TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Adieu (ballets). Two world premieres and Guillaume Côté bids farewell to the NBC with a restaging of his Boléro. Runs May 30 to Jun 5. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

Cavalleria Rusticana  (opera) by Pietro Mascagni. A soldier returns home from war to find his fiancée has married another man. In concert. In Italian with English surtitles. Runs May 23 only. Four Seasons Centre, www.coc.ca.

The Center Will Not Hold (dance) by Ephrat Asherie & Michelle Dorrance. A collection of performances rooted in house, breaking, hip hop, tap, Chicago footwork, Detroit jit, Memphis jookin and body percussion. Runs May 9 to May 10. Bluma Appel Theatre, tolive.com.

Eugene Onegin (opera) by P.I. Tchaikovsky. A nobleman spurns the love of young girl only to regret it later. In Russian with English surtitles. Runs May 2 to May 24. Four Seasons Centre, www.coc.ca.

Life After (musical) by Britta Johnson. Alice searches for the truth behind her father’s untimely death. Runs Apr 16 to May 4. 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.

Made in Italy (comedy) by Farren Timoteo. An Italian-Canadian teen in 1970s Jasper, Alberta, tries to reinvent himself as a ladies man. Runs May 24 to Jun 8. CAA Theatre, 651 Young St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Nashville Hurricane: A Curious Tale of Finger Pickin’ Fury (performance) by Chase Padgett. The story of the guitar prodigy Henry Waltrip, who appeared out of nowhere and soon disappeared again. Runs May 7 to May 11. CAA Theatre, 651 Young St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

OVO (circus) by Cirque du Soleil. Insects work, play, fight and love in a non-stop riot of energy. Runs May 1 to Jun 28. Big Top, Lake Shore Blvd West, www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Six Guitars (performance) by Chase Padgett. Padgett displays six different genres of guitar playing. Runs May 6 to May 10. CAA Theatre, 651 Young St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Wozzeck (opera) by Alban Berg. Tormented by visions a humble soldier’s discovery that his lover has been unfaithful pushes him over the brink. In German with English surtitles. Runs Apr 25 to May 16. Four Seasons Centre, www.coc.ca.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

After the Rain (musical) by Suzy Wilde & Rose Napoli. A piano teacher and songwriter accepts a mature student obsessed with mastering only one song. Runs May 27 to Jun 22. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

Benevolence (drama) by Kevin Matthew Wong. Out of the blue a young Chinese-Canadian gets a call to write a play aboout Hakka identity for seniors in Markham. Runs Apr 8 to May 4. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

Comfort Food (comedy) by Zorana Sadiq. A cooking show host has to deal with her son who is getting drawn deeper into the virtual world. Runs May 13 to Jun 8. Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave, www.crowstheatre.com.

Euphrate (drama) by Nil Bosca. A woman sets out to discover her Turkish roots and childhood memories. In French. Runs May 21 only. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Rd, www.alliance-francaise.ca.

Flex (drama) by Candrice Jones. In 1997 Arkansas four young Black women hope for success in basketball. Runs Apr 15 to May 18. Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave, www.crowstheatre.com.

Genrefuck. (performance) by Augusto Bitter, Julie Phan, Gabriel Dharmoo & Marikiscrycrycry. Four movement-based solo pieces. Runs May 14 to May 31. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Insuline et Magnolia (drama) by Stanislas Roquette. After a diagnosis of diabetes a teenager turns gloomy until he meets a young woman. In French. Runs May 22 only. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Rd, www.alliance-francaise.ca.

Job (drama) by Max Wolf Friedlich. A big tech employee on leave visits a crisis therapist to get her job back. Runs Apr 20 to May 11. Coal Mine Theatre, 2076 Danforth Ave, www.coalminetheatre.com.

Michel(le) (drama) by Joey Lespérance. A Vancouver performer speaks of his brother’s transitioning to be a woman. In French with English surtitles. Runs May 21 to May 24. Berkeley Street Theatre, theatrefrancais.com.

