Finally! The pervasive gloom that characterized the start of the Toronto theatre season has lifted and the hallowed and gracious time has begun. Seasonal jewels for every taste and pocketbook are currently sparkling on stages all over town. Many of these events are family-friendly, so if you need to get out of the house with the kids and encourage synaptic activity, here's your chance!
Ross Petty has brought the great English Music Hall tradition of the English Christmas panto to Toronto for the past 20 years. This year Petty and his talented cast and crew offer PETER PAN IN WONDERLAND. Petty has chosen to play Captain Hook as his swan song, and I'm sure he'll be in fine form. I haven't seen it yet, but the press on it has been very good, and I always find Petty's shows flat-out fun.
Down the street, just behind the Eaton Centre, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, THE CHRISTMAS STORY runs this weekend and next. A choir subs in for the Heavenly Host in this re-enactment of the New Testament story of the birth of Jesus. There will be a real baby in the starring role, always a bonus! Some performances have sign-language interpretation. It's a pay-what-you-can event, so it is wallet, as well as family friendly
Over at the Brickworks, Common Boots Theatre is presenting a play performed outdoors, TAILS FOR THE CITY, with raccoons, squirrels (well, actors playing raccoons and squirrels, though at the brickworks you never know!) and eight year old star, Eponine Lee as a young girl who escapes to have a Christmas Eve adventure with some furry friends. There's a rumour that Santa may put in an appearance! A shuttle bus from Broadview station will take you to the theatre, and there's hot chocolate on hand to help keep you warm once you arrive.
Over at the Red Sandcastle Theatre in Leslieville, John D. Huston and The Madrigals perform Charles Dickens' own version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Huston has been touring Canada with this production for 23 years, delivering the beloved text in the persona of the author himself. Huston bears a remarkable resemblance to Dickens. I have seen this production many times, and I never tire of his fine performance of Dickens' tale of Scrooge's reformation. His Toronto shows with The Madrigals' beautifully harmonized period music are always an extra-special treat. Huston is joined by various well-known folk musicians in venues across Canada this month, including the National Arts Centre's 4th Stage. He frequently sells out, so book a ticket sooner, rather than later.
Tear yourself away from shopping, wrapping, cleaning and fretting over the to-do list for a few hours, and go and enjoy at least one of these fine productions. You'll be glad you did.
PETER PAN IN WONDERLAND continues at THE ELGIN THEATRE, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto until January 3rd. http://rosspetty.com/tickets for a full performance schedule, tickets and information.
THE CHRISTMAS STORY continues on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,at THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY ( behind the Eaton Centre) twice each day at 4:30 & 7:30 PM. Reservations are strongly recommended. http://www.thechristmasstory.ca or (416) 598 4521 for tickets or further information.
TALES FROM THE CITY plays at Evergreen Brickworks from December 10-30 at 7:30 PM and matinees at 4:30 PM on the 19/21/23 THERE ARE NO PERFORMANCES ON DECEMBER 13/20/24/25/26 http://www.wintertheatre.brownpapertickets.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL plays at The RED SANDCASTLE THEATRE, 922 Queen Street East at 7:30 PM on December 14th and 15th with other dates across Canada. http://www.dickensperformer.com for further information or call (416) 845 -9411 to reserve tickets at the Red Sandcastle Theatre.
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