No matter what the state of the economy dictates, history has shown that at times like these, many try to escape the news of gloom and doom by transferring their energy and thoughts into something more positive and entertaining. Toronto Live Theatre is a great getaway and a sure alternative to taking in a movie. The difference is that you have actors who are taking you on a journey in real time – live and in person.
In the new issue of our online magazine CURTAINS UP, we have compiled a comprehensive and condensed listing of Toronto Live Theatre productions including dinner theatre, dance, comedy, plays, theatre for kids and family, opera, theatre festivals, and musicals. You will find that many of these Toronto Live Theatre productions are very affordable. As you can see, there is definitely no shortage of stage productions you can enjoy throughout the year. We encourage you to make live theatre-going a part of your social calendar.
TORONTO THEATRE SUPERGUIDE…
HOToronto is proud to provide the following list of Toronto Live Theatre productions currently staged at theatres throughout Toronto and surrounding areas. This HOToronto Guide to the theatre is a comprehensive list of current and upcoming productions scheduled in Toronto. For dates and showtimes please call the theatre box office direct. See the list of theatres.
March 12 – 23, 2025
Age of Arousal by Linda Griffiths
Studio Theatre, Alumnae Theatre
alumnaetheatre.com/age-of-arousal.html
Dive into Age of Arousal, a powerful ensemble piece by acclaimed playwright Linda Griffiths. Set in an era of tumultuous change, this play explores the forbidden and gloriously liberated self, where characters grapple with explosive and contradictory desires.
March 4 – 30, 2025 | CANADIAN PREMIERE
Crow’s Theatre Presents TRIDENT MOON
Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue
India, 1947. Three Muslim women have been abducted by three Hindu women and all are trapped inside a transport truck as it speeds through a newly divided country. The lines between victim and perpetrator blur in this astonishing real-time political thriller. TRIDENT MOON is an extraordinary look into the lives of everyday people caught in the crossfire.
March 12 – 23, 2025 (*Studio Theatre)
Alumnae Theatre Company Presents Age of Arousal by Linda Griffiths
Alumnae Theatre Company, 70 Berkeley Street
Dive into Age of Arousal, a powerful ensemble piece by acclaimed playwright Linda Griffiths. Set in an era of tumultuous change, this play explores the forbidden and gloriously liberated self, where characters grapple with explosive and contradictory desires. Griffiths, a winner of five Dora Mavor Moore Awards and a Gemini Award, crafts a provocative and compelling narrative that you won’t want to miss.
March 25 – April 20, 2025 | WORLD PREMIERE
Crow’s Theatre Presents A PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION
Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue
Mixing history, comedy, and poignant reflection in equal measure, A PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION, Jonathan Wilson’s deeply personal solo show, excavates the lives, loves, and landmarks of his queer youth on the streets of Toronto.
April 8 – 19, 2025
Mahabharata Part One: Karma: The Life We Inherit – Toronto Premiere
Bluma Appel Theatre, Toronto
https://www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/mahabharata-part1
A Why Not Theatre Production presented by Canadian Stage with Why Not Theatre
Mahabharata is a contemporary take on a Sanskrit epic that is more than four thousand years old and foundational to South Asian culture. This gripping story of a family feud is an exploration of profound philosophical and spiritual ideas. A visually stunning spectacle presented in two parts, Mahabharata takes audiences on a journey through the past in order to write a thrilling new future.
April 11 – 20, 2025
Mahabharata Part Two: Dharma: The Life We Choose – Toronto Premiere
Bluma Appel Theatre, Toronto
https://www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/mahabharata-part2
A Why Not Theatre Production presented by Canadian Stage with Why Not Theatre
Continuing the story from Part 1 and interrogating themes of justice and revenge, Part 2 includes a 15-minute Sanskrit opera adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita (The Song of God), which is the most famous chapter of the Mahabharata epic
April 15 – May 18, 2025 | CANADIAN PREMIERE
Crow’s Theatre Presents FLEX
Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue
It’s 1997 and the WNBA is changing the game. Every player on Plainnole’s Lady Train High School basketball team dreams of going pro. But first, they must navigate the pressures of being young, Black, and female in rural Arkansas, where a mistake on the court can become a foul in real life. With the swagger, determination, and adrenaline of a four-quarter game, FLEX celebrates the fierce strength and athleticism of young women and what it means to be going for your shot at greatness.