Mind Over Matter (magic) by Beyond Mental Borders. Magic and mentalism with a sense of humour. Runs May 18 only. The Rec Room, 255 Bremner Blvd, www.eventbrite.ie.

Nova (circus) by Compagnie Les Foutoukours. An enchanting mixture of acrobatics, juggling and storytelling. In French. Runs May 10 only. Alliance Française, 24 Spadina Rd, www.alliance-francaise.ca.

The Runner (drama) by Christopher Morris. A Jewish volunteer chooses to save the life of a young Arab woman rather than the soldier she may have killed. Runs Apr 26 to May 4. Meridian Arts Centre, hgjewishtheatre.com.

Shedding a Skin (drama) by Amanda Wilkin. Myah leaves her job and unsupportive relationship behind and begins to heal with the help of an aged Jamaican landlady. Runs Apr 22 to May 4. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

A Strange Loop (musical) by Michael R. Jackson. A Black gay man is writing a musical about a Black gay man writing a musical. Runs Apr 22 to Jun 1. Young Centre, www.crowstheatre.com.

Wicked Nix (children) by Paula Wing. A wicked fairy is tasked with protecting the forest from humans.  For ages 8-13. Apr 28 to May 15. Young People’s Theatre, www.youngpeoplestheatre.org.

Smaller Theatres (Student and Community)

Big Ideas Festival 2025 (festival). Actors read plays in development by Alumnae Theatre members. Runs May 19 to May 25. [community] Alumnae Theatre, alumnaetheatre.com.

FireWorks Festival (festival). A festival featuring the premieres of three full-length plays by female playwrights. Runs Apr 23 to May 11. [community] Alumnae Theatre, alumnaetheatre.com.

Halfway There (comedy) by Norm Foster. A lovelorn doctor escapes to rural Nova Scotia only to find a group of women with their own romantic issues. Runs Apr 25 to May 17. [community] Village Playhouse, villageplayers.net.

The Odd Couple (comedy) by Neil Simon. How long can a neat freak and a slob remain housemates? Runs May 30 to Jun 14. [community] Theatre Scarborough, theatrescarborough.godaddysites.com.

Rent (musical) by Jonathan Larson. An updated version of Puccini’s La Bohème set in 1990’s New York during the AIDS crisis. Runs May 1 to May 17. [community] Theatre Scarborough, theatrescarborough.godaddysites.com.

CAMBRIDGE

Crazy for You (musical) by George and Ira Gershwin. Bobby Childs is sent to Nevada to foreclose on a defunct theatre but he falls for the theatre owner’s daughter. Runs Apr 23 to May 18. Hamilton Family Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

FERGUS

We Walk the Line (revue) by Ward Cornforth. A celebration of the lives and music of Johnny and June Cash. Runs May 24 only. Grand Theatre, secure1.tixhub.com.

GANANOQUE

How the Other Half Loves (comedy) by Alan Ayckbourn. A married man has an affair with his boss’s wife. Preview May 30, opens May 31, runs to Jun 22. 1000 Islands Playhouse, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.

GUELPH

Rapunzel, The Musical (children) by Theater Terra. A witch locks Rapunzel in a tower, but then a prince appears. For ages 4+. Runs Apr 29 to May 1. River Run Centre, riverrun.ca.

HAMILTON

Waitress (musical) by Sara Bareilles. A pie-maker with a troubled marriage finds she is pregnant and falling for a new guy in town. Runs Apr 30 to May 17. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

A Whole New World (revue) by Adrian Marchuk. A survey of the music of Alan Menken, best know for his songs for Disney movies. Runs May 22 only. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

KITCHENER/WATERLOO

Kiss the Stormy Sky (drama) by Sid Ryan Eilers. Eilers portrays the lives of his family members from the 18th century to the present day. Runs May 21 to May 22. Registry Theatre, Kitchener, registrytheatre.com.

Memories Beyond the Grave (opera) by Michael Donovan. A look at the tumultous world of the writer Chateaubriand (1768-1848) and his sister. Runs May 31 only. Conrad Centre, Kitchener, numus.on.ca.

