Shows That Caught Our Eye in Toronto the Week of December 26th
Get the kids ready, because this week is dedicated to them (mostly)! While a few shows this week are geared towards the grown-ups, Toronto’s child-friendly offerings are taking centre stage! Luckily our managing editor Wayne is here to highlight a fews shows that caught his 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.
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:
Bravissimo! Opera’s Greatest Hits. The Opera Canada Symphony & Chorus perform popular selections from Cosi fan tutte, Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto and more with vocal soloists Lucio Gallo, Diletta Rizzo, Donata D’Annuzio Lombardi and Leonardo Caimi. 7 pm. $55-$145. At Roy Thompson Hall. Show Info.
The Pirates of Penzance by WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (Toronto Operetta Theatre). A young pirate apprentice must choose between love and duty in this comic operetta. Opens Dec 27 and runs to Jan 8: Dec 27, 30, Jan 6 at 8 pm, Dec 31, Jan 7 & 8 at 3 pm. $49-$95. Tickets at stlc.com. At the Jane Mallett Theatre. Show Info.
Alligator Pie. (Soulpepper Theatre). Adapted from the children’s poems of Dennis Lee, this family-friendly production celebrates imagination and invention. Opens Dec 27 and runs to Dec 31, Tue 7:30 pm, Wed-Sat 1:30 pm, Wed-Fri & Sat 11 am. $25-$50. At The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Show Info.
Disney on Ice: Dream Big (Feld Entertainment). Theatrical ice show featuring eight Disney princesses. Opens Dec 23 and runs to Jan 1: Dec 23 at 7 pm; Dec 24-30 and Jan 1 at 4 pm; Dec 26-31 at noon. $28 and up. At The Rogers Centre. Show Info.
Treasure Island by Katie Leamen (SSCT). Original adaptation of the quintessential pirate adventure tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. Opens Nov 26 and runs to Jan 8, Sat-Sun 2 pm (no shows Dec 10, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1; additional shows Dec 26-30 and Jan 4-6). $17. At the Solar Stage Children’s Theatre. Show Info.
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.
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.
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.
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.