Ross Petty Productions fractured fairytales, take the stage at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto each year, from November to the beginning of January. I know this because for the past five years, the event has become a favourite holiday tradition for my family. Each year, we plan for our family night out, knowing that it will be filled with laughter, song and merriment. This year was no exception.
On Saturday night, we eagerly settled into our seats for the 7 pm show of SNOW WHITE, The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical, our vocal chords warmed up to boo at the villain, played by Ross Petty. You see, Ross Petty’s productions are done in pantomime style, meaning, that the audience is encouraged to get involved and respond to the actors on stage at various times during the show.
We knew not to expect the Disney version of Snow White, which made the anticipation so much more fun. We appreciated that the show would be loosely based on the tale of Snow White, but would be filled with lots of surprises and familiar tunes (think Gangnam Style and Firework). Looking around, it was clear that both adults and children found the play hysterical because the humour is aimed at both audiences. The Evil Queen is named FarFromPoopin, and current events form part of the jokes.
In SNOW WHITE, The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical, Bond 007 and a host of fairytale characters must come to Snow White’s rescue when she is banished from Queen FarFromPoopin’s Kingdom. What follows includes a magic mirror, adventure, romance, intrigue, fabulous singing, dancing, laughs and lots of well scripted (and partially improvised) silliness. #socialmediareferencesabound
It is rare that one will go to a production where the actors have as much fun as the audience, but it was so obviously the case at Snow White, and the cast’s enjoyment was infectious.
Our kids oohed and aahed about this part and that on our way home in the car (along with my husband and I). They agreed that their favourite scene was a beauty contest between Queen FarFromPoopin and Snow White to decide who would be able to remain in the Kingdom. No spoiler alerts here.
If you are worried about getting a happily ever after at the end, you won’t be disappointed, both on and off the stage. And there is still time to join in the excitement, as SNOW WHITE, The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical is continuing onstage until January 5, 2013.
Ross Petty Productions presents SNOW WHITE The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical! is playing at the Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, until January 5, 2013. For a complete performance schedule visit WWW.ROSSPETTY.COM. Tickets are on sale now: $85/$75/$64/$27 Adults • $59 Children under 12 • $236 Family 4-Pack (prices do not include fees/taxes). Tickets can be purchased online at www.rosspetty.com by phone at 1.855.599.9090 or in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office. SNOW WHITE is presented by Lowe’s Canada and sponsored by Sears Financial, Maple Lodge Farms and the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
THAT’S A WRAP! MASTERMIND TOYS UNVEILS 2012 HOLIDAY HITS LIST
This Holiday Season, The Letter S is in Style!
Introducing: Skoot Case, Stix Strux, Speed Stacks, Sno Stompers, Symphony in B & Shamballa!
TORONTO, ON – October 18/12… What’s in-store this Holiday Season at Mastermind Toys? Holiday shoppers are about to find out when the new Mastermind Toys 2012 Holiday Gift Guide drops October 30th in over one million Canadian households.
Providing shoppers with the inside intel on the latest and greatest in toys this season, the annual gift guide features the best selection of unique toys, puzzles, books and games, hand-picked by the fun experts at Toronto-based Mastermind Toys, Canada’s leading specialty toy retailer. The guide is filled with an amazing assortment of over 300 unique and imaginative toy ideas ranging in price from $5.95 to $299.95, targeting newborns to 12 year-olds.
“Whether it’s composing a symphony, learning how to sport stack, luging down the hill in style, or making dinosaur tracks in the snow, the Mastermind gift guide has you covered,” said Jon Levy, Mastermind Toys CEO, co-founder and chief toy buyer. “Each year, parents hope to get it right when it comes to the perfect holiday present. Our gift guide is your own personal GPS, providing you with a great resource and shortcut to help navigate you through the busy gift buying season,” he added.
All gift guide items are available at Mastermind’s 16 Ontario locations and online. Mastermind Toys ships across North America and offers free gift wrapping, plus personalized gift tags for all online orders.
