Trending in Theatre This Week: Toronto’s best comedy

By Brianne Hogan

The Second City National Touring Company presents The Best of Second City this week

This week The Second City’s talented National Touring Company presents some of the comedy institution’s funniest material from the past 50 years, as well as some original and spontaneous jokes inspired by the audience’s suggestions.
The Second City Mainstage, 51 Mercer St., 416-343-0011. Aug. 24 @ 11 p.m.

The 13th edition of this three-day awards festival, which zips across the city’s hottest comedy venues, showcases various nominees such as Jape, Falcon Powder and Ron Sparks, among others.
Various locations. Tickets can be ordered here. Aug. 23 - 26.

Comedy and sci-fi nerds will finally join as one with The Bad Dog Theatre Company’s live, unscripted comedy based on Dungeons and Dragons, which features 14 of Toronto’s best improvisers. Here’s hoping someone rolls a natural 20.
Comedy Bar, 945 Bloor St. W., 416-551-6540. Aug. 22 - Sept. 19.

He’ll always be Rick James to us, but we’re still super excited to see what the unpredictable comic has up his sleeve with his new comedy shows. Good luck getting a ticket though.
Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-985-5000. Now - Aug. 22.

The annual amateur comedian competition is back this summer, and this week hosts the semi-finals, as comedians like Jessica Beaulieu, DJ Demers and Diana Bailey, compete for a $1000 grand prize.
918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media & Education, 918 Bathurst St., 416-538-0868. Aug. 20 - 30.