Toronto theatre listings
A list of shows currently playing or opening soon in Toronto theatres, with links to reviews and features
Currently playing
✅& JULIET by David West Read, Max Martin and others (Mirvish). Vanessa Sears plays the title role in this new Canadian production of the hit musical that imagines what Shakespeare’s Juliet would do if she didn’t die, featuring music from the Max Martin catalogue. See my review here. Runs to August 2 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre (260 King West). mirvish.com ✭✭✭✭✭
✅LUZIA Daniele Finzi Pasca, in association with Brigitte Poupart (Cirque du Soleil). After its internationally acclaimed premiere in 2016, and just in time for the FIFA World Cup, Cirque’s stunning homage to an imaginary Mexico returns to the Big Top. See my review here. Runs to August 30 at the Big Top (2150 Lake Shore Blvd). cirquedusoleil.com ✭✭✭✭
MEDUSA by Erin Shields (Soulpepper, in collaboration with Outside the March). Mitchell Cushman directs the world premiere of Shields’ era-spanning play about female fury. See my review here. Runs to July 19 at the Young Centre’s Baillie Theatre (50 Tank House Lane). soulpepper.ca ✭✭
THE OUTSIDERS by Adam Rapp, Justin Levine and Jamestown Revival, based on the novel by S.E. Hinton and the film by Francis Ford Coppola (Mirvish). The movement-heavy, Tony Award-winning musical about a group of young misfits in 1960s Oklahoma touches down in the Broadway tour. See my review here. Runs to July 26 at the Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King West). mirvish.com ✭✭✭
TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL (Toronto Fringe). Ontario’s largest performing arts theatre festival — and the place that helped launch works like The Drowsy Chaperone, ’Da Kink in My Hair and Kim’s Convenience — takes over the city. See my related story here. See my reviews at the Toronto Star’s Fringe review hub. Runs to July 12 at various locations. fringetoronto.com
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Opening this week (July 6 to July 12)
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Rick Elice and PigPen Theatre Co., from the novel by Sara Gruen (Mirvish). The spectacle-filled new musical set in a travelling circus comes to town in the show’s Canadian premiere. July 7 to 19 at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria). mirvish.com
HEATED RIVALRY: THE UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY (IN CONCERT) Dylan MarcAurele (Soulpepper). Alan Kliffer, who directed the hit Off-Broadway parody of the steamy Crave series, dircts this concert version of the show with an all-Canadian cast. July 9 to 12 at the Young Centre’s Baillie Theatre (50 Tank House Lane). soulpepper.ca
THE SECRET CHORD: A LEONARD COHEN EXPERIENCE by Frank Cox-O’Connell, Marni Jackson and Mike Ross (Soulpepper/Mirvish). The acclaimed tribute to poet/singer-songwriter Cohen looks at his life, music and writing. Previews from July 8, opens July 10 and runs to August 9 at the CAA Theatre (651 Yonge). mirvish.com
TEARDROPS ON MY DILDO by Vanessa Larry Mitchell (Mitchell). Australian comic Mitchell brings her hit solo show about modern relationships, sex, single parenthood, heartbreak and survival to town as part of a six-city Canadian tour. July 10 at the Redwood Theatre (1300 Gerrard East). theredwoodtheare.com (other tour dates/locations here).
Opening soon
TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare (Canadian Stage). Gregory Prest directs his adaptation of the Bard’s comedy of mischief, mistaken identities and romance, performed in High Park’s grand outdoor venue. Previews from July 12, opens July 16 and runs to September 6 at the High Park Amphitheatre (1873 Bloor West). canadianstage.com
BRONTE: THE WORLD WITHOUT by Jordi Mand (Guild Festival Theatre). Helen Juvonen directs Mand’s play about the Brontë sisters’ relationships, artistic struggles and family pressures, revealing how their own lives echoed the heroines of their enduring novels. Previews July 16, opens July 17 and runs to August 2 at the Greek Theatre, Guild Park & Gardens (201 Guildwood Parkway). guildfestivaltheatre.ca
(Listings continue through October for paid-tier members only)