TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Hadestown (musical) by Anaïs Mitchell. The mythic stories of two couples – Hades and Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice. Previews from Jul 5, opens Jul 7, runs to Aug 20. Royal Alexandra Theatre,  1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Hamilton (musical) by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The story of Washington’s right-hand man who died in a duel with Aaron Burr. From Feb 23, booking to Aug 20. Princess of Wales Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com. ★★★☆☆

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (drama) by Jack Thorne. 19 years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, a new generation arrives at Hogwarts and a new menace threatens the world. Opened Jun 19, 2022, booking to Jul 2, 2023. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com. ★★★★☆

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

The Butterfly Project (opera) by Teiya Kasahara. A focus on the original purpose of the Japanese melodies in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Runs Jul 12 only. Walter Hall, University of Toronto, torontosummermusic.com.

The Effect (drama) by Lucy Prebble. Tristan and Connie fall in love during a drug trial, but is it love or just the drug? Runs Jul 9 to Jul 30. Coal Mine Theatre, 2076 Danforth Ave, www.coalminetheatre.com.

Skyline’s the Limit (comedy). All the most important comedic topics in Toronto from the tallest skyscraper to the depths of Lake Ontario. Runs from Mar 30, booking to Aug 27. The Second City, One York St, www.secondcity.com.

Tango in the Dark (dance) by Pointe Tango. Two lovers discover each other as they journey through a city transformed by the shadows of nightfall. Runs Jul 24 only. Isabel Bader Theatre, University of Toronto, torontosummermusic.com.

Toronto Fringe Festival (festival). A festival of new work from Toronto, Canada, and around the world. Runs Jul 5 to Jul 16. Various venues, fringetoronto.com.

Smaller Theatres (Student and Community)

Arms and the Man (drama) by GB Shaw. An impressionable girl falls in love with a soldier who takes refuge in her bedroom. [community] Runs Jun 30 to Jul 15. Scarborough Village Theatre, theatrescarborough.com. ‑masks required‑

BANCROFT

Murder at Ackerton Manor (comedy) by Stephen Gallagher. An Agatha Christie murder mystery spoof set in rural Quebec. Runs Jul 12 to Jul 16. Village Playhouse, www.tweedandcompany.com.

BLYTH

Liars at a Funeral (comedy) by Sophia Fabiilli. A grandmother fakes her own death to get her family together. Runs Jun 14 to Jul 8. Blyth Festival, blythfestival.com.

St. Nicholas Hotel (drama) by James Reaney. The second part of the Donnelly Trilogy showing how the success of the Donnellys’ stagecoach business causes resentment among the locals. Runs Jul 13 to Sep 2. Blyth Festival, blythfestival.com.

Sticks and Stones (drama) by James Reaney. The first part of the Donnelly Trilogy about Johannah’s march to save her husband. Runs Jun 22 to Sep 1. Blyth Festival, blythfestival.com.

The Waltz (comedy) by Marie Beath Badian. A young man on his way to BC meets a girl in the prairies he will never forget. Runs Jul 12 to Jul 29. Blyth Festival, blythfestival.com.

CAMBRIDGE

A Few Good Men (drama) by Aaron Sorkin. A young lawyer defends two marines accused of killing one of their own on the US base at Guantanamo Bay. Runs Jul 5 to Jul 23. Hamilton Family Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

COLLINGWOOD

2023 Porchside Festival (festival). A collection of revues, concerts and plays performed on various porches throughout Collingwood. Runs Ju1 1 to Jul 30. Theatre Collingwood, theatrecollingwood.ca.

DRAYTON

The New Canadian Curling Club (comedy) by Mark Crawford. A bigoted curler is put in charge of a Learn-to-Curl class for recent immigrants. Runs Jul 13 to Jul 29. Drayton Festival Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

GANANOQUE

The Sound of Music (musical) by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II. A novice nun becomes the nanny for the seven children of a gruff naval officer. Runs Jul 4 to Aug 6. Springer Theatre, 1000 Islands Playhouse, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.

GRAND BEND

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (musical) by Douglas McGrath. The true story of Carole King’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Runs Jun 15 to Jul 1. Huron Country Playhouse, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

The Crooner (revue) by Michael Vanhevel. A salute to legendary male singers from Bing Crosby to Michael Bublé. Runs Jul 5 to Jul 22. South Huron Stage, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Kinky Boots (musical) by Cyndi Lauper. A young man saves the family shoe factory by switching to footwear for drag queens. Runs Jul 12 to Jul 29. Huron Country Playhouse, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

HAMILTON

Hamilton Fringe Festival (festival). A festival of new work. Runs Jul 19 to Jul 30. Various venues, hftco.ca.

La Traviata (opera) by Giuseppe Verdi. A father tries to break up the affair of his son with a vivacious courtesan. In Italian with English surtitles. Runs July 14 only. brottmusic.com.

LONDON

The Lawyer of La Salette (comedy) by Adam Corrigan Holowitz & Kydra Ryan. The crops have failed and the farms of Fingal, Ontario are facing ruin, but one man, Neil McAlpine, thinks he can help. Runs Jul 26 to Jul 29. Fanshawe Pioneer Village, www.alvegoroottheatre.com.

MILLBROOK

The Tilco Strike (drama) by D’Arcy Jenish. Small-town Ontario residents collide with the Hollywood stars in Trenton in the 1920s. Runs from Jun 29 to Jul 22. Winslow Farm, www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

MORRISBURG

Buying the Farm (comedy) by Shelley Hoffman & Stephen Sparks. A young city real estate agent attempts to persuade an aging farmer to sell his property. Runs Jul 27 to Aug 13. Upper Canada Playhouse, uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

Who’s Under Where (comedy) by Marcia Kash & Douglas E. Hughes. Designers Jane and Sybil arrange a showing of their line of men’s underwear but their husbands think they are having an affair. Runs Jul 6 to Jul 23. Upper Canada Playhouse, uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

NIAGARA FALLS

Wonder (magic) by Greg Frewin. Christian Mascia performs new large-scale illusions designed by Greg Frewin. Runs Oct 13, 2022, booking to Dec 30, 2023. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, gregfrewintheatre.com.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

THE SHAW FESTIVAL 2023:

The plays run in repertory from Feb 28 to Dec 23 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

The Amen Corner (drama) by James Baldwin. A teenage musical prodigy has to choose between his mother, the pastor and choir leader of the church, and his washed-up father. Previews from Jul 30, opens Aug 19, runs to Oct 8.

Blithe Spirit (comedy) by Noel Coward. A novelist has to cope with his second wife and the ghost of his first wife. Previews from Jun 14, opens Jul 8, runs to Oct 8.

Gypsy (musical) by Jule Styne & Stephen Sondheim. Momma Rose pushes her daughter Gypsy into the world of show business. Runs May 17 to Oct 7.

At the Royal George Theatre

On the Razzle (comedy) by Tom Stoppard. Two shop assistants go “on the razzle” in Vienna and get into lots of trouble. Runs May 26 to Oct 8.

Prince Caspian (children) by Damien Atkins. Young Prince Caspian needs the four Pevensie children to help defeat his wicked uncle. Runs May 28 to Oct 8.

The Shadow of a Doubt (comedy) by Edith Wharton. A new wife is suspected of having a secret, which is enough to poison several lives. Previews from Jul 16, opens Aug 20, runs to Oct 15.

Village Wooing (comedy) by GB Shaw. On a cruise ship an antisocial wirter and a sparky young woman become attracted to each other. Previews from Jun 8, opens Jul 8, runs to Oct 7.

At the Studio Theatre

The Apple Cart (comedy) by GB Shaw. A power struggle between the king and his prime minister triggers a constitutional crisis. Previews from Jun 13, opens Jul 9, runs to Oct 7.

The Playboy of the Western World (comedy) by JM Synge. Pegeen Mike falls in love with a man who claims to have just killed his father. Previews from May 25, opens Jul 7, runs to Oct 7.

At the Spiegeltent

The Game of Love and Chance (comedy) by Pierre de Marivaux. A betrothed couple who have never met switch places with their servants in order to see what each other is really like. Runs Jun 28 to Oct 8.

Mother, Daughter (drama) by Selma Dimitrijevic. An exploration of the changing relationships between children and their parents. Runs Jun 3 to Oct 7.

