Summer theatre lineup shines
This season is bursting with not-to-be-missed productions
Theatregoers are blessed year round, but there’s a special magic to the summer calendar, when the festivals unfurl their grandest productions and shows take their dramas outside. Save the date for your top theatre picks from this list of popular highlights.
Strictly Ballroom: The Musical created by Baz Luhrmann The over-the-top opulent vision that Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin are now famous for was first glimpsed in the 1992 film about the world of competitive ballroom dancing. That story makes its natural jete to the stage in this North American premiere musical. On now through June 25, Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W., Toronto. mirvish.com
Guys and Dolls; music and lyrics by Frank Loesser; book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows The centrepiece of Stratford’s 65th season is its lavish revival of Guys and Dolls, about a gambler’s bet that his buddy can’t sweet-talk a good girl into jetting off into the sunset together. With new choreography from director Donna Feore, this production leads with its dazzling dancing. On now through Oct. 29, Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford. stratfordfestival.ca
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet will be given a reverential staging by Stratford’s world renowned Shakespeare troupe, with robustly romantic period costumes and haunting Gothic elements that foreshadow the story’s looming tragedy. On now through Oct. 21, Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford. stratfordfestival.ca
The Jazz Singer by Samson Raphaelson Co-produced with the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company, Aubrey Dan’s Dancap Productions makes a comeback with this update of the classic Al Jolson musical about a man torn between his Broadway ambitions and his calling to continue the family tradition as a cantor in the Jewish Orthodox synagogue. From May 23 until June 18, The Greenwin Theatre, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St., Toronto. hgjewishtheatre.com, tocentre.com.
It’s All Tru by Sky Gilbert Buddies In Bad Times Theatre’s founding father Sky Gilbert chronicles the next chapter in the AIDS crisis with this story of a socially respected gay couple whose relationship is tested by a hookup with a street kid. Gilbert dramatizes the unfolding politics of PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and the criminalization of people who are HIV-positive. On now through May 14, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., Toronto. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Putting to test the reputation of musical giant Andrew Lloyd Webber, the U.K.’s Showstoppers troupe have been whipping up a new musical on the spot for over a decade, singing and dancing their hearts out in shows based on nothing more than the audience’s suggestions. June 7-25, Panasonic Theatre, 651 Yonge St., Toronto. mirvish.com
for colored girls . . . by Ntozake Shange The 1976 masterpiece for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf coined the term “choreopoem” to describe its mash up of poetry and dance. The struggle African-American women overcome to seize their empowerment has rarely been so artfully rendered. May 5-31, Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, Toronto. soulpepper.ca
Androcles and the Lion by Bernard Shaw Rowdy Romans cheer for a parade of Christians to be tossed to the lions in Shaw’s winking riff on religious hypocrisy. Director Tim Carroll has roles for everyone in the audience in this uniquely participatory staging. Not only will actors draw to determine who plays certain roles in the show, but an audience member will be chosen to play the leading lion for a portion of the play. From June 6 until Oct. 7, Court House Thea- tre, 26 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake. shawfest.com
The Wizard of Oz Toronto audiences have proven just how much they will pay attention to the man behind the curtain — not to mention Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tinman, the lion and Toto — as they’ve gone off to see the Wizard in a wide variety of local stagings. This new production promises everything that Oz devotees have come to expect. From June 16 until Aug. 27, Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Avenue, Toronto. lowerossingtontheatre.com.
Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov After an acclaimed run in its native Russia in 2009 and a sold-out stint in London’s West End in 2012, the Vakhtangov State Academic Theater troupe returns to Toronto with its revitalized take on the 1897 classic to Luminato for just two performances that use music and mime to compliment the genius script. June 24-25, John Bassett Theatre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre (north building), 255 Front St. W., Toronto. luminatofestival.com
Shakespeare In High Park For its 35th anniversary season, Canada’s longest-running outdoor theatre company tackles the tragedy of King Lear in a reimaging that crowns Stratford-seasoned actor Diane D’Aquila “Queen” Lear. For something a little lighter, the gender-swap romp Twelfth Night delivers feel-good farce. From June 29 until Sept. 3, High Park Amphitheatre, 1873 Bloor St. W., High Park, Toronto. canadianstage.com
The Toronto Fringe Festival Who needs a jury? The Fringe’s free-forall programming strategy of choosing 160 participants based on lottery has launched Broadway hits and TV shows alike (not to mention misguided cringes that will forever haunt your nightmares). The complete program guide will be announced on May 31. July 5-16, various venues, Toronto. fringetoronto.com
Unapologetically Me: Sharron’s Cabaret For Kids Award-winning singer-comedian Sharron Matthews connects with kids with a retelling of challenges and fears she faced growing up, while celebrating being true to oneself. Recommended for ages 9-11. Oct. 2-21, Young People’s Theatre, The Studio, 165 Front St. E. Toronto. youngpeoplestheatre.ca