WONDERFUL JOE
A man and his dog set out on a fantastical odyssey through a fractured world, discovering magic in the margins and proving that even the most broken hearts can be filled with wonder.
This production is intended for adult audiences only (ages 16+)
Event Times
October 13, 2026 - 8:00 pm
- A Adult $59
- A Senior $54
- A 35 & Under/Arts Worker $34
- B Adult $49
- B Senior $44
- B 35 & Under/Arts Worker $24
- All My Relations $15
Centaur Theatre presents
WONDERFUL JOE
A Production of Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes
Created & Performed by Ronnie Burkett
Music Composition & Lyrics by John Alcorn
Marionette, Set & Costume Design by Ronnie Burkett
Lighting Design by Kevin Humphrey
Production Manager & Artistic Associate Terri Gillis
Stage Manager & Technical Director Crystal Salverda
Associate Producer John Lambert
When Joe and his devoted dog Mister lose their home and are faced with the possibility of separation, they set out on one last adventure together: a hope-filled odyssey through a fractured world that Joe insists on seeing whole. Along the way, they encounter the divine and the absurd, meeting Mother Nature, Santa Claus, Jesus, the Tooth Fairy, and a ragtag troupe of homeless players who conjure theatre from cardboard and memory.
Equally epic and intimate, Wonderful Joe is a defiant act of imagination that serves as a testament to the fragile, stubborn, yet enchanting beauty of being alive. With his signature blend of exquisite puppetry and fearless storytelling, Ronnie Burkett creates a universe where the mundane shimmers with possibility and broken hearts are filled with gold.
A perennial favourite of Centaur Theatre audiences, Burkett once again takes the stage accompanied only by his troupe of beautifully crafted marionettes, bringing a host of unforgettable characters to life through breathtaking solo performance and puppetry. Featuring an evocative original score by John Alcorn, Wonderful Joe is a moving, often hilarious, and deeply humane meditation on resilience, companionship, and the transformative power of imagination.
Please note: This production is intended for adult audiences only (ages 16+). Children under the age of 16 will not be admitted.
*Why You Need to See It*
A master storyteller at the height of his powers, Ronnie Burkett transforms heartbreak into wonder and laughter—live, right before your eyes.
What Critics Are Saying
Acclaimed Across North America
Wonderful Joe arrives at Centaur following acclaimed engagements across Canada and the United States, including in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and London, Ontario.
This acclaimed show has appeared at major venues and festivals including Lincoln Center’s Under the Radar festival in New York. Its Vancouver engagement at The Cultch included sold-out performances, while its 2025 run at London’s Grand Theatre was extended due to audience demand.
Now, Ronnie Burkett brings his latest creation to Centaur for its long-awaited Montreal premiere.
Production Photos
Ronnie Burkett Returns to Centaur
A familiar and much-loved presence on the Centaur stage, Ronnie Burkett is one of Canada’s foremost theatre artists and has been credited with reinventing the art of contemporary puppetry.
In 2024, Burkett received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, one of Canada’s highest honours in the performing arts. His many distinctions also include the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, an OBIE Award and appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Centaur audiences will recognize Burkett from previous appearances including The Daisy Theatre(2018), Little Dickens(2019), and Little Willy (2023).
With Wonderful Joe, Burkett once again breathes life into an incredible array of characters, animating his intricately crafted marionettes in an adult theatrical experience combining humour, heartbreak, and music.
The Passion and Puppetry of Ronnie Burkett
CREDITS
Wonderful Joe was co-commissioned by Stanford Live (Stanford CA, USA), UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance or CAP UCLA (Los Angeles CA, USA) and TO Live (Toronto ON, Canada), with developmental support from Theatre Network (Edmonton AB, Canada) in association with Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes.
Ronnie Burkett received development support for Wonderful Joe from the Canada Council for the Arts Explore and Create Program.
Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes is exclusively represented by John Lambert & Assoc., Montreal, Canada (www.johnlambert.ca).
Marionette, Set & Costume Design Ronnie Burkett
Costumes Kim Crossley
Puppet Studio Alexander Mantia, Aidan Sparks, Angela Talbot, Dina Meschkuleit, with Martin Herbert, Andy Hayward, Shanna Miller, Justin Mezzapelli and Brigitte Sampogna
Shoes Camellia Koo
Marionette Controls Greg Ballora (after Luman Coad)
Marionette Stringing Marcus Jamin
Majordomo Robbie Buttinski
Stage Construction Shop Dogs
Scenic Painting Daniel Barkley
Model & Drafting Aidan Sparks
Music Production, Arrangements, Vocals, Keyboards & Digital Programming John Alcorn
Additional Vocals Coco Love Alcorn
Mixing & Mastering Jeff Wolpert, Desert Fish Studios