Mirvish unveils its 50th season line-up

TORONTO — Puppets, a Pope, wounded warriors and Lucille Ball are all part of Mirvish’s 50th season of live theatre in Toronto.

The line-up was announced Tuesday at the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Joining the previously-announced restaging of Les Miserables and the world premiere of Aladdin: The New Musical are Once (Nov. 26-Jan. 5), Heartbeat of Home (Jan. 21-Mar. 2), Metamorposis (Jan. 28-Mar. 9), Arrabal (Feb. 4-May 11) and The Last Confession (Apr. 18-June 1).

The latter stars British actor David Suchet, best known as TV detective Hercule Poirot, and Canadian stage veteran Brian Bedford.

The Off-Mirvish Series consists of God of Carnage (Nov. 23-Dec. 15), The Two Worlds of Charlie F. (Feb. 25-Mar. 9) and Dead Metaphor (May 24-June 15).

The Two Worlds of Charlie F stars real-life British soldiers telling stories about their experiences fighting in Afghanistan. Newfoundland-born star Cassidy Little, who lost his right leg in 2011, said the play “is literally changing lives.”

The Mirvish season also includes visits from several touring productions: I Love Lucy: Live on Stage (Oct. 15-Nov. 3), Puppet Up! Uncensored (Oct. 22-Nov. 3), The Musical of Musicals: The Musical (Dec. 18-Jan. 5), American Idiot (Mar. 11-16), Chicago (Mar. 26-30), Rain (Mar. 25-30), We Will Rock You (April 29-May 4) and The Lion King (April 30-June 15).

Chicago will star Canadian figure skating champion Elvis Stojko as Billy Flynn.

The adult-themed Puppet Up! Uncensored was created by Brian Henson, son of The Muppets creator Jim Henson.

“This show is a celebration of the other side of the Jim Henson Company,” said Henson. “We set out to make the funniest show we could do with puppets.”

More information is available at the Mirvish website.