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.