Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of September 2nd, 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

**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. Previews Jul 19-30. Opens Jul 31 and runs to Sep 28, 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. 

Anton In Show Business by Jane Martin (Danka Scepanovic/Rhizoma Productions/GO Play Producing). Eight female actors pursue their dream of performing a Chekhov play in Texas. Previews Aug 26. Opens Aug 27 and runs to Sep 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, stu $15, mat $10, preview pwyc. Sterling Studio Theatre, 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.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 adult musical puppet show. Opens Jun 20 and runs to Sep 29, 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 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (no shows Sep 3-8). $40-$110. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, catsto.com.

**Memory In The Mud (Words In Motion). This movable drama and tour tells the stories of brick makers, POWs and transients who spent time at the Brick Works. Opens Aug 7 and runs to Oct 14, see website for schedule. $10, child $5. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. ebw.evergreen.ca/whats-on/memory-in-the-mud.

We Can Be Heroes Second City presents a new collection of sketches, songs and improvisations inspired by the world around us. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (and Sat 10 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

And the rest…

Ali Hassan – From Zero To Hero The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents the actor/comic in a solo show about his family. Sep 5 7:30 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/449565.

Berlin Nouveau Burlesque (Berlin/Vamps Like Us). This monthly burlesque revue features Coco Framboise, Pastel Supernova and others. Opens Sep 7 at 11:30 pm and 12:30 am. $20. Berlin Nightclub, 70 Interchange Way. berlinnightclub.com.

Big City Improv T.K.O.! Big City Improv Festival presents 16 teams in an 8-week improv competition. Opens Jul 15 and runs to Sep 16, Mon Mondays 9:30 pm (excluding holidays). $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. bigcityimprovfestival.com.

Carla Collins The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents the actor/comic in a live show. Sep 7-8, Sat 9 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $20-$25. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/445748.

**Fortune And Men’s Eyes by John Herbert (BirdLand Theatre). This drama explores the degradation and brutality of prison life through the eyes of a new inmate and his cellmates. Previews Sep 1. Opens Sep 3 and runs to Sep 8, Tue-Sun 8:08 pm. $20-$29. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. birdlandtheatre.com. 

Hot & Spicy Food Festival Harbourfront Centre presents food, music and more, including dance by FlamenKathak, P.O.S.E. Dance Company and other plus dance workshops. Aug 30-Sep 2, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

La Tragedie De Carmen (Loose Tea Music Theatre). This adaptation of Bizet’s opera features a burlesque dancer, a WWI veteran and a mob boss in 1920s New York. Sep 6-8, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Lady Julie adapted by Natalie Feheregyhazi (Apuka Theatre/Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter). A noblewoman lets loose with the hired help in this adaptation of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie. Previews Aug 29. Opens Aug 30 and runs to Sep 14, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm (no show Sep 10). $20, preview pwyc. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. apukatheatre.com.

Law & Disorder The National Theatre of the World presents a funder for the company as improvisers and lawyers argue a case, followed by a reception. Sep 5 6 pm. $40. Arbitration Place, 333 Bay, suite 900. ntow.eventbrite.ca.

Next To Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt (Lower Ossington Theatre). This rock musical looks at how a suburban family copes with mental illness. Opens Aug 29 and runs to Sep 29, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Reveal Me (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. Jun 5 at 8 pm. Jul 3 at 8 pm. Aug 7 at 8 pm. Sep 4 at 8 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com.

Terrific Women The Ossington presents Steph Kaliner, Sara Hennessey, Sandra Battaglini, Phil Luzi, Chris Locke, Kathleen Phillips and Jeremy Mersereau. Sep 4 9 pm. $5. 61 Ossington. sarahennessey.com.

The Best Of The Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Sep 1-2, Sun 7:30 pm, Mon 8 pm. $24, stu $15; Mon all tickets $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Reluctant Dragon (Cabbagetown Theatre Company). This all-ages, panto-style comedy is presented as part of the Cabbagetown Festival. Sep 6-8, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun noon, 1, 2, 3 & 4 pm. $5. Necropolis Chapel, 200 Winchester. 416-653-5870, cabbagetowntheatre.com.

Yuk Yuk’s Downtown presents the Humber School of Comedy at 7:30 pm, Launching Pad for new stand-ups at 9:30 pm, every week. Tue. $4/show. 224 Richmond W. 416-967-6425, yukyuks.com.