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 March 7, 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. Previews Feb 17-22. 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.

Barrymore by William Luce (Barrymore Entertainment Limited). Christopher Plummer portrays legendary actor John Barrymore as he struggles with the role of Richard III and looks back on his life. Previews Jan 27-29. Opens Jan 31 and runs to Mar 9, Fri-Sat and Mon-Wed 8 pm. $55-$120. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, barrymoretheplay.com.

**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. Previews Feb 1-28. 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.

More Fine Girls by Jennifer Brewin, Leah Cherniak, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Alisa Palmer and Martha Ross (Theatre Columbus). Three sisters reunite over a family crisis ten years after a party drove them apart. Previews Feb 22-Mar 10. Opens Mar 11 and runs to Apr 3, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm (no mats during previews). $23-$46, rush $10. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

South Pacific by Rodgers & Hammerstein (Dancap/Lincoln Center Theater). Love blooms on an island paradise during WWII in this musical. Opens Feb 15 and runs to Apr 10, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1 pm. $35-$190. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.

The Fantasticks by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones (Soulpepper). The children of feuding neighbours fall in love in this musical. Previews Feb 8-12. Opens Feb 14 and runs to Mar 24, see website for days and times. $45-$60, stu $28; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

The Middle Place by Andrew Kushnir (Canadian Stage). Based on Project: Humanity interviews, the stories of homeless youth are brought to the stage. Previews Feb 14-16. Opens Feb 17 and runs to Mar 12, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

The Secret Garden by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon (Edinburgh Festival Theatre/Mirvish). An orphan makes a magical discovery in this musical adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel. Previews Feb 8-12. Opens Feb 13 and runs to Mar 20, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $40-$110. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**Wit’s End III: Love Life (Sandra Shamas). Shamas performs the third instalment of her solo show about her life in rural Ontario. Previews Feb 16-18. Opens Feb 19 and runs to Mar 13, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$65. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, ticketmaster.ca.

**Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang (Hart House Theatre/fu-GEN Asian Theatre). Mistaken racial identities collide with family, media and politics in this comedy. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 12 at 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $10-$15. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

…and the rest

A Conversation With David Henry Hwang (U of T Arts Council Speakers in the Arts Series). The playwright speaks about his work, life and philosophies. Mar 8 at 7 pm. $10, stu/srs $5. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

A Hamburger In A Pita by Nina Shenhav (TEATRON Theatre). Tensions arise when two secular Jewish families from different cultures become neighbours in this comedy. Previews Mar 2 at 1 pm. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 13, Tue-Thu and Sun 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $31-$48, stu/srs $19-$30. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-781-5527, teatrontheatre.com.

Alice In Wonderland based on the novel by Lewis Carroll (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). Puppetry and masks are used in this adaptation of the classic fairy tale. Previews Mar 1. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 19, see website for schedule. $10-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.ca.

Are You Okay (Peggy Baker Dance Projects/Necessary Angel). Dancer Peggy Baker and playwright Michael Healey perform a dance/theatre piece about art and aging. Previews Mar 1-3. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, previews $15; Mar 6 pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, peggybakerdance.com.

**Brothel #9 by Anusree Roy (Factory Theatre). A young woman strives to take control of her life after she is sold to a Calcutta brothel. Previews Feb 26-Mar 2. Opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm (7 pm during previews). $25-$40, previews $15, Sun pwyc. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Don Quixote The National Ballet of Canada presents its version of the archetypal romance story. Opens Mar 9 and runs to Mar 13, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Thu and Sat-Sun 2 pm. $24-$227. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

Double Door by Elizabeth McFadden (Scarborough Theatre Guild). A tyrannical heiress torments her relatives and her brother’s fiancée. Opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 19, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mats Mar 13 and 19 at 2 pm. $17, stu/srs $14, stu rush $10. Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston. 416-267-9292, theatrescarborough.com.

