Peter Pan, 2007

Hello to the Cast and Crew!

I just came from the matinee show of Peter Pan and I can't get rid of the smile off my face.

For many years since I caught a tv special of one of your many earlier shows Mr. Petty, I have begged, pleaded, whined, basically every trick in the kid book to convince my mom to take us kids to see your show.

Well for whatever reason, mom took me, her 24 and 20 year old daughters to see the show for a Christmas present. I've waited a long time to see a Ross Petty show and Peter Pan was the best yet!

To the cast and crew you have done an amazing job! I don't think I could get my cheering and applauding loud enough for you to understand what a magical afternoon you gave me. For a couple of hours, a debt ridden university graduate forgot her worries and was kept so entertained I didn't want the show to end.

Mr. Browning and Mr. Petty you two stole the show and made me feel like a kid again, so thanks again Peter Pan and Captain Hook! I wish I could thank everyone individually for their part in the show, but hopefully this letter will convey to you how much fun I had.

Needless to say Peter Pan has become my favorite present of the holidays! I am desperate to get a DVD copy of the show because I wish I could keep the fun and laughter with me all year round. Congratulations on a magnificent show and have a fun filled New Year for I will never forget this show! BRAVO!

Sincerely,
Jenine

To Ross Petty, Kurt Browning and the Cast of Peter Pan:

My husband and I went to see Peter Pan December 28th and thoroughly enjoyed the show - a lot of laughs and fun - a change from all the violent programs of today.

I have been a fan of Kurt Browning since he was a teenager and have taped skating since then. I have every program Kurt has ever done and he has got to be the best skater in the world today - I have seen and taped them all. To see him on stage in roller blades doing the same moves he does on the ice was amazing. He is perfect for the roll and i'm so happy you chose Kurt to play Peter Pan. He is a born entertainer and there is nothing Kurt couldn't do, I'm sure of that.

Thank you for a wonderful evening of entertainment, laughter and joy.

Bravo and a happy new year to you all
Margaret

What an incredible show. My 2 daughters-ages 8 and 5 were enthralled the entire time.

We were lucky enough to be parked in a lot right beside the stage door and were honoured to meet and get autographs from several cast members including Kurt Browning. I just had to tell you tha my 8 year old declared that meeting Kurt was better than meeting Mickey Mouse at Disneyworld. Now that's the best review that anyone can get.

Thank you for an amazing experience
Sally

Yesterday, while fighting the crowds at the Eatons Centre my daughters and I bought tickets to the evening performance. I must say, almost immediately I was worried. My daughters are 14 and 10, and I was worried it would be too young for them.

Was I wrong. What a great show. We laughed, we sang we clapped...we even danced!! The girls loved it, and so did I. The show was wonderful and I will be telling everyone I know to see it before Jan 6.

Thank You!!
Lisa /Stouffville

Hello Everyone,

I just saw your show on December 22nd - 2 pm and it was wonderful, we loved it! It was better than I imagined. We took our neice who it eight years old and she had a wonderful time.

My husband and I surprised our daughters with the tickets and I can not thank you enough for a wonderful afternoon.

We can not wait until next year to see another show!

Thank you,
Nella

Dear Mr Petty,

Wondrous! You have captured the spirit of a pantomime with exuberance. Your cast knows what it is doing. My wife and I took our 4 year old grandson Trevor, and it is hard to know who enjoyed the show more - Trevor or his granddad. Kurt Browning is warm, energetic and friendly as Peter. Just right, a find as an actor! And you are a great performer. What singers you have gathered! For us the show started when Michelle, our usher in the topmost of the gods, found our seats and showed Trevor her flashlight and flashed her lovely smile at Trevor and my red Xmas-tree tie. The first notes on the flute warming up held Trevor spellbound. The drums were next in his priorities. The spotlights just behind us were magnetically interesting to Trevor and we looked up the projector chap in the interval. The audience knew exactly what to do in a panto, and you lead them like a conductor. The singers and dancers were by turns charming and broad. That is the panto for you! You understand, you act it, you bring us all along a spectacular showy arc. Trevor loved your stage settings, and your pirate ship especially took his fancy. Who could have predicted that?

Thanks Michelle, projector chap, you, Kurt, flautist and the cast, Bravo. Brava. Trevor has never sat Buddha-like for so long, absorbing, absorbing, absorbing.

John

Dear Mr Petty,

I've seen many of your shows and have never been disappointed.
The first was many yrs ago. I was reluctlant to go as I thought it would be a bunch of Marcel Marsos...or however it's spelled.
But that was the best laughs I had that year.
I took my mom for a few years until she passed away last March. She always looked forward to it...much a part of Christmas as candy canes.
I took my lady friend Heather this year. She loved it too.

Congratulations on entertaining all ages.

