Playlistings in Toronto for the week of December 12th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of December 12th

Tis the season for Christmas themed shows, murder mystery dinner theatre, puppets, children’s shows, and so much more! To help you narrow down your selections, our editor Samantha is here to highlight a fews shows that caught her eye in red text. Check them out below the cut:

Already Reviewed by Mooney on Theatre:

TomorrowLove™ by Rosamund Small (Outside the March). Series of simultaneously unfolding duets in which technology grants physical transformation, time and space travel, immortality and more – all in the name of love. Previews Nov 19-20, opens Nov 22 and runs to Dec 18, see website for schedule. $30-$40. At The Aorta. Show Info.

The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno (Tarragon). This play about neighbouring couples with the same last name explores the extraordinary heroism of the everyday. Previews from Nov 9, opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 18, Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2:30 pm (see website for other matinee dates and times). $22-$65. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Mirvish). Newfoundlanders open their homes to stranded passengers following the Sep 11 terrorist attacks. Nov 15-Jan 8. Opens Nov 15 and runs to Jan 8, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35-$150. At the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show Info.

The Damage Done by George F Walker (Canadian Rep Theatre). This drama explores a messy love affair and a couple’s mid-life crises. Previews from Nov 19, opens Nov 22 and runs to Dec 11, Tue-Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $26-$32, stu/srs from $21, preview $16, Sun pwyc at the door. At The Citadel. Show Info.

Seussical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (YPT). This all-ages musical is based on the classic books of Dr. Seuss. Opens Nov 14 and runs to Dec 30, see website for schedule. $10-$41. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

Avenue Q by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty (LOT). A college grad moves to NYC and copes with grown-up problems in this adult musical puppet play. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Jan 29, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm (no shows Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1). $50-$60. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

Sister Act by Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater (LOT). A wannabe diva hides out in a convent after witnessing a crime. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Jan 29, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3:30 pm (no shows Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1). $60-$70. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

And the rest:

Better Than This by Isaac Robinson (Moose + Moa Theatre Company). Four lives are intertwined through their relationships to addiction, abuse, longing and acceptance in this punk rock collective creation based around true stories collected by director Isaac Robinson. Opens Dec 14 and runs to Dec 18, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25, stu/srs $17. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

A Coal Mine Christmas. Coal Mine Theatre presents a non-traditional holiday concert by Louise Pitre, plus a reading of Dylan Thomas’s iconic poem A Child’s Christmas In Wales by Kenneth Welsh. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Dec 23, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm. $35. At The Coal Mine Theatre. Show Info.

Robin Hood – A Merry Magical Pantomime. (Torrent Productions). Family-friendly holiday season show packed with action and zingers. Tue-Sun 7 pm, mat Dec 21 & 22 at 1 pm. $35, child twelve years and under $25. At the Royal Canadian Legion – Baron Byng Beaches Branch.

Rose adapted by Sarah Wilson and Mike Ross (Soulpepper Concert Series). Musical production based on Gertrude Stein’s children’s book The World Is Round, in which a young girl goes on a magical journey to discover her place in the world. Opens Dec 16 and runs to Dec 22, Fri 8 pm, Sat & Thu 2 pm. $25-$60. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Flashman: A Live 1930’s Radio Play 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. To Dec 20, Sun 1 and 3 pm. $12, stu/srs $10, child $8. At Spadina Museum. Show Info.

Rent by Jonathan Larson (Mainstage Theatre Company). NYC artists struggle to survive and create in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic. Dec 16-18, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35, stu $20. At The Papermill Theatre. Show Info.

Aladd’n His Cat Panto. Player presents the sixth annual holiday musical pantomime for young audiences. Opens Dec 16 and runs to Dec 31, Dec 16-17, 20-22, 27-30 at 7:30 pm, mat Dec 18 and 31 at 2 pm. $25, child $15, family 4-pack $60. At The Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

Murder by the Books. (MYDT). Interactive murder mystery dinner theatre show.  to To Dec 30, Thu-Sat 6:30 pm (show from 7:30 pm; no show Dec 23-24). $50.85-$89. Special show for New Year’s Eve, see listing. At the Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre. Show Info.

Potted Potter by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner (Starvox Entertainment/Potted Productions). Benjamin Stratton and James Percy use costumes, props and music to perform all seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes. Opens Dec 15 and runs to Jan 15, see website for times. $30-$100. At The Panasonic Theatre. Show Info.

The Illusionists – Live From Broadway. (Mirvish). Theatre, magic, comedy and illusions by Darcy Oake, Yu Ho-Jin, Dan Sperry, Jeff Hobson, Andrew Basso, Kevin James and Colin Cloud. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Jan 8, Tue-Fri 7:30 pm (see website for other times, no show Dec 25-26 or Jan 1). $49-$139. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.

Elizabeth Darcy: An Adaptation Of Pride And Prejudice by Hallie Burt and Kate Werneburg (Campbell House Musuem/Burt & Werneburg). Site-specific, gender-banding adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Pride & Prejudice. Dec 13-18, Tue-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat & Sun 2 pm. $25. At Campbell House Museum. Show Info.

The Christmas Story. Church of the Holy Trinity presents a nativity pageant tradition that spans 78 years. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present the story of the birth of Jesus. Opens Dec 9 and runs to Dec 24, Fri 7:30 pm (and Dec 10, 17 and 22), Sat 4:30 pm (and Dec 11 & 18) and Dec 24 at 1:30 pm. $20, child $5 (suggested donation). Reservations recommended via thechristmasstory.ca  or call 416-598-4521 ext. 301 to reserve. The church is wheelchair accessible. At The Church of the Holy Trinity. Show Info.

$10 2 Free Beer Comedy. Improvised long form adventure by SoCap house teams. Free jam afterwards. 8 pm. $10 (non-drinkers $5). 2nd floor. At The Social Capital Theatre. Show Info.

O Tannenbaum: The Tree of Life. Toronto Masque Theatre presents seasonal songs and stories including No Tongue Will Tally by Harry Somers & Dr. Claude Bissell. With Alison Melville (recorder), Andrea Ludwig (alto) and Bud Roach (tenor) and others. Dec 12 at 7:30 pm. $25. At the TMT Atrium. Show Info.

It’s a Wonderful Life by Philip Grecian (Soulpepper). Based on Frank Capra’s 1946 film, the holiday classic is reimagined as a 1940s live-radio broadcast. Opens Dec 9 and runs to Dec 24, see website for schedule. $32-$96. At The Young Centre for Performing Arts. Show Info.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Dec 2 and runs to Dec 24, see website for schedule. $32-$96. At the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Twist Your Dickens. Second City presents an interactive seasonal satire on the story of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and three outrageous ghosts. Previews from Dec 2, opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 30, most shows Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm, see website for other times. $25-$90. At Greenwin Theatre, Toronto Centre for the Arts Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings