TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Back to the Future: The Musical  (musical) by Alan Silvestri & Glen Ballard. A stage adaptation of the popular 1985 movie. Runs Jul 23 to Aug 31. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Lion King (musical) by Elton John et al. The stage version of the 1994 Disney animated film. Runs Nov 10, 2024, to Aug 30, 2025. Princess of Wales Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (musical) by Dave Molloy. A musical adaptation of Book VIII of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Runs Jul 15 to Aug 24. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) (comedy) by Isobel McArthur. A stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel with pop songs. Runs Jul 22 to Aug 17. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Toronto International BuskerFest (festival). Comedians, fire jugglers, acrobats, aerial artists, clowns and much more. Runs Aug 29 to Sep 1. Woodbine Park, torontobuskerfest.com.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

Heratio (comedy) by Genevieve Adam. What happens to the women and servants who have to clean up the mess after Shakespeare’s Hamlet ends? Runs Aug 7 to Aug 24. Guild Festival Theatre, www.guildfestivaltheatre.ca.

SummerWorks (festival). A festival of new work. Runs Aug 7 to Aug 17. Various venues, summerworks.ca.

The 39 Steps (comedy) by Patrick Barlow. Four actors play over 100 characters in this stage adaptation of the Hitchcock film. Runs Jul 17 to Aug 3. Guild Festival Theatre, www.guildfestivaltheatre.ca.

BANCROFT

Jersey Boys (musical) by Bob Gaudio & Bob Crewe. The story of the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Season. Runs Aug 13 to Aug 24. Bancroft Village Playhouse, www.tweedandcompany.com.

BLYTH

Powers and Gloria (comedy) by Keith Roulston. Ill health forces the head of a furniture empire to hand the business over to his greedy son. Runs Aug 1 to Aug 30. Memorial Hall, blythfestival.com.

Quiet in the Land (drama) by Anne Chislett. The father in a small Amish community becomes a bishop but his son enlists to fight in World War I. Runs Jul 5 to Aug 23. Harvest Stage, blythfestival.com.

Radio Town: The Doc Cruickshank Story (drama) by Nathan Howe. In Wingham a local inventor starts a small radio station that becomes a major force in launching Canadian talent. Runs Aug 20 to Sep 20. Memorial Hall, blythfestival.com.

Sir John: Acts of a Gentrified Ojibway Rebellion (comedy) by Drew Hayden Taylor. Two friends plan to retrieve a culturally important artifact from the British Museum. Runs Jun 20 to Aug 3. Memorial Hall, blythfestival.com.

The Wind Coming Over the Sea (drama) by Emma Donoghue. In 1840s Ireland a husband goes to Canada to find a better life for his family leaving his wife and children behind. Runs Jun 28 to Aug 12. Memorial Hall, blythfestival.com.

BOBCAYGEON

The Comeback (comedy) by Ben Ashenden & Alex Owen. Two comedians in a warm-up act find out a Hollywood director will be in the audience. Runs Jul 30 to Aug 9. Globus Theatre, www.globustheatre.com.

Shirley Valentine (comedy) by Willy Russell. A bored Liverpudlian housewife wins a trip to Greece. Runs Aug 13 to Aug 23. Globus Theatre, www.globustheatre.com.

CAMBRIDGE

The Crooner (revue) by Alex Mustakas. A salute to the great crooners from Bing Crosby to Michael Bublé. Runs Aug 13 to Aug 31. Hamilton Family Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

DRAYTON

Grease (musical) by Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey. Tough guys Danny falls for sweet new girl Sandy at Rydell High in 1959.  Runs Jul 9 to Aug 2. Drayton Festival Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

FENELON FALLS

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (musical) by Alan Janes. The story of the life and music of Buddy Holly. Runs Jul 6 to Aug 31. Grove Theatre, www.grovetheatre.ca.

GANANOQUE

Mary Poppins (musical) by RM Sherman & RB Sherman. A magical nanny brings joy to an unhappy family. Runs Jul 8 to Aug 16. 1000 Islands Playhouse, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.

Stag and Doe (comedy) by Mark Crawford. A stag and doe and a wedding recption are both schedule at the same hall at the same time. Runs Aug 22 to Sep 14. 1000 Islands Playhouse, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.

GRAND BEND

Beehive: The ’60s Musical (musical) by Larry Gallagher. Six women come of age during the 1960s to the famous tunes of the time.  Runs Aug 7 to Aug 31. Huron Country Playhouse, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Liars at a Funeral (comedy) by Sophia Fabiili. A grandmother fakes her death to bring her estranged family together.  Runs Jul 16 to Aug 2. Huron Country Playhouse, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Shrek The Musical (musical) by Jeanine Tesori & David Lindsay-Abaire. An ogre shows up to rescue a feisty princess.  Runs Aug 6 to Aug 31. Huron Country Playhouse, www.draytonentertainment.com.

