Our Favourite Toronto Winter Activity: Laughing Till We Cry at a Ross Petty Production

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Looking for something a little different to do as a family this winter?

For a healthy dose of silly, fantastical, zany, exuberant fun, Ross Petty never, ever disappoints. It’s been a favourite of ours for years now, and Ross Petty’s latest show, Sleeping Beauty: The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical shows every sign of being another offbeat classic.

The show features an ambitious Princess Rose, aka Sleeping Beauty, who has big dreams of opening an ogre orphanage or unicorn sanctuary in the kingdom of Torontonia. Luke, her part-troll music instructor, is in love but doesn’t think he stands a chance.

Troubles of the heart aren’t the only problems playing the kingdom of Torontonia—an evil fairy is dead-set on making over the kingdom in the worst of ways. (Adults in the crowd might recognize HGTV’s Hilary Farr of Love it or List it.) All is not lost though, as her well-intentioned assistant, SparkleBum, (yes, you read that right) is not down with her evil plans. (Regulars of Ross Petty pantos will recognize Eddie Glen, back for his 14th show.)

Still undecided? Let’s lay out the pros and cons.

Pros:

  1. The show is at the Elgin Theatre on Young Street, a hop, skip, and a jump from Queen Station. Since the theatre is so close to the station, we take the TTC to avoid locating parking, paying for parking and driving downtown—and the kids ride free!
  2. Tickets start as low as $27, and family 4-packs are available, too.
  3. This is one star-studded cast. Besides Farr and Glen, you might spot AJ Bridel (Kinky Boots), Paul Constable (the Canadian Tire spokesman), Laurie Murdoch (Once), Lisa Horner (Grey Gardens), and James Daly (Master Harold and the Boys).
  4. The kids never fail to laugh and giggle throughout a whole Ross Petty show—which brings a grin to our faces, too. And, ok, we laugh pretty hard too.

Cons:

  1. We can’t think of any.

Sleeping Beauty: The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical opens Thursday, December 1 and runs until January 7, 2017 at the Elgin Theatre. Performances are at 7 pm and 2 pm. For a complete performance schedule, and to purchase tickets, visit rosspetty.com.

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