Toronto theatre listings

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

Currently playing

APPROPRIATE by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (Coal Mine). Ted Dykstra directs this comic drama about estranged members of a family reuniting at their plantation home in Arkansas after their patriarch has died. Runs to October 21 at the Coal Mine Theatre (2076 Danforth). $60-$72.50, previews/arts workers from $35. coalminetheatre.com

FIDELIO by Ludwig van Beethoven (Canadian Opera Company). Matthew Ozawa directs a production of Beethoven's only opera, about a woman who disguises herself as a man to save her political prisoner husband from jail. Runs to October 20 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen West). $55-$360. coc.ca

THE GROUNDSWELL FESTIVAL (Nightwood). The feminist theatre company presents a week of new plays by emerging playwrights from across the country. Runs to October 5 at the Aki Studio Theatre (585 Dundas East). Pay-what-you-can to $10. nightwoodtheatre.net

IN DREAMS: A NEW MUSICAL by David West Read (Mirvish). A country-rock singer (Tony Award winner Lena Hall) invites her old bandmates to join her for a party, where she'll reveal a secret. This new musical featuring the songs of Roy Orbison is by the same creative team behind & Juliet. Runs to November 12 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria). mirvish.com

THE LAST EPISTLE OF TIGHTROPE TIME by Walter Borden (Tarragon). The legendary stage and screen star Borden revisits his 1986 show, an exploration of homosexuality from a Black perspective, directed by Peter Hinton-Davis. See my review here. Runs to October 15 at the Tarragon Mainspace (30 Bridgman). tarragontheatre.com ✭✭

✅THE MASTER PLAN by Michael Healey (Crow's Theatre). Chris Abraham directs this world premiere play about the unsuccessful attempt to build a smart city in Toronto, based on Josh O'Kane's book Sideways: The City Google Couldn't Buy. See my review here. Runs to October 19 at Crow's Theatre's Guloien Theatre (345 Carlaw). crowstheatre.com ✭✭✭✭✭

OUR FLAG MEANS [BLANK] (Bad Dog Theatre Company). Ashley Comeau directs Kyah Green, Brandon Hackett, Paloma Nuñez, Callum Wratten and others in an immersive, fully improvised site-specific show set and performed on an actual ship, inspired by the HBO Max pirate series. Runs to October 4 at Pirate's Life (585 Queens Quay West). $50. baddogtheatre.com

✅SEA WALL by Simon Stephens (One Four One Collective). Dora-nominated actor Jamie Cavanagh performs Stephens's acclaimed solo show about a young photographer's holiday in the south of France with his wife and family. See my review here. Runs to October 8 at the Assembly Theatre (1479 Queen West). assemblytheatre.com ✭✭✭✭

✅SIX: THE MUSICAL by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss (Mirvish). The award-winning pop musical about the six wives of Henry VIII gets a Canadian production. See my review here. Runs to February 11, 2024 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre (260 King West). $39-$159 (premium also available). mirvish.com ✭✭✭✭

✅SKYLINE'S THE LIMIT written and performed by PHATT al, Andy Assaf, Andy Hull, Nkasi Obgonnah, Hannah Spear and Jillian Welsh (Second City). The mainstage company presents the first revue created and performed in its new theatre. See my review here. Continues for a limited run at the Second City (1 York). $39-$65. secondcity.com ✭✭✭✭

SPACIOUSNESS by Ahmed Moneka and Nicky Lawrence (City of Toronto). Moneka directs his immersive play about lesser known stories of love, life and loss during the War of 1812. Runs to October 7 at Fort York (250 Fort York Blvd). $30. toronto.ca

TOPDOG/UNDERDOG by Suzan-Lori Parks (Canadian Stage). Parks's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about brotherly love and sibling rivalry gets a staging directed by Tawiah M'Carthy. Runs to October 15 at the Berkeley Street Theatre (26 Berkeley). canadianstage.com

WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT by Jack Sharkey (Stage Centre Productions). Sharkey's murder mystery farce gets a community theatre staging. Runs to October 7 at the Fairview Library Theatre (35 Fairview Mall Drive). 416-299-5557, stagecentreproductions.com

Opening soon

HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING by Will Arbery (Howland Company/Crow's. Theatre). Philip Akin directs the Canadian premiere of Arbery's Pulitzer Prize-finalist play set one week after the Charlottesville riots of 2017 at a conservative Catholic college. Previews from October 3, opens October 6 and runs to October 22 at Crow's Theatre's Studio Theatre (345 Carlaw). crowstheatre.com

LA BOHEME by Giacomo Puccini (Canadian Opera Company). The COC revives John Caird's production of Puccini's beloved opera about struggling artists dealing with love, inspiration and illness in 19th century Paris. Opens October 6 and runs to October 28 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen West). $55-$360. coc.ca

(EVERYONE I LOVE HAS) A TERRIBLE FATE (BEFALL THEM) by Cliff Cardinal (VideoCabaret in association with Crow's Theatre). Karin Randoja directs this world premiere Cardinal piece about humankind on the brink of extinction. Previews from October 10, opens October 12 and runs to October 29 at VideoCabaret's Deanne Taylor Theatre (10 Busy). $35-$45. crowstheatre.com