GUELPH

Guelph Fringe Festival (festival). Ten theatre companies perform at three venues over the course of four days. Runs Aug 7 to Aug 10. Various venues, www.guelphfringe.ca.

HALIBURTON

The Merry Widow (operetta) by Franz Lehár. A penniless aristocrat tries to win the hand of a wealthy widow to save his country. Runs Aug 21 to Aug 25. Highlands Opera Studio, www.highlandsoperastudio.com.

Orfeo ed Euridice (opera) by C.W. Gluck. Orpheus goes to the Underworld to win back his beloved. In Italian with English surtitles. Runs Aug 14 only. Highlands Opera Studio, www.highlandsoperastudio.com.

KINGSTON

2025 TK Fringe Festival (festival). Three venues, 11 days, 18 shows. Runs Aug 7 to Aug 17. Various venues, www.theatrekingston.com.

KITCHENER/WATERLOO

Sun Life Waterloo Basker Carnival (festival). Acrobatics, contortionists, comedy and more. Runs Aug 21 to Aug 24. UpTown Waterloo, waterloobuskers.com.

MILLBROOK

Wild Irish Geese (drama) by Megan Murphy. In the 1820s over 2000 Irish immigrants settle in what would become Peterborough. Runs Jul 29 to Aug 30. 4th Line Theatre, www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

MORRISBURG

Maggie’s Getting Married (comedy) by Norm Foster. It’s the night before Maggie’s wedding and everyone is frazzled. Runs Jul 31 to Aug 24. Upper Canada Playhouse, uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

NIAGARA FALLS

Evolution (magic) by Greg Frewin. New large-scale illusions by Greg Frewin. Runs Oct 13, 2022, booking to Dec 30, 2025. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, gregfrewintheatre.com.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

THE SHAW FESTIVAL:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 9 to Dec 21 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two hours south from Toronto. For tickets and information phone 1-800-511-7429 or visit the website at www.shawfest.com.

At the Festival Theatre

Anything Goes (musical) by Cole Porter. Billy stows away on an ocean liner hoping to win the girl he loves away from her rich fiancé. Runs May 24 to Oct 4.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (children) by Selma Dimitrijevic & Tim Carroll. Four children find a portal in their wardrobe to a magical land. For age 8+. Runs May 25 to Oct 4.

Wait Until Dark (drama) by Frederick Knott. A blind woman becomes the target of a gang of criminals. Runs Jul 5 to Oct 5.

At the Royal George Theatre

Major Barbara (comedy) by George Bernard Shaw. A female Salvation Army officer feuds with her father, a wealthy arms manufacturer. Runs Jul 6 to Oct 5.

Murder-on-the-Lake (comedy) by Rebecca Northan & Bruce Horak. Detectives, including one audience member, investigate a death at a local B&B. Previews from Jul 26, opens Aug 16, runs to Oct 4.

Tons of Money (comedy) by Will Evans & Valentine. A man fakes his own death and takes on his cousin’s identity to escape his creditors. Runs May 23 to Oct 5.

At the Studio Theatre

Blues for an Alabama Sky (drama) by Pearl Cleage. Five characters grapple with love, loss and ambition in 1930s Harlem. Previews from Aug 2, opens Aug 17, runs to Oct 4.

Gnit (comedy) by Will Eno. A comic American take on Ibsen’s Peer Gynt about a man searching for his true self.  Runs Jul 5 to Oct 4.

At the Spiegeltent

Dear Liar (comedy) by Jerome Kilty. The witty correspondence between George Bernard Shaw and his great friend, the actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell. Runs May 18 to Sep 27.

ORILLIA

Common Ground (comedy) by John Spurway. Pam’s husband leaves her for another woman – then Pam meets the other woman’s husband. Runs Aug 13 to Aug 29. Orillia Opera House, www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.

Hurry Hard (comedy) by Kristen Da Silva. A town’s men’s and women’s curling teams have to unite to win the regional bonspiel. Runs Jul 23 to Aug 8. Orillia Opera House, www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

Always a Bridemaid (comedy) by James Hope Wooten. Four high school friends have sworn to be each other’s bridesmaids. Runs Jul 16 to Aug 2. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

Appelez-moi Stéphane (comedy) by Claude Meunier & Louis Saïa. Stéphane teaches a course in acting to five would-be performers. In French. Runs Aug 2 to Aug 10. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Five Alarm (comedy) by Kristen Da Silva. On her 17th try Ava needs to battle her childhood rival to win the local town’s chili cook-off. Runs Aug 20 to Sep 6. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

The Girl with No Hands (drama) by Laurie Steven. A handless maiden is lured into a fantasy play within a play where she gains hope and a new dream. Runs Jun 23 to Aug 24. Strathcona Park, www.odysseytheatre.ca.

