Toronto Theatre + Broadway News

Stratford Festival's TAKING SHAKESPEARE Adds Two Performances, 9/14 & 18

(5/1/2013) - To meet the demand for tickets, the Stratford Festival is adding two performances of Taking Shakespeare, the John Murrell play featuring Martha Henry and Luke Humphrey, directed by Diana Leblanc.

Daniel Briere and Sara Topham Lead Stratford's ROMEO AND JULIET; Previews Begin Tonight

(5/1/2013) - One of Britain's leading directors, Tim Carroll, returns to the Stratford Festival to present the most famous love story ever told. Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's timeless tragedy of star-crossed lovers who risk everything to be together, begins previews on Wednesday, May 1, at the Festival Theatre.

First Look: Ma-Anne Dionisio as Grizabella in the all-new Toronto Production of CATS

(5/1/2013) - Get a first look at the new Canadian production of CATS! A new production of CATS is set to open at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto on May 28, and is being produced by the same producers as the now famous 1985 production.

Toronto's 34th ANNUAL DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS Set for 6/24

(5/1/2013) - The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) proudly announces that the 34th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, celebrating extraordinary Toronto talent in the performing arts, will take place on Monday, June 24 at 7pm at the Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, co-hosted by Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, Second City alumni and founding Co-Artistic Directors of the three-time Canadian Comedy Award-winning improv company, The National Theatre of the World.

Canada Day International Announces Its First Cultural Festival in NYC

(5/1/2013) - Music lovers, foodies, families and hockey fans are set to gather for this inaugural free summer festival in Central Park on June 29.

Linda Eder, Molly Ringwald, and More to Lead Richmond Hill's 2013-2014 Season

(4/30/2013) - The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts announced the details of its 2013-2014 Season on Monday night. The RHCPA follows up its highly successful third season, Captured Moments, with a lineup guaranteed to provide something for every taste. Shows range from solo performances to ensemble plays from October 2012-May 2013.

From Toronto to the Tonys: Which Production Seen Here Was Nominated?

(4/30/2013) - This year, two shows with a Toronto connection transferred to Broadway, and this morning it was announced that one of these, Bring it On: The Musical, has been nominated for two Tony Awards.

Tracey Erin Smith's SoulOTheatre Announces Programming

(4/30/2013) - Artistic Director and award-winning solo performer Tracey Erin Smith has announced the programming for SoulOTheatre's inaugural SoulOTheatre Festival. Some of best solo performers from Canada and the United States take the stage from May 23-26 at the Red Sandcastle Theatre in Toronto's Leslieville. As well, the festival features a series of panels and workshops, with experts teaching the public how to do this work themselves.

Tony Awards Have Canadian Connection; Watch Nominations Live Tomorrow on BWW

(4/29/2013) - BroadwayWorld will be streaming the Tony Awards Announcement live tomorrow morning at 8:30 AM EST. This year Toronto has a connection to the Tonys, as two of the musicals eligible for nominations had out of town tryouts here.

Photo Coverage: William Finn Q&A at Acting Up Stage's FALSETTOS

(4/28/2013) - Acting Up Stage opened their newest production this past Thursday, a new version of Falsettos that is being produced with The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company. The show was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1992, and took home the prize for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. On Friday night, writer William Finn joined Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian for a special post-performance Q&A, where the two discussed the evolution of Falsettos as well as Finn's life and other works. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the event.

THE RAG BAG ON RONCY III Cabaret Set for Today at Mrs. Huizenga's

(4/26/2013) - The Rag Bag on Roncy III is set for tonight, April 26th at 8:30 pm at Mrs. Huizenga's (in their new location, 28 Roncessvalles Ave). Doors open at 7:00pm for a cocktail reception and store browsing for 'cash desk dice roll discounts.' That's right, when you get to the till you roll the dice to determine what your discount will be.

BWW Interviews: The Women of Falsettos

(4/25/2013) - Falsettos is a Tony Award winning musical which explores complicated issues surrounding family and love amidst the backdrop of the emergence of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City. It is the latest offering in Acting Up Stage's exciting season, and opens tonight at Daniel's Spectrum (formerly the Regent Park Arts Centre). BWW sat down and spoke with the three ladies of the production, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Glynis Ranney and Sarah Gibbons about what the experience has been like so far, and about how relevant they feel the material is today:

Tarragon Theatre Premieres CARRIED AWAY ON THE CREST OF A WAVE Tonight

(4/24/2013) - Tarragon Theatre presents the world premiere of carried away on the crest of a wave, written by acclaimed playwright-in-residence David Yee. This moving exploration of the effects of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami opens tonight, April 24 and runs to May 26, 2013 in Tarragon's Mainspace.

Stratford Festival Kicks Off Season Today

(4/23/2013) - The Festival Theatre stage will transform into a small Jewish village through the heartwarming tale of hope, faith and tradition that is Fiddler on the Roof. One of Broadway's longest-running and most celebrated musicals begins previews in Stratford on Tuesday, April 23, marking the first performance of the 2013 season.

