Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of April 29th, 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 Few Brittle Leaves by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). A pair of spinster sisters deal with the notion of aging gracefully in this gender-bending dramatic comedy. Previews Apr 24. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 5. $20-$30. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Blue Planet by Andri Snaer Magnason (Young People’s Theatre). On a planet run by children, a newcomer upsets the balance by granting the kids’ biggest wish, at a price. Previews Apr 8-10. Opens Apr 11 and runs to May 2. $10-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

**Carried Away On The Crest Of A Wave by David Yee (Tarragon Theatre). A Thai escort, a Catholic priest in India and a Utah housewife are connected by the 2004 tsunami. Previews Apr 16-23. Opens Apr 24 and runs to May 26. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, rush $13. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Enter Laughing (Encore Entertainment). a geeky, gawky young Jewish kid from the Bronx dreams of becoming an actor, who must contend with the Jewish guilt laid on by his mother, a few girlfriends too many, and the fact that – well, he’s just not that great an actor. Based on the autobiographical book by Carl Reiner. April 25, 2013 – May 5, 2013. $28. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. tocentre.com.

**Falsettos by James Lapine and William Finn (Acting Up Stage Company/Harold Green Jewish Theatre). A man leaves his wife and son for another man and tries to forge a non-traditional family in 1979 NYC. Previews Apr 23-24. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 12. $39-$55, preview $35. Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-838-3006, actingupstage.com.

La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzler (Soulpepper). This adaptation sets the vignettes about 10 interconnected sexual liaisons in Toronto and examines our obsession with sex and sexuality. Opens Mar 26 and runs to May 4. $51-$68, stu $32 (rush $22, stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti (Canadian Opera Company). An old feud and political ambition lead a man to sabotage his sister’s relationship in this Italian tragic opera. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 24. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Night Of The Living Dead Live by Trevor Martin, Dale Boyer and Christopher Bond (Nictophobia Films). George A Romero’s 1968 zombie film is performed in black and white in this interactive stage adaptation. Previews Apr 23-25. Opens Apr 26 and runs to May 19. $29.50-$59.50, preview $20. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, nightofthelivingdeadlive.com.

One Act Festival (Sterling Studio Theatre). Works by local playwrights Carolyn Bennett and Adam Hunter Collier, plus plays by Tennessee Williams, Anton Chekhov and others. Opens Apr 16 and runs to May 15. $10-$20, festival pass $45. 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.

**Race by David Mamet (Canadian Stage). A wealthy white man accused of raping a black woman hires a defense team consisting of one black and one white lawyer. Previews Apr 7-10. Opens Apr 11 and runs to May 5. $24-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com. 

Rent by Jonathan Larson (Lower Ossington Theatre). Artists of NYC’s Lower East Side struggle to make ends meet in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic in this musical. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Jun 2. $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Salome by Richard Strauss (Canadian Opera Company). King Herod’s stepdaughter dances in exchange for the head of John the Baptist in this German opera based on the biblical tale. Opens Apr 21 and runs to May 22. $12-$325. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.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 6 and runs to Jun 30. $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.

Toronto Comedy Brawl: Gauntlet Qualifying Rounds Empire Comedy Live presents amateur comedians competing for $1,000. Eight comics per night. Opens Apr 29 and runs to May 9. $5. Crown & Tiger, 414 College. empirecomedylive.com.

**True West by Sam Shepard (Soulpepper). Two recently reconciled brothers fight over art, freedom, family and human nature. Opens Mar 25 and runs to May 4. $51-$68, stu $32 (rush $22, stu $5). Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca. 

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.

Aluna Cafe (Aluna Theatre). Reading of the Latin American play The Agony Of Ecstasy by Sabina Berman. Apr 29 at 7:30 pm. Free. 1 Wiltshire, unit 123. 416-203-2535, alunatheatre.ca.

Angel City by Sam Shepard (Alec Toller/Circlesnake/The Playwright Project). A reclusive artist is asked to write a disaster movie screenplay. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

Baram And Snieckus The National Theatre of the World presents weekly improv, sketch and stand-up w/ Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus. Opens Apr 12 and runs to May 31. Pwyc. John Candy Box Theatre, 70 Peter. thenationaltheatreoftheworld.com.

Bitch Salad: Spring Breakouts Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents the queer comedy show w/ Catherine McCormick, Christi Olson, Avery Edison, Aisha Alfa, British Teeth, host Andrew Johnston and others. Apr 30 8:30 pm. $10. 12 Alexander. bitchsalad.com.

CanAsian International Dance Festival Harbourfront and CanAsian Dance present performances, workshops and more featuring Susan Lee, Jocelyne Monpetit Danse, inDANCE, Ziya Azazi and others. Opens May 1 and runs to May 4. $30, stu/srs $25, festival pass $50. Fleck Dance Theatre, (see website for other events and venues), 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, canasiandancefestival.com.

Cassandra Shore Arabesque Academy presents the dancer and guests performing a variety of belly dance styles. May 4 at 8 pm. $25. 1 Gloucester, suite 107. 416-920-5593.

Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith (Pomme Grenade Productions/The Playwright Project). A man goes on a sex- and drug-fuelled bender with a girl who wants to make him a rock star. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

Final Frontier Bad Dog Theatre presents improv inspired by the sci-fi universe of Gene Rodenberry’s Star Trek. Opens May 1 and runs to May 29. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.

