Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of October 14th, 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. 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.

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.

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

**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.

**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…

Almost But Not Quite Touching by the Company (Tough Toots Theatre Company). This cabaret-style show looks at relationships, gender variance, one-night stands, queerness, love and pain. Opens Oct 11 and runs to Oct 19, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mats Oct 12-13 at 2 pm. $15-$20, stu $5-$7. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, facebook.com/events/324732274338392.

…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, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, hgjewishtheatre.com.

Belleville-Ville The Joy of Camping presents an improv soap opera about small-town Canada in the 70s w/ Becky Belton, Adam Bailey, Don Berns and others. Oct 17 9 pm. $10. Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton. facebook.com/events/1418885884989675.

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 Brady Project The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents comedy by Heidi Mole dedicated to the classic TV series. Opens Oct 19 and runs to Nov 2, Sat 7 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com.

The Case Of The Dancing Princesses (Little Red Theatre). A king hires a detective to find out where his daughters go at night in this family show. Oct 18 at 6:30 pm. $5. Emmanuel Howard Park United Church, 214 Wright. 416-533-8848, littleredtheatre.on.ca.

The Company We Keep (Theatre 20). Adam Brazier hosts an all-request cabaret. Oct 20 at 7 pm. $20. The Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria. theatre20.com.

A Damn Fine Nite Of Actors (The Junes Company/Monday Nite Actors). Canadian actors from film and TV perform in seven short one-act plays. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 1 pm. $20, Sun pwyc. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. damnfineactors.com.

Dancenette Arabesque Academy presents multi-genre experimentation with Undines Ensemble, Gayatri, Smiley, Amy Leung and others. Oct 20 at 7 pm. $10-$15. 1 Gloucester, suite 107. dancenette.com.

**De Colores Festival Of New Works (Alameda Theatre Company). The festival showcasing Latin-Canadian playwrights features Bruce Gibbons, Flavia Hevia, Jefferson Guzman and Rosa Laborde. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Fri 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $13, pass $40. Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie. 416-504-7529, alamedatheatre.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.

The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Tarragon Theatre/TheatreRUN). An anxious government clerk tries desperately to fit in with a grotesque society in this multidisciplinary adaptation of the novella. Previews Oct 15-22, Tue-Sat 8 pm. Opens Oct 23 and runs to Nov 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $21-$53, rush $13, pwyc on Oct 15. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

The Everything Show (Two Weird Ladies). This variety show features sketch comedy, music, theatre, spoken word and more with Two Weird Ladies, Matthew Trafford, Plan B and others. Oct 15 at 8:30 pm. $8. Measure, 296 Brunswick. twoweirdladies.com.

Exit by Isaac Luy (Festival of Images and Words). Luy performs a solo show about what it means to be an immigrant through the eyes of a clown. Oct 18 at 8 pm. $8, stu/srs $5. Glendon Campus, York Hall, 2275 Bayview. festivalofimagesandwords.ca.

Farther West by John Murrell (Soulpepper). A prostitute 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.

Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet (FYI Productions). Real estate salesmen struggle to survive in their cutthroat industry. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 20, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $20. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, ticketwise.ca.

I Love Lucy – Live On Stage by Kim Flagg and Rick Sparks (Mirvish). Be a member of the studio audience in this adaptation of the 50s TV show. Previews Oct 15. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Nov 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (no show Oct 31). $49-$89. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

The Killing Game by Eugène Ionesco (art & lies productions). Fear leads to hypocrisy and selfishness during a town’s deadly plague epidemic. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Oct 18, Wed-Thu and Mon 8 pm, Fri 7 and 10 pm. $22, stu/srs $18. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. totix.ca.

Kuwaiti Moonshine/By A Thread by Tim C Murphy/Diane Flacks (Sterling Studio Theatre). One-act plays about a Canadian bootlegger in Kuwait and an anxious performance artist are presented in this double bill. Previews Oct 15. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20, preview $15. north entrance, 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.

The List by Jennifer Tremblay (No Exit Theatre). A woman neglects a neighbour’s request and inadvertently causes her death. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 30. Oct 17-20, Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm. Oct 24-30, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $16-$20. The Artisan Factory, 344 Westmoreland, unit 104G. thelist2013.com.

**Liza & Barbara… Together At Last (Angelwalk Theatre). Jennifer Walls and Gabi Epstein play the two divas in a cabaret funder for the company. Oct 19 at 7 pm. $40-$75. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 1-855-985-2787, angelwalk.ca.

Script Scrap (Steady State Theatre Project). This new works festival features workshops and readings of plays by Natalie Fingerhut, Rob Salerno, Rachel Ganz, Erin Fleck, Rain Chan and others. Opens Oct 16 and runs to Oct 20, Wed-Sun doors 6:30 pm. Pwyc. lemonTree Studio, 196 Spadina (lower unit). steadystatetheatre.com.

A Skull In Connemara by Martin McDonagh (Fly on the Wall Theatre). Staged reading of the play about a village gravedigger who digs up the old dead to make room for the new. Oct 20, Sun 2 pm, Sat 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Fionn MacCool’s Pub, 181 University. flyonthewalltheatre.ca.

Sopa De Letras by Benjamin Gomez Jimenez (Festival of Images and Words). Performance of the children’s play by the Mexican playwright. Oct 20 at 2 pm. Free. North York Central Library, room 1, 5120 Yonge. festivalofimagesandwords.ca.

A Story Before Time by Drew Hayden Taylor (Kaha:wi Dance Theatre/the Banff Centre). Original music, dance and theatre bring this Onkwehonwe (First Nation) creation story to life. Previews Oct 16. Opens Oct 17 and runs to Oct 24, see website for schedule. $15-$24. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

Terra Firma random acts of dance (rad) present movement creation and performance by Lisa Smith and Julie Grant about the honesty of regret. Oct 17-19, Thu-Sat 7 and 8:30 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Hub 14, 14 Markham. terrafirma2013.eventbrite.ca.

Theatresports Fall Tournament Bad Dog Theatre presents the improv competition. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Dec 14, Sat Saturdays 8 pm. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.

Toronto International Flamenco Festival presents Malagan dancer La Lupi in a headlining performance showcase. Opens Oct 13 and runs to Oct 20, performances Oct 18-19, Sat 8 pm, Sun 1 pm. $45-$90 (see website for info on other festival events). Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. torontoflamencofestival.com.

TUDS: Festival Of Urban Dance Culture Gadfly presents professional shows, all-star battles, panel discussions and more. Oct 18-20, see website for schedule. $20-$45. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. 647-989-6809, tuds.gadfly.ca.

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.

UBL Main Event III The Universal B-Boy League presents championship breakdancing featuring B-Boy battles between Team Toronto vs. Team Montreal and others. Oct 20, doors 6 pm. $15-$20. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen W. bboyleague.org.

You Should Have Stayed Home by Tommy Taylor (Praxis Theatre). Taylor performs his show about his arrest and detention during the G20 summit in 2010. Actors and community members will play the role of other detainees. Previews Oct 17. Opens Oct 18 and runs to Oct 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 1-800-204-0855, praxistheatre.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