Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of March 26, 2012: ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Tiffany, one of our Editors, wish she lived in a time warp so she could check them all out.

Already Covered by MoT

High Life by Lee MacDougall (Soulpepper). An unlikely group of masterminds plan ‘the perfect crime,’ with dangerous and comic results. Previews Feb 13-20. Opens Feb 21 and runs to Mar 28. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22/stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Legally Blonde The Musical by Laurence O’Keefe, Nell Benjamin and Heather Hach (Lower Ossington Theatre). A sorority girl makes it to law school in this musical based on the 2001 film. Opens Mar 9 and runs to Mar 31. $45-$60. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill (Soulpepper). O’Neill’s story of isolation, addiction and despair reveals a day in the life of his own family. Previews Feb 14-22. Opens Feb 23 and runs to Mar 28. $51-$68, stu $32; rush $22/stu $5. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Morro And Jasp: Go Bake Yourself by Heather Marie Annis, Byron Laviolette and Amy Lee (Up your Nose and In your Toes (U.N.I.T.) Productions). The Fringe-fest famous clown sisters go on a culinary adventure in this new show. Previews Mar 21. Opens Mar 22 and runs to Mar 31. $15, kids’ mats $10, preview pwyc. Cahoots Theatre Company, 388 Queen E. morroandjasp.com.

New Ideas Festival (Alumnae Theatre). The annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre features plays and staged readings with works by Donna Langevin, Megan Coles, Gerry McBride, Jordan Mechano, Stacy Gardner, Kelly DuMar, Radha Menon and others. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Apr 1. $15, pass $35, Sat readings pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Potted Potter by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner (Starvox Entertainment/Potted Productions). Clarkson and Turner use costumes, props and music to perform all seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes. Previews Feb 11-12. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Apr 8. $29.95-$99.95. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 1-800-461-3333, mirvish.com.

The Nun’s Vacation by Tom Walmsley (Doghouse Riley Productions). This play about a nun, an ex-priest turned psychologist and one of his patients looks at the nature of love, god and tolerance. Opens Mar 23 and runs to Apr 8. $20. Toronto Free Gallery, 1277 Bloor W. dhrproductions.com.

The Small Room At The Top Of The Stairs by Carole Fréchette (Tarragon Theatre). A woman debates entering her husband’s secret room. Previews Feb 29-Mar 6. Opens Mar 7 and runs to Apr 8. $21-$51. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

Varenka, Varenka! Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie presents dance solos performed by Laurence Lemieux and Bill Coleman inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novel Poor Folk, with live music by Vladimir Sidorov. Opens Mar 21 and runs to Mar 31. $25, stu $15. The Citadel, 304 Parliament. 416-364-8011, colemanlemieux.com.

**War Horse based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford (National Theatre of Great Britain/Mirvish). An English boy sets out to find his horse after it’s sold to the cavalry and shipped off to France during WWI. Previews Feb 10-27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Sep 30. $35-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee (Red Sandcastle Theatre). A drunk couple verbally abuse each other and their guests at a party. Mar 22-24 at 8 pm. Mar 27 and Apr 2 at 8 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411. redsandcastletheatre.com 

And The Rest

4our Women by Motion (Obsidian Development Series). This play about memory, migration, identity and inheritance gets a workshop production. Mar 31 at 2 pm. $10. The Cannery, 55 Mill, Bldg 58, Studio 315. 416-463-8444, obsidian-theatre.com.

A Last Resort (Rough House Productions/Free Fall ’12). This multimedia performance in English and Spanish looks at how far people will go to find a perfect life. Mar 29-31. $20 (festival pass $23-$45). Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, freefall12.eventbrite.ca.

Acceleration The School of Toronto Dance Theatre presents excerpts from works by Peggy Baker and Sasha Ivanochko, plus works by Christopher House, Lucy Rupert and Anna Blewchamp. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Mar 31. $19, stu/srs $15. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. schooloftdt.org.

Al Khaima Arabesque Dance Studio presents 12 belly dance soloists performing in an Arabian tent. Mar 31 at 8 pm. $15-$20. 1 Gloucester. 416-920-5593, arabesquedance.ca.

Babylonia (Radix Theatre/Free Fall ’12). This workshop presentation starts as an online interactive narrative and unfolds in a live performance. Mar 24-26. $20 (festival pass $23-$45). The Great Hall, Studio 3, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, freefall12.eventbrite.ca.

Badass Dance Fun Harbourfront Centre Next Steps presents two different programs of experimental contemporary dance curated by Eroca Nicols. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Mar 31. $15, double bill $25. Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com.

Behold The Time Of Mercy: Medieval Pageants For Lent (Poculi Ludique Societas). Three short plays from a 15th-century source known as the N-Town Plays are presented. Mar 30-31. $20, srs $15, stu $10. St Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron. 416-978-5096, plspls.ca.

Blender (253469). This multi-arts experience features video artists, DJ and live music and more by Kathleen Reichelt, Ulysses Castellanos and others. Mar 28 at 8 pm. $5. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas W. 253469.blogspot.com.

