A midisuperspace model is a field theory obtained by symmetry reduction of a parent gravitational theory. Such models have proven useful for exploring the classical and quantum dynamics of the gravitational field. I present three recent classes of results pertinent to canonical quantization of vacuum general relativity in the context of midisuperspace models. (1) I give necessary and sufficient conditions such that a given symmetry reduction can be performed at the level of the Lagrangian or Hamiltonian.(2) I discuss the Hamiltonian formulation of models based upon cylindrical and toroidal symmetry. In particular, I explain how these models can be identified with parametrized field theories of wave maps; thus a natural strategy for canonical quantization is available. (3) The quantization of a parametrized field theory, such as the midisuperspace models considered in (2), requires construction of a quantum field theory on a fixed (flat) spacetime that allows for time evolution along arbitrary foliations of spacetime. I discuss some recent results on the possibility of finding such a quantum field theory.