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 December 12th, 2010:
** 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.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). The classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 30, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm (to Dec 23; see website for mats and holiday schedule). $40-$76, stu
$32; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum by Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart and Stephen Sondheim (Mirvish/Stratford Festival). A sly Roman slave plots to win his freedom in this musical comedy. Opens Dec 15 and runs to Jan 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (Dec 24 & 31 shows at 2 pm; no shows Dec 25 & Jan 1). $40-$120. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. mirvish.com.
**Buzz (Theatre Passe Muraille). Projects in development by Michael Wheeler, Jordi Mand, Lex Vaughn, Raoul Bhaneja, Kate Hennig and others are presented for audience input. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Dec 16, Mon-Thu
7:30 pm. By donation. 16 Ryerson. passemuraille.on.ca.
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin (Big League Productions/Dancap). The animated holiday classic is adapted for the stage. Opens Dec 17 and runs to Jan 2, see website for schedule (no shows Dec 24-25). $25-$74. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-872-2262, sonycentre.ca.
Honk Jr by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Toronto Youth Theatre). Based on The Ugly Duckling, this all-ages musical looks at finding love and acceptance. Opens Dec 9 and runs to Dec 19, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $30 (ticketweb.ca). Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747 ext 221, torontoyouththeatre.org.
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 Oct 9 and runs to May 29, Sat-Sun 1 pm (holiday shows Dec 20-22 and 27-29 at 11 am and 1 pm). $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.
**Sharron’s Holiday Party (Studio 5040). Sharron Matthews performs a holiday-themed cabaret. Dec 16 at 8 pm. $25. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, studio5040cabarets.com.
**Tea At The Palace by Ann Powell and David Powell (Puppetmongers). This family-friendly puppet show features a retelling of two Russian folk tales. Opens Dec 18 and runs to Jan 1, daily at 2 pm, plus Dec 29-30 at 4:30 pm (no shows Dec 20 and 25). $18, stu/srs $13, Jan 1 gala $30. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, puppetmongers.com.
**The Drowsy Chaperone by Bob Martin, Don McKellar, Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison (CATS Mainstage Theatre Company). A Broadway producer tries to thwart a starlet’s plan to get married and quit showbiz in this musical. Opens Dec 15 and runs to Dec 19, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 1:30 pm. $20-$30. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, catsmainstage.com.
The Gingerbread Guy (Cow Over Moon). This interactive, musical show for ages 4 and up is based on the classic fairy tale. Opens Dec 14 and runs to Dec 19, Tue-Fri 11 am, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Clarke Memorial Hall, 161 Lakeshore W. 905-510-8210, cowovermoon.ca.
The Rock Is Born: A Christmas Musical (Catch the Fire). This version of the nativity story is set in present-day Toronto. Opens Dec 12 and runs to Dec 17, Fri and Sun 7 pm. $10. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. breadandcircus.ca.
The Snow Queen by Jody Terio and Scott White (Little Red Theatre). This play for ages 4 and up is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Dec 17 at 1:15 pm. $5. Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston. 416-533-8848.
The War On Christmas (Les Coquettes). The burlesque troupe performs a 40s-style revue. Dec 12, two shows at 7 and 9:30 pm. $20-$30. Revival, 783 College. lescoquettes.com.
The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz by L Frank Baum (Civic Light Opera Company). This musical is based on the classic children’s novel. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 19, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun (and Dec 18) at 2 pm. $25. Fairview Library Theatre, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.
Theatre Rusticle Holiday Cocktail Party (Theatre Rusticle). This funder for the company and the Actors Fund of Canada features music, members of Artfarm and more. Dec 12 at 7 pm. $15. The Wilson 96, 615 College. theatrerusticle.org.
There’s A Mouse In My House by Carrie Costello (Carousel Players/Theatre Direct). A mouse convinces two kids to let her stay in their home in this play for ages 4 and up. Dec 18-19 at 11 am and 2 pm. $10-$15. Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood. 416-537-4191 ext 224, theatredirect.ca.
Victim Of Circumstance (IMPACT Theatre). The audience participates in this forum theatre show about justice and revenge after a trial. Dec 17-19, Fri-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm. Pwyc. Annex Theatre, 730 Bathurst. impacttheatre.wordpress.com.
Vivacity (U for Change). The program to help St. James Town youth through arts presents a showcase of music, dance, spoken word, theatre and more. Dec 16-18 at 7 pm. Free. Winchester Street Theatre, 80 Winchester. u4change.ca.
Already reviewed by Mooney on Theatre
**A Year With Frog And Toad by Robert Reale and Willie Reale (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). Cheerful Frog and grumpy Toad go through the four seasons in this play for kids. Previews Nov 15-17. Opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 30, see website for schedule. $10-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.
**Beauty And The Beast: The Savagely Silly Family Musical by Lorna Wright and Nicholas Hune-Brown (Ross Petty Productions). A Faustian deal leads to trouble in this farcical version of the fairy tale. Previews Nov 25-Dec 1. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Jan 1, Thu-Sat 7 pm, see website for other times. $27-$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, rosspetty.com.
Bethune Imagined by Ken Gass (Factory Theatre). This drama looks at the medical pioneer and three women in his life. Previews Nov 13-17. Opens Nov 18 and runs to Dec 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$40, previews $15, Sun pwyc. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.
Mojo by Jez Butterworth (Ezra’s Atlantic Co-op). This dark comedy looks at the backrooms of the British rock scene in the late 50s. Previews Nov 30-Dec 1. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 19, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $15-$20. 326 Carlaw. torontomojo@gmail.com.
**Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott (Mirvish). Three friends take a battered bus across the Australian outback, looking for love and friendship. Previews Oct 12-24. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Jan 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $20-$130. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Rock Of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo (Mirvish). This arena-rock love story takes place LA’s Sunset Strip and features hits from the 80s. Previews Apr 20-May 9. Opens May 11 and runs to Jan 2, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $28-$99. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.
Shakespeare: If Music Be (The Art of Time Ensemble) Dec 9-11, 2010. The company is presenting three shows in February, March and May, and concert packages are available. Tickets are $25 to $59, with multi-show packages as low as $66. Shows are performed at the Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto. www.artoftimeensemble.com
Studies In Motion: The Hauntings Of Eadweard Muybridge by Kevin Kerr (Canadian Stage Company/Electric Company Theatre). This play looks at the life and work of the 19th-century photographer. Previews Nov 22-24. Runs to Dec 18, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$99. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com
The Year Of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (Tarragon Theatre). A woman deals with the sudden loss of her husband and child in this drama. Previews Nov 2-6. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$44, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
**Wide Awake Hearts by Brendan Gall (Tarragon Theatre). A suspicious producer casts his wife and his best friend as lovers in his latest film. Previews Nov 2-9. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Dec 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $23-$44, Fri & Sun rush $10. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.
*Listings based on NOW stage listings*