Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of December 10th, 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 Covered by MoT…

**A Brimful Of Asha by Asha and Ravi Jain (Tarragon Theatre/Why Not Theatre). An Indo-Canadian man discovers that his Indian vacation is actually a wife-seeking scheme by his parents. Previews Nov 25. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 16. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Tarragon Theatre, Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Previews Dec 3. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Dec 29. $51-$68, stu $32, rush $5-$22. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, soulpepper.ca.

A Clockwork Orange: A Play With Music by Anthony Burgess (Huge Picture Productions/Echo Productions). Burgess’s dystopian novella about human nature and free will is adapted for the stage. Opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 15. $15, stu $12. Electric Theatre, 299 Augusta. 416-317-8715, hugepictureproductions.com.

Cinderella (A RATical Retelling) by Mike Kenny and Jason Jestadt (Young People’s Theatre). Five rats retell the classic fairy tale in this musical story for ages 4 and up. Previews Nov 12-14. Opens Nov 15 and runs to Dec 30. $15-$20. 165 Front E. 416-862-2222, youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

Ignorance (The Old Trout Puppet Workshop). From living in caves to the present day, this puppet documentary looks at the evolution of happiness. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 15. $22-$49. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, theoldtrouts.org.

Snow White: The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical by Rick Miller (Ross Petty Productions). Pop culture references permeate this holiday pantomime version of the classic fairy tale. Previews Nov 23-28. Opens Nov 29 and runs to Jan 5. $27-$85. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge. 1-855-599-9090, rosspetty.com.

War Horse based on a novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford (National Theatre of Great Britain/Mirvish). An English boy sets out to find his horse after it’s sold to the cavalry and shipped off to France during WWI. Previews Feb 10-27. Opens Feb 28 and runs to Jan 6. $35-$130, rush $29. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

We’ve Totally (Probably) Got This! Second City presents its fall 2012 revue featuring new sketches, songs and improv about stress and juggling priorities. Wed-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm (plus Fri-Sat 10 pm). $24-$29, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**Terminus by Mark O’Rowe (Outside the March/Mirvish). A mother with a heavy heart, a lonely woman and a dangerous loner experience a supernatural night in Dublin in this Irish rap-opera. Previews Nov 21-22. Opens Nov 23 and runs to Dec 16. $69, rush $29. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

**The Little Years by John Mighton (Tarragon Theatre). Growing up in the 50s, a young woman’s interest in science is dismissed by her family. Previews Nov 7-13. Opens Nov 14 and runs to Dec 16. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, rush $13. 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.

The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue Second City presents sketches, songs and improv inspired by the season of merriment, mirth and last-minute shopping. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 21. $22, stu $15. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

This Lime Tree Bower by Conor McPherson (Cart/Horse Theatre). Three men use crime, booze and sex to escape their mundane lives in the suburbs of Dublin in this dark comedy. Previews Dec 6. Opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 22. $25, preview/Mon $10. Berkeley Street Theatre, Upstairs, 26 Berkeley. 416-368-3110, canadianstage.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 4-5. Opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 30. $30, stu/srs $22.50, child/previews $12.50. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview. 416-504-7529, theatrecolumbus.ca.

Mozart’s Magical Castle (Opera Atelier). Interactive activities and performances showcase the music, dance and story of Mozart’s most famous opera, The Magic Flute. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 30. Included w/ admission. Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace. 416-923-1171, casaloma.org.

Miracle On Mercer St. Second City presents all-ages seasonal comedy mixing live-action sketches with puppetry and songs. Dec 1 Noon, Dec 9 Noon, Dec 15 Noon. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

And the Rest…

A Medieval Christmas: Go We Hence To Bethlehem’s Bower (Poculi Ludique Societas). The Nativity story is depicted in this medieval pageant with period music based on the N-Town Plays. Dec 14-15. $20, srs $15, stu $10. St Thomas’s Anglican Church, 383 Huron. 416-978-5096, plspls.ca.

A Night of British Christmas Specials: Theatresports, Downtown Abbey & Dr. Whom (Bad Dog Theatre) At 8pm Bad Dog Theatre’s flagship show Theatresports will feature some of the best improvisers in the world going head to head for the glory of queen and country. $12. At 9:30 PM, return to the stately halls of Downtown Abbey for the intrigue, high drama, and hilarity of the nobility and the working class, both facing a rapidly changing, modern world…and maybe Santa! $15 And at 11:00, join the Doctor and his brand-new companion in a never-before-seen (and never-seen-again) adventure in time and space…with a little Christmas magic. $15 Comedy Bar. 945 Bloor St. West. comedybar.ca

Acting Up Gilson Lubin presents a comedy benefit for the SickKids Foundation Burns and Plastics Unit w/ guests Nick Reynoldson, Mike Rita, Keith Pedro and others. Dec 15 8 pm. $20. Revival, 783 College. theactingupcomedyshow.bpt.me.

Christmas With Hi And Lo by Jim Millan, Alice Moran and Colin Munch (John Alcorn/Kyra Millan). This scripted cabaret features a glimpse into the married life of the performers, seasonal songs and comedy. Opens Dec 3 and runs to Dec 17. $30-$50. Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren. christmas-with-hi-and-lo.ticketleap.com.

Dairy-Free Love: The Play by Victoria Murdoch (Savory Entertainment/Winchester Kitchen). Murdoch performs her solo comedy about the seemingly perfect home life of an internet cooking show host. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Dec 23. $15. Winchester Kitchen & Bar, 51A Winchester. dairyfreelove.com.

Dickens’ Women by Miriam Margolyes (The Word Festival). Margolyes performs her solo show about the female characters in Dickens’s novels. Opens Dec 12 and runs to Dec 15. $30-$40, stu $20. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

Eatcha Livah! (Clay & Puppet Theatre) Clay & Paper Theatre invites you to join us for an irreverent and rollicking evening of reading Aeschylus’ classic Greek tragedy, Prometheus Bound.  Aloud. With puppets. Expect to participate. Expect to have fun. No liver will be served.  Fake accents and general silliness are encouraged. Dec 15 at 8pm. Pwyc. Clay & Puppet Theatre Studio, 35 Strachan Ave. clayandpapertheatre.org

Escape From Happiness by George F Walker (Who Beat up Junior Equity Co-op). A dysfunctional family finds itself caught up in a criminal plot in this dramatic comedy. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Dec 17. $20, stu/srs $15. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

Fiddler On The Roof by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (CATS Mainstage Theatre Company). A Jewish patriarch clings to tradition in a changing world in this musical. Opens Dec 12 and runs to Dec 16. $30, stu $15. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst. catsmainstage.com.

Flashman by Dave Healey (Spadina Museum). A superhero fights to win the girl of his dreams and save the world in this 1930s sci-fi radio play. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 16. $10, srs/stu $8, child $6. 285 Spadina Rd. 416-392-6910, facebook.com/events/462986597073011.

Hope Night In T.O (Free the Children) Variety show of dance, comedy and musical acts with different performers on Friday and Saturday. Including performances by the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, Toronto Dance Vibe, Tricia Cole and others. Dec 14 to 15, 7:30 pm. $20. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst, 416-504-9971, factorytheatre.ca.

Impromptu Splendor: Dickens (The National Theatre of the World/The Word Festival). The improv theatre company uses audience suggestions to create and perform a play in the style of a Charles Dickens story. Dec 15 at 4:30 and 8 pm. $20, stu $15. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

In Vino Veritas by Teige Reid (Pubcrawl Theatre). Reid performs a monologue show about the twists of fate that haunt the denizens of a small pub. Dec 14 at 7 pm. Jan 18 at 7 pm. Feb 15 at 7 pm. Mar 22 at 7 pm. Apr 19 at 7 pm. May 17 at 7 pm. $20. Fox & Fiddle, 27 Wellesley E. pubcrawltheatre.com.

It’s A Wonderful Toronto: The Rob Ford Holiday Spectacular! The National Theatre of the World presents a musical sketch comedy revue by Matt Baram in which the mayor learns a valuable lesson about the holidays and civic duty. Opens Dec 11 and runs to Dec 16. $25-$30. Theatre Passe Muraille, Backspace, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, thenationaltheatreoftheworld.com.

