And somehow we’re into December already! 2024 has been a banner year here at A View from the Box, and I’m so thankful to have had you all along for the ride! I’ve got a few shows coming up this month before I take a little break for the Holidays!
The Master Plan – Crow’s Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre
Adapted from award-winning writer and Globe and Mail journalist Josh O’Kane’s best-selling book Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy, THE MASTER PLAN lampoons the corporate drama, the epic personalities, and the iconic Canadian figures involved in the messy affair between Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto, exposing the hubris of big tech, the feebleness of government, and the dangers of public consultation. The 2023 World Premiere production received two Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Scenic & Projection Design, enjoying a sold-out run which was extended several times.
This production welcomes back several original cast members including: Mike Shara (The Importance of Being Earnest, Stratford Festival; Take Me Out, Canadian Stage) as Sidewalk Labs’ CEO Dan Doctoroff; Ben Carlson (Rosmersholm, Crow’s Theatre; Richard III, Stratford Festival) as Will Fleissig, Philippa Domville (If We Were Birds, Tarragon Theatre; Time After Time: The Chet Baker Story, Crow’s Theatre) as Meg Davis, and Christopher Allen (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Orphans for the Czar, Crow’s Theatre) as Cam Malagaam, a Sidewalk Labs designer.
New faces joining the returning cast include: Tanja Jacobs (The Assembly, Porte Parole/Crow’s Theatre) as Helen Burstyn, board chair of Waterfront Toronto; Rose Napoli (Mad Madge, Nightwood/VideoCabaret; Wildwoman Soulpepper Theatre) as Kristina Verner, Vice President of Strategic Policy and Innovation at Waterfront Toronto; and playwright Michael Healey who is stepping into the audience-favourite role of Tree.
November 26 – December 29
Michael Young Theatre – 50 Tank House Lane
Soulpepper Theatre – Plays, Concerts & Musicals
ORACULUM – Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Get a glimpse into the enigmatic imaginations of premier Canadian drag artists Denim and Pythia as they take you on a journey of self discovery and divine mystery, as filtered through the crystal ball (or computer screen) of an online psychic reading website. Combining performance, puppetry, and projection into an otherworldly spectacle, Oraculum pulls back the velvet curtain on gender and spirituality in an avant-garde freak show setting that will enthral and delight.
December 1 – 14
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre – 12 Alexander Street
Oraculum — Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Unbelievably Believable – Twisted Dog Theatre
What could happen on a December evening just before the holidays? Something magical, of course — especially when you have a dreamy little mouse as a co-worker, wearing a broken coffee mug as her armour. She won’t stop bringing her dreams to life: dragons, talking oceans, magical winter horses — will the magic ever end? We hope not! Come and witness just how far your dreams can take you.
Twisted Dog Theatre has created a holiday family show for all ages, filled with humorous characters, special effects, multimedia projections, songs, puppetry, drama, and unexpected story twists. This unique tale unfolds at a bustling crossroads in Toronto, a tribute to the city we call home, our roots, true self, dreams, and friendships. It’s a show to be remembered long after the holidays.
December 5 – 15
Red Sandcastle Theatre – 922 Queen St. E
THE WIZARD OF OZ: The Toto-ly Awesome Family Musical – Canadian Stage
After 25 years under the direction of Ross Petty, Canadian Stage has proudly stepped up to lead the next chapter of larger-than-life holiday pantomimes with an all-out irreverent twist on the timeless tale of The Wizard of Oz.
Audiences of all ages will join Dorothy and her friends on a hilarious romp through the fantastical landscapes of TorOZto. Along the way, you’ll see astonishing sets, spectacular costumes, and enjoy very silly parodies of hit songs by Beyonce, Billie Eilish and more! Get ready to cheer on Team Dorothy as Plumbum, the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow help to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West End and find their way to the CN Power to discover the identity of the Wizard of TorOzto. (Hint: she loves a bike lane!)
A mainstay of the Panto and the Stratford Festival, Dan Chameroy returns to play his beloved character Plumbum alongside another Panto favourite, Eddie Glen, as The Scarecrow, and multi-Dora winner Vanessa Sears as the Wicked Witch of the West. Julio Pulo steps into Dorothy’s Ruby Blundstones after her star turn as Anne Boleyn in the Toronto production of Six. Coal Mine Theatre co-founder and another long-time member of the Panto family, Ted Dysktra, directs, whiles the script comes from six-time Panto scribe Matt Murray.
December 6 – January 5
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre – 189 Yonge Street
Holiday! An Improvised Musical – Bad Dog Theatre
Holiday! An Improvised Musical takes its inspiration from Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” to bring you the only party you’ll need. Based on suggestions from the audience, the cast weaves together a series of improvised vignettes and songs exploring love, relationships, work and the true meaning of the season. You’ll leave with a smile on your face and a song in your heart (though you may not remember the words because that song didn’t exist an hour before the show).
December 11 – 21
Factory Theatre’s Studio Theatre – 125 Bathurst St
Holiday! An Improvised Musical — Factory Theatre
It Sees You When You’re Sleeping – Phil Rickaby and Eldritch Theatre
This holiday horror solo play tells the story of a Christmas-loving single dad, who gives his daughter an elf-on-the-shelf-style doll, little realizing that this innocent gift will unleash a terrible force that will change their lives forever. What evil lurks behind this seemingly innocent Christmas tradition?
December 19 – 22
Red Sandcastle Theatre – 922 Queen St E
It Sees You When You’re Sleeping ‣ Eldritch Theatre
Thank you to my Patrons:
N. Bushnik, B. Kinnon, D. Moyes
And to my supporters who’ve bought me a coffee:
Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, and Caitlin
Would you like to become a Patron? Check out my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/AViewfromtheBox
Or, you can buy me a coffee at: buymeacoffee.com/aviewfromthebox
A View from the Box 