TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Come From Away (musical) by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. On September 11th, 2001, 38 planes with 6579 passengers are stranded in Gander, Newfoundland. Runs Sep 22, 2024, to Mar 2, 2025. Royal Alexandra Theatre,  1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com. ★★★★★

Fifteen Dogs (comedy) by Marie Farsi. Hermes and Apollo grant human consciousness and language to 15 dogs to see what happens. Runs Jan 28 to Feb 16. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Four Seasons / Morpheus’ Dream / The Leaves Are Fading (ballets) by David Dawson / Marco Goerke / Antony Tudor. Atriple-bill of modern ballets. Runs Feb 26 to Mar 2. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

Just For One Day (musical) by John O’Farrell. The story of the Live Aid concert in 1985. Runs Jan 26 to Mar 16. 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.

Madama Butterfly (opera) by Giacomo Puccini. A Japanese woman is faithful to her American husband but he is not faithful to her. In Italian with English surtitles. Runs January 24 to February 16. Four Seasons Centre, www.coc.ca.

La Reine-Garçon (opera) by Julien Bilodeau. In 1649 Queen Christine of Sweden is torn between her love for a woman and the State’s pressure for an heir. In French with English surtitles. Runs January 31 to February 15. Four Seasons Centre, www.coc.ca.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (drama) by Edward Albee. An older couple invites a younger couple over for drinks and mind games. Runs Jan 18 to Feb 9. Bluma Appel Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

Dimanche (drama) by Julie Tenret et al. Humans try to preserve their habits despite ecological collapse. Runs Feb 21 to Feb 22. Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St, tolive.com.

Dinner with the Duchess (drama) by Nick Green. A secretive violin virtuoso gives her final interview about what her legacy will be. Runs Jan 14 to Feb 2. Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave, www.crowstheatre.com.

Duck Pond (circus) by Yaron Lifschitz. The story of Swan Lake imagined as an acrobatic spectacular. Runs Jan 30 to Feb 1. Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St, tolive.com.

Fat Ham (comedy) by James Ijames. Juicy tries to celebrate his mother’s marriage to his late father’s brother. Runs Feb 15 to Mar 9. Berkeley Street Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

Hypothetical Baby (drama) by Rachel Cairns. An exploration of the personal and societal factors that shape our reproductive lives. Runs Feb 23 to Mar 9. 877 Yonge Street, www.nightwoodtheatre.net.

Jacqueline (opera) by Luna Pearl Woolf. The rise and fall of classical cellist Jacqueline du Pré. Runs Feb 20 to Feb 23. Betty Oliphant Theatre, tapestryopera.com.

The Journal of Hélène Barr (opera) by Bernard Foccroulle. A solo opera based on the writings of a Parisian Jewish student who died at Bergen-Belsen in 1945. Runs Jan 21 to Jan 23. Koerner Hall, www.rcmusic.com.

The Merchant of Venice (drama) by William Shakespeare. When Antonio cannot repay his debt, the merchant Shylock insists on cutting a pound of flesh from him. Runs Feb 13 to Feb 23. The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St West, theatrecentre.org.

Murder at Sea (comedy). A nautical whudunnit featuring Hercule Perrier and other hilarious characters. Runs Feb 8, 14 & 22. Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St West, mysteriouslyyours.ca.

People, Places and Things (drama) by Duncan Macmillan. Emma is in rehab to kick her addiction but she constantly rebels against the system. Runs Feb 9 to Mar 3. Coal Mine Theatre, 2076 Danforth Ave, www.coalminetheatre.com.

Rhubarb Festival (festival). Canada’s longest-running genre-bending live arts festival. Runs Feb 13 to Feb 23. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Stranger Sings: The Parody Musical (musical) by Jonathan Hogue. A musical parody of the Netflix series Stranger Things. Runs Jan 28 to Apr 26. Randolph Theatre, www.strangersingscanada.ca.

Wights (drama) by Liz Appel. An English professor prepares for an interview to head a DEI centre at Yale. Runs Jan 7 to Feb 9. Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave, www.crowstheatre.com.