Take care
Mike

Mr.Petty,

As a child my parents took me to panto shows at the O'Keefe. Now I take my daughter and neices to your shows. This has turned into the kid's most anticipated Christmas tradition.

I truly hope your cast and crew feels the appreciation of your audiences. What you do is unique and extremely special. It is a gift to expose our children to the art of acting and your productions are the perfect way to do it. I highly recommend everyone attends one of your very silly plays .. they are awesome!

Thanks so much.
R McCormick and family.

P.S. time to bring back Snow White?

Hi Ross

Having gone to your show every year and again this Saturday ... I have to say that Peter Pan this year was your best show yet! Kurt is outstanding and a worthy opponent to your royal evilness and once again the kids and the adults had a blast! The critics were definitely wrong ... Looking forward to seeing next years show

... Happy Holidays ...
John, Caroline, Alexander and April Mullany

7 grandchildren and two parents thoroughly enjoyed Peter Pan yesterday, Dec. 9th. These tickets were part of the children's Xmas gift. Thanks for making the production such a success.

Sincerely,
Frances.

Dear Mr. Petty,

My family and I just recently saw a weekend performance of your Peter Pan Musical and I have to say that you had all of us in stitches. Kurt Browning and yourself were truly amazing and once the final curtain came down, the first thing to come out of my daughter's mouth was " That was amazing!!! I want to see this show again !!! " She has seen Cats and Phantom of the Opera in the last six months and I think your show captured her heart the most. My wife and I particularly enjoyed the quick humour and the pace of the show as well as the numerous musical pieces. Bravo for a well done show , top to bottom. We are hoping that Aladdin returns soon !!

Best Regards,
Dr. M. Wong
PS We are seeing your Peter Pan Musical AGAIN just a few days before Christmas and we are bring another family with us. Thanks, Again for a great show !!

Neither snow nor sleet or wind shall keep us from our yearly trek to the Elgin Theatre to get our fill of Ross Petty, and this year was no exception. An absolutely spectacular show from start to finish and bravo to Mr. Browning for a fantastic portrayal of Peter Pan!

Today's 1pm show was a joy to watch and we would like to thank you for such an fabulous afternoon (regardless of the terrible weather). Can't wait to get our tickets for next year!

Cheers,
The McNeill Family Mississauga, Ontario

Mr Petty,

I took my 94 year young mother to see Peter Pan amongst what felt like 10,000 children. It was a delight! Thank you and the very talented cast.
Merry Christmas.
Diane

Dear Toronto Star Editors,

I was very disheartened by Richard Ouzounian's ungracious review of Peter Pan dated November 30 in your Entertainment section. Not just because my children and I saw it the night before Opening with loads of people, besides us, who seemed to really love it; but,because it came with such a sense of nastiness that I felt Mr. O must have had some kind of Scrooge-like issues. He uses sarcasm to refer to the show as a "family musical" - but in fact it is perfect for families with updated references that kids can relate to, a hip hop Croc, fun dance numbers AND familiar music played by excellent musicians. If he so desperately wants to see old fashioned Panto, then let him stay in England the next time he is there.

I'm sure Mr. Petty would be the first to say that putting on his holiday show every year is a massive labour of love. I thought we were trying to support family values and arts in our city. If we keep giving people reasons not to go out and see theatre, our huge talent pool will languish and then critics like Mr. Ouzounian will be out of a job...but maybe that would give him more time to keep up the good work on HIS next musical...
B. Boake Etobicoke, Ontario

Hello Mr. Petty,

I would like to take this opportunity to let you know how much fun and laughter my daughter, Elizabeth and I had at your show last Saturday (2 pm).

This was a perfect "Girl Time" for us and we're planning to have more time alone together to bond. Your theatre production was wonderful and funny to watch for all ages.

By the way, Elizabeth was wondering if you could let her know where to purchase your DVD's of yr previous shows as she loved yr Peter Pan version.

Thank you again for such a lovely time and I plan to watch many more of your humorous productions soon.

Have a warm and safe Christmas to you and your staff and a Happy New Year!

Best Regards,
J. Lam

Loved it! Peter Pan, what a creative and great show. Can't say enough about it. Kids loved it. Hope to come every year. My compliments to the whole crew, and creative minds behind this production. LOVED IT!
Tina-Marie Tai-Destro

Hello -
I just read some reviews on the show….

I attended last Friday evening. The real truth is in the reaction of the audience - and if the reaction by last Friday's show was any indication, please keep having fun! Loved it - and you know, I bought the tickets in … May? While on Ticketmaster for something else … (I believe Josh Groban or Il Divo - either who would be extraordinary guests on Gotta Skate…..). I had no real expectations - my husband and I went - and laughed. And laughed, oh and a bit of chuckling too!

