Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of July 15th, 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

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 adult musical puppet show. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Oct 6, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm (no shows Aug 4-28). $49-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, avenueq.ca.

Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Nu Musical Theatricals/Classic Theatre Project/Starvox Entertainment). The popular musical featuring feline frolic at the Jellicle Ball returns. Previews May 28-Jun 9. Opens Jun 11 and runs to Sep 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.com.

The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (The Classical Theatre Project). Three actors perform 37 plays in 87 minutes in this interactive show. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Jul 25, Wed-Thu 7 and 9:30 pm. $49, stu/srs $34. Casa Loma, Garden Terrace, 1 Austin Terrace. 416-915-6750, completeworksabridged.com/tix.

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 Aug 18, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (see website for other shows). $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

And the Rest…

Adventures In Slumberland (Frolick). This all-ages show about a young boy’s dream world features puppets, music, masques and more. Opens Jul 1 and runs to Sep 2, daily at 11 am, noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 pm (weather permitting). Pwyc. Olympic Island Lagoon Theatre, near Centre Island ferry dock, over the bridge. frolick.ca.

**Angels In America: Parts I & II by Tony Kushner (Soulpepper). Seven individuals navigate NYC during the AIDS crisis in the 80s in this two-part show about human reactions to the epidemic. Opens Jul 19 and runs to Sep 14, see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Anything Goes by Cole Porter, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Mirvish/Roundabout Theatre Company). A stowaway and a nightclub singer get in trouble aboard an ocean liner in this musical. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Aug 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (no mat Jul 17, see website for other dates). $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Buster Canfield And His Amazing Fleas by Eric Woolfe (Pocket Carnival Productions). This play for young audiences features puppets, masks, magic and a flea circus. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Aug 10, Sat at 11 am and 1 pm. $12.50-$15. Wychwood Barns, 76 Wychwood. pocketcarnival.com.

Conference Of The Birds (Tirgan Festival/Parya Foundation). This workshop presentation is based on a 12th-century Sufi poem about the humankind’s search for truth and is performed in Persian. Jul 20-21, Sat 5:30 pm, Sun 1 pm. Free. Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Entertaining Mr. Sloane by Joe Orton (Soulpepper). A dangerous lodger charms and unsettles his hosts in this dark comedy. Previews Jul 5-15. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Aug 17, see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). A resourceful orphan grows into a London gentleman in this classic tale. Previews Jul 6-13. Opens Jul 16 and runs to Aug 17, see website for schedule. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Jacqueries by Jacob Niedzwiecki (F/) In this political heist story, a cast of physical performers leads audiences through scenes in downtown locations, accompanied by synchronized sound and 3D video overlays delivered through a custom iPhone app. July 11, 14, 18, 21 at 8pm, and July 12 at 9pm. $20; jqrs.org

Mammalian Diving Reflex 20th Anniversary Bash (Mammalian Diving Reflex). The performance company hosts a party with Socialist* Games, DJ dancing, haircuts by the original cast of Haircuts By Children and more. Jul 18 at 7 pm. Free. Gladstone Hotel, Ballroom, 1214 Queen W. mammalian.ca.

Offers Of Home by Stephen Joffe (Panfish Productions). A man struggling with life tells stories in this drama about notions of home and self-security. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Jul 27, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm (and Jul 28). $25, stu/srs $20. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. panfishproductions.ca.

Oh My Irma by Haley McGee (Theatre Passe Muraille/Never Mind the Noise). McGee performs her solo show about a socially inept young woman who tries to explain herself after committing a crime. Jul 19-20, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.

Pop-Up Porch View Dances Kaeja d’Dance presents a miniature version of last year’s show with new audience-inclusive works by Meagan O’Shea and Karen Kaeja. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Jul 20, Thu-Sat 7 pm. Pwyc. Vermont Square Park, 843 Palmerston. kaeja.org.

Princess Polly And The World’s Smallest Ninja Second City presents an all-ages sketch revue. Opens Jun 30 and runs to Sep 1, Thu and Sun 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Rootbound Maple & Offspring present storytelling and dance that celebrates the life of English folk dance in North America. Jul 19 at 7:30 pm. $15-$40. Berkeley Church, 315 Queen E. maplemorris.com.

**Shakespeare In High Park: The Taming Of The Shrew/Macbeth (Canadian Stage). The Taming Of The Shrew and Macbeth will be performed outdoors on alternating nights. Previews Jun 26-Jul 2. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Sep 1, Tue-Sun 8 pm (The Taming Of The Shrew opens Jul 16). Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.

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.

The Epitome Of Regret: A Musical by Mark Datuin (MAD Resilience). This comedy-musical follows the lives of three people in a neighbourhood of competing cafes, where everyone is carefree about their misery. Opens Jul 19 and runs to Jul 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $20. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. brownpapertickets.com/event/402730.

Theatresports Bad Dog Theatre presents the classic improv comedy competition. Opens Jul 6 and runs to Aug 24, Sat Saturdays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

Thrill Me: The Leopold And Loeb Story by Stephen Dolginoff (capricorn 9 productions). Two thrill-killers murder a boy in this musical based on a true story from 1924. Opens Jul 12 and runs to Jul 27, Fri-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

Tirgan FestivalHarbourfront Centre presents an Iranian cultural festival with dance by Odlar Dance Ensemble, Mayn Zard Dance Group, Vancouver Pars National Ballet and more. Jul 19-21, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Toronto Comedy Brawl Round One Empire Comedy Live presents amateurs competing for $1,000. Eight comics per night. Opens Jun 3 and runs to Jul 22, Mon-Thu 8 pm. $5. Johnny Jackson, 587 College. empirecomedylive.com.

Toronto Monologue Slam (TMS). Up-and-coming actors deliver intimate performances in front of a panel of judges. Jun 23, doors 5:30 pm. Jul 21, doors 5:30 pm. $5-$10. Drake Hotel, Underground, 1150 Queen W. toslam.com.

Youth Day 2013 (KPYO). More than 100 youth acts showcase music, dance, spoken word, art and more, including a Gangnam Style crowd dance. Jul 21 from 11 am to 11 pm. Free. Yonge-Dundas Square. youthdaytoronto.com.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*