At the BMO Stage

A Grand Night of Singing (revue) by Walter Bobbie. A showcase of the great songs by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Run Jun 29 to Sep 30.

ORILLIA

Bed and Breakfast (comedy) by Mark Crawford. A gay couple from the city opens a B&B in a small town. Runs Jul 26 to Aug 12. Orillia Opera House, www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.

Moving In (comedy) by Norm Foster. Fiftysomethings Mark and Grechen have decided to move in together. Mark’s son want to help; Gretchen's daughter wants to stop them. Runs Jul 5 to Jul 22. Orillia Opera House, www.orilliaoperahouse.ca.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

Affairs of State (comedy) by Louis Verneuil. A school teacher is persuaded to marry a wealthy US senator to cover up his romance with the wife of an ex-Sectretary of State. Runs Jul 7 to Jul 30. Arts Court Theatre, classictheatre.ca.

Around the World in 80 Days (comedy) by Mark Brown. A stage adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. Runs Jul 12 to Jul 29. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

Corteo (circus) by Cirque du Soleil. A joyous procession, a festive parade, imagined by a clown. Runs Jun 28 to Jul 2. Canadian Tire Centre, www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Laisse-moi partir (comedy) by Dominic Paquet. Paquet mimics the people he finds in the world around him. In French. Runs Jul 14 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

The Miser (comedy) by Molière. Harpagon wants to marry the same young woman as his son does. Runs Jul 27 to Aug 20. Theatre Under the Stars, Strathcona Park, www.odysseytheatre.ca.

Naturel (comedy) by Jérémy Demay. Demay reveals himself like never before with many confessions about him, his life and his family. In French. Runs Jul 28 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

PENETANGUISHENE

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (musical) by Alan Janes & Rob Bettinson. The life and career of an artistic pioneer are celebrated in this spirited musical biography. Runs Jun 15 to Jul 1. King’s Wharf Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Fiddler on the Loose (variety) by David Rogers. A musical variety show with a stirring blend of music, dancing, comedy and, of course, the fantastic fiddling of Jesse Grandmont. Runs Jul 12 to Aug 5. King’s Wharf Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

PETROLIA

Yesterday Once More (revue) by D2 Entertainment. A celebration of the music of 1973, considered by some as the best year in the history of pop music. Runs Jul 4 to Jul 23. Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, thevpp.ca.

PICKERING

Self Help (comedy) by Norm Foster. A pair of second-rate actors decide to reinvent themselves as self-help gurus. Runs Jun 2 to Jul 16. Herongate Barn Theatre, www.herongate.com.

PORT COLBORNE

On the Air (comedy) by Ephraim Ellis. The new station manager of a small town radio station tries to find a new audience. Runs Jun 28 to Jul 9. Roselawn Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

Bed & Breakfast (comedy) by Mark Crawford. A gay couple from the big city open up a B&B in a small town in the country. Runs Jul 19 to Jul 30. Roselawn Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.  

PORT DOVER

Bed & Breakfast (comedy) by Mark Crawford. A gay couple from the big city open up a B&B in a small town in the country. Runs Jun 28 to Jul 15. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

Where You Are (comedy) by Kristen Da Silva. Two sisters are living a quiet retirement together until the daughter of one of them arrives. Runs Jul 19 to Aug 5. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT HOPE

The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom (musical) by David Scott. A celebration of the life and music of Stompin’ Tom Connors. Runs Jun 9 to Jul 2. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

Mickey and Judy (cabaret) by Michael Hughes. Hughes tells how Judy Garland and The Wizard of Oz came to form his love of musicals. Runs Jul 27 to Aug 6. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

Prairie Nurse (comedy) by Marie Beath Badian. In the late 1960s, two Filipino nurses come to work at a small-town Saskatchewan hospital. Runs Jul 14 to Jul 30. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

PORT PERRY

Innocence Lost (drama) by Beverley Cooper. The true story of Steven Truscott, his trial – his conviction for murder and the campaign to overturn the conviction. Runs Jul 12 to Jul 29. Theatre on the Ridge, theatreontheridge.ca.

PORT STANLEY

On the Air (comedy) by Ephraim Ellis. The new station manager of a small town radio station tries to find a new audience. Runs Jul 12 to Jul 29. Port Stanley Festival Theatre, psft.ca.

Wrong for Each Other (comedy) by Norm Foster. If opposites attract, then Rudy and Norah should be a match made in heaven. Runs Jun 14 to Jul 8. Port Stanley Festival Theatre, psft.ca.

ST. CATHARINES

Outlaw (comedy) by Norm Foster. A young Canadian homesteader finds himself accused of murder in the state of Kansas in 1871. Runs Jun 21 to Jul 2. 3 Acres Farm, Pelham, fosterfestival.com.

ST. JACOBS

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (musical) by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice. A rock musical retelling of the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. Runs Jul 12 to Aug 5. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Perfect Wedding (comedy) by Robin Hawdon. A bridegroom wakes up in his bridal suite on his wedding day with an unknown woman in bed beside him. Runs Jul 19 to Aug 27. St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

STRATFORD

THE HERE FOR NOW THEATRE FESTIVAL:

A festival of one-act plays of 60 to 90 minutes, including 5 world premieres. Runs Jun 28 to Sep 23, 2023. Marquee at the Stratford Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Rd, www.herefornowtheatre.com.

Corporate Finch (comedy) by Taylor Marie Graham. Two teens break into an old factory in St. Jacobs, but will they both make it out alive? Runs Jul 20 to Jul 22.

Frog Song (opera) by William Rowson & Taylor Marie Graham. A children’s opera about facing your inner fears and discovering your inner song. Previews from Jul 26, opens Jul 28, runs to Aug 12.

Margaret Reid (comedy) by Madeleine Brown. Two young women, one dead body, a period of ten years from childhood to early adulthood. Previews from Jul 12, opens Jul 14, runs to Jul 29.  

MixTape: The Field Sessions (performance) by Zorana Sadiq. A mix tape for life – part memoir, part scientific inquiry, part love affair with listening. Runs Jul 4 to Jul 9.

Myth of the Ostrich (comedy) by Matt Murray. Pam finds an inappropriate letter from her teenage son to his mystery girlfriend. Runs Jun 30 to Jul 15.

THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 8 to Oct 29 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

King Lear (musical) by William Shakespeare. Lear divides his kingdom between two daughters but excludes the third. Runs May 30 to Oct 29.

Much Ado about Nothing (comedy) by William Shakespeare. Beatrice and Benedick bicker so much people think they must be in love. Runs Jun 16 to Oct 27.

Rent (musical) by Jonathan Larson. The story of Puccini’s La Bohème set in 1990s Manhattan. Runs Jun 2 to Oct 28.

At the Avon Theatre

Monty Python’s Spamalot (musical) by John Du Prez & Eric Idle. A musical version of the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Runs May 31 to Oct 28.

A Wrinkle in Time (children) by Thomas Morgan Jones. A young heroine goes on a journey through space and time to rescue her father. Runs Jun 17 to Oct 29.

At the Tom Patterson Theatre

Grand Magic (comedy) by Eduardo de Filippo. A master illusionist now performs at a seaside resort when one of his tricks goes awry. Runs Jun 3 to Sep 29.

Richard II (history play) by William Shakespeare, adapted by Brad Fraser. The story of England’s Richard II (1367-1400) is relocated to the 1970s and ’80s. Runs Jun 17 to Sep 28.

Wedding Band (drama) by Alice Childress. An emotional portrayal of a relationship between a Black seamstress and a white baker in the shadow of World War I and the 1918 flu epidemic. Previews from Jun 20, opens Jul 14, runs to Oct 1.

At the Studio Theatre

Women of the Fur Trade (comedy) by Frances Koncan. Three very different women sit in a fort sharing their views on life, love and Louis Riel. Previews from Jul 8, opens Jul 15, runs to Jul 30.

SUDBURY

Jersey Boys (musical) by Bob Gaudio & Bob Crewe. The formation, success and eventual break-up of the 1960s rock ’n’ roll group The Four Seasons. Runs Jul 7 to Aug 5. Sudbury Theatre Centre, sudburytheatre.com.

TWEED

Murder at Ackerton Manor (comedy) by Stephen Gallagher. An Agatha Christie murder mystery spoof set in rural Quebec. Runs Jul 6 to Jul 8. Marble Arts Centre, www.tweedandcompany.com.