Fool For Love by Sam Shepard (Heart in Hand Productions/The Playwright Project). A woman who wants to move on with her life has a tense visit with an ex-boyfriend. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

Geography Of A Horse Dreamer by Sam Shepard (Red One Theatre Collective/The Playwright Project). A cowboy with a fading gift for predicting horse race winners is kidnapped by two gangsters. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

Hammer ok/ok/ok Hub 14 and Surprise Performance presents a multidisciplinary performance by Chad Dembski and a new solo by Cathy Gordon. May 3-5. $12. Hub 14, 14 Markham. hammerokokok.eventbrite.com.

La Selva De Los Relojes (The Forest Of Clocks) (Queen of Puddings Music Theatre). This vocal chamber work is based on a poem series by Federico García Lorca. Apr 30 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

La Vie Parisienne by Jacques Offenbach (Toronto Operetta Theatre). Parisian rogues show foreign visitors a good time during the 1867 World Exhibition. Opens May 2 and runs to May 5. $66-$95. St Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front E. 416-366-1656, stlc.com.

Marty Topps House Party Show: R.I.P. Isaac Winter presents the final edition of the comedy show/dance party w/ Eric Andrews, Sara Hennessey, Marty ‘Catman’ Simsovic, Robert Dayton, Jayvlog89, host Marty Topps, DJ T-Bot and others. May 4 10 pm. $5-$8. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas W. martytopps.ca.

National Dance Week 2013 The Canadian Dance Assembly presents performances, workshops and other activities to promote the art of dance for all backgrounds and skill levels. Opens Apr 22 and runs to Apr 29. ilovedancecanada.org.

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.

Parental Dissention Advised The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents mom comics Kate Conner, Jenn Hayward and Martha O’Neill, and guest dad Tim Steeves. May 3 7 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/368104.

Reveal Me (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. May 1 at 9 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com.

Saving Fats by Sam Shepard (Alex McCooeye/Jesse Griffiths/The Playwright Project). A reporter seeks a gripping story in post-Katrina New Orleans in this musical comedy. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

Shadowplay: The Peter Pan Variations (Humber Theatre Third Panel). This original work by the graduation class is inspired by JM Barrie’s classic novel and the lives of ‘Home Children’ during the 19th century. Opens May 1 and runs to May 4. $20, stu/srs $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.

South Pacific by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein and Joshua Logan (Scarborough Music Theatre). Love blooms on an island paradise during WWII in this musical. Opens May 2 and runs to May 18. $25, stu/srs $21. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

Stopheart by Amy Lee Lavoie (Factory Theatre). A young man copes with growing up ‘different’ in a small town in northern Ontario in this dark comedy. Previews May 4-8. Opens May 9 and runs to May 26. $32-$42, preview $22. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

The Biographer by Daniel Karasik (Tango Co.). A father searches for his missing daughter in the wreckage of an abandoned seaside carnival. Previews May 2-3. Opens May 4 and runs to May 19. $15-$23. Videofag, 187 Augusta. secureaseat.com.

The Blancmange: A Reading Series (Strange Journey). Staged reading of Freedom Chevalier’s play Blue Plate Special, about a traumatized police officer. May 5 at 3 pm. Pwyc (proceeds to onefundboston.org). Black Swan, 2nd floor, 154 Danforth. strange-journey.com.

The Book Of Mormon by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone (Mirvish). Two naive missionaries go to a volatile region in Uganda in this religious satire musical. Previews Apr 30-May 1. Opens May 2 and runs to Jun 9. Sold out: see website for info on ticket lottery. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

The Garage Sale by David King (Nags Players). A man holds a zany garage sale to bring his family together in this comedy. Opens May 2 and runs to May 11. $18-$20, stu/srs $15. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 647-338-6247, nagsplayers.com.

The Green Door Cabaret Series (Lower Ossington Theatre). Performances by cabaret/musical theatre artists including Scott Walker, Gabi Epstein and others (see website for schedule details). Opens Apr 26 and runs to Jun 9. $20-$30. 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie (Lower Ossington Theatre). A police detective seeks a murderer among seven strangers stranded in a guest house. Opens Apr 25 and runs to May 19. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Unseen Hand by Sam Shepard (Theatre Brouhaha/The Playwright Project). Three forgotten legends of the Wild West come back to life to help a desperate alien fight for freedom. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85. Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.

The War Of 1812: The History Of The Village Of The Small Huts, 1812-1815 by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret). This history play looks at the war and its effects on a First Nations confederation that fought in defence of Canada. Previews Apr 9-16. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 18. $30-$50, preview/stu mats $20. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Throne of Games Season 2 Bad Dog Theatre presents serialized, unscripted shows inspired by the HBO series, w/ Paul Bates, Evany Rosen, Sarah Hillier and Bruce Hunter. Apr 3-May 8. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.

Visitations (The Mission Business). A girl discovers an ancient supernatural artifact in this interactive adventure. Opens Apr 21 and runs to May 7. $40-$80. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W. drakevisitations.com.

When The World Was Green by Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaikin (surface/underground theatre/The Playwright Project). A journalist in search of her father interviews an old man on death row. Opens May 1 and runs to May 7. $15, passes $40-$85.Playwright Project Venues, different neighbourhood each night, see website for details. playwrightproject.com.