TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

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. Opened Jun 19, 2022, booking to Jul 2, 2023. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Perceptual Archeology (drama) by Alex Bulmer. A questioning of how we perceive and make meaning of the spaces around us. Runs Jun 1 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.

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.

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, https://strangerthings-experience.com/toronto.

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.

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‑

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/e/mads.

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.

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 usic 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.

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.

LONDON

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ottawa Fringe Festival (festival). A festival of new work. Runs Jun 15 to Jun 25. Arts Court Theatre, ottawafringe.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Runs Jun 9 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.

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 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

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.

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.

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 Canada's 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