Nonna’s Party by Ashley Burton (Gladstone Hotel). Burton brings stories of her feisty Sicilian family to life in this solo comedy. Opens Nov 7 and runs to Dec 19. $35-$55 (ticketweb.ca). 1214 Queen W. 416-531-4635, gladstonehotel.com.

On Stage Theatre Arts Series: The Penelopiad (Toronto Public Library). Nightwood Theatre’s Kelly Thornton talks about the stage adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s book. Dec 10 at 7 pm. Free. Reference Library, 789 Yonge. 416-393-7157.

Set Those Sails: A Night Of William Finn (Tara Litvack). This revue features musical theatre artists performing new arrangements. Dec 14 at 8 pm. $15. Tranzac, 292 Brunswick. setthosesails.brownpapertickets.com.

Shut Up, It’s Christmas! (Thom Allison). Allison performs a holiday-themed cabaret with Sara Farb and Diane Leah. Dec 16 at 7:30 pm. $20. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555, facebook.com/events/415602015172344.

Tails! A Fairy Tale For Furry Tails by Dr Gideon Koren (SickKids Hospital). Benefit performance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this all-ages play that is performed weekly for patients by hospital staff and volunteers. Dec 16 at 2 and 4:30 pm. $20. Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge. tocentre.com/studio/tails.

The Christmas Story (Church of the Holy Trinity). Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present a nativity pageant. Opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 23. $20, child $5 (suggested donation). 10 Trinity Square. 416-598-8979, holytrinitytoronto.org/cs.

The Fine Art Of Murder (Mysteriously Yours… Dinner Theatre). This dinner-theatre whodunit features a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Opens Sep 21 and runs to Dec 29. $66-$71. 2026 Yonge. 416-486-7469, mysteriouslyyours.com.

The Mark Lewis Magic Show (Lower Ossington Theatre). Lewis performs a magic show for young audiences. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 30. $32. 100A Ossington. 416-915-6747, lowerossingtontheatre.com.

The Nutcracker, A Canadian Tradition Ballet Jörgen presents the holiday classic. Dec 12 at 7:30 pm. $35-$75, stu/srs from $29. Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis. 416-978-8849, uofttix.ca.

The Peace Maker by Natasha Greenblatt. A young Jewish woman visits Israel and gets involved in a Palestinian music school in this musical play reading. Dec 14 at 7:30 pm. Pwyc ($10 sugg). Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham. beitzatoun.org.

The Seafarer by Conor McPherson (Fly on the Wall Theatre). Staged reading of McPherson’s play about a Christmas Eve card game in Dublin. Dec 9-10. Pwyc. Fionn MacCool’s Pub, 181 University. 416-363-1944.

The Sound Of Music by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Civic Light Opera Company). An aspiring nun leaves the order to govern the children of Captain von Trapp in this musical. Opens Dec 5 and runs to Dec 15. $28. York Woods Library Theatre, 1785 Finch W. 416-755-1717, civiclightoperacompany.com.

The ToyBox by Beth Kates and Ben Chaisson (Playground Studio). An interactive all-ages event where participants can play with green screens, projections and more to create art that reflects the fun side of the city. Opens Sep 12 and runs to Sep 15. Opens Dec 12 and runs to Dec 15. Free. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, passemuraille.on.ca.

Twinkle (Les Coquettes). This cabaret revue is styled after 60s holiday parties in Vegas and features music, dance, cirque and elements of burlesque. Dec 16 at 7 and 10 pm. $15-$35. Revival, 783 College. lescoquettes.com.

Wintersong – Dances For A Sacred Season Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre and Harbourfront NextSteps present dance inspired by winter solstice traditions, including works by Ofilio Portillo, Santee Smith, Carol Anderson, Kim Frank and Deborah Lundmark. Dec 14-15. $22.50-$38. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

Without You by Anthony Rapp (Mirvish). Rapp performs his solo show about being a part of the inaugural production of RENT. Previews Dec 13-15. Opens Dec 16 and runs to Jan 6. $45-$69, rush $29. Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.