Toronto theatre listings

A list of shows currently playing in Toronto theatres or opening soon, with links to reviews where available

Siobhan Richardson (left), Phoenix Fyre, Rashaana Cumberbatch and Janelle Hanna star in *Heratio*, a comic sequel to *Hamlet*. *Photo by Raph Nogal*

Currently playing

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL by Bob Gale, Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard (Mirvish Productions). The Tony Award-nominated musical adaptation of the 1985 film about a teen who finds himself in 1955 because of a time-travelling car finishes its North American tour in Toronto. See my interview with set/costume designer Tim Hatley here. See my review here. Runs to August 31 at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria). mirvish.com ✭✭

✅ = Critic's pick / ✭✭✭✭✭ = outstanding, among best of the year / ✭✭✭✭ = excellent / ✭✭✭ = recommended / ✭✭ or ✭ = didn't work for me

HERATIO by Genevieve Adam (Guild Festival Theatre). Adam (Heartless, Dark Heart) debuts her play, set immediately after the events of Hamlet and featuring his friend Horatio, played by a woman (Janelle Hanna), and the new king Fortenbras. Runs to August 24 at the Greek Theatre at the Guild Festival Theatre (201 Guild Pkway). guildfestivaltheatre.ca

✅THE LION KING by Elton John, Tim Rice, Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi (Mirvish/Disney Theatrical Group). Director Julie Taymor’s groundbreaking show based on the Disney film about a lion cub overcoming tragedy continues. See my review here. Runs to August 30 at the Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King West). mirvish.com ✭✭✭✭

You’ve only got a few more weeks to catch *The Lion King*, starring Aphiwe Nyezi as Simba. *Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann*

✅NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 by Dave Malloy (Crow’s/Musical Stage Co, presented by Mirvish). After its record-setting production in 2024 (directed by Chris Abraham), Malloy’s musical based on a section of Tolstoy’s War and Peace returns in a much larger space with a beefed up cast and orchestra. See my review here. Runs to August 24 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre (260 King West). mirvish.com ✭✭✭✭✭

✅OLD TIMES by Harold Pinter (Soulpepper). Peter Pasyk directs Christopher Morris, Anita Majumdar and Jenny Wright in a revival of Pinter’s classic play about memory, power and desire. See my review here. Runs to September 7 at the Young Centre’s Michael Young Theatre (50 Tank House Lane). soulpepper.ca ✭✭✭✭

RAINBOW ON MARS by Devon Healey (Outside the March, co-produced with the National Ballet of Canada and Peripheral Theatre). This world premiere show inspired by playwright Healey’s journey into Blindness is a multidisciplinary love story featuring 19 performers with various expressions of Blindness and sight. See my review here. Runs to August 20 at Ada Slaight Hall, Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas East). outsidethemarch.ca ✭✭

ROMEO AND JULIET by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage). Marie (Fifteen Dogs) Farsi adapts and directs this outdoor version of the Bard’s early tragedy, starring Lili Beaudoin and Praneet Akilla as the star-crossed lovers. See my review here. Runs to August 31 at the High Park Amphitheatre (1873 Bloor West). canadianstage.com ✭✭✭

✅TIFF’NY OF ATHENS adapted from William Shakespeare and Thomas Middleton by Nathaniel Hanula-James and Christine Horne (Shakespeare in the Ruff). In this new twist on one of the Bard’s lesser-known plays, a wealthy socialite rethinks her relationship to money, friendship and community after a change in circumstances. Runs to August 31 at Withrow Park (725 Logan). shakespeareintheruff.com

Opening this week

PIGEON by Garrett (M. Ryan) Abrams (Bird on Stage Productions). Director Abrams revisits his 2017 play about a North York man looking to escape his isolation. August 21 to 24 at The Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen West). birdonstage.com

OLEANNA by David Mamet (Icarus Theatre). The indie theatre company presents a revival of Mamet’s prescient 1992 play about a power struggle between a university professor and one of his female students. Previews August 21, opens August 22 and runs to August 30 at the Tarragon Extraspace (30 Bridgman). tarragontheatre.com

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Opening soon

September

BACHELOR MAN by Winston Kam (Renaissance Canadian Theatre Company). Brenda Kamino and Diana Belshaw direct a revival of Kam’s 1987 play about the effect of Canada’s 1923 Exclusion Act, which prevented the wives and families of Chinese men from joining them. Previews from September 2, opens September 4 and runs to September 14 at the Tarragon Mainspace (30 Bridgman). tarragontheatre.com

THE ELEPHANT GIRLS by Margo MacDonald (Perry Riposte Productions). MacDonald returns for the 10th anniversary of her award-winning play inspired by the true story of a gang of women that terrorized London, England for over a century. September 10 to 14 at the Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen East). redsandcastletheatre.com

THE WELKIN by Lucy Kirkwood (Crow’s/Soulpepper/Howland Company). Weyni Mengesha directs a terrific, mostly female, large cast in Kirkwood’s play about justice, duty and dissent in an 18th century English village. Previews from September 4, opens September 11 and runs to October 5 at the Young Centre’s Baillie Theatre (50 Tank House Lane). crowstheatre.com