WILDWOMAN by Kat Sandler (Soulpepper/Her Words Festival). Sandler's new play, inspired by the true story behind the Beauty and the Beast myth, follows Queen-to-be Catherine de Medici as she deals with the court of King Henry II in 16th century France. Previews from October 5, opens October 12 and runs to October 29 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts (55 Tank House). $25-$65. soulpepper.ca

INFLUENCED by Sam Chaulk (Theatre Enthused). Chaulk brings her one-woman, interactive cabaret show featuring her clown persona Prima to town after successful runs at the Montreal and Winnipeg Fringes. October 12 to 14 at Sweet Action Theatre (180 Shaw, #106). $20-$45. eventbrite.com

THE WILD ROVERS by Steve Cochrane (Terra Bruce Productions). This new show inspired by the music of the Irish Rovers features a fairy tale setting and a madcap adventure. Previews from October 14, opens October 18 and runs to November 5 at the Winter Garden Theatre (189 Yonge). $38.42-$89.27, previews $25.99-$48.59. 416-366-7723, terrabruce.com

THE NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL (Toronto Fringe). Moved from its previous January slot, the indie festival this year consists of six unique shows, including dance, theatre, a musical and a sketch show. October 18 to 29 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (12 Alexander). buddiesinbadtimes.com

WATERFALL by Heather Marie Annis, Muhaddisah, Andrew Soutter, Michael Gordon Spence and Trisha Talreja (Theatre Gargantua). Jacquie P.A. Thomas directs the premiere of this play about humanity's relationship with water. Previews October 19, opens October 20 and runs to November 6 at the Factory Theatre Mainspace (125 Bathurst). $20-$35. factorytheatre.ca

JAGGED LITTLE PILL by Alanis Morissette and Diablo Cody (Vivek J. Tiwary, Arvind Ethan David, Eva Price, Mirvish Productions). The North American tour of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical that includes songs by Canadian rocker Morisette comes to town. October 24 to November 26 at the Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King West). $39-$185. mirvish.com

A POEM FOR RABIA by Nikki Shaffeeullah (Tarragon Theatre in association with Nightwood and Undercurrent Creations). Clare Preuss and Donna-Michelle St. Bernard direct this epic play that interweaves the stories of three queer women from the same bloodline. Previews from October 17, opens October 25 and runs to November 12 at the Tarragon Extra Space (30 Bridgman). nightwoodtheatre.net

DOCTOR FAUSTUS by Christopher Marlowe, adapted by James Llewellyn Evans and Coyote Ugly (Dandelion Theatre/Apothecary Theatre). In time for Halloween, Max Ackerman directs a two-actor production of Marlowe's play about selling one's soul to a dark power. October 25 to 31 at the Small World Centre (180 Shaw, Unit 101). $15-$20. zeffy.com

DOC WUTHERGLOOM'S HERE THERE BE MONSTERS by Eric Woolfe (Eldritch Theatre). Woolfe, Emma Mackenzie and a caravan of spooky puppets star in this series of tales about monsters, cryptids and other weird creatures. October 25 to November 5 at the Red Sandcastle Theatre (922 Queen East). $20-$40, Sundays pay-what-you-can. eldritchtheatre.com

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE by Gluck (Opera Atelier). Marshall Pynkoski directs Colin Ainsworth, Mireille Asselin, Anna-Julia David and others in the French 1774 version of Gluck's opera, one created for Marie Antoinette. October 26 to November 1 at the Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge). $49-$205, some $25 student tickets. operaatelier.com

THE GUIDE TO BEING FABULOUS by Sandra Caldwell (Soulpepper). Caldwell and others perform in this autobiographical show with original songs recounting Caldwell's eclectic life and career. Previews from October 24, opens October 28 and runs to November 12 at the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts (55 Tank House). $25-$75. soulpepper.ca

November

ROCKING HORSE WINNER by Gareth Williams and Anna Chatterton (Tapestry Opera). The multiple Dora Award-winning opera adapted from the D.H. Lawrence story about greed and obsession returns. Previews November 1, opens November 2 and runs to November 12 at Crow's Theatre's Guloien Theatre (345 Carlaw). $79.10-$96.05, srs/artsworker discounts available. crowstheatre.com

AN EVENING WITH AUDRA McDONALD (Toronto Symphony Orchestra). Backed by the TSO under conductor Andy Einhorn, McDonald, who's won a record six Tony Awards, performs a concert featuring songs from the Great American Songbook and Broadway. November 2 at 8 pm. $101-$241. Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe). tso.ca

ARDEN OF FAVERSHAM by anonymous (Shakespeare in the Ruff). Stratford regular Mike Shara stars as the titular character in this staged reading of the Elizabethan true-crime story about love, lust and murder. November 5 at 2 pm at the Monarch Tavern (12 Clinton). shakespearebashd.com

