Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.
I’ll be completely honest, friends. When I was asked if I’d like to attend Ross Petty’s latest production, Sleeping Beauty – The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical, I had to Google it.
(Please don’t shake your head at me. Clearly I’ve been living under a rock.)
The thing is, when I started asking around, and doing my own little research, I found out that Ross Petty’s annual production is not only a tradition for many, many families each holiday season – it’s also one of Toronto’s longest running theatrical events!
Since 1996, Ross Petty Productions have been producing what they call “Fractured Fairy Tale Musicals” at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre. The shows are firmly in the old English pantomime tradition, incorporating many of that style’s elements — broad comedy, winking asides that break the “fourth wall”, audience participation, and, of course, a man in a dress. (Source)
When we attended the show last week, my expectations were fairly simple: a comedic take on the classic fairy tale, song and dance (and more song and dance), the end. And that did happen.
What I wasn’t prepared for? The enthusiasm and emotion from the audience. The families and extended families, sitting together as a big group. The laughs and boos (trust me, it’s a well established tradition) from both the young and young at heart. Just a few minutes into the performance, I realized that it was more than just a play, it was more than just a group of actors. It was a “must-do” for so many families; a way to usher in the holidays and celebrate the togetherness of the season.
So, what can you expect this year?
Guest Star Hilary Far from HGTV’s Love it or List It makes her Toronto theatrical debut as Petty’s evil successor. And in an eye-opening performance, Kinky Boots star AJ Bridel plays the drowsy heroine. Fans of Family Channel’s The Next Step will be dancing in the aisles along with young stars Alexandra Beaton and Taveeta Szymanowicz. Great family fun for kids from 3 to 93!
The show runs straight through until Saturday, January 7, 2017, with tickets ranging from $69 to $99. However, use code FANTASY to grab discounted tickets for just $59! And with the money you save? Do a good deed. Ross Petty Productions is supporting Sleep Country Canada’s “Give A Kid A Coat” campaign. At every performance of Sleeping Beauty, donations of new or gently used clean coats will be accepted at the Elgin Theatre. (Look for the donation box in the lobby.)
After taking in this year’s show, my family has decided to make Ross Petty Productions an annual tradition! I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next year.
Intrigued? In total agreement? Whether you’re a seasoned theatre-goer or a newbie to the shows, I’ve got a very special giveaway to make the holidays bright! I have a set of four (4) tickets to give away to Sleeping Beauty – The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical. To enter, simply leave a comment telling me if Ross Petty Productions is an annual tradition in your home – or, if you’re looking to create a new one! I’ll draw for a winner on December 11th. Good luck everyone!
For more information on Sleeping Beauty – The Deliriously Dreamy Family Musical, and to purchase tickets, click here.
This looks like it’s going to be a great show, I used to go to live shows all the time with my aunt and I really enjoyed watching them, it’s been awhile since I have been, but hubby does not like them, sooooo here I sit!
I’ve never heard about these shows until this year, but I would love to take my kids there. Thank you for the chance!
We attended the shows over the last two years and loved it! We hope to have the opportunity to go again this year. We would love to make the shows and annual tradition in our home!
This would be an amazing new tradition to start for our family. My daughter has recently found a love for theatre and I would love to take her to see Sleeping Beauty – which is her fav princess. We even had sleeping beauty attend her birthday this would be the ultimate Holiday tradition!
I’ve only heard about Ross Petty productions this year when I saw ads for Sleeping Beauty. I had no idea about this being a Christmas-time tradition! And, as mom of 2 little girls, I should have known better! Thanks and I will have to find a way to work this show into the Christmas budget!
We are! Looking to start a new tradition with our family. Is this show or the ballet, and heard from friends this show is more fun. Thanks for the chance to win!
I was just talking about Ross Petty productions for Sleeping Beauty I see the ads on the subway coming home from work, but we have never gone to one.My kids want me to get tickets to see it for when they are off for winter break This would be so awesome
This would be a great new tradition to start with my 2 daughters! My friend introduced me to Ross Petty Productions and the shows look amazing. Would be awesome to win this for my daughters and great new tradition for us :)
Thanks for putting on this great contest!
Haven’t seen a show yet but would love to make it a new tradition! Thx for the chance!
Oh Lena, you are right on the money!! The discounted tickets are a great initiative to start a new tradition AND to give back!! I would LOVE to start with my grand daughters!! Thanks for your review and this giveaway!! :)
We love going to his productions. He always puts on an awesome show. I might have to check out the discounted tickets this year.
I would love to create an annual family tradition of seeing Ross Petty Productions. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
i’ve never been to a live show. would be fun to go with my sister and her daughter and a friend.
This looks like a new tradition to start especially since my kids are at an age to start to enjoy this.
I’ve never seen a production, but would love to make it a tradition! Looks like fun for the entire family!
This would be a new tradition that I would love to start! Sounds like an amazing show. Thanks for the opportunity to win tickets!????
I usually go to this show every year, it’s a great Christmas tradition!
I admit I have not been to a Ross Petty Production, or heard of them until now. I would love to start a new tradition with my daughter, it sounds amazing!
We have not been to any of their shows before, but would love to make it a new annual tradition!
I’ hadn’t heard of them before but will certainly check out their website. Thanks Lena!
I’ve always tried taking my son to at least one play a year. I felt it was a great opportunity to expose him to theatre with something he could relate to. Now as an adult he continues to go with his wife. I hope the tradition will continue with a little one on the way. It might be a few years however, we will continue the tradition. It would be great for us all to go together. Thanks for the chance Lena
I’ve heard of the show but have never been. Would love to take my family. Thanks for the chance!
I have never heard of the show…but the little one is young…perhaps to create new tradition.
Thanks
Oooh! This sounds fantastic! My 3 year old is a real busy body so we haven’t taken him to any theatre productions yet…but this sounds like a great introduction for him. Thanks for the opportunity to enter :)
I’ve never been, but would love to see this production! My baby is turning one and I can’t wait till she’s older so that I can take her to see the Nutcracker.
It’s not been a tradition but musicals around the holiday season are wonderful! Just took my mom to a show recently and I’d love to attend another! Thanks for the chance :)
Would love to start a new tradition!
I am like you and have never heard of them, but I know my daughters and I would love this show! It sounds like an awesome day out for us!
Thank you for posting! We have never ever heard of this musical before and we are interested! My 2 daughters would love this show and how exciting to head to Elgin! Thank you so much for the chance!!! Merry Christmas!
We’ve been trying to decide on the right show to introduce our five-year-old to live theatre. This would be a perfect way make the introduction and start an annual tradition!
Every year I see the advertisement and wonder if we should go. After reading your review I think it needs to become a family tradition for us! Merry Christmas!
It is! I started seeing them when I was about 17, now I go with my boyfriend!
Not a tradition but would to create one! Something for the family to do and would love to start!
I have never seen a Ross Petty production, but I’m always up for new experiences, especially when they are family-friendly!
Have heard about the annual show but have never taken the opportunity to bring my daughters. Would love to start a new tradition after a difficult year. Whomever wins the tickets, wishing you a Merry Christmas!
I would love to go see this production, it’s my favourite movie! We would use the tickets to start a new tradition with our new baby girl and my husband’s parents. What a special contest, thanks Lena!
No, it’s not, but I have the perfect person in mind to gift it to!!
I have never heard about this until now. Sounds simply marvelous and a great way to bring families together in this busy time.
I’ve never seen a Ross Petty production but I’d definitely love to start a new tradition! I know my girls would love it!
I’ve only seen a couple of productions, but they’re always awesome!
Every year I see Ross Petty’s productions advertised and every year I say “I really need to get some tickets to this show! It looks fabulous!” I know that my musical theate-loving daughter would really enjoy this production. Her birthday party is on Dec. 11th as well. It would be wonderful if I could tell her we won tickets to the show!
We are looking for a new family tradition and the Ross Petty productions may be exactly what we are looking for!
Not yet a tradition but it looks like something we would look forward to every year.
Would love to have a new tradition. This looks fantastic!!!
Always wanted to bring the family….will be annual tradition for sure!
SAW THE SHOW ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO WHEN OUR 3 DAUGHTERS WERE SMALL. WE LOVED IT BUT DAD FELL ASLEEP (BLAMED IT ON NIGHT SHIFT)!!!…FRONT ROW BALCONY …. WAS NEVER FORGIVEN.
This would most certainly be a nice new tradition to have in our family. My son and I would love to see smthg like this :)
I would love to make this a tradition in my life! I would love to take my nieces and sister to this!
I would love to create a new tradition and my family loves live theatre. Thanks!
We went to the show for the first time last year. It was amazing. I’d love to make it a tradition.
My family and I have never gone , the show looks great . I would love to start a new family tradition.
Thank you :)
The panto has been a tradition since I was a little girl! Now I’m so happy to introduce my kids the the world of Panto with Ross Petty Productions! My darling girl had a sptearvin her eye last year as she saw Ross Petty take a final bow. But she’s so happy the tradition lives on
We went to our first Ross Petty production last year (Cinderella, who happens to be one of my daughter’s favourite heroines) and we absolutely loved it. So, yes we would love to make this an annual tradition. Thanks for the opportunity!
This could be the start of a new tradition for me and my mom!
I haven’t attended a Ross Petty show yet, but I’ve heard amazing things and would love to see if it lives up to the reputation. Like you, it could become a really great tradition.
I have never been to a show but would be thrilled at the chance to take my daughter and husband. Thanks for the chance.
We’ve never been, but we’d love to make it an annual tradition!
We saw the Cinderella show last year and it was amazing???? I would love to attend this Sleeping Beauty show because I know it will be fun for our whole family
Not a tradition but I’m sure we can start one. My granddaughters would love this so much. #SleepingBeautyGTA
My family has not been to any Ross Petty productions but I think that it would be a lovely new annual family tradition to start. I love slightly off centre experiences!
looking to create a new one
Our mom took us each Christmas to a English pantomime decades ago at the O’Keefe Centre, now the Sony Centre. We now take our children to the Ross Petty productions each Christmas.
We love the Ross Petty pantomimes, but can’t always scrape up the money for tickets. I think that we’ve been about 4 times so far, and loved every minute of each one. Good luck all!
We have never been, so start of a new tradition for us. Would love to go.
my wife and I would LOVE it!
The panto has always been a tradition in my family. My mum was lucky to attend when she was little in Belfast, she took us as kids to the shows put on at the O’Keefe Centre (sony centre now) and I loved it! We would go to the shopsy’s deli on the corner and eat hot dogs, then take in the show. Now we take my kids and they always enjoy the performace, it is not like any other show!
Never been, but my friend goes every year and loves it. Would love to take my 11 year old niece and start some new traditions.
Ross Petty’s fractured fairy tales have been a family tradition for us but I don’t have tickets to this one. Would love to go, his productions are such fun, I think I enjoy it even more than my daughter! Thanks for the chance!
We LOVE the Ross Petty Christmas productions in this house! We started going about 4 years ago and love it. Great for all ages, unfortunately I have not gotten any tickets yet this year. Thanks for the chance!
We’re theatre lovers but I too hasn’t heard of this annual production. especially as my kids are starting to fledge, I would love to stay a new tradition. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’ve never seen a Ross Petty production! I’ve heard amazing things about them. We were supposed to go last year, but plans fell through. We have two daughters, 12 & 14 who are competitive dancers and really enjoy going to the theatre! Crossing my fingers for the tickets!!
I have never been to this show but I would love to go with my children. We love live performances!
This is a must do holiday tradition…our 6yr loves the interaction and looks forward to the show each year
Never seen a Ross Petty production but would love to!
Never been but would love to create theater memories with my Granddaughter the way my mom did with me. All Ross Petty’s shows look amazing, beautiful and fun. Would over to give her that experience. Thank you!
just made the move to toronto & would love to check it out :) first timer for me & the family
Sounds like a great Christmas tradition.
This is an annual event that my kids attend with granny and grandpa :)
I haven’t been to one of these shows before but am intrigued to find out what all the hype is all about. I have also apparently been living under a rock because until recently I never really went anywhere.
Went to see a Ross Petty show last year. Best time we had as a family in a while!
Would be great to make this an annual tradition!
I think this would be a great new annual tradition to start! :)
This isn’t a tradition of mine but I would love to start one and this one looks like one I am really looking forward to seeing.
Merry Christmas everyone
My granddaughter has never been to live theatre and this production would be perfect to introduce her to it!
We’ve never been, and like you had never heard of the show before. Sounds like it would be a blast for our family!
It isn’t a family tradition, but I could see it being one when my daughter gets older!
We went last year and loved it it was a great bonding moment with my daughter and I. Would love to take her again but just don’t have the finances this year.
I am really looking to creating this as a new family tradition this year with the hubby and two kiddos. I think we all will love it. Thx
I had never heard of these before but it sounds wonderful and I would love to go and start a new tradition!
We’ve been every year for the past six years – we love the Ross Petty panto tradition!
As a child my parents would take me to see Ross Petty and Karen Kain productions… I would love to take my children and start the tradition with them.
I’ve never seen a Ross Petty production. So I’d love to go and start a new tradition.
Husband and I have never seen a Ross Petty production but would absolutely love to. This would be the perfect Start to a new tradition. Thanks for the chance
I could possibly win Christmas with tickets to this show! Wife and girls would love to see this show and make it a tradition.
I really want to see this show, it looks great!
Traditions new and old weave the fabric of family memories! So special and important and offer a sense of secirity to many both young and old.
I’ve never been to live theatrical performances because they’re just not something I’m interested in and I don’t know anyone that’s seen it either. But I also live about an hour and a half from Toronto so it’s a little harder to get to things like that. I hope you really enjoyed it.