**Bliss by Olivier Choinière (Candles Are for Burning). Céline Dion speaks through an oracle to Walmart cashiers in this surrealist play about our appetite for celebrity. Previews Mar 27-28. Opens Mar 29 and runs to Apr 8. $23-$33, stu $19-$27, mat pwyc at the door. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti (Rogue Theatre). A man juggles three fiancées in this comedy. Previews Mar 27. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Apr 8. $25, stu $15. Common Good, Underground Space, 837 Dundas W. secureaseat.com.

Claret & Amber by Susan Shillingford (Whistling Fish Productions). The new play about an encounter between Emily Carr and Lucy Maud Montgomery gets a reading. Mar 30 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, Rehearsal Hall, 26 Berkeley. whistlingfishproductions.com.

Die Freunde Von Salamanka by Franz Schubert (Opera in Concert). A love triangle unfolds in Spain in this two-act comic opera. Apr 1 at 2:30 pm. $52-$73. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, operainconcert.com.

Drakul(j)a by Erol Boran (U of T German Department/Theater DU). This adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel is set in a lunatic asylum where the line between doctors and patients is blurred. Mar 29-31. Free. George Ignatieff Theatre, 15 Devonshire. german.utoronto.ca/index.html.

DreamDance presents improvised music and dance with Dawne Carleton, plus musicians. Mar 7 at 8 pm. Mar 28 at 8 pm. $8. Somewhere There Studio, 227 Sterling, unit 112. coexisdance.wordpress.com.

Egyptian Panorama Egyptian Dance Company presents a journey through Egypt at a time of revolution as told through belly dance. Mar 31 at 8 pm. $30-$45. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. 416-462-3498, hannandance.com.

Faust In The Box by Bridge Markland (Goethe-Institut). Markland performs her adaptation of Goethe’s classic with hand-puppets and pop music. Mar 29-30. Free. 2nd floor, 100 University. goethe.de/toronto.

**FemCab 2012 (Nightwood Theatre). This multi-arts performance cabaret in honour of International Women’s Day features Olivia Chow, Dayna McLeod, Evalyn Parry, Shoshana Sperling, host Elvira Kurt and others. Mar 29 at 8 pm. $25. Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-944-1740 ext 5, nightwoodtheatre.net.

Heart Strings, The Musical (Reynold Nathaniel). In 1908, an Italian apprentice goes to Ireland to deliver an anniversary gift from Germany. Opens Mar 23 and runs to Apr 28. $20-$25. The Annex Live, 296 Brunswick. 416-929-3999.

**I Love You Because by Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham (Angelwalk Theatre). An uptight man meets a flighty woman in this musical modern twist on Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice. Previews Mar 28-29. Opens Mar 30 and runs to Apr 15. $35-$45, previews $30. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, angelwalk.ca.

Invisible Toronto: Ossington Edition (Free Fall ’12). Theatre artist Falen Johnson looks at the neighbourhood from an indigenous perspective in this walking tour. Opens Mar 25 and runs to Mar 31. $15 (festival pass $23-$45). Queen W at Ossington. 416-538-0988, freefall12.eventbrite.ca.

Last Train (The Given Forces Ensemble). This collective creation looks at morality, oppression, desire and each person’s journey to the point of no return. Opens Mar 27 and runs to Mar 30. $10. York University Accolade East Bldg, Studio 207, 4700 Keele. GivenForcesEnsemble@gmail.com.

Live Wrong And Prosper Second City presents its latest revue of sketches, songs and improvisations. In previews, opens Mar 27. Tue-Sat 8 pm, plus Fri-Sat 10:30 pm, Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

Mythbusters: Behind The Myths (Sony Centre for the Performing Arts). TV duo Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage bring their interactive, unorthodox approach to science to the stage. Mar 29. $67-$150. 1 Front E. 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.

My Granny The Goldfish by Anosh Irani (Factory Theatre). A neurotic man’s Indian grandmother comes to Canada to help him recover from illness. Previews Mar 17-21. Opens Mar 22 and runs to Apr 15. $30-$40, mat pwyc, previews $20. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

New Voices 2012 (Ryerson Theatre School). This theatre and dance festival features works created and produced by students. Opens Mar 27 and runs to Mar 31. $18, stu/srs $14. Ryerson Theatre, 43 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

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 show. Opens Aug 21 and runs to Dec 18. Jan 15-May 27. $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.

Route 501 Revisited by Jonathan Goldsbie (Free Fall ’12). This streetcar tour of Queen West is conducted entirely via Twitter. Opens Mar 27 and runs to Mar 31. $20 (festival pass $23-$45). 501 Queen Streetcar, starting location tba. 416-538-0988, freefall12.eventbrite.ca.

Sears Ontario Drama Festival – Toronto Regional Showcase (Sears Drama Festival). Nine productions written and performed by high school students will be presented. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Mar 31. $16, stu $12. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

Shrek The Musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori (Dancap Productions). A swamp-dwelling ogre goes on a journey of redemption in this musical based on William Steig’s book and the DreamWorks film. Opens Mar 20 and runs to Apr 1. $34-$135. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.

