Toronto theatre listings
A list of shows currently playing or opening soon in Toronto theatres, with links to reviews and features
Currently playing
AMÉLIE by Daniel Messé, Nathan Tysen and Craig Lucas (Shifting Ground Collective). Catie Thorne directs the Toronto premiere of the musical based on the beloved film about a young Parisian waitress whose actions magically transform the lives of those around her. See my review here. Runs to October 10 at the Aki Studio (585 Dundas East). shiftinggroundcollective.com ✭✭✭
BOOTYCANDY by Robert O’Hara (Buddies in Bad Times/Obsidian Theatre Company). Jay Northcott directs O’Hara’s meta-theatrical, semi-autobiographical dark comedy about Black queer life. Runs to October 17 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander). buddiesinbadtimes.com
COSI FAN TUTTE by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Canadian Opera Company). The COC revives Atom Egoyan’s distinctive production of the Mozart comic opera about love and fidelity. Runs to October 18 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen West). coc.ca
✅ A FINE BALANCE adapted by Anosh Irani from the novel by Rohinton Mistry (Crow’s). Chris Abraham directs this world premiere adaptation of Mistry’s acclaimed novel about four people thrown together in a cramped Bombay apartment/garment factory during India’s 1975 Emergency period. See my review here, and see my interviews with Irani and actor Siddharth Sharma. Runs to November 7 (final extension) at Crow’s Theatre’s Guloien Theatre (345 Carlaw). crowstheatre.com ✭✭✭✭
HELL’S KITCHEN by Alicia Keys and Kristoffer Diaz (Mirvish). Inspired by Alicia Keys’ youth, this coming-of-age musical features new arrangements of her hit songs as a teenage girl discovers her voice in 1990s Manhattan. See my review here. Runs to October 25 at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria). mirvish.com ✭✭✭
THE KARATE KID — THE MUSICAL by Drew Gasparini and Robert Mark Kamen (Mirvish). This new musical is an adaptation of the beloved coming-of-age film about a bullied who teenager learns karate from an unassuming mentor. See my review here. Runs to November 1 at the Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King West). mirvish.com ✭✭
✅MEASURE FOR MEASURE by William Shakespeare, adapted by Christopher Manousos (House + Body Production, presented by Crow’s Theatre). Manousos brings back his brilliant adaptation of the Bard’s problem play (complete with the original five-person cast), set at a taping of the play in a modern sound studio. See my review here. Runs to October 18 (extended) at Crow’s Theatre’s Studio Theatre (345 Carlaw). crowstheatre.com ✭✭✭✭
SON OF A PREACHERMAN by Ins Choi (Choi/Pacific Theatre). Kaitlin Williams directs Kim’s Convenience author Choi’s personal new play about growing up as the only son of the head pastor at a Korean church. Runs to October 18 (extended) at the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church (230 St. Clair Ave. West). pacifictheatre.org
✅SPRING AWAKENING by Frank Wedekind, adapted by Paolo Santalucia (Soulpepper). Santalucia directs his adaptation of the modern classic about teenagers exploring love and desire while navigating societal rules and parental expectations. See my review here. Runs to October 18 at the Young Centre’s Baillie Theatre (50 Tank House Lane). soulpepper.ca ✭✭✭✭✭
LA TRAVIATA by Giuseppe Verdi (Canadian Opera Company). Arin Arbus directs the Verdi opera about a courtesan’s doomed love for man whose father disapproves of the match. Runs to October 17 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen West). coc.ca
✅WINE IN THE WILDERNESS by Alice Childress (Canadian Stage). Jordan Laffrenier (Slave Play) directs Childress’ landmark play about a Black painter finishing a portrait of a woman as riots occur outside his Harlem apartment in 1964. See my review here. Runs to October 11 (extended) at the Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley). canadianstage.com ✭✭✭✭
Send theatre listings info or questions to SoSumiContact@gmail.com
Opening this week (October 5 to 11)
PROPHETESS by Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho) (Tarragon). Mike Payette directs a terrific cast (Karen Robinson, Christine Horne, Natasha Mumba and Rick Roberts) in the world premiere of Ho’s play, inspired by Shakespeare’s history plays, about the chair of an English department who wakes one day to find herself afraid of spiders. In previews, opens October 7 and runs to October 25 at the Tarragon Mainspace (30 Bridgman). tarragontheatre.com
MONEY: A LAUNCH EVENT (Miller). In this free event, multi-disciplinary theatre maker Rick Miller announces the launch of his upcoming play Money, and then is joined by the Stratford Festival’s Antoni Cimolino to talk about wealth, power, tech and Canadian culture. October 7 at the BMO Lab, University of Toronto (15 King’s College Circle). eventbrite.ca
Opening soon
DANCER: A MUSICAL IN TEN FURLONGS by Jim Betts and Marek Norman (Terminal Theatre). Stacey Tookey directs the new musical about Northern Dancer, the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. Previews from October 6, opens October 14 and runs to November 1 at the Terminal Theatre (207 Queens Quay West). dancerthemusical.ca
THE CULL by Michele Rimi and Michael St. John Smith (Vault Creation Lab). Peter Pasyk directs a public lab of a new play at a critical stage in its development. October 14 to 17 at the Coal Mine Theatre (2076 Danforth Ave). thevaultcreationlab.ca
JORDAN: A HERO’S JOURNEY HOME by Yvette Nolan (Geordie Theatre). Jimmy Blais directs Nolan’s play for young audiences (ages 6 to 12) about a young Cree boy who helps Indigenous children with the support of his spirit bear, Maskwa. (It’s a tribute to the real-life Jordan River Anderson, whose actions led to a legal commitment ensuring equal healthcare for First Nations youth.) October 16 to 23 at Young People’s Theatre (165 Front East). youngpeoplestheatre.org
CENTRE STAGE (Canadian Opera Company). The COC presents its annual competition and fundraiser celebrating Canada’s emerging opera talent. October 22 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen West). coc.ca
(Listings continue through December for paid-tier members only)