Propeller Plays (festival). A showcase of new plays in development. Runs May 10 only. Conrad Centre, Kitchener, www.greenlight-arts.com.

LONDON

Pride and Prejudice (comedy) by Kate Hamill. A stage version of the famous novel by Jane Austen. Previews from Apr 29, opens May 2, runs to May 17. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

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.

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. Previews from May 2, opens May 24, runs 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+.  Previews from Apr 9, opens May 25, runs to Oct 4.

At the Royal George Theatre

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. Previews from Apr 11, opens May 23, runs to Oct 5.

At the Spiegeltent

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

OAKVILLE

Global Bollywood (revue) by Bageshree Vaze. A tribute to Bollywood music and dance from the 1950s to the present. Runs May 15 only. Oakville Centre, www.oakvillecentre.ca.

The Incredible Boris (magic) by Boris Cherniak. A combination of comedy and hypnosis. Runs May 2 only. Oakville Centre, www.oakvillecentre.ca.

ORANGEVILLE

I’m in Love with Your Sister (comedy) by Norm Foster. A man falls in love with the sister of the woman he’s presently living with. Preview May 1, opens May 2, runs to May 18. Theatre Orangeville, www.theatreorangeville.ca.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

Alice (dance) by Momix. Driven by hope characters are lost in a labyrinth between reality and imagination. Runs May 9 to May 10. National Arts Centre,  nac-cna.ca.

And Then There Were None (drama) by Agatha Christie. Strangers invited to an isolated mansion are killed off one by one. Runs May 7 to May 24. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

Beetlejuice (musical) by Eddie Perfect. A deceased couple seek help to drive out the family that has bought their home. Runs May 27 to June 1. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

C la vie (dance) by Serge Aimé Coulibaly. A celebration blending the Western carnival tradition with the Western African Wara tradition. Runs May 1 to May 2. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Joséphine et les grandes personnes (children) by Marie-Hélène Larose-Truchon. Little Joséphine presents an exposé on the ways of adults in ten lessons. In French. For ages 7+. Runs May 3 to May 4. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Mahabharata, Parts 1 & 2 (drama) by Ravi Jain & Miriam Fernandes. Runs May 13 to May 24. A stage version of the great Sanskrit epic about the battle between two families. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca. ★★★★★

Milf (comedy) by Rosalie Vaillancourt. A look at what it’s like to be a mature woman nowadays. Runs May 14 only. Shenkman Arts Centre, shenkmanarts.ca.

Next to Normal (musical) by Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey. A suburban family copes with its mother's meltal illness. Runs May 14 to May 24. The Gladstone, thegladstone.ca.

Oh Canada Eh?! (revue). Archtypal 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.

The Rise of the BlingBling - Le diptych (performance) by Philippe Boutin. The story of Jesus trying to save the world told through dance, mime, kung-fu, musical comedy and rollerskating. In French. Runs May 31 to Jun 1. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

13Hz (magic) by Messmer. A new show by the Québécois master of hypnosis. In French. Runs May 27 & Jun 5. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Les Voisins (comedy) by Claude Meunier & Louis Saïa. Three couples try to overcome their boredom by visiting a striptease club. In French. Runs May 7 to Jun 1. Théâtre de l’Île, Gatineau, reseau.ovation.ca.

Yvon Deschamps raconte “La Shop” (performance) by Yvon Deschamps. Deschamps tells his story accompanied by actors, dancers and musicians. In French. May 18 to May 20. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

PETROLIA

Rockin’ the ’50s (revue). A nostalgic trip through the rock ’n’ roll music of the 1950s. Runs May 13 to May 30. Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, thevpp.ca.

PICKERING

Hullabaloo and the End of Everything (children) by Andrew Wade. An imaginary friend has to grow up without his human companion. Runs May 17 only. Pickering Casino Resort, greatcanadian.com.

PORT DOVER

The New Canadian Curling Club (comedy) by Mark Crawford. A bigoted coach is tasked with teaching a group of recent immigrants how to curl. Runs May 21 to Jun 7. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT HOPE

Alice in Wonderland (musical) by Fiona Sauder et al. A musical version of the famous tale by Lewis Carroll. Runs May 16 to Jun 1. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

PORT STANLEY

Dump Guys (comedy) by Simon Joynes. Duane and Ted think they’ll be best friends forever, but then Maggie comes along. Runs May 21 to May 31. Port Stanley Festival Theatre, psft.ca.

SAULT STE. MARIE

We Walk the Line (revue) by Ward Cornforth. A celebration of the lives and music of Johnny and June Cash. Runs May 17 only. Sault Community Theatre Centre, secure1.tixhub.com.

ST. JACOBS

The Full Monty (musical) by David Yazbeck & Terrence McNally. A group of unemployed steelworkers decide to make money as amateur male strippers. Runs May 14 to Jun 7. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, www.draytonentertainment.com.

STRATFORD

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. Previews from Apr 19, opens May 27, runs 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. Previews from May 3, opens May 26, runs to Oct 24.

Sense and Sensibility (comedy) by Kate Hamill. A stage adaptation of the 1811 novel by Jane Austen. Previews from May 28, opens Jun 19, runs 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. Previews from Apr 25, opens May 31, runs to Oct 25.  

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (musical) by David Yazbek. Two gigolos compete to swindle $50,000 from an heiress. Previews from May 3, opens May 29, runs 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. Previews from May 10, opens May 28, runs to Nov 2.

At the Tom Patterson Theatre

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. Previews from May 23, opens Jun 18, runs to Sep 27.

The Winter’s Tale (drama) by William Shakespeare. In an unprovoked fit of jealousy Leontes accuses his best friend of adultery. Previews from May 7, opens May 30, runs to Sep 27.

SUDBURY

Alice in Wonderland (children) by Fiona Sauder. A contemporary spin on the Lewis Carroll classic. Runs Apr 25 to May 11. Sudbury Theatre Centre, yestheatre.com.

Cispersonnages en quête d’auteurice (comedy) by Catherine Bourgeois. Professional actors with disabilities struggle to find an idea for a future play. In French with English surtitles. Runs May 1 to May 3. Le Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, letno.ca.

Jaune comme joie (children) by Sarah Migneron. Two actors explore the association between emotions and colours in everyday life. In French. For ages 2-5. Runs May 31 only. Le Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, letno.ca.

ON TOUR IN ONTARIO

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

• May 28: Flato Academy Theatre, Lindsay

• May 29: River Run Centre, Guelph

• May 30: Georgian Theatre, Barrie

• May 31: Empire Theatre, Belleville

Dec’anni di fanni (comedy) by Giuseppe the MC. Giuseppe the MC celebrates ten years of his hilarious takes on Italian family dynamics and cultural quirks. www.giuseppethemc.com.

• May 2: The Zoetic, Hamilton

• May 8: Chateau Le Jardin, Vaughan

• May 15: Georgian Theatre, Barrie

• May 16: Meadowvale Theatre, Mississauga

• May 22: Fogolar Lurlan Club, Windsor

• May 23: Dante Club, Sarnia

• May 24: Marconi Club London

• May 25: Cyril B. Clark Theatre, Brampton

• May 30: Oshawa Italian Club, Oshawa

Dragons and Mythical Beasts (children). A chance to come face to face with some of the most magnificent and terrifying beasts to walk the earth. For ages 3+. www.dragonsandbeastslive.com.

• May 5: Sanderson Centre, Brantford

• May 6: Orillia Opera House, Orillia

• May 7: Imperial Theatre, Sarnia

• May 8: Grand Theatre, Kingston

• May 9: Sault Community Theatre Centre, Sault Ste. Marie

• May 11: Thuder Bay Community Auditorium

My Estupid Life (comedy) by Neema Naz. The Canadian-Iranian comedian tells stories of growing up in an immigrant household. neemanaz.com.

• May 9: Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay

• May 10: Grand Salle Theatre, Sudbury

• May 24: Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo, Waterloo

• May 31: FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton