Tarragon Theatre’s Artistic Director, Mike Payette and Executive Director Lisa Li, are pleased to announce the arrival of the rolling World Premiere of cicadas, A Tarragon Theatre and NAC English Theatre Co-Production in association with fu-GEN Asian Theatre Company. Created by Governor General’s Award and Siminovitch Prize laureate David Yee and award-winning composer Chris Thornborrow, and directed by Nina Lee Aquino, cicadas plays in Tarragon’s Mainspace from May 5 - 24, 2026, opening May 7.

Set in 2032, a couple buys a house in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood. As they settle in, strange things begin to happen- mysterious leaks, out of control moss growth and a familiar but strange buzzing through the air. Through haunting performances, set design and entrancing soundscapes provided by live orchestration, cicadas offers an immersive audience experience - bringing to life an eco-thriller that warns us of the environmental chaos lurking beneath us, waiting to be unleashed.

“It is also a homecoming of sorts in bringing back David and Nina into a production that will be shared at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto after its Ottawa run – over a decade after their seminal and award-winning creation carried away on the crest of a wave,” notes Artistic Director Mike Payette.

He continues, “We are honoured to be a continued part of their storied theatrical history and the incredible team they have assembled to bring yet another master work.”

Originally created as a radio play with music for Irresistible Neighbourhoods – an NAC English Theatre development project centred on themes of climate and environmental sustainability – a 30-minute version of cicadas was first presented as a live radio production during the NAC SPHERE Festival in September 2024.Throughout the creative process, NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Nina Lee Aquino knew in her bones that cicadas had the potential to become a fully staged theatrical production. 

Encouraged by the development process of the radio story, she, along with Climate Dramaturg Vicki Stroich and dramaturg Ric Knowles, began collaborating with Yee and Thornborrow to expand the story into a full length play with live on stage music for English Theatre’s 2025-26 season. Through various workshops with members of the company over the past several months, the team has developed an innovative journey of storytelling where music and script work side-by-side to craft a unique, theatrical experience.

cicadas is created by Governor General’s Award and Siminovitch Prize laureate David Yee (carried away on the crest of a wave) and award-winning composer Chris Thornborrow (Tarragon debut, Hook Up). Performances by Monica Dottor (Tarragon debut, Murdoch Mysteries), Ryan Hollyman (The Hooves Belonged to the Deer/Tarragon, Buddies) and Ellora Patnaik (Much Ado About Nothing/Tarragon). With direction by the Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre English Theatre, Nina Lee Aquino (carried away on the crest of a wave/Tarragon).

The rolling World Premiere of cicadas was on stage at National Arts Centre in Ottawa, April 7 - 18, and is debuting at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto, May 5 - 24, 2026. In January 2027, cicadas will be part of the Grand Theatre in London’s 2026/27 season.

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cicadas (World Premiere)

Created by David Yee & Chris Thornborrow

Directed by Nina Lee Aquino

A Tarragon Theatre and NAC English Theatre Co-Production 

in association with fu-GEN Asian Theatre Company

May 5 - 24, 2026

Single Tickets range from $24 - $72 and can be purchased online at tarragontheatre.com, or by phone at 416-531-1827. Discounts are available for students, seniors, groups and arts workers. Contact the box office for more information.