April 22 – June 1, 2025 | CANADIAN PREMIERE
Crow’s Theatre Presents A STRANGE LOOP @ THE BAILLIE THEATRE
Streetcar Crowsnest, 345 Carlaw Avenue
Tony Award-winning international sensation A STRANGE LOOP is coming to Toronto! Meet Usher, a Black gay man who’s writing a musical about a Black gay man…who’s also writing a musical about a Black gay man.
April 8 – 19, 2025
Mahabharata Part One: Karma: The Life We Inherit (Toronto Premiere)
Bluma Appel Theatre
www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/mahabharata-part1
Mahabharata is a contemporary take on a Sanskrit epic that is more than four thousand years old and foundational to South Asian culture.
April 11 – 20, 2025
Mahabharata Part Two: Dharma: The Life We Choose (Toronto Premiere)
Bluma Appel Theatre
www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/mahabharata-part2
Mahabharata is a contemporary take on a Sanskrit epic that is more than four thousand years old and foundational to South Asian culture.
tba
February 15 – March 9, 2025
Fat Ham (Canadian Premiere)
Berkeley St. Theatre
www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/fat-ham
A bold and hilarious reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy.
April 6, 2025
Beaches Sandbox Comedy – Big Laughs
Beaches Sandbox, 2181 Queen Street East
In Support of Beaches Sandbox Services
www.beachessandbox.com/workshops-and-events/comedy—big-laughs
Beaches Sandbox is bringing big laughs to the Beaches with an evening of live comedy on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Hosted by Kris Siddiqi, the evening features Canada’s Got Talent finalist and 2025 JUNO Award-nominated comedian Courtney Gilmour, as well as the comedic stylings of Clif Knight, Ryan Dillon, and Karen Mitches.
This event is for ages 19+ and may include coarse language and mature subject matter. All proceeds will support Beaches Sandbox’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible programs for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Beaches Sandbox is an accessible facility.
February – June 2025
Twist and Shout – New Musical!
Famous PEOPLE Players Dinner Theatre, 343 Evans Avenue, Toronto
famouspeopleplayers.com
Everyone wants to go back in time to a world we once knew that was sunshine and lollipops. Even if you’ve never heard of Elvis (oh, come on!), you will be dancing in your seat! “Twist and Shout” will spark memories of your first kiss, first dance at a Beach Boys concert, and remember those blue suede shoes! You might even see The Rolling Stones roll by!
June 20 – 29, 2025
Changing the Label
Famous PEOPLE Players Dinner Theatre, 343 Evans Avenue, Toronto
famouspeopleplayers.com
A New Canadian Musical by Gord Carruth. A national ACTRA award-winning playwright/composer. One of Canada’s most prolific writers of musical theatre. The inspirational story of Diane Dupuy C.M. founder of the Famous PEOPLE Players, in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary.
November 2025 – January 2026
Joy to the World – New Musical!
Famous PEOPLE Players Dinner Theatre, 343 Evans Avenue, Toronto
famouspeopleplayers.com
A musical for the whole family.
Enchanting, mesmerizing, inspiring and FUN. You will leave with a gift in your Heart… HOPE for the world full of JOY!
March 8 – 22, 2025
National Ballet of Canada presents Swan Lake
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
national.ballet.ca/productions/swan-lake
The National Ballet of Canada presents Swan Lake, a breathtaking production of one of the world’s most celebrated ballets. With mesmerizing choreography, stunning sets, and a hauntingly beautiful score, this classic love story continues to captivate audiences of all generations.
May 30 – June 5, 2025
Adieu: A Celebration of Guillaume Côté
World Premiere Co-Created by Guillaume Côté and Ben Shirinian
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
national.ballet.ca/productions/adieu
Guillaume Côté bids “adieu” to The National Ballet of Canada after 26 years. To celebrate his legacy as a preeminent dancer and one of the first Choreographic Associates in the company’s history, he will create a new work, Into the fade, and will restage his thrilling Boléro. The programme also features world premieres from two bold and exciting Canadian choreographic talents: Ethan Colangelo and Jennifer Archibald.
June 13 – 21, 2025
Anna Karenina
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
national.ballet.ca/productions/anna-karenina
An alluring new Anna Karenina enters The National Ballet of Canada repertoire with this North American premiere and first creative partnership with Christian Spuck. One of Europe’s foremost choreographers, Spuck distills Leo Tolstoy’s richly themed novel about morality, social reform, family and passion into profound choreography that shares the best of his modern yet theatrical style. Complete with lush 19th-century costumes, cinematic projections and a curated score featuring music by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Witold Lutoslawski.
March 12, 2025 at 4 & 7 p.m.
Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock
Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
https://www.oakvillecentre.ca/whats-on/upcoming-events/jim-hensen-fraggle-rock
When Gobo Fraggle discovers a legend about a long-lost Fraggle treasure called the Great Song Stone, his pals Mokey, Boober, Wembley, and Red join him on an adventure to find it, and end up celebrating the greatest treasure of all – something much more special than they could have ever imagined!
March 14, 2025 | 3 and 6 pm.
Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live
Partridge Hall, St. Catharines
https://www.firstontariopac.ca/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=EventArticle-2425PAC43-Jim-Hensons-Fraggle-Rock&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=
MARCH BREAK FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
Starring the characters of the beloved original Jim Henson series currently seen in the hit Emmy Award-winning Apple TV+ reboot, Fraggle Rock LIVE features the iconic Fraggles alongside all the favourite characters from the show, as well as new characters in a brand-new exciting, interactive, live musical adventure perfect for all ages!
March 24 – 29, 2025
THE MIXOLYDIAN | Indigenous tale connecting generations
Young People’s Theatre, ADA SLAIGHT STAGE
Recommended for Ages 6-12 | Gr. 1-6
Bellevue, an 11-year-old Anishinaabe/Métis girl, feels out of touch with the stories her Grandfather (Shoom) passed down to her. Seeking to reconnect with her culture and language, Bellevue embarks on a journey through the woods alongside her imaginary friend, a shapeshifter named Thomas. With help from her wise ancestor Nokomis, Bellevue makes surprising discoveries along the way – about herself and her friend Thomas. Featuring puppetry and music, this unique Indigenous tale from Vancouver’s Green Thumb Theatre is a beautiful reminder to young audiences about the importance of the people and places they come from.
April 7, 2025
Cirque Kalabanté: Won’Ma Afrique
Flato Markham Theatre
A colourful show beyond its scenery, costumes and staging, it makes any theatre vibrate with energy and represents the strength, agility and life’s joys of young Africans. The students will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora. Welcome to the universe of Kalabanté Productions, and prepare for an unforgettable journey.
April 15–16, 2025
Theater Terra Presents Rapunzel the Musical
Flato Markham Theatre
Grades 1-6
Theater Terra is a theatre company based in the Netherlands. Specializing in children’s theatre and family musicals for over 50 years, the company tours worldwide. This production features puppetry, music, and inventive set designs as integral elements of the show. Join the spirited Rapunzel and her friends in a magical retelling of this beloved tale.
April 16, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Cirque Kalabanté Won’Ma Africa
Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
“Won’Ma Afrique”, which means “Our Africa” in the Sousou language, is a smaller version adapted from “Africa in Circus”. Kalabanté meaning “go-getter, ambitious child, with exceptional courage” in the Sousou language, this NPO pursues a double mission: the promotion of African artistic cultures and the realization of humanitarian projects, and cultural exchanges, between Canada and Guinea.
April 24, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Theater Terra Presents Rapunzel
Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
Theater Terra presents the new family musical Rapunzel, based on the famous European fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, for ages 4 and up. Come to the theatre for an enchanting afternoon with Rapunzel the Musical! A long time ago, there was a witch, who took a young girl from her mother. The witch called the girl Rapunzel and locked her up in a high tower, in the middle of the woods. Living there, Rapunzel is only being visited by the witch, who crawls up the tower on Rapunzel’s long braids. Until one day, when a Prince appears…
April 28 – May 15, 2025
WICKED NIX | A charmingly mischievous tale | WORLD PREMIERE
Young People’s Theatre, ADA SLAIGHT STAGE
Recommended for Ages 8-13 | Gr. 3-8
Nix is the foulest of the fairies. With the Faerie Queen away, this mischievous sprite is tasked with safeguarding their forest from a most dangerous enemy – humans. When one such foe settles into a cottage in the woods on the eve of the Queen’s return, Nix conjures a few wicked tricks to drive him away. His efforts fail, and Nix is faced with difficult choices and an even more dangerous truth. Based on the award-winning book by acclaimed author Lena Coakley (CBC’s 2018 Best Book of the Year), this whimsical romp explores the timeless bonds of family and the joy of finding a home in unexpected places.
May 24 – June 1, 2025
FRED PENNER | Calling all Fred Heads!
Young People’s Theatre, ADA SLAIGHT STAGE
Recommended for Ages 3-7 | JK-Gr. 2
Introduce your little ones to Canadian music Icon Fred Penner! Experience all the hummable fun of the four-time Juno Award-winner as he plays his catchy classics “The Cat Came Back”, “What a Day” and more – a nostalgia-filled treat for audiences of all ages.
