Caught Our Eye Playlistings for the Week of November 28th

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 November 28th, 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

300 Tapes (Public Recordings/Alberta Theatre Projects). Three performers use movement and sounds to bring taped archives to life. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 12, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $22, stu/srs $15. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, theatrecentre.org.

**Asiansploitation Spanks The Tiger – The Director’s Cut (Asiansploitation). presents their hit sketch comedy revue from the Fringe. Dec 2-4, Thu-Sat 8 pm. $15-$18. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

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.

**Abraham Lincoln Va Au Théâtre by Larry Tremblay (Théâtre français de Toronto). A director seeks to re-enact the famous assassination in this play about American society. Opens Nov 24 and runs to Nov 28, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $33-$57, stu/srs $28-$57, Wed pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com

**An Unexpected Evening Of Shakespeare (Against the Grain Theatre). Dramatic and operatic excerpts of works inspired and written by the Bard are performed. Dec 1 at 8 pm. Pwyc. Heliconian Hall, 35 Hazelton. againstthegraintheatre.com.

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.

Binti’s Journey adapted by Marcia Johnson (Theatre Direct). A young African girl seeks her grandmother after losing her family to HIV/AIDS. Opens Nov 20 and runs to Dec 4, Sat 4 and 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $10-$15. Wychwood Theatre, 76 Wychwood. 416-537-4191 ext 224, theatredirect.ca.

Frankie And Johnny In The Clair De Lune by Terrence McNally (Apuka Theatre). A man and a woman debate if their date is more than a one-night stand. Opens Nov 24 and runs to Nov 28, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm. Pwyc. Suite 223, 276 Carlaw. apukatheatre.AD@gmail.com.

**Impromptu Splendor (National Theatre of the World). An improvised play is presented in the style of Tony Kushner. Nov 28, Playreading Series at 7:30 pm, show at 9 pm. $12. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. thenationaltheatreoftheworld.com.

Last Dance by Sedina Fiati (Diva Day Productions). Fiati performs a workshop of her solo cabaret about love, dance and acceptance. Opens Nov 26 and runs to Dec 4, Fri-Sat 8 pm. $10. Turning Point Fitness, 593 Yonge. sedinashow.webs.com.

Little Women: The Broadway Musical by Allan Knee, Jason Howland and Mindi Dickstein (Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts). This musical is based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 4, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $22 (Dec 2: Sunnybrook Foundation benefit $75). Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 416-872-1111, randolphacademy.com.

**Paprika Festival Does Double Digits (Paprika Festival). Past works by Rosamund Small, Damien Atkins, Johnnie Walker and others are performed. Nov 28 at 8 pm. $20. Tarragon Theatre, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, paprikafestival.com.

**Paradise By The River by Vittorio Rossi (Shadowpath Theatre). This drama looks at the internment of Italian-Canadian men during WWII. Opens Nov 25 and runs to Dec 5, Thu-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, shadowpaththeatre.ca.

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 Dec 26, Sat 11 am and 1 pm, Sun 1 pm. $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.

**Roshni by Anusree Roy (Theatre Passe Muraille). Two youths beg, steal and dream of a better life at a Calcutta train station. Previews Nov 18-20. Opens Nov 24 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

**The Cure For Everything by Maja Ardal (Theatre Passe Muraille). Ardal’s character from You Fancy Yourself returns as a teenager in this solo show. Previews Nov 10-13. Opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 4, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

The Heretic by Lea Daniel (Foundry Theatre Company). Daniel’s play about an independent woman in medieval France gets a reading. Nov 29 at 7 pm. Pwyc. The Rearview Mirror, 193 Baldwin. firstdrafttoronto@gmail.com.

The One-Man Hit Parade (Mirvish). Impressionist/comedian André-Philippe Gagnon presents a multimedia music and comedy show. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 5, Fri-Sat and Wed 8 pm, Thu 7 pm, Sun 2 pm. $50-$99. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**The Silicone Diaries by Nina Arsenault (Buddies in Bad Times Theatre). Transsexual Arsenault performs her solo show about cosmetic surgery. Opens Nov 25 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $19-$33. 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.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. Opens Nov 25 and 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 Sweetest Sounds (Acting Up Stage). Songs from Rodgers to Guettel are performed by Adrian Marchuk, Sara Farb and others. Nov 28 at 7 pm. $25-$45. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-872-1111, tocentre.com.

The Tempest And The Birch Tree by Jonathan Kline (Theatre Caravel). The memory play about a messy divorce gets a workshop production. Nov 28 at 8:30 pm. Pwyc. Harbord House, Upstairs, 150 Harbord. theatrecaravel.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 Smash Reading Series (Theatre Smash). Three new plays get a reading, plus an announcement of the fall 2011 lineup. Dec 2-4 at 7 pm. $15. Tarragon Theatre, Rehearsal Hall, 30 Bridgman. theatresmash.com.

Already Reviewed by MoT

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.

**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.

Swing In The Night: A Vaudeville Cabaret (Ladyluck Productions). This cabaret features burlesque, music, acrobats, comedy and more. Opens Nov 14 and runs to Nov 28, Sun 7 pm. $25-$30. Revival, 783 College. ladyluckproductions.ca.

**Spent by Michele Smith, Dean Gilmour, Ravi Jain and Adam Paolozza (Theatre Smith-Gilmour/Why Not Theatre/TheatreRUN). This blend of clown and physical comedy takes an absurd look at the financial crisis. Opens Oct 29 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $18-$28, stu/srs $15-$24, Sun pwyc. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

**The Great War: The History Of The Village Of The Small Huts, 1914-1918 by Michael Hollingsworth (VideoCabaret). This satire looks at conquest and the absurdity of war. Previews Oct 26-28. Opens Oct 29 and runs to Dec 5, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$30. Cameron House, 408 Queen W. 416-703-1725, videocab.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.

Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman (Mirvish). The hit musical revealing the backstory of the witches of Oz returns. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 28, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$129. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.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*