Review: Ross Petty's SLEEPING BEAUTY is the Perfect Family Night Out

It wouldn't be a holiday season in Toronto without a Ross Petty show - and this year's Sleeping Beauty is, as always, the perfect night out for the entire family.

In this twisted, modern retelling set in Toronto - Princess Rose learns she can save herself without the help of a man, but then finds true love anyways - a trend in the modern, feminist fairytale.

Rose is played by the ever brilliant AJ Bridel, who Toronto audiences will remember from her star turn as Lauren in Kinky Boots.

James Daly plays Luke, the lutist who has fallen in love with the princess. Daly and Bridel make for a the perfect on stage pair, and are both vocally top notch.

Paul Constable makes his panto debut as SparkleBum (stepping in for Dan Chameroy's much beloved PlumBum) and Hilary Farr of HGVT's Love It or List It steps in for Ross Petty himself in his first year of retirement from the annual show.

Eddie Glen returns for this 14th season and is as witty and spontaneous as ever, though without Petty to bounce jokes off it's evident that he and Farr don't have the same witty rapport. Even without his other evil half Glen manages to throw in plenty of political and theatrical humor for the grownups (jokes about Wynn, Sousatzka, and Drabinsky were heard on opening night.)

Dora Award Winner Lisa Horner and Laurie Murdoch play the Queen and King respectively to great effect.

In this year's Ross Petty Production there's plenty for the kids and kids at heart alike, and it makes for the perfect family outing during the holiday season and a great introduction to the theatre for first timers.

Don't miss it - only on stage through January 7th.

Ticket prices range from $27-$99 Adults, $27-$69 Children under 12, and for a $256 Family 4-Pack. Tickets can be purchased online at rossspetty.com, by phone at 1.855.599.9090 or in person at the Elgin Theatre Box Office, 189 Yonge Street.

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