Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of February 17th, 2014. ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Wayne, our Managing Editor, wishes he could exist in multiple parallel universes so he could check them all out.

Already Covered by MoT…

Arrabal Mirvish and BASE Entertainment present a dance-theatre show about the underground world of tango clubs in 1970s Argentina. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Apr 20, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $44-$84. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

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 Feb 1-13). $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Cabaret by Christopher Isherwood, John Kander and Fred Ebb (Lower Ossington Theatre). An American writer falls for a nightclub singer in Nazi-era Berlin. Opens Jan 23 and runs to Mar 2, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Così Fan Tutte by WA Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). Two soldiers wager on the fidelity of their fiancées in this comic opera. Opens Jan 18 and runs to Feb 21, see website for schedule. $12-$332. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

**The Daisy Theatre (Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes). This cabaret of improvisation, music and more is inspired by the underground puppet shows of Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and Le Chat Noir in Paris. Opens Feb 12 and runs to Feb 23, Tue-Sat 9:30 pm, Sun 8 pm. $30. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

**Firebrand by Alex Dault (Single Thread Theatre Company). This site-specific production looks at the final years of Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie. Opens Feb 6 and runs to Feb 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $20. Mackenzie House, 82 Bond. singlethread.ca.

Heartbeat of Home Mirvish presents Irish, Latin and Afro-Cuban performers in a music and dance show. Previews Jan 21-25. Opens Jan 26 and runs to Mar 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Idiot’s Delight by Robert E Sherwood (Soulpepper). Countesses, arms dealers, lovers, revolutionaries and others spend a fateful weekend in a Swiss hotel on the eve of WWII. Previews Jan 23-29. Opens Jan 30 and runs to Mar 1, see website for schedule. $23-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

The Last Seven Steps of Batholomew S. by Daniele Bartolini (Bata Shoe Museum). A mysterious voyager brings change to the places he visits and individuals he encounters. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Feb 28, Fri 7 pm. $50. 327 Bloor W. 416-979-7799, batashoemuseum.ca.

**A Masked Ball (Un ballo in maschera) by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). Verdi’s tale of forbidden passion is set in the American south of the 1960s. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Feb 22, see website for schedule. $12-$332. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (Lyric Hammersmith/Vestuport/Mirvish). A family’s life is turned upside down when their son transforms into a giant insect. Previews Jan 28-Feb 1. Opens Feb 2 and runs to Mar 9, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $25-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

n00b by Christopher Duthie (Young People’s Theatre/Vertigo Theatre). A boy obsessed with online gaming defies his parents and becomes isolated from reality. Opens Feb 11 and runs to Feb 20, see website for schedule. $15-$24. Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

**The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn (Soulpepper). Remount of the fall show. In this trilogy about a philandering husband, each play is viewed from a different part of the home. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Mar 8, plays run in rep, see website for schedule. $37-$74. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

SHREW by William Shakespeare (Red One Theatre Collective). The classic comedy is presented with puppetry, slapstick and vaudeville styling. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Mar 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, mat pwyc. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

**Tribes by Nina Raine (Theatrefront/Canadian Stage/Theatre Aquarius). A deaf man raised as part of the hearing world meets a young woman who’s gradually losing her hearing. Previews Feb 2-5, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Feb 6 and runs to Mar 2, 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.

And the Rest…

Afterplay by Brian Friel (AfterPlay Collective). Chekhov characters Sonya from Uncle Vanya and Andrey from Three Sisters have a brief encounter in 1920s Moscow. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 2, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25. Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen W. 416-597-0227, campbellhousemuseum.ca.

Another Unintentionally Depressing Children’s Tale by Erin Fleck (Gasp Gasp). Fleck presents her puppet projection piece with Sarah Fairlie. Feb 20 at 8 pm. $6. Saving Gigi, 859 Bloor W. facebook.com/events/1450085855209466.

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

Big Maggie by John B Keane (Toronto Irish Players). A newly widowed woman sets out to fulfill her dreams in 1960s rural Ireland. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 8, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $18; opening night $40. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-440-2888, torontoirishplayers.com.

Big Ticket Bad Dog Theatre Epic Wednesdays presents improv inspired by the best of the silver screen. 8 pm. Opens Feb 19, Opens Apr 23, Opens May 21. $12, stu $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, baddogtheatre.com.

Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht (Humber College Theatre). A servant girl sacrifices everything to protect an abandoned child in this epic theatre work. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Feb 22, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (and Feb 22). $15, stu/srs $10. Humber Arts & Media Studio, 300 Birmingham. 416-675-6622 ext 3080, humber.theatre@humber.ca.

Cher menteur (Dear Liar: A Comedy of Letters) by Jerome Kilty (Théâtre français de Toronto). This comedy is based on letters exchanged between Mrs Patrick Campbell and George Bernard Shaw. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm and Mar 1 at 3:30 pm. $20-$48, Wed pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, Upstairs, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com.

Chris Tsujiuchi: Back In The Saddle (The Flying Beaver Pubaret). Tsujiuchi performs a cabaret with Scott Christian, Robin Claxton and others. Feb 23 at 8 pm. $10-$15. 488 Parliament. 647-347-6567, pubaret.com.

The Company We Keep: Sing Love! (Theatre 20). Adam Brazier performs with the cast of Tarragon Theatre’s Merrily We Roll Along. Feb 23 at 7 pm. $25. Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge. theatre20.com.

Cosi Fan Tutte/Carmen by Mozart/Bizet (Toronto City Opera). The popular operas are performed in repertory. Opens Feb 12 and runs to Mar 2, see website for times. $28, srs $20, stu $15. Bickford Centre Theatre, 777 Bloor W. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Dance Through Time Opera Atelier presents students from the School of Atelier Ballet performing historical dances ranging from Renaissance to 19th-century waltzes. Feb 17 at 2 pm. Free. St Lawrence Hall, 3rd floor, 157 King E. operaatelier.com.

El Torath El Masry Egyptian Dance Company presents belly dance from Ottoman times to the present. Feb 22 at 8 pm. $35-$55. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. 416-462-3498, discoverbellydance.com.

Electro/Acoustic The Art of Time Ensemble presents music by contemporary composers including In The Fire Of Conflict, with choreography by Peggy Baker danced by Benjamin Kamino. Feb 21-22 at 8 pm. $25-$59. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, artoftimeensemble.com.

Emotional Creature by Eve Ensler (V-Day Toronto/Nightwood Theatre). This collection of fictional monologues, stories and music is inspired by interviews with teenaged girls all around the globe. Feb 22-23, Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$25 (proceeds benefit METRAC). Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

Forgiveness (Modern Times Stage Co./Dreamwalker Dance Productions/Bora Bora Dance & Visual Theatre/Don*Gnu/Laboratoriet). This dance-theatre production looks at one of life’s most elusive themes. Previews Feb 15-18. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 1, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Feb 22-23 at 2 pm. Pwyc-$35. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen W. moderntimesstage.wordpress.com.

Handle with Care by Jason Odell Williams (TEATRON Theatre). A woman confronts a courier company clerk about a missing package in this romantic comedy. Previews Feb 20 (1 pm). Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 2, Tue-Thu 8 pm (and Feb 23), Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $26-$48, preview $19. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. teatrontheatre.com.

HarbourKIDS Skating Festival (Harbourfront Centre). Interactive ice shows, street dance workshops, a theatre production of RAPunzel and more are part of this family event. Feb 16-17, see website for schedule. Free. 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Henderson/Castle: Voyager Toronto Dance Theatre presents a collaboration between choreographer Ame Henderson,musician Jennifer Castle and nine dancers. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 1, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $26, stu/srs $20, mat pwyc. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-967-1365, tdt.org.

Legacy: Bringing It Home Collective of Black Artists presents a retrospective of its traditional and contemporary African dance works. Feb 20-23, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20-$35. Daniels Spectrum, COBA Studio, 585 Dundas E. cobainc.com.

Little Women by Jason Howland, Mindi Dickstein and Alan Knee (Scarborough Music Theatre). Four sisters grow up in Civil War-era America in this musical based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. Opens Feb 6 and runs to Feb 22, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (Feb 22: 2 pm, no eve show). $27, stu/srs $22. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

Malcolm Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie present the first full-evening solo/duet that James Kudelka has created for himself. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Feb 23, Wed-Sun 8 pm. $20. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. colemanlemieux.com.

Mosaic Storytelling Festival (The Open Door East End Arts Collective). Sarah Granskou shares folk tales and traditional stories from Norway, Sweden and Samiland. Feb 23 at 3 pm (runs every second Sun to Mar 23). Pwyc/$5 sugg. St David’s Anglican Church, 49 Donlands. 416-466-3142, mosaicstorytelling.ca.

Mrs. Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw (Sterling Studio Theatre). A young woman learns that her mother is a brothel owner in this play about sex, money and morality. Previews Feb 18. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Feb 23 at 2 pm. $20, preview $15. 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.

Nostos: Encounters With The Open Program (Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, U of T). Performances of three plays in collaboration with the Open Program of the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards. Opens Feb 10 and runs to Feb 23, see website for schedule. $15-$25. Glen Morris Studio Theatre, 4 Glen Morris. nostosencounters.wordpress.com.

Nude With Violin by Noel Coward (East Side Players). Secrets emerge at an artist’s funeral in this comedy. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Mar 8, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $22, stu $15. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-425-0917, eastsideplayers.ca.

Princess Polly And The World’s Smallest Ninja Second City presents an all-ages sketch revue. Feb 17 Noon & 2 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Same Same But Different by Anita Majumdar (Theatre Passe Muraille/Alberta Theatre Projects). Two intersecting stories about a Bollywood starlet and her mother look at Indian cinema and clashing cultures. Previews Feb 14-17, Fri-Sat and Mon 7:30 pm. Opens Feb 18 and runs to Mar 8, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15-$32.50, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

The Secret Garden by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon (Meadowvale Music Theatre). An orphan makes a magical discovery in this adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 2, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and Mar 1) at 2 pm. $28, stu/srs $26. Meadowvale Theatre, 6315 Montevideo. encoreseries.ca.

A Soldier’s Tale DanceWorks, Signal Theatre and Harbourfront NextSteps present a hybrid dance/theatre work by Michael Greyeyes about the aftermath and costs of war on soldiers and their families. Feb 20-22, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $18.75-$37.25. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Some Enchanted Evening (The Civic Light-Opera Co). The company performs a revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein songs from South Pacific, The King & I, The Sound Of Music and other hit shows. Opens Feb 12 and runs to Feb 23, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28. Fairview Library, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, musictheatretoronto.com.

Spring 2014 Mainstage RevueSecond City presents previews of its upcoming collection of sketches, songs and improvisations. Opens Feb 4 and runs to Feb 28, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 7:30 & 10 pm. $25-$29. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Theatre on a Theme: Love by Drew O’Hara (Everybody to the Theatre Company). Six actors perform 18 short pieces about the night’s theme. Feb 23 at 2 and 8 pm. $10-$15. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. everybodytothetheatrecompany.com.

Touch My Stereotype’s Hypothetical Spectacle TMS presents a full-length sketch revue featuring sketches, music, videos and more, w/ Amanda McQueen, Lars Classington, Eitan Shalom, Chantale Renee and others. Feb 20-22, Thu-Sat 9 pm. $12-$15. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. touchmystereotype.com.

Uptown Abbey (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). Trouble follows an English lord and his American wife in this interactive dinner-theatre mystery. Opens Feb 7 and runs to Apr 5, Fri-Sat 8 pm, see website for full schedule. $40-$85. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.

Voices of Orisa: Echo of African Spirituality (African Women Acting). Chanting, dance, live music and narration reflect an entire continent’s desire to share the truth about its own spirituality. Feb 22-23, Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $20-$25. Creative Creatures Studio, 822 Dundas W. africanwomenacting.org.

The Weavers by Gerhart Hauptmann (act2studio works). The 1844 revolt of Silesian weavers portrays the human cost of the Industrial Revolution. Opens Feb 20 and runs to Feb 22, Thu-Fri 7 pm, mat Fri 2 pm, Sat 4 pm. $20. Ryerson Theatre School, Studio, 44 Gerrard E. act2studio.ca.

Wheel of Improv Natasha Boomer presents the weekly non-competitive competitive games game-show. Tue 9:30 pm. $5. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.