> CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR EVERYONE
If you can’t make it out to a live show but still want to see a panto this year, you’re in luck: CBC and the Family Channel are broadcasting Ross Petty Productions’ 2017 production of A Christmas Carol: The Family Musical With a Scrooge Loose multiple times this holiday season, including Thursday at 6 p.m. Go to rosspetty.com for more information. And if a live Christmas Carol is what appeals, you’ve got multiple options. The Star asked a few notable companies what sets their versions of the classic Charles Dickens tale apart.
Campbell House Museum Who: Adapted by Justin Haigh, directed by Sarah Thorpe When: Dec. 12 to 22 at 160 Queen St. W., Toronto Tickets: ChristmasCarolTO.com Why it’s special: Not only does this immersive production allow audiences to step into the world of Victorian London (as embodied by the historic Campbell House Museum) and follow Scrooge on his journey, but it also refreshes the familiar tale with new characters, original music and a few other twists.
The Grand Theatre Who: Adapted by Dennis Garnhum, directed by Megan Watson
When: Wednesday to Dec. 23 at 471 Richmond St., London, Ont. Tickets: grandtheatre.com Why it’s special: The core of our version of A Christmas Carol is the same wonderful tale, but with a female Scrooge this classic will evolve in ways that will ask our hearts to feel and minds to think differently about a story we know so well.
Porpoise Productions Who: A Christmas Carol Comedy, written by Katie Leamen, directed by Lynne Griffin When: Now until Dec. 23 at Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie St., Toronto Tickets: noporpoiseproductions.com Why it’s special: It’s just two guys — one guy plays Scrooge, one guy plays everybody else in an irreverent love note to Charles Dickens’ classic tale.
The Shaw Festival Who: Adapted by Tim Carroll, directed by Molly Atkinson When: Now until Dec. 23 at the Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St., Niagaraon-the-Lake Tickets: shawfest.com or 1-800-511-7429 Why it’s special: I think what’s really magical about our production is that it’s not just about Scrooge. It’s about the entire company creating a world for Scrooge to be redeemed in.
Soulpepper Theatre Who: Adapted by Michael Shamata, directed by Joseph Ziegler When: Dec. 7 to 24 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, Toronto Tickets: soulpepper.ca or 416-866-8666 Why it’s special: After 11 years, Soulpepper’s production of A Christmas Carol has become a Toronto holiday tradition. Audiences become part of the family in this classic play set intimately in the round. Free access to the Toronto Christmas Market included.