Playground

A New Family Musical

Music & Lyrics by Jack Grunsky

Book by Amanda Freedman & Olivia Daniels

Created by Elly Barlin-Daniels, Olivia Daniels & Amanda Freedman

Best of Fringe, 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival

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Toronto Star Critics' Pick

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Nominated for 12 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, Including Best New Musical and Best Ensemble

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Best of Fringe, 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival ✳︎ Toronto Star Critics' Pick ✳︎ Nominated for 12 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, Including Best New Musical and Best Ensemble ✳︎

Based on the songs of four-time Juno Award-winning children’s musician, Jack Grunsky, Playground follows Eliot, a kid with a vivid imagination and an appetite for adventure, as he navigates a move to a new city and a new school. Eager to become friends with his new classmates, Eliot invents a schoolyard game that he hopes will win them over. One by one, they join Eliot on his epic imaginary journey, sailing across the Roaring River, jumping with frogs down the Rocky Road, climbing up Mystery Mountain, and eventually facing a very real rainstorm. But what will happen when the game comes to an end? Will their new friendship last beyond the perimeter of the playground?

Playground features new arrangements of Grunsky’s beloved music, introducing a new generation of theatregoers to the beautiful melodies, poetic lyrics, and multicultural influences that are signature of Grunsky’s songbook. Drawing on a variety of musical genres, Grunsky integrates a colorful palette of global music instruments in his songwriting, creating the perfect engine for a story that ventures through the landscape of all worlds; both real and imaginary.

“Playground” from Playground: A New Family Musical

Performed by: Misha Sharivker, Yunike Soedarmasto, Ian Kowolski, Lizzie Song, Cayne Kitigawa, Meredith Shedden, Zoe Virola, Olivia Daniels, Joe Matheson, and Jack Grunsky

Rehearsal for Toronto Fringe Festival, June 2025

Development History

July 2025

Premiere production at Toronto Fringe Festival
8 performances at Soulpepper Theatre
2 Bonus Best of Fringe performances at Meridian Arts Centre

Media

The Globe and Mail: Four Standout Toronto Fringe Musicals that could go the Distance

“A story full of imagination (for both the kids onstage and the little ones in the audience) suggests that Playground could easily be picked up for further presentations at any theatre that specializes in work for kiddos. It doesn’t need much further workshopping either - the material is pretty much ready to go as-is.”

Read More on The Globe and Mail
Toronto Star: Fringe Festival 2025: Our Critics' Top Picks

“Perfect for children 4-12 and their families, Playground is a polished, professional and (of course) playful experience that offers genuine entertainment value for all ages. The show fires the imagination and tackles universal themes through its magical combination of story, music and movement. In the process, it proves that making art, like playing on a playground, has no age limit.”

Read More on Toronto Star
BroadwayWorld: Toronto Fringe Festival Review Roundup

“In PLAYGROUND, Grunsky accompanies a musical based on his oeuvre, with a charming book by Amanda Freedman about the power of imagination. New kid Eliot (a winsome Misha Sharivker) is finding it tough to cope with his family’s move from Michigan, but gradually wins over his new classmates with an adventure game featuring an elaborate hand-drawn map. Freedman’s book organically fits in Grunsky’s numbers, which teach kids about the power of imagination.”

Read More on BroadwayWorld
TO Live: Playground named Best of Fringe 2025

Playground was named a Best of Fringe show to receive two bonus performances at the Meridian Arts Center.

Read More on TO Live
Our Theatre Voice: “Whimsical! Imaginative! Creative! This ‘Playground’ becomes delightful for children. Wholeheartedly recommend!"

“Creators Elly Barlin Daniels, Olivia Daniels and Amanda Freedman capture the innocence of childhood and the loving spirit of Grunsky’s music with great aplomb and an open, joyful heart.”

Read More on Our Theatre Voice
Front Mezz Junkies: A Joyful Leap: Exploring Friendship in and on the “Playground”: A New (and Wonderful) Family Musical

“I was completely hooked into the emotional honesty that was being delivered by this wonderful cast, as they encourage us all to close our eyes, take a deep breath, and leap into the unknown, trusting in ourselves, in our connections, and the beauty of our imagination.”

Read More on Front Mezz Junkies
Musical Theatre Radio presents "Be Our Guest - Fringe in 15!"

Olivia Daniels, Amanda Freedman and Jack Grunsky were featured on Musical Theatre Radio’s “Be Our Guest - Fringe in 15!” podcast series to speak about their upcoming musical Playground at the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.

Listen on Spotify
Listen to the Official Playground Spotify Playlist

Listen to the songs featured in Playground at the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival, in addition to some other Jack Grunsky favourites!

Listen on Spotify
Follow the Playground Family Musical Instagram

Check out @playgroundfamilymusical on Instagram and follow along for what’s next for the show!

Playground Instagram