Is seeing more local theatre one of your new year’s resolutions? IT SHOULD BE! When you go, you love it. So do it more! The Next Stage Fest is a good place to start because it’s well programmed, boasts award-winning playwrights, and tickets are cheapy-cheap. (What the hell else are you doing in January? Don’t lie to us and say going to the gym.)

Produced by Toronto Fringe, the Next Stage Theatre Fest is now in it’s sixth year and has grown to become Toronto’s premiere winter theatre event. For the next 12 days, The Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst St., just south of Queen St.) will offer theatre-goers four to five plays to choose from each evening that will be performed in the Mainspace, Factory Theatre Studio, and the Factory Theatre Antechamber. (Oooh, sounds haunted.)

Dark comedy, zany comedy, heavy political drama, singalong cabaret: there’s something for everyone at this festival. Here are a few examples of what’s being offered:

Awake will immerse you into Toronto gang life.

The Peacemaker will take you on a woman’s journey through Israel and Palestine as she tries to figure herself out, in song.

Sudden Death is either about a man’s addiction to hockey or cocaine, we aren’t totally sure. It’s rough, tough, and inyoface. Maybe he’s into both! GO SEE THE PLAY and find out.

Throne of Games: If you are a fan of Game of Thrones and like hilarious improv comedy, then you’ll love this. (Special shout-out: Our writer Alice Moran is in this! So…definitely go to this one!)

With Love and a Major Organ was a sold-out hit at Fringe and now it’s back. Described as “A Comedy with guts about fate, phereomones and the TTC.” Hmmm, we’re curious.

Liza Live! Love Liza Minelli? An outrageous tribute of sorts that includes musical audience participation. Fabulous!

Check out an act at Next Stage and then roam to the Paddock for a pint. We think this is a very good plan for January.

~ Jen McNeely