Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of December 26, 2011: ** Shows marked with the double asterisks and in red are the ones that make Wayne, our Managing Editor, wish he could exist in multiple parallel universes so he could check them all out.

Already covered by MoT

2 PIANOS 4 HANDS by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt (Mirvish). Two boys struggle with lessons, parents and stage fright while dreaming of becoming piano stars. Previews Oct 29. Opens Oct 30 and runs to Jan 5, see website for schedule (no shows Dec 19-26). $49-$69.Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE! (AND OTHER LIES) Second City presents its latest sketch revue about the things we tell ourselves to get through life. Dec 20-28, Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri 8 & 10:30 pm. $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com. 

HAIR by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot (Mirvish). Young bohemian pacifists explore free love, drugs and 60s culture as the Vietnam War draft looms in this musical. Previews Dec 13. Opens Dec 14 and runs to Dec 31, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat 2 pm (no eve show Dec 24); see website for additional days and times. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. 

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice (Lower Ossington Theatre). This musical reinvents the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Dec 30, Tue-Sat 8 pm (no show Dec 24), mats Dec 18 at 4 pm, Dec 20-21 & 27-28 at 1 pm. $45-$60, stu $20. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

**MARY POPPINS by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman (Mirvish/Disney Theatrical Productions/Cameron Mackintosh). This musical is based on the PL Travers stories and the 1964 Disney film. Previews Nov 10-11. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Jan 8, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm (no eve show Dec 24; see website for other dates). $38-$185. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com. 

MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH & I’M IN THERAPY by Steve Solomon (Philip Roger Roy/Dana Matthow/Bud Martin). Solomon performs his solo show about growing up in a wacky, bi-ethnic family. Opens Oct 12 and runs to Feb 26, Wed 7 pm, Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm. $51.50-$56. Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst. 1-855-985-2787, italianjewish.ca.

PARFUMERIE by Miklós László (Soulpepper). Shop clerks who don’t get along at work exchange anonymous love letters as pen pals. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Dec 31, see website for schedule. $45-$65, stu $28. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca

**QUIDAM (Cirque du Soleil). A young girl escapes boredom through a world of imagination in this circus show featuring aerial arts, dance, music and more. Opens Dec 20 and runs to Dec 30, Mon-Fri 7:30 pm, mats Dec 23, 29, 30 at 3:30 pm. $50-$100, stu/srs/child/military $40-$85.50.Ricoh Coliseum, 100 Princes’ Blvd. 416-870-8000, cirquedusoleil.com/quidam.

**SEUSSICAL by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Young People’s Theatre). This all-ages musical is based on the classic Dr. Seuss books. Previews Nov 7-9. Opens Nov 10 and runs to Dec 30, Tue-Fri 11 am and 2 pm, no shows Dec 22-26. $15-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca. 

THE MIRACLE ON MERCER STREET Second City presents all-ages seasonal comedy mixing live-action sketches with puppetry and songs. Opens Nov 19 and runs to Dec 17. Dec 21-28, Mon-Fri noon. Opens Dec 29 and runs to Jan 1, Thu-Sun noon. $12, family 4-pack $40. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

THE STORY by Martha Ross (Theatre Columbus). The ensemble performs an unconventional telling of the Nativity in an outdoor walk-about show. Previews Dec 13-15. Opens Dec 16 and runs to Dec 30, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm (no show Dec 24, 25, 26) mats Dec 21, 23, 28 at 4:30 pm. $25, stu/srs $20, child/previews $10. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. 416-504-7529, theatrecolumbus.ca. 

THE WIZARD OF OZ: THE WICKEDLY WACKY FAMILY MUSICAL adapted by Lorna Wright and Nicholas Hune-Brown (Ross Petty Productions). A snowstorm transports a city girl to a wacky new world in this farcical version of the classic story. Previews Nov 25-30. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Jan 6, Tue-Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (see website for other dates and holiday exceptions). $27-$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 416-872-5555, rosspetty.com.