To help shoppers get started, Mastermind Toys has assembled a Top 23 Holiday Hits List featuring a few gift guide favourites:
1. SKOOT CASE LUGGAGE ($59.95), Ages 3+ (Red, Blue, Pink, Lilac) (Mastermind Exclusive)
For the little world traveler, this case holds the most important travel necessities (like books, games and stuffed animals), but also folds up to look like a Vespa Scooter! A completely chic, European design with handle bars and steering, your little one can scoot around the airport in style!
2. SYMPHONY IN B. MUSIC MAKER ($74.95), Ages 3+ Imagine having your little one compose classic musical all on their own! With the Symphony in B. Music Maker, kids mix and match 13 instruments onto the orchestra pit; when an instrument is added, that element of the music (for example the drums) begins to play. Kids combine the elements to create an arrangement just like a real conductor!
3. MASTER KITZ ART KITS ($29.95), Ages 5+
For the budding artiste! These kits teach the techniques and history of master painters like Van Gogh and Monet. Then, little ones are encouraged to create their own interpretations of some of the biggest masterpieces of all time with the included paints, stencils and brushes!
4. SNO STOMPERS ($21.95), Ages 5+ These aren’t your regular snow shoes! Sno Stompers have animal tracks underneath and leave cool dinosaur and bear tracks in your wake! Simply strap these on over your little one’s boots and stomp around in the snow!
5. ZIPFY COLOURS ($49.95), Ages 8+
The classic mini luge sled now comes in designs created by artists from around the world (including Toronto)! Tear down the hill with styles like Graffiti, Monster & Totem Pole.
6. WOOFER DOGGY GUITAR ($39.95), Ages 3+
Get ready for peppy puppy tunes! This adorable doggy-shaped guitar plays guitar music … but in the form of doggy barks and “hound-dog” howls!
7. BRIO CLASSIC WOODEN TRAINS & TRACK SYSTEM ($5.95-$299.925), Ages 3+
Brio is the original wooden train system. Made from Beech wood, Brio is very durable and built to last. What sets Brio apart is the blend of complexity and simplicity with elements of nostalgia and the modern world. Brio features an extraordinary amount of detail and moving parts that allow trains to function exactly as they would in the real world.
8. STIX STRUX FORT BUILDER ($59.95), Ages 5+
The latest and greatest fort-building set! Stix Strux is comprised of super lightweight plastic tubes and foam connectors that go together to create GIANT forts, just add a bed sheet (and your imagination), and the sky is the limit!
9. RADIO FLYER LITTLE RED FIRE ENGINE ($149.95), Ages 1+
Race to the rescue with this classic toy from a classic name. This brand new take on the ride-on fire engine, from one of the oldest names in the toy business, is sure to be a hit. It features a sturdy steel design, complete with push bar handle for mom and dad, rubber wheels for safe floor riding, retractable footrests and a stylish design!
10. COOL CIRCUITS ($19.95), Ages 8+
Electrify your brain with this challenging puzzler! The object is to place all of the pieces on the board to successfully complete the circuit; do so, and the entire board lights up! Cool Circuits emphasizes spatial reasoning and abstract thinking with over 40 different challenges ranging from student to expert. Can you solve them all?
11. DECORATE-YOUR-OWN CARDBOARD PLAYHOUSE ($39.95)/ROCKET SHIP ($29.95), Ages 3+ (Mastermind Exclusive)
The refrigerator box has evolved…into a delightful country cottage and a space-faring rocket ship! These easy-to-assemble giant cardboard play structures can be decorated and make perfect playroom centerpieces.
12. PERPLEXUS TWIST BRAIN PUZZLE ($29.95), Ages 8+
Perplexus is our best-selling brain puzzle and the Perplexus Twist adds a new… twist! The object is to move the marble through the 360 degree maze inside a giant hand-held sphere. With the twist, you must ALSO twist and turn the internals tracks to navigate the maze!
13. KIDKRAFT MASTER COOK’S KITCHEN ($219.95), Ages 3+
Young chefs will jump for joy when they see this deluxe play kitchen! The Master Cook’s Kitchen is perfect for make-believe play and cooking up a fun time. Featuring pastel colours and smart, sturdy construction made of finished, composite wooden materials, this beautiful kitchen is large enough for multiple kids to play together at once.
14. LEAP FROG LEAPPAD II ($119.95), Ages 4+
The top kids tablet just got better! This amazing piece of technology for little ones has the same great features as the first generation LeapPad but includes upgrades like the high resolution cameras on both the front AND back, faster processing, more memory and improved battery life!
15. CRAYOLA DIGITAL LIGHT DESIGNER ($59.95), Ages 6+
Put down your crayons and stretch your drawings to a new dimension! The Crayola Digital Light Designer offers a dazzling way for creative people to draw with light and dimension. Kids use a digital stylus to draw on a 360 degree dome canvas with coloured LED lights. Three different modes allow children to freely draw, add animation or special effects, and play games and activities.
16. SHAMBALLA BRACELET MAKING KIT ($16.95), Ages 6+ (Mastermind Exclusive)
Make uber-hip bracelets as unique as you are. Design up to eight bracelets with amazing beads and beautiful jewels! Plus, this kit comes with a hook that suctions to virtually any surface so that you can create your bracelets anywhere!
17. ELF ON THE SHELF CREATIVITY KIT ($19.95), Ages 7+
How does Santa know if you have been naughty or nice? Just ask the Elf on the Shelf! Through the magic of Shrinky Dinks, this classic holiday book comes to life! Set up your play-scape and create a page right out of the store, complete with elves, a tree, ornaments & more!
18. REMOTE CONTROLLED ROBOT WITH DISC SHOOTER ($29.95), Ages 5+
Not only does this space robot shoot discs, he also has five awesome functions: walking forward and backwards, sliding and glide, twisting head, twisting and turning body and (the best part) robot dancing!
19. CYBER CYCLE R/C MOTORCYCLE ($49.95), Ages 5+
This fully functioning motorcycle takes R/C vehicles to the next level. With two- wheel steering and self- righting capabilities this futuristic looking motorcycle will blow your mind!
20. SPEED STACKS STACK PACK ($39.95), Ages 4+
It’s stacktacular! Experience Sport Stacking, the exciting new sport that builds hand-eye coordination, ambidexterity, concentration, and speed! To play, up-stack and down-stack 12 Speed Stacks cups in specific patterns as fast as you can - racing against the clock for your quickest time!
21. STAR WARS FORCE GLOVE ($19.95), Ages 6+
Join the force young Jedis-in-training! These gloves help you harness the energy of the force (with a magnet inside the glove), that allows little ones to perform the elusive Force Push and Force Pull.
22. MAGNETIC TRAVEL CHESS ($6.95), Ages 8+ (Mastermind Exclusive)
This magnetic chess set is PERFECT for travel. It is compact and portable AND magnetic so all the pieces stay in place while you’re playing, PLUS all proceeds from the sale of this game will be donated to local food banks in the communities surrounding our Mastermind stores.
23. SAFARI: A PHOTICULAR BOOK ($28.95), Ages 4+ Readers, as if on safari, encounter 8 wild animals that come alive! Using an innovative lenticular-based technology, precision sliding lenses, and original four-color video imagery, each image is like a 3-D movie on the page, delivering a rich and fluid visual experience. Accompanying the images is Safari, the guide: It begins with an evocative journal of a safari along the Mara River in Kenya and interweaves the history of safaris.
Since its inception in 2001, Mastermind has raised and donated over $900,000 to numerous children’s and local charities across the Greater Toronto Area. This holiday season, Mastermind will sell a special, limited-edition chess set and donate 100% of the proceeds to local food banks in communities surrounding all Mastermind stores.
ABOUT MASTERMIND TOYS Celebrating its 28th year in operation, Toronto-based Mastermind Toys was founded in 1984 by brothers Andy and Jonathan Levy. Canada’s leading privately-owned, specialty toy retailer currently has 16 locations in Southern and Southwestern, ON., and four new locations opening in November 2012. Both in-store and online, Mastermind carries a distinct collection of over 10,000 educational and fun toys, books, games, arts and crafts, puzzles and science kits offering exceptional service and complimentary gift wrap. Visit www.mastermindtoys.com. Mastermind Toys can also be followed on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.
Starring Graham Abbey, Eddie Glen, Melissa O’Neil and Ross Petty
With Reid Janisse, Billy Lake and Bryn McAuley
2012 is shaping up to be a tumultuous year for Snow White, from the bad apple film Mirror Mirror to the scandalous affair swirling around her follow-up film Snow White and the Huntsman. Happily for fans of Robert Pattinson, Snow White will dial down her raging hormones and return to the safety of her first love, live theatre, and trod the boards this holiday season in Ross Petty Productions’ 17th annual holiday pantomime,
In this fractured rendering of SNOW WHITE, audiences can expect a plethora of pop culture favourites. The production stars Canadian Idol winner Melissa O’Neil, who made her panto debut as Belle in Petty’s 2010 production of Beauty and the Beast. O’Neil is delighted to return to the Elgin Theatre fresh off her gig in the Broadway production of Stratford’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Stratford leading man Graham Abbey, standing in for the Seven Dwarfs, takes a cue from his portrayal of the dashing hero on CBC-TV’s The Border, and easily steps into the iconic role of super spy 007.“Abbey . . . Graham Abbey,” won the Dora Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in Ross Petty Productions’ 2001 version of Snow White And The Magnificent Seven.
And while it wasn’t obvious to Hollywood execs which starlet could ultimately reign as Snow White’s evil stepmother, Ross Petty ultimately won out over Julia Roberts and Charlize Theron and will once again become “the fairest of them all” in this winter’s stage version of SNOW WHITE.
Second City alumnus Reid Janisse makes his panto debut as one of the Three Little Pigs and voice actor and impressionist Bryn McAuley (the voice of Caillou) steps in as Little Red Riding Hood. Billy Lake, currently in his 6th season at the Shaw Festival, tackles the role of Pinocchio, and Eddie Glen, everyone’s favourite red head, returns as Petty’s bumbling sidekick.
Ross Petty Productions presents
SNOW WHITE
The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical!
Starring Graham Abbey, Eddie Glen, Reid Janisse, Melissa O’Neil, and Ross Petty
Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto
November 23, 2012 – January 5, 2013
OPENING NIGHT: Thursday, November 29, 2012 @ 7pm
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
$85/$75/$64/$27 Adults • $59 Children under 12 • $236 Family 4-Pack – prices do not include fees/taxes
Tickets can be purchased online at www.rosspetty.com by phone at 1.855.599.9090
or in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto
For groups of 12 or more call 647.438.5559, toll free 1.866.447.7849 or visit www.thegrouptixcompany.com
Most evening Performances begin at 7pm, Matinees at 2pm
Holiday time is approaching, and we have some fabulous gift ideas and savings to make your preparations easier. Avoid the lines and parking headaches … browse online and shop from the comfort of your computer for everyone on your list.
Eko Bear Sponsored Listing Shop for top eco-friendly toys of 2011 and more all made with your children and the environment in mind! We offer free local pick-up (Kanata, ON) and low flat rate shipping within Canada. Save 10% with discount code KidsCan until Dec 31/11.
Petite Posh Sponsored Listing Spoiling even the smallest member of your family couldn’t get easier when shopping at petiteposh.com. Shop for personalized gifts, big kid toys and everyday essentials Great gifts, warms smiles and big hug! Use coupon code kids at check out for 15% off your entire order (over $30 & valid until Dec 15/11) and don’t forget, free shipping on orders over $99.
Applause! Toy Store Sponsored Listing Applause! Toy Store is a magical place filled with toys, games, puzzles and crafts for kids of all ages. Find award winning toys like the Spooner Boards pictured here, Perplexus and Green Toys. You’ll also find a full range of Play & Hape Wooden Toys, the latest baby gear, and lots fun-filled stocking stuffers! Coupon Code KIDSCANADA for 15% off until Dec 31, 2011
Exceptional Coffee Sponsored Listing: Jump start your Christmas morning this year with better tasting coffee! Planetary Design French Presses leave in the tasty aromatic essential oils unlike your average filtered coffee machine. Pick from a variety of sizes, styles and colours of Planetary Design at the Polka Dot Pond Shop! Offer: Save 15% on all products with code KACHGG15. Expiry: December 31st, 2011
Citrus Silver Sponsored Listing: Citrus Silver designs meaningful jewellery that is stamped with names, words or dates. All of our stamped pieces are sterling silver and made in Canada. Affordable, personal, and beautiful. Order online and we will ship within 1 week.
Name Your Tune Personalized CDs Sponsored Listing Celebrate the special little ones in your life this holiday season with a music collection that celebrates them! Name Your Tune Personalized CDs feature your child’s name throughout their favourite songs including Old MacDonald, If You’re Happy and You Know It and 5 Little Monkeys. Available in 2 Volumes. Coupon Code: KidsAround for $5 off your order of Name Your Tune CDs.
The Clay Room Sponsored Listing Paint a handmade gift while spending quality time with family or friends. Put children’s prints on a piece for a treasured keepsake. WALK-IN CUSTOMERS are welcome. Gift certificates available. Private parties for both adults and kids to celebrate any occasion. Over 300+ items to paint. 279 Danforth Avenue, Toronto.
“Adopt” an Animal from Toronto Zoo Sponsored Listing “Adopt” an animal from Toronto Zoo and give a unique gift. How about a bear for Baby or a penguin for Papa? “Adoption” packages begin at just $25. Our Holiday Special packages feature “Waddles” the plush penguin and a DVD that takes you behind-the-scenes where you’ll meet zoo keepers and amazing animals. Each purchase helps with conservation efforts at Toronto Zoo.
The Second City ’s Miracle on Mercer St. Sponsored Listing The Second City’s Miracle on Mercer St.. Adorable puppets and their funny human friends tell a delightful musical tale that The Toronto Star calls “the best holiday present of all”. Matinee performances until Jan 1. Ages 4+. Tickets $12.
Second City Winter Camps & Intensives Sponsored Listing: Comedy comes in many different packages! Campers learn how to define their own voice and point of view through the exploration of improvisation. Full day camps for grades 5-8, half day intensives for grades 9-12! December 27 -30 and January 2-6.
Starring Dan Chameroy, Jessica Holmes, Elicia MacKenzie,
Yvan Pedneault and Ross Petty
“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”Truer words have never been spoken, especially when referring to the annual Ross Petty Holiday Family Musical!
Follow the yellow brick road to the Elgin Theatre this season and discover Ross Petty Productions’ world premiere of THE WIZARD OF OZ, an original Petty production and 16th consecutive holiday show, starring Dan Chameroy, Jessica Holmes, Elicia MacKenzie, Yvan Pedneault and Ross Petty.
Dorothy, played by Elicia MacKenzie in her panto debut, made a smooth transition from an innocent novitiate in The Sound Of Music to a rock and roll chick in Rock Of Ages, and now segues seamlessly into an adventure-seeking city girl from Toronto who finds herself transported, via snow storm, to a wickedly wacky new world.Accompanied by her dog Toto and Aunt Plumbum–yes Dan Chameroy returns to the Panto for the third time to reprise the role of the man-hungry Plumbum von Botox–Dorothy is helped along the way by Splenda the Good Witch, played by the lusciously loopyJessica Holmes of Royal Canadian Air Farce fame.
The Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow, the funniest trio since Ford, Ford and Hudak, join Dorothy on her quest to find the Wizard of Oz, because “there’s no place like home.” Yvan Pedneault, recent star of We Will Rock You and Rock Of Ages is a magically challenged Tin Man, Stratford’s Steve Ross is the Cowardly Lion, the Shaw Festival’s Kyle Blair portrays the Scarecrow, and fan-favourite Eddie Glen will appear as The Wizard Of Oz himself!
A Petty panto is no such thing without Ross Petty who will once again trod the boards as the force of farcical evil, the Wicked Witch of the West.This winter, somewhere over the rainbow–blame global warming–fractured fairy tales will reign!
Ross Petty Productions presents
THE WIZARD OF OZ
The Wickedly Wacky Family Musical!
