Happy New Year! Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of January 6th, 2014. ** 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 transitions to adulthood in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Dec 12 and runs to Feb 23, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm (no shows Dec 23-Jan 2 and Feb 1-13). $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**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 Feb 2, 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.

The Musical of Musicals, The Musical! by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell (Mirvish). Five musicals in one, each with the same plot but done in the style of a different Broadway composer. Previews Dec 18. Opens Dec 19 and runs to Jan 5, see website for times. $19-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

And the Rest…

**A Misfortune by Scott Christian, Wade Bogert-O’Brien and Kevin Michael Shea (Common Descent/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A married woman and a young lawyer take a walk in this musical about small moments and momentous decisions. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

A Wake For Lost Time (Elephants in the Room Creation Group). This 24-hour performance experiment explores how time passes through bodies. Jan 10-11, Fri 7:30-10:30 pm, Sat 11:30 am-1:45 pm and 3:30-7:30 pm. Free. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-833-4922.

ALTdot Comedy LoungeRivoli presents Debra DiGiovanni, Dave Merheje, John Hastings, Garrett Jamieson, Chris Gordon, Todd Van Allen, MC Alex Pavone and others. Jan 6 9 pm. $5. 332 Queen W. altdotcomedylounge.com.

Anything Goes: The Cole Porter Songbook (Talisker Players). This musical revue features Porter’s hits of the 1930s and 40s. Jan 12-14, Sun 3 pm, Tue 8 pm. $35, srs $25, stu $15. Trinity St Paul’s Church, 427 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, taliskerplayers.ca.

As You Like It by William Shakespeare (Rarely Pure Theatre). The tale of spontaneous love and friendships is set in a winter wonderland. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 26, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. secureaseat.com.

Bounce – An Informal Ball For The Theatre Centre (The Theatre Centre). Artists, food and tours of the new building are part of this event to support the New Live Arts Hub & Incubator. Jan 11 at 7 pm. $250. 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, theatrecentre.org.

Dykes Of Hazard Comedy Hour The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents diverse underground comics w/ Zabrina Chevannes, Eric Lingenfelter, Dawn Whitwell, host Kristen Becker and others. Jan 11 7 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/545578.

Fast Food Follies Unit 102 Actors Company presents a satirical look at the world of fast food in a longform sketch show w/ Luis Fernandes, Jesse Ryder Hughes and others. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 11, Thu-Sat 9 pm. $10-$15. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. unit102theatre.com, unit102tix@gmail.com.

**Fatherly by Sam S Mullins (Sam S Mullins/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Mullins performs his solo show about fathers, sons, America, baseball and more. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $10, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Antechamber, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Flesh And Other Fragments Of Love by Evelyne de la Chenelière (Tarragon Theatre). The discovery of a drowned body off the Irish coast leads a vacationing couple to examine their marriage. Previews Jan 7-14. Opens Jan 15 and runs to Feb 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and some Sat) 2:30 pm. $48-$53, stu/srs $27-$45, previews $21-$25, rush $13. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Holodeck Follies The Dandies present a sci fi-inspired improv comedy variety show w/ High Heels Lo Fi, Fratwurst, Alan Leightizer and others. Jan 8 8 pm. $7. Black Swan Comedy, 2nd floor, 154 Danforth. improvdandies.wordpress.com.

**Jack Your Body by Emily Law and Ashley Perez (Mix Mix Dance Collective/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Issues of race, gender and social status are examined in this work that explores underground social dances. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com. 

**Killer Business – The Musical by Rob Torr, Ken MacDougall and Saul Segal (Torrent Productions/Next Stage Theatre Festival). The production of a run-of-the-mill musical gets a jolt when a dead body turns up on stage. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Little Shop Of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Lower Ossington Theatre). A flower shop clerk raises a plant that feeds on human blood in this musical. Opens Dec 5 and runs to Jan 12, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Manon, Sandra and the Virgin Mary by Michel Tremblay (Pleiades Theatre). Pious Manon and worldly Sandra reveal themselves in parallel monologues about their fascination with the Virgin Mary. Previews Jan 11-14. Opens Jan 15 and runs to Feb 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$37, previews/rush $20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Nightmare Dream by Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu and Motion (IFT Theatre/Newface Entertainment/Obsidian Theatre). Preparing to return for his father’s funeral, an African immigrant in Canada is haunted by his disconnection to his traditional culture. Previews Jan 7-8. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $18-$35. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. nightmare-dream.com.

Noumenon The Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre presents excerpts from a new work by choreographers Ofilio Portillo and Apolonia Velasquez. Jan 9 at noon. Free. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. coc.ca.

