Eye-catching Toronto live theatre for the week of November 21, 2010

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen (Alumnae Theatre). Ibsen’s 19th-century classic about an unhappily married woman is re-imagined by Judith Thompson. 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.

Kosher Lutherans by William Missouri Downs (TEATRON Theatre). A Jewish couple pose as Lutherans to adopt a young woman’s baby. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Nov 21, Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $26-$48. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-781-5527, teatrontheatre.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.

**Play Reading Week (Tarragon Theatre). New plays by d’bi.young, Asha Jain and Ravi Jain, Don Hannah, Deborah Pearson, Matthew Heiti and others get a staged reading. Opens Nov 21 and runs to Nov 27, Mon-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. Free. Near Studio, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

**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.

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 Carnegie Hall Show (The National Theatre of the World). presents a weekly comedy variety show. November 24th show features Nicholas Lemon’s puppet Weird Al medley. Wed 9:30 pm. Pwyc. Bread & Circus, 299 Augusta. thecarnegiehallshow.com.

**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.

Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre

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.

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.

**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.

Private Eyes by Steven Dietz (Rogue and Peasant Theatre). A man worries that his wife is deceiving him in this comedy. Opens Nov 11 and runs to Nov 21, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2 pm. $15-$20, Sun pwyc. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, roguetheatre.org.

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.

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.

**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*