Musical Theatre in Toronto, Winter 2008-2009
Major Broadway Shows at Elgin, Winter Garden, Canon & Other Theatres
Nov 19, 2008
Jersey Boys, The Sound of Music , Dirty Dancing and We Will Rock You are among the musical hits running on Toronto stages for Winter 2008 and Spring 2009.
Toronto theatres haven't been so busy for many years. These days, most of the city's largest theatres are booked with big musicals until well into 2009.
Mirvish Productions (416-872-1212 or 800-461-3333) is presenting the following roster:
- Dirty Dancing, based on the popular movie, which has recently been extended until February 1. It runs at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street
- We Will Rock You, the musical based on the songs of rock group Queen, which has also been extended until February 1, at the Panasonic Theatre on Yonge Street. Also, as of December 2, 2008, an extra Tuesday night show is being added to the schedule. Dubbed "Ten Toonie Tuesdays", these performances are priced at $20.
- The Sound of Music, whose lead performer Elicia MacKenzie was cast through the television reality show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? The popular show about the Von Trapp Family Singers and their escape from Nazi-dominated Austria has been extended until March 29. It runs at the Princess of Wales Theatre on King Street.
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the stage musical based on the film about the quirky professor whose children befriend a magical automobile, runs at the Canon Theatre on Yonge Street for a limited run from December 24 to January 4.
Dancap Productions (416-872-1111) is also serving up a tasty lineup:
- Jersey Boys, the massively popular Broadway hit about the career of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, which has recently been extended to February 1 at the Toronto Centre fior the Performing Arts on Yonge Street in North York. As of December 12, 2008, a new cast joins the show. Derek Krantz (Bob Gaudio) and Jeremy Kushnier (Tommy DeVito) continue in their roles, joined by new performers Michael Lomenda (Nick Massi) and Jeff Madden (Frankie Valli), with Timothy Sell and Shawn Wright.
- Happy Days - A New Musical, which is due in town from February 3 to 15. Based on the well loved television series, the show is written by Garry Marshall with music and lyrics by Paul Williams.
- Anne of Green Gables, the long-running hit of the Charolottetown Festival, runs from May 7 to 31, 2009
Among other notable Toronto musicals in 2008-2009:
- Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People on Front Street presents the Peanuts musical You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown from November 9 to December 30. (416-862-2222)
- Ross Petty presents yet another edition of his traditional annual Christmas panto, Cinderella, The Sillylicious Family Musical, at the Elgin Theatre from November 28 to January 4. (416-872-5555)
- Toronto Operetta Theatre presents The Bird Seller from December 26 to January 4; Kurt Weill's Knickerbocker Holiday from February 18 to 20, and the Gilbert and Sullivan favourite Iolanthe from April 17 to 26, all at the Jane Mallett Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts on Front Street. (416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754)
- Opera Atelier, Toronto's Baroque opera company, presents Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea from April 25 to May 2, also at the Elgin Theatre. (416-872-5555)
Read on for more information about musical theatre presentations on Toronto stages in February, March and April 2009.
The image below shows Burke Moses (Captain von Trapp), Elicia MacKenzie (Maria) and the von Trapp Children in the Toronto production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Photo Credit: Cylla von Tiedemann
The copyright of the article Musical Theatre in Toronto, Winter 2008-2009 in North American Musical Theatre is owned by Sarah B. Hood. Permission to republish Musical Theatre in Toronto, Winter 2008-2009 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
