Want to go see some theatre? But not sure what’s on? Here’s a list of the shows playing in Toronto during the week of July 21st, 2014. All shows marked with two asterisks and coloured red are highly recommended by our Editor, Mike.

Already covered by MoT…

**Assassins by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman (StageWorks Toronto). Historical figures who tried to assassinate American presidents meet in this dark musical. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Jul 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (and July 26) 2 pm. $25. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. 416-803-5287, stageworkstoronto.com.

Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (Lower Ossington Theatre). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Jun 26 and runs to Aug 3, see website for schedule. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Best Of The Fringe Theatre Festival (Fringe Toronto). Encore performances of Punch Up, The Assassination Of Robert Ford: Dirty Little Coward, Lost And Found, No Chance In Hell, The Emergency Monologues, 52 Pick-Up and Three Men In A Boat. Opens Jul 16 and runs to Jul 30, see website for schedule. $17.75. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-9388, tocentre.com/bestoffringe2014.

Shakespeare In High Park: Titus Andronicus (Canadian Stage/York University Dept of Theatre). The brutal revenge tragedy is performed outdoors on alternating nights with As You Like It. Previews Jun 27-Jul 2. Opens Jul 4 and runs to Aug 31, Fri, Sun and Wed 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Sixteen Scandals Second City presents its spring revue about our unhealthy fascination with political train wrecks, media fiascos and red-carpet meltdowns. Mar 6-Aug 10, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $25-$29, stu $16-$18. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose (Soulpepper). Jurors argue over the case of a young man accused of killing his father in a capital murder case. Previews Jun 11-16. Opens Jun 17 and runs to Jul 26, Tue-Sat 8 pm, see website for mats. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

 

And the rest…

A Ticket On The 4 Jennifer Lindsay (Peacock Productions). Stark look at the gritty world of horse racing. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Jul 19 at 8 & 10 pm, Thu-Sat. Jul 24-26 at 8 & 10 pm, Thu-Sat. $16 uniiverse.com. Aluna Theatre, 1 Wiltshire, studio 128. 416-203-2535, alunatheatre.ca.

Adventures In Slumberland (Frolick). This all-ages show about a young boy’s dream world features puppets, music, masques and more. Opens Jul 2 and runs to Aug 30, Wed-Sat 11:11 am, 12:12, 1:11 and 2:22 pm (weather permitting). Pwyc. Olympic Island Lagoon Theatre, near Centre Island ferry dock, over the bridge. frolick.ca.

Big Bad Wolf (Vs Lord Underwearface Von Schtinker)Second City presents a family musical that takes a new look at a fairy-tale character. Opens Jul 2 and runs to Aug 28, Wed-Thu 1 pm. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

CMTP Mystery Show (Confidential Music Theatre Project). Actors who are familiar with their scripts but have not rehearsed together will stage a secret musical theatre production. Jul 24 at 7 pm. $25. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. confidentialmusicaltheatreproject.com.

Comics Reading Books The Social Capital presents Colin Mochrie, Gary Pearson, Deborah Kimmett, Dan Redican, Jan Caruana and others reading their written works. Jul 23 8 pm. $5. Black Swan, 2nd floor, 154 Danforth. 416-469-0537, captaingaryperson@gmail.com.

Dreamscapes Showcase of contemporary dance solos by producer/choreographer David Kraft. Jul 25-27, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $20, stu $15. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 9 Trinity, studio 314. 416-367-1800, dancemakers.org.

Fan Fiction: Nerdy Talk Fan Fiction The Show presents a storytelling show about video games, dating, Star Wars and everything in between w/ Marc Hallworth, Kyle Andrews, host Adam Ward and others. Opens Jul 21 9:30 pm. Free. Black Swan, 154 Danforth. facebook.com/events/514591645309774.

FPP Chinese Extravaganza (Famous People Players). Performances by the Toronto Chinese Dance Company, the Wushu Project and FPP celebrate the blacklight theatre company’s 40th anniversary. Jul 26, doors 6 pm. $40-$65. Famous People Players, 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

HorseCapades (Canadian National Exhibition). Riders and horses perform barrel racing, trick riding and hip-hop dressage, plus an interactive program with the horses. Opens Jul 27 and runs to Aug 14, daily from 11 am to 2 pm (no show Aug 2). Free. CNE Horse Palace, Exhibition Place, 15 Nova Scotia. theex.com.

Hotel Tryst: Rendez-vous by Coco Framboise and Armitage Shanks (Toronto Burlesque Festival). The world premiere of this burlesque play set in a mysterious hotel opens the festival. Jul 24 at 8 pm. $22.50-$40. Revival, 783 College. torontoburlesquefestival.com.

Mullet’s Night Show: Fringe Of Fringe Edition Jean-Paul Mullet presents a comedy variety show w/ Robin Archer and guests Albert Howell, Moniquea Marion, Jennifer Walls and others. Jul 24 9 pm, Thu. $10. Black Swan, Social Capital, 154 Danforth. memullet.com.

