Toronto Playlistings for the Week of December 22nd, 2014

Shows That Caught Our Eye This Week

There’s rumours of a “Santa-Bomb” storm a’comin’… but don’t let it keep you from seeing some theatre this week! It’s Christmas, after all! If you want to see what’s playing, see our list below. Anything with two asterisks and highlighted in red comes highly recommended by our Editor, Mike.

Already Covered By MoT…

**A Christmas Carol – by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 27, see website for schedule. $29-$89, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane. http://www.soulpepper.ca/

Cinderella: The Gags to Riches Family Musical – by Reid Janisse (Ross Petty Productions). The classic tale is adapted into a wacky holiday pantomime musical. Previews Nov 21-26. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Jan 4, 2015, see website for schedule. $27-$85. Elgin Theatre 189 Yonge. http://www.rosspetty.com/

The Dog and the Angel by Martha Ross (Theatre Columbus). This outdoor show follows the Christmas shenanigans of an oddball family and their ailing dog. Previews Dec 11-13, opens Dec 15 and runs to Dec 31, daily at 7:30 pm (no shows Dec 21 and Dec 24-26). $32, srs $22, youth under 25 $12. Evergreen Brick Works 550 Bayview. http://theatrecolumbus.ca/

**James and the Giant Peach – by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Timothy Allen McDonald (Young People’s Theatre). An orphan finds adventures in a magical fruit in this musical based on the Roald Dahl book. Previews Nov 24-26. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Jan 4, see website for schedule. $25-$45. Young People’s Theatre 165 Front E. http://youngpeoplestheatre.ca/

**Kim’s Convenience – by Ins Choi (Soulpepper). The popular play about a Korean family in Regent Park struggling with their past returns to the stage. Opens Nov 27 and runs to Dec 28, see website for schedule. $29-$89, rush $5-$23. Young Centre for the Performing Arts 50 Tank House Lane. http://www.soulpepper.ca/

**Rebel Without A Cosmos The Second City presents its fall mainstage revue. Tue-Thu 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. $25-$29, stu $16-$18. Second City, 51 Mercer. 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

**Venus In Fur by David Ives (Canadian Stage). A young actress determined to land the lead plays a cat-and-mouse game with the play’s director. Opens Dec 18 and runs to Dec 28, Tue-Sun 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 pm (Dec 24: 1 pm only; no shows Dec 25-26). $30-$59.Berkeley Street Theatre 26 Berkeley. http://canadianstage.com/

 

And the rest…

The *Actual* Greatest Show On Earth – Improv comedy with audience interaction. 8 pm. $10. 2nd floor. The Social Capital Theatre 154 Danforth. http://socap.ca/

Blades on Stage (Mirvish). Elvis Stojko, Shae-Lynn Bourne and other ice skating artists interpret Broadway standards of musical theatre on a frozen stage. Opens Dec 24 and runs to Jan 4, daily at 2 pm (except Dec 25-26 and Jan 1), and 8 pm shows Dec 26-30 and Jan 2-3. Princess of Wales Theatre 300 King W. $29-$130. http://mirvish.com/

Disney On Ice: Treasure Trove (Feld Entertainment). A medley of Disney stories and characters are assembled in this family ice show. Opens Dec 19 and runs to Dec 28, Dec 19 at 7 pm, Dec 20-28 at noon and 4 pm (Dec 24-25 4 pm only). $28-$95. Rogers Centre 1 Blue Jays Way. http://www.disneyonice.com/treasure-trove

The Ice Queen – A fearless princess sets off on an epic journey to find her estranged sister in this sing-along family show. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Jan 2, see website for days and times. $30-$50. Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington. http://tickets.ticketwise.ca/event/3894305

Jersey Boys by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice (Mirvish). Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons become pop icons in this musical. Previews Dec 17-18. Opens Dec 19 and runs to Jan 4, 2015, Tue-Sun 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm (see website for more mats; no shows Dec 24-25, Dec 31, Jan 1). $25-$130. Ed Mirvish Theatre 244 Victoria. http://mirvish.com/

Jesus Christ Superstar by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (Lower Ossington Theatre). Judas makes a choice between Jesus and the Roman rulers in this musical. Opens Dec 4 and runs to Jan 24, 2015, Thu-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 4 pm, Sat 2 pm (no shows Dec 25-26). $50-$60. Lower Ossington Theatre 100A Ossington. http://www.superstarmusical.ca/

**The Heart of Robin Hood by David Farr (Mirvish). Robin and his crew steal from the rich and keep it for themselves until Marion steps up for the poor in this version of the tale. Previews Dec 23-Jan 6, 2015. Opens Jan 14 and runs to Mar 1, Tue-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun and Wed 1:30 pm. $35-$130. Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King W. http://mirvish.com/

Holidazed & Confused – The Second City presents sketches, songs and improvisations to celebrate and satirize the holiday season. $22. Nov 17-Jan 1, various days and times, see website. secondcity.com.

Micetro – Improvisers work together to score points per scene in the hopes of being the last player standing in this Survivor-style show. Saturdays at 7 pm. $5. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre 875 Bloor W. http://baddogtheatre.com/

The Mikado by WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan (Toronto Operetta Theatre). Two lovers try to avoid their arranged marriages in a land where flirting is punishable by death. Opens Dec 27 and runs to Jan 4, see website for schedule. $72-$95, NYE gala $145. http://www.torontooperetta.com/

The Muggers Sexy Christmas Party – Improv w/ Jan Caruana, Alice Moran, Stephanie Malek, Mark Andrada, Sean Tabares, hosts Mandy Sellers & Nug Nahrgang and others. 8 pm. $10. Bad Dog Comedy Theatre 875 Bloor W. Karaoke party with Jonny Z after the show. http://baddogtheatre.com/

The Naughty Listers – Christmas is in peril when Santa decides to do away with the naughty list in this family show featuring puppets and live-action adventure and songs. To Jan 1, Sat-Tue 2 pm (and Dec 26, 31 and Jan 1). $14, family 4-pack $45. Second City 51 Mercer. http://secondcity.com/

**The Nutcracker – The National Ballet of Canada presents the traditional holiday ballet with choreography by James Kudelka. Take a magical journey through the glittering world of the Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Palace. Dec 13-Jan 3, 2015, see website for schedule. $26-$163. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts 145 Queen W. http://www.national.ballet.ca/

A Very Cory Christmas – Lauren Ash and Leslie Seiler present a seasonal sketch revue. Dec 22-23, Mon-Tue 8 pm. $10 (benefits the Toronto Humane Society). Comedy Bar 945 Bloor W. http://comedybar.ca/

**Sleepy Beauty by Rosemary Doyle and Jane Shields (The Pantomime Players). The classic fairy tale is reimagined as the story of a narcoleptic princess and her cat. Opens Dec 26 and runs to Jan 4, Dec 26-30 and Jan 2-3 at 7 pm, matinees Dec 27, 28, 31, Jan 3 and 4 at 2 pm. $10-$25, family pack $59.

The Snow Queen adapted by Derek Genova (Solar Stage Children’s Theatre). Gerda goes to the Palace of Ice to rescue her friend in this musical play for ages 3 to 10. Opens Dec 13 and runs to Jan 4, 2015, Sat-Sun 11 am & 2 pm (and Dec 22, 23, 29, 30, Jan 2). $16. Solar Stage Children’s Theatre 4950 Yonge. http://solarstage.on.ca/

Play Listings based on NOW! Stage Listings