All Canadian Cast Announced for CATS at Panasonic Theatre; Ma-Anne Dionisio, Martin Samuel & More to Star

(4/23/2013) - An all Canadian cast has been announced for Toronto's production of CATS at the Panasonic Theatre.

BWW Special Coverage: Canadian Playwrights Discuss The Theatre of Politics at Spur Festival

(4/23/2013) - On Sunday, April 14, three prominent Canadian playwrights - Michael Healey, Hannah Moscovitch, and Guillermo Verdecchia - joined together in a lively repartee at Toronto's Spur Festival, raising the curtain on the question: do playwrights, like politicians, have powerful roles in society that shape and help audiences reflect upon relevant social issues, provoking action or new ways of thinking? Also, can this type of material be too hot to handle?

Show Choir Canada National Championships Return to Queen Elizabeth Theatre Today

(4/20/2013) - Show Choir competitors will have a new challenge to overcome this year: their rivals from the West. For the first time, choirs from Vancouver, BC will compete at the Show Choir Canada Nationals - Canada's National High School Glee Club Championships, taking place at Toronto's Queen Elizabeth Theatre today, April 20 and the 21st, 2013. Now in its third year, the annual show choir competition will feature 12 groups from across the country vying for more than $30,000 in prizing and the prestigious title of Canada's Show Choir champion.

Videocabaret's THE WAR OF 1812 Continues at Young Centre, April 9

(4/19/2013) - The remarkable unfolding of the Canadian universe, according to Michael Hollingsworth, continues with THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF THE SMALL HUTS, 1812-15, presented by VIDEOCABARET in association with the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.

Video: Watch a Preview of the COC's LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR; Opens Tonight!

(4/17/2013) - The Canadian Opera Company's production of LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, directed by David Alden, opens tonight, April 17. Watch the video below for a preview!

Spotlight on CATS, Coming to Toronto May 28

(4/17/2013) - A new production of Cats is set to open at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto on May 28, and is being produced by the same producers as the now famous 1985 production, which played the Elgin Theatre.

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Opens Canadian Opera Company's Spring Season, Now thru 5/24

(4/17/2013) - Opening the Canadian Opera Company's 2012/2013 spring season is Gaetano Donizetti's bel cantomasterpiece, Lucia di Lammermoor, starring American soprano Anna Christy in a production created especially for her by director David Alden at English National Opera. American conductor Stephen Lord, named one of the '25 Most Powerful Names in U.S. Opera' by Opera News, leads the COC Orchestra and Chorus through Donizetti's cascading romantic melodies. Last presented by the COC in 2004, Lucia di Lammermoor returns for nine performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on April 17, 20, 26, 30, May 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24, 2013, and is sung in Italian with English SURTITLES.

BWW Review: Alexander Showcase Theatre's THE NEW MEL BROOKS MUSICAL YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

(4/16/2013) - The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein is based on Mel Brooks' movie of the same name. It follows the story of Victor Frankenstein's grandson, and pokes fun at of all the Frankenstein installments.

THE BOOK OF MORMON Announces Toronto Lotto Tickets

(4/16/2013) - THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, has announced a lottery ticket policy for the National Tour, which begins April 30 at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto and plays a limited 6 week engagement through June 9, 2013. In Toronto, the production will conduct a pre-show lottery at the box office, with up to 24 tickets available at $25 each, cash only.

CATS Extends Through July in Toronto

(4/15/2013) - Producers today announced that the all-new production of CATS, set to make its triumphant return to Toronto, has added an additional four weeks of performances due to extremely high ticket demand. Tickets for CATS are now on sale through July 28 with previews from May 28. The official opening is June 11. Tickets for the extension go on sale April 24 at mirvish.com.

STAGE TUBE: HIT THAT JIVE JACK

(4/15/2013) - Toronto's own Kelly Holiff is doing a very special fundraiser at the end of April called 'Hit That Jive Jack', which benefits The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Kelly is a Toronto based performance who has had leading roles in RENT, Hairspray, Beauty and the Beast and more. She is headlining this concert which will feature vocal classics in a wide variety of styles and highlight some very special guests which showcase the best of the best of Canadian musical theatre talent. This very special event will take place on April 28th at the Capital Event Theatre, and BWW is thrilled to bring its readers this video of Kelly doing what she does best!

John Montgomery Theatre's CIRCLE Kicks Off 7-City Tour in NYC Tonight

(4/14/2013) - John Montgomery Theatre Company (JMTC) & Dutch Girl Productions presents a new two-actor production of acclaimed New York playwright Suzanne Bachner's award-winning hit Off Broadway play, CIRCLE, in its 7-City, 6-Festival Summer Tour, starring award-winning performers, Christel Bartelse & Bob Brader. Suzanne, Christel & Bob will debut this exciting new production with NYC previews and six fantastic international Festivals, May 15-August 25, 2013.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival, A Place of Discovery and Delight

(4/13/2013) - Want to get away this spring, summer or fall? Drive to Canada for great theatre, good food, and nice scenery. This year marks the 61st anniversary of the Stratford Festival of Canad

Drayton Festival Theatre to Launch 2013 Season with THE SONGS OF SINATRA, May 8

(4/12/2013) - Drayton Festival Theatre opens its doors and raises the curtain on the 2013 Season with The Songs of Sinatra, an unforgettable tribute to The Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra. Playing eight shows a week, May 8th through June 1st this energetic production is a real treat for fans of the incomparable musical legend.

