Eye-Catching Toronto Theatre for the Week of December 23rd, 2012

Here is what’s going on in Toronto theatre this week. There are several great shows to catch for the week of December 23rd, 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 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.

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.

MIRACLE ON MERCER ST. Second City presents all-ages seasonal comedy mixing live-action sketches with puppetry and songs. Dec 22-26, Dec 27-Jan 1. $14, family 4-pack $45. 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

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.

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.

THE NUTCRACKER The National Ballet of Canada presents the traditional holiday ballet. Opens Dec 19 and runs to Jan 5. $52-$136. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen W. 416-345-9595, national.ballet.ca.

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. Dec 26-Jan 1. $22, stu $15. 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 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.

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.

**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.

And the rest…

3PENNY CHRISTMAS CONCERT (Small Wooden Shoe). Join in singing or just listen to songs from Brecht & Weill’s Threepenny Opera. Dec 30. 3 cents. Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton. smallwoodenshoe.org.

CINDERELLA IN MUDDY YORK by Ann Powell and David Powell (Puppetmongers). The fairy tale is reset in 1830s Toronto in this family-friendly puppet show. Opens Dec 28 and runs to Jan 5. $25, stu/srs $20. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson. 416-504-7529, puppetmongers.com.

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 MERRY WIDOW by Franz Lehár (Toronto Operetta Theatre). A rich widow’s trip worries those who want her money in this comic operetta. Opens Dec 28 and runs to Jan 6. $66-$95. Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-366-7723, torontooperetta.com.

THE SHOEMAKER AND THE PANT-O-MIMES by Rosemary Doyle and Jane Shields (Alice in Blunderland Equity Co-op Players). Actors and dancers perform a wacky take on a classic fairy tale. Opens Dec 26 and runs to Jan 6. $25, $15 stu/srs, child $10. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, redsandcastletheatre.com.

THE WIZARD OF OZ adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Really Useful Group/Mirvish/Troika Entertainment/Warner Bros/Bill Kenwright). A twister sends Dorothy over the rainbow in this musical based on the classic film. Previews Dec 20-Jan 12. Opens Jan 13 and runs to Mar 31. $35-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212, mirvish.com.

THIS IS WAR by Hannah Moscovitch (Tarragon Theatre). A Canadian Forces captain in a volatile region of Afghanistan must deal with a threat from within. Previews Dec 28-Jan 2. Opens Jan 3 and runs to Feb 3. $48-$53, srs $38-$43, stu $27, previews $21-$24, rush $13. Extra Space, 30 Bridgman. 416-531-1827, tarragontheatre.com.