Caught our Eye Playlistings for the Week of December 19th

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 December 12th, 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 Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum by Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart and Stephen Sondheim (Mirvish/Stratford Festival). A sly Roman slave plots to win his freedom in this musical comedy. Opens Dec 15 and runs to Jan 16, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (Dec 24 & 31 shows at 2 pm; no shows Dec 25 & Jan 1). $40-$120. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. mirvish.com.

Free To Be You And Me (Lower Ossington Theatre). Songs and skits for all ages emphasize individuality, diversity and self esteem. Opens Dec 20 and runs to Dec 30, Mon-Thu (and Jan 2) 3 pm, plus Dec 30 at noon. $29.50, family 4-pack $100. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

Happyview P.S. by Michael McMurtry and Derek Williams (Spicy Mike Productions). The audience plays the role of students at a school assembly in this family comedy. Opens Dec 20 and runs to Dec 30, Mon-Thu (and Jan 2) 1:30 pm. $24.50, family 4-pack $80. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**Honk Jr by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Toronto Youth Theatre). Based on The Ugly Duckling, this all-ages musical looks at finding love and acceptance. Opens Dec 9 and runs to Dec 19, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun 3:30 pm. $30 (ticketweb.ca). Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747 ext 221, torontoyouththeatre.org.

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (Stage West). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Opens Nov 25 and runs to Feb 13, Tue-Sat 6:30 pm, Sun 5 pm, mats Wed and Sun 11 am. $53-$88 (includes buffet). 5400 Dixie. 905-238-0042, stagewest.com.

**Mummers Play (Shadowland Theatre). The troupe presents its annual seasonal show. Dec 17-21, Fri 8 pm at Music Gallery (197 John) as part of the Holiday Wassail, Sun 7 pm at St. Andrew-by-the-Lake Church (Ward’s Island), Tue from 6 pm as part of Kensington Market Winter Solstice (20 Kensington). Fri $12-$15; Sun and Tue shows free. 416-898-0946.

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 (holiday shows Dec 20-22 and 27-29 at 11 am and 1 pm). $29.50-$39.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-642-8973, vitaltheatre.ca.

**Tabitha & The Time Machine by bekky O’Neil (Quality Slippers Productions). Three friends travel through time and learn history in this all-ages musical puppet show. Opens Dec 20 and runs to Jan 2, Sun-Thu 11:30 am (no show Dec 26). $24.50. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, qualityslippers.ca.

**Tea  At The Palace by Ann Powell and David Powell (Puppetmongers). This family-friendly puppet show features a retelling of two Russian folk tales. Opens Dec 18 and runs to Jan 1, daily at 2 pm, plus Dec 29-30 at 4:30 pm (no shows between Dec 20 and 25). $18, stu/srs $13, Jan 1 gala $30. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, puppetmongers.com.

Already Reviewed by MoT

**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.

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/holiday schedule. $27-$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, rosspetty.com.

**Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin (Big League Productions/Dancap). The animated holiday classic is adapted for the stage. Opens Dec 17 and runs to Jan 2, see website for schedule (no shows Dec 24-25). $25-$74. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front E. 416-872-2262, sonycentre.ca.

Mojo by Jez Butterworth (Ezra’s Atlantic Co-op). This dark comedy looks at the backrooms of the British rock scene in the late 50s. Previews Nov 30-Dec 1. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 19, Tue-Sun 8 pm. $15-$20. 326 Carlaw. torontomojo@gmail.com.

**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.

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*