John Montgomery Theatre's CIRCLE to Kick Off 7-City Tour in NYC, 4/14

(4/12/2013) - John Montgomery Theatre Company (JMTC) & Dutch Girl Productions presents a new two-actor production of acclaimed New York playwright Suzanne Bachner's award-winning hit Off Broadway play, CIRCLE, in its 7-City, 6-Festival Summer Tour, starring award-winning performers, Christel Bartelse & Bob Brader. Suzanne, Christel & Bob will debut this exciting new production with NYC previews and six fantastic international Festivals, May 15-August 25, 2013.

New Musical THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY Set for Sheridan and Panasonic Theatres, April 2013

(4/12/2013) - The Canadian Music Theatre Project (the "CMTP") at Sheridan College presents a staged reading of composer/lyricist Neil Bartram and book writer Brian Hill's new musical, The Theory of Relativity, April 11 - 20, at the Studio Theatre at Sheridan's Trafalgar Campus in Oakville, Ontario. Two additional performances will take place on Monday, April 22, at Toronto's Panasonic Theatre.

BWW Reviews: Canadian Stage's RACE

(4/12/2013) - Acclaimed actor and international film and TV star Jason Priestley marks his return to the stage in Canadian Stage's production of David Mamet's RACE after a 13-year absence.

Alumnae Theatre Presents THE KILLDEER, Now thru 4/27

(4/12/2013) - Alumnae Theatre Company presents The Killdeer by James Reaney, directed by Barbara Larose.

GUYS AND DOLLS to Begin Previews April 12 at Shaw Festival

(4/11/2013) - A new production of the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls begins previews April 12 at the Shaw's Festival Theatre. Like its musical predecessors My Fair Lady and Ragtime, the Shaw's production of Guys and Dolls celebrates glorious storytelling, unforgettable characters and memorable music. Directed by Tadeusz Bradecki and brought to life by The Shaw's renowned acting Ensemble, the 'greatest of all American musicals' pulsates with the neon-lit rhythm, energy and grittiness of New York City nightlife

The Sony Centre For The Performing Arts Presents BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY, 5/18

(4/11/2013) - One very Wascally Wabbit is returning to the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts on Saturday, May 18, 2013 for two performances only of BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY.

Photo: Jason Priestley-led RACE Opens Tonight at Canadian Stage

(4/11/2013) - Acclaimed actor and international film and television star Jason Priestley (Call me Fitz, Beverly Hills, 90210) returns to the stage in his first live theatre role since 2000 in Canadian Stage's production of RACE, by award-winning playwright David Mamet. The show opens tonight, April 7. Check out a production photo below!

Alexander Showcase Theatre Begins Performances of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Tonight

(4/11/2013) - The fabulous Toronto based Alexander Showcase Theatre will perform the monster hit - Mel Brooks Musical, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN from tonight, April 11th to 14th and April 18th to 21st, 2013 at the Al Green Theatre, 720 Spadina Avenue at the corner of Bloor and Spadina.

Theatre Passe Muraille Announces 2013/14 Season Includes ON THE ROCKS and VITALS

(4/10/2013) - On Monday April 8th, Artistic Director Andy McKim announced Theatre Passe Muraille's 2013/14 season at the company's annual fundraising gala event. The season presents a balanced approach of fresh new voices (Rob Kempson, Rosamund Small, Mitchell Cushman) and established theatrical powerhouses (Louise Pitre, George F. Walker, Linda Griffiths). It also features more than a dash of song and dance.

Rarely Pure Theatre Remounts THE PILLOWMAN at Box Studio, Now thru April 21

(4/10/2013) - Martin McDonagh's heart-stopping drama THE PILLOWMAN will be remounted at The Box Studio, tonight, April 10-21, 2013, by Rarely Pure Theatre.

Tickets Go On Sale for ANYTHING GOES at Princess of Wales Theatre This Monday

(4/9/2013) - David Mirvish will present the national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter's timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece. ANYTHING GOES plays a strictly limited engagement, July 17 - August 18 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Tickets go on sale 9:00 AM on Monday April 15th.

DanceWorks Presents Nova Dance, 4/11-13

(4/9/2013) - DanceWorks, Toronto's longest-running contemporary dance series, proudly presents the world premiere of Akshongay (the Bengali word for 'together') from acclaimed Nova Dance, choreographed and performed by Artistic Director Nova Bhattacharya and long-time collaborator Louis Laberge-Cote. Akshongay has the singular honour of being the 200th DanceWorks Mainstage Series event and runs from Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13 at Enwave Theatre, part of Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps.