The vacation season appears to provide a rash of performs for kids, and this finish of 12 months is not any completely different. I’d additionally prefer to say up entrance that every one three exhibits reviewed listed below are very satisfying productions.
Three Exhibits for Younger Audiences/Alligator Pie (Soulpepper), Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit (YPT), and The Wizard of Oz (Canadian Stage)
Because it occurs, these exhibits are all primarily based on well-known books. The oldest is The Fantastic Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900), adopted by Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit by Roald Dahl (1964) and Alligator Pie by Dennis Lee (1974). The latter two are celebrating their sixtieth and fiftieth anniversaries, respectively, so taken collectively, these three beloved books have been delighting kids for a lot of, many a long time.
I used to be actually conscious of the scary features of The Wizard of Oz, however I subsequently found that each Dahl and Lee embody a darkish facet of their writings as effectively. Associates who’re both lecturers or mother and father (or each) informed me that kids love mayhem, menace and thriller, and delight when all method of dangerous issues occur.
Who knew? Thus, it’s additionally attention-grabbing to notice that every one three exhibits, sarcastically, are jolly musicals.
One hopes that in addition to entertaining kids, there might be some enjoyment issue for adults who need to go alongside as chaperones, and I’m glad to report that massive people can have a pleasant time on the productions, though for various causes.
Thus, listed below are the three exhibits for kids within the order that they shut.
Soulpepper Theatre/Alligator Pie, co-created by Ins Choi, Raquel Duffy, Ken MacKenzie, Gregory Prest and Mike Ross, with new contributions by the 2024 Soulpepper Academy, primarily based on poetry by Dennis Lee, Younger Centre for the Arts, closes Dec. 29. Tickets right here.
Alligator Pie is, in fact, primarily based on Dennis Lee’s well-known assortment of kids’s poetry. Lee particularly wrote these poems to create a Canadian identification for kids’s literature, and Canada, Ontario and Toronto references abound.
The present was an instantaneous hit when it was first produced in 2012, and was remounted a number of occasions. It was created and self-directed by a collective of former Soulpepper Academy graduates, and that unique Alligator Pie is contained inside this new manufacturing.
The performers — Alicia Barban, Belinda Corpuz, Ben Kopp, Ruaridh MacDonald and Haneul Yi — are current members of the Soulpepper Academy, which is the superior coaching arm of the corporate. These newbies have contributed a very good chunk of further materials, however director Severn Thompson and the forged have made positive to retain the identical whimsical and fanciful nature of the unique.
That’s the attraction of Alligator Pie as these proficient stars of tomorrow sing, act and dance their method by means of this romp, and what a pleasant romp it’s to make sure. Some poems are rendered as songs, some are acted out in scenes, and a few are monologues, however there may be all the time a vibrant visible part to every with the forged pulling out props and costumes as wanted from the plethora of bins littered across the stage.
This manufacturing of Alligator Pie is marked by invention and creativeness.
Fantastic issues are carried out with on a regular basis objects like umbrellas, staplers, and bubble wrap. There are additionally a number of occasions the place the viewers is requested to take part to allow them to be a part of the enjoyable.
The unique forged performed a variety of devices, so this new lot does as effectively, with a few of them in all probability having to be taught them for the present. Did anybody have expertise with an accordion, for instance?
Dennis Lee’s poems are variously foolish, saucy and irreverent, and in consequence, the actors convey a continuing sense of kids at play, and the marvel of discovery that that entails.
Even adults can’t assist however be drawn into this unabashed world of fantasy and pleasure.
YPT/Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit, guide by David Greig, unique music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman, (with songs from the 1971 film), primarily based on the guide by Roald Dahl, Younger Folks’s Theatre, closes Dec. 30. Tickets right here.
This needs to be a primary for YPT — mounting a giant West Finish/Broadway present, however with minimal forces — particularly, a forged of 12.
Mounting this massive musical has been a minor miracle, but it surely works. On the packed college matinee I attended, the youngsters involuntarily gave a mighty cheer when Charlie discovered the Golden Ticket, that’s how concerned they have been with the present.
The musical primarily based on Roald Dahl’s widespread guide opened in London in 2013 earlier than shifting to Broadway in 2017. Since then, there have been productions all around the world. The musical is an impressed alternative for YPT, given how a lot Dahl’s guide is beloved.
Director Thom Allison and his inventive staff deserve some sort of medal for bringing Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit to life on the small YPT stage, given the various completely different areas which are wanted to inform the story and the plethora of characters concerned. It in all probability took the precision of a army drill staff to execute what is going on backstage.
This present has been pulled off by a wizardry of stagecraft with Bandon Kleiman’s intelligent set of shifting items, Laura Warren’s transformative projections, and Ming Wong’s fanciful costumes, the latter requiring quick modifications, given individuals taking part in a number of roles.
The 12 members of the forged are every related to a personality, however on the identical time, we’d like Oompa Loompas, and 9 of them rise to the decision. That’s one heck of a juggling of costumes and timing. After all, it will get simpler because the disobedient kids are dispatched so that they and their mother and father may be Oompa Loompas full-time.
The three who’re by no means Oompa Loompas, in fact, are Charlie Bucket (Breton Lalama), his chaperone Grandpa Joe (Larry Mannell), and Willy Wonka (Michael Therriault), all of whom do a bang-up job.
