Shows that Caught Our Eye in Toronto for the Week of December 17th, 2018

MoT is here with fabulous suggestions for the theatre-goer in you! The holiday season is in full swing, so take a look at our listings, and find the perfect theatrical event for you and your loved ones. Our editor Samantha is here with her top picks in red!

Already Reviewed by MoT:

The Wizard of Oz—A Toto-ly Twistered Family Musical. Elgin Theatre. Ross Petty Productions presents a family-friendly musical production. Swept up from their home on Ossington Avenue (in one of those twisters that the West End is known for), Dorothy and her dog Toto must find their way back home…with a little help from some friends along the way. Opens Nov 30 and runs to Jan 5, see website for schedule. $27-$99. Show Info.

If On A Christmas Night…/ Se Una Notte A Natale. Columbus Centre. Villa Charities and DopoLavoro Teatrale present an interactive and immersive theatrical experience written & directed by Daniele Bartolini. This world premiere production presents a series of adventurous and comical situations around the celebration of Christmas, through the lens of Italian culture. Spectators are invited to gather and build a new community in an intimate performance experience. Previews Dec 4 & 6, opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 23, Tue-Sat various time, see website for schedule (no shows on Mondays). $40, stu/srs $25, child (6-12) $20; previews $25.  Show Info.

The Wonder Pageant. Coal Mine Theatre. This year’s Coal Mine commission, is an unscripted evening of improv comedy, merry music and holiday miracles co-created by Kayla Lorette (That’s So Weird!) and Ron Pederson (MAD TV), and performed by their favourite improv superstars! Ugly sweaters, holiday melodies, family memories and improv games = a new hilarious world premiere every night. THE WONDER PAGEANT is perfect for a night out with friends, for family outings, for office holiday parties and for figuring out what the holidays really mean in 2018 Toronto. Show Info.

And Everything Else:

Sharron’s Not So Silent Night! A Christmas Sing A-Long! Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Sharron Matthews hosts this holiday cabaret with carols, stories and special guests. Dec 17 at 8 pm. $30. 19+ Show Info.

The Nutcracker. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The National Ballet of Canada presents Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic ballet choreographed by James Kudelka. Opens Dec 8 and runs to Dec 30, see website for schedule. $45 & up (rush standing room tickets from $12). Show Info.

A Christmas Carol. Young Centre for the Performing Arts. by Charles Dickens (Soulpepper). Michael Shamata’s adaptation of the classic holiday ghost story gets a staging. Opens Dec 7 and runs to Dec 24, see website for schedule. $35-$95. Show Info.

Buddy For The Holly-Days. Randolph Theatre. Lower Ossington Theatre presents a musical revue starring Zachary Stevenson as the 50s rock ‘n’ roller. Dec 18-19 at 7:30 pm. $39-$140. Show Info.

The Rocky Horror Show. Lower Ossington Theatre. by Richard O’Brien (Lower Ossington Theatre). A newly engaged couple land in the home of a transvestite mad scientist in this schlock-horror cult classic. Opens Nov 29 and runs to Dec 23, Thu-Sun 8 pm. $35.    Show Info.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Lower Ossington Theatre. Lower Ossington Theatre presents a play adapted by Joe Landry based on Frank Capra’s 1946 film. An angel helps a desperate man in this holiday classic based on the 1946 film, brought to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Opens Nov 29 and runs to Dec 30, Thu-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 3:30 pm, Sun noon & 4 pm. $55-$65. Show Info.

Champions of Magic. Bluma Appel Theatre. Champions Of Magic features original magic that can’t be seen anywhere else, from illusions with supercars, an escape from Houdini’s water torture cell, levitation above the stage and a finale beyond explanation. Opens Dec 19 and runs to Jan 6, Wed-Sun 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 & 5 pm (see website for more dates and times). $59-$125. Show Info.

Holiday Comedy Spectacular. The Social Capital Theatre. Improv, sketch, stand-up, drag and live music from Carson Pinch, Hilary Oos, GoodKnight, Joel Buxton and more. 9 pm. $10. Show Info.

Cinderella: A Merry Magical Pantomime. Royal Canadian Legion 1/42. (Torrent Productions). Holiday panto loosely based on the fairy tale. Recommended for children 5 & up. Opens Dec 21 and runs to Dec 30: Dec 21, 27-29 at 7 pm; Dec 22-24, 26-27, 29-30 at 2 pm. $35, kids under 12 $25. Show Info.

The Nutcracker. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. Toronto International Ballet Theatre presents the classic holiday season ballet featuring guest artists from Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet, principal dancers Vyacheslav Lopatin and Anastasia Stashkevich. Dec 22 at 2 and 7 pm. $60-$130. Show Info.

JingleBoots: The Big Yellow Boot Holiday Show. Danforth Music Hall. Splash N’ Boots interactive musical children’s show. Dec 23 at noon. $25-$45. Show Info.

It’s A Wild, Rowdy, Wonderful Life. The Second City. It’s the most wonderful time of the year… or at least that’s how the song goes. The Second City invites you to laugh along as we skewer all the washed up, broken down traditions that tend to plague the holiday season. Toronto’s renowned comedy crew serves up a delightful mix of satirical sketches and songs to keep you in a jolly mood right until the snow melts. Show Info.

The Naughty Listers. The Second City. A hilarious holiday musical for all ages! The North Pole is thrown into chaos when one of Santa’s most trusted elves goes rogue. To get the holidays back on track, Santa will need the help of some of the naughtiest children ever. The Second City is proud to present The Naughty Listers – a hilarious musical adventure that all members of the family will enjoy.  Even the naughty ones. Show Info.

Listings Primarily from NOW! Stage Listings