Hart House Theatre, the University of Toronto's Performing Arts Leader Since 1919, is proud to announce its 2019/2020 100th Anniversary Season. This season's line-up is a diverse mix of the classic and contemporary, the political and poignant, the fun and frivolous as Hart House Theatre continues its tradition of producing affordable, accessible, high-quality productions for downtown Toronto audiences.

The season has the variety and quality that our audiences have come to expect: a titillating musical with massive audience appeal, a perspective on a Shakespearian classic that tells the tale through different eyes, a modern musical inspired by an iconic movie and a modern twist on a classic satire of WWI rhetoric.

In addition to the line-up of four shows, we are pleased to highlight a special presentation to celebrate our 100 years. This presentation acknowledges the land upon which we create our stories and the indigenous practice of story weaving through a partnership with The Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at U of T.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: ENCOUNTERS AT THE "EDGE OF THE WOODS"

A Story Weaving project in association with Hart House’s 100th Anniversary Curated and Directed by Jill Carter (Assistant Professor at the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, Indigenous Studies and the Transitional Year Programme at the University of Toronto). To kick off Hart House Theatre’s 100th Anniversary season and as a special presentation, this project will explore the restor(y)ation of treaty relationships using Indigenous practices of story weaving through deep connections to the land. Led by Indigenous educator and artist Jill Carter, the piece will include performers and creators from all over the city who will use their personal stories and experiences to compose Encounters at the "Edge of the Woods".

Sept. 6 & 7, 2019 Week 1: Fri. and Sat. at 8 pm and Sat. at 2 pm

Postshow Talkbacks after each performance

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

By Richard O’Brien, Directed by Jennifer Walls
Smack your lips, gird your loins and tighten your corset for The Rocky Horror Show – a delectable, cult-classic musical with unforgettable characters and steamy musical numbers. This salute to B-movies and sci-fi thrillers will tempt you to dance the “Time Warp”, seduce you with a “Sweet Transvestite” and leave you howling, “Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul”!
WARNING: mature content, sexual scenes, partial nudity and some violent content

Sept. 27 - Oct. 12, 2019Week 1: Fri. and Sat. at 8 pmWeek 2: Wed. to Sat. at 8 pm Week 3: Wed. to Sat. at 8 pm and Sat. at 2 pm

Postshow Talkbacks: Sat., Sept. 28 and Thurs., Oct. 3 Saturday Matinee Preshow Chat at 1 pm

PORTIA'S JULIUS CAESAR

By Kaitlyn RiordanInspired by and adapted from the works of William Shakespeare, Directed by Eva Barrie *Starring Amaka Umeh* as Portia
Named one of the top shows of 2018 by the Toronto Star after its summer premiere, Portia’s Julius Caesar is an unapologetically feminist take on Shakespeare’s classic account of political upheaval. Through the eyes of Caesar’s wife, Portia’s Julius Caesar uses a mix of new words and the rich poetry from over 20 of Shakespeare’s works to explore the role of women in classic story-telling, ancient Roman society and politics.
WARNING: violent content

Nov. 15-30, 2019 Week 1: Fri. and Sat. at 8 pm Week 2: Wed. to Sat. at 8 pm Week 3: Wed. to Sat. at 8 pm and Sat. at 2 pm

Postshow Talkbacks: Sat., Nov. 16 and Thurs., Nov. 21 Saturday Matinee Preshow Chat at 1 pm

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, Book by Heather HachBased on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, Directed by Saccha Dennis*
Put on your best pumps, get your nails done and prepare to bend-and-snap because blonde isn’t just a hair colour, it’s a lifestyle! Based on the hit movie, Legally Blonde: The Musical tells the sassy tale of Elle Woods as she tackles sexism, snobbery and self-discovery in pursuit of her dreams of law school and the perfect outfit.
WARNING: mature themes

Jan. 17 – Feb. 1, 2020 Week 1: Fri. and Sat. at 8 pm Week 2: Wed. to Sat. at 8 pm Week 3: Wed. to Sat. at 8 pm and Sat. at 2 pm

Postshow Talkbacks: Sat., Jan. 18 and Thurs., Jan. 23 Saturday Matinee Preshow Chat at 1 pm

OH, WHAT A LOVELY WAR!

By Ted Allan, Charles Chilton, Joan Littlewood and Gerry Raffles, Directed by Autumn Smith*
A clownish look at the foibles of combat, Oh, What A Lovely War! is a satire with songs that questions humanity’s glorification of battle and the cycle of violence. This modern staging will take this classic, WWI themed play and place it firmly in 2020, within the world of gamers and mega-violent video games, to force a look at how we pass along warlike thinking to the next generation.
WARNING: violent content

Feb. 28-March 7, 2020 Week 1: Fri. and Sat. at 8 pm Week 2: Wed. to Sat. at 8 pm and Sat. at 2 pm

Postshow Talkbacks: Sat., Feb. 29 and Thurs., March 5 Saturday Matinee Preshow Chat at 1 pm

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND TICKETS

Single Ticket Prices  Adults: $28Seniors: $20Students: $15$12 student tickets every Wednesday night!

Season Subscription Prices Adults 4 Play Subscription: $90 (20% savings off single ticket prices!) 3 Play Subscription: $69 (18% savings off single ticket prices!) Seniors 4 Play Subscription: $60 (25% savings off single ticket prices!) 3 Play Subscription: $48 (20% savings off single ticket prices!) Students 4 Play Subscription: $40 (33% savings off single ticket prices!) 3 Play Subscription: $36 (20% savings off single ticket prices!)

Exclusive Season Subscriber benefits available here.

*The participation of this Artist is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors' Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance/Opera/Theatre Policy (DOT).