Here are all of the shows we wish we could get out and see this week! Take your pick from our list of great theatre escapes for the week of April 11th, 2011:

** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Megan, our editor, wish she could clone herself so she could check them all out.

Already Covered by MoT

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare (Soulpepper). Lovers and actors meet and mingle in an enchanted forest. Opens Feb 23 and runs to Apr 23, see website for schedule. $45-$60, stu $28; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

AFTER AKHMATOVA by Kate Cayley (Tarragon Theatre). An American interviews the son of a Soviet dissident and poet. Opens Mar 30 and runs to May 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm (no preview mats). $23-$46, rush $10. Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

**AS YOU PUPPET by Jane McClelland and Mike Petersen (Hank’s Toy Box Theatre). Stuffed animals star in this adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It for ages 5 and up. Opens Apr 11 and runs to Apr 21, see website for schedule. $10-$20. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Studio, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.

**BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL by Lee Hall and Elton John (Mirvish). A boy leaves boxing for ballet while his family struggles with economic troubles in small-town England. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Jul 10, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $36-$130. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

LOST VOICES by Ed Roy (Topological Theatre). This drama looks at the growing phenomenon of unaccompanied minors arriving at airports with no set future plan. Opens Apr 1 and runs to Apr 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$20. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, topologicaltheatre.com.

**OUR CLASS by Tadeusz Slobodzianek (Studio 180/Canadian Stage Company). Polish Jews and Catholics go from school day dreams to grim adult choices as WWII approaches. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 30, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$49, limited Mon pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, studio180theatre.com.

ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare in Action). This adaptation for young audiences sets the story in a modern, culturally diverse city. Opens Apr 9 and runs to Apr 21, see website for schedule. $15, stu/srs $12. Central Commerce CI, 570 Shaw. 416-703-4881, shakespeareinaction.org.

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD by Jason Robert Brown (Angelwalk Theatre). Characters from a variety of eras live through defining moments in this series of vignettes. Opens Apr 1 and runs to Apr 23, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25-$45. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, angelwalk.ca.

**THE SIMIAN SHOWCASE (Monkeyman Productions). Short plays by Camilla Maxwell, Rebecca Nesvet, Mark Harvey Levine and Stephen Near deal with themes of geek/fanatic/pop culture. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 16, Fri-Sat 8 pm (plus Apr 16 at 11 pm), Sun 2 pm. $10.Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas E. monkeymanproductions.com.

THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE by William Saroyan (Soulpepper). Various characters speak of their dreams in a Depression-era San Francisco bar. Opens Mar 18 and runs to Apr 16, see website for schedule. $45-$60, stu $28; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**THIS PARTY’S A RIOT! Second City presents a new show poking fun at the ever-changing world we live in. Wed-Sat 8 pm (plus Sat late show 10:30 pm), Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**ZERO HOUR by Jim Brochu (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). This solo show looks at the art, humour, temper and wit of Jewish artist Zero Mostel. Previews Mar 26-27. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Apr 16, Mon-Thu and Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $40.50-$64.50. MNJCC Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-366-7723, hgjewishtheatre.com.

…and the Rest

20/20 VISION Kaeja d’Dance and Harbourfront NextSteps present a multimedia production featuring new dance creations to celebrate Kaeja d’Dance’s 20th anniversary. Opens Apr 12 and runs to Apr 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, stu/youth mats Thu-Fri 1 pm. $27-$38, stu/srs $17-$22; Apr 12 gala $100. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, kaeja.org.

ALLEMANDE MOVE: the company and DanceWorks CoWorks present the premiere of Josh Beamish’s new piece, plus works by Matjash Mrozewski, Simone Orlando and Lara Barclay. Apr 17-19 at 8 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. 416-204-1082.

CHILDREN/A FEW MINUTES OF LOCK Harbourfront World Stage and Louise Lecavalier & Fou Glorieux present dance works about parenting, featuring a piece by Nigel Charnock and three Édouard Lock duets. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Apr 16, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $15-$45. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

DIVING NORMAL by Ashlin Halfnight (Red One Theatre Collective/Tuning Puck Co-op). Three people wade through addiction, sex and disloyalty in this dark comedy. Previews Apr 11. Opens Apr 12 and runs to Apr 23, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $20, preview/Tue/mat $15. Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor W. divingnormaltoronto@gmail.com.

**GHOST STORIES by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman (Mirvish/Lyric Hammersmith/Phil McIntyre Entertainments). This theatrical experience features stories based on real interviews. Opens Apr 12 and runs to May 8, Tue-Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 5 & 8:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. $25-$79. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

HATED NIGHTFALL by Howard Barker (George Brown Theatre School). This historical drama speculates on the last hours of Russia’s royal family, the Romanoffs. Opens Apr 12 and runs to Apr 23, see website for schedule. $18, srs $12, stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

HAVING HOPE AT HOME by David S Craig (Amicus Productions). A woman goes into labour at a tense family gathering. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 16, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Apr 9-10 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $18. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-860-6176.

**HIS IMPOSING VISAGE by Rodney Roy (Organic Theatre Collective). A famous photographer battles AIDS Dementia Complex as his health deteriorates. Previews Apr 12-13. Opens Apr 15 and runs to Apr 30, Tue-Sat 7 pm, mats Apr 23 and 30 at 1 pm. $20, preview $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, organictheatrecollective.com.

**I THINK I CAN by Florence Gibson and Shawn Byfield (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). This dance-theatre piece deals with bullying, cliques and friendship. Opens Apr 7 and runs to May 5, see website for schedule. $10-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare (Scarborough Players). The classic romantic comedy gets a staging. Opens Mar 31 and runs to Apr 16, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat 16 at 2 pm. $17, stu/srs $14, stu rush $10. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

**NIGHT by Christopher Morris (Human Cargo/Performance Spring Festival). The lives of an anthropologist and a teenage Inuk girl intersect during 24 hours of darkness on Baffin Island. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Apr 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun 2 pm and Apr 16 at 4 pm. $25-$35, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder (Soulpepper). A stage manager paints a portrait of life in a small American town around 1900. Previews Apr 7-12. Opens Apr 13 and runs to May 13, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

ROSE MARIE by Hammerstein II, Friml and Stothart (Wish Opera). A French-Canadian girl, a miner and a Mountie get tangled up in love and murder in the Canadian Rockies. Apr 15-16 at 8 pm. $37-$42, stu $25. John Bassett Theatre, 255 Front W. 1-877-700-3130, wishopera.ca.

SHE DID WHAT?!!! (Famous People Players). The black light theatre company presents a musical based on a children’s book by Diane Dupuy. Opens Jan 8 and runs to Apr 29, Tue-Sat 11:30 am and 6 pm. $59.50, srs $52.50, child $39.95 (includes meal). 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

**SWIMMING FOR SHORE by Rex Deverell (Lakeshore Arts/Humber Theatre). The folklore and history of South Etobicoke is told through stories and songs. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 16, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Apr 10 & 16 at 2 pm. $20, stu/srs $15, child $12. The Assembly Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park. 416-338-7255.

THE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY COMPLETELY MADE UP SHOW Second City presents interactive, family-friendly improv and sketch. Sat 11 am. $12. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

THE LAST 15 SECONDS by the MT Space (Theatre Passe Muraille). Movement, dance, video and text are used to convey a dialogue between a suicide bomber and his victim. Opens Apr 7 and runs to Apr 16, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

THE SITUATIONISTS by Sky Gilbert (The Cabaret Company). Three characters look at applying Situationist principles to current issues while dealing with their own sexual tensions. Previews Apr 13. Opens Apr 14 and runs to Apr 24, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $16-$27, Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH by Thornton Wilder (George Brown Theatre School). A seriocomic look at the human experience and humanity’s resilience. Opens Apr 13 and runs to Apr 23, see website for schedule. $18, srs $12, stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

VIVA EL TEATRO! (Crisalida). This festival features plays performed in Spanish with English translation, including Aqui No Paga Nadie by Dario Fo, Yerma by Federico Garcia Lorca, Luz Negra by Alvaro Menéndez Leal and the Noche de Teatro III series (at George Ignatieff Theatre). Opens Mar 31 and runs to Apr 30, see website for schedule. $20, festival passport $65. Palmerston Library Theatre, 560 Palmerston. 416-890-3271, festivalinspanish.ca

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*