There's lots to be cheery about over the coming months with the abundance of spectacular shows in Sunderland Empire's new What's On Season Guide.
Guaranteed to lift those January blues is the perfect feel-good family show Shrek the Musical (31 Jan11 Feb). Based on the story and characters from the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animation film, this hilarious and spectacular production turns the world of fairytales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, musical comedy.
The internationally acclaimed stage sensation Jersey Boys (20-31 Mar) is also working its way back to Sunderland again. This smash hit musical has won 57 major awards worldwide, including the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Jersey Boys tells the real life story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own unique sound and sold 100 million records worldwide.
Birmingham Royal Ballet also presents Coppelia (5-7 Apr), a timeless classic from the golden age of classical ballet. When eccentric toymaker Dr Coppélius leaves his greatest creation, the doll Coppélia, on his workshop balcony she soon causes quite a stir in the village.
Get ready for the bend and snap as the smash hit musical Legally Blonde the Musical (16-21 Apr) hits the stage. This all-singing, all-dancing romantic comedy will certainly put a spring in your step. Tickets are also flying off the shelf for Matilda The Musical (8 May 2 Jun). This production tells the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
The season is topped off by a mix of award-winning tributes and one night concerts including MACCA: The Concert (18 Jan), celebrating the music of Paul McCartney and the greatest hits of the Beatles, and One Night of Queen (20 Jan).