I discovered Famous People Players a decade ago whilst hunting for Christmas gifts for family. Dinner and a show was just the kind of experience I sought and by all accounts my gift was a rousing success. Ever since, I’ve been wanting to see this fascinating performance myself. This past Christmas, it finally happened.
That it took me until the 21st century to even learn about this theatre company confuses me. At least I don’t think I knew of them. I’d love to be emphatic with that proclamation, but my memories from the olden times are fading in lock step with the thickness of my hair.
How it began
Founded in Toronto, Canada in 1974, Famous People Players is a non-profit renowned for the visionary integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of their operation. This uplifting, inclusive concept quickly became a sensation in the 70s.
Liberace, the inspiration for their first production, invited them to perform in Las Vegas as well as accompany him both in Vegas and internationally. They would regularly appear on CBC variety shows. In the 1980s, the troupe performed at Radio City Music Hall, was invited to China, and premiered their first Broadway show. Onward through the 1990s, Paul Newman would fund their theatre restaurant through his salad dressing sales and Phil Collins would fund the sound system. Those are some heavyweight supporters!
Granted, this all occurred during my childhood and youth, but I think I’d have noticed them at some point. I mean, if nothing else, I watched a lot of television back then (cough). And the Famous People Players show is most certainly memorable. But, nope, not an inkling of familiarity when I stumbled upon them in the mid-2010s.
Television and theatres appearances have continued throughout the new century, as have international invitations. Accolades for both Famous People Players and its founder, Diane Dupuy, have been bestowed by institutions, organizations, and governments. Not even a forced move to a new home venue in 2009 could stop them.
Where is Famous People Players
That new venue is located in an industrial/commercial strip mall in Etobicoke, east of Toronto. This caught me a little by surprise. I was fully expecting a grande, standalone theatre but in retrospect, that does feel contrary to the spirit of Famous People Players. And, hey, free parking.
We arrived fifteen minutes early for our lunch show. Food would be served at 11:30 followed by the performance at 13:00. We waited outside with other patrons until doors opened promptly at 11:30. Some of us holed up in our vehicles while others formed a line outside the main entrance. I, being the restless sort, did both with brief stints of pacing up and down the strip mall exterior.
Upon entry, guests are funneled down an open hallway to the registration desk. Here the host will confirm your ticketing and inform you of your table seating. You are then free to proceed to your table.
On the way to the restaurant space, the wall to your left is covered with photos of celebrities and other notables who’ve been to a Famous People Players show. Take a moment to have a look as you’re sure to recognize one or three.
Bathrooms
Back to the entry area for a moment. Incoming patrons are kept in line by a black railing separating them from a waiting area. We were never invited to use this waiting area, so I’m not sure of its purpose but it does have several chairs and a long, shapely couch.
A second, narrow hallway extending from the waiting room takes you to the public bathrooms. There are both women’s and men’s options, of course, each with accessible facilities. Inside you’ll find sinks, private toilets, and urinals surrounded by black and robin’s egg blue décor giving the place a vintage vibe.
Famous People Players Restaurant
The dining area is an open space that looks not unlike a wedding reception. Tables of various sizes are covered in black fabric, chairs included. Colourful drapes are strung across the ceiling along with ribbons of lighting and large Christmas ornaments. Matching diamond patterned walls and a burnt orange carpet tie it all together.
Along the back wall (or is it the front wall?) is the kitchen and bar. The kitchen is to the left and while you can’t stroll through it, it remains partially open to curious viewers. The bar is on the right, separated from the kitchen by a small display of awards.
The Famous People Players restaurant is a licensed, family-friendly venue serving pop, juice, milk, beer, wine, and cocktails. It’s a modest selection of alcohol so don’t come expecting a broad repertoire of your favourite craft brews, but the cocktail menu is surprisingly robust.