Directed and Choreographed by Tracey Flye
Book By L. Frank Baum, Adapted by Lorna Wright & Nicholas Hune-Brown
Music Direction by Steve Thomas
Starring Dan Chameroy, Jessica Holmes, Elicia MacKenzie, Yvan Pedneault and Ross Petty
Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto
November 24, 2011 – January 6, 2012
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
$85/$75/$64/$27 Adults • $59 Children under 12 • $235 Family 4-Pack – all prices include HST
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.ca, by phone 1.855.599.9090, or in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto
For groups of 12 or more call 647.438.5559, toll free 1.866.447.7849 or visit www.thegrouptixcompany.com
Most evening Performances begin at 7pm, Matinees at 2pm
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, is bringing the infamous holiday tale to life on stage at the SonyCentre in Toronto. Audience members young and old are being warmly welcomed into Dr. Seuss’ wonderous world of Whos in Whoville and The Grinch for a limited holiday engagement from December 17 to January 2.
The beloved story is introduced through the eyes of The Grinch’s dog Max, now older, and ready to move on with his suitcase to a new town. His reflections on the past, introduce and bridge the story of The Grinch who tried to steal Christmas, and learned that the holidays mean more than just gifts.
The actors, assisted by wonderful set design, and costumes, bring characters true-to-the-story to life in magical ways.
The green, hairy costume of The Ginch is a perfect match to the fabulous facial expressions and entertaining portrayal by Stefan Karl. The comical character himself grimaces and complains, and is completely engaging. In fact, his misguided attempt to sabotage Christmas, makes his ultimate transformation to a feeling being, that much more enjoyable.
The young and old dog Max, and Whos of Whoville, suspend the audiences’ sense of disbelief, to sing and dance their way into their hearts. The scenes are lively and well choreographed, against sets out of the pages of Dr. Seuss’ book.
The performance of Little Cindy-Lou Who played by Carly Tamer (as well as by Brooke Boyd), won over the audience as well as the heart of The Grinch, through her sweet and spirited character and songs.
I am only a little saddened that the cartoon How the Grinch Stole Christmas that I have enjoyed since my own childhood, will no longer stand up to the live stage show. Sigh, smile!
First performed on Broadway in 2006, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical broke box office attendance records for two consecutive years on Broadway and is clearly charming local and visiting families this holiday season in Toronto … my own family included.
* Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is approximately an hour-and-a-half and perfomed without an intermission.
DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL is playing at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts at 1 Front Street East, Toronto, from December 17, 2010 to January 2, 2011. Tickets: $25 - $74 + HST. To purchase tickets call 416.872.2262 or online at www.sonycentre.ca (and discover Sony Centre family savings at http://www.sonycentre.ca/newsletter2). Official Tour Website: www.grinchmusical.com.
Join Shrek for some interactive musical fun! Shrek and Fiona’s anniversary is coming and Shrek has forgotten. Can Donkey and Frankie the Funky Fairy Party Planner save the day?
Check it out at: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. & 3:00p.m.
Bonus Show: The Puppet Tamer in the Conservatory.
Plus an Enchanted Hallway and jolly old Saint Nick himself, all within the walls of a beautifully decorated castle.
Purchase some delicious home baked goods from our pastry kitchen by Pegasus Hospitality Group . Every day from December 8th - 22nd from 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. we will be selling all kinds of holiday treats for the season. Perfect for those holiday parties and dinners!
Box Office closes at 1:00 p.m. December 24th-castle 2:00 p.m.
Casa Loma is closed all day December 25th. Open Jan. 1st, 2011.
Special Weekday Discount Offer
Get 50% Off of Regular Adult Admission Weekdays between 12 Noon and 4:00 p.m. Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, Dec.6 to 10 and Dec. 13 to 17. Discount is available at Casa Loma Box Office only.
Kids 3 and under receive free admission. Discount applies to all adults or seniors attending Casa Loma’s Holiday Program accompanied by children aged 1-13. Not to be used in conjunction with any other coupons or offers.