**On The Other Side of the World by Brenley Charkow (Harley Dog Productions/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Adapted from various memoirs, this drama tells the story of Jews in 1930s Europe who sought refuge in China. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

**Polar Opposites by Nicole Ratjen (TiltHAUS/Next Stage Theatre Festival). This play about two polar bears trapped on a melting iceberg features comedy, tragedy, table tennis and mask theatre. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $10, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Antechamber, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

**Release The Stars: The Ballad Of Randy And Evi Quaid by Amanda Barker and Daniel Krolik (God is in the Dairy/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A celebrity couple flee from U.S. media and stage an artsy cabaret in Canada. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com. 

Reveal Me Burlesque (Red Herring Burlesque). Virgin vixens and professional peelers put on a show. Jan 8, doors 8 pm. $10. Rivoli, 332 Queen W. aprofessionaldistraction.com.

Richard Ryder The Flying Beaver Pubaret presents the comic/PROUD FM host in a live show. Jan 10 7 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, brownpapertickets.com/event/545702.

**Rifles by Nicolas Billon (Praxis Theatre/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Not wishing to suffer more loss, a Spanish Civil War widow tries to keep her sons out of the conflict. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

**Scheherazade by Johnnie Walker (Nobody’s Business Theatre/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A brave woman faces a brutal king who kills his brides after every wedding night in this darkly erotic satire. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Seven Days by Ron Rutberg (TEATRON Theatre). A family reunion at the matriarch’s death reveals the story of a couple who fought for the establishment of Israel, then moved to the United States. Previews Jan 8 at 1 pm ($19). Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 19, Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $26-$48. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 1-855-985-2787, teatrontheatre.com.

Sing For Your Supper 3.0 (Red One Theatre Collective/Brouhaha Labs). Playwrights and actors share ideas and workshop scripts in front of an audience in this monthly cold reading series. Jan 6 at 9 pm. Free. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

**Stencilboy And Other Portraits by Susanna Fournier (Paradigm Productions/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Desperate to be immortalized in art, a woman is caught between a graffiti artist and a once-famous painter. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Jan 19, see website for schedule. $15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Terrific WomenThe Ossington presents comedy in the style of a 70s cable access show w/ Lianne Mauladin, Rebecca Kohler, Nick Flanagan, Amanda Lara, David Dineen-Porter and hosts Steph Kaliner & Sara Hennessey. Jan 7 9 pm. Pwyc. 61 Ossington. theossington.com.

The Keith Richards One Woman Show by Deanna Jones and Cole Lewis (Suitcase in Point Theatre Company). Jones takes a trip through Keith’s life, from boyhood to Toronto drug bust. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 25, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and Jan 22). $15. Fixt Point, 1550 Queen W. 416-587-4346, suitcaseinpoint.com.

The Melville Boys by Norm Foster (Theatre Scarborough). Plans for a guys’ getaway change when the brothers meet two sisters in this comedy. Opens Jan 9 and runs to Jan 25, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Jan 12 & 25 at 2 pm (no eve show Jan 25). $20. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

The Ugly One by Marius von Mayenburg (Theatre Smash/Tarragon Theatre). A man enjoys his new beauty until his plastic surgeon offers his face to others in this black comedy. Previews Jan 8-12. Opens Jan 14 and runs to Feb 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $48-$53, stu/srs $27-$45, previews $21-$25, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

The Wedding Singer by Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlihy (Hart House Theatre). An entertainer finds love in this musical based on the Adam Sandler film. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Jan 25, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Jan 25 at 2 pm. $28, srs $17, stu $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

The… Musician. An Etude based on a book by Vladimir Korolenko (Toronto Laboratory Theatre). A boy born without sight learns to communicate through music. Previews Jan 11-12 at 7:30 pm. Opens Jan 17 and runs to Jan 26, Jan 17 and 19 at 9 pm, Jan 18-19 and 26 at 2:30 and 7:30 pm. $20-$25. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 313. themusician.brownpapertickets.com.

Toronto Monologue Slam: Season Premiere (TMS). Up-and-coming actors perform in front of a panel of judges. Jan 11, doors 5:30 pm. $10-$15. Rize Studios, upstairs, 21R Atlantic. toslam.com.

Toronto Tango Marathon presents daytime and evening milongas. Jan 10-12, Fri-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun from noon to 6 pm (Sat at Dovercourt House, 805 Bloor W). $15-$25. Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor W. torontotangomarathon.com.

We Can Be Heroes Second City presents a new collection of sketches, songs and improvisations inspired by the world around us. Opens Jan 2 and runs to Feb 1, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri and Sun 7:30 pm, Sat 7:30 & 10 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Willow Quartet by Joan Burrows (The Village Players). A violinist helps a divided family find harmony. Opens Jan 10 and runs to Feb 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm (and Jan 15), mat Sun Jan 19 & 26 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $16. Bloor West Village Playhouse, 2190 Bloor W. 416-767-7702, villageplayers.net.

**Listings based on NOW stage listings.