It’s significantly good to see Therriault on stage in Toronto once more. His high notes is likely to be quivery, however he nonetheless can ship a charismatic efficiency.
There are some pleasant vignettes.
For instance, after we are launched to Golden Ticket winner, ballerina-obsessed Veruca Salt (Caitlyn MacInnis) and her father (David Webb), it’s within the type of a ballet pas de deux.
One other amusing scene has the terrible Mike Teavee (Nick Boegel) decreased to being a determine on a tv display, a lot to the delight of his harried mom (Deann Degruijter) who can flip him off when she needs. Degruijter is one other veteran it’s good to have again on stage.
Now one may complain that adults are taking part in kids — within the unique London manufacturing, kids have been kids — however Lalama, MacInnis, plus David Lopez as Augustus Gloop, and Ruth Acheampong as Violet Beauregarde do a very good job of taking part in younger.
Director Allison has delivered a full of life efficiency abetted by the vigorous choreography of Allison Plamondon and the tuneful music directed by Jeannie Wyse.
Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing unit is a candy (pardon the pun) present that may please each adults and youngsters alike.
Canadian Stage in affiliation with the Elgin and Winter Backyard Theatres/The Wizard of Oz, script by Matt Murray, modern pop songs organized & orchestrated by Mark Camilleri, directed by Ted Dykstra, very loosely impressed by the guide by L. Frank Baum, Winter Backyard Theatre, closes Jan. 5. Tickets right here.
The Ross Petty Pantomime is again, and each kids and adults are delighted.
The youngsters like to boo the villain, whereas having fun with the foolish goings on, because the adults chuckle on the double entendres embedded within the script that go crusing over the heads of the younger’uns.
It’s this twin nature of the Ross Petty Panto that been the template of this vacation custom for over 25 years, and we wouldn’t have it every other method. By the way, Petty is listed in this system as govt producer emeritus, and lengthy could he reign.
Seasoned Panto playwright Matt Murray is aware of the best way to toy with well-known tales and switch them on their ear.
This Wizard of Oz is about in Torozto with the territory of the Depraved Witch of the West (Vanessa Sears) being the Ozzington district. Dorothy (Julia Pulo) and her guardian Plumbum (Dan Chameroy) — sure this lengthy operating drag position is again — have been hurled by the twister from Guelph.
Of their journey they meet the Scarecrow (Eddie Glen) — and the way can there be a Panto with out Glen — the Lion (Saphire Demitro), and the Tin Man (Jonathan Cullen), with the latter turning into Plumbum’s heartthrob. Now it seems that the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man all used to work for the Witch and have been reworked by her after they realized her prison actions.
There may be all the time a operating joke within the Panto, and on this present, it’s Plumbum’s bathroom issues (to phrase it politely). There may be additionally a terrific six-member ensemble who dance and sing up a storm, whereas understudying the principle forged.
To try to discover out why Dorothy was given the Ruby Slippers and uncover who her actual mother and father are, the buddies need to journey to the CN Energy and discover the Wizard.
Now simply who performs the Wizard is a shock and I gained’t spoil it. After all, anytime an “o” may be transformed to an “oz” in a phrase, it’s.
For adults, there are many humorous references concerning the likes of Joe Rogan, Danielle Smith (is she actually homosexual?), in fact Justin Trudeau, Pierre Polievre, Nuit Blanche, Yelp and the carbon tax.
The very best line in the entire present, nonetheless, comes from Plumbum. Because the darkish clouds of the twister start to swirl round, and somebody asks, “What’s occurring?” — Plumbum says, “the Ford Household picnic”, which obtained an enormous chuckle.
Over time, director Ted Dykstra has confirmed he has an amazing sense of humour, and that’s mirrored within the whole upbeat nature of the Panto. He has discovered amusing in all places he probably can. Jennifer Mote has offered the eye-catching, kick-ass dance numbers which add a particular power to the present.
The manufacturing values are high drawer. Kudos to the intelligent set by Michael Gianfrancesco, the lovable costumes by Ming Wong, the colorful projections of Cameron Fraser and the good lighting by Bonnie Beecher. The result’s a fabulously elegant trying present.
I’ve one criticism, nonetheless. As typical, three kids have been introduced up on stage to resolve a riddle. Often, they’re given a toy. This time they left empty-handed, and it was dangerous type. Would somebody please exit and purchase a chocolate bar or one thing to offer the children?
And, whereas it’s not precisely a criticism, I miss the commercials filmed with the forged. Sponsors and advertisers are listed in this system, so CanStage has to get them to spring for a filmed advert spot so I can get these very humorous inserts again once more.
Propelled by a powerful forged and a intelligent script, The Wizard of Oz is a slick, polished and complex present.
Hurray! The Ross Petty Panto is again!
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Paula Citron is a Toronto-based freelance arts journalist and broadcaster who hosts her personal web site, paulacitron.ca. For over 25 years, she was senior dance author for The Globe and Mail, affiliate editor of Opera Canada journal, arts reviewer for Classical 96.3 FM, and dance previews contributor to Toronto Life journal. She has been a visitor lecturer for numerous cultural teams and universities, significantly on the position of the critic/reviewer, and has been a panellist on COC podcasts. Earlier than assuming a full-time journalism profession, Ms. Citron was a member of the drama division of the Claude Watson College for the Arts.