And the rest

3PENNY CHRISTMAS CONCERT (Small Wooden Shoe). Join in singing or just listen to songs from Brecht & Weill’s Threepenny Opera. Dec 29, doors 8 pm. 3 cents. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. smallwoodenshoe.org.

A GYPSY’S FANTASY NEW YEAR’S EVE (Toronto Operetta Theatre). Dinner at the Hot House Café is followed by a performance of The Gypsy Princess and a champagne party to ring in the new year. Dec 31 from 5 pm. $145 plus performance ticket. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, torontooperetta.com.

A MAGICAL TIME OF YEAR (Famous People Players). The blacklight theatre company presents a holiday musical about kindness, peace and love. Opens Nov 12 and runs to Dec 30, Tue-Sat noon and 6:45 pm. $62, srs $56, child $40 (includes meal). 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

ALICE IN BLUNDERLAND by Rosemary Doyle (Red Sandcastle Theatre). This musical comedy pantomime puts a twist on the Lewis Carroll classic. Opens Dec 26 and runs to Jan 7, Dec 26-31 Mon-Fri 7 pm, Sat 3 pm. Jan 1-7 Tue-Sat 7 pm, mats Mon and Sat 3 pm. $25, stu/srs $15, child $10. 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

AMERICAN IDIOT by Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, Tré Cool and Michael Mayer (Dancap Productions). Three boyhood friends search for meaning in a post-9/11 world in this musical based on Green Day’s 2004 album. Previews Dec 28. Opens Dec 29 and runs to Jan 15, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun and Wed 2 pm, plus Dec 29-30 at 2 pm and Jan 8 at 7 pm. $62-$180.Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. 416-644-3665, dancaptickets.com.

BED & BREAKFAST by Ann Powell and David Powell (Puppetmongers Theatre). The Princess And The Pea gets a retelling in this family-friendly puppet play. Dec 17-18 at 2:30 pm (continues Dec 26-Jan 1, 2012, daily at 2 pm, Dec 29-30 at 4:30 pm). Dec 26-Jan 1 daily at 2 pm, Dec 29-30 at 4:30 pm. $25, srs/stu $20; New Year’s Day show + gala $40. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, puppetmongers.com.

DISCO FEVER (Famous People Players). The blacklight theatre company presents a dance party musical show. Opens Dec 31 and runs to Jan 21, Tue-Sat noon and 6:45 pm. $62, srs $56, child $40 (includes meal); New Year’s Eve Gala $70-$125. 343 Evans. 416-532-1137, fpp.org.

DISNEY ON ICE: 100 YEARS OF MAGIC (Feld  Entertainment). More than 60 Disney characters bring stories to life in this family ice show. Opens Dec 23 and runs to Jan 1, daily: Dec 23 at 7 pm, Dec 24-30 and Jan 1 at 4 pm, plus Dec 26-31 at noon. $15-$90. Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way. 416-870-8000, disneyonice.com.

THE GYPSY PRINCESS by Imre Kálmán (Toronto Operetta Theatre). Hungarian czardas and Viennese waltzes are featured in this romantic operetta. Opens Dec 28 and runs to Jan 7, Fri-Sat and Wed 8 pm, mat Jan 8 at 2 pm. $66-$95. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, torontooperetta.com.

THE NUTCRACKER The National Ballet of Canada presents James Kudelka’s 1995 version of this evergreen seasonal classic. Opens Dec 10 and runs to Jan 1, Wed-Sat 7 pm, mats Sat 2 pm, Sun 1 and 5:30 pm till Dec 18; Dec 21-23 at 7 pm (see website for more dates and times). $38-$133.50. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, thenutcracker.ca.

THE SECOND CITY’S DYSFUNCTIONAL HOLIDAY REVUE Second City presents a holiday-themed show of scenes and songs. Opens Nov 21 and runs to Dec 21. Opens Dec 22 and runs to Dec 28, Tue-Fri 2 pm, Mon 2 & 8 pm. Opens Dec 29 and runs to Jan 2, Thu-Fri 2 pm, Mon 8 pm. $15-$22. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

 

*Listings based on NOW stage listings*