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 October 24, 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.

**Bethune Imagined by Ken Gass (Factory Theatre). This drama looks at the medical pioneer and three women in his life. Previews Nov 13-17, Sat and Tue-Wed 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. 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.

Beyond The Moors (Shaista Latif/Sarah Behl). A different improvised show based on the novels of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters is performed each week. Opens Nov 6 and runs to Nov 27, Sat 8 pm. $15/show, 4-pack $50. Annex Theatre, 736 Bathurst. beyondthemoors.wordpress.com.

**Day Of The Dead (Consulate General of Mexico). This family-friendly cultural festival includes Mariachi music, exhibits, The Skulls of Posada’s dance/theatre creation, kids’ activities and more. Nov 6-7, see website for schedule. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Egad, the Woman in White by Tim Kelly. A psychiatrist tries to understand why a boy blinded six horses. Opens Nov 4 and runs to Nov 13, Thu-Sat 8 pm. Tranzac Club. 292 Brunswick Ave. (416) 923-8137. nagsplayers.com.

Equus by Peter Shaffer (Hart House Theatre). A psychiatrist tries to understand why a boy blinded six horses. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Nov 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Nov 27 at 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $10-$15. 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

**For You, Emmy by bekky O’Neil (Quality Slippers Productions). This puppet play looks at the life and work of puppeteer Emmy Hennings. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Nov 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20, stu $15. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. qualityslippers.ca.

**Ghetto Klown by John Leguizamo (WestBeth Entertainment). The actor performs his solo show about his life on stage and screen. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Nov 20, Mon-Sat 8 pm. $65. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.com.

Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet (Column 13 Actors Company). Real estate salesmen struggle to survive in their cutthroat industry. Opens Nov 3 and runs to Nov 13, Wed-Sat 8 pm. $16. Unit 102 Theatre, 46 Noble. 416-536-0048, column13.org.

Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen (Alumnae Theatre). A headstrong new bride wreaks havoc on all around her to keep her checkered past secret. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Nov 27, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, Wed 2-for-1, Sun pwyc. 70 Berkeley. 416-364-4170, alumnaetheatre.com.

Les Fridolinades by Gratien Gélinas (Théâtre français de Toronto/Théâtre Catapulte). Sketches, songs and monologues are used to examine French-Canadian society. Some performances with English surtitles. Previews Oct 27-28. Opens Oct 29 and runs to Nov 7, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mats Sun 2:30 pm (and Nov 6 at 3:30 pm). $33-$57, stu/srs $28-$57, Wed pwyc. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-534-6604, theatrefrancais.com.

Routes by Collin Doyle (Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People). A boy deals with violence in his home, school and community. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Nov 18, see website for schedule. $15-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, lktyp.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 Middle Place by Andrew Kushnir (Theatre Passe Muraille). Based on Project: Humanity interviews, the stories of homeless youth are brought to the stage. Previews Oct 21-23. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Nov 13, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm. $30-$35, preview $15, mat pwyc. 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

The State Of New York V Peter Pan by Paul Koster (Kelly Aija Zemnickis). The JM Barrie classic is mixed with TV’s Law & Order to solve the murder of Wendy in this comedy. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 14, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $10. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. 416-925-8898, breadandcircus.ca.

The Woman In Black by Stephen Mallatratt (East Side Players). An estate lawyer tries to exorcise demons from an old case involving a mysterious widow in this ghost story. Opens Oct 28 and runs to Nov 13, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $20, stu $15. Papermill Theatre, 67 Pottery. 416-425-0917, eastsideplayers.ca.

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.

Ti Jean And His Brothers by Derek Walcott (Theatre @ York). Three brothers in a tropical forest encounter the devil in this fable about colonialism. Previews Nov 7-8. Opens Nov 9 and runs to Nov 13, daily at 7:30 pm, mat Nov 10 and 12 at 1 pm. $17, stu/srs $12, previews $5. York University, Joseph G Green Studio, 4700 Keele. 416-736-5888, yorku.ca/perform.

**Unity (1918) by Kevin Kerr (Ryerson Theatre School). A small town in Saskatchewan is hit with the Spanish Flu after WWI. Previews Oct 20 at 8 pm. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Nov 13, see website for schedule. $18, stu/srs $14. Abrams Studio Theatre, 46 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.ca.

**Voice-Box by Julia Aplin, Anna Chatterton and Juliet Palmer (World Stage/urbanvessel). This multi-arts piece uses music, movement and boxing to look at perceptions of aggression in women. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Nov 14, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $15-$35. Harbourfront Centre, Brigantine Room, 235 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.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.

Already Reviewed by MoT

**A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (Soulpepper). This drama looks at a black family living in 1950s Chicago. Opens Oct 20 and runs to Nov 20, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, see website for additional performances. $40-$76, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

Acis And Galatea by GF Handel (Opera Atelier). The pastoral opera based on Ovid’s tale is performed in English. Opens Oct 30 and runs to Nov 7, Oct 30, Nov 2, 3, 5 and 6 at 7:30 pm, Nov 7 at 3 pm. $33-$146. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, operaatelier.com.

Death Of A Salesman by Arthur Miller (Soulpepper). Having lost his job in his twilight years, a man confronts his failure to achieve the American Dream. Previews Oct 16-20. Opens Oct 21 and runs to Nov 20, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 1:30 pm (see website for other times). $31.20-$75.33. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

**Lenin’s Embalmers by Vern Thiessen (Harold Green Jewish Theatre). Two scientists chosen to immortalize Lenin gain influence in this absurdist dark comedy. Previews Oct 30-31. Opens Nov 2 and runs to Nov 20, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, mats Wed and Sat 2 pm (see website for other days and times). $40.50-$64.50. MNJCC Al Green Theatre, 750 Spadina. 416-366-7723, hgjewishtheatre.com.

**Madhouse Variatons by Eric Woolfe (Eldritch Theatre). Horrific scenes from a mental asylum are re-enacted using puppets. Previews Oct 23-24. Opens Oct 26 and runs to Nov 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $20-$25, previews $15, Sun pwyc. Theatre Centre, 1087 Queen W. 416-538-0988, eldritchtheatre.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.

**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 Girls Who Saw Everything by Sean Dixon (Ryerson Theatre School). A book club explores life and death, love, identity and belonging through an ancient epic. Previews Oct 13 at 8 pm. Opens Oct 14 and runs to Nov 12, see website for schedule. $18, stu/srs $14. Abrams Studio Theatre, 46 Gerrard E. 416-979-5118, ryersontheatre.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.

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.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*