Winter Solstice (comedy) by Roland Schimmelpfennig. Family tensions are already running high when a stranger comes to visit. Runs Jan 14 to Feb 2. Berkeley Street Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

The Wolf in Venice (revue) by Martin Julien & Brian Quirt. A trio about trios in which singers talk about singing. Runs Feb 4 to Feb 23. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

Smaller Theatres (Student and Community)

The Amazing Cordobas / War of the Clowns (comedies) by Mark Brownell. Two one-act plays featuring circus characters. Runs Feb 5 to Feb 15. [student] Young Centre, www.georgebrown.ca.

Other Desert Cities (drama) by Jon Robin Baitz. A left-leaning daughter comes home to her Republican parents to expose a dark family secret. Runs Jan 22 to Feb 2. [community] Alumnae Theatre, alumnaetheatre.com.

Ripcord (comedy) by David Lindsay-Abaire. In a posh retirement home the cantankerous Abby is not pleased about having to share her quarters. Runs Jan 10 to Feb 1. [community] Village Playhouse, villageplayers.net.

The Yeomen of the Guard (operetta) by Arthur Sullivan & W.S. Gilbert. Runs Jan 31 to Feb 9. [community] St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 651 Dufferin St, www.stannesmads.com.

AJAX

Josephine: A Musical Cabaret (cabaret) by Tymisha Harris. The story of Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar. Runs Feb 28 only. St. Francis Centre, www.eventbrite.ca.

BANCROFT

Ghost Light (comedy) by Shawn Wright. Wright tells the story of his relationship with his mother. Runs Feb 1 to Feb 2. Bancroft Village Playhouse, www.simpletix.com.

BARRIE

Perfect on Paper (comedy) by Marcia Johnson. A proudly independent Black feminist secretly writes bodice-ripping romances in her spare time. Runs Jan 30 to Feb 8. Venue TBA, www.tift.ca.

BURLINGTON

Alice in Wonderland (children) by Tout à Trac. An imaginative version of the story by Lewis Carroll. For Grades K-4. Runs Feb 4 only. Burlington PAC, burlingtonpac.ca.

GUELPH

Life Cycle (circus) by Guillaume Doin. Motivated by an old bicycle a man searches for his roots. Runs Feb 6 only. River Run Centre, riverrun.ca.

Murray the Magician (magic) by Murray Sawchuck. A show of illusions by America's top comedy magician. Runs Feb 7 only. River Run Centre, riverrun.ca.

HAMILTON

Casey and Diana (drama) by Nick Green. In 1991 Princess Diana meets AIDS patients at Toronto’s Casey House. Runs Feb 19 to Mar 6. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

Tales of Bravery and Stupidity (comedy) by Bruce McCulloch. A look at the bravely stupid things we all do to make sense of our lives. Runs Feb 16 only. The Westdale, www.thewestdale.ca.

KINGSTON

Big Ticket (comedy) by Jim Garrard. Dave has Annie’s car and she wants it back. Runs Feb 6 to Feb 23. Grand Theatre, www.kingstongrand.ca.

The Gruffalo’s Child (children) by Tall Stories. The Gruffalo’s Child steps out into the deep dark woods. For ages 3+. Runs Feb 9 only. Grand Theatre, www.kingstongrand.ca.

KITCHENER/WATERLOO

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (ballet). A performance by the world’s foremost gender-skewing comic ballet company. Runs Feb 14 only. Centre in the Square, centreinthesquare.com.

Beyonsea and the Mothers (drama) by Teneile Warren. Beyonsea is sent to North America join her mother whom she barely knows. Runs Jan 29 to Feb 9. Conrad Centre, Kitchener, www.greenlight-arts.com.

Forever Tango  (dance) by Luis Bravo. 14 world-class tango dancers accompanied by an 11-piece band illustrate the history of the tango. Runs Feb 8 only. Centre in the Square, centreinthesquare.com.

Insidious: The Further You Fear (performance). When a paranormal demonstration goes wrong, dark forces are unleashed inside the theatre. Runs Feb 28 only. Centre in the Square, centreinthesquare.com.

Piaf! The Show (revue) by Gil Marsalla. A tribute to the life and music of legendary chanteuse Édith Piaf. Runs Feb 4 only. Centre in the Square, centreinthesquare.com.