Sia by Matthew MacKenzie (Cahoots Theatre Company). A Canadian student volunteering in West Africa is taken hostage by a former child soldier. Previews Mar 24-25. Opens Mar 27 and runs to Apr 15. $30, stu/srs $25, mats pwyc-$18.75. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, cahoots.ca.

Smother by Omar Hady (The Theatre Lab). A man seeks a family of his own but is burdened by his guilt-tripping mother. Mar 29-31. $5-$10. Unit 102 Theatre, 376 Dufferin. theatrelab.ca.

**Songs In The Key Of Stephen (Encore Entertainment). Musical theatre artists pay tribute to composers Stephen Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz. Mar 31-Apr 1. $25-$45. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. encoreshows.com.

Strange Parade: A Night Of Circus, Debauchery, Compassion And Charity (Dr. Draw). This event features live music, circus, clown and more with Katelyn McCulloch, Emily Coutts, the Strange Parade Circus troupe and others. Mar 31 at 9 pm. $20. Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College. drdraw.ca.

Strip Search (Toronto Burlesque Festival). This funder for the July festival features a competition of up-and-coming burlesque artists and performances by established performers. Apr 1 at 8 pm. $20-$25. Revival, 783 College. ontariostripsearch2012.eventbrite.com.

Tao Japanese Drummers (Sony Centre for the Performing Arts). This performance fuses Japanese drumming and martial arts. Mar 30 at 8 pm. $35-$85. 1 Front E. 1-855-872-7669, sonycentre.ca.

That Tree You Claimed Your Throne by Ali El-Darsa (Free Fall ’12). Using text and live sound, the audience reflects on the artist’s experience of home and displacement in this performance art piece. Mar 26-27. $10 (festival pass $23-$45). The Drake Lab, 1142 Queen W. 416-538-0988, freefall12.eventbrite.ca.

The Green Door Cabaret Series (Lower Ossington Theatre). This series features cabaret performances by Joel Hartt, Randy Vancourt, Kelly Holiff and others. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Apr 7. $20-$30. 100A Ossington. lowerossingtontheatre.com/cabaret.

The Palimpsest Project 1.3 (re[public] in/decency/Free Fall ’12). Coman Poon and Erica Mott present a time-based performance/lecture. Mar 26 at 4 pm. Pwyc. gallerywest, 1172 Queen W. 416-913-7116, theatrecentre.org/freefall.

The Secret Life Of A Schoolmistress by Adrianna Prosser (Historic Zion Schoolhouse). A retiring schoolmistress tells stories of her life in an early 20th-century one-room schoolhouse. Mar 29-Apr 1. $22 (must reserve). 1091 Finch E. 416-395-7435, zionschool@toronto.ca.

The Unsung Sequel, Guilty Pleasures Edition (Special Features). The troupe combines music, movies and improv as they perform made-up sequels to films. Mar 31 at 9 pm. $5. John Candy Box Theatre, 70 Peter. specialfeaturesmusical@gmail.com.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler (V-Day at York). Female monologists tell real women’s stories of sex, love, rape and birth. Mar 29-31. $15-$20 (proceeds to North York Women’s Shelter and Women and Girls of Haiti). York University, Underground Bar, Student Centre, 4700 Keele. yorkuvaginamonologues.eventbrite.ca.

The Vindication Of Senyora Clito Mestres by Montserrat Roig (April Productions). A woman who loses her home and family finds salvation in her return to the theatre in this solo show. Mar 31 at 8:30 pm. $25. Isabel Bader Theatre, Backspace, 93 Charles W. 416-828-2390, systementertainment.com.

**The Wooster Group’s Version of Tennessee Williams’ Vieux Carré (The Wooster Group/Harbourfront World Stage). The NYC group uses theatre, video and sound in this radical interpretation of Williams’s autobiographical play. Opens Mar 28 and runs to Mar 31. $15-$45. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

The… Musician. An Etude (U of T Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies). This story of struggle, suffering and sacrifice is based on a 19th-century Russian novella by VG Korolenko. Mar 29-Apr 1. $10, Sun pwyc. Robert Gill Theatre, 214 College. 416-978-7986.

True Stories, Made Up Plays (Sage Tyrtle). Improv troupes act out plays based on true stories. Mar 31 at 10 pm. Free. Black Swan, 154 Danforth. tyrtle.com.

Untitled: A Clown’s Life (Red Sandcastle Theatre). A clown and a movie star switch places in this comedic play. Mar 29-Apr 1. $10, stu $8. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

Was Spring by Daniel MacIvor (Tarragon Theatre). Three women from different generations confront each other about an incident in their shared past. Previews Mar 27-Apr 3. Opens Apr 4 and runs to May 6. $24-$51. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

WeeTube 5400 (Theatre Replacement/Free Fall ’12). Notorious YouTube videos and the comments that are posted with them are the basis for this live performance. Mar 26-28. $20 (festival pass $23-$45). Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, freefall12.eventbrite.ca.

York Dances: Light In The Attic York U Dept of Dance presents 21 world premieres choreographed by third-year dance majors. Mar 29-30. $10. York University Accolade East Bldg, 4700 Keele. 416-736-5888.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*