This week in theatre rounds up the most noteworthy live theatre playing right now in Toronto. It includes just-opened shows as well as productions that are about to close.

It's A Wonderful Toronto: The Rob Ford Holiday Spectacular! / Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace / 7:30pm-2:00pm / $25-$30
Every time a bell rings, the Don Bosco Eagles get a touchdown. The National Theatre of the World presents the city's own It's a Wonderful Life. Replace George Bailey with Rob Ford and you've got our very own Toronto tale of failure and financial ruin set before the backdrop of the Christmas season. The city's foremost comedy troupe presents a music sketch comedy revue that's certainly timely, and a whole lot funny.

Dickens' Women / The World Festival - Young Centre / 8:00pm / $20-$40
In celebration of the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, Miriam Margolyes presents over 20 of Dickens' most well-known female characters. It's a good bet that some of your favourite characters will make an appearance (Miss Havisham?), but there are certain to be exciting new revelations. Spanning all different ages and literary works, Margolyes's portraits speak to the brilliance of the author.

A Clockwork Orange: A Play with Music / Electric Theatre / 8:00pm/2:00pm / $12-$15
Anthony Burgess' dystopic story was the inspiration for Stanley Kubrick's masterful film, A Clockwork Orange. Huge Picture Productions, who occupies the Electric Theatre in Kensington Market, has adapted the story into a stage musical. It'll be interesting to see how the disturbing themes of Burgess' tale, the violent qualities of human nature and the possibility of free will, fare on stage...with musical additions, no less.

This Lime Tree Bower / Berkeley Street Theatre / 8:00pm / $10-$25
Cart/Horse Theatre, a strong independent company on the Toronto scene, presents Conor McPherson's This Lime Tree Bower, a play that recalls one havoc-filled weekend in the lives of three young Dubliners. The characters recall the series of events that helped bring them together — a wee bit of violence, a college lecture that got out of hand, and the robbery that forged friendships. Dora winner Sarah Dodd makes her directorial debut.

The Little Years / Tarragon Theatre / 8:00pm/2:30pm / $27-$53
It's your last chance to catch John Mighton's The Little Years, a study of the brutality of time and its effect on everything from health and relationships, to technology, art, and the environment. The playwright's intellectual themes are brought richly to life by director Chris Abraham and a clearly focused cast who age before our very eyes. There's a lot to enjoy in this slow, cerebral dance through the decades. Check out our full review.

Image via Theatre Passe Muraille