Top three holiday shows—so far

Carmen Alatorre’s crazy-good costumes contribute to the giddy good time that is Crazy For You

I’m going to start to sound like a  rerun of Sesame Street, but Avenue Q is still my favourite show in town. Both the material and production are first-rate: irreverent and original. Things get a little spicy—there’s Muppet sex—and that’s great for adults, but Avenue Q is clearly not the best choice for family entertainment.

Kids would definitely prefer Cinderella: An East Van Panto over at the York. It’s a teensy bit bawdy, but in a way that will fly right over kids’ heads. Little ones will love booing the villains, and all of the sane adults will love booing the Christy Clark-like character who’s one of the baddies. 

Out at the Gateway, Crazy For You is also surprisingly excellent. I say surprising because only two of the cast members are Equity. But the 24-person company is amazingly solid. Gaelen Beatty dances like a dream and Kate Blackburn’s voice sounds like it’s been dipped in butterscotch.

Ken Ludwig’s book for this musical is a bit weird, but George and Ira Gershwin’s songs are to die for and the Gateway has gone all out with this production, including with Carmen Alatorre’s gorgeous costumes.

Crazy For You is a full-length show, so probably not the best choice for toddlers, but older kids will appreciate the spectacle—and a night on the town.