Thank you all for making such a fun evening of a trip to the city!
K. Smith Cobourg, Ont.,

I work at Aviva and attended your show with my family yesterday. Of course the kids really enjoyed it, but I was surprised to find out how much I really enjoyed it. It was very funny and the music was great too. I will be making a point to take my family to future Ross Petty holiday productions. I have also sent an email to a large group of my friends and have recommended that they attend the show with their families over the holidays as well.
Thanks,
Jeff

I wanted to let you know that my daughter, Camille, recently went to see your show with a small group of her dance classmates. They had a spectacular time, and enjoyed your show immensely! Camille has not stopped talking about it since last Wednesday when they saw the show. She keeps remembering funny parts, and laughing, and giving us lots of detail! I hope you receive lots of wonderful feedback, but we just wanted to add ours! All the best to you and your family for the holidays!
Susan Farrow

Aladdin, 2006

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your brilliant show, for both young and old in this years Alladin! Last year we were lucky enough to see Snow White and the Group of Seven and decided from that moment on that we would make it a family Christmas tradition to see your show in Toronto every year. We look forward to next years performance of Peter Pan and will continue to tell all our friends about the truly hilarious antics of Mr. Petty and his brilliant cast.
Sincerely,
D.McNeill, Streetsville,Ontario

My wife and I saw Aladdin on the final day in Vancouver and as big football fans and BC Lions season ticket holders we skipped the West Final to see the matinee' of this stellar production. A fantastic afternoon of wonderful entertainment. I hope to see Aladdin back in 2007. Simply awesome!
Ed & Tara, Vancouver

When I found out that Aladdin was coming to Edmonton, I was extremely thrilled. My brother, sister and I bought our tickets 2 months in advance. My brother, my sister, and I are 20, 28, and 25 years old respectively. On the night of the play, I found out that it wasn't the "Disney" broadway show. We were all dissappointed and thought that Aladdin was by Disney. Being frustrated and annoyed, I thought I wasn't going to enjoy the production...Boy was I WRONG! This has got to be the most entertaining and FUNNY production I've ever seen in my life. I VERY MUCH enjoyed watching the play...it was SUPER amazing. I loved it so much, we all loved it so much. The company was great, the singing was great, and the acting was excellent. All of us talked about the play for hours after we watched it. Thanks very much for coming to Edmonton. Next time Ross Petty Production is in Edmonton, I am definitely going to catch it! The play was all worth it! Have a great Happy Holiday.
Jimmy, Edmonton

Bret "Hitman" Hart and Jennifer Dale

Dear Mr Petty

I can not Thank You enough for the fun and laughter which filled our evening not only last night but the entire day today! I'm sure it will continue for some time to come. My first born Grand-daughter Taylor as well as her father, my son Brandon and my youngest daughter Anna-Maria attended. All I kept asking is how the wrestling ring could be incorporated into the play.....It couldn't have fit better! Hee Hee!
I for one knew your last visit was 1989 "Dick Whittington's Cat" ! I was the young embarrassed Mother in the Box to your stage left; when young Brandon shouted out (in those days) inappropriately during the performance....whilst I heard the gasp's from the box behind us; you laughed.....turned and answered him! You will never know how your fun-loving attitude allowed me to openly enjoy my son's youth! and seeing it through his eyes!!! Which then grew towards my future kids! Four in total and as I mentioned my Grand-daughter three years old!
Sharing laughter with our three generations last evening is one of the Blessing's I'll treasure forever! Thank you doesn't cover it. However at (I can't believe I'm going to admit this ....) Fifty this December 10th, please don't wait another eight-teen years!
Grateful in Greely
Dharlene, Ottawa

Snow White and the Group of Seven, 2005

"Snow White's your best production yet. Lots of family fun from start to finish. I don't know who laughed more...my 63 year old mother or my 7 year old son. At one point I had tears running down my face I laughed so hard. My father clapped along, my husband booed and cheered. Even my two teenagers joined in all the fun.
At the end, my third child, Kaspar, whose 10th birthday we were celebrating turned to me and said "Let's come back again next year." It was our 3rd Ross Petty Pantomime and won't be our last. Look for us next year front row gallery on the 22nd."
Karen, Toronto

"This was our family's first Ross Petty production. We have been wanting to go for a few years, but this is the first time. Our two daughters just loved the show. They laughed so hard and could not stop talking about it on the ride home. My husband was pleasantly surprised - he really enjoyed the show. We can honestly say, it was the most enjoyable theatre production we've been too. We will not miss any future shows - we' re truly looking forward to the next one!"
Marilyn, Brampton

Aladdin, 2004

"Just a wee note to let on to the powers that be, that we absolutely loved your production this year. My children are 8 and 6 year's old, they were at the edge of their seats for half the play waiting for the next time you were going to make them laugh. My husband and I loved it as well. They are still referring to a funny episode in their lives as, "Weenie and Beans would say that"!!!
Lynn

Jennifer Dale and Adam Brazier