Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of April 14th, 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 May 11, 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, 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 Apr 10 and runs to Jun 1, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Belleville by Amy Herzog (Company Theatre/Canadian Stage). An unexpected event leads to stark revelations in the lives of young Americans living a seemingly perfect life in Paris. Previews Apr 6-9, Sun 2 pm, Tue-Wed 8 pm. Opens Apr 10 and runs to May 4, 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.

Burn This by Lanford Wilson (Sterling Studio Theatre). A tragic accident brings a woman, her roommate and the deceased’s brother together to reconsider their lives. Opens Apr 10 and runs to Apr 20, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $20. 163 Sterling, unit 5. sterlingstudiotheatre.com.

**Cock by Mike Bartlett (Studio 180 Theatre). A man breaks up with his boyfriend and falls for a woman in this comedic drama about identity. Previews Apr 4-5. Opens Apr 6 and runs to Apr 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, Wed 1:30 pm (no mat Apr 6). $25-$35, ltd Sun pwyc. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-872-1212, studio180theatre.com.

The Gigli Concert by Tom Murphy (Soulpepper). An unstable Irish millionaire hires an English self-help guru to teach him to sing like an opera star. Previews Mar 28-Apr 1. Opens Apr 2 and runs to May 16, see website for schedule. $29-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

**Hercules by George Frideric Handel (Canadian Opera Company). The Greek myth based on Sophocles’ tragedy is brought into the modern day. Opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 30, Apr 5 at 4:30 pm, Apr 11, 15, 19, 24 and 30 at 7:30 pm, Apr 27 at 2:30 pm. $12-$332. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

Shadows (Margo MacDonald). MacDonald’s play is based on the life of actor Eva LeGallienne, outed as a lesbian in 1930s New York City. Opens Apr 11 and runs to Apr 19, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Videofag, 187 Augusta. videofag.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-Jun 29, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 7:30 & 10 pm. $25-$29. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**Trudeau And The FLQ: The History Of The Village Of The Small Huts, 1963-1970 by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret/Soulpepper). This history play looks at the Quebec separatist movement and Trudeau’s pirouette to power. Previews Mar 27-Apr 2. Opens Apr 3 and runs to May 10, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Fri and Mon 1 pm, Wed 1:30 pm. $25-$55. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, videocab.com.

And the Rest…

Back End Burlesque (Red Herring Productions). Daytona Bitch hosts a showcase of burlesque, boylesque, drag, circus and more. Mar 19 at 9 pm. Apr 16 at 9 pm. May 21 at 9 pm. Jun 18 at 9 pm. $10. Crews/Tango, 508 Church. aprofessionaldistraction.com.

Beatrice & Virgil by Yann Martel (Factory Theatre/Canada’s National Arts Centre). A novelist meets a taxidermist who wants to write a play in this drama about horrific truths unearthed through art. Previews Apr 12-16. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 11, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (Sun preview at 7 pm) plus May 3 & 10 at 2 pm. $30-$45, preview $23, ltd pwyc Sun. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

BroadFish by Melissa D’Agostino (Harbourfront Centre HATCH/Praxis Theatre). In this fantastical multi-disciplinary show, a woman plans her wedding despite not having found a husband. Apr 19 at 8 pm. $12-$15. Harbourfront Centre, Studio Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Business As Usual by Viktor Lukawski, Adam Paolozza and Nicolas Di Gaetano (ZOU Theatre Company/Independent Creators Cooperative). Success and excess take a once-successful corporation off the rails and into chaos. Previews Apr 12-16. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 18, Thu-Sun see website for times (Runs in rep with Ralph + Lina and Death Married My Daughter). $23, 3-show pass $55. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, 3shows.ca.

Catch 23 Comedy Bar presents a weekly improv pit fight. Fri 8 pm. $10.945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

Coexis Dance Series 61 presents dance improvisers performing with AIM Toronto musicians. Apr 19 at 8 pm. $10. Array Space, 155 Walnut. coexisdance.wordpress.com.

Death Married My Daughter by Danya Buonastella, Dean Gilmour, Nina Gilmour and Michele Smith (Play it Again Productions/Independent Creators Cooperative). A bouffon-inspired satire puts Man on trial when Ophelia and Desdemona are resurrected. Previews Apr 12-16. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 18, Thu-Sun see website for times (Runs in rep with Ralph + Lina and Business As Usual). $23, 3-show pass $55. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, 3shows.ca.

Dinner With Goebbels by Mark Leith (act2studio WORKS). This political satire features an imagined meeting of Joseph Goebbels, Karl Rove and Edward Bernays. Opens Apr 9 and runs to Apr 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm (no shows Apr 18 & 20). $22. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. act2studio.ca.

Elephant Empire Comedy Bar presents the sketch troupe w/ Hannah Spear, Andrew Gardner, Matt Lemche and Peter Stevens, performing fast-paced sketch and a one-act play. Mar 5-May 28, Wed Wednesdays 8 pm. $8. 945 Bloor W. 416-551-6540, comedybar.ca.

The Foolish Cabaret (Foo Productions). This cabaret features emerging and established clown, bouffon, mask and mime artists. Apr 14 at 8 pm. $10.Unit 102, 376 Dufferin. fooproductions.com.

Frozen by Bryony Lavery (EN(LIVE)N Productions). Three lives intertwine in an exploration of the human capacity for forgiveness, remorse and change. Previews Apr 1-4, Fri and Tue 8 pm. Opens Apr 5 and runs to Apr 20, Fri-Mon 8 pm (except Apr 20 at 2 pm). $25, Mon/previews pwyc ($20 adv). The Box Studio, rm 103, 89 Niagara. frozen.brownpapertickets.com.

