Summer shows worth singing about
Summer weather got you feeling like singing? You aren’t alone.
Toronto’s musical-theatre calendar is filled with show-stopping new productions. Here are a dozen shows bringing the heat this summer.
Come From Away The biggest musical to burst out of Canada in recent memory continues to inspire with its rousing tale of human kindness, set against the backdrop of Gander, N.L. The true story of 38 flights that were diverted to Gander after the 9/11 attacks sold out its initial run, and has continued to be a hot ticket both in Toronto and on Broadway, where it opened last spring. On through Oct. 21, Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W., Toronto, Mirvish.com
The Music Man The golden-age musical about a con artist who fast talks a small town into starting a marching band (and he can get them a great deal on a brass section!) is a classic clap-along crowd-pleaser. On through Nov. 3, Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford, StratfordFestival.ca
The Rocky Horror Show The town best known for Shakespearean soliloquies is ripping its ruffled collar off by mounting this sexy satire of schlockey monster movies. Dancing, dress up and audience participation are all encouraged, though Stratford kindly asks you to leave the rice and toast at home. On through Oct. 31, Avon Theatre, 99 Downie St., Stratford, StratfordFestival.ca
Grand Hotel In 1928, 10 intriguing characters both dazzling and desperate cross paths in a Berlin hotel over the course of one night. This musical adaptation of the1932 Greta Garbo film won five Tony Awards for its 1989 production. May 3-Oct. 14, Shaw Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ShawFest.com
Junior festival The inaugural edition of this theatre festival for ages 4 to 14 includes three musicals. Toronto rapper Shaun Boothe presents The Unauthorized Biography Series, a Hamilton- esque tribute to cultural icons (including Bruce Lee, Terry Fox and even Oprah!) told through hiphop. Le Chant du Koi/Goldilocks Goes Bear Hunting is a fantasy parable from Montreal about finding your tribe. And We Are All Treaty People follows two friends, one Indigenous and one Caucasian, who learn there’s power in sharing cultures, despite hijinks by a trickster. May 19-25, Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 235 Queens Quay W., Toronto, HarbourfrontCentre.com
The Monkiest King The most mischievous figure in Chinese folklore, Sun WuKong, the so-called Monkey King, is the star of this worldpremiere opera by Dora Award-winning duo Alice Ping Yee Ho and Marjorie Chan, performed by a chamber orchestra playing instruments from both Eastern and Western traditions. May 26-27, Lyric Theatre, Toronto Centre For the Arts, 5040 Yonge St., Toronto, TOCentre.com
The Little Match Girl Passion The Pulitzer Prize-winning choral tells Hans Christian Andersen’s tragic tale of a young girl selling matches on a bitterly cold winter night. The program also includes Toronto composer James Rolfe’s I Think We Are Angels, a world-premiere work for voices and accordion. June 6-7, Guloien Theatre, 345 Carlaw Ave., Toronto, CrowsTheatre.com
The Phantom of the Opera The lavish new North American touring production of the mega-musical about a disfigured outcast’s love for a beautiful soprano stars Vancouver native Eva Tavares, an actual opera singer, as the tortured Christine Daaé. June 7-30, Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W., Toronto, Mirvish.com
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka The beloved songs from the charming 1971 Gene Wilder film are combined with original music in the classic story of a flamboyant chocolatier leading five kids on a tour of his wondrous confectionary. June 7-Aug. 26, Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington Ave., Toronto, lowerossingtontheatre.com
The Ward Cabaret The history of Toronto’s original multicultural neighbourhood, The Ward Cabaret inspires this musical tribute that’s woven together with the musical traditions of the Irish, African-Canadian, Italian, Eastern European Jewish, and Chinese immigrants who lived there. June 20-22, Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St., Toronto, LuminatoFestival.com
Wicked Whether it’s a return to Oz or your first time over the rainbow, The Wizard of Oz prequel is always delightful. This staging by the North American touring production marks the fifth time the show has played the city. June 20-Aug. 5, Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St., Toronto, Mirvish.com
Mama Mia! The jukebox musical’s upcoming bigscreen sequel, July’s Mama Mia! Here
We Go Again, means ABBA’s music is in the air. The musical-comedy strings together all of the pop quartet’s greatest hits into a story of family, love and, of course, colour-co-ordinated jumpsuits. Aug. 9-19, Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St., Toronto, Mirvish.com