curtain). Performance of the Baroque opera based on Virgil’s Aeneid. Opens Feb 9 and runs to Feb 16. $20-$25. Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview. thevelvetcurtain.ca.

Dracula – A Love Story by Sharyl Hudson (Brant Theatre Workshops). Follow actors through the castle’s historic halls in this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Feb 22. $39, (Valentine’s Day show $66). Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. 647-725-1826, casaloma.org.

From The House Of Mirth Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie present a dance/theatre piece inspired by Edith Wharton’s novel, choreographed by James Kudelka. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Feb 24. $50, Feb 20 pwyc. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. 416-364-8011, colemanlemieux.com.

Hannah Moscovitch Double Bill (Tarragon/Theatre Crisis/Theatre Panik). Other People’s Children is performed with Little One (to Mar 17) and In This World (Mar 19-24). Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 24. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

He Said She Said: Damn These Wild Young Hearts (Rebecca Perry/Matthew Eger/Seren Lannan). Perry and Eger perform a cabaret that looks at every kind of love. Feb 14 at 9:30 pm. Pwyc (donations to the Prince Amponsah Recovery Fund). Statler’s, 487 Church. indiegogo.com/princeamponsah.

Heart Strings The Musical by Reynold Nathaniel (MOLE Production). In 1908, an Italian apprentice goes to Ireland to deliver an anniversary gift from Germany. Previews Jan 28-29 at 8 pm. Opens Feb 12 and runs to Feb 16. $25-$39, rush $20, stu/srs $15. The Annex Live, 296 Brunswick. 416-668-5329, heartstringsplay.weebly.com.

HomoBLABLAtus La Otra Orilla, DanceWorks and Harbourfront NextSteps present a dance/theatre piece by Myriam Allard about a human subgenus that abhors silence. Feb 15-16. $19.50-$34. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, danceworks.ca.

In Vino Veritas by Teige Reid (Pubcrawl Theatre). Reid performs a monologue show about the twists of fate that haunt the denizens of a small pub. Oct 19 at 7 pm. Nov 16 at 7 pm. Dec 14 at 7 pm. Jan 18 at 7 pm. Feb 15 at 7 pm. Mar 22 at 7 pm. Apr 19 at 7 pm. May 17 at 7 pm. $20. Fox & Fiddle, 27 Wellesley E. pubcrawltheatre.com.

Les Zinspires (Théâtre français de Toronto). Performance of the winning production of TfT’s French high school playwriting contest. Feb 13 at 7 pm. $25. Berkeley Street Theatre, Upstairs, 26 Berkeley. totix.ca.

Love In The Time Of Time Machines by David Tichauer and Ned Petrie (Theatre Elusive). A couple’s breakup is affected by a constantly shifting reality in this comedic play. Feb 14 at 9:30 pm. $15. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.

Love Letters Cabaret: Smoke (Pastel Supernova). Contemporary dance is blended with jazz and old-world cabaret in this celebration of love and beauty. Feb 13-14. $25. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas W. loveletters.pastelsupernova.com.

Loveloss Dancemakers presents choreography by Michael Trent that looks at how love and loss affect the body. Previews Feb 14. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Feb 24. $25, stu/srs $20; Feb 20 funder $50. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. 416-367-1800, dancemakers.org.

Old Love by Norm Foster (Sirius Theatrical Company). A widow meets a recently divorced man at her husband’s funeral. Feb 14-16. $20, stu/srs $10 (Feb 14 dinner & show $40). Mimico Presbyterian Church, Sirius Studio Theatre, 119 Mimico. 416-236-9011 ext 1, siriustheatrical.com.

Once Upon A Murder (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). Preparations for a royal wedding are interrupted by a murder in this interactive dinner-theatre mystery. Opens Jan 25 and runs to May 31. $40-$71. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.

Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard (Soulpepper). This absurdist comedy follows the antics of two minor characters from Hamlet. Previews Feb 7-12. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Mar 2. $51-$68, stu $32 (rush $22, stu $5).Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

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.

Snapshots School of Toronto Dance Theatre presents choreographic creations by grads from the professional training program. Feb 15-16. $15, stu/srs $12. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 647-462-4802, facebook.com/events/457202911012372.

Spring 2013 Mainstage Revue Second City presents previews of the upcoming revue, featuring sketches, songs and improvisation. Opens Mar 5. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm (and Sat 10 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Barber Of Seville by Gioachino Rossini (Toronto Opera Repertoire). A barber helps a nobleman woo his true love in this Italian comic opera. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Mar 3. $28, srs $20, stu $15. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, toronto-opera.com.

The Best Of The Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Opens Feb 1 and runs to Feb 25. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Classics: The Girl From Maxim’s by Georges Feydeau (Ryerson Theatre School). A chanteuse finds herself entangled with a married doctor in this comedy set in 1904 Paris. Opens Feb 8 and runs to Feb 14. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

The Loves Of Apollo & Daphne by Francesco Cavalli (The Toronto Consort). The romantic Italian opera is performed in concert. Feb 15-16. $25-$59, srs $20-$52, youth under 30 $10. Trinity St. Paul’s Church, 427 Bloor W. 416-964-6337, torontoconsort.org.

The Piper by Colleen Murphy (Ryerson Theatre School). A meek musician falls in love with the daughter of a tyrannical mayor in this dark comedy based on the Pied Piper legend. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 14. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

The Tales Of Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach (Toronto Opera Repertoire). A drunken poet recalls his lost loves in this French opera. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Mar 2. $28, srs $20, stu $15. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, toronto-opera.com.

To Myself At 28 by Sky Gilbert (Videofag). Gilbert muses on what it’s like to be a 60-year-old gay playwright in this one-act performance prototype. Feb 15-16. Pwyc. 187 Augusta. videofag.com.

U of T Drama Festival (U of T Drama Coalition). This competitive showcase features plays written, directed and performed by students. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Feb 16. $12, stu/srs $10. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, drama.sa.utoronto.ca/festival.

Valentine’s Cabaret Fundraiser (Soup Can Theatre). This funder for the company features music, comedy, burlesque and more plus a raffle and silent auction. Feb 12 at 7 pm. $10 or pwyc. Hard Luck Bar, 772a Dundas W. soupcantheatre.com.

Vive L’Amour! (Canadian Opera Company/Opéra de Montréal). Singers from the young artist programs perform opera’s most romantic arias and ensembles. Feb 14 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

What Are You Doing UP There!? Festival (Back Burner Productions). Emerging playwrights, musicians, comics, dancers, poets and others showcase their work, featuring Amy Lester, Oy Oy Productions, UTSCTV improv and others. Feb 14-16. $10.Siren Rock Studios, 163 Sterling, unit 29. backburnerproductions.weebly.com.

*Listings are based on NOW stage listings*