Cheap Theatre for the Week of December 3, 2013

Tis the season, as trees awkwardly make their way into livingrooms to be set up and lit up for the holiday stretch, for wallet-friendly theatre fun fit for the whole family. A relaxing reprieve right before the mall crowds and pre-holiday frustrations really settle in, this is the best time to bundle up your little one and take the whole gang along to see Scrooge bah-humbug his way to the stage or your favorite Robert Munsch book brought to life.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Humber River Shakespeare Co). Five actors perform the timeless tale of greed, ghosts, salvation and hope. Opens Dec 5 and runs to Dec 21, see website for details. $20, child $10. Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas W. 416-209-2026, humberrivershakespeare.ca.

The Christmas Story (Church of the Holy Trinity). Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present a nativity pageant. Opens Dec 6 and runs to Dec 22, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 4:30 pm (Dec 14, 21 and 22 also at 7:30 pm). $20, child $5 (suggested donation). 10 Trinity Square. 416-598-8979, thechristmasstory.ca.

The Gift Danza Corpus presents a holiday family dance show. Dec 7-8, Sat 8 pm, Sun 5 pm. Pwyc ($20 sugg donation). Unity Church, 173 Eglinton W. unitytoronto.ca.

Munsched! (George Brown Theatre School). This family-friendly show is based on popular Robert Munsch stories. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Dec 7, Sat 1 pm. $18, srs $12 stu $7. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866-8666.

RAPunzel (Cow Over Moon Children’s Theatre). A girl wants to perform but doesn’t fit in with peers because of her long hair in this version of the fairy tale. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Dec 8, Fri and Wed 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am and 2 pm. $15, child $10. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen E. 416-845-9411, cowovermoon.ca.