George Brown theatre’s ode to Robert Munsch classics was directed by a Student Collective Creation

George Brown College theatre students are bringing to life beloved author Robert Munsch’s stories including Murmel, Murmel, Murmel, Angela’s Airplane, Jonathan Cleaned Up…Then He Heard a Noise, Pajama Day, and of course, Love You Forever.

At the opening show, the performers sang and danced flawlessly holding the attention of over 50 otherwise antsy children.

The audience of kids from kindergarten to third grade, sat in winter hats and jackets and chatted among themselves until the lights went dim. The show began with the original audio commentary of the Apollo 11 mission and with that the storyline for the entire play began.

Actors in pyjamas ran out breaking into song and dance. 

Three aliens dressed in shimmery silver space suits stood silently at the balcony above the stage as the children pointed beginning to take notice. 

“1, 2, 3, 4, take us to the moon!”, they sang with a piano backing.

There was a lot of interaction between the audience and the performers alongside laughter and anticipation. 

Children yelled “No!” when five-year-old Angela began pushing buttons on the plane. A first grader asked sternly, “What did I tell you?” to Angela when her plane took off, and the performers reached out to the audience and held their hands during the final song, 

“It honestly is not just for children—it really gave me nostalgia reminding me of my childhood. And the last performance of ‘Love you Forever‘ was so emotionally charged. I actually started tearing up,” said Iman Addus, a student who accompanied her six-year-old nephew, Rafik.

“I really liked it. I liked the singing and the loud voice and the water,” said Rafik, referencing performers who spritz water during a song.  

After the final bow, the actors, out of breath from the hour-long theatre, stood outside waiting to greet the audience. Looking energized and satisfied from the public response, they all agreed that it went great.

Demi Bainbridge, who played Angela, said, “Due to the strike, our schedule got messed up by three or four weeks.” 

Another actor wearing an eccentric costume in the background chimed in saying, “We actually just finished the script a week ago. It’s been a very collaborative experience.”

Alongside the performance, the costumes, designed by Brandon Kleiman, were not only animated and fun but were exceptionally accurate to the original illustrations.

Munsch on the Moon was comical, endearing, and filled with talent. Every element added to making this show both successful and impressive.

Actors, Eric Ollivier, Manon Ens-Lapointe, and Demi Bainbridge were excellent in fulfilling their roles alongside the entirety of the production.

Munsch on the Moon plays Dec. 9, at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $25 for adults and can be purchased online at youngcentre.ca or by calling their number at, 416-866-8666.