An Unathorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical- Festive fun for all.

 

photo credit: Door 24

The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical

Produced by Paquin Exhibitions & Theatrical

November 20, 2025 - January 4, 2026 | The Royal Theatre

photo by Door 24

Creative team:

• Directed by Tim Drucker (Friends Parody Musical, Trixie & Katya LIVE)  
• Choreographed by Brooke Engen (Hairspray, Beetlejuice, Rock of Ages)  
• Written by Tim Drucker and Bonnie Milligan (Tony Award Winner, Kimberly Akimbo) 
• Music by Joel Waggoner (Carolnder, School of Rock)  
• Lyrics by Tim Drucker, Bonnie Milligan and Joel Waggoner

Cast:                                                                                

• Holly: Alexandra Clementi
• Mark: Sean Meldrum
• Cookie: Heidi Michelle Thomas
• Merry: Emily Richardson
• Cody: Luke Witt
• Swing: Alyssa Lyn
• Swing: Levi Stepp

Are you feeling like the Holidays are just becoming a grind, and the fun has been sucked out over the past few years due to the cost of living and the pressure to have the perfect holiday season?

Well,  I was invited to the Opening Night of the Unathorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical and I jumped at the chance to go even if it was on a cold rainy night in Toronto.

photo credit: Linda Matarasso

As someone who has hosted a Holiday movie marathon for the past few years, I have become kind of an expert on all the Holiday movie stereotypes that make them fun, funny, and predictable.

But whether you love them or hate them, you will LOVE this Musical!.  It pokes fun at the common themes and plot lines and takes them to the Max.

I don't want to give too much away, but the story begins with Holly, who returns to her small town from "Big City" where she worked at "Big Bank" to help her mom, who is overworked.  She runs into her Ex, Mark, who is somewhat stuck in the small-town mindset.   And hilarity begins with a Cookie judging contest and a moose on the loose.

The actors were all amazing.  You will have favourites but I really liked all of them.

The music is punchy, catchy and smart.  It keeps the musical upbeat and full of laughs.

This is a really cleverly put together musical.  The dialogue is priceless.

If you weren't in the mood for the Holidays and all the Holiday movies and festivities you will be after seeing this high-energy production.  

They had some cute merch, and I picked up a Moose on the Loose pin for $15.  

You need to see their hats.

photo by: audience member on my phone

And the cutest thing was the Selfie setup, where you could put yourself in the Poster.  We dressed "festive" and obviously did that.

We had the best time, and I never laughed that hard watching a theatrical production.

Go see it, get festive and bring all your friends.

Tickets:

 

Ticket prices range from $41 to $98 (including fees), depending on admission type and performance date.

For groups of 6 or more, please contact Lori@FirstClassGroupTickets.com or 647-201-3349.

Tickets available at Hallmarkish.com and through Fever.

Be sure to follow @hallmarkish on Instagram and Facebook.

The Royal Cinema- 608 College Street.

Hallmark(ish), November 20th-January 4th - The Royal Theatre, Toronto

Nuremberg--a Psychological look at the trials.

NUREMBERG

Directed by: James Vanderbilt

Cast:
Rami Malek as Douglas Kelley
Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring
Leo Woodall as Sgt. Howie Triest
John Slattery as Burton C. Andrus
Mark O'Brien as John Amen
Colin Hanks as Gustave Gilbert
Wrenn Schmidt as Elsie Douglas
Lydia Peckham as Lila
Michael Shannon as Robert H. Jackson
Richard E. Grant as David Maxwell Fyfe

It is based on the 2013 book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai.

The film had its world premiere in the Gala Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025, where it received a four-minute standing ovation. It is scheduled to be released in the United States and Canada on November 7, 2025.

This film features a powerhouse cast.  Rami Malek is a standout playing Douglas Kelley, the psychiatrist appointed to assess Russell Crowe's character Hermann Goring, the man in charge of the Nazi concentration camps.

Russell Crowe's character is a cross between Hanibal Lecter and American Psycho.  He is intelligent, charming, and evil all at the same time.  Crowe is a great actor, but I wonder why they didn't cast someone like Christophe Waltz?

Rami Malek is curious and perceptive, and he buys into Crowe's interesting conversations, even reaching out to his family.

Leo Woodall as the translator Sgt. Howie Triest plays a really interesting character.  He is becoming a real up-and-comer.  He also appeared in Tuner at TIFF.  He has the most expressive eyes and conveys a lot with little dialogue.  He reveals his true self and why it was important for the trials towards the end of the film, which adds an exclamation point to how evil their participation was and its effects on the whole race.

This film shows many of the men who were to testify at the Nuremberg trials, where Michael Shannon plays the lawyer Robert H. Jackson.

This film doesn't hold back in showing you some of the images of the results of what they did at the concentration camps, but it doesn't linger on them; it merely shows what the men present versus what they did.

I thought it was an interesting way to tell the story from the psychiatrist's perspective and how he was betrayed by his illusions.

I see Oscar nominations coming for this film, for the excellent performances, the production design, and also the haunting musical score.

This film will stay with you for a while after seeing it.

Release date:  In theatres November 7th, 2025