This holiday season, Soulpepper Theatre is transforming into an enchanted winter wonderland brimming with music and holiday joy as Bad Hats Theatre returns with the third family musical in their award-winning trilogy, transporting audiences to the fantastical land of C.S. Lewis’ NARNIA. The magic will begin the moment patrons walk through the doors, with a sparkling immersive lobby installation produced in partnership with the Distillery District’s beloved Winter Village, which will play host to Santa Claus and his elves for the second-year running. The celebrations wouldn’t be complete without a Soulpepper holiday concert embodying the soul of the season, ‘TWAS ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS.

“The holidays invite us into a cherished moment in the year—one that calls us to focus on being together. It’s a season to reflect on and to create the memories and traditions that root us to one another. And there are few places more powerful for that kind of shared experience than the theatre—where, in real time, we are reminded of our limitless capacity for wonder and connection.” said Soulpepper Artistic Director, Paolo Santalucia.

“This season, we’re inviting Toronto to gather at Soulpepper once again. As the third major production in our strategic partnership with Crow’s Theatre, we are proud to collaborate with Bad Hats Theatre—Toronto’s defining voice in family storytelling—on the next chapter of their wildly beloved musical trilogy, NARNIA. Alongside our continued partnership with the Distillery Winter Village, this experience won’t stop at the stage—it will radiate through our building with our lobby transformed into a winter wonderland that welcomes audiences of all ages into a world of imagination before they even take their seats. We can’t wait to open our doors—and to reaffirm Soulpepper as Toronto’s home for holiday storytelling, celebration, and community.”

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF NARNIA

A Soulpepper Theatre, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow's Theatre Co-Production

Bad Hats Theatre’s

NARNIA

ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY FIONA SAUDER

MUSIC & LYRICS BY LANDON DOAK

ASSOCIATE DIRECTION & DRAMATURGY BY MATT PILIPIAK

CREATIVE PRODUCER VICTOR POKINKO

BASED ON THE LION, THE WITH AND THE WARDROBE BY C.S. LEWIS

Featuring a lively company of actor-musicians Belinda Corpuz, James Daly, Landon Doak, Sierra Haynes, Matthew Joseph, Matt Pilipiak, Jonathan Tan, Amaka Umeh and Astrid Van Wieren

On stage November 18th – December 28th in the Baillie Theatre

A Soulpepper Theatre, Bad Hats Theatre, and Crow’s Theatre co-production on stage November 18th to December 28th, NARNIA is a new musical retelling of C.S. Lewis’ beloved tale that brings the world of Narnia to life like never before. Featuring a company of actor-musicians, this spellbinding adaptation follows a story about the changing seasons of our lives, found families, and how we learn to say goodbye. For kids and kids-at-heart, Bad Hats Theatre’s NARNIA takes audiences on an unforgettable journey through the wardrobe and is the centrepiece of Soulpepper’s holiday program.

Written, choreographed, and directed by Fiona Sauder with music and lyrics by composer Landon Doak, the performance ensemble includes Belinda Corpuz (Ladies of the Canyon, Alligator Pie/Soulpepper), James Daly (La Cages aux Folles, Wendy and Peter Pan/Stratford), Landon Doak (Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan/Bad Hats), Sierra Haynes (Miss Caledonia/Globe Theatre), Matthew Joseph (Rent/Stratford), Matt Pilipiak (Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan/Bad Hats), Jonathan Tan (Peter Pan and the Starcatcher, A Christmas Carol/SHAW Festival), Amaka Umeh (Strange Loop/Soulpepper, Hamlet/Stratford) and Astrid Van Wieren (Come From Away/Broadway). Produced by Victor Pokinko, set and costume design by Shannon Lea Doyle, lighting design by Logan Raju Cracknell, sound design by Andres Castillo-Smith, with stage managers Tara Mohan and Hannah MacMillan, and music direction and supervision by Jonathan Corkal-Astorga.

“Inspired by Lewis’ own relationship with his goddaughter Lucy, we were drawn to tell a story that celebrates the unique, and often transformative connections between found families. For so many of us, we find our way to who we are through relationships that weren't necessarily pre-destined. Some of my greatest influences have been my teachers, neighbours, mentors, and friends. Our Narnia explores the lasting impact that a character called 'the Professor' has on four orphaned children when she invites them into her home. There, the children grow into a family, and reignite the Professor’s outlook in turn, changing the course of her story, and theirs, forever. No matter our age, the next generation is learning from us, and we from them. We can’t wait to step through the Wardrobe with you into the magical world of Narnia.”- Fiona Sauder, Writer/Director/Choreographer of NARNIA & Artistic Director of Bad Hats Theatre

Created in the same ensemble-driven style as Bad Hats’ hit award-winning productions of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland, this new Canadian adaptation entertains and delights while exploring the difficult and beautiful question of how to grow up without leaving the spirit and insight of childhood behind.

NARNIA is on stage November 18th to December 28th with evening performances Tuesday through Saturday at 7:00pm, and matinees Wednesday and Sundays at 2:00pm and Saturdays at 12:00pm and 4:30pm at Soulpepper’s Baillie Theatre (50 Tank House Lane). Sunday matinees will switch to 12:00pm and 4:30pm beginning December 14th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information visit www.soulpepper.ca.

Photo: Amaka Umeh as the White Witch. © 2025 Dahlia Katz.