WEESAGEECHAK BEGINS TO DANCE 36 (Native Earth Performing Arts). The festival of new works in development includes Indigenous theatre, dance and multidisciplinary works by creators from across Turtle Island. November 6 to 19 at Aki Studio (585 Dundas East). $15, online performances free. nativeearth.ca

BAD ROADS by Natal'ya Vorozhbit (Crow's Theatre). Andrew Kushnir directs this play about life as a woman in wartime, based on testimonies from the outset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Previews from November 7, opens November 10 and runs to November 26 at Crow's Theatre's Studio Theatre (345 Carlaw). $56.50-$90.40, srs and artsworker discounts. crowstheatre.com

WITHROW PARK by Morris Panych (Tarragon). Jackie Maxwell directs the world premiere of Panych's new play set in the the east end Toronto neighbourhood. Previews from November 7, opens November 15 and runs to December 3 at the Tarragon Mainspace (30 Bridgman). $65, arts worker, student discounts, previews $35. tarragontheatre.com

THE LEHMAN TRILOGY by Stefano Massini, adapted by Ben Power (Canadian Stage). Philip Akin directs Massini's epic play about three generations of the influential financial family. Previews from November 14, opens November 16 and runs to November 26 at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front East). canadianstage.com

MONSTER by Daniel MacIvor (Factory Theatre). Soheil Parsa directs actor Karl Ang (Cockroach) in a revival of MacIvor's multi-character psychological thriller. November 16 to December 10 at the Factory Studio (125 Bathurst). factorytheatre.ca

PATTI LUPONE: DON'T MONKEY WITH BROADWAY (TO Live). Tony-winner LuPone presents a love letter to Broadway featuring songs from Evita, West Side Story, The Music Man and other shows. November 17 at 8 pm. $45-$125. Meridian Hall (1 Front East). tolive.com

HARPER LEE'S TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee, adapted by Aaron Sorkin (Mirvish). The Broadway tour of Sorkin's adaptation of Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about racism and justice in a small Alabama town comes to town, starring Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch. November 21 to 27 at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria). $79-$169. mirvish.com

HERE LIES HENRY by Daniel MacIvor (Factory Theatre). Tawiah M'Carthy directs Damien Atkins in a revival of MacIvor's award-winning play about a nervous, self-proclaimed liar. November 23 to December 17 at the Factory Mainspace (125 Bathurst). factorytheatre.ca

ANGELS IN AMERICA by Tony Kushner (That Theatre Company, in association with Buddies in Bad Times). Craig Pike directs a star-studded production of Kushner's two-part epic set in Reagan-era New York City. Previews from November 23, opens November 28 (Part 1) and 29 (Part 2) and runs to December 17 at Buddies in Bad Times (12 Alexander). buddiesinbadtimes.com

THE ILLUSIONISTS – MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS (Mirvish Productions). After wowing Broadway, the West End and spots in North America, the five jaw-dropping illusionists return to Toronto to perform their family-friendly show. November 28 to December 3 at the Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King West). mirvish.com

A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, adapted by Michael Shamata (Stage Centre Productions). Shamata's adaptation of the Dickens classic gets a community theatre staging. November 30 to December 9 at the Fairview Library Theatre (35 Fairview Mall Drive). stagecentreproductions.com

December

AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS (Mirvish Productions). The Tony-winning musical about the influential R&B group the Temptations returns after enjoying a pre-Broadway run here five years ago. December 7 to 17 at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria). $39-$175. mirvish.com

CHRIS, MRS. by Matt Stodolak and Katie Kerr (Boldly Productions). World premiere production of a new rom-com holiday musical about a businessman with kids who uses a family lodge to get a promotion and ends up discovering something else. Previews from December 5, opens December 7 and runs to December 31 at the Winter Garden Theatre (189 Yonge). $63.24-$132.49. chrismrs.com

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 by Dave Malloy (Crow's Theatre/Musical Stage Company). Chris Abraham directs Malloy's immersive, musical adaptation of one section of Tolstoy's War and Peace. Previews from December 5, opens December 13 and runs to January 7 at the Guloien Theatre at Crow's Theatre (345 Carlaw). $62.15-$84.75, srs/artsworker discounts. crowstheatre.com

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) (Mirvish Productions). This comic adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, complete with pop songs, arrives from its successful run in London's West End. December 14 to January 7 at the CAA Theatre (651 Yonge). $39-$119. mirvish.com

✅BAD HATS' ALICE IN WONDERLAND adapted from Lewis Carroll by Fiona Sauder, with music by Landon Doak and Victor Pokinko (Soulpepper/Bad Hats Theatre). Bad Hats' delightful musical adaptation of the children's classic returns, after winning six Doras including outstanding new musical. Previews from December 12, opens December 14 and runs to December 31 at the Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts (55 Tank House). $25-$45. soulpepper.ca

SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW by Slava Polunin (Show One Productions). The internationally acclaimed show in which a troupe of clowns embark on an adventure returns to town for the first time since 2018. December 22 to 31 at the Elgin Theatre (189 Yonge). $59-$119, VIP $149 (including premium seating and a gift). showoneproductions.ca

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