Stage Door News

Toronto: “The Christmas Story” runs December 6-22 at the Church of the Holy Trinity

Monday, November 4, 2019

This year, as we have for more than 80 years, we invite you to start your December with the true spirit of the holiday season: joy, open hearts, kindness, and hope — and a reminder of our shared humanity, as we present THE CHRISTMAS STORY, playing December 6-22 at the historic Church Of the Holy Trinity.  Reservations are recommended via www.thechristmasstory.ca (or 416-598-4521 Ext. 301). 

THE CHRISTMAS STORY shares the magic of the first Christmas aided by masterful musicians, the genuine excitement of its 100+ volunteer cast members (including a real baby in the role of Jesus!), beautiful costumes, and professional sound and lighting.  THE CHRISTMAS STORY is one of Toronto's most beloved holiday traditions and is guaranteed to help you connect with the spirit of the season. 

But you never know what might be going on behind the scenes...

Comic folklore handed down in the cast includes the time the elastic snapped on Joseph’s boxer shorts during the “walk to Bethlehem”.  A former assistant director was legendary for her ability to persuade families shopping in the Eaton Centre to lend their baby for an hour when the scheduled performer failed to show up.

Our bigger challenges have included figuring out what to do in 1977 when an autumn fire spread from the neighbouring Eaton’s warehouses and destroyed the roof of the church. That Christmas, the pageant was performed in the Toronto Eaton Centre — while extensive repairs were taking place on the Church of the Holy Trinity.

During the 2017 pageant, what really WAS a first was for a last-minute susbstitute baby Jesus to arrive at the doorstep with a family from the Holy Land. On the opening weekend of the pageant, our director, Susan Watson, received an email that the baby scheduled for that night had come down with a cold.  With regret, Watson had to resign herself to using the back-up doll for the performance. That's when the head usher rushed over to tell her there was a family at the doorstep with a baby girl who could play Jesus – and the parents were from Nazareth!  

Little Tala Mazzawi did a star turn as Jesus, not fussing once and interacting on cue with all the performers, as if she had been rehearsing for weeks!  As one audience member later commented, “It was a perfect Toronto moment.”

Tradition, community, innocence, trembling nerves, miracles and soaring choral music: this not-to-be-missed nativity play is a calming antidote to a hectic season and a troubled world. It is a beautiful reminder that this is a season of blessings and new beginnings that we should all share with each other.

In that spirit, we have arranged for sign language interpretation (ASL) for two performances:  Sunday, December 15th at 4:30 pm, and Saturday, December 21st at7:30 pm. The church is Wheelchair Accessible.

VENUE    The Church of The Holy Trinity

19 Trinity Square, Toronto (beside the Eaton Centre) 

DATES:     December 6 - 22, 2018

3 Weekends of Performances!

(**ASL sign language interpretation indicated beside the performance)

  • Fri, December 6 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, December 7 at 4:30pm (matinee only)
  • Sun, December 8 at 4:30pm  (matinee only)
  • Fri, December 13 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, December 14 at 4:30pm
  • Sat, December 14 at 7:30pm  
  • Sun, December 15 at 4:30pm (**ASL Interpretation, matinee only)
  • Fri, December 20 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, December 21 at 4:30pm
  • Sat, December 21 at 7:30pm (**ASL Interpretation)
  • Sun, December 22 at 2:30pm (note early curtain time)
  • Sun, December 22 at 5:00pm (note early curtain time, final performance)

ADMISSION & RESERVATIONS:

Suggested Donation is $25 adults / $5 children 17 & under

(a collection will be taken). Seating is general admission.

Reservations are recommended via www.thechristmasstory.ca 

or call  416-598-4521 Ext. 301  to book

The Church is fully wheelchair accessible.

Doors open half an hour before performances.