With the holidays right around the corner, that means it’s time for Ross Petty’s annual beloved holiday Panto makes its return to the stage with, The Wizard of OZ: The Toto-ly Awesome Family Musical, at the historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre from December 6th to January 5th, with Petty now serving as Executive Producer Emeritus.

Taking up the mantle of this iconic 25-year tradition, Canadian Stage has proudly stepped up to lead the next chapter of larger-than-life holiday pantomimes with an all-out irreverent twist on the timeless tale of The Wizard of Oz. Audiences of all ages will join Dorothy and her friends on a hilarious romp through the fantastical landscapes of TorOZto. Along the way, they’ll see fantastical sets, spectacular costumes, and enjoy some very silly parodies of hit songs by Beyonce, Billie Eilish and more! Get ready to cheer on Team Dorothy as Plumbum, the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow help to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West (End) and find their way to the CN Power to discover the identity of the Wizard of TorOzto! Hint: she loves a bike lane!

A mainstay of the Panto and the Stratford Festival, Dan Chameroy returns to play his beloved character Plumbum alongside another Panto favourite, Eddie Glen, as The Scarecrow, and multi-Dora winner Vanessa Sears as the Wicked Witch of the West. Julio Pulo steps into Dorothy’s Ruby Blundstones after her star turn as Anne Boleyn in the Toronto production of Six. Chameroy, Glen, and Sears are joined by an eclectic cast of musical talents including Saphire Demitro, Jordan Bell, Andrew Broderick, Jonathan Cullen, Sierra Holder, and Kirstyn Russelle.

Ross Petty first launched the Toronto Panto in 1996 with a production of Robin Hood in which he starred alongside his wife, the illustrious global ballet star Karen Kain.  Petty produced the raucously over-the-top show every year following – even offering virtual editions in 2020 and 2021 – turning it into a must-see Toronto holiday season tradition in the years to come. The Panto as produced by Ross Petty Productions returned live in 2022 with Peter Pan: The Final Flight and now the campy Panto baton has been passed to Canadian Stage to continue, as a new annual feature of their seasons.

Coal Mine Theatre co-founder and another long-time member of the Panto family, Ted Dysktra, directs and the script comes from six-time Panto scribe Matt Murray. Joining Dykstra on the OZ creative team are Music Director Mark Camilleri[MZ1] [BH2] , Set Designer Michael Gianfrancesco, Costume Designer Ming Wong, Lighting Designer Bonnie Beecher, Sound Designer Brian Kenny, Projection Designer Cameron Fraser, and Choreographer Jennifer Mote.

Prepare to cheer on Dorothy and hiss at the schemes of the Wicked Witch in a production brimming with laughter, great music, and mischievous antics. We’re not in Kansas anymore: the Panto marks Canadian Stage’s first foray into the historic Winter Garden Theatre.

THE WIZARD OF OZ: THE TOTO-LY AWESOME FAMILY MUSICAL is on stage at the historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre December 6, 2024 to January 5m 2025 with tickets beginning at just $64.  For tickets and additional information click here.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.