Theatre goers were able to dive into the world of best-selling Canadian Author Robert Munsch in a whole new way.

The latest presentation from the theatre school at George Brown College (GBC) is Munschstock, a play based on some of the works of the famed author ran until Dec. 6.

Directed by James Simon with music by Stephan Ermel, Munschstock! brings to life four of Munsch’s stories: Aaron’s Hair, Down the Drain, Lighthouse, and Something Good.

“Hopefully, the adults in the crowd will get to see some fond memories from their childhood, from the storybooks that they grew up reading. And kids will see the stuff that they’re reading right now, and I think that’s such a big driving force of what we’re doing for the next couple weeks,” said Kaleb Piper, a second-year student who plays various roles in the production.

GBC has been presenting these children’s shows for 37 years.

The play features second-year students from GBC’s Theatre Arts – Performance program, who, under the guidance of James Simon, present Munschstock! to both young audiences and adults who grew up reading Munsch’s world-famous stories.

Munschstock! is a lively mashup of four different stories, each with its own unique charm.

The production has been cleverly adapted so that all four stories are intertwined into one big narrative. The play is filled with fun, dancing, and music, with the actors changing characters as the stories shift, making the experience dynamic and joyful.

The story revolves around a mansion that is about to be sold, and to save it, three different groups of performers are called upon to put on a show and raise money. This is where Munsch’s four distinct stories are cleverly presented.

Although the stories are unrelated, they are skillfully intertwined, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative within the play.

Rachel Selby, another second-year student in the Theatre Arts – Performance program, emphasized how the play offers a unique opportunity to inspire children.

“I mean, we have a pretty intense, three-year-long program, six days a week. It’s a lot, and a lot of the work we do is very classical, or at least very adult. And our director keeps telling us over and over again that this is the one time in our training, and for some of us in our careers, that we actually get to reach out to a demographic that maybe doesn’t get to see theater usually or maybe hasn’t seen it yet. It’s just a beautiful opportunity to get kids inspired, or at least engaged for an hour.”

The production not only showcases the talent of theatre students, but also serves as a heartwarming tribute to the timeless stories of Robert Munsch.

Audiences of all ages can expect an engaging and energetic performance that celebrates the joy of storytelling. Whether you’re familiar with Munsch’s work or discovering it for the first time, Munschstock! promises an unforgettable experience.

Munschstock! i open to the public and performed at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.