Playlistings in Toronto for the week of December 19th

Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of December 19th

Hear ye Hear Ye! As Christmas approaches, so do the Christmas-themed shows. But that’s not all Toronto has on offer this week! If you’re a fan of Soulpepper, you’re going to love this week’s picks. To help you narrow down your selections, our editor Lin 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:

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.

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.

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.

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:

Fun Palace 3Penny Holiday Variety Show. (The Fun Palace). Themes and songs from Bertolt Brecht’s Threepenny Opera are performed by Melissa D’Agostino, Richard Feren, Sedina Fiati, Matthew Reid and others. Opens Dec 20 and runs to Dec 28, Tue-Wed 8 pm. $15. At Burdock. Show Info.

Tea at the Palace. (Puppetmongers Theatre). The annual spectacle of puppetry and music for families & ages 5 to 105 features two folktales told in old Russia about justice, humanity and compassion. Opens Dec 21 and runs to Dec 31, Dec 21 & 28 at 7 pm, Dec 26-31 at 1 pm. $15. Post-show Puppet Making Workshops on December 26, 27, 29 & 30 for kids 5-12 accompanied by an adult $10 per child. Pre-registration required. Show Info.

Heligoland: Sol Sacrifice. Henri Fabergé presents a theatrical solstice celebration on the 1820s island commune made infamous in Fabergé’s cult performance series Heligoland Follies. Dec 20 at 8 pm. $20, adv $15. At Owl’s Club. Show Info.

Hocus Pocus. (Magicana/Soulpepper). Magician David Ben performs illusions and sleight-of-hand as part of Soulpepper’s Family Festival. Opens Dec 10 and runs to Dec 31, see website for schedule. $25-$60. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.

Sharron & George’s Super Fun Christmas Sing-A-Long. Cabaret diva Sharron Matthews and George Masswohl perform a holiday-themed variety show. Dec 19 at 7 pm. $25. At Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Very Soulpepper Christmas. Seasonal family concert featuring Mike Ross, Jackie Richardson and others, Dec 20 at 2 and 7:30 pm. $25-$60. At The Jane Mallett Theatre. 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.

Listings based primarily on NOW! Stage Listings

One thought on “Playlistings in Toronto for the week of December 19th”

  1. Couple of days to Christmas when crowded roads and jam-packed markets rattle the nerves, the puppet show ‘Tea at the Palace’ came as a hidden delight tucked peacefully in massive Toronto. Free parking was right at the door and there was no crowd to negotiate as I walked in with my 3 grandkids for an hour long treat. With just a few spectators in the room I felt like an invitee to an exclusive performance. All this for only 15 bucks! Thanks for the wonderful work you do.

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