Pinkalicious The Musical by Elizabeth Kann, Victoria Kann and John Gregor (Vital Theatre). A girl turns pink after eating too many cupcakes in this family musical. Opens Jun 22 and runs to Sep 28, Sun 1 pm (no shows Aug 10, 17 & 24). $30-$40. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Red Light Green Light DNA Theatre. Choreographers Hillar Liitoja and Magdalena Vasko present a robust take on the kids’ game performed by male dancers. Previews Jul 18-19. Opens Jul 20 and runs to Jul 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm (and July 20), mat Sun July 27 at 3 pm. $27, stu/srs $17, previews/mat pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, tickets.ticketwise.ca/event/3850601.

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare (Humber River Shakespeare Company). The tragic tale of ill-fated young love is presented outdoors. Jul 27 at 7 pm. Pwyc. Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas W. 416-209-2026, humberrivershakespeare.ca.

Savage In Limbo by John Patrick Shanley (Triple ByPass Productions). Five losers converge in a Bronx bar in this dark comedy. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Jul 20 8 pm, Thu-Sat, Sun. Jul 24-27 8 pm, Thu-Sat, Sun. $20, stu $15. The Storefront Theatre, 955 Bloor W. redonetheatre.com.

Shaken And Stirred: With A Twist/The Glam-A-Ganza (Toronto Burlesque Festival). Early and late shows as part of the festival feature Dr Lucky, Miss Mitzy Cream, Obskuyra, Natasha Estrada, Inga Ingenue, Amber Ray and others. Jul 26 at 7 and 10:30 pm. $30-$40/show. Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College. torontoburlesquefestival.com.

Shakespeare In High Park: As You Like It (Canadian Stage/York University Dept of Theatre). The tale of spontaneous love and friendships is performed outdoors on alternating nights with Titus Andronicus. Previews Jun 26-Jul 1. Opens Jul 3 and runs to Aug 30, Thu, Sat and Tue 8 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg). High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor W. canadianstage.com.

Sonny Under The Assumption by Edward Allan Baker (Old Norman Productions/Native Earth). A young woman leaves her banking job to run a community centre with ex-convicts. Opens Jul 23 and runs to Jul 27. $25-$33, Thu mat pwyc. Daniels Spectrum, Aki Studio Theatre, 585 Dundas E. 416-531-1402, nativeearth.ca/sonny-under-the-assumption.

Soulpepper Cabaret Series (Soulpepper). The company presents the Song/Book Series, cabaret performers and more in this weekly series. Opens Jun 7 and runs to Jul 26, Sat 8:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Spamalot by Eric Idle, John Du Prez and Neil Innes (Lower Ossington Theatre). The Monty Python-based musical retells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Opens Jun 19 and runs to Aug 3, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (Guild Festival Theatre). Two bachelors’ lies catch up with them in this comedy. Opens Jul 17 and runs to Aug 10, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $25, srs $20, kids under 12 free. Guild Park, Greek Theatre, 201 Guildwood Pkwy. 416-915-6750, guildfestivaltheatre.ca.

The Tempest by William Shakespeare (Driftwood Theatre’s Bard’s Bus Tour). The classic story of love and revenge is presented outdoors. Opens Jul 22 and runs to Jul 27, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm (live music from 6:30 pm on Wed). Pwyc (adv $20-$24). Withrow Park, 725 Logan. 416-703-2773, driftwoodtheatre.com.

The Unsung Sequel Special Features Musical Improv Troupe presents an improvised musical sequel to your favourite movies. Jul 26 8 pm. $5. Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas E. specialfeaturesimprov.wordpress.com.

UNITY Break Dance UNITY Festival presents North America’s top BBoys and BGirls for the 3 vs. 3 under 19 Breakin’ Battle, headlined by Moy (Havikoro). Jul 24 from 7 to 11 pm. $5, festival pass $10. Tattoo, 567 Queen W. unitycharity.com/festival.

What Else Is In The News! – Press Club presents comedy w/ host Darryl Orr. Opens Jul 21 9:30 pm. Free. 850 Dundas W. 416-364-7183, thepressclub.ca.

White Noise (Children’s Peace Theatre). Students of the Peace Camp present a collaborative theatrical performance about sensationalism in the media. Jul 24-26, Thu-Fri 1 pm, Sat 5 pm. Sat gala $25, stu/srs $10-$15; Thu-Fri pwyc. 305 Dawes. 416-752-1550, childrenspeacetheatre.org.

Wolf Sounds Peanut Butter People. This dance-theatre creation features five actors with Down syndrome dealing with desire, isolation and attempts at conformity. Opens Jul 18 and runs to Jul 27, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20-$25, stu $15-$20. The Box Studio, 89 Niagara. brownpapertickets.com/event/706413.