Ross Petty News

Over 18 years, Ross Petty has created one of the longest-standing theatrical traditions in Ontario with his annual holiday pantomime, a truly unique creation that brings Canadian stars together on stage for a remarkable run of theatrical fun. Marking his 18th consecutive production at the Elgin Theatre, Ross Petty Productions has Toronto awash with excitement to catch THE LITTLE MERMAID live on stage from November 22, 2013 - January 4, 2014, a must-sea this holiday season!

Toronto is awash with excitement in light of news that Ross Petty Productions has announced that the 18th annual holiday pantomime at the Elgin Theatre will beTHE LITTLE MERMAID, running November 22, 2013 - January 4, 2014. Petty is leaving behind the Brothers Grimm and entering Hans Christian Andersen territory through this classic story, but with a Petty pivot - his first-ever foray into the fishy fairy tale where anyFIN goes!

Ross Petty, one of Canada's leading musical theatre actors and producers, just happened to have starred as the principal male lead in a touring production of Anything Goes early in his career. It was 1980 and Petty played Billy Crocker opposite Ginger Rogers as Reno Sweeney. The cast also included another legendary performer: Sid Caesar, who played Moonface Martin (aka Public Enemy Number 13). Remembering the year Petty played in ANYTHING GOES, he attended the July 24th evening performance at the Princess of Wales Theatre with his wife Karen Kain, the Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada. To almost recreate the moment, Petty posed for another photo with the current stars of the 2013 production of ANYTHING GOES. Scroll down to see both photos!

DEFYING GRAVITY: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ will be presented tonight, June 18th at Toronto's Jazz Bistro. The 9 p.m. performance features vocalists, Michael Hughes (2013 New York City Bistro Award Winner, MICKEY & JUDY) and Callandra Dendias (Toronto's MAMMA MIA!), who last joined forces in 2010 for their sold-out concer t"Unexpressed" at the Berkeley Street Theatre, will reunite for DEFYING GRAVITY: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ. With performances by special guests, including multiple East Coast Music Award nominee, John Connolly, Lindsey Frazier (star of Neptune Theatre's LEGALLY BLONDE), singer/songwriter Kritty Uranowski (Patti Cake), newcomer Joel Cumber, and accompanist Mark Selby.

Vocalists, Michael Hughes (2013 New York City Bistro Award Winner, Mickey & Judy) and Callandra Dendias (Toronto's Mamma Mia!), who last joined forces in 2010 for their sold-out concert 'Unexpressed' at the Berkeley Street Theatre, will reunite for Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz tonight, June 18th at Toronto's Jazz Bistro.

The National Ballet of Canada's annual gala fundraiser took place this past Wednesday, raising $1 million for the company. Hosted by the CBC's Jian Ghomeshi, the Carmen inspired evening entitled MAD HOT BALLET brought together some of Toronto's best dressed arts lovers and proved to be a magical evening. BWW was on hand to bring readers photos from the incredible night.

Vocalists, Michael Hughes (2013 New York City Bistro Award Winner, Mickey & Judy) and Callandra Dendias (Toronto's Mamma Mia!), who last joined forces in 2010 for their sold-out concert "Unexpressed" at the Berkeley Street Theatre, will reunite for Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz on June 18th at Toronto's Jazz Bistro. With performances by special guests, including multiple East Coast Music Award nominee, John Connolly, Lindsey Frazier (star of Neptune Theatre's Legally Blonde), singer/songwriter Kritty Uranowski (Patti Cake), newcomer Joel Cumber, and accompanist Mark Selby.

TERMINUS wins big at this year's Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards, which were announced today (awards to be given out at a later date). The awards are determined by Toronto critics who represent five of the city's newspapers: The Globe and Mail (J. Kelly Nestruck); The Grid (Martin Morrow); NOW (Glenn Sumi); The National Post (Robert Cushman); and the Toronto Star (Richard Ouzounian).

In this week's edition of 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week', we take you around the country - and beyond - with the most-read theater stories for the week of December 17! Scroll below to see what made news in your area!

Currently playing at Toronto's Elgin Theatre until January 5th, is Ross Petty's Holiday Pantomime, 'Snow White: The Deliciously Dopey Musical' Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Pinnochio, and James Bond himself are all here for your entertainment. Music, dancing, audience participation...it all can be found here! There is something for everyone! The perfect family excursion!

Ross Petty Productions' 17th annual holiday pantomime will be SNOW WHITE The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical. The production runs November 23, 2012 - January 5, 2013 at the historic Elgin Theatre.

Theatre 20, Canada's only artist-led and story-driven musical theatre company, is pleased to announce the cast of its inaugural production - Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare.

Ross Petty Productions' 17th annual holiday pantomime will be SNOW WHITE The Deliciously Dopey Family Musical. The production runs November 23, 2012 - January 5, 2013 at the historic Elgin Theatre.

Theatre 20, Canada's only artist-led and story-driven musical theatre company, is pleased to announce the cast of its inaugural production - Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare.

Theatre 20, Canada's only artist-led and story-driven musical theatre company, is pleased to announce the cast of its inaugural production - Bloodless: The Trial and Burke and Hare.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brian Beirne to the newly created position of Managing Director of 59E59 Theaters.

This past Wednesday, The National Ballet of Canada celebrated their 60th Anniversary with a gala event at The Four Seasons Centre for the Arts. The evening embraced a 'Diamond' theme, with gorgeous tutus on display throughout the centre showcasing designs from all over the world. Guests were invited to watch highlights from the Ballet's impressive repertoire and then had a gala dinner and dance on the stage of the Centre. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the evening.

Presented last December to sold out houses at Sheridan College's Oakville campus, Theatre Sheridan transfers its production of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical RENT to Toronto's Panasonic Theatre tonight, May 16, where it runs through to May 27 (preview May 15). Tickets go on sale TODAY through mirvish.com or call TicketKing at 416.872.1212.

Angelwalk Theatre is bringing Torontonians the Canadian Premiere of I Love You Because, a modern day love story loosely based on Pride and Prejudice. The show was a hit off-Broadway in 2005 and now Toronto audiences will get to experience the quirky musical first hand. BWW sat down to talk with Elena Juatco (who stars as Marcy) about her own dating Do's and Dont's, dating Mr. Wrong and why young people should come see the show.