LONDON

Heist (drama) by Arun Lakra. Five criminals team up for one final job in this action-thriller. Runs Jan 14 to Feb 1. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

The Secret to Good Tea (drama) by Rosanna Deerchild. Maggie wants her mother to stop evading the truth about her experience in a residential school. Runs Feb 18 to Mar 8. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical (musical) by Katori Hall. The story of the woman who broke barriers to become the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. Runs Feb 18 only. Canada Life Place, www.canadalifeplace.com.

MARKHAM

The 9th (dance) by Roberto Campanella & Robert Glumbek. A look at the essence of freedom and resilience witnessed during the fall of the Berlin Wall. Runs Feb 7 only. Flato Markham Theatre, flatomarkhamtheatre.ca.

MISSISSAUGA

The Birds (drama) by Yvette Nolan. Aristophanes’ play about the relation of humans and gods is reimagined as a satire on the relations of First Nations people and settlers. Runs Feb 6 to Feb 16. [student] Erindale Studio Theatre, www.utm.utoronto.ca.

NIAGARA FALLS

Canadiana (revue). A celebration of Canadian music through the years. Runs May 28, 2024, booking to Jun 24, 2025. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, gregfrewintheatre.com.

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.

Sinatra in Paris ’62 (revue) by Bob Anderson. A re-enactment of Sinatra’s first visit to the French capital. Runs Feb 26 to Mar 2. Fallsview Casino, fallsviewcasinoresort.com.

OAKVILLE

The Gruffalo’s Child (children) by Tall Stories. The Gruffalo’s Child steps out into the deep dark woods. For ages 3+. Runs Feb 15 only. Oakville Centre, www.oakvillecentre.ca.

The 9th (dance) by Roberto Campanella & Robert Glumbek. A look at the essence of freedom and resilience witnessed during the fall of the Berlin Wall. Runs Feb 6 only. Oakville Centre, www.oakvillecentre.ca.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

Ari Cui Cui et les jeux d’rôles (children). Children act out the roles of characters in classic fairy tales. For ages 0-8. In French. Runs Feb 9 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Au coeur de la rose (Généalogie) (drama) by Jérémie Niel. The daughter of parents who live in a lighthouse falls in love with a shipwrecked sailor. In French. Runs Feb 27 to Mar 1. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Controlled Damage (drama) by Andrea Scott. The story of Viola Desmond who was arrested for sitting in the whites-only section of a movie theatre in Nova Scotia in 1946. Runs Feb 13 to Feb 22. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

La Descente aux affairs (circus) by Fred Pellerin. Pellerin tells more tales about happenings in his small town of Saint-Élie-de-Caxton. In French. Runs Feb 19 to Feb 20 only. Shenkman Arts Centre, shenkmanarts.ca.

Epidermis Circus (puppetry) by Ingrid Hansen. A spicy puppet cabaret hosted by a sassy grandma. For ages 14+. Runs Jan 30 to Feb 1. Meridian Theatre @ Centrepointe, meridiancentrepointe.com.

Giselle (ballet) by Peter Wright to music by Adolphe Adam. The National Ballet of Canada performs the story of a jilted young girl who kills herself and becomes a spirit seeking revenge on the man who betrayed her. Runs Jan 30 to Feb 1. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

The Gruffalo’s Child (children) by Tall Stories. The Gruffalo’s Child steps out into the deep dark woods. For ages 3+. Runs Feb 8 only. Meridian Theatre @ Centrepointe, meridiancentrepointe.com.

Kukum (drama) by Laure Morali. A White orphan girl falls in love with an Inuit boy and learns what his life is like. In French. Runs Feb 14 to Feb 15. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

La Mégère apprivoisée (comedy) by William Shakespeare. Petruchio thinks he will be the one to wed the man-hating Katherine. In French. Runs Feb 16 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Misery (drama) by William Goldman. A novelist’s number one fan holds him captive in her home. Runs Jan 23 to Feb 1. The Gladstone, thegladstone.ca.

The Noose (drama) by Frankétienne. A Haitian play from 1978 about two Haitian immigrants trying to survive in New York City. Runs Feb 5 to Feb 15. Arts Court Theatre, ottawafringe.com. ★★★★☆

The Shawshank Redemption (drama) by Dave Johns & Owen O’Neill. A banker in prison, wrongly convicted of murder, tries to keep hope alive. Runs Feb 26 to Mar 15. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

Tina - The Tina Turner Musical (musical) by Katori Hall. The story of the woman who broke barriers to become the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. Runs Feb 11 to Feb 16. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Traces d’étoiles (drama) by Cindy Lou Johnson. A woman in a ragged wedding dress arrives at Henry’s cabin in Alaska during a snow storm. In French. Runs Jan 29 to Feb 23. Théâtre de l’Île, Gatineau, www.ovation.ca.

undercurrents festival (festival). A festival of new works. Runs Feb 5 to Feb 15. Arts Court Theatre, ottawafringe.com.

Why It’s imPossible (comedy) by Sophia Fabiilli. A look at the complex relationship between mother and child and parenting in precarious times. Runs Jan 21 to Feb 2. Great Canadian Theatre Company, www.gctc.ca.

PETERBOROUGH

Mysteries of the Keyhole House (magic) by Ted Outerbridge. A magic show inspired the magician’s haunted house in Smith Falls. Runs Feb 22 only. Showplace Performance Centre, showplace.org.

New Works (dance) by Heryka Miranda & Norma Araiza. New dance pieces by two strong female indigenous performing artists. Runs Feb 28 to Mar 1. Nozhem First Peoples Performing Space, publicenergy.ca.

RAMA

Dancing with the Stars Live (dance). Ballroom’s excitement, athleticism and artistry with your favourite pros. Runs Feb 1 only. Casino Rama, www.casinorama.com.

RICHMOND HILL

Murray the Magician (magic) by Murray Sawchuck. A show of illusions by America’s top comedy magician. Runs Feb 8 only. Richmond Hill, Centre, www.rhcentre.ca.

ST. CATHARINES

OVO (circus) by Cirque du Soleil. A rush into a world where insects work, eat, play, crawl, flutter and fight. Runs Feb 20 to Feb 23. Meridian Centre, www.meridiancentre.com.

Tweet! Tweet! (children) by Femmes du Feu. Two chicks who have just hatched explore the world around them. For ages 0-5. Runs Feb 17 only. FirstOntario PAC, firstontariopac.ca.

SUDBURY

Groundhog Day: The Musical (musical) by Tim Minchin. A weatherman lives the same day over and over again. Runs Feb 14 to Mar 9. Sudbury Theatre Centre, https://yestheatre.com.

THUNDER BAY

The New Canadian Curling Club (comedy) by Mark Crawford. A bigot is assigned the task of teaching recent immigrants how to curl. Runs Feb 20 to Mar 8. Magnus Theatre, magnustheatre.com.

VINEYARD

Love Letters (drama) by A.R. Gurney. Letters shared over a lifetime of a man and a woman who went their separate ways. Runs Feb 13 to Feb 15. Vineland Estates Winery, fosterfestival.com.

WINDSOR

The Magic School Bus (children) by Marshall Pailet. Ms. Frizzle takes her students on an interplanetary field trip. For ages 4-10. Runs Feb 1 only. Chrysler Theatre, www.chryslertheatre.com.

ON TOUR IN ONTARIO

Hyprov: Improv Under Hypnosis (comedy) by Asad Mecci & Colin Mochrie. Mecci hypnotizes 20 volunteers from the audience and Mochrie turns them into an instant improv troupe. hyprov.com.

• Feb 1: Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville

• Feb 4: Capitol Centre, North Bay

• Feb 5: McIntyre PAC, Hamilton

• Feb 6: Flato Academy Theatre, Lindsay

• Feb 7: Living Arts Centre, Mississauga

• Feb 8: Capitol Theatre, Chatham

• Feb 9: Chrysler Theatre, Windsor

• Feb 12: Richmond Hill Centre, Richmond Hill

• Feb 13: Grand Theatre, Kingston

• Feb 14: Roxy Theatre, Owen Sound

• Feb 15: Centre in the Square, Kitchener

• Feb 20: Brockville Arts Centre, Brockville

• Feb 22: NAC, Ottawa

Mini Pop Kids: The Celebration Tour (children). Kids aged 10-14 sing and dance to the latest pop songs. For age 3+. minipopkids.com.

• Feb 1: Centrepointe Theatres, Nepean

• Feb 2: Empire Theatre, Belleville

• Feb 15: Fraser Building, Sudbury

• Feb 17: Sault Community Theatre Centre, Sault Ste. Marie