Hamilton (musical) by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Alexander Hamilton rises from recent immigrant to George Washington’s right-hand man. Runs Aug 5 to Aug 17. National Arts Centre, nac‑cna.ca.

L’Illusioniste (magic) by Luc Langevin. The master magician uses grand illusions to expore the duality of heart and head. In French. Runs Aug 22 to Aug 23. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Lama: D’aventures en aventures (revue) by Mélissa Cardona. The life and music of of famed chansonnier Serge Lama. In French. Runs Aug 30 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Oh Canada Eh?! (revue). Archetypal Canadian characters sing over 70 songs from all-Canadian artists. Booking from Mar 14 to Sep 30, 2025. Oh Canada Eh?!, 330 Kent St, ohcanadaehottawa.com.

PENETANGUISHENE

Beehive (musical) by Larry Gallagher. Six women come of age to the sound of the great female singers of the 1960s. Runs Jul 9 to Aug 2. King’s Wharf Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Grease (musical) by Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey. In 1959 at Rydell Higha bad boy falls in love with a good girl. Runs Aug 7 to Aug 31. King’s Wharf Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

PETROLIA

Sexy Laundry (comedy) by Michele Riml. Alice and Henry try to restart their marriage with a copy of Sex for Dummies. Runs Aug 5 to Aug 22. Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, thevpp.ca.

PORT COLBORNE

Hidden Treasures (comedies) by Norm Foster. Two one-act plays using the same cast. Runs Jul 30 to Aug 10. Roselawn Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

Pinkerton Comes to Prospect (comedy) by Jamie Williams. In the 1890s a young surveyor is draggged into a western town’s sordid past. Runs Aug 20 to Aug 31. Roselawn Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT DOVER

Here on the Flight Path (comedy) by Norm Foster. John, a would-be writer, interacts with three different women on an adjoining balcony. Runs Aug 27 to Sep 13. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

Pinkerton Comes to Prospect (comedy) by Jamie Williams. In the 1890s a young surveyor is draggged into a western town’s sordid past. Runs Jul 30 to Aug 16. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT HOPE

Let Me Explain (comedy) by Izad Etemadi. A queer Iranian-Canadian immigrant born in Germany tries to explain his life. Runs Aug 12 to Aug 17.  Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

Rez Gas (musical) by Cale Crowe & Genevieve Adam. Car trouble lands Destin back in the reserve he tried to escape from. Runs Aug 22 to Sep 7.  Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

Steel Magnolias (comedy) by Robert Harling. At Truvy’s beauty parlour, women rely on their friendships to get them through hardship. Runs Jul 18 to Aug 3. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

PORT PERRY

Any Idiot Can Face a Crisis (comedies) by Andy Massingham. Short stories and plays by Anton Chekhov adapted as physical theatre. Runs Aug 6 to Aug 24. Tent at Scogog Shores Museum Village, theatreontheridge.ca.

PORT STANLEY

goldfish (comedy) by Steve Ross. A retired handyman and his new, younger female neighbour gradually become friends. Runs Aug 27 to Sep 13. Port Stanley Festival Theatre, psft.ca.

The Kitchen Witches (comedy) by Caroline Smith. Two cable-access cooking queens who hate each other are forced to join forces. Runs Aug 6 to Aug 23. Port Stanley Festival Theatre, psft.ca.

Liars at a Funeral (comedy) by Sophia Fabiili. A grandmother fakes her own death in order to get her family together. Runs Jul 16 to Aug 2. Port Stanley Festival Theatre, psft.ca.

PRESCOTT

Much Ado About Nothing (comedy) by William Shakespeare. Beatrice and Benedick argue so much everyone assumes they’re in love. Runs Jul 19 to Aug 9. Kinsmen Amphitheatre, www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca.

Play On! (revue) by Robert Markus et al. A cabaret of pop music and Shakespearean text. Runs Aug 12 to Aug 16. Kinsmen Amphitheatre, www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca.

Sherlock Holmes and the Vanishing Hour (comedy) by Deivan Steele. Holmes travels to Canada to help Watson solve a mystery along the St. Lawrence River. Runs Jul 23 to Aug 9. Kinsmen Amphitheatre, www.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca.

SAULT STE. MARIE

Fringe North (festival). A multi-arts fringe festival. Runs Aug 13 to Aug 17. Sault Ste. Marie Museum, www.saultfringe.com.

SOUTHAMPTON

Leave It to Cleavage (comedy) by Diana Frances. Two 1950s housewives take ideas from the audience to recreate a day in the life of a woman who has a family and a job. Runs Aug 14 to Aug 23. Bruce County Playhouse, www.brucecountyplayhouse.com.

Naked Radio (musical) by Paul Libman & Dave Hudson. When a blizzard knocks out its feed, two radio DJs must scramble to provide live entertainment. Runs Jul 24 to Aug 9. Bruce County Playhouse, www.brucecountyplayhouse.com.

