TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Ava: The Secret Conversations (drama) by Elizabeth McGovern. A show based on interviews film star Ava Gardner gave in 1988. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 23. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, www.mirvish.com.

The Far Side of the Moon (drama) by Robert Lepage. A tale of two Quebec City brothers during the Cold War. Runs Nov 1 to Nov 16. Bluma Appel Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

MJ The Musical (musical) by Lynn Nottage. Michael Jackson looks back over his life as he prepares for his Dangerous World Tour in 1992. Runs Sep 16 to Nov 2. CAA Ed Mirvish  Theatre, www.mirvish.com.

Procession (ballet) by Bobbi Jene Smith & Or Schraiber. A fusion of contemporary movement with a Baroque-inspired score. Runs Nov 1 to Nov 8. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

Robin Hood: A Very Merry Family Musical (panto) by Matt Murray. A panto version of Robin’s adventures in medieval Torontoshire. Runs Nov 26, 2025, to Jan 4, 2026. Elgin Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

The Sound of Music (musical) by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II. A novice leaves holy orders to become a governess of seven children. Runs Nov 25, 2025, to Jan 4, 2026. Princess of Wales Theatre, www.mirvish.com.

Tell Tale Harbour (musical) by Alan Doyle et al. A small Newfoundland town tries to secure a full-time doctor to win a major factory. Runs Sep 23 to Nov 2. Royal Alexandra Theatre, www.mirvish.com.

We Will Rock You (musical) by Queen & Ben Elton. In the near future Bohemians rebel against the corporation that controls the globe. Runs Nov 28, 2025, to Jan 4, 2026. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, www.mirvish.com.

The Winter’s Tale (ballet) by Christopher Wheeldon. A ballet based on Shakespeare’s play about a king who unjustly accuses his wife of adultery. Runs Nov 14 to Nov 21. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

Bad Hats Narnia (children) by Landon Doak & Fiona Sauder. A musical adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Runs Nov 18 to Dec 28. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

Bijuriya (performance) by Gabriel Dharmoo. The show code switches between drag, song and story as it navigates Dharmoo’s dual personae. Runs Nov 26 to Nov 29. Buddles in Bad Times Theatre, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Breaking Bard: An Improvised Shakespeare (comedy) by Bad Dog Theatre Company. The troupe creates a Shakespearean play right before your eyes. Runs Nov 28 only. The Assembly Theatre, 1479 Queen St West, www.eventbrite.ca.

CHILD-ish (comedy) by Sunny Drake. Four adult actors speak the replies of children to questions about life and the world. Runs Oct 21 to Nov 16. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

The Christmas Market (comedy) by Kanika Ambrose. Three Caribbean migrant workers forge bonds to help them through their first Canadian winter. Runs Nov 4 to Nov 30. Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Ave, www.crowstheatre.com.

The Comeuppance (drama) by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins. When classmates anticpate their 20th high school reunion old wounds resurface. Runs Oct 30 to Nov 23. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

Duel Citizens (comedy) by The Second City. The company’s 90th mainstage revue skewers politics, pop culture and everything in between. Runs Mar 20 to Nov 16. The Second City, 110 Harbour St, www.secondcity.com.

Fulfillment Centre (drama) by Abe Koogler. In New Mexico the lives of four lonely people come together as they look for fulfillment. Previews from Nov 16, opens Nov 20, runs to Dec 7. Coal Mine Theatre, www.coalminetheatre.com.

Groundswell Festival (festival). A festival of new works by female-identifying playwrights. Runs Nov 17 to Nov 20. Jackman Performance Centre, 877 Yonge St, www.nightwoodtheatre.net.

Le Malentendu (drama) by Albert Camus. Travellers who arrive at a remote inn never leave. In French with English surtitles. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 16. The Theatre Centre, theatrefrancais.com.

Moonlight Schooner (drama) by Kanika Ambrose. In 1958 a small group of Black sailors are stranded on the island of St. Kitts. Runs Nov 21 to Dec 14. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St, www.canadianstage.com.

a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) (drama) by debbie tucker green. The journey of three couples seeking connection. Runs Nov 11 to Dec 7. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

Shrek The Musical (musical) by Jeanine Tesori. A musical version of the DreamWorks animated movie. For ages 6+. Runs Nov 13 to Dec 30. Young People’s Theatre, www.youngpeoplestheatre.org.

Toronto Burlesque Festival (festival). A spectacle blending dance, drag, cabaret and circus arts. Runs Nov 13 to Nov 16. Buddles in Bad Times Theatre, buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Twelve Dinners (comedy) by Steve Ross. A young man tells us about a year of monthly dinners with his parents one fateful year. Runs Nov 27 to Dec 6 Venue TBA, www.tift.ca.

Where the Wild Things Are (children) by TAG Theatre Glasgow. A stage version of the classic book by Maurice Sendak about a boy who transforms his bedroom into a magical land. For ages 3-7. Runs Oct 18 to Nov 2. Young People’s Theatre, www.youngpeoplestheatre.org.

Smaller Theatres (Student and Community)

Filthy Rich (comedy) by George F. Walker. A comic thriller about the kidnapping of a politician and the murder of a journalist. Runs Nov 7 to Nov 29. [community] Village Playhouse, villageplayers.net.

The Telephone/Baby Kintyre (operas) by Gian Carlo Menotti/Dean Burry. A comedy about lovers on the telephone and a mystery about a dead baby buried beneath the floorboards of a Toronto house. Runs Nov 7 to Nov 8. [student] Mazzoleni Hall, www.rcmusic.com.

BANCROFT

A Night at the Grand Ghoul Opry (variety) by Katherine Cappellacci et al. Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, Wolf Man, the Mummy and more tell their tales to country and rock songs. Runs Oct 30 to Nov 3. Bancroft Village Playhouse, uwww.tweedandcompany.com.

BARRIE

Twelve Dinners (comedy) by Steve Ross. A young man tells us about a year of monthly dinners with his parents one fateful year. Runs Nov 20 to Nov 22. Venue TBA, www.tift.ca.

BOBCAYGEON

The Little Balls Falls Christmas Fete-ality (comedy). Holiday rivalries spiral out of control until it’s lights out for somebody. Runs Nov 13 to Nov 22. Globus Theatre, www.globustheatre.com.

CAMBRIDGE

Witness for the Prosecution (drama) by Agatha Christie. When a wealthy older woman is found murdered, her handsome younger lover is the only suspect. Runs Oct 29 to Nov 16. Hamilton Family Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

CHATHAM

Billy Bishop Goes to War (musical) by John Gray & Eric Peterson. The story of the famous Canadian World War I flying ace. Runs Nov 7 only. Capitol Theatre, www.ckculture.ca.

GANANOQUE

9 to 5: The Musical (musical) by Dolly Parton. Three female co-workers plot revenge against their bigoted boss. Runs Sep 30 to Nov 2. 1000 Islands Playhouse, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.

The Piano Teacher (drama) by Dorothy Dittrich. After a devastating family tragedy a classical pianist finds herself unable to play. Runs Oct 10 to Nov 2. 1000 Islands Playhouse, www.1000islandsplayhouse.com.

HAMILTON

Frozen (musical) by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez. A stage musical based on the 2013 Disney movie. Runs Nov 19 to Dec 21. Theatre Aquarius, theatreaquarius.org.

LONDON

Frozen (musical) by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez. A stage musical based on the 2013 Disney movie. Previews from Nov 18, opens Nov 21, runs to Dec 28. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

The Play That Goes Wrong (comedy) by Henry Lewis et al. An amateur acting company tries to stage a whodunnit but everything that could go wrong does. Previews from Oct 14, opens Oct 17, runs to Nov 1. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

Wonderful Joe (puppetry) by Ronnie Burkett. An elderly man and his dog are evicted from their home and roan their changed neighbourhood. For ages 16+. Runs Nov 4 to Nov 16. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

NIAGARA FALLS

Evolution (magic) by Greg Frewin. New large-scale illusions by Greg Frewin. Runs Oct 13, 2022, booking to Jun 11, 2026. 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

White Christmas (musical) by Irving Berlin. Two show biz guys team up with a sister act to put on a show to save a Vermont Inn. Runs Nov 7 to Dec 21.

At the Royal George Theatre

A Christmas Carol (drama) by Tim Carroll. Yet another version of Dickens’s holiday favourite. Runs Nov 1 to Dec 21.

ORANGEVILLE

Rapunzel: A Braid New World (panto) by Debbie Collins & David Nairn. A panto version of the fairy tale about a girl with really long hair. Runs Nov 27 to Dec 21. Theatre Orangeville, www.theatreorangeville.ca.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

Abraham Lincoln Goes to the Theatre (comedy) by Larry Tremblay. A director hires two actors to restage Lincoln’s assassination. Runs Oct 28 to Nov 9. Great Canadian Theatre Company, www.gctc.ca.

Ấm (drama) by Kim Thúly. Love blooms between a Québécois man and a Vietanamese woman. In French. Runs Nov 14 to Nov 15. Salle Odyssée, Gatcineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Barka (circus) by Gypsy Kumbia. A mixture of circus, music and dance. Runs Nov 9 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Big Stuff (comedy) by Matt Baram & Naomi Snieckus. A married couple debate the sentimental power of objects. Runs Nov 25 to Dec 7. Great Canadian Theatre Company, www.gctc.ca.