A God In Need Of Help by Sean Dixon (Tarragon Theatre). In 1606, four Catholics carrying a holy painting across the Alps are attacked by Protestant zealots and attribute their escape to divine intervention. Previews Apr 16-22. Opens Apr 23 and runs to May 25, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun mats 2:30 pm (and Apr 26, May 3 and 10). $21-$53, 8 pm, Apr 26 pwyc, Fri-Sat rush $13. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

The Glitter Roadshow 2014 (Heels On Wheels). The performance art cabaret features acts of resistance by queer artists Damien Luxe, Heather Acs, Shomi Noise, Angel Nafis and others. Apr 14 at 7 pm. $7-$15. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. 416-923-8137, heelsonwheelsroadshow.com.

Hedwig And The Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell (Lower Ossington Theatre). In this musical comedy, an East German transgender musician moves to America to start a rock band and find love. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 10, Thu-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8 and 11 pm. $49. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, tickets.ticketwise.ca/event/3818391.

Of Human Bondage by Vern Thiessen (Soulpepper). W Somerset Maugham’s novel is adapted for the stage in a tale of loss, lust, obsession and the pursuit of beauty. Previews Apr 15-23. Opens Apr 24 and runs to May 17, see website for schedule. $23-$74, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

The Last Confession by Roger Crane (Mirvish). This thriller explores the mystery shrouding the sudden death of Pope John Paul I in 1978. Previews Apr 19-26. Opens Apr 27 and runs to Jun 1, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (no mat Apr 19). $35-$119. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown (Big Benn Productions). Two 20-something New Yorkers spend five years falling in and out of love in this musical. Apr 10-19, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $25-$30. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. thelastfiveyears.brownpapertickets.com.

Lunacy Cabaret: Bunnarchy (Zero Gravity Circus). This vaudeville-style cabaret features clown, circus, comedy, music and more. Apr 19 at 9 pm. $20-$25. Centre of Gravity, 1300 Gerrard E. lunacycabaret.com.

Morro And Jasp Go Green (U.N.I.T. Productions/Harbourfront Spring Fling Festival). The clown sisters embark on a journey to reduce their ecological footprint. Apr 18-20, Fri-Sun 1 pm. Free.Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Mother by the graduating class (Humber Theatre/Save Me a Seat Productions). Gender roles and relationships are challenged when a community is rocked by an unearthly event. Opens Apr 16 and runs to Apr 19, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $15, stu/srs $10, mat pwyc. Theatre PasseMuraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.

Nuts by Tom Topor (Scarborough Theatre Guild). An escort fights a psychiatrist’s ruling that she’s mentally unfit to stand trial for manslaughter. Opens Apr 3 and runs to Apr 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Apr 13 & 19 at 2 pm (no eve show Apr 19). $20, stu/srs $17.Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

A One Night Stand With Shaw (Never Wrestle With Pigs). The emerging artist collective presents four short, lesser-known plays by George Bernard Shaw. Opens Apr 18 and runs to Apr 26, Thu-Mon 8 pm. $15, Mon $10. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. secureaseat.com.

Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire (Alumnae Theatre Company). A couple searches for comfort after an accident turns their world upside-down. Opens Apr 11 and runs to Apr 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, pwyc Sun. Alumnae Theatre, 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Ralph + Lina by Michele Smith, Dan Watson and Christina Serra (Ahuri Theatre/Independent Creators Cooperative). Two Italian lovers struggle to stay together in the face of WWII, forced immigration and old age. Previews Apr 12-16. Opens Apr 17 and runs to May 18, Thu-Sun see website for times (Runs in rep with Death Married My Daughter and Business As Usual). $23, 3-show pass $55. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen W. 416-538-0988, 3shows.ca.

Rent by Jonathan Larson (Lower Ossington Theatre). NYC artists struggle to make ends meet in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic in this musical. Opens Apr 3 and runs to May 25, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, Sun 4 pm. $49-$59. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Ring Around The Moon by Jean Anouilh (George Brown College Theatre School). Twin brothers, an heiress, a ballet dancer and others scheme and seek love in a French chateau. Opens Apr 9 and runs to Apr 19, see website for schedule. $18, srs $12 stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams (George Brown College Theatre School). A reclusive widow is drawn out by a man who reminds her of her late Sicilian husband. Opens Apr 8 and runs to Apr 20, see website for schedule. $18, srs $12 stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Singular Sensation: A Music Theatre Open Mic (Jennifer Walls). Sing showtunes with a live band and see previews of upcoming works at this weekly show. Mar 17-Jun 30, Mon 10 pm. Free. Statler’s, 487 Church. 416-922-0487.

Soliciting Temptation by Erin Shields (Tarragon Theatre). A meeting for sex in a hotel room turns into a discussion on morality, economics and desire. Previews Apr 1-8. Opens Apr 9 and runs to May 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $27-$53, previews $21-$25, rush $13. Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

The Sound Of Music by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Lower Ossington Theatre). An aspiring nun leaves the order to govern the children of an Austrian officer in this musical. Opens Apr 10 and runs to May 3, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $39-$69. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Spring Fling Festival Harbourfront Centre and Waterfront BIA present a celebration of spring with dance workshops and a performance of Prince Rama In The Wilderness by MenakaThakkar Dance Company. Apr 18-20, see website for schedule. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Sunday Night Live The Sketchersonspresent a weekly sketch and live music show. Sun 9 pm. $10. Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor W. comedybar.ca.

Young Frankenstein by Mel Brooks, Irving Berlin and Thomas Meehan (Curtain Call Players). The doctor’s grandson inherits the family castle and repeats the old experiments in this musical comedy based on the 1974 film. Opens Apr 17 and runs to Apr 25, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $26. Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-703-6181, curtaincallplayers.com.

Play listings based on NOW stage listings.