Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of January 2, 2012: ** 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 reviewed 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.

**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.

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. Wed-Thu 8 pm, Fri 8 & 10:30 pm, Sat 7 & 10 pm (special performance & champagne toast), Sun 7 pm. $24-$29, stu $15; New Year’s Eve $55 (dinner & show $111). 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.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.

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…

A Tiny Piece Of Land by Joni Browne-Walders and Mel Weiser (TEATRON Theatre). A recently widowed American makes a tumultuous trip to Israel to visit his estranged brother. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 15, Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 8 pm, mats Sun 2 pm (and Jan 4 preview at 1 pm). $31-$48, stu/srs $26-$30, preview $19. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Studio Theatre, 5040 Yonge. 416-733-0545, teatrontheatre.com.

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.

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.

**Living With Henry by Christopher Wilson (Beyond Boundaries/Next Stage Theatre Festival). This musical drama explores the fear, complications and realities of living with HIV/AIDS today. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Love Is A Poverty You Can Sell by Justin Haigh (Soup Can Theatre/Next Stage Theatre Festival). This 1920s Berlin cabaret features a theatrical tribute to the music of Kurt Weill. Opens Jan 5 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $10, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Upstairs Bar, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Lovesexmoney by Kat Sandler (Theatre Brouhaha/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A woman sells her virginity online in this comedy-drama about intimacy in the information age. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Loving The Stranger Or How To Recognize An Invert by Alistair Newton (Ecce Homo Theatre/Next Stage Theatre Festival). This play looks at sexuality, spectacle and satire from the cabarets of 1920s Berlin to the horrors of the Third Reich. Opens Jan 5 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

**Modern Love by Jessica Moss, Eric Double, Julia Nish-Lapidus and Kyle Purcell (Theatre Caravel/Next Stage Theatre Festival). This solo show looks at the ways we connect and disconnect from each other. Opens Jan 5 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Morro And Jasp: Go Bake Yourself by Heather Marie Annis, Byron Laviolette and Amy Lee (Up your Nose and In your Toes (U.N.I.T.) Productions/Next Stage Theatre Festival). The Fringe-fest famous clown sisters go on a culinary adventure in this new show. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $10, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Upstairs Bar, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

The Ant & The Grasshopper by Ted Hallett and the Company (Cow Over Moon). This interactive, musical show for ages 4 and up is based on an Aesop fable. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 8, Wed-Sun 2 pm, plus Thu-Fri 11 am. $15, stu/srs $10. Pia Bouman School for Ballet, 6 Noble. 905-510-8210, cowovermoon.ca.

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 Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown (Clearwater Theatre). Different views on a relationship are revealed in regular and reverse chronology in this musical. Opens Jan 5 and runs to Jan 14, daily at 8 pm, mats Sat-Sun 2:30 pm. $25, stu/srs $20. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, clearwatertheatre.com.

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. Opens Dec 29 and runs to Jan 2, Thu-Fri 2 pm, Mon 8 pm. $15-$22. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

The Tiki Bikini Beach Paradise Party A-Go-Go by Allison Beula (Allison Beula Productions/Next Stage Theatre Festival). A live band accompanies this comedic play about beach party films of the 60s. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

The Washing Machine by Radha S Menon (Red Betty Theatre/Next
Stage Theatre Festival). A bereaved mother and wife tries to wash away the past with fancy renovations at her ancestral plantation home in India. Opens Jan 5 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Tomasso’s Party by Jules Lewis (Rooftop Creations/Next Stage Theatre Festival). Preparing for a party exposes a couple’s tempestuous and comic relationship. Opens Jan 4 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Studio, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Uncalled For Presents: Hypnogogic Logic (Uncalled For/Next Stage Theatre Festival). The improv/sketch troupe presents a trip through the world of dreams. Opens Jan 5 and runs to Jan 15, see website for schedule. $12-$15, passes $48-$88. Factory Theatre, Mainspace, 125 Bathurst. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.

Unearth Helix Dance Project presents choreography by Linda Garneau about going below the surface of identity and finding the deeper self. Jan 6-8, Fri-Sun 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm. $30. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. 416-618-1682, helixdanceproject.com.