Wait staff take your orders should you want a beverage before your meal. Or during, I suppose. The wait between sitting and serving food was bit long. Having purposely eaten a small breakfast so as not to ruin my lunch, I was quite hungry by the time we arrived at the venue. The seemingly lengthy wait for food was painful but ultimately well worth it.
The Meal
I lament that I may be so prejudicial, but I didn’t expect much of the meal we’d receive at Famous People Players. Food at attractions has just become so underwhelming over the years, I envisioned no reason for this to be any different. Boy, was I delightfully wrong.
Our meal began with a green salad that everyone at the table shared. While simple in concept, the veggies in the salad were fresh and colourful, perfectly accompanied by a light vinaigrette.
Next came the main course of which there are three options: chicken supreme, salmon supreme, or vegetarian delight. You choose your preference when purchasing your ticket. Being a wholly unimaginative family of four, we all picked chicken supreme.
My goodness was this ever delicious. A seasoned, grilled chicken breast served on a bed of mashed potatoes with seasonable vegetables on the side, this lunch hit my tastebuds like an injection of adrenaline.
Dessert was reserved for after the show, but it too was worth the wait … mostly. We were served a beautiful chocolate mousse creation that looked almost like a gold-fringed napkin intricately folded on a plate. A rich, delectable treat that was only sullied by the regrettable hair I found on mine after enjoying much of it.
During the meal portion of the event, generally prior to serving, you will be asked to support Famous People Players above your ticket purchase. As a non-profit organization, donations are a key resource for ensuring the show goes on. Part of this fundraising is the sale of books written by the founder, including two that document the story of the theatre company.
The Famous People Players Theatre
Once the main course is complete, guests are taken to the theatre to see the famed black light show. Seating in the theatre is unassigned, so you just mingle and grab a spot where you can on a first come first serve basis.
The theatre is sparse, with modestly elevated seating. The chairs and theatre are reminiscent of older movie theatres. Again, nothing wrong with this I just envisioned something more akin to an opera house for unknown reasons.
The stage is front and centre and barring an exceptionally tall person seated right in front of you, or someone with a big hat, you should have decent enough sightlines. To the left, in an enclave, is a tribute to the late Mary Thornton. Mary is Diane’s mother and was an influential partner in creating Famous People Players.
The Famous People Players Show
As for the show itself, I can’t share any visuals with you as photography is prohibited in the theatre. This should come as no surprise; flash photography and black light productions aren’t a good match. The short video below is taken from the official Famous People Players YouTube page and gives you a brief idea of what the show looks like.
And oh, what a show! With lots of music and vibrantly coloured set pieces and puppets, the show is a whirlwind of sensory stimulation in a pitch-black room. Seriously, it’s really dark once the lights go out. There are moments in the show when performers approach the audience and all you can see is the puppet or artifact they are holding. Wild stuff.
Being Christmas, our show was titled Joy to the World. It contained many familiar carols and secular holiday tunes without any overbearing religiosity. There was warmth and humour, even some cheeky inuendo, reminiscent of elementary school Christmas programs when I was a kid. A wholesome feel-good experience, the likes of which aren’t so common anymore. Yeah, it all got me sappy.
There are a couple interludes during the program where the performers are individually introduced and stepped into the light. Recorded messages are played during this time sharing a short bio for each and explaining their love for the theatre company and their life goals. Some of these were quite touching.
After the Show
When the show concluded, we were ushered back to the restaurant for the aforementioned dessert, along with complimentary coffee and tea. We shared our reviews on the amazing show between bites and sips before heading on our way.
Famous People Players was the final attraction on our jam-packed pre-New Year visit in Toronto, and it stamped a resounding exclamation point on a memorable family trip. I can’t encourage you enough to go at least once. If we lived closer, I’d go multiple times without hesitation.
I may have had warped expectations for what a meal and show at Famous People Players would be like, but the reality is everything it should be. Unassuming location, tasty food, fantastic show, and a truly sweet, inspiring raison d’être. Don’t miss it. Also makes for a great Christmas gift.