The Nutcracker
Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W.,
national.ballet.ca
The Lorax
Dec. 9–Jan. 21
Few people realize beloved
children’s author Dr. Seuss was
an early supporter of the
environmental movement. His
1971 book The Lorax directly
addressed threats to nature poised
by economic greed. This stage
adaptation educates as much as
it entertains—courtesy of a set
design that will make you feel
like you’re living in a Dr. Seuss
book. Royal Alexandra Theatre,
260 King St. W., mirvish.com
and “Hard Knock Life.” Ran- Next Stage Theatre Festival
dolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St.,
randolphcentreforthearts.com Jan. 3–14
The Nutcracker
Dec. 9–30
The Lorax
yet this year’s edition is the first
to actually have a Christmas
theme, taking on the Dickens
classic A Christmas Carol. Not
that it matters: if you’re paying
too close attention to the plot
of a pantomime, you’re missing
all the fun. Elgin Theatre,
The National Ballet of Canada’s
performance of The Nutcracker
has been a Toronto tradition
for more than two decades.
The story—slightly updated
here with a narrative focused
on two children preparing to
enter a more grown-up world—
is elaborately staged on a
beautifully designed set.
Four Seasons Centre for the
Next Stage is the winter cousin
of the Toronto Fringe Festival.
But where the Fringe is made up
of both established and up-and-
coming theatre artists chosen by
lottery, Next Stage is a juried
affair, and consists of both new
and remounted plays from past
Fringes. This year’s highlights
include a new work by comedy
troupe–puppeteers Sex T-Rex
and Fringe vets Martin Dockery
and Vanessa Quesnelle.
Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St.,
fringetoronto.com
189 Yonge St., rosspetty.com
Annie
Dec. 8–Jan. 7
The Depression-era story of a
redheaded orpha n and her mil-
lionaire adoptive father has been
entertaining families onstage
for 40 years. Kids love Annie’s
spunky personality, while
children and parents alike enjoy
classic songs like “Tomorrow”
secondcity.com
416-343-0011
51 Mercer St
Nightly comedy in the heart of Toronto
Winter 2017/2018
where 13