Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of March 11th, 2013: ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Sonia, our Editor, wish she could quit her evening job so she could check them all out.

Already Covered by MoT

**And Slowly Beauty… by Michel Nadeau (Belfry Theatre/National Arts Centre English Theatre). An uninspired office worker wins tickets to a play and discovers the transformative power of art. Previews Feb 20-26. Opens Feb 27 and runs to Mar 31. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

**Dancing With Rage by Mary Walsh (Mirvish). Walsh performs her solo show featuring characters she has played over the years and scenes about pop culture and politics. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 24. $25-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.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. $27-$53, previews $21-$24, rush $13, pwyc Mar 16 mat. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Eirlys And Eckhart by Arlin Dixon (Cart/Horse Theatre). Two friends reunite and battle old demons in a house where the past is packed up in boxes. Previews Mar 6. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 16. $20, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, carthorsetheatre.wordpress.com.

**Iceland by Nicholas Billon (Factory Theatre). Set against the backdrop of the banking crisis, a confrontation between a real estate agent and a tenant takes an unexpected turn. Previews Mar 2-6. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 24. $32-$42, preview $22. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Laws Of Motion by Ashlin Halfnight (Small Elephant Co-Op). The lives of 11 people are changed when the domino effect of one tragic incident touches each of them in different ways. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 15. $23.53. Jam Factory Co, 2 Matilda. lawsofmotion.ca.

New Ideas Festival (Alumnae Theatre). The annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre features plays and staged readings. Opens Mar 6 and runs to Mar 24. $15, pass $35, Sat readings pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Rock by Kat Sandler (Paper Scissors Collective). A pitch black comedy about love and how far you would go to protect someone you care about who has recently started bludgeoning people to dead with rocks. Opens Mar 8 and runs to Mar 23. $20, Mar 10 pwyc, Mar 20 half price. The StoreFront Theatre, 955 Bloor St. W. theatrebrouhaha.com/portfolio/rock

The Cat Came Back by Fred Penner, Jay Brazeau and Kim Selody (Manitoba Theatre for Young People). A group of musicians help their grumpy neighbour and his mischievous cat learn to coexist in this play for ages 4-7. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Mar 16. $15-$20. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

**The Meme-Ing Of Life Second City presents its spring mainstage revue about the wins and epic fails of living on and off the digital highway. Opens Mar 5 and runs to May 29. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

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.

And the Rest…

¡Theatresports! Spring Tournament Bad Dog Theatre presents the 30th year of the improv comedy competition. Opens Mar 9 and runs to May 25. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 647-898-5324, baddogtheatre.com.

A Celebration of Kalanidhi Fine Arts Harbourfront NextSteps presents the 25th anniversary celebration of Indian dance in Canada with performances by Sujata Mohapatra, InDance, Menaka Thakkar Dance Co, Panwar Dance and others. Mar 14-16. $30-$35, stu/srs $25-$28; festival pass $60-$69. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, kalanidhifinearts.org.

**Arigato, Tokyo by Daniel MacIvor (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). A visiting Canadian author is pulled into a world of obsession, sex and longing in this play that fuses Japan and the West. Previews Mar 16-20. Opens Mar 21 and runs to Apr 14. Pwyc-$37. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

**As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner (Theatre Smith-Gilmour). A family hauls their matriarch’s corpse across the Mississippi countryside to honour her dying wish. Previews Mar 8-12. Opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 30. $25-$35, stu $20-$30, mats pwyc; opening night gala $45, stu $22. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, theatresmithgilmour.com.

Buster Canfield & His Circus Of Amazing Fleas by Eric Woolfe (Theatre Direct). This play for young audiences features puppets, masks, magic and a flea circus. Mar 16 at 2 pm. $12. Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie. 416-537-4191, theatredirect.ca.

**Ching Chong Chinaman by Lauren Yee (fu-GEN Theatre Company). A teen from a highly assimilated Chinese-American family acquires a Chinese indentured servant in this play about the Asian American Dream. Previews Mar 12-13. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Mar 30. $15-$28, Sun pwyc. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-204-0855, fu-gen.org.

Choreographic Works Ryerson Theatre School presents new works choreographed and performed by students. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Mar 14. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

Fundraiser for Buddies (Lexi Tellings). Performances by Tellings, Donnarama, Mayou and others plus a raffle and more raise funds for the theatre. Mar 15 at 10:30 pm. Pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, lexitellings.com.

Gimme One Riddim Jasmyn Fyffe and Natasha Powell present a dance-theatre production about the emergence of ska music in 1960s Jamaica. Opens Mar 13 and runs to Mar 15. $25, srs/child $20. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-892-7270, gimmeoneriddim.eventbrite.ca.

Interactive Opera (Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre). Audiences participate in vocal exercises in this interactive concert. Mar 13 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

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.

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 Apr 28. $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, vitaltheatre.ca.

**Romeo And Juliet The National Ballet of Canada presents Shakespeare’s story set to Prokofiev’s music, with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky. Opens Mar 12 and runs to Mar 17. $25-$239. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries (Warner Bros/Life Like Touring). Characters from the children’s TV show perform in this musical. Mar 15-16. $25-$45. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.

ShakesBeer (The Classical Theatre Project). The company performs The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare, Abridged – all 37 plays in 87 minutes – in a pop-up theatre tavern setting. Opens Mar 16 and runs to Mar 23. $49. Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie. shakesbeer.ca.

Sterling Studio Theatre presents a cold read of its One Act Playwrighting Contest Finalists including Bobby Del Rio’s The Trial of Ken Gass and other works by Carolyn Bennett, Adam Collier and Nina Kaye. Mar 13 at 8:45 pm. Free. Sterling Studio Theatre, 163 Sterling Road Unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com

Stinky Kids The Musical by Britt Menzies (Lower Ossington Theatre). A girl and her friends try to fix a sticky mess in this play for young audiences. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Apr 27. $29-$39. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Elves, A Shoemaker And His Wife (Little Red Theatre). This musical puppet play for ages four and up is a modern variation of a Grimm Brothers story. Opens Mar 12 and runs to Mar 14. $11, child $9. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston. 416-533-8848, littleredtheatre@yahoo.ca.

The F Word by Jennifer Phillips (360 Productions). A series of vignettes tell true stories of the female experience in celebration of International Women’s Day. Previews Mar 7. Opens Mar 8 and runs to Mar 17. $16-$36. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, totix.ca.

The Happening: An Evening Of Mad Variety (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Sharron Matthews hosts an event featuring comedians, magicians, singers, clowns and more. Mar 11 at 8 pm. May 12 at 8 pm. $10 adv or pwyc at the door. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

The New Groundswell Festival – A National Festival of Contemporary Women’s Theatre (Nightwood Theatre). A devised piece by Odelah Creations is featured, plus a workshop production of a new play by Judith Thompson, readings and more. Opens Mar 15 and runs to Mar 24. $15, readings/talks pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, (readings at Nightwood Studio, 9 Trinity, ste 315), 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, nightwoodtheatre.net.

The Seagull In Four Movements (Upstart Theatre). Chekhov’s 19th-century Russian tragicomedy is adapted to a modern-day Toronto bar frequented by composers and musicians. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Mar 23. $15, stu/srs $10. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. upstart.seagull@gmail.com.

The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez (Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company/Obsidian Theatre). A Jewish Confederate officer celebrates Passover with his former slaves in Civil War-era Virgina. Previews Mar 16-20. Opens Mar 21 and runs to Apr 14. $42.50-$62.50. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, hgjewishtheatre.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Carl’s Backyard and Touch My Stereotype (7 pm); Kerpatty! and Side Effects (9 pm); Rap Battlez (11 pm). Opens Mar 15. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Ned & Dave, British Teeth and Swimsuit Issues (7 pm); Rulers of the Universe, Parker & Seville and Cory! (9 pm); Fan Fiction w/ Adam Ward (midnight). Mar 14. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Nerd Off w/ Erin Rodgers (7 pm); Panel Show w/ Ned Petrie (9 pm). Mar 13. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents the Reception, the Short Form Richards and Fratwurst (7 pm); Sunday Night Live w/ the Sketchersons and guest host Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart (9 pm). Mar 17. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Vest of Friends, Approximately 3 Peters and Carl’s Backyard (7 pm); the Ladies and Kerpatty! (9 pm). Mar 16. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Jape and the Dance Party of Newfoundland(8 pm); the Templeton Philharmonic and Peter ‘n Chris (10 pm). Mar 16. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. The LOT Comedy Club, 100 Ossington. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Ladybusiness, the Hooligans and 2-Man No-Show (8 pm); Fun Car, the Weaker Vessels and She Said What (10 pm). Mar 13. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. The LOT Comedy Club, 100 Ossington. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Peter ‘n Chris and Deadpan Powerpoint (8 pm); Punch in the Box and the Dance Party of Newfoundland (10 pm). Mar 15. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. The LOT Comedy Club, 100 Ossington. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents Two Weird Ladies, Side Effects and Deadpan Powerpoint (8 pm); the Rocket Scientists, Tony Ho and Primo (10 pm). Mar 14. $15-$35, 4-show pass $50. The LOT Comedy Club, 100 Ossington. torontosketchfest.com.

Toronto Monologue Slam (TMS). Up-and-coming actors deliver intimate performances in front of a panel of judges. Mar 17. $5-$10. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. 647-780-2513, toslam.com.

Wild Only Human Dance Collective presents a collection of choreographic works inspired by the desire to explore the roots of human nature and the mysteries within ourselves. Mar 14-16. $12-$15. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Young Drunk Punk Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival presents a stand-up, poetry and music show w/ Bruce McCulloch and Brian Connelly. Mar 11 8 pm. $30-$40 (no passes). Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. torontosketchfest.com.

*Listings are based on NOW stage listings*