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 14, 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.

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.

**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.

**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. $25-$40, previews $15, Sun pwyc. 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

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. $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 Mar 20, 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 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.

**THIS PARTY’S A RIOT Second City presents a new show poking fun at the ever-changing world we live in. 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.

**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 Apr 3, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $25-$65. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, ticketmaster.ca.

… and all rest!

‘ART’ by Yasmina Reza (Stage Centre Productions). The purchase of an expensive modernist painting tests the limits of friendship. Opens Mar 10 and runs to Mar 19, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $27.50, stu/srs $22. Fairview Library, 35 Fairview Mall. 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com.

**ALICE IN WONDERLAND based on the novel by Lewis Carroll (Théâtre Tout à Trac). 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. Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.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.

**FOOLISH TALES FOR FOOLISH TIMES by David Powell and Ann Powell (Puppetmongers Theatre). Four stories about human blunders are told in this family puppet show. Opens Mar 14 and runs to Mar 19, Mon-Sat 2 pm. $10-$12. unit 219, 401 Logan. 416-469-3555, foolish-tales.eventbrite.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.

GROUCH ON A COUCH by Jeff Cottrill (Agawa Sapphire Productions). Cottrill performs his solo comedy about anger issues and pop culture. Mar 17-20, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 6 pm. $10.Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. breadandcircus.ca.

**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.

**I MARCUS GARVEY by Edgar Nkosi White (Theatre Archipelago/b current). This drama looks at the life and activism of the Jamaican national hero. Previews Mar 11-15. Opens Mar 16 and runs to Mar 27, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$35. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-533-1500, theatrearchipelago.ca.

MONTPARNASSE by Maev Beaty and Erin Shields (Groundwater Productions). Art, voyeurism, nudity and ego are explored in this look at artist models of 20s Paris. Previews Mar 17-20. Opens Mar 22 and runs to Apr 2, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

MORRO AND JASP GONE WILD by Heather Marie Annis and Amy Lee (U.N.I.T. Productions). Two clown sisters go on a Spring Break coming-of-age trip. Previews Mar 15. Opens Mar 16 and runs to Mar 26, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm. $20, preview/mats pwyc (totix.ca). Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, morroandjasp.com.

**NEW IDEAS FESTIVAL 2011 (Alumnae Theatre). The annual showcase of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre features plays and staged readings. Week 1 (Mar 9-12): works by MP Fedunkiw, Neale Kimmel, Brianne Hogan, Niall O’Reilly and JP Larocque. Week 2 (Mar 16-19): works by Flora Stohr-Danziger, Richard Ballon, Francine Dick, Kelsey Blair and Betty Jane Wylie. Week 3 (Mar 23-26): works by Rosemary Doyle, Neale Kimmel, Nicholas Sgouros, David Nicholson and Betty Jane Wylie. Opens Mar 9 and runs to Mar 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm (readings Sat at noon). $15, pass $35, Sat readings pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

ONEGIN National Ballet of Canada presents John Cranko’s adaptation of Pushkin’s novel. Mar 17-20, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $24-$227. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

**PAPER SERIES by David Yee (Cahoots Theatre Company). Various situations examine how we use paper to create, amuse, define and communicate. Previews Mar 18-19. Opens Mar 21 and runs to Apr 9, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $10-$30. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, cahoots.ca.

**PAPRIKA FESTIVAL (Tarragon Theatre). This festival presents new works by emerging artists in theatre, live music, comedy, cabaret performances, staged readings and workshops. Opens Mar 18 and runs to Mar 26, daily at 7 pm, mats Mar 19, 23 and 26 at 1 pm. Free. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, paprikafestival.com.

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 (and Mar 14-18 daily). $25. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-913-9034, piffpaffpoof.com.

PURIM FAMILY MUSICAL (Beth Tzedec Congregation). Music, dance and theatre with a Roaring 20s theme is performed in this community production. Mar 17-20, Thu 7:30 pm, Sun 1:30 and 7 pm. $10-$36. 1700 Bathurst. 416-781-3511.

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.

SPIN by Evalyn Parry (OutSpoke Productions). Music, narration and projections are used to portray the bicycle as an instrument of social change. Previews Mar 15 at 8 pm. Opens Mar 16 and runs to Mar 26, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $20, stu $16, preview $15. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

SPOTLIGHT.ITALY (Istituto Italiano di Cultura/Canadian Stage). Italian music, dance, theatre and art are presented to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy’s reunification. Opens Mar 15 and runs to Mar 26, see website for schedule. $32. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-921-3802, canadianstage.com/italy.

THE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY COMPLETELY MADE UP SHOW Second City presents interactive, family-friendly improv and sketch. Opens Mar 12 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 LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE by CS Lewis (Lower Ossington Theatre). The fairy tale from The Chronicles Of Narnia is presented on stage. Opens Mar 15 and runs to Mar 20, Sat-Sun and Tue 11 am, Wed-Fri 1 pm. Mar 26-27 at 11 am. $18. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lionwitchwardrobe.eventbrite.com.

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.

**THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE by William Saroyan (Soulpepper). Various characters speak of their dreams in a Depression-era San Francisco bar. Previews Mar 16-17. Opens Mar 18 and runs to Apr 16, see website for schedule. $45-$60, stu $28; rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**THE WITCH OF EDMONTON by William Rowley, Thomas Dekker and John Ford (Theatre @ York). The Jacobean drama is set in 1950s America and looks at how society treats non-conformists. Previews Mar 20-21. Opens Mar 22 and runs to Mar 26, nightly at 7:30 pm, mats Wed and Fri 1 pm. $17, stu/srs $12, previews $5. York University Accolade E Bldg, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre, 4700 Keele. 416-736-5888, yorku.ca/perform.

**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.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*