Good Mourning Mrs Brown by Brendan O’Carroll (Mirvish). A feisty Irish grandma and her offspring play a trick on her brooding husband in this comedy. Previews Mar 8. Opens Mar 9 and runs to Mar 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $25-$75. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**Head A Tete by David S Craig and Robert Morgan (Theatre Direct). Two strangers who speak different languages take shelter from a storm under a magical fruit tree. Opens Mar 7 at 7 pm. Mar 14-19 daily at 11 am and 2 pm. $10-$15. Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie. 416-537-4191, theatredirect.ca.

Luisa Fernanda by Moreno Torroba (Toronto Operetta Theatre). Two men battle for a woman’s affection in this zarzuela. Opens Mar 9 and runs to Mar 13, Fri-Sat and Wed 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $52-$78. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, torontooperetta.com.

**Mahmoud by Tara Grammy (Pandemic Theatre). An Iranian engineer tells the story of his life while working as a cabbie in Toronto in this solo show. Previews Mar 3. Opens Mar 4 and runs to Mar 13, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25, stu $20, Sun pwyc. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. pandemictheatre.ca.

Older & Reckless MOonhORsE Dance Theatre presents works by Keiko Kitano, Sarah Bild with Susanna Hood, Carol Anderson and others. Mar 12-13, Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm. $20, stu/srs $18. Dancemakers Centre for Creation, 55 Mill. 416-504-6429 ext 30.

Piff Paff Poof (Magicana). Magicians and a mischievous rabbit perform an interactive show for kids aged 5 to 12. Opens Mar 5 and runs to Mar 27, Sat-Sun 3 pm (amd Mar 14-18 daily). $25. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-913-9034, piffpaffpoof.com.

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 (additional performances Mar 14 and 15). $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.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.

**The Absolutely Positively Completely Made Up Show Second City presents interactive, family-friendly improv and sketch. Mar 5-12, Sat 11 am. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Mar 19, Mon-Sat 11 am. Opens Mar 26 and runs to Apr 30, Sat 11 am. $12. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Diary Of Anne Frank adapted by Wendy Kesselman (Shakespeare in Action). The story of a Jewish girl and her family hiding from the Nazis is adapted for the stage. Previews Feb 23-28. Opens Mar 1 and runs to Mar 13, see website for schedule. $15, stu/srs $12. Central Commerce CI, 570 Shaw. 416-703-4881, shakespeareinaction.org.

The Enslavement And Liberation Of Oksana G. by Colleen Murphy and Aaron Gervais (Tapestry New Opera). A young girl lured into sex trafficking escapes to Italy in this opera vérité, sung in Ukrainian, Russian and English. Mar 9-10, Wed-Thu 7:30 pm. $25, stu $20. Ernest Balmer Studio, 55 Mill, bldg 58, studio 315. 416-537-6066, tapestrynewopera.com.

The Long Red Road by Brett C Leonard (Column 13 Actors Company). Two brothers reunite years after a tragic accident led them to different paths. Opens Mar 2 and runs to Mar 12, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $18. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, column13.org.

The Possibilities by Howard Barker (University College Drama Program at U of T). Ten vignettes about beauty, pain, violence and sexuality unfold at an internet cafe. Opens Mar 8 and runs to Mar 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm. $15, stu/srs $10. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, 79A St. George. uc.utoronto.ca/drama.

**This Party’s A Riot Second City presents a new show poking fun at the ever-changing world we live in. In previews, opens Mar 8. Tue-Sat 8 pm (plus Sat late show 10:30 pm), Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**Tombs Of The Vanishing Indian by Marie Clements (Native Earth Performing Arts/Red Diva Projects). Three Aboriginal sisters and their mother deal with issues of identity and isolation after a forced relocation. Previews Mar 9. Opens Mar 10 and runs to Mar 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $25, Fri & Sun pwyc. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, nativeearth.ca.

Year 25 Vigil (Humber Theatre). Graduating students perform a work based on Margaret Atwood’s The Year Of The Flood, about a dystopian future society. Opens Mar 3 and runs to Mar 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Mar 12 at 2 pm. $17. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, artsboxoffice.ca.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*