Stage Door Listings

June 2023

Performances begin on June 22 at the Blyth Festival of the three plays that make up The Donnellys trilogy by James Reaney.

Image: Cover of the paperback edition of The Donnellys by Dundurn Press, 2008.


TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Everything at Stake (performance) by Jinkx Monsoon. Jinkx weaves together tales from her enigmatic life in a show where music, comedy, witchy magic, and camp-fantasy collide. Jun 23 only. Massey Hall, masseyhall.mhrth.com.

Frame by Frame (ballet) by Guillaume Côté. A tribute to Canadian filmmaker Norma McLaren by Côté and director Robert Lepage. Runs Jun 2 to Jun 11. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

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. Runs Jun 19, 2022, to Jul 2, 2023. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com. ★★★★☆

Koozå (circus) by Cirque du Soleil. An exploration of themes of fear, identity, recognition and power in an electrifying and exotic visual world. Runs Apr 7 to Jun 18. Big Top, Lake Shore Blvd West,  www.cirquedusoleil.com. ★★★★☆

Luminato Festival Toronto (festival). A multidisciplinary festival of new work. Runs Jun 7 to Jun 18. Various venues, luminatofestival.com.

Romeo and Juliet (ballet) by Alexei Ratmansky to music by Prokofiev. A ballet based on Shakespeare’s tragedy of young love. Runs Jun 15 to Jun 25. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

Royal Canadian International Circus  (circus). A traditional one-ring circus but without exotic animals. Runs Jun 29 to Jul 2, Woodbine Mall, www.royalcanadiancircus.ca.

Treemonisha (opera) by Scott Joplin. Joplin’s 1911 opera about a woman who grows up to lead her community to a better future. Previews from Jun 6, opens Jun 10, runs to Jun 17. Bluma Appel Theatre, tolive.com.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

Aalaapi/ᐋᓛᐱ (drama) by Laurence Dauphinais & Marie-Laurence Rancourt. Five young Inuit women talk about their daily lives in northern and southern Quebec. In French, English and Inuktitut. Runs Jun 8 to Jun 10. Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St East, www.nativeearth.ca.

Access Me (performance). An exploration of the lived experience of three queer disabled men. Runs Jun 16 to Jun 24. Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dindas St East, accessme.squarespace.com.

Armadillos (comedy) by Colleen Wagner. On a cross-country theatre tour of the classic Greek myth of the Marriage of Thetis and Peleus, the onstage danger spills into the backstage world. Runs May 27 to Jun 8. Factory Theatre, www.factorytheatre.ca.

The Cold War (comedy) by Michael Hollingsworth. From the 1940s to the 1960s the Muffet family goes from post-war optimism to being forced into a conformist, consumerist box. Runs Apr 28 to Jun 5. VideoCabaret, 10 Busy St, www.videocab.com.

Considering Matthew Shepard  (oratorio) by Craig Hella Johnson. An oratorio using music and spoken word to reflect of the murder of gay student Matthew Shepard in 1998. Runs Jun 21 only. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St East, www.elorasingers.ca.  

Dancing Through the Decades (dance). Young dancers perform routines in the style of the last several decades. Runs Jun 3 only. Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St, tolive.com.

Dear Jack, Dear Louise (drama) by Ken Ludwig. Two strangers meet by letter during World War II and fall in love. Runs May 27 to Jun 11. Meridian Arts Centre, hgjewishtheatre.com.

Dragon’s Tale (opera) by Chan Ka Nin. People in the 8th century BC Chu Kingdom and in modern-day Toronto confront repressiom. Runs Jun 15 to Jun 18. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, tapestryopera.com.

50 Years of Funny (revue) by The Second City. The Second City celebrates its 50th anniversary in Canada with a collections of its greatest skits. Runs from May 4, booking to Jul 31. Theatre ’73, 1 York St, www.secondcity.com.

Die Fledermaus (operetta) by Johann Strauss, Jr. A mistress and her maid disguise themselves as each other to uncover the master’s infidelity. In German with English surtitles. Runs Jun 22, 24 & 25. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront, www.torontocityopera.com.

