Playlistings in Toronto for the week of December 11th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of December 11th, 2017

As the Holiday season descends upon our snowless city, so do the holiday themed shows! But don’t worry, if holiday shows aren’t your cup of eggnog, there are plenty of others to choose from. Our publisher Megan is here to choose her most anticipated shows (in red). Check them out below the cut:

Already reviewed by Mooney on theatre:

Bat out of Hell The Musical. Mirvish presents the rock ‘n’ roll musical by Jim Steinman (producers: David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox and Tony Smith). A young rebel falls in love with the daughter of a powerful man in a post-apocalyptic world in this rock ‘n’ roll musical. Previews from Oct 14, opens Oct 25 and runs to Dec 24, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $29-$139. At Ed Mirvish Theatre. Show Info

Beauty and the Beast. Young People’s Theatre’s Production of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton. The musical based on the Disney film about hope and being your authentic self  is brought to the stage. For ages 5 and up. Previews from Nov 6, opens Nov 9 and runs to Dec 31, see website for schedule. $10-$49. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

Marine Life by Rosa Laborde (Aluna Theatre/Tarragon). An ecological activist is caught between her own environmental extremism and falling in love with a man who has a secret dependency on plastic. Previews from Nov 8, opens Nov 16 and runs to Dec 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat & Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$60. Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Mr. Shi and his Lover by Wong Teng Chi and Njo Kong Kie (Macau Experimental Theatre/Music Picnic/Point of View Art Assoc). Chinese opera and vintage pop are used to tell the story of an espionage scandal in which a French diplomat falls in love with a mysterious opera singer. Previews from Nov 7, opens Nov 15 and runs to Dec 17, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat & Sun 2:30 pm. $22-$60. At Tarragon Theatre. Show Info.

Heisenberg by Simon Stephens (Canadian Stage). In a crowded London train station, an unexpected kiss drives life-changing events for two strangers. Previews from Nov 28, opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 17, Tue-Thu and Sat 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1 pm. $39-$69. At The Berkeley Street Theatre. Show Info.

And everything else:

The Adams Family MusicalMainStage Theatre Company presents a musical comedy by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice & Andrew Lippa (based on characters created by Charles Addams). The macabre family host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents in this musical comedy. Dec 15-17, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $35, stu $20. At The Papermill Theatre. Show Info.

The Tale of a Town by Charles Ketchabaw and Lisa Marie DiLiberto (FIXT POINT/Theatre Passe Muraille). Multimedia performance that tells the tales of the Storymobile that toured Canada for three years, gathering lost tales of the nation’s main streets. Previews Dec 13, opens on Nov 14 and runs to Dec 17, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $17-$38 (weekend mats pwyc at the door; $22.50 in advance). #TaleofaTownTO  #ReMainSt. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Love Between The Lines. HERstory Counts presents six diverse women performing 10-minute monologues about a true story and experience on the theme of love.. Dec 14-17, Thu-Sun 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm. $20, stu/srs $15, mat $10. At Red Sandcastle Theatre. Show Info.

Buddy Holly Winter Concert. Lower Ossington Theatre presents a musical revue show featuring the iconic singer-songwriter’s greatest hits. Dec 12-14, Tue-Thu 7:30 pm. $40. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

The Illusionists – Live From Broadway (Mirvish). Theatre, magic, comedy and illusions by Darcy Oake, Jeff Hobson, An Ha Lim, Colin Cloud and others. Previews from Dec 12, opens Dec 14 and runs to Jan 7, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm (see website for more times). $59-$139. At The Princess of Wales Theatre. Show Info.

Million Dollar Quartet by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux (Drayton Entertainment). Musical revue inspired by the recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Previews Dec 12, opens Dec 13 and runs to Jan 7, Tue-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. $59-$89. At The CAA Theatre. Show Info.

The Tenth Muse. Filament Incubator presents a new play by Julie Foster. What happens when three experts lecture about the mystery woman who is Sappho? Worlds dissolve, lines blur, facts implode and words become more than just words. History lessons turn us into mouthpieces for the dead…for better or for worse.  Opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 16, Wed-Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm. $15-$20. At Kensington Hall. Show Info.

The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum, Harold Arlen and EY Harburg (LOT). A Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home in this musical based on the classic film. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Feb 18, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon and 4 pm. $55-$75.At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

Annie: The Musical by Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin, Thomas Meehan (LOT). A plucky orphan finds a home in this family musical. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Jan 14, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon and 4 pm. $50-$70. At The Lower Ossington Theatre. Show Info.

Peter Pan. Soulpepper and Bad Hats Theatre present a musical reimagining of JM Barrie’s classic tale, suitable for ages 3 and up. Previews from Dec 8, opens Dec 10 and runs to Dec 31, see website for schedule. $25-$45. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

The Christmas Story. Church of the Holy Trinity presents a nativity pageant tradition in its 80th year. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present the story of the birth of Jesus. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Dec 24, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm (and Thu Dec 21); Sat 4:30 & 7:30 pm (except Dec 9, matinee only) and Dec 24 at 4:30 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. Show Info.

The Story by Martha Ross (Common Boots Theatre). Story of the nativity as a parable for modern times. The audience follows three wise men as a they go in search of a headstrong young woman and her baby hiding out in the park. Previews from Dec 11, opens Dec 13 and runs to Dec 30, Mon-Sat 7:30 pm (no show Dec 17, Dec 24-26). Pwyc, admission by donation. At Christie Pits Park. Show Info.

It’s A Wonderful Life by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling (Scarborough Players). Stage adaptation of the quintessential holiday film about the love story between George and Mary Bailey, which takes a turn when George is trapped by distressing circumstances while trying to do the right thing. Clarence, an endearing angel who is earning his wings, comes to his aid. Opens Dec 1 and runs to Dec 16. Thu-Sat 8 pm (no evening show Dec 16), mat Dec 3, 10 & 16 at 2 pm. $24. At Scarborough Village Theatre. Show Info.

Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Mirvish presents the musical based on the classic children’s book. Music and lyrics by Charlie Fink, adapted by David Grieg. The classic fable about greed, pollution and protecting the earth comes to life in a musical for ages 5 and up. Previews from Dec 9, opens Dec 17 and runs to Jan 21, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (and Dec 14 & 28). $59-$139. At The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Show info.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Previews from Dec 7, opens Dec 10 and runs to Dec 24, see website for schedule. $35-$95. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

The Hungriest Woman in the World by Shannon Bramer (Pencil Kit Productions). A woman inadvertently escapes from the loneliness of real life into a seductive world of theatre and art. Opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 17, Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm. $25, stu $17, mat $20 adv, pwyc at the door. Each performance of The Hungriest Woman In The World will be preceded by 10-minute play Paul And Petandra by Deanna Kruger. At Theatre Passe Muraille. Show Info.

Instant by Erin Shields (Young People’s Theatre/Geordie Productions). Three young people striving to be noticed find themselves in the midst of a social media controversy. For ages 12 & up. Opens Nov 28 and runs to Dec 15, see website for schedule. $19-$24. At Young People’s Theatre. Show Info.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings.