What a wonderful Wizard of Oz it is! We were invited to attend the opening of Ross Petty’s newest offering and we jumped at the chance. Ross Petty always delivers and this year is no exception. In fact, it’s probably the best panto I’ve seen. A delightfully witty Wizard of Oz has been delivered, indeed. We start the show in the Ossington neighbourhood and are soon transported to Oz. This panto is jam-packed with treats for the eyes and ears that kept us laughing and smiling the entire time. There are jokes for the little ones, and of course, a few sprinkled in there for the big kids, too. Don’t worry, those will go right over the kids’ pretty little heads. The music is fun and energetic – I dare you not to butt-dance in your seat!
I brought three kiddos with me to this performance, and each of them absolutely raved about it. The youngest, when he was regaling his dad with details from the evening, said he couldn’t remember anything about the school day that preceded the show since the Wizard of Oz was so good it took up all his memory space for that day.
Photo by Racheal McCaig
The set is amazing, the costumes are fantastic – the colours simply stunning, the performers are all brilliant, and the story is marvelous. The timely anecdotes and local flavour peppered all along the way will make you feel as if this tale was written just for you.
If there is any way to get your butts in those Elgin Theatre seats, do it. You’ll be the hero of the holidays.
The show runs until January 5th at the Elgin Theatre on Yonge Street, downtown Toronto.
Photo by Racheal McCaig
