Musical productions and blockbuster plays rock the season

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 24/18

  

   (c)  By Jim Fox

   The curtain is rising for an extensive list of musical theatre and seasonal concerts.

   Mirvish Productions leads the parade with a steady stream of hit productions.

   The current season features Canadian premieres and new productions among 25 shows at five Toronto theatres.

The School of Rock at the Ed Mirvish Theatre has a kids’ rock band playing instruments on stage. (Photo by Evan Zimmerman-MurphyMade)

    Called a “breathtaking new musical,” the acclaimed Come from Away continues its extended run until April, moving from the Royal Alexandra Theatre in February to the Elgin Theatre until April 28.

   It tells the story of how Gander, Newfoundland’s townsfolk cared for 7,000 stranded airplane passengers during the 9/11 attack.

Noah Weisberg stars as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (Photo by Joan Marcus)

   Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is called a “delectable treat” as Roald Dahl’s amazing tale is at the Princess of Wales Theatre until Jan. 6.

   The new score includes songs from the original film such as Pure Imagination, the Candy Man and I’ve Got a Golden Ticket.

   Based on the hit film, School of Rock is the hilarious new musical following Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star.

Steve Michaels. (Richard Beland photo)

   At the Ed Mirvish Theatre Nov. 28 to Jan. 6, it features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, original songs from the movie and a kids’ rock band playing instruments on stage.

   A “perfect blend of music, comedy and characters is 6 Guitars on Dec. 6 and 7 at the CAA Theatre.

   A single performer portrays six guitar playing characters each sharing a style of music.

   It’s followed by Reversible, a “unique, riveting mix of theatre, circus, dance, music and acrobatics at the CAA Theatre, Dec. 11 to Jan. 6.

   The Play that Goes Wrong is a classic murder-mystery filled with mishaps and madcap mania at the Mirvish Theatre, Jan. 8 to Feb. 10.

   All the hits all the time is the Simon & Garfunkel Story, CAA Theatre, Jan. 17 to 27.

   Using huge projection photos and original film footage, it features a band performing the hits.

   Speaking of hits, the Last Ship features original music and lyrics by Sting at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Feb. 9 to March 24.

   And the hits just keep on coming with the coming-of-age saga Jukebox Hero featuring 16 iconic songs by Foreigner.

   Opening in March are musicals Dear Evan Hansen, the Jersey Boys and the Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.

    Elvis – in the form of Steve Michaels – takes to the stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre from May 7 to 12 for Return to Grace with 30 performers and dancers. mirvish.com

   Spirit of the season

   Sony Centre for the Performing Arts hosts eclectic shows including John Legend – A Legendary Christmas on Nov. 27.

   There’s also the Tenors: Home for the Holidays: Christmas Classics and the Hits, Dec. 17; David Warrack’s Canada Pops’ Holiday Concert, Dec. 19; and the Toronto International Ballet Theatre – The Nutcracker, Dec. 22. sonycentre.ca

   The Toronto Centre for the Arts has Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time is Here, Dec. 4, while Slava’s Snowshow is Dec. 7-9 and 13-16 at the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts.

   The Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents performances of Tchaikovsky for the Holidays, the Nutcracker, Messiah and Holiday Pops at Roy Thomson Hall. tso.ca

   Here and there

   - Share the tradition of the Messiah performed with an orchestra and presented by the Stratford Concert Choir at St. Joseph’s Church on Dec. 8. stratfordconcertchoir2.weebly.com

   INNERchamber presents Shining Light at Factory163, Nov. 25. innerchamber.ca

   Enjoy the intimacy of a Christmas Sing Along, Dec. 14, presented by the Stratford Symphony Orchestra at the Falstaff Family Centre. stratfordsymphonyorchestra.ca

The Woodstock Choralaires presents A Christmas Fanfare on Dec. 8. (Photo by Nico I. Vanderstoop)

   - The Woodstock Choralaires, accompanied by a brass ensemble, will herald the season with A Christmas Fanfare on Dec. 8 at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church.

   The performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. will include traditional English, French and Celtic carols and rollicking Yuletide songs.

   There will be modern compositions to celebrate Christmas and winter in styles from calypso and jazz to the compositions of fictitious and satirical composer P.D.Q. Bach. www.ticketscene.ca ; 519) 536-7630.

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

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