A much-loved holiday tradition in Toronto that was once believed to be gone for good is back this year under new management, but it's still bringing the same campy delights as always.

For the past 25 years, the annual Ross Petty Christmas Pantomime has been a go-to ticket for all those seeking a holiday season stage show that's a little louder than the Nutcracker, and even campier than the Mirvish marquee production du jour.

Founded in 1996 and starring Petty himself alongside wife and Toronto ballet legend, Karen Kain, the tradition kicked off with a hilarious adaptation of Robin Hood, and went on to become a smash hit, selling out season after season.

A nod to the British theatrical pantomime tradition, which is marked by exaggerated, colourful performances, typically aimed toward children while including topical, satirical jokes, the show has become an integral aspect of each the holiday season.

When it comes to entertaining kids on Christmas break, it doesn't get better than a Ross Petty production.

It was a pillar, that is, before Petty announced his retirement after the 2022-23 holiday season, calling curtains on the tradition for good and bringing to an end the quarter-century run of original, parodic, family-friendly productions produced by Petty, a legendary name in the Canadian theatre world.

"When December 2023 arrived, where once the rafters of the Elgin Winter Garden shook with raucous laughter, boos and the latest pop songs, the silence at Yonge and Queen was deafening," Petty writes in an open letter on his website.

"My inbox exploded with untold emails, texts and DM's wondering as to how to fill the void."

After what would eventually prove to be a mere year-long hiatus, the pantomime is back, after Canadian Stage took over the tradition with Petty signed on as an Executive Produce.

According to Petty's letter, the company was looking for a winter-based event to balance out their annual Dream in High Park each summer, so the merge was a match-made in theatre heaven.

Just like that, the show is back, this year mounting a hilariously high-energy take on the Wizard of Oz, a perfectly topical choice given the Oz-mania currently dominating pop culture these days. Expect yellow brick roads and ruby slippers like you've never seen them before.

"It's truly a show for everyone: kids will be enchanted, while adults can look forward to a few cheeky moments just for them," Canadian Stage Executive Producer Monica Esteves tells blogTO. "It's an evening of laughter and spectacle, perfect for making memories and creating new traditions for families and friends alike."

In this version of the classic story, the familiar crew explores "TorOZto," strolling along OZzington to reach the Emerald Tower, and you can expect a deluge of local inside jokes and references.

“We felt The Wizard of Oz was the perfect choice to mark this exciting new chapter for Toronto's beloved panto tradition," Monica tells blogTO. "At its heart, it's a story about friendship, resilience, and the bonds we form while navigating life's challenges—something we can all relate to, especially in recent years."

Another much-cherished aspect of the show is the inclusion of various cameos from local celebrities, and this year is no difference; Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow herself is playing the Wizard via a pre-recorded video clip, and a number of other recognizeable faces might just pop up on stage — but you'll have to buy a ticket to find out who.

The show kicked off to eager audiences on Dec. 6, and will continue to hit the stage at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, with shows running on select dates throughout the holiday season.

Tickets, which start at $45, are available through Canadian Stage's website.