Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of October 7th, 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

**The Best Brothers by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). Two very different brothers learn about each other and their mother after her death in a freak accident at the Pride parade. Previews Sep 17-24. Opens Sep 25 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$53, preview $21-$25. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

**La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). A poet and a seamstress have a tragic love affair in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 30, see website for schedule. $12-$365. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

**Crash by Pamela Mala Sinha (Theatre Passe Muraille). The death of a loved one forces a woman to face shattering memories in this dance-theatre production. Previews Sep 26-28. Opens Oct 1 and runs to Oct 19, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15-$27.50, mat pwyc. Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

The Glass Cage by JB Priestly (Snowdrop Productions). Issues of racism, class, guilt and more are explored in the living room of a wealthy family in 1906 Toronto. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 12, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20. Alumnae Theatre, Studio, 70 Berkeley. theglasscage-eorg.eventbrite.ca.

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.

Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten (Canadian Opera Company). An alienated fisherman struggles under the judgment of his neighbours in an English seaside village. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 26, see website for schedule. $12-$332. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Shrek The Musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori (Lower Ossington Theatre). A swamp-dwelling ogre goes on a journey of redemption in this musical based on the film. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Oct 19, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm (and Oct 16), mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Tainted by Kat Lanteigne (Gromkat Productions/Moyo Theatre). Set against the backdrop of Canada’s tainted blood scandal, a family fights to stay intact when tragedy strikes. Previews Sep 25. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 12, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $27-$42. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-204-0855, gromkat.com.

**Venus in Fur by David Ives (Canadian Stage). A young actress determined to land the lead plays a cat-and-mouse game with the play’s director. Previews Sep 29-Oct 2, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $24-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

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

And the Rest…

6 Characters In Search Of An Author by Luigi Pirandello (Ryerson Theatre School). A company of actors encounter six characters who have been abandoned by their author. Opens Oct 4 and runs to Oct 10, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryerson.ca/theatre.

…And Stockings For The Ladies by Attila Clemann (Harold Green Jewish Theatre/Rustwerk ReFinery). A Canadian airman helps Jewish refugees in post-WWII Germany in this solo show. Previews Oct 8-9. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Oct 24, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Wed 1 pm, Sun 2 pm. $30-$60. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, hgjewishtheatre.com.

The Best of the Second City presents classic and original sketch and trademark improvisation. Mon 8 pm. $14. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Chandelier Gala (Ontario Heritage Trust). Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Elgin Theatre with song, dance and comedy performances by Adam Brazier, Arlene Duncan, Ross Petty, Colin Mochrie and others. Oct 7 at 8 pm (dinner and cocktail party from 6 pm). $95-$250. Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres, 189 Yonge. 416-314-2871, heritagetrust.on.ca/ewg100.

Clockwork [Orange Is The New] Black. The Dandies present an improvised narrative about privilege in today’s society, inspired by novels by Anthony Burgess and Piper Kerman. Opens Sep 23 and runs to Oct 7, Mon Mondays 7:30 pm. $5. Measure, 296 Brunswick. improvdandies.wordpress.com.

Dinner At Seven-Thirty (Theatre Rusticle). This adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel The Waves follows six friends from childhood to death through a reunion dinner. Previews Oct 12-13. Opens Oct 15 and runs to Oct 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $18-$31, Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, theatrerusticle.org/Theatre_Rusticle.

Dora’s Pirate Adventure (Lower Ossington Theatre). Dora the Explorer take a trip to Treasure Island in this kids’ show based on the Nickelodeon cartoon. Opens Oct 5 and runs to Oct 20, Sat-Sun 11 am and Sun 1 pm. $29-$39. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Farther West by John Murrell (Soulpepper). A brothel madam seeks independence from male control in 1800s western Canada. Previews Oct 11-16. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Nov 9, 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.

Fixed by Zack Russell (Videofag). Gay inventors look for their pleasure fix from 1950s London to 2050 Los Angeles. Opens Sep 26 and runs to Oct 13, Sep 26-29 Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, Fri 9 pm, Oct 9-13 Wed-Sun 8 pm (no shows Sep 30-Oct 8). $10, Oct 9 pwyc. 187 Augusta. fixed.eventbrite.com.

knees and toes/NYs and TOs TOES for dance presents contemporary dance artists from New York City and Toronto, featuring Darshan Bhuller, Kristen Carcone, Alvin Collantes, Bynh Ho and others. Oct 8 at 8 pm. $25. Cawthra Park Secondary School, 1305 Cawthra. 905-274-1271, toesmississauga.bpt.me.

**Les Miserables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Cameron Mackintosh/Mirvish). An ex-convict seeks redemption and dodges his nemesis in this musical based on the Victor Hugo novel. Previews Sep 27-Oct 8. Opens Oct 9 and runs to Dec 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm (see website for exceptions/extra shows). $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. mirvish.com.

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 Oct 5-6. Opens Oct 8 and runs to Oct 27, see website for schedule. $23-$80. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, nightofthelivingdeadlive.com.

The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn (Soulpepper). A librarian seeks a tryst but must dodge his wife in this trilogy where each play is viewed from a different part of the home. Opens Sep 27 and runs to Nov 16, 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.

The Nude 52 (Underground Peepshow). This comedic burlesque revue pays tribute to DC Comics. Oct 12 at 9 pm. $20-$40. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. undergroundpeepshow.com.

The Plum Tree by Mitch Miyagawa (David Fujino). Staged reading of the play about a man seeking connections to his past. Oct 13 at 2 pm. Free. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, Gallery, 6 Garamond. 416-441-2345, jccc.on.ca.

Poetic Echoes: A Britten Celebration (Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre). Artists of the COC Ensemble Studio celebrate Benjamin Britten’s 100th birthday with a selection of songs and song cycles. Oct 9 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien (Lower Ossington Theatre). A newly engaged couple stumble upon a freaky castle in this classic rock musical. Opens Oct 10 and runs to Nov 10, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $39-$49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Tempo by Mike Batistick (Tavistock Arts). A man chasing the American Dream feels his life slipping away. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. tavistockarts.com.

Theresa Caputo Live (Just for Laughs/Mills Entertainment). The star of TV’s Long Island Medium gives interactive psychic readings and shares stories about her life. Apr 17 at 7:30 pm. Oct 10 at 7:30 pm. $39.75-$95. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.

Toronto Theatre Trivia Game Show (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts). Watch four teams duke it out and get in on the action for prizes, with host Thom Allison. Oct 7 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. whatisthegame.ca.

The Unexpected Guest by Agatha Christie (Stage Centre Productions). A stranger walks into a house to find a man murdered and his wife standing over him with a gun. Opens Oct 3 and runs to Oct 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun (and Oct 12) 2 pm. $27.50, stu/srs $22. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com.

The Video Game Show (Bad Dog Theatre) presents unscripted comedy, gameplay and discussion inspired by classic and current games w/ Kris Siddiqi, Sarah Hillier, Alice Moran, Sean Tabares and others. Opens Oct 2 and runs to Oct 16, Wed Wednesdays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.

Wayward (Bad Dog Theatre) present all-female improv about a religious girls school. Opens Sep 18 and runs to Oct 9, Wed Wednesdays 9:30 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.

Yukonstyle by Sarah Berthiaume (Canadian Stage/Faculty of Fine Arts, York University). Three unlikely roommates endure the winter while the Robert Pickton murder trial plays out on TV. Previews Oct 13-16, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

**Listings based on NOW stage listings