There’s a ton of fun happening in and around Toronto for kids big and small during March break, including a number of plays and musicals. From classic stories to pre-school favourites, hilarious improv, to amazing music, and even a play dealing with more serious issues for teens, there really is something for everyone in this list. What will you see?
PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure
In this all-new live-action PAW Patrol show, the pups—including the newest member, Tracker—use their heroic rescue skills, problem-solving, and teamwork to set sail and save the day on a pirate-themed adventure. No job is too big, no pirate pup is too small!
March 16–18Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E., Toronto
The Berenstain Bears Live! Family Matters, the Musical
In this live musical production filled with fun songs and dancing, Bear Country comes to life on stage as the Berenstain Bears learn important life lessons in an adaptation of three of the Berenstain Bears’ most beloved books: The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food, and The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at School.
March 15Rose Theatre,1 Theatre Lane, Brampton
Memorable Munsch
The very popular series of Robert Munsch stories is back, presented in skillful and comic Solar Stage fashion. Four Munsch books are presented in the style of live improv shows, with high-energy physical humour, and audience participation. For ages 4 and up.
March 10–18 and weekends through May 6Solar Stage Children’s Theatre, Artscape-Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St., Toronto
Disney’s Beauty & the Beast
Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s modern classic. Based on the animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. For ages 4 and up.
Weekends, March 3-25Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream
Celebrate the courage inside us all at Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream! See how far Moana goes to save her island; Anna races to save Elsa and stop winter; Rapunzel goes to great lengths to realize her dream; fearless Belle uncovers Beast’s gentleness; and Cinderella makes her heart’s wish come true. All ages.
March 15–18
FirstOntario Centre, 101 York Blvd., Hamilton
The Misfit League
A young heroine must find her way in a small town where it seems that everyone has mastered their ultra-cool, superhero strengths—except for her. Labelled a misfit by everyone, she fights to save the day using the most unconventional super powers the townspeople have ever seen! For ages 4–12.
March 12–18The Second City, 51 Mercer St., Toronto
Big Nate: The Musical
Nate Wright, a detention-riddled sixth grader—and drummer for the greatest garage band in the history of the galaxy, Enslave the Mollusk—hopes to woo beautiful Jenny away from her boyfriend Artur by winning first prize in his school’s Battle of the Bands. Based on the hit comic strip series by Lincoln Peirce, this family favourite jumps off the page and onto the stage. For ages 4–12.
March 12–15, and March 24–15Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill
Secret Garden
In this beloved classic, Mary Lennox is sent from India to live with her uncle in Yorkshire. Left to wander his gloomy old manor, Mary lashes out at those around her. Then she discovers a mysterious hidden garden where she uncovers secrets that, like her, need to be brought into the sunshine. For ages 6 and up.
March 10–15 and 17
Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front St. E., Toronto
Gobsmacked!
Direct from sell-out seasons in London, Hong Kong, and Edinburgh, this mind-blowing vocal show features the reigning world champion beatboxer Ball-Zee and an international cast of world-class vocalists. It weaves stories through all forms of a cappella, from traditional street corner harmonies to cutting edge, multi-track live looping. For ages 6 and up.
March 14–25CAA (formerly Panasonic) Theatre, 651 Yonge St., Toronto
Soli and Rob: Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!
Catch a free musical performance by local duo Soli & Rob at four Toronto Public Library branches on four dates during March break. Soli helps Rob overcome his fear of bugs in this show combining music and puppetry.
March 13–16Select Toronto Public Library branches, Toronto
Pop and Rock
Experience the black light theatre magic of Famous People Players as they bring your favourite rock tunes to life. The color, the lights and the sound, will make you feel you are at a concert with the stars. This is a dinner theatre event: each show includes a three-course meal, with children’s menu available.
March 14–17 and additional dates through May 31
343 Evans Ave., Etobicoke
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
One of the most enduring shows of all time, this Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber family musical follows the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son. The magical show is full of unforgettable songs. For ages 4 and up.
Weekends March 9–25Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington Ave., Toronto
Foolish Tales for Foolish Times
In this family-friendly puppet show, each story is told with a different style of puppetry, from human-sized to hand puppet, table-top to kitchen ware. Four classic tales of misadventure, full of venerable folk wisdom from around the world, are retold in a celebration of our shared humanity and presented in a deceptively simple, low-tech style. For ages 4 and up.
March 14–17Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie St., Toronto
Come From Away
After a sold-out, standing-room only Toronto engagement before heading to Broadway, the breathtaking new musical Come From Away returns! A remote Newfoundland town is the epicenter of a remarkable true story filled with unusual characters, unexpected camaraderie, and uncommon generosity. For ages 7 and up.
Tue.–Sun., through October 21Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., Toronto
Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles
This performance celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the release of The Beatle’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The historic album is brought life, taking you back in time with the legendary foursome delivering a note-for-note theatrical event that is the next best thing to seeing The Beatles live. For ages 5 and up.
March 13–18Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W., Toronto
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
This one is for the older kids. In this poignant, funny, and award winning play, enjoy a wacky weekend in the family home of bickering siblings Vanya and Sonia as they complain about their lives. Old resentments flare up when their movie-star sister, Masha, shows up with her new younger boyfriend, Spike. For ages 12 and up. (Contains strong language and mature content.)
March 2–17Theatre Scarborough, 3600 Kingston Rd., Scarborough
National Ballet of Canada’s The Sleeping Beauty
Ballet lovers must see this production, choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev and composed by Tchaikovsky, at least once. One of the most luxurious of the 19th-century classical ballets, it has been the crown jewel in the National Ballet’s repertoire since it premiered there in 1972.
March 8–18Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., Toronto PHOTO: THE SECRET GARDEN (YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE)
See the Toronto/GTA events calendar for more things to do during March break.