Celebrating 15 years of Fractured Fairy Tales, Ross Petty Productions presents their premiere production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, The Savagely Silly Family Musical, at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre this winter.
Don’t look for dancing candlesticks or singing clocks, they have been unceremoniously cast aside by animal pop stars as magically created by the evil Barnum von Cowell. Shy Prince Edgar enters into a Faustian deal with Barnum and inadvertently becomes the Beasty Boy of the title. Our Beauty is the apple of Edgar’s eye and even she cannot escape the malevolent spell of von Cowell. Is there no stopping this dastardly devil?
Melissa O’Neil, Canadian Idol winner from 2005, wears the mantle of Beauty with incredible grace, and a rock solid voice – she’s a major Canadian talent whose theatrical career is just taking flight.
Jake Epstein who burned up the Elgin stage in 2008 as Cinderella’s Prince, returns as the hirsute hero. Jake became a household name from his years of playing Craig on CTV’s Degrassi, the Next Generation.Most recently, Jake starred in the U.S. stage tour of the coming of age musical Spring Awakening.
“Nobody puts Baby in a Corner” but what about Beauty?The strikingly handsome Jake Simons, who starred as Johnny in Dirty Dancing at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, partners up with the lovable redhead Eddie Glen, who has delighted audiences in seven Ross Petty Productions, to bring joy and laughter into the Beast’s melancholy world.
Once again, for the 14th time in 15 years, Ross Petty returns as the force of farcical evil in these family fun fests that have become a beloved holiday tradition for thousands of Ontarians.Petty’s biggest challenge will be to better, or at least equal, his opening line from last year, when greeted by a thunderous chorus of boos as the Sheriff of Nottingham, he yelled back, “Relax, this is Sherwood Forest. . . not Tiger Woods!”
Ross Petty Productions presents
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
The Savagely Silly Family Musical
November 25, 2010 - January 2, 2011
Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto
Directed by Ted Dykstra, Choreography by Tracey Flye
Book by Lorna Wright & Nicholas Hune-Brown, Music Direction by Mark Camilleri
Starring Jake Espstein, Eddie Glen, Melissa O’Neil, Ross Petty, Jake Simons
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
$85/$75/$64/$27 Adults • $59 Children under 12 years of age • $235 Family 4-Pack - all prices include HST
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.ca, by phone 416.872.5555 or in person at the
Elgin Theatre Box office, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto
For groups of 12 or more call 647.438.5559, toll free 1.866.447.7849 or visit www.thegrouptixcompany.com
Bugalug is giving out 5 $50 gift certificates to 5 little girls to brighten up their Christmas. Could that be your daughter, granddaughter, neice or friend?
Spread the news ….
“Do you know of a little girl that might need an extra gift this Christmas? Email us at contact@bugalugbaby.com and let us know how and why she needs this and she may receive a $50 Gift Certificate to www.bugalug.ca! 5 gifts to be awarded and only ONE has been given out to a little girl who recently lost her dad. Please feel free to pass this on to friends and family!” It can be someone that has done a good deed, is in need, or you just feel deserves it.
If you are worried about getting a happily ever after at the end, you won’t be disappointed, both on and off the stage. And there is still time to join in the excitement, as SNOW WHITE, The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical is continuing onstage until January 5, 2013.
Imagine having your little one compose classic musical all on their own! With the Symphony in B. Music Maker, kids mix and match 13 instruments onto the orchestra pit; when an instrument is added, that element of the music (for example the drums) begins to play. Kids combine the elements to create an arrangement just like a real conductor!
These aren’t your regular snow shoes! Sno Stompers have animal tracks underneath and leave cool dinosaur and bear tracks in your wake! Simply strap these on over your little one’s boots and stomp around in the snow!
Readers, as if on safari, encounter 8 wild animals that come alive! Using an innovative lenticular-based technology, precision sliding lenses, and original four-color video imagery, each image is like a 3-D movie on the page, delivering a rich and fluid visual experience. Accompanying the images is Safari, the guide: It begins with an evocative journal of a safari along the Mara River in Kenya and interweaves the history of safaris.
Citrus Silver
The Second City’s Miracle on Mercer St.