ST. CATHARINES

Mechanically Inclined (comedy) by Steve Ross. When Abby gets her chance to direct A Midsummer Night’s Dream, there’s more drama off the stage than on. Runs Aug 14 to Aug 24. Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, fosterfestival.com.

Screwball Comedy (comedy) by Norm Foster. It’s 1938 and newcomer Mary Hayes is trying to break into the world of newspaper journalism. Runs Jul 23 to Aug 3. Mandeville Theatre, Ridley College, fosterfestival.com.

ST. JACOBS

Million Dollar Quartet (musical) by Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux. In 1956 Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley gather for a jam session Runs Jun 10 to Aug 31. Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

The Sound of Soul (revue) by Lee Siegel & Konrad Pluta. A tribute to 20 defining voices of gospel and rhythm & blues. Runs Aug 13 to Aug 31. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, www.draytonentertainment.com.

STRATFORD

World in a Weekend (festival). A festival of puppetry from around the world. Runs Jul 31 to Aug 4. Various venues, www.springworksfestival.ca.

HERE FOR NOW THEATRE:

A series of one-act plays of 60-90 minutes including two world premieres and a Canadian premiere. Here For Now Theatre, 24 St. Andrew St, www.herefornowtheatre.com.

Apples in Winter (drama) by Jennifer Fawcett. On death row Miriam’s son wants his mom’s apple pie for his last meal. Previews from Aug 20, opens Aug 22, runs to Aug 31.

Bangs, Bobs and Banter: Confessions of a Hairstylist (comedy) by Joanna Rannelli. Runs Aug 7 to Aug 11.

The Rules of Playing Risk (comedy) by Kristen Da Silva. A grouchy man revovering from a heart attack is visited by his 14-year-old grandson. Runs Aug 1 to Aug 16.

THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 19 to Nov 2 in Stratford, two hours west from Toronto. For tickets and information phone 1-800-567-1600 or visit the website at www.stratfordfestival.ca.

At the Festival Theatre

Annie (musical) by Charles Strouse & Marin Charnin. Billionaire Daddy Warbucks takes the little orphan Annie under his wing. Runs May 27 to Nov 2.

As You Like It (comedy) by William Shakespeare. Half the court flees a tyrannical duke to take up residence in a forest. Runs May 26 to Oct 24.

Dangerous Liaisons (drama) by Christopher Hampton. Two bored 18th-century French aristocrats decide to destroy the innocence of a beautiful young woman. Previews from Aug 6, opens on Aug 22, runs to Oct 25.

Sense and Sensibility (comedy) by Kate Hamill. A stage adaptation of the 1811 novel by Jane Austen. Runs Jun 19 to Oct 25.

At the Avon Theatre

Anne of Green Gables (play) by Kat Sandler. A stage adaptation of the beloved novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Runs May 31 to Oct 25.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (musical) by David Yazbek. Two gigolos compete to swindle $50,000 from an heiress. Runs May 29 to Oct 25.

Macbeth (tragedy) by William Shakespeare. Director Robert Lepage relocates the action of this tale of amition to the biker wars of the 1990s. Runs May 28 to Nov 2.

Ransacking Troy (comedy) by Erin Shields. An alternative version of Homer’s Illiad where the heroes’ wives decide to intervene. Previews from Aug 6, opens Aug 21, runs to Sep 28.

At the Tom Patterson Theatre

Dante’s Inferno (storytelling) by Daniele Bartolini. Portions of Dante’s Inferno read in the original Italian with surtitles accompanied by live music. Runs Aug 28 to Aug 30.

Forgiveness (drama) by Hiro Kanagawa. The son of a Japanese-Canadian interned in World War II wants to marry the daughter of a former Canadian POW in Japan. Runs Jun 18 to Sep 27.

The Winter’s Tale (drama) by William Shakespeare. In an unprovoked fit of jealousy Leontes accuses his best friend of adultery. Runs May 30 to Sep 27.

At the Studio Theatre

The Art of War (drama) by Yvette Nolan. A Canadian artist is sent to the front line of World war II to capture the experiences of the nation’s soldiers. Previews from Aug 1, opens Aug 20, runs to Sep 27.

SUDBURY

Jesus Christ Superstar (musical) by Andrew Lloyd Webber. A musical about the last days of Jesus Christ on earth. Runs Jul 9 to Aug 16. Sudbury Theatre Centre, yestheatre.com.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (comedy) by William Shakespeare. Four young lovers escape into a magic forest. Runs Jul 22 to Aug 9. The Refettorio, yestheatre.com.

TWEED

Jersey Boys (musical) by Bob Gaudio & Bob Crewe. The story of the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Season. Runs Aug 6 to Aug 10. Marble Arts Centre, www.tweedandcompany.com.