Brel! The Show (revue) by Gil Marsalla. A tribute to Jacque Brel. Runs Nov 16 only. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

The Brutal Joy (dance) by Justine A. Chambers. A tribute to Black line dance and Black style. Runs Nov 20 to Nov 22. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

La Dernière cassette (drama) by Olivier Choinière. André Brassard relives the triumphs of his past by listening to old tapes of himself. In French. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 8. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Fat Joke (comedy) by Cheyenne Rouleau. Rouleau uses humour and storytelling to dissect fatphobia. Runs Nov 5 only. Shenkman Arts Centre, shenkmanarts.ca.

Giulio Cesare (opera) by George Frideric Handel. Semi-staged. Runs Nov 23 only. First Baptist Church, 140 Laurier Ave West, www.eventbrite.ca.

Lysistrata (comedy) by Aristophanes. Women hold a sex strike to prevent men from going to war. In French. Runs Nov 19 to Dec 14. Théâtre de l’Île, Gatineau, calendrier.gatineau.cloud.

Oh Canada Eh?! (revue). Archetypal Canadian characters sing over 70 songs from all-Canadian artists. Booking from Mar 14 to Dec 26, 2025. Oh Canada Eh?!, 330 Kent St, ohcanadaehottawa.com.

Mrs. Doubtfire (musical) by Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick. A musical based on the 1993 movie of the same name. Runs. Nov 4 to Nov 9. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Rite (dance) by Myriam Allard & Hedi Graja. An evening of flamenco. Runs Nov 24 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Skatepark (performance) by Mette Ingvartsen. A show combining choreographed skateboarding, parkour and dance. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 8. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Tupqan | Nos territoires intérieurs (drama). Two influential clans vie for power in a small eastern Quebec community. Runs Nov 20 to Nov 22. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

The Turn of the Screw (drama) by Tim Luscombe. A governess taking care of two children begins to see the ghosts of the former footman and governess. Runs Oct 29 to Nov 15. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

PENETANGUISHENE

Cinderella: The Panto (panto) by Caroline Smith. A panto version of the well-known fairy tale. Runs Nov 5 to Nov 22. King’s Wharf Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

PETROLIA

Starbright Christmas 2025 (revue). A cast of singers and dancers perform songs associated with the holidays. Runs Nov 25 to Dec 14. Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, thevpp.ca.

PORT HOPE

Hansel & Gretel (panto) by Rob Kempson. A panto version of the well-known fairy tale. Runs Nov 21 to Dec 28.  Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

PORT STANLEY

A Christmas Carol (drama) by Liz Gilroy. A staged reading of the Dickens classic. Runs Nov 29 only.  Port Stanley Festival Theatre, psft.ca.

ST. JACOBS

Cinderella: The Panto (panto) by Caroline Smith. A panto version of the well-known fairy tale. Runs Nov 27 to Dec 28. St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Plaid Tidings (musical) by Stuart Ross. A 1960s singing group comes back to bring harmony to a discordant world. Runs Nov 19 to Dec 28. Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre, www.draytonentertainment.com.

STIRLING

Robin Hoodie (panto) by Ken MacDougall. A panto verion of the story of a medieval do-gooder in both “family” and “naughty” versions. Runs Nov 21 to Dec 31. Stirling Festival Theatre, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

STRATFORD

HERE FOR NOW THEATRE:

A series of one-act plays of 60-90 minutes. Here For Now Theatre, 24 St. Andrew St, www.herefornowtheatre.com.

Pandora (comedy) by Jessica B. Hill. Pandora questions the nature of the universe after she unleashes the ills of the world on mankind. Runs Nov 5 to Nov 16.

Reproduktion (comedy) by Amy Rutherford. Desperate to conceive, Flora travels to Sweden for an alternative fertility treatment. Runs Nov 19 to Nov 30.

THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 19 to Dec 14 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. Runs May 27 to Dec 14. ★★★☆☆

At the Avon Theatre

Anne of Green Gables (play) by Kat Sandler. A stage adaptation of the beloved novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Runs May 31 to Nov 16. ★★★☆☆

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (musical) by David Yazbek. Two gigolos compete to swindle $50,000 from an heiress. Runs May 29 to Nov 23. ★★★★☆

Macbeth (tragedy) by William Shakespeare. Director Robert Lepage relocates the action of this tale of ambition to the biker wars of the 1990s. Runs May 28 to Nov 22. ★★☆☆☆

ON TOUR IN ONTARIO

The Nutcracker (ballet) by Bengt Jörgen. The holiday ballet as inspired by paintings of the Group of Seven. www.jorgendance.ca.

• Nov 20: Capitol Centre, North Bay

• Nov 25-26: Burlington PAC, Burlington

• Nov 29: Orillia Opera House, Orillia