I Carry with Me (drama) by Heather Cherron Von Atzigen. A trip to a coffee shop turns Faiza’s day into one of fear, humiliation and abandonment. Runs Jun 9 to Jun 16. Mixed Company Theatre, mixedcompanytheatre.com. -online-

I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce (comedy) by Ronnie Marmo. A solo show about the life and death of controversial comedian Lenny Bruce. Runs Jun 21 to Jun 25. Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St, www.tolive.com.

Inge(new) - In search of a musical (musical) by Rosalind Mills & Evan Tsitsias. On the eve of her 40th birthday, Bridget finds herself at an audition with no available role for her. Runs May 25 to Jun 4. Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen St West, redsandcastletheatre.com. ‑masks required‑

Kelly v. Kelly  (musical) by Britta Johnson. The mother of a 19-year-old heiress has her daughter arrested for having an affair. Runs May 26 to Jun 18. Berkeley Street Theatre, www.canadianstage.com. ★★★★☆

The Nightingale of a Thousand Songs  (opera) by Serouj Kradjian. Two children embark on an adventure to find the Nightingale of a Thousand Songs to bring back life and joy to their world. Runs Jun 9 to Jun 11. Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St, www.canadianchildrensopera.com.

No Save Points (performance) by Sébastien Heins. Immersive gaming and live performance meet in Heins’s story about his mother. Previews from Jun 6, opens  Jun 13, runs to Jun 25. Lighthouse ArtSpace, 1 Yonge St, outsidethemarch.ca.

The One Night Only Festival (festival). A festival where 18 individual plays are each perfomed only once. Runs Jun 4 to Jun 11. The Attic Studio and Theatre, C3-1402 Queen St East, www.spacespacerevolution.com.

Perceptual Archeology (Or How To Travel Blind) (performance) by Alex Bulmer. A questioning of how we perceive and make meaning of the spaces around us. Previews from  Jun 1, opens Jun 6, runs to Jun 25. Crow’s Theatre, www.crowstheatre.com.

Pomegranate (opera) by Kye Marshall & Amanda Hale. A lesbian couple visiting Pompeii is transported from 1977 to 79AD. Runs Jun 2 to June 4. Canadian Opera Company Theatre, 227 Front St East, www.coc.ca.

Queen of the Road: The Calypso Rose Musical (musical) by Rhoma Spencer. A musical showcase chronicling the life of the “Mother of Calypso”, a queer Trinidadian vocalist, musician, songwriter and activist. Runs Jun 17 only. Hart House Theatre, University of Toronto, www.eventbrite.ca.

Queer Pride 2023 (festival). A celebration of queer theatre, comedy, art, music and parties. Runs Jun 3 to Jun 25. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Queer Youth Cabaret (cabaret). An opportunity for young LGBTQI2S+ artists in the early stages of their career to develop and showcase their artistic voice. Runs Jun 23 to Jun 24. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

Sizwe Bansi is Dead (comedy) by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona. In apartheid-era South Africa, the only way for Banzi to survive is to fake his own death. Runs  Jun 1 to Jun 18. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

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.

The Sound Inside (drama) by Adam Rapp. An isolated creative writing professor at Yale makes a surprising request of the student she is mentoring. Runs May 7 to Jun 3. Coal Mine Theatre, 2076 Danforth Ave, www.coalminetheatre.com. ★★★☆☆

Stranger Things: The Experience (performance). An experience immersing you into the world of Netflix’s Stranger Things where you are the protagonist. Runs Mar 31, booking to Jun 11. Cinespace Marine Terminal Studio, 8 Unwin Ave, strangerthings-experience.com.

WeeFestival (festival). A rich array of performances, events, and creative encounters created especially for young children by artists from around the corner, across Canada and overseas. For ages 1-6. Runs May 16 to Jun 11. Various venues, weefestival.ca.

X (DIX) (dance) by Guillaume Côté. Inspired by the myth of Odysseus, a work about adventuring into the unknown, trusting your inner compass, and finding your way home. Runs Jun 14 to Jun 18. Crow’s Theatre, www.crowstheatre.com.

You Gotta Have Friends (revue) by Avery Salzman. A survey of the music of Bette Midler and Barry Manilow. Runs Jun 15 only. Meridian Arts Centre, hgjewishtheatre.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‑

Nature’s Perspective (opera) by Opera Makers. An original opera created and performed by youth from East York that explores themes of nature and the relationships between humans, animals and planet earth. Runs Jun 16 only. [student] Evergreen Brick Works, www.coc.ca.

Trial by Jury (operetta) by Arthur Sullivan & WS Gilbert. A sly judge tries a case of breach of promise of marriage. [community] Runs Jun 17 only. St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 651 Dufferin St, www.eventbrite.ca.


ALMONTE

Tom Thomson & The Colours of Canada (musical) by Ish Theilheimer. A ragtime musical about the life and death of Canada’s most famous artist. Runs Jun 3 only, Old Town Hall Theatre, stone-fence-theatre.square.site.


BANCROFT

Both Sides Now (revue) by Tricia Black. A survey of the life and music of Joni Mitchell. Runs Jun 14 to Jun 18. Bancroft 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.

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.


BOBCAYGEON

The Crooner Show (revue) by Rick Kish. A celebration of songs made famous by some of the greatest crooners of all time from Sinatra to Bublé. Runs Jun 6 to Jun 10. Globus Theatre, globustheatre.com.

Sexy Laundry (comedy) by Michele Riml. A middle-aged couple aim to jump start their marriage with a trip to a spa hotel and a copy of Sex for Dummies. Runs Jun 21 to Jul 8. Globus Theatre, globustheatre.com.


BRAMPTON

Wait Until Dark (drama) by Frederick Knott. Dangerous thieves try to steal a mysterious doll from the apartment of a blind woman. Runs Jun 23 to Jun 25. Lester B. Pearson Theatre, tickets.brampton.ca.


BRIGHT

Four by Four (revue). A tribute to the music by famous foursomes from the Beatles to the Bee Gees. Runs Jun 12 to Jun 24. Walters Music Venue, www.waltersmusicvenue.com.


CAMBRIDGE

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 May 17 to Jun 10. Hamilton Family Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.


COLLINGWOOD

Early Morning Rain (revue) by Leisa Way. A survey of the life and music of Gordon Lightfoot. Runs Jun 6 to Jun 10. Theatre Collingwood, theatrecollingwood.ca.


DRAYTON

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 May 24 to Jun 10. Drayton Festival Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.


FENELON FALLS

Does This Taste Funny? (comedy) by Ali Hassan. The acclaimed comedian takes the audience explores his 12 years in and out of the culinary world. Runs Jun 22 only. Grove Theatre Festival, www.grovetheatre.ca.

The Roles I Almost Played: A Cabaret (cabaret) by Jennifer Harding. A night of music and stories, giving the inside scoop on some of your favourite musicals. Runs Jun 29 only. Grove Theatre Festival, www.grovetheatre.ca.


GANANOQUE

Baskerville (comedy) by Ken Ludwig. Five actors portray more than 40 characters in this staging of the Sherlock Holmes mystery. Preview Jun2, opens Jun 3, runs to Jun 24. 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.

Wizard of Oz: The Panto (comedy) by E. Houldershaw & S. Cartwright. A panto version of the famous L. Frank Baum story. For ages 5+. Runs Jun 7 to Jun 25. South Huron Stage, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.


GREENBANK

Snow White (children) by DuffleBag Theatre. Snow White escapes from an evil Queen into the woods. Runs Jun 11 only. Forsythe Farms, dufflebag.com.


GUELPH

Guelph Dance Festival (festival). A festival of contemporary dance. Runs Jun 1 to Jun 4. Various venues, guelphdance.ca.


HAMILTON

Brave New Works Festival (festival). Share workshops, plays, dance, talks and more. Runs Jun 17 & 18 & Jun 22 to Jun 25. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

Brock & Sophia (drama) by the Brock Collective. Sir Isaac Brock’s attitudes towards women and Indigenous peoples are challenged by his personal interactions. Runs Jun 9 to Jun 18. Battlefield House Museum, www.hamilton.ca.

Crushed (drama). Five female high school students witness the gruesome death of the man who holds their post-secondary fate in his hands. Runs Jun 16 to Jun 18. Splash Pad, William Schenger Park, www.eventbrite.ca.

Every Brilliant Thing (drama) by Duncan Macmillan. A 7-year-old makes a list of good things to cheer up his mother. Runs Jun 9 to Jun 11. 541 Eatery & Exchange, www.eventbrite.ca.

I Am Enough (cabaret) by Sherry Garner. Garner tells the story of her life raising two exceptional daughters as a single mom. Runs Jun 23 only. The Westdale, www.thewestdale.ca.

So She Married a Guido (comedy) by Guido Cocomello. Guido explores the events that have shaped his life, including meeting and proposing to his mangiacake wife. Runs Jun 9 only. The Zoetic Theatre, www.thezoetic.ca.

The Uncloseted Comedy Pride Festival (festival). Different comedy practices, various show formats, workshops and events come together to celebrate queer joy. Runs Jun 16 to Jun 18. The Staircase Theatre, www.eventbrite.ca.


KINGSTON

Civilized (drama) by Keir Cutler. Using actual government documents a fictional Canadian government official explains the benefits of residential schools. Runs Jun 1 to Jun 4. Grand Theatre, www.kingstongrand.ca.

FOLDA 2023 (festival). Canada’s only festival of live digital art exploring and presenting live performances integrated with digital technologies. Runs Jun 7 to Jun 10. Isabel Bader Centre, Queen's University, www.folda.ca.


KITCHENER/WATERLOO

Izad Etemadi: Let Me Explain (comedy) by Izad Etemadi. The queer Iranian-Canadian German-born immigrant explains his existence in 60 minutes. Runs May 25 to Jun 4. Conrad Centre, www.greenlight-arts.com.

Everything at Stake (performance) by Jinkx Monsoon. Jinkx weaves together tales from her enigmatic life in a show where music, comedy, witchy magic, and camp-fantasy collide. Jun 24 only. Centre in the Square, centreinthesquare.com.


LONDON

The Canine Circus (circus). World-renowned furry four-legged cast members performing tail-wagging feats of courage, bone-dropping grand illusions and Labrador-able stunts. Jun 3 only. Grand Theatre, tickets.grandtheatre.com.

We Walk the Line (revue) by Ward Cornforth. A tribute to the lives and music of Johnny and June Cash. Runs Jun 17 only. Aeolian Hall, www.cashtributeshow.com.


MILLBROOK

The Tilco Strike (drama) by D’Arcy Jenish. Small-town Ontario residents collide with the Hollywood stars in Trenton in the 1920s. Previews from Jun 27, opens Jun 29, runs to Jul 22. Winslow Farm, www.4thlinetheatre.on.ca.


MORRISBURG

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 Jun 8 to Jun 26. Upper Canada Playhouse, uppercanadaplayhouse.com.


NIAGARA FALLS

Menopause the Musical 2: Cuising through “The Change” (musical) by Jeanie Linders. Five years after their chance encounter in a store, the women of Menopause the Musical set sail on the high seas. Runs Jun 13 to Jun 18. Fallsview Casino, fallsviewcasinoresort.com.

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

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. For ages 8+.

Village Wooing (comedy) by GB Shaw. On a cruise ship an antisocial writer 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 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.


OSHAWA

We Walk the Line (revue) by Ward Cornforth. A tribute to the lives and music of Johnny and June Cash. Runs Jun 24 only. Oshawa Little Theatre, www.cashtributeshow.com.


OTTAWA/GATINEAU

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.

Don Giovanni (opera) by W.A. Mozart. The serial womanizer receives his comeuppance. In concert. Runs Jun 15 & 17. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.  

Everything at Stake (performance) by Jinkx Monsoon. Jinkx weaves together tales from her enigmatic life in a show where music, comedy, witchy magic, and camp-fantasy collide. Jun 24 only. NAC, www.ticketmaster.ca.

Les Fleurs du tapis (comedy) by Rachid Badouri. The story of an ancient child-king who experiences a crisis during quarantine. In French. Runs Jun 30 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Gaston Klaxon (children) by Pier Rodier & Manon Doran. In an invented language Gaston discovers unusual connections between objects. For ages 2½-6. Runs Jun 10 only. La Nouvelle Scène, www.nouvellescene.com.

Gianni Schicchi (opera) by Giacomo Puccini. A family gets a trickster to pose as their deceased relative. Runs Jun 16 & 17. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, newoperalyra.ca. -cancelled-

Jagged Little Pill (musical) by Alanis Morisstte. Mary Jane wants to maintain the illusion that her family is perfect when, in fact, she and her husband have addictions and her daughter is gay. Runs May 30 to Jun 4. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Menopause the Musical 2: Cuising through “The Change” (musical) by Jeanie Linders. Five years after their chance encounter in a store, the women of Menopause the Musical set sail on the high seas. Runs May 6 to Jun 4. The Gladstone, thegladstone.ca.

The Noble Pursuit (comedy) by Douglas Bowie. Rumours are rife that Canada’s pre-eminent man of letters is about to win the Nobel Prize, so why does his former friend want to kill him? Runs Jun 7 to Jun 24. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

Ottawa Fringe Festival (festival). A festival of 45 new theatre works at six venues. Runs Jun 15 to Jun 25. Various venues, ottawafringe.com.

Utopie (comedy) by Jean-Marc Parent. Parent leads us into a world where there is no old age or sickness, no war or negativity, where chocolate cake causes weight loss. In French. Runs Jun 7 to Jun 8. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Yassama et la calebasse aux cauris (children) by Lua Shayenne. Every day Yassama, who wants to save her community, has to walk farther to find a well with water. In French. For ages 3-6. Runs Jun 3 only. La Nouvelle Scène, www.nouvellescene.com.

  

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.


PETERBOROUGH

Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (festival). The 3rd annual festival of work by Indigenous artists. Runs Jun 21 to Jun 25. Various venues, www.indigenousfringefest.ca.


PETROLIA

Where the Heart Is (musical) by Kale Penny. A former classical violinist happens upon a guitar-playing street busker. Runs Jun 6 to Jun 25. 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.


PICTON

Haymaker Comedy Festival (festival). A festival of stand-up comedy. Runs Jun 29 to Jul 1. Base31, countystage.ca.


PORT COLBORNE

Come Down from Up River (comedy) by Norm Foster. A logger in northern New Brunsick suddenly visits his daughter he hasn’t seen for 20 years. Runs Jun 7 to Jun 18. Roselawn Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

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.


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.

Come Down from Up River (comedy) by Norm Foster. A logger in northern New Brunsick suddenly visits his daughter he hasn’t seen for 20 years. Runs May 17 to Jun 3. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

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 7 to Jun 24. 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. Preview Jun 9, opens Jun 10, runs to Jul 2. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.


PORT PERRY

On a First Name Basis (comedy) by Norm Foster. A famous novelist suddenly realizes he knows nothing about the woman who has been his housekeeper for 28 years. Runs Jun 13 to Jun 25. Theatre on the Ridge, theatreontheridge.ca.


PORT STANLEY

True Confessions from the Ninth Concession (comedy) by Dan Needles & Ian Bell. Needles shares his insightful and laugh-out-loud perspective on small town life accompanied by musical guest Ian Bell. Runs Jun 6 to Jun 10. 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.


SMITHS FALLS

Mysteries of the Keyhole House (magic) by Ted & Marion Outerbridge. An epic evening of spectacular magic, dance, séance and spine-tingling tales. Runs Jun 30 to Jul 22. The Station Theatre, www.eventbrite.ca.


SPENCERVILLE

The Diablo Manor: An Evening of Enchantment (magic) by Scott McClelland. A sumptuous meal followed by an intimate Victorian production of mystifying wonders. Runs Apr 28 to Jun 30. Diablo Manor, www.diablomanor.com.


ST. CATHARINES

In the Soil Arts Festival (festival). New music, art, theatre and family fun on the theme of “metanoia/change/revolution”. Runs Jun 9 to Jun 16. Various venues, inthesoil.on.ca.

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

The Prom (musical) by Matthew Sklar & Chad Beguelin. When a girl wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom four Broadway stars step in to help. Runs May 17 to Jun 11. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, 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.

Myth of the Ostrich (comedy) by Matt Murray. Pam finds an inappropriate letter from her teenage son to his mystery girlfriend. Previews from Jun 28, opens Jun 30, runs to Jul 15.

THE STRATFORD PERTH MUSEUM:

Additional shows at the Stratford Perth Museum, 4275 Huron Rd, stratfordperthmuseum.yapsody.com.

Wingfield’s Folly (comedy) by Dan Needles. Walt tries to create a local currancy for Persephone Township.  Jun 11 only.

Love, Tom: A Play about Tom Patterson (drama) by Julia Rank. Tom Patterson’s experiences while he was stationed in England during World War II, Jun 12 only.

Wingfield Unbound (comedy) by Dan Needles. Walt tries to turn the abandoned Hollyhock Mill into a history museum. Jun 18 only.

Wingfield on Ice (comedy) by Dan Needles. Walt’s wife Maggie is expecting when a ice storm hits the Seventh Line. Jun 25 only.

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 (tragedy) 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. Previews from May 29, opens Jun 16, runs to Oct 27.

Rent (musical) by Jonathan Larson. The story of Puccini’s La Bohème set in 1990s Manhattan. Previews from April 8, opens Jun 2, runs 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. Previews from May 18, opens Jun 17, runs to Oct 29.

At the Tom Patterson Theatre

Agit-Pop! (comedy) by Pearle Harbour. Superstar drag comedienne Pearle Harbour returns with her doomsday cabaret. Runs Jun 15 to Jun 17.

Broadway and the Bard (revue) by Len Cariou. A compilation of soliloquies and song. Runs Jun 28 to Jun 30.

Grand Magic (comedy) by Eduardo de Filippo. A master illusionist now performs at a seaside resort when one of his tricks goes awry. Previews from May 6, opens Jun 3, runs to Sep 29. ★★★★☆

The Real Poems (drama) by Robert McQueen. The experiences of a young queer man living between Vancouver and New York during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. Runs Jun 8 to Jun 10.

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. Previews from May 23, opens Jun 17, runs 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

Casey and Diana (drama) by Nick Green. The Toronto AIDS hospice, Casey House, prepares for the visit of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1991. Runs Jun 1 to Jun 17. ★★★★☆


SUDBURY

Nickel City Fifs (drama) by Alex Tétreault. Will a local gay bar’s flora and fauna be able to keep a young queer thirsting for freedom or will he be lost to the big city? In French. Runs Jun 22 to Jun 24. Zigs Bar, 54 Elgin St, letno.ca.



THUNDER BAY

10x10 Short Play Festival (festival). A ten-play celebration of local talent both onstage and off. Runs Jun 9 to Jun 10. Magnus Theatre Summer Stage, magnustheatre.com.


TWEED

Both Sides Now (revue) by Tricia Black. A survey of the life and music of Joni Mitchell. Runs Jun 8 to Jun 10. Marble Arts Centre, www.tweedandcompany.com.


ON TOUR IN ONTARIO

The Comic Strippers (comedy). A male stripper parody and improv comedy show played by some of Canadas best improvisational comedians. www.shantero.com.

• Jun 1: Empire Theatre, Belleville

• Jun 2: Stockey Centre, Parry Sound

• Jun 3: Aeolian Hall, London

• Jun 4: Flato Academy Theatre, Lindsay


PAW Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite” (children). Mayor Humdinger has dognapped Robo Dog and cloned him. www.pawpatrollive.com.

• Jun 3-4: Leon’s Centre, Kingston

• Jun 6-7: The Aud, Kitchener

• Jun 10-11: Budweiser Gardens, London